Chapter 6 – Part 11

Ascending the stairs and passing through the long carpeted corridor, the two found themselves in front of a cabin. When Marcus opened the door, Liese, who had entered first, looked around.

It was a luxurious cabin decorated with dark-colored wood. Besides the furniture necessary for resting, including a bed, there was also a fireplace, whether for actual use or decoration; it was hard to tell. Liese’s eyes lingered particularly long at the window overlooking the deep blue sea.

“It’s even bigger than my room at the Brennen Estate.”

Liese commented while admiring the interior. Then she sat on the long sofa near the window, pressing her b*ttocks against it and sighing, indicating her fatigue.

Marcus stood leaning against the doorframe, observing Liese. She was a bold woman who didn’t even glance at him while wandering alone in the cabin. It seemed like he barely existed in her mind.

“…Ah.”

Liese jumped up, probably remembering Marcus belatedly.

“I’m sorry. I was resting without your permission.”

“There’s no need to ask for permission for such things.”

He casually replied, then sat back down as if nothing had happened. Marcus walked into the cabin. Even though he moved without any particular expression, his eyes filled with affection didn’t return as before.

The woman who had shed her mask remained silent for a while. It wasn’t because she didn’t know what to say, but because there was no conversation to be had between an employer and his employee.

Just like when she worked as a maid. Until Marcus spoke, she couldn’t look at him, couldn’t open her mouth first.

A relationship between a duke and a maid, described as one that could only exist through monetary transactions, flashed through Marcus’s mind, twisting his feelings strangely.

He directed his thorn towards Liese. There was a chill in the ashy gray walls that only contained her.

Liese looked down, fidgeting with her fingers. She still seemed a little tired. Without Marcus initiating conversation, it seemed she had no intention of speaking.

He was very annoyed by the fact that the woman was so pretty that he couldn’t find anything wrong with her. To be precise, he didn’t like the way she just sat quietly like a doll.

“Lieselotte.”

He called her name softly, prompting Liese to look up.

“Do you think your behavior in the banquet hall was satisfactory?”

Instead of answering, her emerald eyes stared at him silently. Marcus met her gaze willingly.

Wouldn’t her orchard look even more beautiful in the sunlight? He thought idly.

It might be possible to see the orchard at noon. There was nowhere he couldn’t step foot in this land if he made an appropriate excuse. Ever since he sensed Liese didn’t want to bring him to the orchard, a restriction had been placed on his power, making him bitter.

Ignoring the strange feeling of restlessness, Marcus patiently waited for Liese’s answer. After maintaining silence for quite some time, Liese calmly responded.

“Well… Was it okay?”

“The one who asked the question was me.”

“But the evaluation will be conducted by you. Did I seem like a familiar lover enough not to raise suspicions?”

Marcus leaned one shoulder against the bedpost, looking at Liese intently. There was no sign of shyness, just a quiet expression. He lightly shook the tie that felt suffocating, swinging it from side to side.

“It wasn’t bad.”

“Seeing you say that, I guess it was really okay. Your evaluation is more generous than I expected.”

A faint smile grazed Liese’s face, unnoticed unless one paid attention. Even though she didn’t express it openly, she seemed to feel a sense of pride.

“You said it was for the sake of your reputation, right? It helped. When you told me to act as your lover, I was at a loss, but I figured out how to act to not discredit your dignity.”

Even though her tone resembled reciting a business report, it still irritated Marcus. He twisted his lips in mockery.

“To be honest, it was perfect. I even doubted if you had feelings for me.”

Even that could be considered praise, as Liese’s face brightened with even more satisfaction.

“Thank you for saying that. I thought there were some parts that could be criticized.”

“Why did you think that?”

“Because my smile felt awkward, and I couldn’t handle the eye contact naturally. My voice was trembling a bit too.”

It was all packaged perfectly as the demeanor of a woman who was embarrassed and didn’t know what to do. Marcus even believed it to some extent.

“I’ll try harder not to discredit your reputation.”

Looking at the woman, who had no sense of perception, Marcus truly felt annoyed. Suddenly, he straightened up from leaning on the bedpost and started to take off his jacket.

Liese slowly withdrew her laughter at the sudden undressing. He didn’t care and threw the coat he took off on the bed. He even took off the loose tie and dropped it on it. It was an unstoppable move.
“May I ask what you’re doing right now?”

As he undid the buttons of his vest and transformed into shirtless attire, Liese became increasingly wary. It seemed she only now realized they were alone in a quiet space.

It made Marcus feel better to see the woman, who had always been as still as a puppet with a smooth exterior, fidgeting so much.

“We’re just fulfilling the expectations of those who imagine we’re having a tryst.”

He undid a couple more buttons on his shirt on a whim. As the fabric loosened slightly around his tight chest, some inexplicable frustration dissipated. Liese’s guarded demeanor grew stronger.

“Why do we need to fulfill those expectations? Especially when no one is watching… There’s no need for that.”

