Chapter 5 – Issen (Part 3)

The dinner lasted for over two hours. The man and woman seated across from each other shared seven courses of food, a bottle of wine, and countless conversations. By the time they left the dining room and returned to their respective bedrooms, it was close to 10 o’clock. After bathing in the tub filled by the maid, the townhouse was quiet, and the night had deepened.

In this house, Miss Evelyn Dale was Mr. Clifton’s guest. The man stayed in the master suite on the second floor, and the woman stayed in the largest guest room on the third floor. Despite having shared the bed in that guest room several times, they slept in their own rooms and greeted each morning separately. Evelyn thought it wasn’t just because they were conscious of the servants.

Bryant never stayed by her side until morning.

Both nights on the ship were like that. The first night they spent in Issen was the same. Every night, Evelyn fell asleep in his arms, exhausted, but when she woke up in the morning, she was invariably alone.

He returned to his room after she fell asleep. He never showed her his disheveled appearance upon waking up. After shedding the attire and manners of a gentleman and entwining like a beast, he would greet her the next morning as a perfect gentleman once more.

To Evelyn, it felt like a signal hinting at the boundaries of their relationship. Only showing a well-groomed appearance meant maintaining that distance, didn’t it? A relationship that shares body and soul without limits. However, to her, the boundaries between them were clear, and Evelyn reminded herself of this fact to keep herself in check.

This is as far as it goes. Only this far.

Expect nothing.

Don’t even imagine it.

Then, knock, knock, someone tapped on the door. Evelyn rose from the vanity chair and turned toward the door. It was an anticipated presence, so she wasn’t surprised. She had been waiting too. Otherwise, why would she be sitting in front of the vanity at bedtime?

“Come in.”

She replied, glancing at her reflection in the mirror one more time. She met her clear face and eyes, then adjusted her collar. Her heart pounded beneath the flannel robe.

The man who entered was dressed in indoor attire, just like when he visited last night. A dark gray robe that reached his ankles and damp hair. However, unlike yesterday, he appeared calm. Instead of pouncing like a predator spotting prey, he approached with a composed step and extended something in his hand.

Evelyn thought it was a book encased in leather. But upon closer inspection, it was slightly smaller and thinner than a book. She instinctively knew what it contained and couldn’t help but look up at him with a startled expression.

“Open it.”

Bryant gently urged. Evelyn looked down at the box extended a little further toward her. She hesitated but couldn’t refuse without even looking, so she reluctantly took the box and carefully opened the lid.

The contrast between the black velvet and the brilliant white glow was striking. The long platinum earrings were encrusted with dozens of jewels. Stones that shone white. They were undoubtedly diamonds.

“I’d like you to say you like them.”

Evelyn, who had been staring blankly, looked up. The man’s smiling face was full of expectation, but she couldn’t smile back. She couldn’t say what he wanted to hear.

“This is… too much.”

Evelyn closed the box without hesitation. Then, holding it with both hands, she added,

“I don’t even like such jewelry.”

“I think they’d suit you well.”

“Thank you, but I can’t accept them.”

“Even if I beg you to?”

He looked at her with a smiling face. The jewelry box floated in the air, undecided on its owner.

“I have no reason to accept such a valuable item. I have nothing to give in return.”

“You’re misunderstanding. You don’t need to reciprocate. This is the reciprocation.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“This is a reward for what you’ve given me.”

“What have I given you, Mr. Clifton?”

“Joy.”

Bryant answered without hesitation. Evelyn felt a chill in her chest. 

Joy. What kind of joy have I given you? Dining, conversing, and sharing a bed? If I receive such an item in return, what does that make me?

How is this any different from payment for services?

A sense of humiliation poured over her like cold water. She felt soaked to the bone, but Evelyn continued the conversation without showing it.

“…It’s a kind gesture, but this is too much.”

“You’ll need jewelry to wear tomorrow. Her Majesty the Empress likes extravagant things.”

“I have jewelry.”

“……”

“I brought a necklace to wear tomorrow.”

“But you said you don’t like jewelry.”

“It’s not mine.”

He tilted his head slightly as if he didn’t understand. Evelyn explained without hesitation.

“I borrowed it. From a jeweler.”

Holding the box with the diamond earrings, she explained how to rent good jewelry at a reasonable price. The man’s face, listening silently, was serious. Seeing that earnest face, her wretched feelings gradually improved.

Evelyn Dale had that kind of aspect. She liked the feeling of confidence when she solved important problems on her own. Proving that she could do well without anyone’s help gave her a deep sense of relief. Not being indebted to anyone, being able to manage on her own, was a very important issue for her.

