Chapter 7 – Part 5

“I heard there’s a lantern festival on the river.”

Marcus said, as if he could read Liese’s mind.

“Do you want to go?”

His next question was softer. The eyes in the ashen walls that stared back at Liese were different. Strange eyes that looked neither free nor annoyed. It was similar to when he was acting friendly, but there was a strange difference in the way it felt.

Maybe it was his eyes that made her feel strange all day.

Now she faced a small dilemma. Should she honestly answer the duke’s question about wanting to go to the lantern festival? Agreeing, knowing what kind of proposal might follow, meant giving him an answer that was practically a yes.

“They say if you go on a boat ride under the lanterns, love will surely come true.”

Madeline’s excited whisper echoed in her ears like a hallucination. She knew they would never be like that, so why did she care about a silly superstition?

Nevertheless, Liese decided to follow her heart’s desire to see the lanterns light up the night sky. Internally, she reassured herself that, as long as they didn’t take a boat, there was nothing to worry about.

“…Yes. I’d like to go.”

“Shall we go after dinner, then?”

Marcus suggested, as expected. Liese nodded, trying not to show her inexplicable tremor.

“Sounds great. I’ve been wanting to see the festival.”

“Good.”

He quietly lifted the corners of his mouth.

“I thought you’d refuse since you said you didn’t want to go anywhere else.”

“That was just because I wanted to warn you against doing anything silly.”

“Silly? Your effort to speak indirectly is commendable.”

Not wanting to broach the subject further, Liese sipped her juice and pretended to be distracted. The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the waitress with the food.

The steaming food was, without a doubt, delicious: an appetizer of mushroom soup served with light bread, followed by a simple dish of sautéed string beans and shallots.

The main course was also exceptional. Grilled chicken with a special sauce, various vegetables, beef, and a rich red stew made with grapes and simmered for a long time were flavorful and exquisite.

Marcus’s eyes scanned the food as it was placed on the table. Liese felt compelled to add some explanation.

“It suits my taste, but I’m not sure if it will suit yours.”

“I’m not picky with food. I’ve always eaten even terrible combat rations without complaint.”

He said it breezily, shifting his cutlery in a posture that was imbued with impeccable dining etiquette. She took this to mean he found the food acceptable and took a bite of the neatly sliced meat.

Time passed without much incident, just enough to avoid any awkwardness, until Marcus posed another question.

“You said you originally planned to give me a book as a gift.”

“…Oh, yes. I did.”

“What kind of book was it?”

Liese hesitated, unable to answer. The persistent man would definitely demand an answer. Stirring the delicately prepared stew, she carefully opened her mouth.

“If you promise not to be angry, I’ll tell you the truth.”

“What’s the big deal? Go ahead.”

Today, Marcus felt more generous than usual. Not truly lenient, but more interested in getting to know her.

Maybe that’s why she felt uncomfortable.

“I thought about giving you a book on meditation, like ‘How to Manage the Sharp Edges Within’…. something like that.”

Marcus watched as Liese rambled on, propping her chin with a long finger.

“‘How to Manage the Sharp Edges Within’?”

“…….”

“Sounds like something a scoundrel should read.”

“A scoundrel… it’s not that bad. Don’t misunderstand. You’re actually a good person.”

“In what way?”

Liese’s hands and feet were numb. It was so awkward that she found it easier to play the part of a lover and spout insincere words.

“Sometimes you say reasonable things, and you seem more generous than you appear.”

It was never a good compliment when it was attached, Liese realized in hindsight, and rolled her eyes. Marcus, not quite as affected, repeated the question.

“How do I appear to you?”

“Well, your personality… Of course, your appearance is quite outstanding, but you seem like a person who is ruthless in everything. And generally, you are.”

Marcus suddenly burst out laughing as he watched the woman hesitate and say something.

Liese stared at him as he laughed out loud. The sound of his cool laugh and the way his slender eyes crinkled were unfamiliar.

She knew he laughed often, but she’d never seen him so genuinely amused. Liese was caught up in a feeling not unlike the one she’d felt when she’d watched him mesmerized by the lake so long ago. She didn’t even realize her expression was the same as it was back then.

“Your evaluation of me isn’t so bad. Occasionally generous and perfect in appearance.”

Marcus said with a smirk on his face. Liese blinked, a little sheepishly, as she recovered from the strange feeling.

“I didn’t praise you that much, but yeah, you’re right.”

“You admit there’s nothing to fault, right? You’ve seen it all.”

“What do you mean by seen… oh.”

Liese’s face heated up as she stammered. He was smiling meaningfully, no doubt remembering the day she’d met him n*ked in the lake. The day he’d laid his n*ked body on full display.

Liese hastily averted her eyes from his and pretended to focus on her meal. It was a futile endeavor, as her cheeks were as red as apples.

It was still a strange and uncomfortable day. The thought that this day was far from over left her feeling somewhat despondent.

***

By the time they finished eating, it was already dusk.

The kind restaurant owner handed them a small brown paper bag with homemade desserts to try. While Liese accepted it, Marcus nonchalantly finished paying the bill and naturally extended his hand again. Hesitating for a moment, Liese reluctantly interlaced her fingers with his.

The two walked in silence under the streetlights of Bachmann’s archaic design. Bloomberg Street felt like a distant destination, even though it was not far from the riverfront.

There were quite a few young couples on the street heading to the same place. The air around them was filled with romantic undercurrents as they clung to each other’s shoulders and whispered. Liese was beginning to feel a little more concerned about the large hand holding hers.

When the Melir River finally came into view, the lovers let out an audible gasp. This time, Liese was one of them.

The festivities were just beginning. Hundreds of pale yellow wind lanterns were floating up into the night sky from the river. Liese’s mouth dropped open like a child’s at the sight of such splendor.

“Wow….”

She couldn’t believe such a dreamlike world existed. It was a festival unimaginable on her rural estate, where meat and liquor were all there was to enjoy.

“Today’s the last night of the festival, so we’re lucky.”

Liese chirped, unable to hide her excitement.

“It’s so pretty, don’t you think?”

“It’s pretty.”

Marcus replied without hesitation, his gaze drifting from the golden lanterns in the sky to Liese. She was too distracted to notice him.

It was easy to understand the legend that couples who take a boat ride under the lanterns fall in love. Sharing such a magical sight with someone made it natural for special feelings to develop.

Her steps grew lighter as they headed towards the riverside. Looking up at the fantastical lights, Liese suddenly noticed a very familiar man walking towards them from the opposite direction.

Liese stared at him through narrowed eyes, and then, suddenly, she recognized him.

It was Ian.

‘No way.’

It was definitely him. Ian was approaching with a few friends, chatting animatedly.

She’d never thought she’d actually see him, but if they made eye contact, he’d come over and say hello, as was his nature.

Would the unpredictable Duke play along with whatever excuse she came up with? Would Ian believe Marcus was merely her employer?

Not likely. Marcus and Liese had been holding hands all the way from Bloomberg Street.

She glanced at Ian, who was getting closer and closer, but eventually chose to avoid him. She told herself it was for the best and that nothing would happen if they didn’t see each other.

She worried that her hat wouldn’t completely cover her face. Flustered, Liese clung closely to Marcus and quickly turned her head and shoulders away.

The sudden contact made Marcus look down at her questioningly. She was clutching his arm and anxiously glancing around, trying desperately to hide her face from someone.

“Lieselotte.”

“…What?”

“What’s with the look on your face, like you’ve been caught having an affair with me?”