Chapter 5.6

As the thunder subsided, she hurried back under the tree.

How could she be so unlucky? She wasn’t far from the villa and had been here often enough to walk with her eyes closed, yet there was sudden thunder and lightning.

Wendy curled up and hugged her knees. Shivering, she couldn’t tell if it was from the rain or the fear of the thunder.

How long had she been like that? A shadow fell over her head, and a warm voice reached her.

“Wendy.”

Was it a dream? Or was she seeing things because she was so exhausted?

In front of Wendy, who looked up blankly, Lucas knelt on one knee. Meeting her eyes, he reached out and brushed back the wet hair stuck to her face.

“Did you wait long?”

“Lucas. Sniff, Lucas.”

Wendy clung to Lucas.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face. As Lucas hugged her back with a slight gap between them, tears welled up from relief.

“I was scared, so scared.”

“The dirt path was hard to walk on, so I was late.”

His warmth dispelled the chill that had made her shiver uncontrollably. Wendy clung to Lucas like a puppy seeking its mother’s warmth.

“It’s okay, Wendy.”

As Wendy nodded, her soft cheek touched his face. The breath tinged with tears was pitiful, and the frail body that clung to him made him anxious.

He wondered if holding her with one arm was enough to console Wendy, so he embraced her with both arms. The umbrella tilted, letting the rain soak Lucas’s back.

“Are you calm now?”

Without a word, Wendy nodded.

“Good. You’re a good girl, Wendy.”

“……”

“Thank you for waiting patiently.”

The more Lucas comforted her, the less Wendy trembled.

But conversely, Lucas did not calm down. Maybe it was because he felt Wendy’s trembling as they were pressed together. Perhaps.

Lucas’s lips brushed over Wendy’s pale cheek, where rain and tears mingled. It was slow and gentle, so much so that even Lucas couldn’t tell if it was intentional.

Finally, his lips touched her ear, releasing a warm sigh.

It was strange. It wasn’t the first time he held, comforted, and embraced Wendy, yet this feeling, similar to anxiety, simmered within him.

“I don’t know what to do with you.”

“I didn’t expect this when I walked around so often…”

“I really don’t know what to do with you.”

“……”

It was more like talking to himself than wanting to hear Wendy’s answer or excuses.

So Wendy stayed silent. She suddenly thought that she shouldn’t stay like this, but it wasn’t easy to escape from the embrace that wrapped around her like a fence.

***

Wendy had a slight fever and shut herself in her bedroom as soon as she returned. She felt terribly embarrassed for causing trouble on the first day of the trip to Lucas and Seira.

“Wendy. How are you feeling?”

“Oh, Seira.”

Wendy lowered the towel from her forehead and sat up. She felt lighter in both head and body than when she returned to the villa.

“I feel much better after staying warm as soon as I got here.”

“That’s a relief. His Grace was worried you’d get sick since you tend to suffer badly when you catch a cold.”

“I’m sorry for causing trouble. Oh, Joel went out in the rain to find me too; is he okay?”

“Joel is strong. He’s from the North, so he’s resistant to cold. Just focus on your own recovery, Wendy.”

“I’m just being cautious; I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

Seira gently placed her hand on Wendy’s forehead.

“It seems you don’t have a fever, so you might really be okay. Everyone is worried, so be healthy tomorrow.”

“Yes, I will.”

“I asked the maid to bring you honey tea before bed. It’s what we drink in the North when we feel a cold coming on. It’s quite effective.”

“Thank you, Seira. I’m sorry for worrying you on the first day.”

“It’s okay. With the rain pouring like that, we couldn’t have gone out anyway.”

When Lucas and Wendy returned, the rain was lighter.

Now, it was pouring so heavily that they couldn’t see ahead. The sound of rain hitting the windows was equally strong.

“The rain is really fierce.”

“We came to see the autumn leaves, but they’ll all fall because of today’s rain.”

Wendy murmured worriedly.

But Seira comforted her with a faint smile.

“Even if only for a moment, you saw them, Wend, so that’s enough.”

Ah, it was a trip for me, after all. On the surface.

Seira’s kindness was appreciated, but her comfort left Wendy unsure how to react.

“Then rest well.”

“Yes.”

After Seira left, Wendy lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

In truth, her body was fine. She had struggled with chills when she got wet, but after soaking in warm water and lying under a soft blanket, she felt perfectly well.

But at least this excuse allowed her to spend the day in the bedroom.

‘I hope the rain stops soon.’

So she could wander outside tomorrow, avoiding Lucas and Seira.

Oh, she should take Joel too. He seemed uncomfortable being between Lucas and Seira.

Come to think of it, tonight’s dinner would be just the three of them. Joel wasn’t very outgoing, and Lucas and Seira were both quiet, so dinner would be really calm.

Thinking about it made her feel a bit sorry for Joel.

