The Flower Dances and the Wind Sings

29.

The carriage rattled in the silence. The sun had set and the dark of the night was surrounding them. The ringing sound of crickets filled their ears. Ercella, who was sitting in front of Vicente, was couching, struggling against drowsiness.

“Are you tired?”

“… A little.” Her lips opened slowly. Vicente recalled what happened earlier. She must have liked the liquor the Marquess offered since she drank quite a bit.

“Are you drunk?”

Ercella grinned and shook her head. “This much is fine.”

Her cheeks were literally bright red even in the dark but since her voice seemed fine, Vicente decided to leave it be. Her pupils revealing from underneath her slanted eyelids slowly turned towards Vicente. “You didn’t touch the liquor at all.”

“I don’t like getting drunk.”

“You wouldn’t have gotten drunk from such a weak drink.”

“Just in case.” The Marquess had offered him, but Vicente refused. I’ve had it before, but I didn’t like it because I didn’t enjoy being drunk. A small amount was fine, but Vicente still refused.

“Today… it must have been tiring?” Her gentle voice rang in his ears. She felt sorry for Vicente. He brooded over her question. That’s right. It was tiring. It was my first time experiencing something like that. It was noisy, distracting, and chaotic. Today wasn’t my best day but it wasn’t bad. Just, a bit of an odd day. “I’m okay.”

Ercella narrowed her eyes even more. She barely fought against drowsiness and pondered over his words. I can’t tell if he’s really okay or pretending to be okay because he always says that.

She started to worry that he’d only answer that he was okay every time she asked. I wish you’d been more honest with me, but that would be greedy of me. But even though she bit her lip to stop her thoughts, they still popped out without a filter because of the intoxication. “Really? I like how you’re polite, but sometimes I want to see you being honest. Like Rowena.”

Vicente frowned at Rowena’s name. “Do you want me to act like the Marquis’ Young Lady?”

Ercella smiled and nodded. Vicente noticed her cheeks redder than before, so he let out a sigh in resignation. “I would hate to.”

How cute. Ercella gently closed her eyes. Vicente’s face crumples as a result. “Please, don’t look at me like that.”

Vicente was as serious as ever, but her lips were still taut. She slid her words through the gap between her lips. “How should I look at you then?”

“Bull…”

‘Bull..?’

Her drooping body suddenly tensed up. Cold sweat flowed down her spine. Ercella thought.

‘No way… Did he just swear..?’

… No, that must be. Sadly, that would be reasonable. She felt a chill running down to her core, but tried to calm herself down.

True, it might be better if he cursed her. It’s better to release his pent-up frustration, so maybe it was a good thing for Ercella.

With that thought, she became as calm as a saint. She must forgive him for whatever he does. She’ll put up with it, even if her son spouts profanities… even if he curses her. “Go on.”

However, whatever she feared did not happen.

“… No need.” Because Vicente sulked and shut his mouth.

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“… Alright. I’ll ask no more.” I don’t want to know the reason… Ercella muttered while stiffly glancing outside the window. Meanwhile, she yawned from sleepiness.

“You should get a shut-eye.”

“… Yes, I probably should.”

The tension disappeared and fatigue settled in again. Ercella fell asleep for a while.

As she became quiet, it became silent again. Vicente rested his chin on his hand supported on the window frame and looked sideways at her. His eyes were fixed on her golden hairs reaching her shoulder. He remembered the Marquis with similar bright hair color at that picturesque house.

Did she grow up like that?

Did she grow up in such a warm and a bit noisy house? Clearly, the answer’s simple. I can tell just by looking at her. I guess she did. Most likely so.

Sixteen.

She said she got married when she was sixteen. She gave birth to me when she was seventeen. You must have been flustered with the complete change of environment. ¹ She must have had a hard time receiving love from the family members being a woman from a different party line, a Visaride, coming over to Bernhardt. Though, Father or Grandfather wouldn’t have been like that.

There are only two people in that lofty mansion whom she can call her own. Besides, the maids were much younger than her when she got married, so they wouldn’t have had much of a choice.

Sixteen.

And again, that small number weighs my heart. A year later… No, after a few months I would become sixteen. At that mere age, she had to marry, have a child, and give up what she had.

She was of age by women’s standards, but that doesn’t mean she was not young. Over the centuries, the standard of adulthood had not changed, but the custom of early marriage had gradually disappeared.

To be fair, at her age an engagement was more appropriate than marriage. She would’ve been fine with just an engagement. That would be the case even if her father, the previous Marquis, was sick and his future uncertain.

He must fear that an engagement could be broken any time. Who knows if Bernhardt changes their mind. It was a rare opportunity to get a proposal from such a big family, so he must’ve pushed for her marriage right away out of selfishness.

He might’ve truly loved his daughter but unfortunately, did not abandon the typical noble mentality. I don’t mean to blame the previous Marquis. Vicente thought his decision was very reasonable in this aristocratic society.

He saw her lean body trembling.

She’s still so small, but she must’ve been even smaller at the time… Oh. He stopped thinking for a moment.

‘What are you doing?’

Are you pitying her? That woman now…

He sneered.

When did it start? My chest hurts if I refer to my mother as a stranger.

No. What to do?

He stopped thinking again.

* * *

Ercella untied her braided bun. Her silky hair fell to her waist. She was finally able to relax.

She was confused as to whether it was a bad idea to keep drinking because of the low alcohol content. Still, it was delicious enough for the Marquess to serve it proudly, so she felt it would be okay to bring some home. I never had this liquor in the past so it won’t have anything to do with my illness.

