Chapter 4 – Merry Stern (Part 8)

If there was one thing even a woman as inexperienced as Evelyn Dale could be sure of, it was that Bryant Clifton was a very skilled technician.

Evelyn had heard plenty about the “art of love” among the people of Ritten. Particularly, the reputation of Kingston men was well-known, and she had heard rumors that their ability to handle women was advanced beyond comparison to the continent. She thought calling it “art” was an exaggerated expression, but experiencing it firsthand, it was indeed an art. A talent honed through study and experience. He fit the definition of a “technician” perfectly.

His appearance in bed bore resemblance to the act of art. Being completely absorbed. By being absorbed himself, he made his partner absorbed. An artist cannot drive others mad unless they first go mad themselves. As a novelist, Evelyn understood that principle.

When alone, he truly seemed like a madman. He kissed anywhere without hesitation and smiled brightly. He tormented her persistently until she pleaded for him to stop. He even spoke surprisingly lewd words with a nonchalant face.

When whispering such words, Bryant used his native language. The rounded and soft Ritten language, like his tongue, licked her ear hotly and wetly. The explicit words were softened by the inherent distance of a foreign language. However, the meanings conveyed in that unfamiliar language were still thrilling.

From morning until sunset, a whole half day. During that half day, isolated in the cabin, Evelyn embraced him countless times. She did things she never dreamed of and exchanged countless kisses. In the limited time, overwhelming experiences and emotions were compressed. Things too heavy to fully digest.

However, throughout the countless acts they shared, Bryant never stayed until the end.

Despite caressing her with such tender hands and looking at her with a face that seemed madly in love, at the last moment, he would resolutely release the arms that held her. Even while acting like a man intoxicated by the woman, at the decisive moment, he would unfailingly withdraw. He never failed in self-control or fumbled. Like someone who had calculated everything in advance, he never hesitated or made mistakes.

So, even if he seemed completely absorbed in her, he was never truly mad or out of his mind.

*

The promenade deck was quieter than expected. The afternoon of the second day of the voyage. Despite tomorrow being the last chance to see the sunset before reaching their destination, people seemed uninterested. Perhaps the first-class passengers were elegantly enjoying it while sitting in the tearoom on the top floor, where the large windows were spotlessly clean. Or maybe the sight of the sun setting over the sea wasn’t particularly special to them.

Thanks to that, most of the deck’s railings were empty, and the two easily secured a spot with an unobstructed view.

“It’s really clear. The sun is so vivid.”

Evelyn spoke toward the sun hanging in the red sky. The sun, about a hand’s breadth above the horizon, was glowing red. The sun just before sunset had a distinct edge, like molten metal poured into a round mold. It was small enough to be covered with her thumbnail, yet it dyed the entire surface of the vast sea red.

Evelyn didn’t take her eyes off the scene. The wind blowing from the west lightly fluttered the hem of her dress. Unlike last night, Bryant didn’t take off his coat to drape over her. The air had become warm enough that there was no need.

“We’ve come far south. The southern continent rarely has cloudy days even in February.”

Listening to the man’s words, Evelyn thought. So much has changed in just one day. Yesterday, it was as chilly as early winter, but now it’s as warm as a spring day. 

I feel like a completely different person today than I was yesterday. I’ve learned so much more about the man standing beside me.

Just one day. In just one day.

Thinking this, Evelyn looked at the horizon dyed red. In another day, the port of Issen would appear beyond that horizon. Tomorrow, she would set foot on that land again. One more day. Just one more day.

“What time did you say we would arrive tomorrow?”

“Disembarkation will start after 4:30 p.m.”

“4:30. That’s later than I thought.”

“Do you want to disembark quickly?”

At his disgruntled voice, she turned her head. The man standing to her left was looking at her. A distance close enough for their elbows to touch. A gaze looking down at an angle.

“I don’t want to.”

“…”

“I wish it would take about a week longer. Even longer would be better.”

The man who grumbled lightly smiled. Evelyn met his gaze silently. Despite his sharp features due to thick eyebrows and distinct contours, his eyes softened when he smiled. The sunset’s crimson light spread across his straight forehead and cheeks.

Suddenly, she felt an urge to reach out and touch that face.

Touching something or someone holds more meaning than mere contact. A favorite dress. A beloved book. A person she believed was hers. It was an act permitted only to those special objects of affection. Having learned that maintaining an appropriate distance from others is essential etiquette, and having grown up far from a culture of intimate gestures like cheek kisses, Evelyn was particularly conservative about physical contact with others.

