Chapter 17 – Part 13

The merchants’ gathering took place at the same venue where the New Year’s party had been held. It was a casual get-together of small business owners in Raum, characterized by light drinking and socializing, just as Liese had heard.

It was completely different from the noble soirées Liese had attended during the last social season. Instead of the elegant melodies of string instruments, loud and boisterous music filled the air, and there were no servants circulating with food. Instead, a bar was set up where guests had to order their own drinks and snacks.

As a result, groups of people drinking noisily were quite noticeable. If Liese had attended alone, she might have found herself in some uncomfortable situations, just as Mrs. Morgan had suggested.

Liese glanced up at Marcus, her unexpected partner for the evening.

Marcus, who had offered her his arm, seemed unfazed by the free-spirited atmosphere. He appeared completely focused on Liese, meeting her occasional furtive glances with his own.

Feeling his intense gaze, Liese quickly turned her head forward. She could still feel his eyes on her face.

It was then that she became self-conscious about even the smallest details. Was there an eyelash on her cheek? Was her forehead slightly flushed? The heat from Marcus’s gaze seemed to concentrate on her face.

At this rate, it was no different than him saying ‘I still harbored deep feelings for you’.

Liese swallowed dryly, her throat moving slightly.

“…Thank you for accompanying me.”

She tried to divert his attention with a formal expression of gratitude.

“I would have been a bit lost on my own.”

“This is nothing compared to what you’ve done for me.”

Marcus responded softly. Remembering the events of last summer, Liese looked at him with a softened expression.

“Why? It’s the truth.”

“But I received compensation for it, Marcus.”

He said nothing. Amid the chaotic atmosphere of the party, they shared a quiet look. After a brief silence, Marcus spoke.

“I still think about the last social season often. I’ve never regretted my past before.”

“……”

“I realized my feelings too late. Instead of proposing a mere deal just to see you every day, I should have courted you properly.”

The deal to be the Duke’s partner—that’s where it all began.

Last summer, Liese was enveloped in a whirlwind of emotions. She resented Marcus for shamelessly giving her a sense of shame, gradually fell for his occasional kindness, and eventually found herself harboring a deep, red affection.

It wasn’t a memory she hated. Looking into his eyes filled with regret, Liese slowly moved her lips.

“If it weren’t for you, I would have been in trouble. There’s no lie in saying that you were my benefactor.”

“Do you regret meeting me?”

Marcus asked quietly, recalling when Liese had said she regretted seeking him out for money. It was a moment when they had bared their deepest selves to each other.

“That time was so tough I wanted to turn back the clock. Overwhelmed by emotions, I said I regretted it, but…”

Liese’s lips trembled slightly as she stopped speaking. It took more courage than ever to continue.

“I’ve never wanted to forget the memories we shared.”

The hundreds of lanterns they saw from the small boat, his boyish smile, and the warmth that enveloped her in the bedroom with the sound of waves—all of these were memories she could never forget. They were precious memories she wished to cherish forever.

For a moment, Marcus’s eyes wavered. His Adam’s apple bobbed as if swallowing thirst, and a vein stood out on his neck, pulsing.

It was a familiar sight. It was always followed by a kiss, and as they embraced, she would often be driven to her limits before drifting off to sleep.

Recalling the sequence of events with Marcus, Liese felt a warmth spread through her chest. She also belatedly realized she had revealed her innermost feelings. She lowered her eyes slowly.

“And even if you had formally asked me to date you, I would be too scared to accept it right away.”

“But you had feelings for me too, didn’t you?”

“……”

“Even after everything that happened, you still get nervous when you see me, just like before.”

Marcus spoke with such conviction, without a hint of arrogance. He stated it as calmly as if he were describing the sky as blue, a rainbow as having seven colors, or the morning star shining brighter in the night sky.

Faced with Marcus’s unwavering certainty, Liese was momentarily speechless. She could neither agree that she still had feelings for him nor firmly deny it.

They stared at each other quietly for a moment, until a familiar voice interrupted.

“Liese, you’re here.”

An elderly man approached, greeting her. He was the owner of a small bookstore and had recently started seeing Mrs. Morgan. Liese, glad for the distraction, greeted him kindly.

“Hello, Uncle Peter.”

“Is Mrs. Morgan not attending tonight?”

“No, she has another appointment tonight.”

“That’s a shame…. She mentioned she might not make it, so I came alone just in case.”

The old man muttered regretfully. Then he looked curiously at Marcus, who was standing next to Liese.

“I don’t think I’ve seen him before. Is he…?”

“He’s a friend from Rosen.”

Borrowing Marcus’s answer, Liese replied readily. The elderly man, looking between Liese and Marcus, smiled broadly, much like Mrs. Morgan had.

“Sure, anyway, have a good time.”

“You too, sir.”

“Sigh, I have no partner, so I’ll be on my way. The music is too loud for my ears…”

Muttering and grumbling, the old man turned and walked away. As he left, Marcus chuckled as if he had heard a joke.

“No one believes that we’re friends.”

“Didn’t you say the same to Mrs. Morgan?”

“I only said that because you were uncomfortable.”

His lowered voice tickled Liese’s ears.

“We look like lovers, Liese. Even a three-year-old would see us and know we’re in love.”

He spoke as if everyone knew the truth but her. Marcus sat the increasingly red-faced Liese down at a table.

“Wait here. I’ll get us some drinks.”

Then he turned and walked away. Liese, watching him go, lowered her gaze. Despite being familiar with his bold manner, she was still flustered by it.

Left alone, Liese was enveloped by the bustling party atmosphere. The loud music made her head feel fuzzy. She felt oddly out of breath, and her stomach tightened with each breath.

‘Am I too nervous?’

She blamed the man who had so shaken her and let out a small sigh. Though she wasn’t feeling well, she couldn’t leave the party she attended at Mrs. Morgan’s request. Fortunately, she only needed to make a brief appearance.

Liese’s eyes suddenly widened as she instinctively searched for Marcus. Across the room, she saw Marcus with an unfamiliar woman, who was clinging to his arm.

It seemed the woman in front of Marcus had fallen. He was helping her up and dealing with the spilled drink.

Even from a distance, it was an understandable situation. But Liese’s eyes remained fixed on the woman clinging to Marcus.

She knew Marcus wasn’t the type to ignore someone in trouble right in front of him. Despite his seemingly cold and blunt demeanor, he was still a gentleman. If he had walked past the fallen woman, she wouldn’t have felt comfortable either.

But why did she feel so disheartened?

Liese watched Marcus and the woman with a parched throat. The woman, embarrassed, clung to his arm and kept moving her lips. Even as Marcus tried to move on after helping her, she wouldn’t let go.

‘Did she fall on purpose?’

Startled by her own thoughts, Liese realized it was the first time she had harbored such a mean suspicion about someone. But once the thought took hold, it wouldn’t stop.

The woman beside Marcus seemed uninjured but still clung to him. Maybe it was Marcus who was hesitating, aware of Liese’s gaze, doing it on purpose.

“Can you easily imagine me hugging, kissing, and doing everything with someone else that I did with you?”

Liese clenched her fists on her lap. Her heart pounded as if she had run a race. Unidentified anger surged up to her throat.

“Drink, Liese.”

Marcus, now close, placed a glass on the table. He had bought apple juice, knowing she preferred something sweet and fruity over alcohol.

“…Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Liese took the glass and tried to soothe her chaotic feelings with the drink. After a few sips, she set the glass down, but it wobbled, spilling some juice. She hurriedly looked for a napkin, only to be handed a white handkerchief. She was taken aback.

“You carry a handkerchief?”

“I thought it might help me hit on you.”