Chapter 118

Dyffrin did not answer Evelyn’s words.

“…You’re acting strange, you know.”

“I’m just tired. I need some rest.”

He ran his hand through his hair a few times and then went upstairs.

Worried that he might not be feeling well, she knocked on his door a few times, but it seemed Dyffrin was asleep.

It was strange because he wasn’t the type to get tired just from a short trip to the village.

She considered calling the doctor but decided to wait until he woke up to talk more. If she wanted to call the doctor, she would have to go to the village while Dyffrin was asleep.

If he woke up and found her gone, he would be alarmed. Dyffrin sometimes had overly pessimistic imaginations.

At times like this, it was frustrating not to have any resident employees. She suddenly realized how inconvenient that was.

Evelyn spent the time alone after that. It was quite disappointing to spend their honeymoon separately like this.

She had secretly hoped for a romantic and passionate night with him.

Though she still felt shy about making love with him, it was something she secretly desired.

Dyffrin was more honest in bed. It seemed like the ice shards that usually enveloped him shattered, releasing a hot desire.

Evelyn liked seeing a different side of Dyffrin in the bedroom and enjoyed it when his usual calmness broke, and he came to her with fervor.

‘Well… we have many days ahead together.’

When she turned her gaze outside, the sky had already darkened. The second day of their honeymoon was ending.

Even though it was dinner time, she wasn’t hungry. Since Dyffrin hadn’t woken up yet, it seemed okay to have dinner a little later.

Evelyn decided to take a leisurely bath and started filling the tub with water.

White steam soon filled the bathroom. Carefully stripping off her clothes, Evelyn slowly immersed herself in the tub from her toes. Once she was fully in, the water overflowed.

Soaking in the hot water, her entire body felt like it was melting from a massage. She soon felt so relaxed that she could almost slide down.

While closing her eyes for a moment, she remembered the herbs she had picked yesterday.

She had gathered some herbs during her walk, and they would smell wonderful if she floated them in the bathwater.

Wrapping a large towel around her body, Evelyn stepped out. Water dripped from her hair, but she didn’t mind. Dyffrin was using another room, so she could clean up after her bath.

Thinking that, she reached for the herbs placed by her window when the door opened.

It was Dyffrin.

Evelyn, surprised by his sudden entrance, opened her mouth slightly.

“Uh…”

“…”

Dyffrin stopped in his tracks and looked at Evelyn. His eyes wavered slightly.

Evelyn belatedly tightened the loose towel. Although they had already seen each other’s bodies, it was still embarrassing to be n*ked in such a bright place.

“…You could have knocked.”

Dyffrin spoke belatedly.

“I did. Twice.”

She must not have heard the knocking while in the bathroom.

“I was taking a bath… If you came to talk about dinner, let’s do it later. I’ll be out soon.”

Evelyn felt cold from being wet outside for so long, and the situation felt awkward, so she wanted to return to the bathroom quickly.

But Dyffrin stood there as if rooted to the spot, not intending to leave.

Instead… his gaze clung to her intensely. It was so blatant that it couldn’t be considered just a glance.

Feeling her throat dry up from the heated atmosphere, Evelyn broke the silence first.

“…Dyffrin?”

Only then did the intense gaze, which felt as hot as the bathwater, withdraw.

“Don’t walk around like that. You’ll catch a cold.”

Dyffrin said irritably.

Though she wondered if it was something to get angry about, Evelyn didn’t argue, knowing he was concerned for her.

Dyffrin left, slamming the door behind him.

‘Is he really not feeling well…’

He seemed a bit hysterical since yesterday. It reminded her of the old Dyffrin.

It wasn’t a good sign.

She thought it would be best to talk about it tomorrow. He might really be sick. People tend to get irritable when they’re ill.

Though the strange look in his eyes earlier bothered her, Evelyn dismissed it as her imagination.

Seeing his irritated demeanor, he didn’t seem like someone desiring intimacy. Maybe she felt that way because she wanted it.

