Thank You For The Confinement, Grand Duke! - Chapter 71.1
The sunlight was shining brightly, and while it wasn’t sand…. the lake water sparkled beautifully.
What a peaceful and wonderful scene.
I could hear the slow creaking of the boat moving forward, the splash of the oars as they dipped into the water, and the birds singing in the trees.
I closed my eyes and savored the moment.
Unlike last time, when I was suddenly interrupted, today was peaceful. I had asked tentatively about it earlier, worried, and was reassured that there were barrier stones not just around the mansion but also near the lakeshore.
I was told that the barrier makes it difficult to enter or exit, even if you know its location. Thanks to that, we were able to spend our time leisurely gazing at the surface of the lake.
“But why did you suddenly want to come outside?”
“Hmm? Well….”
“You’ve always said you were too lazy to go for a walk when I asked a few times.”
Ugh.
I was a bit afraid of being ambushed outside. It wasn’t that I doubted Enfrise’s ability to protect me, but I didn’t want to witness the scene of someone being killed. But that wasn’t the only reason. Having nearly been dragged out by an intruder inside the mansion, that had been a much bigger shock.
In the first place, I was a homebody.
What is a homebody?
For me, the world revolves around home. Everything can be resolved at home. A homebody is someone who can enjoy life without stepping outside. No matter how long I lie around, I never get bored. No matter how much I roll around, it always feels good. With just a stack of novels, I could go an entire day without speaking a word.
The moment I start feeling restless or bored at home, that’s when I cease to be a true homebody!
If I ever have to go out, I meticulously plan the entire day’s schedule. I make sure that this one day out will allow me to avoid going out for a month or two, or that I can catch up on tasks I’ve postponed for months.
For someone like me to be outside, it must mean something significant has happened.
“Because Enfrise said you wanted to do it.”
“I did?”
“You mentioned wanting to ride a boat with me, remember?”
As I smiled, Enfrise turned his head slightly to the side, his hair brushed back to reveal his handsome face.
They say a man’s looks could change with his hairstyle, but it seemed that if a man were truly good-looking, it wouldn’t really matter. Even if Enfrise were bald, I think he’d still look charming.
…A smooth bald head… would probably be cute.
“…Chaperil?”
“Yes?”
“You suddenly have a scary expression on your face…”
What kind of expression was I making? For Enfrise, who usually finds me cute, to say I looked scary…
Kuh, ahem.
“I’ve never put anything in my hair before, so… does it look strange?”
…Ah, my heart…
Goodness. This awkward man actually used wax for the first time to impress me. Huhu. It was almost like the pride one felt when looking at a child who has just completed their first errand…
…Or was it a bit different?
“It doesn’t look strange.”
“But Chaperil’s expression…”
“I was just thinking that Enfirse is so handsome that you’d look good even if you were bald.”
“Bald…?”
Enfrise’s face turned pale. I wonder why. It would probably look cute.
“Why is your expression like that?”
“Even so, wouldn’t a bald head be unpleasant to see?”
“Does Enfrise think I would hate you if you became bald?”
After pondering for a moment, he shook his head.
“I think it would be cute.”
“Right? I think so, too.”
Feeling a sense of accomplishment from convincing him, I smiled proudly, and Enfrise returned the smile shyly.
“However, isn’t this ship a bit small… making it uncomfortable?”
“It’s fine.”
Surprisingly, the hoop dress wasn’t uncomfortable at all. It felt like I’m wearing a mosquito net made of thin wire shaped like an umbrella, but I was definitely worried it might flip over.
“Next time, I’ll make sure we can actually go on a real cruise ship together. I’m working to make it possible for you to leave here.”
As Enfrise murmured, he clenched his hand tightly. Thanks to that, I could see his forearm flexing beneath his rolled-up sleeves.
Wow. Just look at those muscles in his forearm—so prominent and pulsing as he exerts himself… I want to stroke it once. Would it throb like a heartbeat in my hand? Or would it yield softly if I pressed down?
“Then… let’s go to wherever Chaperil wants to visit. Where would you like to go?”
“Hmm…”
For starters, a place where I can freely play with your forearm? No, that wouldn’t be right.
…Would it not?
Honestly, I feel like nothing is off-limits now. Both Enfrise and I have acknowledged our feelings for each other, and we’re emotionally connected.
We could even call ourselves lovers.
So, why shouldn’t we do such things? Why do I keep holding myself back, thinking I shouldn’t do this?
“Chaperil?”
“Um… the library?”
“You really do love books, don’t you?”
Huh?
Oh, I answered with ‘the library.’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
