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~Chapter 21~
I secretly glared at him, then quickly looked away to the next food stall.
There were skewers roasting over the fire. Each time the fat dripped down, it made a loud sizzle, and thick white smoke curled up.
“Look at that! It looks so tasty. What do you think it tastes like? Etienne, have you tried it before?”
I’d never seen food like this, but the sweet smell was tempting.
“No.”
“Huh, why not? It looks delicious.”
“If you want it, eat it.”
“I don’t have any money.”
He let out a short laugh through his nose.
“Then find the things you stole from me. If you sell even one of them, you’ll have enough to buy a mountain of skewers.”
“Why bring that up all of a sudden… So stingy.”
“Stingy?”
He frowned at me. So what if he looks at me like that! I put on an even bolder face.
“You are stingy! When I say I want street food, you bring up old stuff. If you don’t want to buy it for me, just say so! Now I understand why I used to steal from you.”
“What?”
“You’re so cheap with me! Look at your clothes, Etienne—they’re so fancy and expensive, but I don’t even have a simple ring. Not a single one.”
It was true. Even when I asked for some jewelry to brighten up my dull clothes, I couldn’t find a single ring.
“A husband should buy his wife rings, necklaces, things like that! Especially when he’s rich! You wear all the nice things yourself! So, tell me—who’s the stingy one?”
“So you’re saying it was fine for you to steal? You don’t seem sorry at all.”
He raised his eyebrows. I quickly lowered my eyes. If I acted up too much, I might get divorced, so I had to back down a little.
“No, no… I’m not saying it was right. I’m just guessing that’s how things turned out. Of course, I’m really sorry. Haha.”
I made my best “good child” face.
Then, Etienne took out a pouch and handed it to me. I felt its weight as I took it without thinking.
“What is it?”
I opened the pouch.
Wow, it’s so shiny…! What is this?
“You said you wanted to eat.”
Etienne, who already looked cool, seemed to shine even brighter.
Rich husband, best husband!
My heart filled with love. I couldn’t tell if it was love for the money, for him, or just for the meat.
“Are you really going to eat all that?”
“Of course! That’s why I bought it. You think I’d just stand here holding food for fun?”
I stood with both hands full of unfamiliar skewers. Etienne asked, sounding annoyed.
“You don’t even know what it is. What if it’s cow intestines or something?”
“Oh, I heard cow intestines are good! I really wanted to try them! Like gopchang, makchang, daechang!”
“What…?”
Mmm, I took a big bite. Wow! It was like fireworks going off in my mouth. Delicious!
Home-cooked steak from a great chef was wonderful, but this spicy market food was amazing in its own way.
Even though my mouth was already full, I took another bite.
Eating is the best! I’m so happy!
“Delicious!”
I chewed with all my might. I was so focused on eating, but then I noticed someone staring at me.
Etienne was staring at me so hard it was embarrassing.
Why is he looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face? Or…
He wants to eat some too!
Even if it looks gross, seeing me enjoy it must have made him want some. Well, since he bought it, I’ll share!
“Etienne, do you want a bite? It’s really good.”
“No, thanks. What’s the important clue you were talking about?”
He changed the subject quickly.
I guess he was embarrassed about wanting some. That’s kind of cute.
I decided to pretend not to notice, for his sake.
“Well, when I was kidnapped, there was a man who seemed to know me.”
I explained what happened that day. I told him that the woman called “Dal” was probably me. Etienne listened quietly for a while, then asked:
“Did the man’s name happen to be Victor?”
“They definitely called him that.”
“Then we have to find that man.”
“See? I did well! Even when I was kidnapped, I got important info. I can survive anywhere, like a weed!”
Etienne snorted at my joke, but he didn’t seem upset. Feeling proud, I took another big bite of the skewer in my right hand.
There was only one left now… Should I give it to Etienne? He probably wants it but is too shy to ask.
Alright, I’ll be nice.
I stuck the last skewer in front of him.
“Are you really not going to eat? The sauce is amazing. Just one bite.”
