Chapter 58. Cat

“Ellen.”

Enoch called me, urging. I pulled the cushion closer, avoiding his gaze.

“Hmm…”

He let out a low hum, set down his brandy glass, and stood up. As he slowly approached, I stiffened like a wooden doll.

“What are you hiding? You’re making me curious.”

“Well, just a moment, I need to prepare myself—”

“Is it something you need to prepare yourself for?”

I fumbled. I brought it to give to him, but now I felt shy about actually handing it over.

Should I give it to him tomorrow instead of today? No, why did I even buy him a gift in the first place? …Besides, I bought it with his money. Buying a gift for him with his own money. I felt a sudden wave of despair at my lack of financial independence.

“It’s just, I saw it while browsing, so I bought it. It doesn’t have any special meaning…”

I stammered, still hiding the box with the cushion. By then, Enoch was right in front of me. His cool scent wafted over, making me forget how to think.

“You saw it while browsing, so what did you buy?”

“Well…”

“You have to show me for me to know.”

Enoch grabbed the cushion I was clutching. I let out a short scream and tried to hold on, but I was no match for his strength.

In the end, the cushion was taken from me, and I stared blankly at the fully exposed gift box. The ribbon the shop owner had decorated it with was even the same gold color as Enoch’s eyes. The box was black. …That fact made me even more embarrassed.

“So, this is what you were hiding.”

Enoch chuckled as he picked up the gift box and sat down next to me. I slid away from him as much as I could while still seated.

“Is this for me?”

It wasn’t a question but a statement. A black box with a gold ribbon. Anyone could tell it was a gift for him. It would be strange not to recognize it. I nodded, afraid to meet his gaze. My eyes were fixed on the view outside the window, but my body couldn’t move an inch from here.

“You bought me a gift on your birthday?”

Enoch let out a hollow laugh. Seeing him amused made me wonder if I shouldn’t have bought it. Honestly, I wasn’t sure why I bought him a gift…

“I just… saw it while browsing.”

I repeated what I said before. I didn’t want to think there was any other reason. I had to try hard to stop my mind from running wild. No more thinking. Let’s not think anymore.

“Hmm.”

Enoch let out a low hum and pulled one end of the gold ribbon. With that simple motion, the ribbon easily came undone and fell off the box. Enoch’s elegant, long fingers lifted the lid of the box. He was extremely relaxed throughout the process.

“Oh, it’s this.”

Enoch chuckled when he finally saw the gift. What if he didn’t like it? Knowing he wouldn’t lie about liking it, I felt quite nervous. If he criticized it, I might be a bit hurt. It’s just… how I felt. Gifts are meant to be given with the hope that the recipient will like them.

“Why did you choose this?”

He lifted the pin and waved it in front of my eyes, questioning. I blinked and glanced between him and the pin.

“Well… the gemstone is a yellow diamond. It resembles the color of Your Highness’s eyes…”

I couldn’t help but feel foolish saying such things. Choosing a gemstone because it resembles someone’s eye color is such a poetic act. Something you’d do for a lover, a romantic gesture…

Not something that would happen between Enoch Bayern and me.

“Do you like the color of my eyes?”

He asked, seemingly curious. His tone suggested pure curiosity. I looked at him, feeling slightly absurd. Even so, his golden eyes were so transparent and clear like jewels, that I felt I might get lost in them if I kept staring.

“Who in the world wouldn’t like the color of Your Highness’s eyes…”

I wasn’t the only one whose mind was helplessly captivated by his eyes. Enoch didn’t seem to realize how irresistible his gaze was.

“That seems like a hasty generalization.”

“What, not everyone might feel the same, but most people probably would.”

“Then why do you keep avoiding my eyes?”

He suddenly came right up to my nose. At that moment, I was so startled I gasped and my eyes widened. My mind went blank as if it had been bleached white, and I couldn’t think of anything.

“Because I’m… trying…”

The words popped out reflexively. It was a strange experience, my whole body nearly frozen while only my mouth moved.

“Trying what?”

“Trying not to like Your Highness’s eyes…”

“Would it be a problem if you liked my eyes?”

