Side Story 3

Picnic day.

Ellen opened her eyes wide. Lennox had already gotten up; the strong arms that held her every morning were absent. Instead, she saw the warm tea Lennox had left on the nightstand. Ellen, covering her body with the blanket after Lennox’s passionate night, carefully picked up the teacup. Feeling its warmth, she leaned comfortably against the bed’s headboard. A sip of the strong tea seemed to chase away the sticky remnants of sleep.

Once she was more awake, Ellen called Emma and changed into a simple dress of white and green.

“Madam, you’re leaving today, right?”

Emma asked with a bright smile, and Ellen nodded.

“Yes, today. Are you ready, Emma?”

“Yes, of course! I was so excited I barely slept last night.”

“Me too.”

Ellen felt the same. Her heart raced with anticipation, and she spent the night talking with Lennox about what they’d do at the villa. Though Lennox’s desire interrupted their talk, Ellen had eagerly awaited morning.

After putting on a wide-brimmed hat, Ellen went downstairs to find the entrance bustling with people.

“Mama!”

“You’re here?”

Lennox, watching luggage being loaded onto the carriage, and Innis, clinging to his leg and watching with sparkling eyes, both turned to look at her. Ellen waved her lace-gloved hand instead of answering.

“Is everything ready already?”

Standing next to Lennox, Ellen asked. Lennox, picking up Innis who was begging to be held, nodded.

“Yes. Now we just need to leave.”

“I’m excited.”

After the butler finished the final safety checks, everyone boarded the carriage. The well-oiled wheels rolled smoothly.

Lennox, sitting across from Ellen, quietly watched Innis play with a doll next to her. Innis, who resembled Ellen as a child, looked even more like her as she grew. Lennox rested his chin on his arm against the carriage window, smiling at Innis.

“Innis, she looks so much like you when you were little.”

“Really? I thought, except for hair and eye color, she looks just like you.”

“No, she’s just like you. Stubborn, too.”

“Am I that stubborn?”

“At least you don’t insist on things you shouldn’t.”

When Lennox reached out, Ellen smiled and took his hand. Lennox stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. Ellen let him, looking out the window.

The carriage soon passed through the busy city. The feel of his touch, the bright weather, Innis’s laughter, and being together with Lennox—all of it made Ellen deeply happy.

* * *

The carriage traveled for half a day. After leaving the capital’s gate, fields appeared, then a canyon covered with great rocky mountains and deeply rooted trees. Innis, who had excitedly watched the scenery, soon fell asleep in Ellen’s arms.

While Ellen and Lennox enjoyed the scenery, the carriage took a rough road and climbed uphill before stopping at a spot.

“We’ve arrived.”

At the announcement, Ellen carefully got off the carriage, escorted by Lennox.

“Ellen, look over there.”

“Wow.”

When Lennox pointed, Ellen gasped at the canyon view before her.

A mighty canyon split to both sides, a river flowing below. The upper stream rushed with loud currents, while the lower stream was slow and calm. The rough stone canyon was mysteriously filled with trees that had managed to take root. Above the canyon was the sky, with wispy clouds flowing like rivers along the peaks.

“It’s amazing. I’ve never been to a place like this.”

Ellen was delighted.

“I thought you’d like it.”

Lennox replied, carrying sleeping Innis in his arms.

“We’ll need to walk a bit to get to the villa.”

“That’s fine. The scenery is so beautiful, I want to look around.”

Lennox offered his hand, and Ellen took it, cherishing the touch.

The canyon’s high, majestic rocks were endlessly fascinating. Excitement bubbled in her chest. Walking along the smoothest path, they occasionally spotted squirrels. The canyon breeze was cool, so it didn’t feel hot.

After about ten minutes, a large villa appeared, making Ellen wonder how Lennox had found such a place.

“Here it is.”

Ellen gasped at the beautifully built villa, almost like a small mansion.

“It’s wonderful. No one would imagine such a place between these grand canyons.”

The three-story villa had a green roof to match its surroundings, with many terraces and windows. The surrounding mountains and trees blended perfectly with the villa, like a painting.