‘Oh my…’

As Evelyn looked at the spot where Dyffrin had been, she felt the cold droplets of water trickling down her hair and hurried back to the bathroom.

* * *

After leaving the room where Evelyn was, Dyffrin walked so quickly that he didn’t even know where he was going.

Striding along, Dyffrin looked like someone who was angry.

And he was. Angry at the situation where he couldn’t touch his alluring wife and at himself for being tormented by intense frustration while his wife needed to rest.

He knew Evelyn was healthy now. In the past, he had made love to her even when she was unwell.

But he was extremely cautious now because he loved Evelyn more than before.

Evelyn had become even more beautiful and lovable over time.

It wasn’t about her appearance. It was about his feelings.

He realized, like a child naturally learning words, that this is what it means to be lovable. 

So he became more careful. He wanted this beautiful and lovely person never to be sick again.

The deepening feelings made Dyffrin anxious.

But Evelyn didn’t know this about him.

So she tested his patience with her careless behavior.

Dyffrin recalled her appearance earlier. Her light brown hair, wet and darker than usual, dripped water that flowed down her white skin.

The droplets disappeared under the towel, out of sight. His body, unaccustomed to such a tantalizing sight, heated up quickly.

Though Evelyn seemed unaware, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold out.

His whole body still felt as hot as fire.

“Haa.”

Dyffrin hoped he wouldn’t lose control and pounce on Evelyn like a beast.

* * *

The weather was exceptionally good the next day.

Evelyn, feeling even better than yesterday, went straight to Dyffrin’s room.

He was still sleeping, possibly from not having slept well.

Sensing her presence, Dyffrin slowly opened his eyes. He met Evelyn’s gaze as she looked down at him, propped up on her arms over his body.

Startled, Dyffrin quickly sat up, lightly bumping his head.

“Ow.”

“Are you alright?”

Evelyn rubbed her sore forehead.

“I’m fine… But why did you get up so suddenly?”

“It’s your fault for being so quiet.”

Dyffrin pointed out bluntly.

“I made enough noise. It’s your fault for not noticing.”

In their childish argument, Dyffrin fell silent, seemingly conceding. Evelyn squinted her eyes and spoke.

“More importantly… are you really not sick?”

Worried about Dyffrin’s strange behavior last night, Evelyn had checked on him multiple times.

But Dyffrin kept insisting he was fine, just a bit tired.

“You should be more worried about yourself, not me.”

“I’m really fine. I feel more energetic than ever.”

Evelyn rolled her eyes slowly.

“So… let’s go to the beach today. It’s too nice a day to stay indoors.”

Actually, she planned to sneak out alone if Dyffrin treated her like a patient again. Staying in the bedroom in such a beautiful place felt like a waste of time.

“Alright.”

Dyffrin finally agreed. Overjoyed, Evelyn hugged him.

“Thank you, Dyffrin!”

Once again, Dyffrin stiffened like a statue.

Wondering what was wrong, Evelyn saw Dyffrin push her away like brushing off dust and get out of bed.

She watched with a bewildered expression.

“I didn’t know you had a cleanliness obsession.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then why have you been avoiding touching me since yesterday?”

Evelyn felt like a rogue teasing an innocent priest because of Dyffrin’s reaction.

“I just… don’t feel like it right now.”

“Can I only touch you when you feel like it?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Dyffrin looked exhausted. Evelyn furrowed her brows.

“I don’t understand why you’re acting like this.”

“It won’t last long. Just wait a little.”

His words were vague.

Seeing Dyffrin looking tired, Evelyn suppressed her disappointment.

“Get ready and come out.”

A beautiful sandy beach with golden sand sparkling under the bright sunlight unfolded before them. Approaching early summer, she worried the sand might be hot, but it wasn’t yet.

Evelyn and Dyffrin spread a large picnic blanket under a rocky cliff and settled down.

Sitting in the shade with the sea breeze blowing, it was quite cool. Evelyn, admiring the vast horizon, stood up.

Dyffrin’s gaze followed her.

“I want to dip my feet in the seawater.”

Evelyn neatly placed the shoes she had worn.