That Lady’s Stalker - Chapter 6
The next day, Olivia set out for a boat ride. Alone. Or rather, with Asher in tow.
She braided her hair, letting it cascade over one shoulder, and donned a wide-brimmed bonnet.
The white empire dress, with its deep neckline below her collarbone and a high waist, was one of her favorites. The thin muslin subtly flaunted her slim and well-proportioned figure. She purposely chose low-heeled shoes before heading to the carriage.
As he arrived at the Duke’s residence, Asher, too, followed her as if it were natural. He didn’t even look puzzled; he seemed to be acting purely on instinct, like a bee drawn to flowers.
With a plan in mind, Olivia avoided the bustling central lake. The belle of high society became the center of attention wherever she went, so she needed to choose a spot with fewer people.
Fortunately, there was a place only she and Oliver knew about. After about an hour’s drive, they would reach a forest on the outskirts of the city. The trees were so densely packed that not a single ray of light penetrated the forest even in broad daylight.
This dimly lit forest ironically went by the name of the Fairy Forest, as countless fireflies danced beautifully in the evening sky, appearing as if stars had descended to the ground. While it was a popular spot for lovers at night, during the day, its eerie atmosphere suggested that monsters might lurk within, keeping even a single ant from daring to approach.
However, this place possessed a secret beauty that remained hidden from most during the day.
As Olivia stepped down from the carriage, she walked carefully to avoid stumbling and glanced back.
Asher, wearing only a thin shirt and pants without a tie, stood out more than any other young noble dressed in flamboyant attire.
His long hair, loosely tied back, framed his face as he looked at her nervously, presenting a languid yet strikingly handsome figure. But despite his looks, a brooding and sharp-edged aura surrounded him, making it hard to approach.
His hair color also contributed to that impression.
While people were drawn to him, they nonetheless kept their distance, intrigued yet wary.
Ignoring Asher, who was now closer than usual, Olivia continued walking in silence. They exchanged not a word. Only the sounds of rustling leaves, chirping insects, and the songs of unseen birds filled the air between them.
After walking for a while, just as Olivia’s legs began to ache, they stumbled upon a breathtakingly beautiful clearing. A large lake, surrounded by towering trees, sparkled like jewels in the sunlight. The fresh wildflowers and blades of grass swayed at her ankles, welcoming her with their gentle movement.
Olivia pressed her hat down against the breeze that rustled it, glancing at Asher, still shrouded in the shadows of the forest.
“Let’s go boating.”
His eyes flickered, squinting as if he was looking at something blinding or painfully familiar.
“……”
Seeing him silent once more, Olivia approached the lake.
A small boat she had often used during visits with Oliver bobbed near the water’s edge. She untied the boat’s rope from the post, pulling it toward her with some effort. The little skiff glided easily in response to her strength.
Olivia placed a foot in the boat and quickly scanned her surroundings.
Her plan was simple.
From what she had observed, Asher seemed to react sensitively to her getting hurt, so she intended to cleverly exploit that. She would create a crisis by pretending to fall into the water, taking advantage of the lovely day for a boat ride. All she had to do was catch him by surprise when he rushed to her aid.
It was a straightforward yet effective strategy. The sight of him fidgeting behind her only reinforced her determination.
However, once fully on board, Olivia encountered an unexpected problem: she didn’t know how to row. She had always relied on Oliver or the servant to handle the oars, leaving her only to sit back and enjoy the view.
“What am I supposed to do…?”
She bravely grabbed the oars and tried to paddle, but all she managed to do was stir up the shallow bottom of the water. Frustrated and sweating, Olivia glanced over at Asher.
Seemingly relaxed, he sat on a large rock, one knee bent, resting his chin on his hand as he lazily watched her.
The shallow water barely reached the knees, and the boat stubbornly refused to budge, making her feel like her plan was failing. Olivia let out an exasperated sigh. He could at least help her, but he just stood there, watching.
‘I can’t just leave after coming this far.’
With that thought in mind, Olivia slammed the oars into the water with determination. A grunt escaped her lips as she put all her strength into it. Her arms trembled as they struggled to support the oars, but she didn’t give up.
Just when she felt her strength waning, the boat suddenly cut through the water smoothly and surged forward.
“Whoa!”
Caught off guard, she stumbled slightly before plopping down in the boat and bursting into laughter. For a moment, she wondered what she was doing there, but that thought vanished when she saw Asher spring to his feet.