Liese stuttered in her response, visibly flustered. Marcus, who had been quietly savoring her bewildered expression for a moment, chuckled lightly.

“I don’t mean to attack you, I’m just trying to kill time.”

Liese still looked at him suspiciously. Marcus stepped across the cabin towards her. Startled by the growing shadows, Liese instinctively retreated.

“But why are you coming closer…?”

Marcus sat down on the adjacent seat of the sofa where Liese was sitting. Whether she recoiled or not, he casually leaned his body towards her thigh and laid down.

“W-what are you doing right now?”

“I’m just going to take a quick nap, so wake me up when some time has passed.”

In the middle of the first-class cabin, there was a narrow bed where three stewards could barely lie down side by side. She could have suggested he rest there, but anything she said would be distasteful, so this was better.

Of course, it was a very satisfying situation for him. Seeing her confused face up close pleased him, especially.

However, the chair for a nap was too narrow, so he had to tuck his shoulders in and fold his long legs. It was his fault for having a body too big for the chair. But since he has a comfortable knee pillow, he had no complaints.

“It’s surprising when you suddenly do this.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

Liese blinks her round eyes. She looked incredibly surprised, with her fists clenched tightly against her chest and her shoulders hunched. Marcus had to suppress a laugh as he covered his mouth with one arm for a moment.

“Are you really going to sleep? There’s a bed, and the guests are probably waiting outside.”

“It’s not an important business meeting. Vacating the room for a moment won’t cause any trouble.”

“When should I wake you up then?”

“How long do you think it takes for a man and a woman to indulge?”

His blunt words made Liese’s cheeks flush with embarrassment.

“I… I wouldn’t know about that.”

“Think about it. Considering it’s not the right time and place, use a bit of common sense.”

“Even if you say that, I really don’t know.”

Marcus didn’t respond and closed his eyes. As he lay there, basking in the sunlight and resting his head on Liese’s thigh, his consciousness gradually began to fade.

***

Liese couldn’t move.

Even the slightest movement might wake the man lying with his head on her thigh. It was difficult for her to even breathe. Her fists clenched against her chest and remained there for a while. She had no choice but to hold her breath and watch over Marcus.

His broad shoulders looked particularly uncomfortable. What was he thinking? Compared to his large figure, he looked terribly uncomfortable on the small sofa. Why did he have to sleep here instead of in the large bed? He looked like a grown-up dog taking up a puppy’s pillow.

Of course, if he had left her alone and occupied the bed, she would have been anxious about his intentions. Conversely, if he had suggested she rest alone in bed, she wouldn’t have readily agreed.

…Was his decision to rest his head on her knee at the end of such deep consideration? Probably not.

Liese tried to ponder his inexplicable behavior further but gave up. At some point, she heard his steady breathing. Marcus seemed to have actually fallen asleep.

The clear sunlight from the window overlooking the azure sea poured diagonally onto his face. His scattered hair on her lap shimmered like gold dust, and the sharply defined features of his face glowed with a reddish hue.

Liese slightly moistened her lips and asked softly. She observed the man’s long, light-colored eyelashes, his straight nose, and his parted lips one by one. Even though it was she who was basking in the sunlight, she felt a warmth rising to her cheeks.

Could one person possess such contradictory qualities? She had to admit that he looked remarkably handsome, bathed in sunlight.

As if to interrupt her contemplation, Marcus shifted his shoulders slightly. The bright rays of light brushed against his eyelids, causing him to furrow his brows as if disturbed. As if caught secretly observing, Liese, feeling momentarily embarrassed, absentmindedly smoothed his cheek with her hand.

The sound of his breathing seemed a bit calmer. So she continued to hold her hand there for a long time, breathing out shallow breaths. She hoped this uncomfortable time would end soon.

After about 30 minutes, Liese began to wake him up. Unable to bring herself to shake him, she whispered cautiously.

“Your Grace.”

Marcus slowly lifted his eyelids as if he hadn’t been deeply asleep.

“It’s been quite some time.”

“……”

“We need to leave now.”

He reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a pocket watch. Checking the time with eyes still drowsy, he looked at Liese with a puzzled expression.

“…30 minutes?”

“I told you I didn’t know how long it would take.”

Liese retorted quietly. Marcus, who had just woken up from a short nap, slowly sat up. Rising from the sofa as if acknowledging the wait, Liese went to the bed and picked up the jacket, vest, and tie he had taken off.

Marcus brushed his hair back and looked at Liese with still blurry eyes.

“Shall I help you dress?”

Liese asked cautiously. Marcus, examining the clothes she held in her hands, burst out laughing.

“Is serving a natural talent of yours?”

The duke, who was skillfully tying his tie, looked clearly uncomfortable. Liese fidgeted with her two lost hands, not knowing what to do, but held them together in front of her politely. It seemed wise to wait quietly until he finished dressing.

Marcus made a grimacing expression at the sight. Without her help, he awkwardly put his arms through the vest and coat before striding away.

Liese followed him silently. She had no idea what she had done wrong.