Chapter 33
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 33
“How much further do we have to go?”
“We’re almost there.”
Vanessa took his outstretched hand and stepped carefully onto a slippery rock. When she reached the higher ground, the view opened up before her. Below the gently sloping ridge, green wheat fields stretched out endlessly, dotted with farmhouses from which thin plumes of smoke rose.
She could hardly believe she was sneaking out of Gloucester Castle, yet a mix of excitement, terror, and thrill churned within her. She was so lost in the moment that she failed to notice the faint smile on his lips as he watched her flushed face.
The path River Ross chose was far from an elegant promenade. The trail along the moat was precarious, and once they entered the forest, the ground became a slick mess of mud. Coarse grass, overgrown from a recent shower, snagged at her ankles, while large toads and insects seemed to pop out of nowhere.
Even so, Vanessa’s eyes sparkled like stars each time she looked back.
“I had no idea those rusted iron bars would come loose so easily. If I’d known, I would have tried it sooner.”
“Vanessa, watch where you’re going.”
“I am.”
“And there’s no use in memorizing the path.”
“I’m not. I didn’t memorize it.”
She feigned innocence with a coy expression, though she had meticulously scanned her surroundings multiple times to pinpoint their exact location. A corner of Theodore’s mouth curled up as he spoke casually.
“Then it won’t matter if it gets blocked soon.”
“…Blocked? Why?”
“They said they’re starting repairs on the iron bars the day after tomorrow.”
Vanessa’s face fell in disappointment. Again, she was completely unaware of the smile her reaction brought to his face. But soon, as if deciding to simply enjoy the moment, her eyes began to sparkle again.
“How did you know there was a farmhouse around here where we could rent a carriage?”
“I’ve used it a few times.”
“Did Mr. Ross tell you about this place too?”
“Yeah.”
His reply was dismissive, a clear attempt to brush off her questions, but Vanessa nodded as if she understood. Since Gloucester Castle was originally built as a hunting lodge, it was far from downtown Bath and the estates of other prominent southern families. Without transportation, going out was practically impossible, even for someone who wasn’t locked away.
Because of this, the servants would pool their money to rent a carriage whenever they needed to go into town. And as far as Vanessa knew, River Ross had never once used that carriage, despite leaving his shabby warehouse at least once a week.
“Wait here,” he said, opening a creaking fence gate as they arrived at the farmhouse.
The farmer sweeping the yard spotted him and bowed deeply. They exchanged a few words before disappearing somewhere together.
Vanessa squatted obediently where he’d told her to wait and looked around. The yard was pastoral, with chickens, rabbits, and fluffy chicks scurrying after their mothers. Resting her chin on her hand, she watched a group of ducks catching bugs, but scrambled to her feet when she heard a frantic squawk. Behind the bushes, a black cat was pinning a stray duckling with its paw.
She hurried over the fence and scooped up the pitifully crying duckling. At that exact moment, the stable door opened. The farmer, wearing a straw hat, led out a sturdy bay horse, hitched it to a carriage, and began checking the wheels. River Ross, following behind him, raised an eyebrow when he saw Vanessa clutching the dirty duckling.
“……”
His look seemed to ask if she was incapable of staying still for even a moment. She felt indignant, but having been caught red-handed with the bird, she couldn’t say a word.
“Come here.”
Vanessa set the duckling down in a safe spot and brushed the mud from her blouse and skirt. By then, the carriage was ready. River Ross climbed into the driver’s seat without a word, so after a moment’s hesitation, Vanessa sat down beside him.
“You’re sitting here?”
“Yes. Unless it makes you uncomfortable.”
“I don’t mind, but the mud will splash your clothes.”
“But if I sit in the back by myself, you’ll look too much like… my coachman.”
“You’ve gotten quite cheeky.”
“Honestly, you’re the cheeky one, River Ross.”
Vanessa narrowed her eyes, giving him a playful glare.
“Even if we have an equal contractual relationship now, you were much sweeter and kinder when we were young. How on earth did you grow up to be like this?”
He let out a dry laugh, as if the question wasn’t even worth answering. For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words.
“Well? River Ross. Say something.”
As if to shut her up, he cupped her face and kissed her. In truth, it was little more than a brush of lips, a shared breath, but it served its purpose perfectly: to silence her.
“A-Are you crazy?”
Her ears flushed crimson as she frantically pushed against his chest and shoulders.
“What if someone sees us!”
“The farmer went inside.”
“Still! This place… it’s completely out in the open.”