So Evelyn felt strong again. The weight of the jewelry box in her hand felt a little lighter. Even when she met the man’s gaze looking down at her, she no longer felt the same sense of humiliation.

Bryant was silent for a moment. He slowly alternated his gaze between the woman’s eyes. Then came a low chuckle.

“See? You’ve brought me joy again.”

Evelyn slowly blinked. Now she was the one who didn’t understand.

“I believe that even vanity has its positive side, but it can’t compare to the value of rationality. Unfortunately, a lady who understands that has never appeared before me,”

He paused for a moment and reached out his hand.

“Now she has.”

Evelyn felt his hand touch her hair. As he stroked her long hair that covered her shoulders and gently tucked it behind her ear, his fingertips touched her fully exposed ear. She flinched involuntarily.

“If I may advise, earrings would be better than a necklace tomorrow. You have a beautiful neckline.”

His gaze traveled from her ear to her neck. The hand that had lightly touched her earlobe was withdrawn. Evelyn, still holding the box containing the diamonds, looked at him with a perplexed expression.

“Even so, this is too… I can’t accept something like this.”

“If that’s the case, consider it borrowed from me.”

Like a jeweler. 

he added with a smile.

“Keep it until you no longer need it.”

“……”

“Not right away.”

Having said that, he straightened his previously inclined body. It was a sign that he wouldn’t compromise further. Evelyn, who had been meeting his gaze, lowered her eyes. The jewelry box in her hands. The well-tanned leather surface had a soft sheen.

‘Keep it until you no longer need it.’

It was a statement that assumed such a time would come someday. Not immediately, but eventually, that day would come. So as she looked down at the box, Evelyn felt a pang of loneliness in her heart. She was the one who had drawn the line first, saying she couldn’t accept something so excessive, that she had given nothing to deserve it.

Why does it feel disappointing when he steps back after I acted so prudently? Did I secretly wish he would force this box into my arms?

What do I really want?

“When did you prepare something like this?”

“While you were writing.”

“……”

“There wasn’t much time, so I had to choose from ready-made items, but fortunately, there were things that weren’t lacking as gifts.”

“……”

“I hope you like it.”

Evelyn kept her head down, staring only at the leather box. She didn’t have the courage to look directly at his face. She felt sorry for misunderstanding his kindness and sincerity as something vulgar, and she hesitated to accept such an expensive item. Yet, she felt a pang of disappointment at his words to return it someday. What was this feeling? Trying to sort out the emotions she couldn’t grasp, Evelyn continued to stare at the box in her hands.

At that moment, his hand came under her chin.

Warm fingers gently grasped her chin. He slightly lifted her face to meet his eyes. Evelyn looked at his face, which was gazing down at her intently, with a questioning look.

“When a man gives jewelry to a woman, he usually expects at least a thank-you kiss in return.”

“……Ah.”

At her silly sound, Bryant laughed. Then, kindly, he leaned in closer. With a somewhat embarrassed feeling, hoping her face wouldn’t turn red, she lifted her head and lightly kissed his cheek.

Her heart pounded. It felt as if blood was slowly rushing to her face. 

Why hadn’t I dimmed the lights a bit? Should I go lower the wick now? 

In a brief moment, a thousand thoughts raced through her mind, and she felt restless. Bryant, who had received the light kiss on the cheek, began to laugh. 

Why is he laughing? 

For a moment, Evelyn wondered if she had done something wrong. It was only when she met his eyes, from which laughter spilled, that she realized why he was laughing. Now it felt as if all the blood in her body was rushing to her face.

He reached out and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck. Without hesitation, he tilted his head and kissed her lips. His lips, still tinged with laughter, were warm and moist, and a little eager.

Evelyn closed her eyes, still holding the box with both hands. Bryant took it from her as if to snatch it away, placing it somewhere, then kissed her deeply again, drawing her body closer. His lower body pressed close. His arms wrapped around her waist. A firm and warm body.

Their lips, which had been locked together for a long time, parted slightly. Evelyn took a shallow breath. Her small face could easily be held with just one of his hands. His long fingers rubbed her cheek as if pressing it.

“It seems I shouldn’t have given you the study.”

Evelyn opened her eyes in response. The man’s eyes were looking at her from right in front of her. Her face was clearly reflected in his dark pupils.

“I almost went crazy wanting to come in.”

His low whisper was rough. The arm around her waist tightened a bit more. Evelyn now knew what was about to begin.