The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 137
“Then, can you eat venison?”
“…I don’t think I can.”
“But you always eat meat from animals that were already dead.”
“Please don’t say such things…”
Johanna seriously considered becoming a vegetarian, but it seemed like she could only manage that after safely giving birth to Leonid’s child.
In any case, it seemed unlikely that she would be eating meat today. At least for today, she felt she should abstain from meat and offer a silent prayer for the poor animals.
While the servants dismantled the tent, Johanna gently wiped the sweat from Leonid’s face with a handkerchief.
Then she took a bottle of lemonade from the picnic basket and handed it to Leonid. Although he didn’t usually like sweet flavors, he could tolerate them if they had a tangy twist, like that of lemon.
“I feel a bit more alive now.”
Leonid, who had gulped down the cool lemonade, exhaled deeply as he spoke. Even for a hyper-dominant alpha with his superhuman stamina, the heat was tough to bear. After all, no human could outlast the sun blazing high in the sky, radiating its intense heat.
“Aren’t you hot?”
“I am.”
“Then we should head back quickly.”
He flashed a smile, swiftly scooping up Johanna and placing her atop the horse that had been patiently waiting for its master. Leonid’s horse, with its sleek, dark brown coat, was a magnificent creature, though curiously, it was named ‘Schnecke,’ which meant ‘snail.’ When Johanna asked about the peculiar name, he explained that it was a tradition to name a swift steed after a slow creature.
Schnecke didn’t seem to mind having someone other than his master riding on his back. He just gently swished his tail without showing any signs of resistance. Johanna cautiously reached out to stroke Schnecke’s mane. It was incredibly soft.
“Why is he so gentle?”
“Who knows, maybe he was just born that way.”
She looked back at Leonid, who responded indifferently, as if he didn’t really know. When he pulled the reins and tapped the horse’s hindquarters lightly, Schnecke began to move forward at a slow pace.
Johanna felt his strong arms wrapping around her waist, allowing her to relax. It seemed she didn’t have to worry about falling off the horse. After all, Leonid would never let such an accident happen.
The gentle breeze helped cool the intense heat somewhat. Johanna took in the scenery of the forest, letting her mind settle into calmness. Just watching the green leaves, thick and lush, glimmering in the sunlight with a soft, fresh glow lifted her spirits. She disliked the heat, and she wasn’t fond of hunting, but being able to enjoy such a beautiful, peaceful scene made it all worth it.
That evening, venison was served at the dinner table.
Naturally, Johanna couldn’t bring herself to take a single bite.
* * *
[Oppa’s birthday is coming up soon. Have you thought about what gift to give him?]
While reading Kiara’s letter, Johanna paused at that line. Leonid’s birthday… July 21st. It was indeed approaching quickly.
Kiara seemed to assume that Johanna would naturally take care of his birthday, but Johanna hesitated, uncertain if it was appropriate for her to handle such a personal matter, given that she was merely a contract wife.
Of course, as the “Marchioness,” she would have to make various arrangements to celebrate his birthday in public—like planning the birthday banquet… But such responsibilities essentially fell under Annette’s domain, while she was little more than a figurehead.
All of Johanna’s actions as the “Marchioness” were dictated by Leonid or Annette. So, she had to wait for their guidance on what to do for Leonid’s birthday, rather than deciding for herself.
With a somewhat troubled heart, Johanna penned a reply to Kiara’s letter. Kiara sometimes, no, often… treated Johanna as if she were Leonid’s “real wife.” Johanna appreciated Kiara’s kindness, but it also made her feel uncomfortable at times.
The next day, Kiara’s response arrived with the following message:
[But even if you get him a small gift, wouldn’t he be touched? Even if he’s usually grumpy, he might appreciate it. Why not give it a try?]
Hmm… It wasn’t like he would be the type to get emotional over a small gift.
However, there was no real reason not to give him something, so following Kiara’s advice didn’t seem like a bad idea. If the gift could express not only her birthday wishes but also her gratitude…
Her deliberation didn’t last long. Johanna decided she would give him a gift. Now, she just had to think about what that gift should be.
‘Should I ask Kiara for advice? …No, I should try to think of something myself.’
Before she knew it, the night had grown late, but Johanna stayed awake, mulling over what to give Leonid.
