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chapter 54
Unexpectedly, Lynette got her hands on the key to Sian’s house.
“Is it really okay to just give me the key like this?”
“Of course. From now on, everything of mine will belong to you, Lynette. You can come by the house anytime you need—midnight, early morning, it doesn’t matter.”
They had only been dating for a day, yet she already had a key. Lynette hesitated, feeling a bit overwhelmed, but Sian smiled and gently wrapped her hand around his.
“This key will be yours from now on. So even if I’m not here, you can rest comfortably in that house. Occasionally, someone comes by to clean.”
Lynette tilted her head in curiosity. The house wasn’t so large that it would require someone else to clean—it was cozy, just enough for a family of four. Hearing that someone else cleaned it made her look at Sian more closely.
“Usually, the residents of the house clean it themselves. Do you have that much money to hire someone?”
He always dressed neatly, but it didn’t seem like he had many outfits—maybe just three he rotated. She didn’t expect him to be rich. Of course, even if he were poor, it didn’t matter to her.
“Oh, yes. I earn enough for that… I’m sorry. I realize I never properly told you what I do.”
“That’s fine. I didn’t ask either. But can I ask now? What do you do, Sian? Are you a soldier?”
“You could say soldier, but more accurately, I’m a knight.”
“Oh, I see.”
It made sense. He didn’t seem like an ordinary person. When he helped her fend off those thugs before, his skills had been impressive. Even when he lifted her effortlessly, he showed no strain. His toned muscles and firm skin indicated physical training. She had vaguely suspected he might be a knight.
“So, which order are you part of?”
When Lynette asked whether he was a knight from a noble family or affiliated with the royal palace, Sian answered immediately. He recalled Mason’s words about hiding his identity and being caught, which had led to Sharon breaking up with him.
“I serve in the Red Knights.”
“The Red Knights? Then… the one whose shoulder I bumped into last time… Ah, never mind. Nothing.”
Lynette had wanted to ask if he knew Casper, but shook her head. Investigating Casper could reveal her identity as part of the Pruina family. Besides, Edgar, who looked uncannily like her, was also there—so she deliberately avoided asking.
“Lynette, don’t worry about my finances. Even if you didn’t run Egreem, I could still provide for you comfortably. You wouldn’t have to lift a finger at all.”
“Um, Sian, we’re dating, not marrying yet. People might think we’re already setting a wedding date.”
Seeing Lynette clearly draw the line, Sian backed off a little.
“You caught me. I was trying to appeal to you just now. Anyway, that key is yours.”
Holding the silver key, Lynette nodded and pocketed it. She then served Sian some coffee.
“You don’t have to pay.”
“No, no. Even if we’re dating, how could I keep drinking your coffee for free?”
When Sian tried to give her money, Lynette refused. Yet Sian drew a firm line with money and still gave her some. After finishing her coffee, Sian left.
Preparing to leave, Lynette asked Angela to tell Catherine she would be late.
“She probably won’t expect me to come directly today. A surprise visit will let me see Sian’s usual lifestyle.”
Curious to test him, Lynette wore a sly smile. She wanted to see how the man who proposed marriage would behave when she wasn’t around. Even if they weren’t married, they were dating, so it was important to check. Closing Egreem, Lynette made her way to Sian’s house.
This was her second visit after their nighttime date. Since she was a guest, she couldn’t arrive empty-handed—so she brought a fruit basket. Confident that this would suffice as a polite gesture, she arrived at Sian’s home.
“Hm? Lynette, I didn’t expect you so soon.”
Sian came out from the bathroom, looking freshly washed. Lynette, momentarily stunned by his well-defined muscles, quickly turned away—thankfully, he had a towel covering his lower body.
“I-I just came to visit. I didn’t expect you’d be showering. Change your clothes quickly.”
Though she had seen countless male muscles at the Knight Academy, Sian’s physique made her heart beat faster. He was just a muscular man, but it affected her.
“Why bring something like this? You could have come empty-handed. Ah! Lynette, have you eaten?”
As Sian dressed, he took the fruit basket and asked.
Growl—
Her stomach answered before she could respond, and Lynette blushed in embarrassment.
“You can eat at home. I just brought fruit. They looked so tempting while I was walking.”
“Ah, so you thought of me even while out? That makes me so happy. Lynette, sit here.”