The exterior was so impressive that Ellen’s heart raced thinking how lovely the inside and the terrace views must be.

While the staff unpacked and organized, Lennox led Ellen and Innis inside. Passing through a well-decorated hall, Lennox headed straight to the third floor.

“This is the spot with the best view.”

Opening the door to the farthest right room on the third floor, Lennox let Ellen in. The room had a few low pieces of furniture, a spacious, soft bed, and even a fireplace. It resembled the room Ellen had as a child. She smiled contentedly at the familiar layout.

“I like it. It feels like I’m back at my old mansion.”

“This isn’t all.”

After laying Innis on the bed and covering her with a blanket, Lennox led Ellen to the terrace. When he opened the terrace window, the sound of water and the cool breeze with a hint of river smell swept in.

“Wow.”

Ellen shivered slightly at the cool breeze, then gasped again at the view.

The mighty canyon, the river curving below, the sky unfolding above—it was a feast for the senses. The refreshing sound of water, the clean scent of stone and trees, made Ellen feel her travel fatigue washed away.

“It’s amazing, Lennox.”

Overwhelmed by the natural beauty, Ellen could only repeat her admiration.

“You can swim in the river below.”

At his words, Ellen leaned on the terrace railing and looked down. Not far from the villa, she saw a riverbank arranged like a beach.

“Want to take a walk?”

Lennox asked, and Ellen nodded.

“Yes, I’d like that.”

Since Innis was deeply asleep, they didn’t wake her. On their way out, they asked the nanny to watch Innis and descended the well-made stone steps from the villa to the riverbank.

Splash, splash.

Ellen enjoyed the crunch of small pebbles underfoot as she approached the river. The gentle waves lapped at the pebbles, scattering clear droplets. As she gazed at the emerald river, deepening in color as it stretched away, Ellen felt her heart open, unlike the mountains pressing down on her.

Suddenly, she wanted to dip her feet in the river.

“Can I put my feet in?”

Lennox nodded.

“As long as you don’t go in too deep.”

“Yes, I just want to try.”

“Wait.”

Lennox knelt before her and lifted her skirt to her knees, tying it up.

With her skirt up, Ellen felt lighter. She took off her shoes and walked with Lennox’s hand over the pebbles. The round stones hurt her feet, but she liked the feeling.

She dipped her feet in the clear, shallow water, and coldness rushed from her toes to her head. Surprised, Ellen pulled her feet out.

“It’s cold.”

“Canyon water is cold even in summer. Be careful not to catch a cold.”

“Okay.”

Ellen stretched her toes back into the water, pulling them out and dipping them again, startled by the cold each time.

Lennox watched her fondly, waiting patiently. As she got used to the cold, Ellen walked along the river, splashing in the water. The feel of water between her toes, the tiny minnows darting away, the canyon’s scenery—she loved every bit of it.

Above all…

“Lennox.”

“Yes?”

“I’m so happy. Being here with you, with Innis.”

Walking in such beauty with Lennox made Ellen happier than anything.

“……”

Lennox gazed at Ellen. Every time she smiled and said she was happy since their marriage, warmth spread from a corner of his heart.

Even he, who thought he’d never hurt her, had wounded Ellen. He remembered her crying by her mother’s grave, saying she just wanted to be happy.

All she had ever wanted was this happiness. Denied even this small joy, she’d come such a long way.

Lennox’s throat tightened. He gripped Ellen’s hand.

“Lennox…!”

Ellen winced at the pressure in his grip. Before she could finish saying his name, she was pulled into his strong arms. Surprised, Ellen looked up, only for Lennox’s familiar lips to press against hers.

“……!”

Her breath caught, and Ellen instinctively parted her lips.

Before her shallow breath could escape, Lennox kissed her deeply, as if not allowing even a sliver of air to pass. His kiss was forceful and unyielding.

Ellen gripped his arm tightly. Even as she tried to pull away for breath, he didn’t let go, as if he would devour her lips entirely.

When his strong arms finally loosened and her head spun from lack of air, Lennox’s lips parted.

