Chapter 2 (Part 2)

When she returned home, the yard was bustling. Various trees were scattered around, and a toolbox and an axe were embedded under a large tree. At that moment, the house door opened. Cardin came out and, seeing her, his expression brightened for a moment.

“You’re back.”

“What’s all this?”

“I’m making the upper cabinet door and a chair for you.”

“A chair?”

“You can’t reach the upper cabinet door properly.”

“It’s fine.”

“Otherwise, keep asking me for help.”

Her cheeks flushed for a moment. It was because she remembered being tense when he came close before. Cardin lightly picked up the axe. She quickly approached him.

“Don’t overdo it.”

Cardin chuckled and turned his head. His handsome profile came into view, and sweat trickled down his smooth forehead. 

She hurriedly tied Viche and went inside the house. Normally, she would have organized the herbs first before entering the house. But she left the herb sack at the door and rummaged through the upper cabinet in the kitchen. Along with groceries, she stored dry cloths here daily. 

She took the cloth and went outside, where Cardin was busily chopping wood with the axe.

“Cardin, here.”

Cardin looked at her. He glanced at the cloth she offered and said lightly.

“Just a moment.”

He fitted the cut wood into place. The veins on his muscular arms stood out, and his muscles were particularly prominent. Sweat still trickled down his forehead.

‘It must sting if it gets in his eyes.’

She eventually approached and gently pressed the cloth to his forehead. Cardin paused and raised his gaze to her. Their eyes met. They were closer than she had thought. In his forest-like green eyes, a warm heat flickered. His eyelashes fluttered slightly as his breath scattered right in front of her. 

She instinctively stepped back and clasped her hands together. At that moment, a warm hand touched her. Surprised, she looked ahead to see him holding her hand firmly.

The strength in his firmly grasped hand was felt. Hot and sticky warmth as well.

“You brought it for me, didn’t you?”

She nodded unconsciously, and he smiled, taking the cloth.

“Thank you.”

As he said that, Cardin wiped the sweat from his forehead. She watched him intently.

‘Why doesn’t he smell of sweat?’

It was strange. Normally, she would expect at least a faint smell of sweat when close. 

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand, so she looked at him, and Cardin suddenly turned his head. She felt slightly embarrassed, thinking she had stared at him persistently. Cardin chuckled.

“I’ll wash the cloth and give it back to you.”

“Oh, okay.”

She briefly averted her gaze, then thought of what she needed to do.

“I’ll make sandwiches.”

She quickly went inside. Her heart kept racing. The way he looked at her, his hands, and even his breath—all were vividly felt throughout her body. 

It wasn’t bad. It felt like they had gotten closer. 

Before, she couldn’t even imagine such a situation. Feeling slightly elated in the dream-like scenario, she went to the kitchen and washed the lettuce. Before, it was just bothersome, but now it felt oddly enjoyable. 

Just as she finished preparing the sandwiches, the door opened. He placed something by the door and spoke.

“I’ll wash up and come.”

Cardin went straight to the bathroom. Wondering what he had placed, she looked and saw a small stool. It was neat without any rough edges. Cardin surprisingly had good skills. As she examined it closely, a familiar voice echoed.

“Did I do a good job?”

Startled, she looked up to see him smiling brightly down at her. His damp hair and cheerful face suited him exceptionally well. As she stared blankly, he slightly furrowed his brow.

“Why, wasn’t it well-made?”

“No… it’s beautiful.”

Cardin laughed pleasantly and kissed her cheek. It was so natural that she instinctively froze. He chuckled, picked up the stool and the wooden door in front of her, and lightly lifted them. She finally calmed her heart and asked.

“Did you learn these skills?”

“I didn’t formally learn, it was a hobby.”

It was unexpected. That Cardin had such a hobby.

“I don’t remember much about people, but things like this remain in my mind.”

Memory. She quickly took out the silver knife from her pocket.

“I haven’t used it, but thank you.”

Cardin held her hand and pushed it. As he naturally held her hand, her heart skipped a beat, but he spoke as if it was nothing.

“You don’t have to return it. Just keep it. I don’t remember it anyway.”

Then he went to the table. She looked down at the silver knife in her hand. The warm energy she felt from his hand seemed to linger.

She gripped the knife tightly. It felt solid and cold.

‘It’s Cardin’s knife.’

She still didn’t have the courage to rush over and tell him. Reluctantly, she put it in her pocket. Someday, when he regains his memory, she’ll return it. By then, she might be able to sort out all these feelings. 

At that moment, Cardin called out from in front of the sink.

“Brienne, aren’t you going to have lunch?”

When their eyes met, his slightly smiling eyes were gentle. Strangely, he seemed to smile often these days. Even though it was hot and humid, she felt refreshingly pleasant. 

