(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 53

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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 53

 

Fortunately, Baron seemed not to notice my impure gaze.

 

He wiped the sweat that had trickled down his thigh with his hand and rolled up his right pant leg a bit more.

 

Thanks to that, the thick veins extending to the inside of his thigh were clearly visible. It’s not like I was trying to look on purpose, but no, what can I do when my eyes keep wandering there.

 

Heat rushed to my face and my cheeks became flushed. Baron is too much stimulation for this small village to handle. That’s just how he is as a person.

 

When I unconsciously fanned my face with my hand, Baron tilted his head slightly and asked.

 

“Are you hot?”

 

“Yes. Summer’s coming soon, after all.”

 

“I also run hot.”

 

“Ah.”

 

He added those words as if making excuses for his indecent attire, then curved his eyes prettily. It meant he wanted me to look.

 

Does that mean he’ll be walking around the village dressed like this all summer long? Surely it won’t get worse than this.

 

I might feel a bit embarrassed, but if I adapt, I can pretend it doesn’t bother me. Humans are creatures of adaptation, after all.

 

But other people…

 

‘There’s going to be chaos.’

 

From Monica’s Kokko to Grandpa Albert, everyone won’t be able to take their eyes off Baron. This isn’t a matter of distinguishing between men, women, young, old, or even animals.

 

Baron’s body is enough to inspire admiration.

 

Of course, there would be impure gazes mixed in among them.

 

Like mine just moments ago.

 

And like the women who passed behind Baron earlier.

 

“…”

 

I felt strangely uncomfortable for no reason. I couldn’t explain why, but it felt oddly unpleasant.

 

Unlike me, Baron still had a fresh expression. His smile seemed to have deepened.

 

He had been watching me as if observing, then suddenly rolled down his pants.

 

“The sweat has cooled.”

 

“Ah.”

 

“And I don’t like other people looking.”

 

The pant cuffs that had been tightly fitted around his thighs slid down smoothly, covering his firm calves.

 

“Thank goodness…”

 

“What?”

 

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. I was thinking about something else…”

 

Incoherent excuses followed. My head went blank as if covered in white fog. It was too humid and hot. This summer is really going to be hot.

 

The speed of my hand-fanning increased. Even so, the breeze was weak and not much help. My hair kept sticking to my face and the nape of my neck.

 

He seemed to find something amusing as he chuckled and reached his hand toward me.

 

His fingertips naturally approached my face, gently brushing my forehead and cheek to sweep the clinging hair behind my ear.

 

My earlobe, which his touch had lightly grazed, felt unbearably ticklish. Without realizing it, I clenched my teeth tightly.

 

“You sweat quite a lot.”

 

“I-I’m not usually like this.”

 

“I also usually dress properly even when it’s hot.”

 

“…?”

 

I see. I didn’t know that.

 

But why is he telling me such things?

 

His hand that had been playing with my hair came back up to my face. My soft cheek was caught between his thumb and index finger.

 

He gently stretched my cheek without hurting me, then returned it to its place. Bewildered, I stammered as I spoke.

 

“Why… why are you doing this?”

 

“Mischief.”

 

“What?”

 

“Something happened that made me angry.”

 

“At me?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

He withdrew his hand and let out a grin. Somehow his gaze seemed sharp.

 

His tone was as gentle as usual, but it was like a flower harboring poison. I felt an inexplicable sense of discord.

 

“So.”

 

“…?”

 

“Did the deal go well?”

 

The sudden change of topic brought me back to my senses.

 

As soon as I heard the word “deal,” eleven money pouches came to mind, and my head cleared instantly.

 

Next time my mind gets cloudy, I should think of 1,100 silver coins. There’s nothing better than money as a remedy to clear a muddled mind.

 

“Thanks to you. Thanks to Baron’s lunch box, I was able to work with energy. I’m so grateful.”

 

“I’m even happier that you enjoyed it.”

 

“I actually filled the lunch box with lots of candy and chocolate. I’ll bring it to you after work later. Where are you working today?”

 

“I’m working at the blacksmith.”

 

“Uncle Franz must have won at rock-paper-scissors.”

 

Anna will be sad. Maribel’s sewing skills need to become useful quickly.

 

“Yes, I heard he settled it with his fists.”

 

Baron’s joke made me burst into absurd laughter.

 

Despite looking like he couldn’t make a single joke, he ranks in the top three for being cheeky in our village.

 

“Well, I’ll see you later.”