***

“……”

Before bed, Lucas visited Wendy’s room, worried about her. She said she’d be up by tomorrow, but he needed to see for himself to feel at ease.

When he knocked and got no response, he opened the door slightly and saw she was already asleep.

Outside, the rain still poured heavily, and thunder and lightning occasionally revealed Wendy’s face in brief flashes.

Her sleeping face was so peaceful, contrasting sharply with the weather. It was natural to feel relieved seeing Wendy sleeping soundly, but he felt a mischievous urge to wake her up because she was sleeping so well, unaware of his worries.

Was I becoming like Jayden?

Lucas chuckled briefly and carefully touched Wendy’s forehead. It was warm, but it felt like the warmth of recovery rather than a fever.

Relieved, Lucas’s hand moved away from her forehead.

But unconsciously, his fingers brushed her cheek. Her white cheek was soft and tender, like a ripe peach. Then his fingers slid over her moist, plush lips.

“I want to kiss you.”

The same villa, the same time as then.

Wendy had shyly gathered courage and spoken those words, and now they echoed in his mind.

If Wendy said the same thing now, how would he respond? Could he push her away again, saying it wasn’t right?

“Hah.”

A self-deprecating laugh scattered with a sigh.

He felt ridiculous for once believing she was like a younger sister. What kind of madman views a woman he considers a sister with such eyes, such feelings?

“Mmm.”

His fingers must have pressed too hard.

Lucas quickly withdrew his hand, but Wendy frowned and stirred. Then she turned toward Lucas.

“……”

What if Wendy woke up and caught him sneaking in? It had been a long time since he felt such tension. His heart raced similarly.

He hesitated to pull the blanket back over her, seeing her chest pressed and shaped under the loose negligee.

“Actually, I want to do even more than that.”

Crazy. What was he thinking with a sleeping woman?

Lucas gently grabbed the blanket.

Just then, the rain stopped, and the moon peeked through the clouds. Shadows began to lengthen beside Lucas.

“Hmm.”

Wendy’s eyes slowly, lazily opened.

“……”

“Lucas?”

She called in a sleepy voice and smiled bashfully.

“You worried again.”

Her words were muffled by sleep.

“I’m fine. I’ll be better by tomorrow.”

“……Okay. Don’t leave my sight next time.”

“Mm. I won’t go out alone next time.”

“Now sleep. You should be fine.”

Wendy nodded slightly and closed her eyes. It wasn’t long before her soft, steady breathing filled the room.

Lucas, who had been holding his breath like a statue, pulled the blanket up to Wendy’s neck. He felt relieved Wendy hadn’t fully woken up, yet her casual demeanor made him chuckle.

Wendy. Don’t trust me too much. I might hurt you.

***

“Where’s Wendy?”

The next morning, Lucas looked for Wendy first.

But the bedroom was empty. Even the bedding was neatly arranged, meaning Wendy had gotten up early and left the room, allowing the maid to start cleaning.

Where had Wendy gone so early after being unwell until dawn?

Concerned, Lucas went straight downstairs to ask the butler about Wendy’s whereabouts.

“She went for a walk.”

“Again?”

After what happened yesterday, she was out wandering again. Should he call her thoughtless or commendable?

Seeing Lucas’s incredulous expression, the butler smiled awkwardly.

“She said she felt no trace of a cold and slept well, so she feels great. You don’t need to worry, Your Grace.”

Then she shouldn’t do things that cause concern. But after yesterday’s incident, she probably didn’t go far.

He thought he should bring her back before breakfast and was about to head out when he heard the butler greeting Seira, who was coming down the stairs.

“Good morning, Lady Seira.”

“Yes. Good morning. Luckily, the weather is wonderful today.”

Seira was right.

Outside the half-open front door, the sky was clear without a cloud, showing what autumn skies should be.

“Are you going somewhere, Your Grace?”

“I heard Wendy went out again, so I’m going to find her. It’s almost time for breakfast.”

“Oh, Your Grace. Miss Wendy already had a light breakfast with Sir Joel.”

The butler, who had been listening to Lucas and Seira, gently interjected. Though he was momentarily flustered by their simultaneous gaze, he added more.

“They went out together.”

“……”

When did they become so close?

Lucas turned to Seira, having a fundamental question, but she seemed equally surprised.

“Shall we prepare your meal now?”

“Please do.”

“Understood.”

The butler bowed and quickly disappeared into the dining room, leaving Lucas and Seira standing in the hall.

Seira was the first to move. The sound of her shoes echoed quietly in the hall as she walked toward the dining room.

“……”

Lucas watched Seira’s elegant back.

If he married that woman, mornings would start quietly like today, they would have meals, and then each would go about their tasks. Quietly and uneventfully, in the even quieter Devon Ducal Household.

It was a natural and familiar routine for Lucas, who had lived that way all his life, but today, the feeling that it might be dull and uninteresting was particularly strong.