Her hands, which had gripped him hard, left nail marks on his clothes. As Ellen’s legs buckled, Lennox supported her firmly.

“Lennox… why…?”

Lennox’s sudden passion wasn’t new, but such a forceful kiss hadn’t happened since their reunion. Lennox gently stroked her lower lip with his thumb.

“Nothing.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Ellen looked at him with a hint of complaint.

Seeing Ellen’s happy face had triggered memories and a powerful urge in Lennox to confirm she was truly at his side. He didn’t want gentle contact—he wanted Ellen’s presence etched deeply, roughly, into his soul. That was all.

But Lennox didn’t say any of this, simply shrugged his shoulders.

“Shall we keep walking?”

Lennox interlaced their fingers, and Ellen nodded, still a bit disgruntled.

Splash—

Gentle waves wrapped around her thin ankles. The ticklish sensation made Ellen laugh softly. She kicked at the water, sending droplets sparkling in the sunlight.

“Lennox, look at this.”

Ellen spotted a pretty pebble sparkling underwater, its colors softly blended, smoother and more beautiful than the others.

As she let go of Lennox’s hand and bent to pick up the pebble, a crayfish darted out from underneath and quickly escaped. Ellen shrieked and staggered.

“Ellen!”

Before Lennox could grab her arm, she splashed into the water, sitting down, drenched and startled as water showered over her.

“Ellen, are you alright?”

Lennox grabbed Ellen’s arm and helped her up. Her wet clothes clung to her body, and her soaked red hair was a mess, plastered to her face. Lennox gently brushed her wet hair aside.

“Y-yes. Something jumped out from under the pebble and startled me.”

As the chill set in, Ellen hugged herself and shivered, her shoulders hunched. Droplets fell along her trembling jaw.

“Right.”

Lennox checked Ellen’s body for any injuries. Her clothes stuck to her, revealing her figure without any filter. Her parted lips let out shaky breaths, and her slender body shivered from the cold.

As Lennox calmly looked her over, heat slowly flickered in his red eyes. Desire surged within him; he wanted to lay Ellen down right there and cover her body with kisses. His fist clenched, veins standing out with the intensity of his feelings.

“Lennox?”

Ellen tilted her head, noticing Lennox’s sudden silence.

“Is something wrong?”

Oblivious to his feelings, Ellen moved closer, and Lennox shook his head.

When their eyes met, Lennox slowly closed his own. Hidden for a moment by his eyelids, his gaze returned to its usual calm. His chest rose and fell deeply and slowly.

“It’s nothing.”

Suppressing the familiar, aching desire, Lennox took off his jacket and wrapped it around Ellen. Then, hooking his arms under her waist and knees, he lifted her up. Ellen, startled, grabbed his shoulder.

“Lennox, it’s fine. I can walk.”

“Just stay still. You were really startled. It’s cold, so let’s go back.”

“…Okay.”

With long strides, Lennox quickly carried her away. Ellen carefully rested her head against his chest. The strong heartbeat she heard in his solid chest was familiar from countless times leaning on him. Her cold ears and cheeks slowly warmed from the contact with his bare skin and body heat.

She glanced down and saw his broad chest. Unconsciously, Ellen gently stroked it with her hand. Lennox’s arm and body tensed, and his steps briefly halted. Above her, Lennox spoke in a restrained voice.

“Ellen.”

“Yes.”

Ellen replied, her voice tinged with laughter, and Lennox sighed.

“Stop that.”

“Okay, I will.”

Ellen withdrew her hand and closed her eyes. Then, pretending to be cold, she pulled Lennox’s jacket up and buried her nose in it. The scent of him seemed to chase away the chill. Ellen’s eyes curved softly. Even in this shivering moment, she found joy.

Her hand quietly clutched his jacket, and she stifled a happy laugh.

“……”

Lennox glanced down at Ellen, then looked ahead and continued walking. From the moment Ellen’s hand touched him, the heat he’d barely suppressed surged through his body. The blend of instinctive sensation and Ellen’s laughter created a strange, pleasant warmth, and he hurried his steps back to the villa.