(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 71

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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 71

Even though he had nowhere to stay overnight, the effect of his reckless threat was tremendous.

Felix, dejected like a dog caught in the rain, crouched on the sofa holding a damp towel.

While cleaning his wounds before applying medicine, he kept glancing at me nervously. His eyes seemed to be asking, “You’re not really going to stay out overnight, are you?”

‘This is expensive…’

As soon as he opened the ointment, he recognized it was expensive medicine and carefully applied just a tiny amount on his fingertip, gently spreading it over the wound.

Naturally, this behavior only fueled my anger.

‘Apply it generously. That’s how it heals faster.’

‘It’ll heal quickly even without much…’

‘Are you going to talk back?’

‘N-no. I’ll apply more.’

Felix’s definition of “more” and my definition of “more” seemed to differ. In the end, I had no choice but to step in.

I scooped up the ointment like ice cream and slathered it thickly all over his foot. He endured(?) the treatment obediently with aggrieved eyes and pouting lips.

‘Don’t even think about getting up until all of this is absorbed.’

‘Mmm… You’re not really going to stay out overnight, right? I’m worried…’

‘Felix, you have no conscience coming home late whenever you’re bored. Do you think you’re the only one who worries? I worry about you too.’

Felix, having nothing to say in response, just blinked his eyes pleadingly. At least he seemed to know his guilt.

‘Stay home quietly today and wait.’

‘When will you get off work?’

‘Dinner time.’

‘Can’t I go grocery shopping to prepare dinner?’

When I narrowed my eyes, Felix quickly changed his words. He really has an amazing ability to read my mood quickly.

‘I’ll stay home quietly. The sandwich was delicious. Make it for me again when you come back.’

‘You should have said that from the start.’

Only then did I put away my stern expression and show him a smile. Felix’s face relaxed with relief.

‘I’ll tuck you in, so lie down now.’

‘It’s hot though…’

‘No excuses, just lie down. And give me your socks too.’

‘Why the socks?’

‘I’m throwing them away. They’re unwearable even after washing.’

Felix’s expression was quite peculiar as he lay down like a patient in broad daylight. Having lived somewhat diligently lately, this legitimate break seemed awkward for him.

After tucking the blanket up to his neck, I left the house. Just before closing the door, Felix’s timid and pitiful voice tickled my ears.

‘Hazel, don’t be angry, okay?’

‘I’m not angry. I’m just a bit…’

‘…’

‘Upset.’

And my hurt feelings hadn’t healed yet. They wouldn’t be okay until Felix’s foot became smooth without a single scar.

4 PM, after the rush of customers had subsided.

“Phew…”

I rested my chin on the counter and let out a long, dejected sigh while recalling the morning’s events. It had been a while since I’d sighed at the shop.

‘There was definitely only Felix at home…’

Did Baron really stop by our house?

If so, what kind of relationship do Felix and Baron have?

While pondering these unanswerable questions, closing time had nearly arrived.

Worried about Felix who would be lying around bored, I left the shop 10 seconds before closing time.

I was late to work today, and now I was leaving early too. I felt oddly guilty for becoming an unreliable employee.

I returned home carrying five pairs of new socks for Felix.

“It smells delicious.”

From the entrance of the hill where the cottage stood, the warm aroma of stew wafted through the air. Felix seemed to have made a new cream stew that would go well with sandwiches.

“I told him to stay put. He really doesn’t listen.”

That’s just how Felix is.

As I got closer to home, a smile gradually spread across my face. Suddenly feeling very hungry, I gently rubbed my flat stomach.

‘Huh…?’

Only then did I realize I had skipped lunch. It wasn’t intentional – I just missed the timing with the endless stream of customers.

Deciding to keep this secret from Felix, I flung open the front door. As if he’d been waiting, Felix’s bright greeting reached my ears.

“Oh my, our household’s breadwinner is home from work. Please come in.”

“What’s with that tone?”

Felix confirmed my relaxed expression and grinned foolishly. He must have been worrying about my mood the entire time he was resting at home.

Sitting in a chair while cooking the stew, he proudly lifted his foot wrapped tightly in bandages.

“Hazel, I was sitting quietly and cooking. I didn’t go anywhere and made this with ingredients we had at home. See the bandages?”

Though it was excessive treatment for the wound, I liked it that way. I rolled my eyes primly and placed the new socks on the table.

“Who said anything? Just take the new socks.”

“Why did you buy so many?”

“So you can wear two pairs at once.”

“That’ll be hot and sweaty.”

“That’s true.”

I readily agreed and cut the newly bought bread in half. All the sandwich ingredients except bread were already prepared on the table.

‘He really has good sense at times like this.’

Butter 1. Sauce 1. Ham 4.

Felix even knew the golden ratio for sandwiches that I’d never told him. As a bonus, he’d put away all other ingredients as if to say not to even think about adding anything else.

While making sandwiches with more confidence than in the morning, Felix placed two bowls of finished mushroom cream stew on the table.

Sitting across from me, he fed me spoonfuls of stew while asking.

“Was there anything unusual at the shop today?”

I don’t know about unusual, but I could tell this mushroom stew was absolutely amazing.

When I licked the stew from the corner of my mouth and sent him a look of praise, Felix fed me another spoonful with a satisfied expression.

“It’s really delicious. Just how much seasoning did you put in?”

“Instead of seasoning, I put in plenty of sincerity.”

“Didn’t I tell you to show some effort when lying?”

“But it’s true… I added remorse, gratitude, and for the first time in a while, plenty of spare time, and it turned out like this.”

“I should give you plenty of spare time more often. So I can eat more delicious food.”

“Should I?”

We ate dinner together, giggling as if we’d never fought that morning.

The sunset that painted the mountainside crimson poured into our house.

It was warm and peaceful.

“Everything we prepared today, including the extra stock for purchase agency items, all sold out? Madam Serbia’s perfume had so many people looking for it that even after doubling the commission fee, it all sold out. Amazing, right?”

“That fragrance sells well because it resembles you.”

“Huh? What does that have to do with anything?”

“Ha, not knowing the importance of a model – you’re unqualified to be a proper general store owner.”

My lips puffed out at Felix’s unnecessary criticism.

When I pressed him about what he meant, all I got back was that not knowing made me even cuter.

“Whatever. I’m going to draw now, so stop with the nonsense.”

“You must have been incredibly busy today – why don’t you rest a bit?”

“I left work early, so I’m fine.”

“You did eat lunch properly, right?”

I answered nonchalantly without batting an eye.

“Of course. I ate tons.”

***

This is strange.

Baron is nowhere to be seen today either. Same yesterday, the day before, and the day before that too.

Usually I’d run into Baron before even wandering around the village once or twice, but now that I’m actually looking for him, he’s nowhere to be found.

‘Where did he go? Does he know I’m going to probe about his relationship with Felix?’

That can’t be it. Baron is originally a busy person.

I shook off the overly self-conscious thoughts while letting out a disappointed sigh.

‘I have so many things to ask about the painting Black Hand commissioned too…’

It’s definitely not because observing Baron’s handsome face and imagining his childhood would help me draw better – I just needed his extensive knowledge.

Today too, I lingered around the Leather Workshop and Blacksmith hoping to run into him.

I could ask Uncle Paul or Uncle Franz about Baron’s whereabouts, but strangely I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I don’t know why either. It feels somewhat guilty somehow.

“He’s not around… I should just go to work.”

I turned toward the shop with drooping shoulders.

That’s when it happened.

“Hazel, are you looking for Baron?”

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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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