The Countess's Body Has Disappeared - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 49
Pressing with the tips of her fingers, she felt it—the distinctive ridged texture unique to burn scars. Cecilia’s hand traced upward along the scar, following it to the elbow hidden beneath his sleeve.
“It’s quite a large scar. That must have been painful…….”
“I’d say I got off relatively fortunate. At least I didn’t develop neurasthenia. Many soldiers ended up in mental hospitals because of the aftereffects from the war. Some of them became addicted to their medication too.”
“I see. I didn’t know about that.”
Davion, worried that he’d broached too dark a subject, gently stroked her rounded shoulders while studying her expression.
“You’re…… truly flawless.”
“I’ve never had reason to bear a scar in my life.”
“So white and soft—like a marshmallow.”
As Cecilia lowered her head, white strands of hair tickled the back of his hand.
“A marshmallow? What’s that?”
“It’s a dessert. Sweet and white.”
“Is it like whipped cream?”
“Somewhat similar, though not quite.”
Davion’s mouth began to dry roughly. Wrapping his hand around Cecilia’s shoulder, his thumb tracing her collarbone, a restrained sound escaped between his lips.
Damn it. This was bad.
An odd impulse was rising its head.
“I want to bite your shoulder.”
What? Cecilia made no attempt to hide her bewilderment.
She pushed gently against his chest as she spoke.
“Come now, don’t tease.”
“Is that not allowed?”
He gazed at her with gleaming eyes, his tongue wetting his lips. Cecilia drew her shoulders tight and hunched her frame, seeming somewhat frightened.
“You’re being very strange right now…….”
“That’s because I’m with you. If you hate it, I’ll stop.”
“Then—just, please don’t bite so hard.”
She couldn’t fathom why she’d given permission. It was all because of this man. When she was with Davion, she too seemed to become strangely different.
Drawing Cecilia’s waist close, Davion lowered his large frame and bit her shoulder.
“Ah…….”
A sharp, peculiar sting shot through her to the crown of her head, and Cecilia’s face flushed crimson. Something warm and soft traced the mark with a caress. Then the sting came again.
Cecilia squeezed her eyes shut and curled her toes. The whole world seemed to spin.
“Cecilia…….”
As if restraining something, Davion drew a deep breath, then pressed his lips to her forehead.
When he withdrew the hand that had cradled her back, her body trembled faintly. She gathered her courage and slowly lifted her eyelids. A step away, Davion stood with his back to her, his hands pressed to his hips.
“I’m going to step outside for some air.”
As he opened the door and left, Cecilia hastily began straightening her disheveled clothes. Then she suddenly noticed an unfamiliar shadow cast across the floorboards and turned her head in startlement.
A pair of swallowtail butterflies sat at the open window, their bellies pressed together, their wings trembling in unison.
“…….”
As Cecilia watched them, her hand came to rest carefully over her lower abdomen. From deep within her chest, instinct issued a quiet warning.
That now, if they so chose, they could cross that line at any moment.
* * *
Standing before the mirror, Cecilia gently touched the bite mark that remained clearly visible on her shoulder.
When she pressed with pressure, a faint sting bloomed. Because of this, last night’s dreams had been particularly unsettled.
Her hand, which had lingered on the wound, moved to her lower abdomen. Something indefinable throbbed within.
‘What am I doing? I’ve lost my mind.’
Cecilia shook her head as if to shake off a chill.
Emerging from the washroom, she rummaged through her wardrobe and found a simple solid-colored blouse and skirt. After changing, she slung a bag over her side and carefully tucked the letter Kate had left yesterday afternoon into it.
Ruby and Nagi had ventured out early in the morning for fresh air. Betty appeared at the door to greet Cecilia warmly.
“Oh, our dear little love.”
“Did you sleep well last night?”
Kissing Betty’s forehead, Cecilia observed her complexion carefully. Just days before, she’d had such a severe dry cough that Cecilia had considered asking Blake to call for a doctor, but fortunately that hadn’t seemed necessary.
Cecilia skillfully tidied the bedding and changed the pillowcase. After gathering a simple meal in the kitchen and returning to the room, Betty had already pulled out a book to read—the new novel series that Kate had left along with the letter.
Settling into a nearby chair, Cecilia began peeling a peach while glancing at Betty. Finding an appropriate moment, she broached the subject gently.
“Grandmother, what do you think of me courting someone?”
Her heart raced with tension. Yet contrary to her worry, the response that came was rather indifferent.
“It’s quite natural for young people to fall in love, isn’t it? Just see that you don’t take up with any strange man who might tangle up your future.”
“Well, I…….”
Cecilia, with something on her mind to say, ultimately pressed her lips shut.
It would have required much courage to speak. As she hesitated, her eyes darting, Betty closed her book first and cast a warm gaze upon her.
“You’re troubled, our dear little love.”
“Well, I wouldn’t quite call it a worry…….”
Cecilia moistened her dry lips with her tongue. Then, linking her thumbs and middle fingers on both hands like rings, she spoke.
“When a woman and man actually do this, it must be quite different from novels, right?”
“So you’re starting to take an interest in such things now?”
“Of course. I’m twenty-two now, after all…….”
As she answered with crossed ankles and an embarrassed look, Betty chuckled. Cecilia’s cheeks flushed crimson in an instant.
“That depends on how the other person behaves. This old woman can only tell you so much.”
“Tch……. I could say that much myself.”
“I believe it’s a sin for unmarried men and women to mingle their bodies. And if by misfortune they end up conceiving, everyone suffers—the child most of all. I’ve seen such cases far too often in my life.”
Betty added as she opened her book again.
“It means be careful with yourself, Cecilia.”
Cecilia said nothing, turning the half-peeled Peach in her hands.
After all, Grandmother’s worries would never come to pass.
Yet her timid objection to ease her discomfort only circled endlessly within her mouth, never finding voice.
After leaving Ruby and Nagi’s meal at the door, Cecilia put on her Flat Shoes.
As she opened the Cottage door, a fresh breeze blew in and gently tickled her face. Not a cloud marred the blue sky.
Cecilia smiled. The weather was perfect for a long walk.
As she crossed the Field with her bag slung over her shoulder, she soon spotted a familiar silhouette and stopped.
About twenty meters away, Davion was performing a One-Arm Push-Up, his body bare.
Her gaze grew captive to his waist, and Cecilia found herself recalling her conversation with Betty. In an instant, heat flooded up her neck.
She tried to leave hastily before he could notice her. But she hadn’t been quick enough.
Davion rose and wiped the sweat from his body with the Towel draped around his neck, then glanced around before tossing it straight toward Cecilia.
Cecilia let out a shriek.
“Eww! That’s disgusting!”
“Disgusting? You wound me, darling.”
“‘Darling’?”
Cecilia glared at him and wrinkled her nose.
“Since when did I become your ‘darling’?”
“Oh, is that so?”
As Cecilia laughed and fled, Davion charged like a bull, swept her up into his arms, and spun her once in the air. Then he pulled her close against his chest and rained kisses down on her face until she could not help but laugh at the tickle of it.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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