How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 6.6
Because of this, as she couldn’t say anything, Vernas buried his face in Resena’s hair and deeply inhaled her scent. As the faint scent of lavender mixed with myrrh wafted up, Vernas narrowed his eyes and gave her a faint smile.
Thump. Thump.
Her heart beat loudly at that beauty. Whether he knew or not how much it was fluttering, Vernas continued speaking.
“So, I’m just grateful to you, Resena.”
“…”
“I’m glad to know so well that you’re looking out for me. Although His Highness the Crown Prince will also benefit from it, that advice is essentially for my sake.”
“Vernas…”
Vernas lowered his head and kissed Resena’s forehead. Hot breath flowed over her skin between his warm lips. Resena felt an indescribable thrill and just sat there dazed.
The sound of her intensifying heartbeat seemed like it might be transmitted outside. Because of this, if Vernas heard this sound, he would know that she was being drawn to him and falling even deeper for him.
“I look forward to our next meeting, Resena.”
As his favorable words fell, Resena became shy and slowly raised her head from him. Vernas looked at her with a light smile. But soon he reached out his hand, lifted Resena’s hand, and kissed the back of it.
“It’s too late now, so I’ll take you home. As for the drinks… let’s have them next time.”
“Ah!”
Come to think of it, the drinks hadn’t even arrived yet. Resena suddenly felt a surge of thirst. Now that she thought about it, she was quite thirsty.
“Are you thirsty, Resena?”
“Yes, a little…”
“Then let’s ask for water on our way out. They should be able to provide that much.”
Resena nodded.
She stood up, took Vernas’s hand, and lightly descended the stairs. Just then, as if the drinks were ready, a tray with two cups was placed on the pickup counter next to the main counter.
“Oh, my… We ran out of ingredients and hurried to buy more, but you’re already leaving?”
“Yes. We’ll have the drinks next time.”
“Hmm. I’m sorry. Miss, I’ll give you free drinks next time you come. Actually, I thought about telling you earlier, but you both seemed to be in a serious conversation, so I couldn’t say anything.”
Ah. Resena recalled the atmosphere from just moments ago. Indeed, it wasn’t a situation where anyone could have intervened.
“Then could we just have some water? Resena seems thirsty.”
“Sure. Alright, Vernas.”
The owner added ice to the water. Resena, feeling a sharp thirst, drank the water in one go. The small ice cubes melted instantly in her mouth, quenching her thirst immediately.
As she placed the cup back on the pickup counter, the owner smiled gently.
“Come again next time. Miss, and Vernas. Oh, and if Vernas ever troubles you, Miss, don’t hesitate to give him a punch.”
“…Pardon?”
“Haha. Look at Vernas’s build. He’s surely trained as a knight, so it would be meaningless if he couldn’t take a punch from you. Isn’t that right, Vernas?”
Vernas slightly raised the corner of his mouth.
“That’s right. Whenever Resena wants, I can take a hit.”
“See? Even Vernas agrees. Anytime he acts in a way you don’t like, make sure to set him straight.”
Resena couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
“Yes. I understand. I’ll do that.”
“Good, good! Well then, take care, both of you. Miss. Vernas.”
After leaving the shop with Vernas, she looked up at the shabby store. Perhaps because of the beautiful view she had seen from the second floor, even the shabbiness seemed to have its own charm.
“It was an interesting place.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Resena. It’s a shame we couldn’t have the drinks in the end, but… Resena, has your thirst been quenched?”
Resena nodded.
Then she took Vernas’s hand.
She knew well how those fingers, larger and neater than her own, moved when holding a chisel and carving wood.
After all, she had been watching his hands for hours.
“…Resena?”
Resena realized that she had unknowingly placed his hand on her cheek. But not wanting to let go, she quietly closed her eyes.
A gentle breeze brushed past, caressing her lips. But unlike the cool air, warm lips softly descended upon hers. Thus, Resena clung to his chest as they shared a deep kiss.
“Ah… Resena.”
He swallowed his breath and once again bit into Resena’s lips. The soft, moist sensation seemed to spread throughout his mouth. After a brief moment, he slowly pulled away.
“You make it so hard to part again, like this.”
“Yes. I don’t want to leave you either, Vernas.”
Vernas made a gentle expression, then cupped Resena’s cheeks and kissed her forehead.
“Still, we should be able to meet next Wednesday.”
“…Yes.”
“Of course, that’s if I don’t have to go on an expedition… If I don’t show up, please assume it’s because of an expedition, Resena. In that case, I’ll send a letter through someone.”
“Vernas…”
Vernas smiled faintly and gently stroked Resena’s cheek. Then he smoothed her hair and held the ends to smell their fragrance.
“Well then, Resena, I’ll escort you to the square. If we delay any longer, your family will worry about you.”
Resena nodded.
Indeed, if they were any later, Renard and the Duke and Duchess of Arnasus would worry. Not wanting to cause concern for her family, Resena took Vernas’s hand and walked towards the square.
Held by his large, well-shaped hand, she looked up at the night sky.
Stars twinkled as if they might pour down like rain.
Though clouds momentarily obscured the moon, streetlights stood at regular intervals in the bright darkness. As if symbolizing the future they would walk together.
‘I hope so. If it’s with Vernas…’
While she couldn’t imagine a future with Eldis, she could imagine walking a future with Vernas.
Strangely, though his face didn’t come to mind clearly, his cool yet fresh voice, his large build, and his beautiful fingers were etched distinctly in her memory.
“Well then. See you next Wednesday.”
“Yes. Vernas. See you on Wednesday.”
Vernas gave a parting kiss to the ends of her hair. Surely there were no nerves there, yet she felt as if she could sense a throbbing sensation from those hair ends.
Resena, with her eyes half-closed, took his hand and boarded the carriage. From the open-top carriage, it seemed as if the stars were pouring down. Vernas gazed at Resena with gentle eyes.
As they looked at each other, the carriage started to move.
“…Vernas.”
Resena turned her back and watched him until he disappeared from view.
It was only when they turned the corner that his figure vanished. Resena touched her forehead where his lips had been and looked up at the sky.
Even in the moonless sky, the stars shone brightly.
‘Next Wednesday. I’ll look forward to it.’
A smile settled on Resena’s lips.
It was a smile that came from picturing his image in her heart.
