Chapter 1.16

The next morning, Leticia didn’t wake until late in the afternoon. Karl Lavresion was still beside her, his breathing steady as he slept.  

No wonder she had felt uncomfortable during the night—he had been resting his head on her left shoulder. Carefully, she lifted his head and placed it on the pillow. He let out a soft groan in his sleep.  

Her shoulder ached. She massaged it with her right hand as she sat up. A long cord hung down from the ceiling.  

What’s this? 

She tilted her head curiously and gave the cord a tug. Immediately, a bell rang.  

Oh no. 

She realized too late that it was meant to summon someone. A knock sounded at the door.  

“Did you call, Miss?”  

“Sorry, I pulled it by mistake.”  

“Understood, Miss.”  

How many people were in this villa besides her and Karl Lavresion? Judging by how quickly someone had responded, there must have been quite a few.  

“Leti…”  

Karl Lavresion stirred, murmuring her name as he wrapped an arm around her waist from behind.  

“Sleep a little more…”  

“Stop sleeping and get up. It’s already past two.”  

They had long missed breakfast—and even lunch. Despite this, he still seemed drowsy.  

Shrugging him off, she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to wash up. When she returned, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, fully awake.  

“Leti, morning kiss.” 

He said, spreading his arms wide and leaning his cheek toward her. She laughed softly and pushed his face away. But instead of backing off, he pressed his cheek against her hand.  

Knowing he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted, she sighed and kissed his cheek lightly.  

“Mm. Nice.”  

Smiling, he turned the other cheek toward her. Sighing again, she gave it another quick peck. This time, he puckered his lips.  

“Hey…”  

“You have to kiss my lips too. That’s the most important part.”  

He was acting like a child. Grumbling, she leaned in and gave him a brief kiss on the lips. Satisfied, he pulled her into a hug, nuzzling his face against her chest.  

“Enough now. Get up…”  

“Okay, Leti.”  

He kissed both her cheeks in quick succession, then planted one last kiss on her lips before finally getting out of bed.  

“I’ll go wash up. Don’t leave without me, okay?”  

When she didn’t answer, he shook her shoulder insistently.  

“Promise you won’t leave without me?”  

“Fine.”  

Satisfied with her reply, he headed to the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water filled the room.  

Leticia took a moment to survey the room. It was tidy, with two fireplaces on either side of the walls and a portable heater in the corner. There was even a blanket folded neatly on the table. For someone like her who was sensitive to the cold, it was a relief.  

In the center of the room stood a long sofa, providing a comfortable space to sit and relax. Overall, it was a pleasant environment.  

She walked to the window and drew the curtains. Bright sunlight streamed in, momentarily blinding her. Squinting, she adjusted to the light and looked outside. The sky was clear and blue, with not a single cloud in sight.  

Leaning against the window, she smiled faintly. It had been a long time since she felt this peaceful and at ease. She stayed there, gazing at the serene landscape outside.  

The sound of the bathroom door opening broke her reverie. Turning around, she saw Karl Lavresion approaching. He wrapped his arms around her from the side, resting his chin on her shoulder.  

“The weather’s nice today.”  

“Yes.”  

“Should we have a picnic? Lay out a mat and eat outside.”

The suggestion stirred something within her—it was as if he had known about her secret longing for picnics. Leticia nodded eagerly. Karl Lavresion chuckled softly and pinched her cheek gently, giving it a playful shake.  

“Alright.”  

He then tugged a cord to summon the servants. A knock came at the door almost immediately.  

“Could you prepare for a picnic?”  

“Yes, of course.”  

A voice responded from outside, followed by the sound of multiple footsteps. As expected, there seemed to be quite a number of servants stationed here.  

Leticia and Karl Lavresion began preparing for the outing. Since she hadn’t brought any luggage, she had to wear clothes available in the villa. Unfortunately, none of them fit her properly. Every piece was too big. In the end, she had no choice but to wear a loose-fitting dress. It was her fault for not bringing her belongings, so she considered herself lucky that there were even women’s clothes available.  

“You’re adorable.” 

Karl Lavresion said with a wide smile, pulling her into a tight embrace. She squirmed in his arms at the overwhelming strength of his hug.  

“I-I can’t breathe!”  

“You look like a little chick.”  

First, he had compared her to a hamster, and now a chick. He finally loosened his grip, though he didn’t let go entirely. Over his shoulder, she could see the servants waiting by the door, holding what appeared to be heavy loads.  

“Let me go! They’re waiting.”  

“Alright, alright.”  

He planted a quick kiss on her cheek before releasing her. Then, he linked his arm with hers and held her hand, as if physical contact was some sort of necessity for him.  

Just as he had mentioned, there was a large lake near the villa. The water seemed deep.  

“It looks pretty deep.”  

“As long as you don’t go in too far, it’s fine. Besides, today’s just for the picnic. We can swim tomorrow.”  

