(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 62

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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 62

 

“Good morning. I’m delighted that you’re welcoming me from so early in the morning.”

 

“Ah, is that so.”

 

I smiled awkwardly, worried that my ulterior motive might be discovered. Baron’s eyes curved more slyly than usual.

 

It was clearly a refreshingly smiling face, yet there was mischief lurking in his gaze. It was similar to Felix’s expression right before he would pick a fight with me.

 

Soon, he who had been observing me by looking me up and down opened his lips tinged with laughter.

 

“Did you come after drawing?”

 

“How did you know?”

 

Even during breakfast this morning, I had been clutching my pencil the entire time I was eating and got scolded by Felix.

 

Well, in the end Felix surrendered and spoon-fed me soup and bread though.

 

Baron took out a white handkerchief from his pocket. The edge of the handkerchief approached my cheek.

 

“Just a moment.”

 

“…?”

 

Swoosh, the smooth cloth gently scraped down my cheek. A sweet perfume scent tickled the tip of my nose.

 

This isn’t Baron’s scent. It’s similar to the fragrance of Madam Serbia’s perfume collection number 3 that appeared in Evelyn’s Choice, displayed in the fourth slot of the second row of my general store counter.

 

The mix of well-ripened fruit sweetness and powder scent was natural yet strangely gave off a city feeling, making it a perfume I liked.

 

Though I don’t know why this fragrance is coming from Baron’s handkerchief.

 

“B-Baron, was there something on my face?”

 

“Yes.”

 

After his short answer, he let out a deflated laugh with a “pfft.” It wasn’t a mocking tone, he just seemed to find this situation amusing.

 

His hand that had been moving across my cheek moved to the bridge of my nose, then from the bridge of my nose to the corner of my mouth.

 

He tilted his head slightly and enthusiastically wiped my face. His eyes that were completely focused on me moved gently and affectionately.

 

‘Just what did I get on my face and how much of it.’

 

When I lowered my eyes to check the handkerchief, I saw dark smudges covering the white handkerchief.

 

“…!”

 

Only then did I understand his question about whether I had been drawing.

 

My eyes squeezed shut.

 

Just how many people did I greet looking like this.

 

Everyone must think I ruined some cooking and got covered in black ash.

 

At least it was fortunate he didn’t wipe my philtrum. Everyone would have thought I had grown a mustache or something.

 

…or so I thought with relief. But his touch eventually moved up to above my philtrum.

 

A sigh mixed with despair burst out involuntarily.

 

“Haah….”

 

“It’s alright.”

 

“It’s not alright.”

 

“What do you think Miss Hazel’s brother would have said if he saw you like this?”

 

“….”

 

He would have teased me to death, then gotten hit by me and explained that he teased me because I was cute.

 

But that’s because we’re family.

 

When I became embarrassed and started chewing on my lower lip, Baron gently moved his fingertip to pull my lip out as if telling me not to do that.

 

My soft lip bounced gently against his finger wrapped in the handkerchief. The sweet fragrance penetrated deeply.

 

“All done.”

 

“Thank you. I’ll wash the handkerchief and return it to you.”

 

He gently placed the handkerchief in my fidgeting hands. His fingertips lightly brushed against mine before falling away. My shoulders trembled with a tingle.

 

I don’t know why touching Baron today is bothering me so much.

 

It’s not even in that kind of meaning, but for no reason….

 

Tap tap.

 

His hand that had moved away tapped the sketchbook tucked under my arm.

 

I looked up at him with wide eyes.

 

“May I admire your drawings?”

 

“They’re not really worth admiring. It’s a self-portrait so it’s a bit embarrassing too.”

 

“You draw portraits too.”

 

“I got a commission. Actually, I’m not confident so I think I need to practice first.”

 

“Don’t worry too much. Miss Hazel’s drawings are special.”

 

“Ah…, really?”

 

At his plainly given encouragement, my slightly hunched shoulders straightened.

 

Somehow Baron’s words sound more like objective facts than other people’s words.

 

It doesn’t seem like mere lip service just to boost my spirits.

 

‘How should I bring up the model topic. Baron must be busy too.’

 

Baron is the second busiest person in our village these days.

