Chapter 3 (Part 3)

“Juliet, today you look somehow…”

William, who greeted her in front of the Shakespeare residence’s main gate, trailed off with his mouth open. He seemed surprised by her appearance, which was noticeably different from the past two days.

“Is it a bit much? We’re going somewhere very important today.”

When she asked with a smile, William spook his head vigorously.

“You look very beautiful. To the point that I am speechless.”

His eyes, as he looked at her, shone with something close to reverence. She was gradually getting used to his extreme affection. If only he realized it himself, she wouldn’t have to torment him like this. She suppressed the pity that arose when she thought of what would happen soon.

“Shall we go have a meal first?”

At her words, William extended his hand to her. She placed her hand on top of his. His gaze, which hadn’t left her, wavered slightly. A gentle warmth was transmitted from their touching hands. Everything about him was saying he liked her. Now she had to make him say it himself.

“Let’s go, Juliet.”

He said to her. His voice was so low it could have been mistaken for talking to himself. His voice was like a sigh. His eyes averted, unable to face her. She pretended not to notice any of it and smiled brightly.

“How about eating out today?”

She asked William, who naturally headed inside the residence. At her sudden words, he looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“I dressed up today, so I want to do something different from usual.”

She smiled with an innocent face, but inside she was full of ulterior motives. The purpose of all her actions today was one. To make today an unforgettable day for William. If possible, she wanted to create a soft, date-like atmosphere.

Of course, William didn’t notice at all and nodded. Watching him seriously ponder which restaurant to choose was cute.

“Take me somewhere nice.”

When she deliberately added pressure, he seemed to turn pale, perhaps just her imagination. His expression as he made up his mind was solemn. She pressed down the laughter that was about to burst out.

“The atmosphere is really nice.”

It was a great restaurant, perhaps thanks to his solemn determination. When she said this while looking around the restaurant, he finally smiled as if relieved.

“It really feels like a date.”

When she added this remark, William’s face, which had relaxed, turned red with embarrassment. He was truly someone whose thoughts were easy to read.

“Juliet, if you keep speaking like that, others might misunderstand.”

Yet, his words were the complete opposite, leaving her feeling helpless. 

Did he mean that others would misunderstand, but he wouldn’t? 

There was no trace of pretense or coyness on his face as he sat across from her. He probably didn’t have the slightest suspicion that he liked her. Looking at his pure face made her sigh. She had to steel her heart.

As soon as they finished ordering, the appetizers came out. Plump shrimp tossed in a refreshing sauce glistened in the light. For her, who loved seafood, it was an irresistible temptation. She waited eagerly for the waiter to leave. The waiter’s movements as he set the table and poured the tea felt agonizingly slow.

As soon as the waiter withdrew, William snatched the tongs from the plate. She lifted her gaze from the bowl and looked up at him. William chuckled softly at her and, without hesitation, served himself some food. Seeing him pick out only the plump shrimp made her feel a strange sense of resentment.

“Here you go.”

William offered her the plate with the food. There was a hint of mischief in his usually gentle gaze.

“Please don’t stare at me like that.”

His added words made her face feel hot. She whispered her thanks, feeling embarrassed.

“It would be an honor if you looked at me like you look at the shrimp.”

He teased her as she averted her gaze. She couldn’t let him take the lead any longer. Before taking him to the engagement ceremony, she had to make him excited, excited, and even more excited.

“Oh, I can do that anytime.”

She lifted her head and looked at him. He smiled back at her. But when she didn’t avert her gaze and continued to meet his eyes, he rolled his eyes in embarrassment. It was his turn to be flustered.

“Please don’t look away. You asked for it, William.”

She tried to sound stern, but her voice betrayed her amusement. He looked troubled but eventually blushed and smiled softly.

As they enjoyed the shrimp in the soft atmosphere, the main dishes arrived. The waiter quietly left after placing a fish dish in front of her and a steak in front of William. She cut a piece of the fish with sauce and put it in her mouth. As she had felt with the shrimp, William’s serious deliberation in choosing the restaurant had indeed paid off. The sauce and texture of the food were all excellent. As she savored the flavors spreading in her mouth, William reached out and placed a piece of steak on her plate.

“Juliet, you look truly happy when you eat.”

When she looked up, he spoke with a warm smile. His gaze was sweeter than any food she had eaten that day. She lowered her head and cut the fish dish on her plate. She offered a piece to William.

“Huh?”

William leaned his head toward her. Then he naturally took the food she offered into his mouth. She had expected him to take the fork, so her voice came out in surprise. Only then did William realize what he had done and quickly pulled back. The food on the fork was already in his mouth.

Accepting food from a fork wasn’t uncommon for couples. But they weren’t a couple, and the other person was ‘that’ William. The innocent, oblivious William, who couldn’t even recognize his own feelings despite it being written all over his face.

“I-I’m sorry. I did it without thinking.”

William apologized to her, looking flustered. She couldn’t bring herself to tease him, seeing him so unsure of what to do. Or maybe she was just as flustered.

The meal ended with a bit of warmth lingering.

“Can I hear where we’re going now?”

William asked as he drank the last of his coffee. She looked at his slightly flushed face. Whether it was due to the satisfying lunch, his face was more defenseless than ever. Now everything was ready.

“Please congratulate me.”

At her sudden words, William looked at her with a puzzled expression. His face was so innocent it stirred her guilt. But she had already made up her mind.

“I’m getting engaged today. I hope you’ll be a witness, William.”

She tried to sound happy, but for some reason, it was hard to face William. She just stared at her coffee cup.

“Congratulations.”

His calm words shook her firm belief. If he liked her, he couldn’t be so indifferent. 

Was it all my misunderstanding? Then how should I explain his reaction when I sprinkled ‘The Lovely Person’?

Her confused mind cleared the moment she looked up and met his face.

“Really, congratulations.”

His eyes were filled with deep despair. It was laughable that she had thought he might not care. His voice trembled pathetically. The plan was proceeding smoothly. But strangely, she felt more uncomfortable than when she thought it had failed. He struggled to smile with distorted eyes before finally lowering his head.

“What kind of person is he?”

His voice was slightly calmer, perhaps because he hid his face. But she could still sense a faint tremor.

“Romeo.”

“But didn’t you say before that you weren’t seeing Romeo?”

William asked urgently. His question was more of a desperate struggle not to let go of the straw he had barely grasped.

“Was there ever a time when we could decide our marriage by our own will?”

Perhaps that was why she said something different from what she had prepared. She had intended to say she had fallen in love with Romeo. Saying that’s how love works. That she hadn’t meant to but had fallen for him in an instant.

But she couldn’t bring herself to say it. It was too pitiful to deliberately cause more harm to him, who was just sad without knowing why.

“That’s… right.”

After a long silence, William finally accepted her words. But she could tell he wasn’t convinced, even without looking into his eyes.

“Congratulations, Juliet.”

William finally looked her in the eye and smiled. His forced smile felt distant. She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes and thanked him.