The Mansion Awaits Spring - Chapter 193

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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 193
April could not deny a single word Pejin had spoken.
She could not claim that war would never demand someone’s sacrifice, nor could she dispute that she could not choose him in such a situation.
And the words “I love you”—that is to say…….
April clenched her teeth, then spoke while crumbling an innocent biscuit.
“Who declares their love in circumstances like these?”
“Then when should I? This is hardly poor timing. There are candles, good tea.”
“Hidden on some island. Waiting for war.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
Pejin apologized with an untroubled expression, and April glared at him.
“I never asked for your apology. I said I don’t want anyone to die anymore. Just that no one should die—why is that so impossibly difficult…….”
April could not contain the rising emotion and covered her face with both hands.
Around him, she became childish, then childlike altogether. Why did she crumble so helplessly at mere words of love?
Pejin was startled by her gesture and quickly rose to his feet. Then he knelt beside her chair and looked up at her face.
“You’re not crying, are you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Wait, what? You’re crying? You?”
“Be quiet.”
April spoke and withdrew one hand to push him away, but he did not budge. He showed no sign of pretending to be pushed back, no dramatics, only studied her face with surprised eyes.
Then, abruptly, he seized her hand and spoke.
“I won’t die. I won’t. I meant I’ll manage to survive. You should understand that much without me spelling it out.”
“But you didn’t leave it out!”
“Why are you angry?”
“Because you make me angry.”
“Forget everything before and focus on the part where I said I love you.”
“That only makes me angrier.”
“Your temperament just isn’t very good, is it?”
April’s brow narrowed as she glared, and Pejin tilted his head slightly, savoring the expression as he spoke.
“Though I suppose it doesn’t matter—you’re beautiful enough to get away with it.”
“Who asked to be told they’re beautiful?”
“You’d rather be told you have a good personality? Have you no conscience?”
“Get out.”
“I’m staying. It’s cold out there.”
Pejin replied with childish petulance, then rested his cheek against her knee.
“I misspoke.”
“That’s enough then.”
“I’m not taking back the words ‘I love you.'”
“I know that.”
At her reply, Pejin’s body shook with laughter. Leaning against her like this, perhaps it was the warmth she radiated—his mood lightened somewhat. It felt like having a cat curled in one’s lap.
After a moment, Pejin rose and, seeing her empty teacup, asked.
“Finished?”
“Yes.”
“There’s a hot spring here on the island. Come with me. You love soaking in warm water.”
True to Pejin’s expectation, April showed interest at the mention of a hot spring, murmuring almost to herself.
“This tiny island has everything.”
“Which is exactly why I bought this tiny island.”
Although April seemed eager to go, she did not rise from her chair. So Pejin simply lifted her into his arms.
April did not protest, and Pejin carried her toward the bathing chamber.
* * *
Hot springs appeared in several places on Right Island.
Most were situated near the mountain ranges, surrounded by primeval forests that made them difficult to access. Still, the people of Right Island made use of whatever hot springs they could reach, and enjoyed warm baths whenever possible.
Steam rose gently from the open-air bath prepared in the rear courtyard of the Mountain Lodge.
“Ah, this is bliss…….”
Her entire body felt as if it were melting.
While April savored this rare moment of rest, Pejin appeared carrying cool water.
“Drink. You’ll dehydrate.”
Part of her wanted to scold him for his presumptuousness, but the hot spring was too pleasant to leave, and her throat was parched, so she simply extended her hand.
While she drank, Pejin removed his robe and stepped into the bath.
She had not been caught unaware—she had expected this—so she let it pass without comment. He approached her side as if it were the most natural thing in the world and drew her close. As he reclined nearly horizontal against the bath’s edge, April sat up.
“Don’t go.”
Thinking she meant to leave, Pejin was preparing to whimper, but instead April faced him and sat upon his lap.
Pejin looked up at her with a delighted expression.
“So, you don’t actually dislike this sort of thing.”
“There’s little reason to dislike it.”
April flicked her finger through the water, and droplets splashed Pejin’s face. He clicked his tongue and turned his head away.
Watching this, April laughed and spoke.
“You don’t hate it either.”
“How could anyone attach the word ‘dislike’ to this? It’s an impossible pairing.”