 

Surprisingly, the first is Felix. No one would believe it though.

 

I was hesitating because I couldn’t bring myself to ask a busy person to sit still and offer him just a small amount of money, when Baron spoke first.

 

As if he had read my mind.

 

“If you need a practice model, please call me. I’ll come running anytime.”

 

“…Would that be alright? It seems rude.”

 

“Not at all. It would be an honor.”

 

“I can’t pay much for modeling either….”

 

“I’ll take payment in drawings. I feel like I should be the one paying you instead.”

 

“No, no. You don’t need to do that.”

 

We argued about who would pay whom, and finally concluded that we’d each keep our money in our own pockets and only Baron would take a drawing.

 

It was truly an intense negotiation. If I hadn’t kept my wits about me, I would have almost been swayed by Baron’s eloquence again and been the only one to benefit.

 

‘Hehe. I got a model.’

 

My steps to work were much lighter.

 

Though I was 10 minutes late.

 

***

 

“Hohoho, we’re going to take Hazel away for lunch today.”

 

“Mother says she has secret girl talk to do with Hazel.”

 

5 minutes before lunch time. My beloved peace destroyers barged into the general store.

 

Sara and Maribel restrained me from both sides and dragged me out by force.

 

I tried sending a rescue signal to Felix, but he just laughed it off casually.

 

“Hazel, go have fun. You can play all afternoon.”

 

“I have a lot to do though….”

 

“The deadline is generous this time. You won’t be late even if you take your time.”

 

“Still…, Felix will eat lunch alone.”

 

“I won’t die from eating alone occasionally. I should have some alone time once in a while too.”

 

Sara and Maribel exchanged surprised glances at Felix’s mature statement.

 

“…Amazing.”

 

“…I know right. Can a person change this much.”

 

“….”

 

He’s not always like this.

 

Unicorn Felix and Scoundrel Felix are fiercely fighting for dominance in one body.

 

Scoundrel Felix mainly comes out when dealing with other men.

 

Felix laughed it off with a chuckle as if he didn’t care about hearing gossip about himself.

 

My friends’ eyes became even rounder.

 

“Felix, you’re really like the Felix from 7 years ago.”

 

“Maribel, you’ve never even called me Felix before, so why are you suddenly calling me Felix.”

 

“I felt like I should call you Felix today.”

 

“Wow, when word spreads that Felix has really come to his senses, the women of Cromwell Castle are going to go crazy, aren’t they?”

 

Felix rolled his eyes at his friends, saying they were talking nonsense.

 

Even that playful expression was quite different from his scoundrel days. It was something I had newly realized as well.

 

I reluctantly pretended to be dragged along as I moved toward the door.

 

I couldn’t miss this opportunity to legally skip work.

 

Anna’s secret story was a bit scary, but it was probably just an excuse to call me out. That’s what I wanted to believe.

 

“Have fun. You can play until closing time!”

 

“No, I’ll be back before 3 o’clock.”

 

“Won’t you regret it?”

 

“Then 4 o’clock.”

 

Felix chuckled and waved his hand. Seeing his dimples deeply indented, it seemed like he was genuinely happy to let me go, which put my mind at ease.

 

As we emerged from the dark alley, my friends’ linked arms loosened a bit.

 

They giggled about the success of their operation, then suddenly buried their noses in the back of my neck and sniffed.

 

“Why, why are you doing that.”

 

They’re not dogs, so why are they acting like this.

 

“Hazel, you smell really good.”

 

“That’s right. Did you spray perfume? Mixed with your natural scent, it’s really fragrant.”

 

I shrugged my shoulders and went into sales mode.

 

“Madam Serbia’s perfume collection number 3. It’s a purchasing service product handled by Golden Sundries Shop, and delivery will take about 2 weeks. For my beloved friends, I’ll only charge half the commission.”

 

“Ooh…, our Hazel knows how to do business?”

 

“Maybe it’s because she deals with city people that the kid has become so shrewd.”

 

“Hazel was always like that.”

 

“Well, that’s true.”

 

We giggled like girls as we entered Anna’s Clothing Store.

 

Anna greeted me with a bright face and immediately handed me a bewildering object.

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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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