Chapter 2 (Part 11)

When she returned home, she still felt miserable. The sweat on her forehead trickled down her cheek.

‘It’s so hot.’

She was irritably wiping the sweat off her face when Cardin came out of the house and saw her. His face brightened immediately.

“Brienne, you’re back.”

She quickly relaxed her expression and awkwardly lifted the corners of her mouth. He looked at her and asked.

“Didn’t you gather any herbs?”

Startled, she looked at him, and Cardin pointed to the bag she was holding.

“It looks quite empty.”

“Oh, there wasn’t much to gather today.”

Cardin looked at her with a stern face and approached her quickly.

“You didn’t go to that herb shop, did you?”

“No.”

Now she couldn’t go even if she wanted to. Then Cardin took the bag from her hand. She couldn’t stop him in time.

“If you’re going to sell herbs, let me do it. I’ll go to another village and sell them myself.”

“It’s fine.”

“Or we can go together.”

He casually brushed her hair aside and spoke lightly.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

His gaze was so gentle. She lowered her head, feeling like she might cry at any moment.

“Brienne?”

Unable to look at him, she spoke.

“…I’m hungry.”

“That’s good. I made chickpea soup.”

Now that she would part with Cardin, even these small joys would disappear. She tried to hide her sadness and spoke brightly.

“It’s not the same taste as before, right?”

Cardin naturally wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Don’t worry. This time, it’s really different.”

She awkwardly smiled and pushed his arm away. Instead, Cardin came closer and asked.

“Why?”

“I’m going to wash up first.”

Cardin tilted his head with a peculiar look.

“Shall we wash together?”

“No!”

Startled, she spoke quickly. He chuckled lightly and said.

“I’ll have lunch ready, so come quickly.”

She nodded and headed toward the lake. She wanted to calm her mind in the spacious lake rather than the bathroom. 

The laundry hung near the lake fluttered in the wind. It seemed he had already washed not only her dress but also the clothes he had worn before. 

Seeing Cardin’s clothes and her dress swaying side by side felt special. It almost felt like they were really a married couple. 

After watching for a while, she took off her dress and entered the lake. She submerged her face completely. Even without her father’s past, she still wouldn’t be able to marry Cardin. 

Tears flowed. The thought of parting made her sad. Moreover, being unable to get pregnant made her feel like her existence was shattered. Tears flowed incessantly.

She didn’t bother to wipe them away, letting them flow. She wanted to somehow release her despair.

After crying in the lake for a long time, she washed her face.

‘Maybe it’s for the best.’

She tried to organize her thoughts. At least she didn’t have to blame her father. Since she couldn’t be with Cardin anyway, the regret was lessened. If her father hadn’t committed fraud, such thoughts were now meaningless. She took a deep breath and continued washing her body.

When she entered the house, Cardin had already perfectly prepared the meal on the table. There were no traces of spills on the dishes. The chickpea soup looked perfect on the outside. There was even a flower decoration on the table. It was Viche’s favorite yellow wildflower. She couldn’t help but smile.

“Where did you get these flowers? They’re Viche’s favorite wildflowers.”

“I went where he usually goes and saw these flowers.”

It was just like when she first met Cardin. As she listened quietly, he smiled.

“I brought them because they reminded me of you.”

As she looked at his face for a moment, Cardin asked.

“I couldn’t find you anywhere around here, where did you gather herbs?”

“Near the village. Around this time, expensive herbs start to appear there.”

Lies flowed smoothly from her lips. Even she was surprised. Cardin nodded quietly without replying. She felt bad for lying to him. She spoke brightly on purpose.

“You did all the laundry today, weren’t you tired?”

“Not at all. Time flew by while thinking of you.”

She just smiled. Every time Cardin said things like this, her heart felt light. Just as she picked up the spoon.

“While I’m here, I was thinking of making some small furniture.”

She paused momentarily. When she didn’t respond, Cardin laughed.

“Why? Do you think I can’t do it?”

“No, I just didn’t expect it.”

It sounded like he intended to settle here. While she was thinking of leaving, he seemed to want to stay. 

“I worry about you gathering herbs alone, and I feel like I should be of some help to you.”

“It’s okay. Don’t trouble yourself.”

She busily moved her spoon. The taste was better than before. Wanting to avoid what she had said earlier, she spoke to Cardin.

“It’s definitely tastier than before. Did you make this using the book that was here?”

Cardin nodded. His expression was strangely more firm than before. She awkwardly lowered her gaze and busily ate the soup. 

His gaze persistently watched her. Ignoring it, she continued to eat.

“Brienne, do you dislike me working?”

She felt his direct gaze. Eventually, she put down the spoon she was holding.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“You said you feel comfortable and like it here. Then why do you need to work?”

“No, now I want to work. And I want you to rest comfortably. I wish you wouldn’t have to go out busily gathering herbs and could take it easy.”

“…….”

“Am I asking for too much?”

She couldn’t answer. No one had ever said such things to her before. Until now, she had worked tirelessly to pay off her father’s debts. Yet the debts only snowballed. 

No matter how much she paid, they never decreased. But Cardin’s words made her feel like someone finally acknowledged her struggles. No one had understood or cared about her hardships and the life she led.

“I don’t want to see you struggling alone.”

“…….”

“Honestly, I want you not to work at all, and I want to provide for you.”

Unable to believe it, she asked.

“Are you serious?”

Do you really think about me that way?

This situation felt like a dream. Cardin gave a faint smile.

“Of course, I’m serious. Living like this with you is happier than ever.”

Her heart felt so ticklish that it almost broke out in hives. But it wouldn’t last long. Her father’s past was entangled in it.

From the start, Cardin had come to kill her, and she would leave soon. 

Thinking about Cardin’s happiness and her own, being shattered soon made her heart sink miserably.

“Let’s stay here until winter and move somewhere else.”

“Somewhere else?”

“I don’t like the herb shop here, and maybe another place would be more comfortable. Or we could move with the seasons.”

She wanted that too. But she was afraid. She couldn’t live with such anxiety forever.

“Brienne, let’s live like that.”

Cardin’s gentle voice echoed in her ears. It was a voice that seemed to emphasize his words. She didn’t answer. Cardin, thinking she agreed, smiled and picked up his spoon. As she watched quietly, he suddenly looked up.

“Brienne, next time you go herb gathering, let me know which direction you went.”

“Why?”

“I understand you going alone to gather herbs, but I worried a lot because I couldn’t find you when I wanted to see you. I was concerned.”

“…….”

“Next time, please tell me. Okay?”

Cardin’s gaze was quite earnest. She nodded. She could at least tell that small lie. Cardin smiled and ate the chickpea soup. He ate quite well. It was hard to believe he was the same person she had seen before.