Ah, I’m tired. She changed into her nightgown with Lianne’s help and decided to retire when she suddenly remembered Harsen and got up.

Come to think of it, I didn’t tell him that I was stopping by the Marquis’ today. He must’ve heard from Clifton, but I returned very late because of my overlong stay there.

It’s not time to sleep yet, so I’m sure he will be in the office right now. It’d be fine if I just slept like this, but I think it’d be better to tell him that I’m back.

Ercella slowly walked towards his office. She was still dazed, but she was glad she could keep her mind because she was afraid to make a fool of herself in front of him.

I think I’m getting tipsy, but I should be fine. On her way, she began to feel strangely excited. She felt her steps getting lighter.

Ercella slowly opened the office door. Harsen was reviewing some documents. Oh, I guess he’s busy with work. I remember he was so busy this year that couldn’t even visit the duchy.

Harsen turned at the sound of the door and saw Ercella. He seemed a little surprised. “What brings my wife here?”

Ercella smiled brightly and took quick steps toward him. Strangely, she felt like her body had become light. Nevertheless, since her mood was good she excitedly said, “I’m here.”

His face subtly stiffened at that. Unconsciously sitting on Harsen’s lap, Ercella stretched out her arms and pulled his neck. Despite her sudden act, she felt a tight grip wrapped around her waist in case she fell behind. He asked in a low voice, “… Did you drink?”

“A little?”

Then, as she snuggled further, a sigh was heard from somewhere.

“It seems your brother only chooses to do things I don’t like.”

“Why? It was really tasty though. I’ll bring some home so you can try it, too.” Ercella raised her face from his shoulder and grabbed his face with both hands. The fading blush on her face reappeared.

Ercella smiled faintly and stroked Harsen’s face with her fingertips. Harsen grinned, “That tickles.”

But she didn’t hear. She kind of ignored him and hazily recalled the Marquess’ words, checking his features one by one. She let out a sigh in admiration.

I always knew, but he’s really handsome.

It’s occurring to me again. Harsen gently grabbed her stroking fingers. His smile had long gone. “You’re drunk. Quickly go back to your room.”

Ercella’s lips drooped. Harsen’s eyes slightly flinched at her seductively red lips. As if she enjoyed that look, she teased him by bending her lips even more. “Do I look drunk to you?”

“Ercella.” Half-open eyes were clearly intoxicated, so Harsen held her face with one hand.

Ercella smiled suspiciously and put her hand on Harsen’s shoulder. Then, gently caressed his face with her other hand, laughing ridiculously.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because it’s funny.”

“It’s not.”

She squirmed with a slightly sulky look but soon began fiddling with Harsen’s hair with an ecstatic gaze. Contrary to her hair, it was the same color as darkness.

Suddenly, she glanced at her blond hair spread on his shoulder. Her hair fell over his body. As soon as she found it odd, she flinched and stumbled.

But she didn’t fall because he held her waist even tighter. At the same time, she heard a deep sigh, “… Be careful.”

“Okay,” Ercella answered half-heartedly and leaned on him even more. Then she rubbed her face on Harsen’s shoulder.

“… You’re driving me crazy.”

She felt coldness take over her body. Strangely, however, her body didn’t cool down but instead heated up. She looked up narrowing her eyes, viewing only Harsen’s face. For a brief second, both eyes intertwined. Suddenly, Ercella said in a mournful voice. “I’m sorry.”

“About what?”

“I didn’t tell you that I was going to visit my brother. How did I forget?” She apologized in her drunken stupor. She didn’t actually need to apologize as this wasn’t her first time leaving without telling him, but suddenly she felt like it. “But it was very nice to see my brother after a long time.”

“I think you’ve been visiting too often to say it’s been so long.”

“I don’t think so… It really has been so long…”

“Okay. If you say so.” He patted her back slowly in resignation. Rather, he seemed intent on putting her to sleep.

In her languor, Ercella smiled at him for an instant as she slowly closed her eyes. He stared at her intently with stiff expressions. But then she said something out of the blue without care.

“Well, aren’t you handsome?”

“What?” He chuckled again. This time too, she ignored him and slowly put her lips against his. Harsen held his breath for an instant. In the meantime, she took off her lips.

“What are you-” Harsen’s words were stopped by Ercella’s actions. Her thin lips slid up to the edge of his nose and brushed his right eye.

She could sense the man’s eyes flinching, but she passed by and put her lips on his forehead. A shallow breath touched the nape of her neck.

How odd. His body is usually cold, but it’s strangely hot right now. Questioning the contrast, Ercella fell on him with a slight sound.

Harsen couldn’t understand her. Regardless, she gently smiled at him. “Finish your work early and get rest. Take care of your body.”

For someone out of their wits that was quite a normal thing to say. She must’ve thought not to keep him busy even with her blurred mind. She was about to leave after saying what she wanted.

“… Harsen?”

Harsen’s hand smoothly crossed Ercella’s hair as he grabbed her by the waist again.

Ercella turned towards Harsen when she felt his hand behind her head. And before she could realize what was happening, “I’m weak.” He brought his head down and overlapped her lips with his. The lips that were not hers began kissing her smoothly but gradually became rough and mixed endlessly with hers.

His low groan hovered in her ears as an unknown desire overtook Ercella. Harsen entangled with her persistently and tenaciously until she could endure no more.

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Footnotes

1. It says in Korean that her life changed like the flip of a palm