The servants laid out a mat under a large tree and placed a picnic basket and a fruit basket on top of it. Once everything was set, they stepped back.  

It was comfortable, yet Leticia couldn’t shake her unease. Of course, they weren’t her servants—they were Karl Lavresion’s. Still…  

“Leti. Don’t take this the wrong way—it’s not meant as an insult. But have you never had servants or attendants before?”  

“…No.”  

She hadn’t. There had been someone who came by once a day to do the household chores, but that person was an employee, not a servant or attendant. She was a commoner and didn’t treat Leticia or her mother as nobility. She avoided meeting their eyes and, when she did, quickly looked away. She only showed proper respect to the Baron of Evris when he happened to be around.  

The Baron’s household did have one attendant, but they weren’t assigned to her, and she rarely encountered them.  

She had had a tutor, though. From the age of six, she had been taught by the same person. However, when she reached the age to enroll in the academy, her tutor left. Leticia, mindful of public scrutiny, chose not to attend the academy.  

Amy.  

She still remembered her tutor’s name. Amy had been both a friend and a teacher to her. But… Amy had left her. They lost contact entirely.  

“I see.”  

Karl Lavresion didn’t press further. Instead, he opened the picnic basket and handed her a sandwich.  

“Say ‘ah,’ Leti.”  

“What?”  

Was he seriously trying to feed me? 

She leaned back in shock, her back hitting the hard trunk of the tree.  

“Why are you being so shy over something like this? Come on, say ‘ah.’”  

He leaned closer, determined to feed her. Reluctantly, she opened her mouth and took a bite of the sandwich he held out. It was simple but delicious, filled with lettuce, egg, and tomato.  

After swallowing, he brought the sandwich to her mouth again. She opened up and took another bite. It was good. Before she knew it, she had finished the entire sandwich he fed her.  

She hadn’t realized how hungry she was after skipping both breakfast and lunch.  

“I’ll eat on my own now. You eat too.”  

“Feed me, Leti.”  

“What…?”  

“Come on, me too.”  

He grinned and shook her arm playfully. She frowned slightly but picked up another sandwich and held it to his mouth.  

“Here.”  

He took a big bite, nearly devouring half of it in one go. After chewing and swallowing, he leaned forward and practically snatched the sandwich from her hand with his mouth.  

“Feed me another.”  

“No…”  

Wasn’t this something couples did?  

But they weren’t a couple. This was just an imitation of what couples might do. He likely didn’t think much of it, but she did.  

She didn’t like how easily she was letting herself be swept along by Karl Lavresion.  

Turning away from him, she leaned back against the tree, wanting to focus on the view of the lake.  

He looked at her with a hint of disappointment but soon began eating on his own. Leticia, meanwhile, gazed at the lake.  

It was far larger and more imposing than the fountains in the parks. The vast blue water grew darker toward the center, and staring at it gave her the strange feeling of being pulled in.  

An odd impulse surged within her.  

What would happen if I jumped into the deepest part of the lake? Would it all end there?  

Her mother, the Emperor, the Baron of Evris… She could forget them all. She wouldn’t have to worry about her mother’s debts or the fact that the Baron of Evris was the creditor. And then…  

“Leti.”  

Karl Lavresion’s voice broke through her thoughts. He was watching her with a serious expression, his gaze heavy. His lips parted slightly, as if he were hesitating over what to say. It was unlike him.  

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.  

“You can be happy.”  

His words were just as unexpected as his demeanor.  

“So… don’t look like that.”  

Look like what?  

She had simply been staring at the lake. Blinking, she remained silent as he approached and took her hand.  

“There are so many places you haven’t seen yet.”  

“……”  

“So many things you haven’t tried.”  

“……”  

“Don’t give up before you’ve had the chance to experience them, Leti.”  

Give up? She hadn’t given up. She had never even been given the chance.  

There were so many things she wanted to do. She just hadn’t been able to do them.  

She had wanted to attend the academy. Make friends. Go out without fear. Travel with her parents. Go on trips. Swim. Ride horses. Attend tea parties and debutante balls—or even just live a normal life…  

“I wanted to. I really did…”  

Her voice trailed off. She couldn’t bring herself to say more, knowing it would only make her feel more pathetic.  

Besides, Karl Lavresion had brought her to this villa, giving her the chance to swim and enjoy herself. She didn’t want to complain or vent her frustrations to him after all he had done for her.  

“Let’s do them together.” 

She looked up at him in surprise. Their eyes met, and he flinched slightly. His gaze wavered.  

“Before I have to return to Arhadan…” 

He added quietly.  

Of course. She scoffed inwardly at her own foolishness for letting her hopes rise even a little. Stupid Leticia Evris. She didn’t hesitate to berate herself.  

Silence fell between them. Karl Lavresion said no more, and Leticia leaned fully against the tree, closing her eyes as she waited for the bitterness and sadness to subside.  

The wind continued to blow. The sky remained blue. But her heart was painted in shades of gray.