She was afraid. Afraid that touching would create attachment. Afraid that she might become fond of someone who would eventually leave, someone who would disappear, a man who would remain only as a meaningless memory. What use is it to tenderly touch such a man? It would only add to the loneliness.

Evelyn curled her fingers as if grasping something. After a moment of silence, she parted her lips, still looking into the eyes of the man gazing down at her.

“I was engaged once.”

At the sudden confession, Bryant did not change his expression. He neither asked further questions nor responded. He simply blinked slowly once and continued to look at her steadily before saying,

“That’s what it was.”

He nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly.

“The reason you vowed never to return.”

As he spoke, he looked at her with an intriguing gaze. Evelyn thought it was a gaze mixed with realization and curiosity, though she couldn’t be sure of his exact thoughts.

“How long has it been?”

“Since the engagement?”

“Since you left Trissen.”

“…It’s been 3 years and 4 months.”

As soon as she answered, Evelyn regretted it. Saying 3 years and 4 months made it seem as if she had been counting each day since she left.

“That’s fortunate.”

Bryant smiled as he spoke.

“That you didn’t get married.”

It sounded like a very romantic confession. So sweet that it made her heart throb for a moment. But that couldn’t be true. Evelyn quickly thought of another meaning.

“Do you mean it’s fortunate that I didn’t do something as foolish as getting married?”

“What meaning is there in twisting such a straightforward statement?”

Bryant asked with a smile. His gaze was so open and honest that Evelyn felt as if she were the one being deceitful. Wasn’t she the one hiding her true intentions and leading with obvious words? Wasn’t the sudden mention of being engaged an attempt to make him wary by letting him know she had considered marriage?

But he showed no sign of caution.

“It’s fortunate because you came to Kingston without getting married, and that’s how you met me.”

“…Even if I were married, we might have met.”

“Of course, that’s possible, but we wouldn’t have become what we are now.”

He maintained an exceedingly gentle demeanor. It was Evelyn who was being stiff and defensive. Despite knowing it wasn’t an elegant posture, she clung to her words as if picking a fight, with a prim face.

“What do you mean by ‘what we are now’?”

But Bryant wasn’t shaken at all. Instead of being caught up, he observed her attitude as if he found it amusing and said,

“A relationship where we share our bodies and minds without limits.”

“…”

“In our case, there’s one more thing. A relationship with similar views on marriage and love.”

With a plausible definition and a charming smile, he left her speechless.

Ah, why is this man so skilled?

Evelyn didn’t know exactly what she was feeling. Her heart pounded as if she were angry for no reason. While admiring the man who didn’t back down or give any openings, she also felt resistance. Carefully hiding such feelings, she asked in a rather intellectual tone,

“What do they call such a relationship in Ritten?”

“Is there a special word for such a relationship in Trissen?”

Though she expressed it indirectly as “such a relationship,” Evelyn knew. A relationship where bodies and minds are shared without limits. A relationship that doesn’t consider marriage and thoroughly prevents the possibility of pregnancy. What would you call such a relationship between a man and a woman?

“Usually, such a partner is referred to as a ‘mistress.'”

Having spoken coldly, she felt a bit tense. It was undoubtedly something that could sound insulting to him. It meant that if he intended to take her as his mistress, she would also do the same. 

Why did I say something knowing it might make him uncomfortable? Did I want to push him away? 

No, she wanted to test him. She wanted to see if he could smile even after hearing something insulting.

To know how far he would go for her.

Evelyn watched him, hiding her tension. But Bryant showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, he wore a distinct smile, as if looking at something very cute or lovely.

“While it’s not entirely incorrect, I think there’s a more appropriate word.”

He smiled as he spoke in a low tone. Evelyn felt her heart pounding intensely. It seemed as if the murmuring people around them had all disappeared. No voices, no sound of the wind, no sound of the giant ship’s steam engine reached her ears.

“Lover.”

Except for that word from the man, she heard nothing else.

The spectacle of the sunset had reached its peak. The tip of the sun touched the horizon. But Evelyn only looked into the man’s eyes. She looked at the crimson light reflected there. That light, like a flame, was merely the afterglow of the sunset. Even knowing that, she was entranced, staring at that light.

Even knowing everything, she couldn’t take her eyes off it.