(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 102

“This isn’t a date.”

“Yes, I know.”

Baron’s eyes curved into crescents.

Even though I drew a line as soon as we met, he didn’t seem to mind and smiled leisurely.

As if he had heard something amusing.

“Why are you smiling? I said it’s not.”

“Because you’re pretty.”

“…What?”

“I’m smiling because you’re pretty.”

“…”

I lost. It was my complete defeat.

I couldn’t even break even and turned my head away sharply. At the end of my gaze, I could see distant mountains shrouded in clouds. I felt like I could breathe again.

“Please sit down.”

While I was regaining my composure, he spread out a mat and seated me on a soft cushion.

The summer grass had grown thick enough that it wouldn’t have been uncomfortable to sit without a cushion, but the cushion was a stroke of genius. This kind of thoughtful consideration was so like Baron.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Even after I sat down, Baron was busy. From setting up a portable easel to arranging snacks, nothing escaped his attention.

When I saw an ice cream container in an ice bucket emerge from the snack basket, the corners of my mouth crept upward.

It definitely wasn’t because I had promised to eat ice cream with Baron – I had just been craving ice cream for the past few days.

I pointed to the ice cream container and casually asked.

“What flavor is it?”

I naturally expected him to say chocolate flavor, but an unexpected answer came back.

“Pistachio rose flavor.”

“What?”

He smiled blandly as if he had expected my reaction.

It wasn’t a smile that seemed calculated to charm me, but a naturally emerging smile.

As if he couldn’t help it because I was too… something.

I hadn’t even seen the ice cream yet, but my tongue was already sweet.

“You said you wanted to try it.”

“I did, but wasn’t that a flavor that didn’t exist even in the city?”

“It exists now.”

“What?”

“Because I made it.”

“You can make ice cream too?”

“In the cookbook that Albert gave me last time, there was a dessert chapter at the end. I don’t know who the previous owner of the book was, but they left a note. They said it was essential reading for men who love women.”

“Ah…”

Even though he wasn’t talking to me, the content of the note made me squirm with embarrassment. I don’t know who wrote that note, but they must have similar values to Felix.

‘Hmm…’

I wonder if Baron is good at hand-washing laundry?

I was about to voice the thought that suddenly occurred to me, but then decided against it.

Of course he’d be good at it. He’s the type of person who could bring black socks and wash them white.

Baron’s sewing skills had already been verified by Anna, and for someone who carves animals out of fruit, making cucumber face masks would be nothing.

I’m not sure how my thoughts wandered this far, but anyway, that’s how it is.

He opened the ice cream container and frowned slightly.

“We should eat the ice cream later. It’s too frozen.”

“That’s fine.”

I wasn’t particularly craving ice cream right now either. I was curious about the taste, but my tongue was so sweet it was almost painful. It was strange since I had only drunk water.

I secured paper to the easel and opened the art supply box. Pencils of different lengths were mixed together haphazardly.

I was about to connect a short, worn pencil to a long stick to use it, but then just picked up a new pencil instead.

What’s the point of earning money? I’m still far from buying a house, so I might as well buy lots of pencils.

“Give it to me.”

He had somehow moved close and sat beside me, naturally taking the pencil as if it were obvious.

“Ah…”

Our fingertips brushed against each other. The area that touched throbbed as if burned.

I stared at my hand where the heat lingered, then slowly raised my gaze. His eyes were still focused on my hand.

“Why the pencil…”

He chuckled at my weak question. When I belatedly understood the meaning of his laughter, I dropped my head helplessly.

‘I need someone to sharpen pencils for me. When I do it myself, I keep breaking them.’

I remembered what I had said a few days ago when I met him after a long time.

‘Oh, really.’

It seems I have a worse memory than those Kokko chicks.

***

My second portrait client was Ariel Reeve. 23 years old. Single woman. Profession: opera singer, actress, and model.

According to the employees of Bashar Merchant Guild, she’s currently the most popular actress in Benu’s social circles, and as proof of her fame, she apparently has seven lovers.

At first I was quite shocked to hear that story, but after seeing her dizzyingly pretty face, I immediately understood.

Glamorous eyelashes, sharp eyes, a beauty mark on her straight nose bridge, and full lips.

This might be what the world’s most beautiful cat would look like if it became human. I’ve never seen such a gorgeously pretty woman in my life.

Perhaps that’s why the postcards with Ariel’s portrait sell like hotcakes as soon as they come out.

There are even photographs, but since magic cameras consume so much mana, the shooting costs are enormous, and I heard the original photos are priceless.

To think a novice artist like me would get to draw such a big shot.

‘Should I really be the one drawing someone like this? The artists in Benu must be competing to draw her.’

‘Miss Hazel really underestimates her own abilities.’

‘…’

‘Right now, famous people who want to commission portraits from Miss Hazel are lining up. Miss Hazel’s portraits have become such a hot topic because of the craftsman’s painting in Ruden.’

‘Really…? I knew the products were selling well, but I had no idea the paintings were a topic of conversation.’

‘Among the famous people who want to commission portraits from Miss Hazel, we assigned commissions in order of who offered the highest price. Miss Hazel might not know, but it was a fierce auction.’

That people in Benu want my paintings is truly gratifying, but the bewilderment is so great that it doesn’t feel real.

Honestly, it’s also a bit burdensome. Nerve-wracking enough that my hands won’t move.

The sharply pointed pencil kept circling in the air, unable to touch the paper.

I finally put down the pencil and bonked my forehead against the paper.

“Baron.”

“Yes.”

“This might seem like an arrogant question, but I really don’t understand the reason. Could you answer me honestly?”

“Anything.”

His cool voice mixed with laughter made my churning stomach settle down calmly. I gathered courage and asked.

“Why do people want my paintings? My skills aren’t that outstanding or special.”

Baron answered without hesitation.

“Miss Hazel really doesn’t know herself.”

“…”

“Miss Hazel’s paintings are special. There may be many artists who draw more precise pictures than photographs or artists with brilliant color sense, but there aren’t many artists who can capture warm emotions.”

Enchanted by his confident tone, my head slowly lifted.

A handsome face lightly dusted with pencil shavings like dirt had drawn close. He met my eyes and continued speaking calmly.

“How could a painting that warms the heart when you look at it and brings back fond memories not be special?”

Red eyes that burned warmly like a hearth fire melted my tense body. A tickling tremor spread through my chest where the ice had melted.

‘Ah….’

Though I didn’t fully understand his words, confidence miraculously began to fill me.

Just moments ago, simply looking at the blank paper had filled me with despair, but now a magnificently completed painting seemed to faintly overlay itself on the paper.

It felt like a good painting would emerge.

“Baron, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I checked that the ice in the bucket containing the ice cream had melted appropriately, then carefully spoke up.

“I want to eat some ice cream.”

Lush eyelashes that didn’t suit his fierce eyes fluttered gracefully.

His high nose bridge came close enough for breath to touch.

His slightly tilted lips parted slowly at a distance where the slightest movement would make them touch.

“Just like this for a moment.”

“….”

Almost touching, yet not quite. He whispered sweetly while maintaining that precarious distance.

“It feels like we’re on a date.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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