(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 67

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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 67

“…Huh?”

Baron?

What’s Baron doing here?

“I’ll be coming in for a moment.”

He requested permission that was closer to a notification and forcefully pushed open the door that the women had been blocking.

The two women who were pushed aside glared back with eyes full of irritation.

However, their narrowed eyes and heavily furrowed brows melted away limply as soon as an excessively handsome face appeared through the gap in the opened door.

“What… what is this.”

“Oh my, goodness.”

The women’s cheeks flushed red upon recognizing the rare handsome man, and their lips that had been spitting only harsh words opened round in surprise.

In an instant, they had taken on the impression of innocent young girls. Surprisingly so.

However, Baron didn’t spare even a glance at the other women and strode directly toward me.

His eye smile that would crinkle freshly whenever he looked at me was still there, but for some reason he seemed to be in a bad mood.

Particularly his twisted lip corners and his toes filled with tension.

“Baron, what’s the matter?”

Baron, who was trying hard to hide his displeased expression, was more frightening than the group of ladies radiating fierce hostility.

When I asked with my eyes in a soothing manner if something had happened, he lightly shook his head, understanding the implication.

Perhaps because we had exchanged many silent signals through eye contact while drawing over the past few days – move your hair, lift your head more – his thoughts were not difficult to read through his eyes.

‘Ah…’

The trouble was with me.

Baron had come in knowing that.

He sent a signal by slightly raising one eyebrow and then stuck close to me as if to show off to the women.

I didn’t avoid him and obediently offered my shoulder.

“There’s something I left behind last. night.”

My body flinched at his words that deliberately emphasized ‘night.’

Of course, it was true that we had met last night, and we had only drawn pictures very innocently in the relationship of artist and plaster statue, but it was obvious how his words would sound to other people’s ears.

If Felix had been here, the shop would have become chaos with a double combo of the ladies bothering me + Baron who met with me at night. For some unknown reason, it’s fortunate that Felix came late.

“There are customers right now… Let’s talk about it in a little while.”

“Ah.”

Baron acted as if he hadn’t even known of the women’s existence, only then turning his head to check on them.

“I see.”

He answered shamelessly and, far from backing away, slowly stroked my cheek with the back of his hand.

“But isn’t it almost closing time?”

The skin where his touch landed felt ticklish as if a butterfly had alighted. Even knowing it was an action meant to create misunderstanding, my cheeks foolishly grew hot.

‘Ah, why am I acting like this.’

I gently pushed his chest and pointed at the women with my chin.

“Baron, the customers are watching.”

“What does it matter.”

Baron’s red eyes sparkled softly like sweet raspberry jam.

A gaze as if looking at a beloved lover.

Baron wasn’t just as handsome as a theater actor in face alone, but seemed to act just as well too.

Seeing how even the atmosphere he created on the spot was sticky as if coated with honey.

The women, caught up in the atmosphere, frantically waved their fans and raised their flustered voices.

“Ahem, ahem. L-let’s go.”

“Oh my, what a sight.”

“Really, country women have no shame at all.”

“That’s why rumors spread. So, so immodest.”

“Ahem, but I never dreamed there would be such a gem in this countryside.”

“Exactly. Honestly, more than Lord Axel… No, no. Let’s leave quickly.”

Thud-. The shop door closed, and the loud footsteps gradually faded away.

“Phew…”

I let out a long breath that I had been holding. He slowly backed away while checking my complexion.

The disappearance of the warmth that had been touching felt somehow regrettable.

After a brief silence, our eyes met again. To be precise, he had been continuously looking into my eyes, and I, who had been avoiding his gaze, carefully overlapped our gazes.

Awkward smiles gently passed between us in the bashful air.

‘What a mysterious person indeed.’

He would appear like a ghost whenever I was in a predicament and rescue me.

When I had no money to pay taxes and reached out to the village people hoping to earn a single silver coin.

When Axel appeared in front of my house and suddenly launched a confession attack.

When the village spies reported Felix and insulted me.

When I was looking for a human plaster statue to be a drawing model.

And until now, he had readily extended his hand to me and helped me without any compensation.

The gratitude that had accumulated bit by bit welled up to my throat.

“Thank you.”

But as always, my limited vocabulary had its limits in expression, which was regrettable.

“Really, a lot, truly, so much.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“I’m always only receiving help.”

“Is that so.”

My eyebrows drooped weakly at his characteristically cheeky answer. When I pressed him with my eyes asking if he didn’t know everything, he slyly raised the corners of his mouth.

“By the way, covering misunderstanding with misunderstanding.”

“Are you uncomfortable with it.”

“It’s fine since you’re not from our village. And…”

Surprised by the next words I was about to carelessly utter, I only moved my lips, but he persistently asked.

“And?”

I scratched my nape where cold sweat had formed moistly and answered as if muttering.

“…I-I’m glad it’s Baron.”

If I was going to be misunderstood anyway, it was better that the other party was Baron.

Though it was a thought that came to me without realizing, putting it into words exactly as it was felt quite embarrassing. I had no choice but to say it somewhat indirectly.

Red excitement flashed in his perceptive eyes.

He covered his mouth with his broad hand and pressed his cheekbones firmly, then soon covered his entire face with his hands.

His forehead visible above his thumb was dyed as red as his fingertips.

“Ha…”

Hot breath rushed out from under his palm. His low voice, as if choked up, tickled my ears.

“This makes me want to have expectations.”

“…”

“Miss Hazel is really…”

He reached his other hand toward me while covering his eyes.

The hand that approached as slowly as if time had stopped lightly touched the center of my forehead.

“Such a mischievous person.”

“…”

Look who’s talking.

***

Felix and the employees of Bashar Merchant Guild arrived at the shop only when deep darkness had settled in the late night.

Felix’s voice, showing no sign of fatigue, rang out cheerfully in the quiet shop.

“Hazel! We’re back.”

“Felix!”

“You waited a long time. Sorry I’m late.”

“Don’t be sorry. You’re the one who did all the hard work.”

“Of all days, today scouts from Cromwell Castle arrived. They were trying to open the cave entrance and spent all day rummaging through the mountain, so I couldn’t move carelessly.”

“I see… So that’s what happened.”

Actually, I knew the reason Felix was late. Baron had come to inform me after discovering the scouts searching the mountain.

‘Mr. Felix will be a bit later. He just shook off Cromwell Castle’s scouts. He’ll probably move after it gets completely dark.’

‘Did you come to tell me so I wouldn’t worry?’

‘That’s part of it…’

‘…?’

‘I thought I wouldn’t be able to see you today, but an excuse came up.’

I recalled his face smiling brightly like a boy, so unlike him, then quickly shook my head to dispel the afterimage.

Felix’s eyes, sharper than anyone else’s when it came to matters concerning me, narrowed.

“Hazel, did something happen today?”

“N-no. What would happen? Come in quickly. I’ve prepared a meal.”

“Thank you. I was really hungry.”

“Miss Hazel is truly kind and thoughtful.”

Unlike the energetic Felix, the trading caravan employees looked quite tired.

“You both look extremely tired.”

“Oh, not at all. Still, we got here much faster than coming over Cromwell Castle. The path is less treacherous too.”

“That’s right. There are plenty of resting spots throughout the cave, and there’s no danger of beasts or bandits, so it was a hundred times better than when we came last time. It’s fortunate that this path was created.”

Felix’s shoulders rose sky-high upon hearing the employees’ positive evaluation.

He wiggled his eyebrows triumphantly and asked me with his lip movements.

‘Your brother’s the best, right?’

Instead of answering, I tore off a piece of bread covered with chocolate jam and stuffed it into his mouth.

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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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