 

I timidly waved my hand and left first.

 

Baron waved his hand as if copying my awkward hand movements.

 

It seemed like he might be teasing me, but I didn’t have time to argue. If I dawdled here any longer, I’d be late.

 

“I’ll wait. And…”

 

“…?”

 

“The light green dress suits you well. Annoyingly so.”

 

***

 

“Non-latecomer Hazel reporting for work.”

 

Fortunately, I arrived at the general store with 5 minutes to spare before work time.

 

Felix, who was cleaning newly arrived glass bottles, teased me with a playful tone.

 

“Who was it that claimed a diligent worker should arrive 10 minutes before work time?”

 

“According to labor law, arriving on time is fine.”

 

“This girl drank Benu water and became a complete city person.”

 

“I’m a bit like that.”

 

Felix, amazed by my shamelessness, shook his head back and forth.

 

Seeing the dimple deeply set in his cheek, despite his scolding, he seemed to be in a very good mood.

 

Actually, this has been our state for the past couple of days.

 

Life is just purely enjoyable. To the point where I wonder if this is okay.

 

It would be nice if we could spend money as joyfully while maintaining this mood, but this brother of mine rarely follows my wishes.

 

Actually, before going to Paul’s leather workshop today, I first stopped by Thomas’ woodworking shop.

 

It was to secretly order a bed for Felix.

 

But Thomas refused my request with a trivial excuse.

 

No matter how much I begged, he stubbornly said no, so it seems Felix got to him first.

 

I brought up the topic we’d been arguing about since last night again.

 

“Felix, but really, won’t you get a bed made? Wasn’t it uncomfortable with your feet sticking out?”

 

“It’s not uncomfortable. Now I can’t sleep unless my heels are floating in the air.”

 

“How can that be…”

 

“Don’t spend money on useless things and save up to buy a house. We can change the bed then, it won’t be too late.”

 

“…”

 

Answering so earnestly like that is cheating.

 

The words that if Felix had just saved the money he’d blown on gambling over the past 7 years, we would have escaped the cottage, rose to my throat, but I didn’t let them out.

 

He’s finally returning to being a sincere and caring brother, so I can’t ruin the mood.

 

“Felix, isn’t there anything you want? You could buy at least one expensive item.”

 

Felix chuckled and asked me back.

 

“Then what about you? Isn’t there anything you wanted?”

 

“I…”

 

“Except for the label printer and glue applicator.”

 

I was at a loss for words. That sneaky Felix.

 

“I, I bought cake.”

 

As soon as I managed to speak, Felix fired back as if he’d been waiting.

 

“I bought Monica’s Seasoning Set too. That’s expensive stuff.”

 

“That… it is expensive.”

 

I honestly admitted it.

 

Monica’s special natural seasoning 3-piece set that she spent 10 years developing.

 

Among them, the red spotted mushroom powder brings out the stew’s flavor with just a pinch.

 

It’s no secret that I felt slightly betrayed learning that Monica’s cooking secret was seasoning.

 

“Stop scheming about spending money, go wash your hands and diligently wipe down the glass bottles.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I started my work routine with my lips pouting.

 

My lips pouted even more because I wasn’t satisfied with the glass bottles Felix had wiped.

 

As I carefully wiped the glass bottles with Felix’s fingerprints on them, I suddenly asked.

 

“Felix, what does it mean when someone says a dress suits you so well it’s infuriating?”

 

Felix put down the glass bottle he was wiping. His eyebrows contorted strangely.

 

“Who said that?”

 

Felix’s reaction was much more serious than I expected. Flustered, I quickly mumbled.

 

“Just, something I overheard in passing.”

 

“Hazel, if there’s a man who says that to you…”

 

“Y, yeah.”

 

“Kick him hard between the legs and never speak to him again.”

 

“…”

 

What kind of bizarre nonsense is that.

 

Felix’s way of thinking is truly incomprehensible.

 

“Good, we’ve finished all of today’s work, now it’s time to get off.”

 

Five minutes before five o’clock, I cleared the display counter while doing a joyful butt dance.

 

Clocking in on time and leaving on time is precious. I understand this well after working overtime for several days.

 

But just as I took off my apron and was about to leave the shop, I heard sounds from outside the door.

 

“This is supposed to be it? Golden Goods.”

 

“Wow, it’s falling apart. Ruden backwater really can’t be helped.”

 

“Devil’s children selling Purification Water, it’s the end times.”

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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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