Sian held Lynette’s hand and seated her on the sofa. He sliced the fruit she brought and arranged it neatly on plates for her.
“Sian, you’ll be a beloved husband someday.”
Most men cut too much of the fruit flesh when peeling. Sian, however, peeled only thinly and served it with a fork—he had good basics.
“A husband should at least do this. The wife will have had a hard life inside and out, so this is basic for a peaceful home.”
He smiled softly, quite different from the men of this era.
“Eat this while you wait. I’ll make a proper meal soon.”
“I’ll just eat this.”
“No. I can’t let Lynette go hungry at my home. Please wait a little. If you’re worried Catherine might be waiting, I can send someone.”
“I already told Angela, so it’s fine.”
Sian, always polite, smiled and went straight to the kitchen.
Soon, the aroma of cooking spread. Lynette, eating fruit, looked toward the kitchen.
Sian, apron on, was chopping, stirring, and cooking. When their eyes met, he smiled and said:
“Even if it’s boring, please wait a bit. If I’d known you were coming early, I would have prepared more.”
“No, it’s my fault for coming unannounced. Don’t worry about it,” Lynette said brightly, putting him at ease.
Watching him cook, Lynette was awestruck. Sian looked truly impressive cooking. Slowly, her eyes began to feel heavy.
“Lynette, Lynette?”
“Uh, hmm?”
“You must be very tired. Do you want to sleep like this?”
“Huh? Yes?”
Only then did Lynette open her eyes. She had apparently dozed off while watching him cook. Feeling fully at ease on the sofa, she quickly got up at Sian’s concerned gaze.
“Now that you’re up, would you like to eat?”
Seeing the spread, Lynette nodded. Steam rose from soup, bread, seasonal vegetables, fruit salad, and grilled fish.
“Just like last time, it looks delicious.”
“Really? Then eat a lot.”
Indeed, whoever married Sian would be lucky. Lynette thanked him and began her meal, satisfying her hungry stomach.
“Eat more of this. And some of that too.”
Sian kept pushing plates toward her. She ate everything he gave her, until she was too full to move.
“I’ll do the dishes.”
“No, I’ll handle the dishes. Lynette, make some delicious coffee.”
Afterward, Lynette made coffee while Sian finished the dishes. The aroma filled the room.
“This is just as good. I want to serve you coffee, but yours is unmatched,” Sian said.
“If Sian can even make coffee this well, I might as well close my shop,” Lynette joked.
Sian smiled along.
“I wish every day could be like this. I cook, and Lynette makes coffee… it would be so happy.”
Though he didn’t propose, it felt nearly the same, and Lynette chuckled.
“When you marry, Lynette, will you nag at your husband?”
“Well, probably if he doesn’t listen. But why do you ask?”
“I once went on a business trip and met someone avoiding their partner’s nagging.”
“Goodness, no matter how crazy the world is, to avoid a partner’s nagging to that extent… that person must have really lost it.”
Pfft!
Sian almost spat out his coffee at her remark, but quickly saved it. She wished she could tell him that the person was Mason.
After chatting and drinking coffee, Lynette stood as it grew late.
“I should go now.”
“Really? It’s late. You can stay here.”
“No, Catherine might cry waiting for me.”
She thought he wouldn’t lock the door if he wanted her to stay.
“Then I’ll escort you.”
Though she wanted to refuse, she didn’t want to make him sad, so she took his hand. Naturally, holding hands felt right while dating, yet she felt a warm flush in her palm.
Soon, they arrived.
“We’re home.”
“I’ll see you all the way.”
“This is fine.”
“Still…”
“If you keep insisting, I’ll take you all the way.”
Sian seemed reluctant to part, holding her hand gently and pressing his lips to her forehead.
“A goodnight kiss. Take care, and let’s meet again tomorrow.”
“Yes, let’s go in quickly. I’ll wait until Sian leaves.”
If she didn’t move, Sian would have to step first. Once his figure faded from sight, Lynette headed home.
Despite the late hour, Catherine was pacing. Lynette smiled softly as she approached.
“Catherine, what are you doing?”
“Huh? Oh! I was watching the moon. You said moon viewing is trendy now. Oh-ho-ho, the moon is especially…”
“It’s a new moon.”