“…”
Why is he staring at me again? Is he too shy to eat in front of me?
“This is your last chance! If you ask later, I won’t give you even a bite! Quick, ahh—”
“I said no…”
Thunk!
“Kyaa!”
Right as Etienne refused, someone shoved me from behind, and I fell right into his arms. My face turned hot from being so close to his solid chest. I quickly stepped back.
“I’m sorry. Someone pushed me from behind—ah! Your face!”
Etienne’s face was covered in white sauce.
And of course, I was the culprit. The skewer I was holding had left a big mark right under his nose.
“…”
His blank face crumpled up.
“Mom, that man’s nose is running. He looks weird.”
“Shh, don’t say that to strangers.”
It was hard not to laugh at the innocent comment from a kid passing by.
“…Pfft.”
Etienne stared at me, his eyes wide in disbelief.
“Pfft? Are you laughing at me? First you smear sauce on my face, now you laugh?”
His face looked so serious, but with the white sauce under his nose, he looked so silly. Like a very serious clown.
‘Mom, that man is weird…’
The kid’s words kept spinning in my head. I tried to hold it in, but it was impossible.
“Pfft—under your nose! Ah, you look like such a silly man—haha!”
Etienne clenched his teeth and tried to wipe off the sauce, but it only smeared more, just like snot. He could be a comedy show star with that look.
I finally gave up and couldn’t help but pat his shoulder.
“What’s so funny?”
He looked at me, baffled. I laughed so hard, I had to wipe away tears before I could calm down.
“Sorry. I don’t know why it’s so funny today. Maybe I’m just too happy. My stomach hurts.”
Still grinning, I reached out and wiped the sauce off his strong nose.
“You have to wipe it like this. Just rubbing it only makes it worse, silly.”
Then, he suddenly grabbed my hand as I focused on his upper lip. Startled, I looked up into his eyes.
His breath touched my forehead. The smell of wood mixed with his warmth, making my head spin. The sunlight and his blue eyes made a strange, sparkling color.
I could hardly breathe.
“W-why…?”
I barely managed to speak, my voice shaking. Etienne blinked, as if waking up, then let go of my hand. I quickly pulled my hand back. The spot where he grabbed me felt hot.
It was just holding hands, but… why did it feel so strange? Was it because Etienne is so handsome?
I glanced at him again. His face looked calm, as if nothing had happened.
Well, staring at such a good-looking man up close—no wonder my heart can’t handle it. He really is bad for my health.
“Let’s go back.”
Etienne turned and walked away without another word.
I stared after him, surprised.
What the… He’s the one who stopped me! I just don’t get him at all.
“Wait for me! Just because your legs are long doesn’t mean you have to walk so fast! Maybe I shouldn’t have wiped your silly snot—serious fool suits you better!”
Because I teased Etienne so much, I got dragged straight back to the carriage.
The other servants and dresses had already gone ahead, so there were only a few people left. I had to ride in the carriage facing Etienne. It reminded me of the day we returned from the monastery. Maybe because we’d faced life-and-death situations together, I didn’t feel so nervous now.
With his hood off, Etienne looked out the window. His sharp nose and the slim line of his neck made me remember what just happened, and I felt my mouth water.
Wait, why am I salivating? Etienne isn’t meat. Maybe I’m just thinking about the food.
I awkwardly wiped my mouth and looked straight ahead.
Soon, sleepiness came over me. We’d been out since morning, after all. By the time we entered the forest road, my head started to nod forward. That’s when it happened.
Thump.
The carriage shook with a loud noise. My eyes snapped open, my heart pounding. When I came to my senses, Etienne was beside me, steadying me with one hand so I wouldn’t fall. He reached for his sword, ready for danger.
“W-what’s happening?”
A monster attack? An assassin? Or…?
Before I could get an answer, another loud crash shook the carriage.
Ugh. Why don’t these things have seatbelts!
Etienne pulled me closer, holding me tight as the carriage tilted.
“Ahh! We’re going to tip over!”
Thud…!
In an instant, the whole world turned sideways.