His question sounded like a mischievous joke. I tried to think about why it would be a problem if I liked his eyes but decided against it. I didn’t want to know.

“Do you like the pin?”

Finally regaining my composure, I chose to change the subject. Enoch couldn’t possibly miss my clumsy attempt. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at me, seemingly knowing I was trying to avoid the topic.

“It’s just a plain pin. There’s nothing to like or dislike about it.”

“Oh, I see.”

For some reason, his answer made me feel a bit hurt, but I was relieved that it wasn’t the worst. Plain was fine. At least it wasn’t something he’d want to throw in the trash.

Enoch examined the yellow diamond on the pin under different angles of light, then smiled meaningfully.

Though he had tossed off his jacket and vest and loosened his cravat, appearing rather disheveled, he surprisingly pinned the pin onto his shirt collar.

He picked up his brandy glass again and took a sip of the deep amber liquid. His face still showed signs of fatigue, but he seemed in a much better mood than before.

“So… is it my turn to ask questions now?”

…And he was still sitting next to me. I was really curious why he didn’t return to his seat.

“Do you like my gift?”

“…Sorry?”

What gift? …Did he mean when he threw Anderson to me at dawn? I blinked blankly and then voiced my thoughts.

“If you mean making Anderson kneel before me… yes, I liked it.”

“Not just that.”

…What else was there? As I sat there confused, he moved closer. I tried to back away, but there was nowhere left to retreat except to get up from the sofa.

“I bankrupted the Lopez family.”

“Ah.”

Was that also a birthday gift? Come to think of it, they did say it was his doing… So he timed the Lopez family’s bankruptcy for my birthday? …No way. It must be a coincidence. Even Enoch Bayern wouldn’t plan the timing of a bankruptcy…

Even amidst my confusion, my mouth dutifully replied.

“Well, I liked that too. Thank you, really.”

“Good, I’m glad.”

He finally moved away from me, though he was still sitting next to me. We were so close our thighs were touching. I was going crazy thinking about the contact. Did he really not feel anything? Touching me so casually—was it worse because he wasn’t aware of it?

“Ah, I’m really tired. I’ll take a nap for a bit.”

“What?”

Ignoring my response, he set down his brandy glass and naturally changed his posture. He lay down, stretching his legs to the end of the sofa and resting his head on my thigh.

I was so shocked I froze like a statue, my mouth hanging open. It’s true what they say that extreme shock can make your mind go blank.

I mumbled in disbelief.

“Excuse me… Your Highness?”

He remained silent with his eyes closed. Then he grabbed my hand and placed it on top of his head, demanding as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Stroke my hair.”

“What…?”

What is he doing…?

“I sleep better when someone strokes my hair.”

I was too dumbfounded to find words to respond. As he fidgeted his head impatiently, I started stroking his hair without thinking. His hair was as fine and smooth as silk.

‘…Is he really sleeping?’

As I played with his black hair for a while, I heard a soft purring sound. He had really fallen asleep.

‘He’s like a cat…’

I let out a small chuckle and looked down at his sleeping face. His eyelashes were incredibly long. The shadows under his eyes were dark purple, like they had been painted with violet ink. He looked utterly exhausted. With his irregular lifestyle, skipping meals, and consuming alcohol and cigarettes on an empty stomach, it was no wonder…

For someone who lived as if life would end tomorrow, he was surprisingly diligent. He was a truly strange person.

I sighed and continued to stroke his black hair. It was a lazy evening, with golden sunset light streaming through the wide glass windows.

* * *

Surprisingly, a birthday celebration was held for me around 8 PM. It was a modest party without any outside guests, which I preferred. I liked it better than the hustle and bustle.

Thanks to that, I had a pleasant evening and went up to my room, where I found a box labeled as Enoch’s gift on my bed.

I thought the Lopez family’s bankruptcy was the final gift, but apparently, there was more. I chuckled and approached the bed.

What could it be? My heart pounded with anticipation as I lifted the lid of the box. And finally, when I saw the contents—

‘…What is this?’

I was stunned.

And for good reason, this was…