“Even when you’re exhausted?”
“Even half-dead.”
“That’s hyperbolic.”
“If you were born a man, you’d understand this wasn’t hyperbole at all.”
Pejin grumbled, yet all the while he continuously dampened April’s shoulders with warm water, lest her body grow cold. When she leaned into his arms, he embraced her and teased her anyway.
“Using me as a bed, are we?”
“You’re supposed to suffer.”
“……Deliberately tormenting me while knowing full well I suffer—that’s just plain harassment, isn’t it?”
“You said it yourself.”
“You really are incorrigible.”
“But you said it’s fine because I’m beautiful.”
“Are you grateful? Does your face show it?”
“Why should I be grateful for what’s mine?”
As their bodies remained in contact, another quarrel ensued. Yet even as they bickered, neither minded where the other’s touch landed on their body.
Finally unable to bear it, Pejin reached out and grabbed his robe, which he had carelessly tossed aside. He wrapped it around April’s body and, holding her close, stood.
Pejin spoke as he headed toward the Bedroom.
“You’ve had enough of the hot spring, haven’t you?”
“I finished long ago. Why do you stay in so long?”
“I thought you were still soaking and waited. I was afraid to interrupt lest I be scolded. Didn’t you hear me counting in my head? Cursing the whole time as I counted.”
The moment Pejin set April on the bed, he discarded the robe and began kissing her.
April wrapped her arms around his neck.
Both felt grateful that they kept this surging desire and their full spectrum of emotion separate.
He had confessed his love, and she had not answered, yet it did not matter. What they wanted now was the same.
From the moment their faces met, it was unbearable. She wanted to see him. Touch him. Merge with him. When they came together, they became childlike and utterly honest.
* * *
The next day they did not stir, remaining in bed until the ship arrived. The winter rain that began to fall from above seemed to offer them an excuse for their behavior.
April, her face buried in his chest, asked.
“What time is it?”
“I don’t know. Let’s not find out until someone comes to call us.”
“We should dress.”
“Later.”
Pejin put it off, kissing her hair. But April, worried about the return journey, sat up.
After dressing adequately and leaving the Mountain Lodge, she found the rain was not as fierce as it might have been.
While the distant horizon was obscured by fog, the nearer surroundings remained clear. April drew a deep breath.
Pejin emerged shortly after with her coat and spoke.
“Dress warmly.”
“It’s not cold.”
“The people of Right Island have lost all sense of cold. They’d throw themselves into a winter sea without hesitation.”
“Most don’t even catch colds. Oh, but you did.”
“I suppose I’ll be hearing about that forever.”
Pejin grumbled as he wrapped the coat around April.
The two of them descended the mountain again by Gondola.
The time to part came swiftly. At the Harbor, a ship bound for Right Island awaited April.
Pejin boarded the vessel with her first, then disembarked alone. He spoke to April, who was looking down at him from the rail.
“Take care. Stay healthy.”
……
“I’ll miss you terribly.”
Pejin spoke and stepped back.
She offered him no answer to any of his hopes. Not to his wish to return to the Dieusz Grand Duchy, not to his proposal, not to his confession of love.
Yet those two days with her were an incomparable gift. He stood quietly, watching her face so that he might not forget it—not knowing when they would meet again.
And as the ship began to depart, April spoke.
“Come back to Right Island.”
“What?”
Her voice was quiet, obscured by the sound of the rain, so Pejin asked again.
This time April spoke a little louder.
“Come back! Return to Right Island!”
Among so many questions, one answer returned. The answer to the longing he had cherished longest.
“I can return?”
“Yes. You can come back.”
“Is that enough to make my life worth living?”
“Yes, I’ll let that be enough.”
In that moment, Pejin recalled her voice calling out to the departing merchant vessel, urging him to return.
How deeply he had loved April Lunos in that instant. How envious those sailors must have been.
“Even if I come empty-handed?”
At his question, standing motionless, April nodded.
“Even empty-handed, you can come back!”
At her answer, Pejin laughed freely.
Even as the ship receded, the fullness in his chest did not fade. Because soon he would see her again. Soon, they would meet once more.
How long he had waited for someone to call him back…….

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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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