Chapter 115

The movement of the ship heading towards Maluid Island was brisk. The ship cut through the water smoothly, and geese followed, honking.

The sky was also clear. As they approached the island, the unique scent of the trees pleasantly brushed the tip of their noses.

“You look happy.”

“I am. Coming to this island makes me feel at ease.”

Unlike Evelyn, who smiled with her eyes, Dyffrin had a slightly complex expression.

“Why?”

“I don’t feel entirely good about coming to this island.”

Evelyn thought that made sense.

It was the place she had fled to. Dyffrin had stayed here under the pretext of seeking forgiveness, but that time must not have been pleasant.

“Let’s make a lot of good memories this time. Then this island won’t feel bad anymore.”

That was all they needed to do. Maluid Island was full of bright and positive energy, so after staying for a while, his feelings would surely change.

Evelyn thought so.

Dyffrin’s villa, which they visited after a long time, was clean.

“Have you been maintaining this place continuously?”

“I had it cleaned as soon as our honeymoon destination was decided.”

Evelyn took off her silk gloves and put firewood into the fireplace. Although it was spring, the evenings here tended to be a bit chilly.

Since it was their honeymoon, they didn’t bring any attendants, so Evelyn had to start the fire herself. But no matter how many matches she threw into the fireplace, the fire wouldn’t catch.

In the end, Dyffrin took the matchbox and rearranged the firewood. When he put in the match, the fire caught. The area around the fireplace quickly became warm.

“I didn’t know you knew how to start a fire.”

“Did you forget that I stayed here alone? If I couldn’t start a fire by myself, I would have frozen to death.”

“Oh…”

“Surprised that the arrogant prince started a fire himself?”

Dyffrin said with a chuckle. At his teasing tone, Evelyn frowned.

“I already apologized for calling you an arrogant prince.”

“I find it amusing that you thought of me that way.”

Amusing, my foot… You’re just teasing.

Evelyn walked to the window and looked around. The scenery was surprisingly the same as before.

The wide field was still green, and the surrounding forest was lush.

Evelyn’s gaze stopped at a nearby house. It was Fenris’s villa, where she had stayed before. The villa was also the same.

Evelyn was momentarily lost in memories. It felt like just yesterday that she had almost faced death while staying there, and now she was looking at the same place with a healthy body, feeling nostalgic.

“What are we doing tomorrow?”

Evelyn turned her head. Dyffrin was lounging on the sofa.

“You said you had plans.”

“We’re going to ride donkeys.”

Dyffrin frowned.

“Have you forgotten that you almost drowned in the river riding a donkey?”

“That was an accident. Just because you had an accident in a carriage doesn’t mean you’ll never ride one again, right?”

When Evelyn asked nonchalantly, Dyffrin just frowned without saying anything.

“There’s a fantastic walking trail. Walking there makes you feel like leaving the world behind and living in the forest.”

It was an exaggeration to persuade Dyffrin. Of course, it might not sound very appealing to him, but it would express how much she wanted it.

“Dyffrin, you can ride a horse. You’re good at riding, aren’t you?”

She had never seen Dyffrin riding a horse herself. It was mentioned in the original story that he had learned horseback riding under strict heir education as a child, so she assumed he was good at it.

“Where can we rent donkeys and horses?”

At Dyffrin’s resigned question, Evelyn smiled brightly.

“At Gunther’s ranch. I felt sorry for always borrowing donkeys, but I’m glad we brought a suitable gift.”

Evelyn had prepared a gift for Gunther and his wife before coming to Maluid Island.

She had brought a pair of well-sharpened scissors, remembering how Mary had complained that the scissors for cutting wool quickly became dull.

They were sturdy scissors made from the same metal used for the pickaxes of the miners in Seongsan. They were also made from a newly developed alloy, making them unavailable in the market.

“Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“You tend to think of me as too fragile, like a glass doll.”

“You were, in fact, fragile.”

“Not anymore. Now, I’m rather too healthy…”

Dyffrin cut her off with a kiss. Evelyn pushed against Dyffrin’s chest.

“I was talking!”

“You were talking too long.”

Liar. 

Evelyn glared at Dyffrin with a red face.