She quickly approached him. Cardin had already prepared the sandwiches beautifully on the table. Below, a small and neat stool was visible. 

As she looked at it curiously, Cardin stood beside her.

“When you can’t reach something high, stand on this stool.”

Then he opened the upper cabinet door. There was no creaking sound, and it didn’t wobble as if it would fall. As she looked at it curiously, Cardin spoke.

“If there’s anything else that needs fixing, let me know.”

This time, she quickly spoke so as not to miss what she needed to say.

“Thank you.”

Cardin smiled softly. She climbed onto the stool and opened the upper cabinet door. It was definitely different from before. 

Feeling pleased, she turned her head and met Cardin’s gaze directly. Startled, she turned her body, losing her balance for a moment. 

At that moment, Cardin supported her with one arm. Her arm instinctively grabbed his shoulder, and she found herself pressed close to him. 

Her heart trembled. Her body didn’t move as if it was frozen, and she met Cardin’s eyes. They were deep and dark.

Just then, a clattering sound echoed. It came from the kitchen window. Cardin turned his head towards the sound. As she was about to step back, Cardin gently touched her shoulder.

“Stay here. It might be dangerous.”

Cardin immediately left the house. Her heart was racing. No one had ever come here before. Looking around, she saw glass shards scattered in front of the kitchen window. She pulled back the curtain near the door window but saw no one. Her heart felt heavy.

‘Who could it be?’

Since even her father knew she was staying nearby, creditors might know too. She felt uneasy.

‘Whenever I feel like this, something ominous happens.’

She learned this after being chased by creditors. If she felt uneasy, she had to move houses. It seemed she would have to leave here soon.

Just then, the door opened. The warm air scattered around. Cardin closed the door and approached her swiftly.

“I didn’t see anyone.”

That’s strange. If they came all the way here, they wouldn’t have come for nothing. What could it be? 

As she pondered quietly, Cardin turned his head. He walked over to the fallen glass shards. She hadn’t had the chance to clean them up earlier due to being distracted.

“I’ll do it.”

As she hurried over, something sharp touched her foot.

“Ouch.”

A groan escaped her lips. Cardin turned around immediately. He rushed over and examined her.

“Are you okay?”

She awkwardly nodded. Cardin knelt on one knee. He naturally took hold of her ankle, and it felt strange. Then Cardin looked up.

“Brienne, lift your foot.”

Her foot didn’t move easily. Cardin spoke gently.

“There might be glass stuck in your foot.”

Reluctantly, she lifted her foot. Cardin carefully examined her toes and removed a small shard with his finger. Her breath hitched for a moment. He slowly released her foot. His long fingers brushed past her ankle, leaving a warm sensation below. She exhaled softly as Cardin moved away.

“I’ll clean up the glass.”

Cardin skillfully gathered the fallen glass shards. She couldn’t approach, fearing she might get hurt again like before. Soon, he finished and looked at her.

“Is there any glass left?”

“No.”

“Then come with me to buy new ones.”

“Together?”

“Yeah.”

If she went to the village with Cardin, there would surely be talk. As she hesitated, Cardin asked gently.

“Is it uncomfortable to go with me?”

It was uncomfortable, but there was a bigger issue.

“If we go together, there might be unnecessary talk.”

“Unnecessary talk?”

“The people here are conservative. If they hear that an unmarried man and woman are living together…”

“Then just say we’re married.”

“What?”

“Since we’re living in the same house and will probably visit the village occasionally, we might as well say that.”

“But…”

“The herb shop owner knows me anyway, and it would be tiring to lie every time. I’m also cautious about sending you to the village alone.”

Her mind went blank. Was Cardin right? It was so sudden that she couldn’t think straight.

“And you can say the reason I wasn’t around was that I went far away for work.”

“…….”

“You haven’t specifically told people that we’re not married, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Just say we’re already married, and I went far away for work and only now returned.”

Words didn’t come easily. It wasn’t a real marriage, but the situation he described was something she had always dreamed of in the past. 

And for Cardin to say such a thing himself. Could she really enter that dream? She was so confused.

“Brienne, let’s do that. It’ll be easier for you.”

It seemed like he was thinking entirely of her. She hadn’t received such warmth from her father or friends. Unable to believe it, she asked.

“Is that okay?”

Cardin gently lifted the corners of his mouth.

“Yes.”

Even though it was a simple word, her heart swelled. It felt like he was saying everything about her was okay. Yes, anyway, Cardin intended to leave this place completely once his wounds healed. 

Someone unfamiliar seemed to know this house, and there was no need to stay any longer. So, just for the time until Cardin’s wounds healed completely…

At that moment, Cardin came closer.

“Let’s go buy the glass right now. Even though it’s summer, it’ll be troublesome if a stranger acts like today.”

She nodded. Cardin smiled brightly and met her eyes. His gaze was particularly gentle.