Chapter 35

“You two had a fight, didn’t you?”

The news that the newlywed couple hadn’t shared a bedroom spread quickly throughout the villa the next day. While Lennox had gone to inspect the fish farm with Roche, Harriet was embroidering with Philomena.

Caught off guard by Philomena’s sudden topic, Harriet cleared her throat and shook her head.

“I’m quite sensitive about my sleeping arrangements when I’m tired. Lennox was considerate and moved to another room.”

No matter how angry she was, Lennox Diorne was now her husband and the future owner of this island. Moreover, the woman in front of her had raised him. Not wanting to speak ill of him, she hastily made up an excuse, but Philomena narrowed her eyes.

“I don’t think that’s all there is to it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you know, Young Madam? The young master is surprisingly cute.”

“Cute?”

Harriet, almost pricking her hand with the needle, looked at Philomena in disbelief. Philomena, chuckling, continued.

“The young master rarely gets angry and is always calm. He doesn’t get easily shaken, so we used to say he was like a little adult when he was young.”

“That makes sense. But calling him cute, what do you mean?”

“The young master actually has a personality that draws clear boundaries with others. He treats everyone warmly and gently, but that also means he rarely lets anyone in close enough to get angry.”

As she listened, Harriet found the words made sense. She continued her embroidery, paying attention to Philomena’s words.

“But there were rare occasions when the young master would get sulky with me.”

“Sulky?”

It was a word that didn’t fit Lennox Diorne at all. Philomena lowered her voice as if sharing a secret.

“Yes. Do you know what he did then?”

“……What did he do?”

Philomena, smiling at Harriet’s curious reaction, gestured for her to come closer. Leaning in, Harriet listened as Philomena whispered in her ear.

“Hide and seek.”

“What did you say…?”

“He would keep avoiding and not respond, hiding. And he would circle around.”

Philomena, reminiscing about the past, smiled brightly with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Isn’t it really cute? Like a rabbit digging a hole and hiding just its head. It might not be the best expression for a man, though.”

“So… what you’re trying to say, Philomena, is…”

“Exactly.”

Philomena, as if reading Harriet’s thoughts, smiled and nudged her back.

“When the young master sulks, he wants the person he’s upset with to come find him. So, madam, why don’t you go find your husband this time?”

“…”

“I’m sure he’ll be pleased, even if he pretends not to be. His anger will surely melt away. I guarantee it.”

* * *

Though she thought Philomena’s suggestion was absurd, Harriet found herself outside the villa.

“Well, it’s also a walk.”

Mumbling awkwardly, Harriet strolled leisurely along the long path towards the fish farm. It had taken some time to come up by carriage, but taking the shortcut, she surprisingly descended from the top quickly. As the fish farm came into view, Harriet instinctively searched for a familiar face.

Looking around, she soon spotted Lennox and Roche. The two men were examining the fish farm with serious expressions. Harriet slowly approached them.

As unfamiliar words like harvest, export, and feed passed between them, Roche, who noticed Harriet first, tactfully paused the conversation.

“Then I’ll go see the manager again.”

“I’ll go with you. There are things to see and hear.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

Lennox narrowed his eyes at the cheeky refusal, then turned his head in the direction Roche indicated with his eyes.

“…Coco?”

As soon as he confirmed who it was, surprise, delight, and joy flashed quickly across his face. Harriet, clearing her throat, made a needless excuse.

“I came down for a walk. Philomena mentioned there was a shortcut.”

“Roche.”

Roche chuckled at the look he received and nodded.

“All necessary tasks are finished. Since you’re newlyweds, why not take a walk on the beach with the young madam?”

“Sure. Thank you.”

Lennox grinned and took Harriet’s hand. Harriet, awkwardly holding his hand, let him lead her out of the fish farm.

Lennox took her to a beach with dazzling white sand. It was still early, so there were only a few fishermen far away tending to a docked fishing boat.

“I’m honestly surprised you came to find me.”

With no one around, his large hand still held his wife’s hand tightly. Harriet considered pulling away but quietly gave up.

“I told you, I didn’t come looking for you.”

“Still, I’ll think of it as I please.”

Despite her denial, Lennox smiled brightly and tightened his grip on her hand. Harriet, seeing his smile for the first time in a while, awkwardly averted her gaze.

“…Do as you like. And there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Something to tell me?”

“The matter with Lady Donovan is a misunderstanding on your part.”

As soon as the word ‘Donovan’ was mentioned, the air that had frozen quickly thawed with her continued words.

