When Your Secret Crush Wizard Took a Love Potion - Chapter 27
There are ways to communicate without speaking, especially through nonverbal expressions. The emotions that can be conveyed through the eyes alone are numerous, and often, they provide the clearest form of communication.
Like now.
“Would you stop staring?”
The man’s broad shoulders twitched.
“What are you talking about?”
Edgar retorted, feigning ignorance before abruptly turning his head with a swish.
Silence filled the cabin. Ignoring his act, I muttered, “Ah, right,” and looked away, only to feel his yearning gaze pierce me again. My cheeks burned so fiercely I worried they might bore through.
I’m not a fool. I knew exactly what his looks meant, perhaps better than anyone else. I just didn’t want to respond, preferring to ignore him.
“Seriously.”
This is not even a kid’s prank. What is this about?
Just a few days ago, we had successfully boarded a ship crossing Lake Martin, leaving the port city behind. I had worried we’d waste days in Meroni trying to secure a passage, but a noble with a private vessel had appeared, swiftly resolving our dilemma.
However, Edgar seemed deeply upset by the unwanted company on what he considered our private honeymoon trip. Since boarding, he had been visibly irritable.
He sulked like a child, his brow furrowed and lips tightly sealed. Asking him why only resulted in a sullen pout.
I thought he would hate it, but I hadn’t expected him to react so poorly.
I had no intention of soothing him. Managing a long journey with an unstable Edgar was challenging enough without having to cater to his moods. It was too much to handle both physically and mentally.
“You’re wet, Chloe. It’s dripping, ready for me to put it in whenever I want. I’m truly happy.”
I know, it’s all just excuses.
Even with my eyes closed, I can still vividly hear his low whisper. Despite knowing better, his sleek, narrowed eyes laughing at me felt like a taunt.
Despite spending half a lifetime together, I have carried a long, unrequited love for him for over a decade. Sometimes as a family member, sometimes as a teacher, and sometimes as a man, I have cherished him deeply.
The desire to cross that line is there, but I was afraid of getting rejected so it has always held me back. It kept me one step away, maintaining the role of a mere disciple.
It’s a feeling I couldn’t tell anyone.
“You do like me, don’t you?”
This question came from Edgar, who wasn’t even in his right mind. He was the first to notice and point it out.
There’s no way I can explain the humiliation I felt that night. The more I became aware of how I was swayed and shaken by every action of Edgar under the influence of the potion, the deeper my misery grew.
Now here he is, noticeably sulking. Because of whom am I in this situation…!
“Ugh.”
It hurt to even sigh. I’d rather be teaching an ogre how to read than deal with this.
“I can’t stand it. I want to get out.”
I was so frustrated. Noticing my attitude, Edgar finally began to pay attention. I didn’t plan to go with him, so I got up without paying him any mind.
After being cooped up in the cabin for days, I wanted to explore outside.
Olio Bennett’s personal ship, a birthday gift from his parents at age thirteen, was spacious and comfortable enough to accommodate a dozen mercenaries and the crew. It wasn’t very flashy, reflecting the owner’s dislike of parties. But it’s sleek lines and quality woodwork gave it a refined interior.
“Hello.”
As I stepped onto the deck, the mercenary captain, spotting me, greeted me.
“The weather’s nice, isn’t it?”
Indeed, as Marca had said, the voyage was smooth. With no waves or obstacles, a gentle breeze billowed the sails like a painting. The emerald lake shimmered with dazzling light dust, a mesmerizing scene in a different way from the beauty of the forest.
On the deck, enough wooden tables and chairs were arranged for those wanting to relax and enjoy the lake view, while mercenaries sat around playing cards or busy drinking.