“Didn’t you like it when we did it in the garden yesterday? That was wide open too.”
“That was…”
Unable to find a retort, Vanessa bit her lip. No matter how bold she pretended to be, at her core, she was a well-bred lady, and such words alone were enough to shock her. He found it both amusing and cute as she tried to put distance between them by slowly scooting her hips away.
“Sit closer. You’ll fall off if you stay all the way over there.”
“…Don’t worry about me. I’m comfortable here, and besides, it’s hot…”
As she babbled excuses, he wrapped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her back toward him. Her lips fell silent as if by magic. Her body, warm from the summer evening, pressed against him, the soft curve of her chest brushing his forearm.
The nape of her neck, exposed as she hung her head, was flushed red. If he listened closely, he could hear the rapid, heavy thumping of her heart. It was amusing how nervous she was just from sitting close to him where someone might see, especially after everything they had done on the grass of the secret garden these past few weeks.
Of course, he kept that thought to himself. If he said it aloud, Vanessa would insist on getting off the carriage.
He smiled faintly and flicked the whip against the side of the carriage. The horse took the signal, and the carriage slowly began to roll forward.
* * *
After several attempts, Vanessa finally managed to slip from Theodore’s grasp, scurrying to the very edge of the driver’s seat as if she’d encountered a scoundrel. For a time, a strange standoff ensued, though only one of them seemed acutely aware of it.
“……”
Of course, it didn’t last long. Far from being conscious of her, River Ross kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead, lost in his own world. His mouth was softly relaxed, as if he were deep in thought, and even his characteristically cold eyes held a trace of warmth, like a remnant of summer.
For a while, Vanessa simply traced his profile with her gaze. The peace that enveloped him gradually spread to her, and her racing heart soon returned to its normal rhythm.
“……”
She carefully adjusted her posture and turned her gaze to the passing scenery. It was rude to stare, and more importantly, she didn’t want to disturb his thoughts.
The sun was just beginning to set over the quiet countryside. Hanging low on the horizon, it cast an intense red glow. At the entrance to the darkening village, brightly lit lamps sparkled like lighthouses. Ripening wheat fields and short apple trees stretched endlessly on both sides of the road.
There was a time when all this vast land had belonged to Somerset. It wasn’t even that long ago. Back when her father and mother were still alive, one couldn’t reach Sidron, the largest port in the South, without stepping on Somerset land. Of course, that glory had now vanished completely.
“Vanessa, wake up.”
He must have thought she’d fallen asleep while reminiscing with her eyes closed. River Ross shook her gently.
“We’ll be in Bath in ten minutes.”
“Ah, already?”
Vanessa glanced at the old watch on her wrist.
“The circus is supposed to start at nine, so we have about an hour to spare. We can grab something to eat.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes, a little.”
He said nothing more, but the carriage picked up speed. They passed under the welcome sign for Bath just as the last of the dusk settled behind them. The streets were more crowded than usual, likely because of the circus.
River Ross steered the carriage through less crowded alleys. He navigated the city with a familiarity that suggested he’d spent a great deal of time there, knowing it far better than she did. After a few more turns, the carriage came to a halt in a relatively quiet lane.
“This place is…”
Vanessa stepped down, her eyes widening. They were in front of a shop so respectable it seemed entirely out of place in such a back alley.
“It’s a boutique,” River Ross answered, getting down after her.
Curious, Vanessa approached the display window. The glass was spotless, and a warm light spilled from within. The clothes on the mannequins were quite fashionable, reflecting the latest styles from the capital.
It was in a completely different league from the boutiques her uncle used to drag her to. Those places only carried fabrics that were years out of style, with rather unrefined patterns.
“Let’s go in.”
When she made no move to enter, River Ross placed a hand gently on her back. Vanessa, who had been nodding blankly, finally processed his words and turned to him in surprise.
“In here? Now?”
“You said you needed clothes.”
“Me?”
Vanessa blinked, bewildered. River Ross asked, “Didn’t you say your clothes were unsuitable for going out?”
“Well, yes, but…”
She certainly needed them; her untidy appearance was embarrassing. But was it really necessary to buy a new dress? She could just sew the missing button back on and iron out the creases. Besides, this was the newest everyday dress she owned.
As Vanessa hesitated, River Ross took the lead and opened the shop door. At the chime of the bell, the proprietress, who was fitting a dress on a mannequin, turned around.
“Welcome… Oh my.”
Her eyes widened the moment she saw them.