“It’s true that I arranged for you and her to meet alone at her request. But she told me she wanted to end things cleanly.”

Lennox, who had stopped abruptly, slowly turned his head.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Because you were avoiding me. You didn’t even try to talk.”

An awkward silence hung between them. While Harriet was contemplating what to say next, raindrops began to fall from the sky. The once clear sky darkened as storm clouds rolled in.

“It’s raining. We should head back.”

Harriet, looking worriedly at the sky, suggested they return to the villa. However, the rain quickly intensified, drenching them. Fortunately, the sea was calm as there was no wind, but going back like this was impossible.

“Coco.”

After a moment of thought, Lennox suddenly led her somewhere.

“Where are we going now?”

“There’s a cave I often visited. The sea has never reached it, so it’ll be a good place to rest for a while.”

There was no other choice. Nodding, Harriet followed him.

* * *

After walking for a short while, a sea-carved cave indeed appeared. It was positioned slightly higher than the beach, so there was no worry about the sea flooding in.

Dripping wet, Harriet shivered and sat inside the cave, while Lennox went further in and returned with some firewood. Harriet, startled, widened her eyes.

“Why is there firewood inside?”

“I used it as a hideout sometimes.”

Lennox stacked the firewood, then lit a match he had also brought from inside and threw it onto the firewood. The pile quickly blazed, illuminating the dim cave and spreading warmth. Harriet, who had been coughing continuously, spread her hands to enjoy the warmth of the fire.

Though the rock she sat on was hard and uncomfortable, the fire made the cave surprisingly cozy and bearable.

However, her body shivered with chills due to the sudden drop in temperature. As Harriet hugged her shoulders, Lennox, sitting across from her, suddenly took off his shirt.

“What are you doing?”

“Wearing wet clothes makes it easy to catch a cold. It’s better to take them off and dry them.”

Though it made sense, seeing him half-n*ked in this situation made Harriet’s face flush red.

Lennox Diorne was excessively provocative.

His broad shoulders and inverted triangle body were like a sculpture crafted with care by an artist, with harmonious muscles. And his hair, wet in a suggestive way.

Unconsciously admiring him, Harriet slowly lifted her head, and when their eyes met, she recoiled in surprise. But behind her was the solid cave wall.

Lennox, looking at her with an unreadable expression, parted his lips.

“You should take off yours too.”

“What?”

“If you stay like this, you’ll catch a cold. If you’re unlucky, it could be the flu. Unless you plan to spend the entire honeymoon bedridden, take it off.”

She didn’t want that. Although she had brought work with her, she didn’t want to spend the trip to this island sick and unable to enjoy it. After some contemplation, Harriet pursed her lips and instructed coyly.

“Then, close your eyes.”

“Do I have to? We’ve already seen everything.”

“You.”

“I’m kidding. You’re wearing underwear anyway. Even with the firewood, it’s dark, so the inside won’t be visible.”

“…”

Though it was true, her hands wouldn’t move. Squeezing the water out of his thoroughly soaked shirt, Lennox teased.

“Besides, do you see me as such a beast that I’d get aroused even in this situation? Well, if you want…”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then you are conscious of me to that extent.”

“No, I’m not.”

Harriet, denying strongly, slowly removed her dress. Using the fallen fabric as a shield, she covered herself, making Lennox chuckle softly.

“You know you’re really cute.”

“I told you not to call me cute.”

Harriet, who had been bristling, suddenly had a thought and narrowed her eyes. Lennox, who had expected her to tremble, was puzzled by her composure until her words hit his ears, leaving him agape.

“You’re the one who’s cute. Sulking and waiting to be found.”

“What?”

“Philomena already told me everything. She said the young master sulks and circles around the person he’s sulking with.”

Lennox blinked blankly. Harriet, feeling victorious for perhaps the first time, crossed her arms triumphantly. Suddenly, he spoke.

“So you came to find me yourself? To calm my anger?”

“…What?”

Something was wrong. But before she could think about the oddness, he bombarded her with questions.

“Did you care about me that much?”

“That’s!”

Harriet, who had inadvertently been drawn in, blushed and awkwardly denied.

“You’re still my husband, and this is your island… It seemed like it would be bothersome in many ways, that’s all.”

Before she could finish, his hand reached out and caressed her cheek. Harriet, eyes wide, froze.

“I’m so happy.”

Lennox, smiling brightly, slowly captured her lips. Harriet, closing her eyes at the tongue that licked her lips as if seeking permission, slowly opened her mouth. His tongue, entering softly yet hotly, took over her mouth.