(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 63
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 63
“Hazel, good to see you. I’ll bring sandwiches and soup, so hold this for me.”
A soft, translucent lump dropped onto my palm with a plop.
The squishy texture was just like pudding. Unbreakable pudding.
“Wh-what is this?”
Maribel grinned and pointed to her chest area. Sara patted her own bottom.
“…?”
When I just blinked, not understanding what they meant, Anna kindly provided an explanation.
“It’s dewgrass extract hardened into gel. Originally it was mostly used inside undergarments, but it hardly sells anymore.”
Maribel summarized Anna’s explanation in one word.
“Padding.”
“Ah.”
Finally understanding, I nodded with a blank expression.
To enhance chest and hip size….
That kind of…, thing…. O-okay.
Though it was somewhat embarrassing, I didn’t want to put down the dewgrass gel.
Squishing soft things made me feel good, and more importantly, it was cool. In hot summer, it would be nice just to hold in your hand.
‘Hmm…, it makes sense that padding doesn’t sell well these days.’
There was once a time when body-shaping products like corsets and padding were essential items for ladies, but not anymore.
It was all because of the civil war.
In a world where people were busy fleeing from the Black Magic Rebels.
Women’s skirts that used to drag on the ground rose well above their ankles, and corsets that made breathing impossible disappeared.
Especially recently, comfortable dresses for working women from trendsetting Benu began to gain popularity, making body-shaping products like padding sell even less.
Anna said with a sigh.
“Just 10 years ago, padding was our shop’s main product. Now we just have dewgrass extract sitting as inventory. I touch it sometimes when I’m frustrated.”
“Oh my, how worrying that must be…, I understand that feeling well.”
I comforted Anna with sincere sympathy.
Having bad inventory piled up in the shop. Only those who’ve experienced it know that mental pressure.
Anna hugged me tight, saying I was better than her daughter. Maribel didn’t deny it.
“Let’s eat. I made it Hazel’s favorite style with plenty of meat and cheese.”
“Wow, that’s wonderful. Thank you for the meal.”
The sandwich tasted as good as its violent visual appearance with cheese dripping down the sides of the bread.
The filling of shredded roast chicken mixed with various cheeses paired wonderfully with the savory brown bread.
Anna seemed to have been quite worried about me since that incident.
That’s why she called me over to feed me delicious food like this.
I was very grateful for her thoughtfulness.
After the pleasant meal, village news was exchanged.
According to Anna, nearly 300 people now live in our village.
The population of Cromwell Castle has long exceeded 10,000. The entire territory’s population was several times that, which was amazing.
Of course, compared to Benu with over a million residents, both Luden and Cromwell were countryside.
The conversation that had extended outside the village circled back to me again.
“Say, Hazel….”
As soon as Anna started speaking in a coy voice, I anticipated the question that would follow.
“There isn’t.”
Despite my half-beat early answer, the three women didn’t back down.
“What isn’t there?”
“There’s no way there’s no man, right?”
“Just whisper it secretly to us. We won’t tell anyone.”
I knew this would happen.
There’s never a day they just let it slide.
“No, there isn’t. There just isn’t.”
I declared firmly and tried to leave, but Sara and Maribel grabbed me from both sides. I guess this is why they sat next to me.
“Ha….”
I should have eaten lunch at the shop.
I missed Felix.
***
Squish squish.
Squish squish squish squish.
In the late afternoon, arriving at the shop, I kept kneading the dewgrass gel until just before closing time.
It wasn’t on purpose, but strangely I couldn’t let go of it. This thing is seriously addictive.
Sure enough, Felix, showing curiosity, casually asked.
“What’s that?”
“Dewgrass gel.”
“Never heard of it. What’s it used for?”
“It has various uses, apparently.”
Don’t try to learn more. It’ll be embarrassing for both the speaker and listener.
“Why have you been touching that all day?”
“…Good point.”
Peace of mind?
Though my mind wasn’t particularly unstable to say that.
If I had to find a reason, my finger joints overworked by pencils seemed to feel cooler.
I should ask Monica later what effects dewgrass extract has.
“Oh, right. Felix, you leave work first today. I’m going to practice drawing at the shop before going home.”
“Will you be long?”
“I plan to leave before 10.”
“Then let’s go together. I’ll come pick you up. I don’t have much to do from today.”
“Good. I’m happy if Felix gets off work early.”
After finishing dinner with leftover lunch box and bread, I saw Felix off and returned to the shop.
5:30. Time for Baron to visit the shop.
I waited for Baron while sharpening my already pointed pencil even more precisely.
I didn’t forget to prepare tea, snacks, and bread for the model.
Scrape, scrape-.
The sound of sharpening the pencil lead calmed my mind peacefully.
Afternoon sunlight sparkled on the tip of the pencil lead.
I felt strangely good.
Comfortably excited, with senses subtly sharpened.
I had a feeling a good drawing would come out.
Jingle, the shop door opened with the sound of the fish bell turning. Baron’s distinctive scent wafted on the wind.
“You’re right on time. Please sit here.”
Even though I pointed to the stool by the window, Baron didn’t come straight into the shop.
Standing still at the doorway, he quietly looked at me.
As if momentarily entranced. With time frozen in place.
His gentle gaze tickled my cheek.
When I glanced away, our eyes met as if he’d been waiting.
He smiled beautifully, crinkling his eyes.
“Nice.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
“The general store resembles Miss Hazel.”
“…?”
“The angle the sunlight comes in, the soft and gentle color of the wood, even the cozy fragrance. The sound of pencil sharpening too.”
“…”
“That’s why I like it.”
“Ah…”
Not knowing how to respond, I tilted my head slightly downward.
It seemed like I’d received a compliment, but somehow…
‘It’s ticklish.’
Heat rose from the soles of my feet, making me tap the floor with my toes.
Without thinking, I gripped tightly with my fingertips. Just at that moment—
Snap.
The pencil lead, longer than two finger joints and sharpened as thin as a thread, met its demise.
“No, my pencil lead.”
My dejected voice scattered helplessly.
Scrape, scrape, scrape—
My plaster statue is quite multi-talented indeed.
Before Baron properly became my model, he sharpened my pencil for me.
He said he’d sharpen it longer than three finger joints, and it seems he really intends to keep that promise.
“You’re good at this kind of thing too, Baron.”
“I’m good at anything involving knives.”
“Is that perhaps your specialty?”
“Not my specialty, but my talent?”
“…”
Well, it’s better for knife work to be a talent rather than a specialty. Though both are suspicious.
“You’re not going to tell me what kind of work you did in the city, are you.”
“Hmm…”
He deliberately drew out his words, buying time.
Previously, I couldn’t have cared less about Baron’s past, but now I was honestly curious.
However, he slyly evaded giving an answer.
“I didn’t do anything bad.”
“…?”
“Though I did do slightly dangerous work.”
“Ah…”
Let’s not ask any more.
I smiled brightly and scooted my bottom back slightly. As expected, Baron is someone I shouldn’t let my guard down around.
He glanced at me with displeasure and leaned his upper body toward me.
His excessively handsome face came closer.
“Why, why…?”
He looked at me silently, then placed the sharply pointed pencil in my hand.
“Will you draw me now?”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
