That Lady’s Stalker - Chapter 40
“Over there…! Over there, that person has arrived!”
“…?”
Is he talking about my brother? I thought little of it, but when he said the next words, I couldn’t help but feel excitement surge, rushing out.
“Lady Flonari has arrived!”
Olivia!
His words weren’t lies—there she was, wearing a sun hat, a blouse, and a long skirt. How could someone look so beautiful standing still like that? Could it be… she came to see me? Here? Was it a dream?
I started to run toward her, then hesitated. In such a crowded place, was it okay to greet her openly? At the Empress’s birthday celebration, we met secretly on the balcony, and at the theater, it was just the staff… but now, could I approach her? What if she didn’t want that?
While I hesitated, Olivia looked at me. Her eyes softened with a welcoming smile.
“Liv!”
It couldn’t be a dream! I called out her name loudly. I ran toward her and hugged her. Her laughter reached my ears. Even with others around, it was okay to be with her. I didn’t have to hide it.
“Asher, are you that happy to see me?”
Of course! I had never been anything but overjoyed every time I saw you. I couldn’t hold back the overwhelming feeling and pressed my lips to her forehead.
“…”
The overwhelming feeling quickly shifted to discomfort. Olivia had wrapped her arm around mine. My bicep instinctively tightened. The softness of her body kept brushing against mine, making it almost unbearable.
In a place full of men, I couldn’t afford to embarrass myself. I had to shift my focus elsewhere. I couldn’t look at Olivia!
But no matter how hard I tried, my gaze kept drifting to her. I felt like I could die from it. The deep neckline of her blouse exposed her delicate shoulders and the soft curve of her chest.
Damn
But Olivia, unaware of my turmoil, stayed by my side. Her presence made me feel so fond of her, but also troubled.
“I’m glad I came to see you.”
This was really difficult. I could feel my lower body slowly reacting to her. But how could I not look at her? She was just too charming.
Unable to resist, I pressed my forehead to hers, and Olivia wrapped her arms around my neck. My eyes closed. I wanted to kiss her tender lips right then and there. Could she sense what I was feeling?
Olivia kissed me. Thanks to her, I ended up leaving work early.
997th Year of the Empire, July 31st
“I love you.”
I remembered the first time Olivia spoke of love. As soon as I heard those words, I couldn’t hold back my tears.
At that moment, Olivia scolded me, saying, “What kind of man cries this much?” But even she had tears in her eyes as she spoke.
Today, I looked at Olivia, who told me once again that she loved me. She lay with her head resting on my thigh, gazing up at me, and she was just too adorable.
When I was close to her, the loud voice of my father that used to echo in my mind no longer reached my ears. It felt like the scars on my body were fading away.
Olivia broke the curse the goddess had placed on me.
I had been saved by her.
“…I love you too, Liv.”
The summer sunlight brightened Olivia’s face, and her smiling expression was blinding. That face stayed in my eyes for a long time.
997th Year of the Empire, August 9th
The situation was critical. The Kingdom of Dune’s forces had surpassed ten thousand. Something was wrong. What they were doing was like throwing eggs at a rock—certain defeat. So why? What were they trying to accomplish by doing something so reckless?
For a moment, the irritating face of Haeg Barthan crossed my mind. I shook my head at the sudden thought. It was true that his father cared more about filling his own pockets than the country’s welfare, but I doubted he would take such drastic actions. He was surely an Imperial citizen.
“Ha…”
I was tired. I wanted to spend the whole day with Olivia, but I resented the situation. If war broke out, I wouldn’t be able to see her for a long time. My chest felt tight.
997th Year of the Empire, August 22nd
I watched Olivia as she pulled my hand, looking up at her. She wore a wide-brimmed bonnet and a white empire dress, bringing to mind the day we had gone to the lake. The day she looked at me, wet from the water.
“Do you remember that lake?”
I nodded quickly. I could never forget. It was the day I first became conscious of her body. How could I forget it? I wanted to tear off the dress she was wearing now and push myself into her, remembering that day.
“Today, we’re going there.”
As soon as I heard Olivia’s words, my lower body reacted. I couldn’t help but feel excitement fill me. Damn…! Was I the one thinking perversely? She was just suggesting we go for a swim, wasn’t she?
“Ah, I love you, Asher.”
Her lips lightly touched my cheek and then pulled away. The tickling sensation made me rub my cheek. I realized I had been thinking in the wrong direction. Olivia was just too pure.
The lake we visited again was unchanged. It still sparkled brilliantly, just like Olivia’s eyes.
