I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 154
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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She scooped a bite of the lemon meringue cake with her fork and put it in her mouth. The tangy flavor blended perfectly with the soft cake, delighting her taste buds. The sponge, which seemed ordinary at first, was infused with a rich milk flavor and had a pleasantly balanced texture.
“Seems like it suits your taste?”
“Yes, it’s delicious. I’d believe people come to this cafe just for this cake.”
The tartness and sweetness complemented each other perfectly, tempting her to take another bite.
“You must have read the newspaper.”
“Yes, I get it every day.”
“You must have seen the gossip section too.”
“I read that along with the rest of the paper.”
His questioning seemed odd, especially when he should already know.
“Don’t you receive it as well, Your Grace? You must know I get it with mine, so I’m curious why you’re asking.”
“You don’t seem bothered by it.”
She paused, her fork halfway to her mouth, and she looked at him.
“Should I be bothered?”
“No.”
“It sounds like you’re expecting me to be. Or perhaps you want me to be?”
Her teasing tone reminded him of a petulant lover.
‘She could easily take the stage in a play with this.’
For a moment, Emilia wondered if she should play along or drop the subject.
But he made the decision for her.
Reaching out, he brushed his fingers across her lips to wipe away the cream.
Before she could react, his hand moved to his own mouth, and his red tongue licked the cream off his finger. The sound of sighs echoed from the surrounding area.
“Oh my, did you just see that?”
“….That’s an action only someone truly invested would take.”
“Exactly. I wouldn’t even eat food that my husband has touched. It’s just so disgusting.”
His every move seemed to stir the women around them, likely because of his handsome face.
Emilia smiled faintly.
“You don’t even think about holding another woman, do you?”
She spoke while wiping her mouth with a napkin.
“My only concern is that the child doesn’t get hurt. Miss Leah is a lovely and graceful lady. Perhaps those who say otherwise haven’t seen another side of you.”
She was implying that she was the only one who knew the private side of him.
“It’s cold. I think we should head back to the mansion. Your embrace is warmer than this cafe, don’t you think?”
She lowered her head provocatively, then slowly lifted her eyes, noticing the women around them blushing.
“Oh my, oh my. How could you say such embarrassing things in public in broad daylight?”
“Isn’t that what happened at Marquis Kerren’s residence too?”
“Oh my! What about Miss Leah then? Could it be that he was playing with her?”
“Think about it. With such intense chemistry between a couple, what man would look elsewhere? And no matter what anyone says, the familiar taste is always the best.”
“True, but Miss Leah hasn’t even had her debut yet. How could she get a Duke like that to notice her? She probably doesn’t even know how to tempt him.”
“Looking at the way he gazes at his wife, I don’t think I can believe everything that’s in the gossip columns. After all, gossip is just gossip.”
“Well, it’s Duke Heinrich, so he’s certainly not unprepared for it.”
That was enough. Emilia stood up, gently waving her fan as she extended her hand to him.
Mikhail rose from his seat and took her hand. He pressed his lips softly against the back of her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.
“You’re being clingy.”
At his words, the ladies quickly fluttered their fans and turned their attention elsewhere.
The quiet whispers that had been circulating about the two of them in the cafe started to grow louder. In no time, the cafe was buzzing with talk about the couple.
As they left, they were closer than they had been when entering.
Emilia, feeling the heat in the hand that gripped hers, kept her gaze fixed ahead.
Under the open umbrella, she felt the warmth of his body pressed against her arm. As she tried to move away slightly, the hand around her waist tightened.
“You said your arm hurts, doesn’t it?”
Once fully under the umbrella, Emilia wasn’t hit by any rain. That was inevitable. He was holding her so tightly she couldn’t escape.
❖ ❖ ❖
As soon as they stepped off the carriage, he pulled her hand and led her in a hurry. He seemed angry and impatient. Emilia had to almost run to keep up with him.
“What’s going on?”
They headed toward the inner part of the garden. Emilia was dumbfounded.
Once deep into the garden, the sound of rain was the only thing they could hear. Then, without warning, she was pulled sharply.
Her back pressed against a tree, and he kissed her.
The umbrella was lying discarded on the ground. He held her face tightly, making it impossible for her to break free.
Rain poured relentlessly from above. Mikhail’s red eyes seemed even brighter in the blurred, rainy garden, glowing like a blazing fire.
It felt as if a giant firestorm had engulfed her body, and where they touched, the heat was intense.
Panting, Emilia struggled to catch her breath.
The downpour mingled with their kiss, mixing saliva and rainwater as they tangled together.