“You’re the one who asked what we’re doing tomorrow…!”

“I didn’t expect to have such a long conversation about riding donkeys. That’s not what’s important to me.”

The blue eyes that met hers were hot. They almost seemed red.

“I’ve waited long enough.”

From the wedding to the reception, they had been so busy that they hadn’t even touched fingertips.

So Evelyn understood Dyffrin.

She was just a little embarrassed.

“It seems like you only think about that when you see me.”

“It’s because it’s you.”

His languid whisper was seductive. Her fingertips twitched naturally.

“Shall we go, Princess?”

“…Princess?”

“Since I’m the prince, you become the princess.”

“I didn’t know you were such a grudge-holder.”

“I like seeing your eyebrows arch.”

Dyffrin smiled faintly and lifted Evelyn. It was really like carrying a princess.

Even though she must be heavy, Dyffrin carried her to the bedroom on the second floor.

Evelyn thought that tonight wouldn’t end easily.

* * *

As always, the rooster crowed at dawn in this place. But Evelyn couldn’t lift her eyelids.

She barely opened her eyes when she heard a faint knocking sound outside.

“What’s that sound…?”

Evelyn rubbed her eyes and got up. Dyffrin was already awake.

But he didn’t look happy.

“You look refreshed.”

Listening to him, she realized it was true. She felt full of energy, as if she had slept deeply.

Evelyn remembered the previous night.

Before starting the act, she had said they should wash up briefly because the sea breeze made her feel sticky, and Dyffrin had reluctantly agreed.

She had washed first, and then Dyffrin went to the bathtub. And after that, she remembered nothing.

She had fallen asleep.

“…Sorry. I must have been very tired.”

It was true. From the wedding to the reception, they had been nonstop. It also took quite a while to get to this island.

She must have been exhausted from the long carriage and ship rides.

Dyffrin sighed.

“We have plenty of time anyway.”

Evelyn nodded.

He was right. They would stay leisurely on this island for a week, so there was plenty of time to make love.

Then someone knocked on the door again. The sound was faint, so Dyffrin seemed not to have heard it.

Evelyn got out of bed and went to the window. She opened the window and looked down at the door.

A familiar face appeared.

“Gunther!”

It seemed that Gunther, the village chief, had come to check if new people had arrived since there was activity in the house that had always been dark.

Seeing Evelyn sticking her head out of the second-floor window, Gunther widened his eyes.

“I’ll be down soon!”

Saying that, Evelyn left the bedroom and changed her clothes. Dyffrin, already washed and dressed in outdoor clothes, didn’t mind.

“You seem happier to see him than me.”

“He’s like a father. Don’t be jealous.”

Evelyn went downstairs and flung the door open. Gunther’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

“…Miss Evelyn?”

Strictly speaking, she should now be called Mrs., but Evelyn didn’t bother to correct him.

“Gunther!”

Instead, she hugged Gunther tightly. Gunther just stood there, stiff as a stone.

It seemed he hadn’t expected to see her here.

When she let go of her tight hug, Gunther finally spoke properly.

“Miss Evelyn, how did you… No, have you been well?”

Gunther was speaking much faster than usual. It was rare for him to talk so much.

“I was a bit sick. So I had to get treatment in the Colclough Empire. I couldn’t say goodbye properly because it got worse suddenly.”

She had felt bad about not saying a proper goodbye to Gunther and his wife, but she was glad to be able to greet them now.

“That’s what happened. Are you okay now?”

“Yes. I’m perfectly fine.”

Dyffrin opened the slightly ajar door wide and revealed himself.

“You’re not perfectly fine.”

To the point of falling asleep before something important. 

Dyffrin whispered softly so only she could hear.

Evelyn’s face turned a little red, understanding the meaning. But it was Gunther who spoke first, surprised.

“This gentleman is…”

Evelyn hesitated for a moment, wondering how to explain her complicated relationship with Dyffrin.

“…He’s my husband.”

“So it ended up that way.”

Gunther said with a serious face.

She wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by “ended up that way,” but it seemed Gunther and Mary had vaguely guessed their relationship.

‘Well… we did recently have a new wedding.’

Evelyn was just relieved that she didn’t have to explain in detail.