Chapter 17

After carefully wiping between her fingers, Enoch finally let go of her hand.  

“Are you going to drink it?”  

When Hazel shook her head, he let out a small “hmm” before bringing the cup to his lips. Before she could say anything, his Adam’s apple moved dramatically as he gulped down the juice in one go, making her wonder if he was even breathing.  

“Wouldn’t it be a waste to throw it away?”  

He spoke as if making an excuse, while Hazel blinked up at him in a daze.  

It wasn’t like it cost much…  

With the wealth to buy every fruit orchard in this region, Enoch still drank the lukewarm juice as if it were precious, leaving Hazel dumbfounded.  

She hadn’t intended to drink it anyway, so it didn’t matter that he did. The problem was that his lips had touched the same spot where her own lips had left a mark.  

‘You’re not a child. Don’t let something like this bother you.’  

He probably hadn’t even thought about it, so there was no reason for her to overthink it. Resolving to let it go, Hazel started walking again.  

But it wasn’t long before she found herself in trouble.  

“Hazel, be honest.”  

“……”  

“You’re lost, aren’t you?”  

Hazel clamped her mouth shut, avoiding his gaze. He didn’t seem particularly upset, but there was no way he wasn’t at least a little annoyed.  

After all, he had come all the way to the Hoover Earldom to retrieve items specifically requested by the Crown Prince.  

The Crown Prince’s orders.  

Just thinking about it made her shiver. If these items, which could have been procured in the capital, had to be acquired here, they must be incredibly important. Yet, here she was, lost and unable to buy a single thing.  

Enoch stared at her, silently urging her to answer. Hazel, sweating under his gaze, had no choice but to confess.  

“You’re right. I’m lost.”  

“You could’ve just said so from the beginning. We can ask someone for directions.”  

His tone suggested it was no big deal, but Hazel raised her voice despite knowing she shouldn’t.  

“But this is my hometown! Even if things have changed, I thought I’d still know it better than anyone else!”  

Her feet ached from all the walking, but now wasn’t the time to complain. He was the one most inconvenienced by the situation.  

Hazel let out a deep sigh, frustrated with herself for acting so immaturely. This was all your fault, she thought, though she couldn’t say it out loud.  

“Since it’s an order from the Crown Prince, I thought I had to do my best….”  

“It’s not actually that important.” 

Hazel, who had been glaring at her shoes, snapped her head up. Her eyes demanded an explanation, and Enoch, looking slightly sheepish, began to speak.  

“It’s true that he asked me to retrieve these items, but it was more about taking a break. He figured I’ve been too busy and needed some fresh air. When else would I get the chance?”  

“Really?”  

“Do I seem like the type to lie about something like this?”  

Enoch’s serious expression made Hazel shake her head. Enoch Meyer wasn’t the kind of person who would use the Crown Prince’s name to tell a lie.  

“So, you don’t need to worry so much. Even if we return empty-handed, he won’t say anything. I don’t really know why he specifically wanted me to come here, though.”  

“Are you sure it’s okay?”  

At her repeated question, Enoch grinned, showing his teeth.  

Hazel felt a bit confused. The Enoch Meyer she had known as a student at the Academy was so different from the man standing before her now.  

Back then, he had been calm, composed, and somewhat distant. But now, he was playful and full of smiles—a complete contrast.  

Still, knowing she didn’t have to stress over the Crown Prince’s errand anymore made her feel much lighter.  

Her shoulders, tense from the pressure to do well, began to ache as they relaxed.  

“Then why did you send my maid away?”  

“Curious?”  

Hazel was about to say it was only natural to ask, but she stopped herself. His gaze, flickering with the deep hues of the setting sun, made her pause.  

The red sunlight poured over his face, highlighting his already striking features.  

A delicate silence lingered between them. Enoch, who had been quietly watching her, tilted his head slightly with a faint smile.  

“I just felt like it.”  

The tension she had been holding onto crumbled instantly. His words, sounding almost like something a lover might say, left her speechless.  

As Hazel stared at him in disbelief, Enoch smiled as if to ask what the problem was.  

They had been wandering aimlessly without finding their destination, and he seemed tired as well.  

There was no issue in parting ways now that they had no clear goal. Yet, Hazel didn’t want to leave him just like that.  

She wanted to spend a little more time with him….  

Her eyes wavered as the thought struck her. 

What was I thinking?  

But she quickly composed herself.  

He was a guest visiting her family’s territory. It would be rude to send him off like this, wouldn’t it? That’s all this was—her fulfilling her duties as the daughter of the Hoover Earldom.  

It wasn’t because of any other thoughts!  

Hazel gathered her scattered emotions and cleared her throat before asking,  

“Do you still have time?”  

Enoch’s eyes widened, as if he hadn’t expected the question. Then, he smiled softly.  

“Of course.”  

“There’s a place not far from here where you can see the whole territory. Do you want to go?”  

It was a spot she used to visit often as a child.  

She had never seen a sunset more beautiful than the one from there, and she thought it would be nice to show it to him.  

Nervous about how he might react, Hazel watched him closely. Enoch, suppressing a laugh, answered,  

“You’re sure you know the way this time?”  

“Of course!”  

Hazel raised her voice, her pride stung by his teasing.  

As they left the marketplace and followed the river upstream, a gentle breeze brushed against her cheeks.  

Humming unconsciously, lost in the nostalgia of happier times, Hazel suddenly turned to check if Enoch was following.  

“Don’t worry, I’m right behind you.”  

Enoch, who had stopped in his tracks, waved his hand casually. Hazel, annoyed by his playful attitude, tucked her wind-blown hair behind her ear and shot him a glance.  

Why had I run into Enoch Meyer there of all places?  

We could have just exchanged greetings and parted ways. So why had he held onto me?  

Could it really be, as the old fortune-teller had said, a fateful encounter?  

Her thoughts kept drifting toward him, growing more and more tangled.  

And then, a single thought began to dominate her mind.  

What if—just what if—this wasn’t a misunderstanding?  

Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice a protruding rock and stumbled. As she reached out to catch herself, she let out a startled cry.  

“Are you okay?”  

Enoch, who had been following her, grabbed her waist firmly. The sudden pressure made her stomach churn, but she was grateful not to have fallen.  

“Take your time and watch where you’re going.”  

In that moment, a memory flashed through Hazel’s mind.  

‘Ah, wait, Enoch…!’  

‘What, are you trying to run away now?’  

‘No, that’s not it, ah…!’  

Back then, too, he had held her waist firmly, his grip unyielding. He had whispered repeatedly, as if to engrave it in her mind, not to think about escaping.  

The vivid memory made her face flush as she hastily straightened up and pushed him away.  

“Thanks. I’ll be careful. We’re almost there, so… we’ll get there soon.”  

Enoch, who had been looking at her with a curious expression, lowered his hand awkwardly.  

Hazel felt deeply embarrassed, knowing he had taken a step back because she had tried to put distance between them.