Not Even a Husband - Chapter 1.6

I should put on some makeup too.

Isabel, growing impatient, hurried towards the end of the corridor.

Just as she was about to descend the stairs, a familiar voice drifted up from a floor below.

“The status report you mentioned is ready. I’ll leave it in your office.”

“Did you organize the ten-year status report too?”

“Ah, no. I only organized the five years you were away.”

“Organize it for the full ten years and resubmit it.”

“Yes!”

It was Jerod.

Gasp, this won’t do!

Isabel, flustered, stomped her feet and then darted behind a statue at the end of the corridor. By a hair’s breadth, Jerod appeared with his secretary.

“I’d like to see it right after I return from the inspection tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Lord!”

Thump, thump. The sound of his footsteps brushed past her, right beside her. Isabel inhaled the cool, soft scent of winter forest that brushed against her nose. Following his fading scent, she slightly turned her head and saw his receding profile.

Jerod, whom she hadn’t seen in nearly ten days, looked even more handsome than the last time. The vest that snugly hugged his lean waist.

The finely split muscles visible on his forearm through his rolled-up sleeves. His blue eyes, slightly narrowed in concentration.

He was so handsome it felt unreal. Like a sculpture carved from cold diamond.

“Is the report finished?”

“Yes, Lord. That concludes today’s schedule.”

Isabel’s lips curved upwards brightly on their own. She felt a ticklish sensation from head to toe. She couldn’t believe it. Such a magnificent man was her fiancé.

Just as Isabel turned her body forward to get a better look at the receding Jerod.

Jerod suddenly stopped walking. “If you’re done with your business, you can come out now.” “What?” As the secretary walking right behind him asked in return, he quickly turned around. In the blink of an eye, Isabel was fully exposed to Jerod’s gaze.

“Come out here, Isabel.”

He said calmly.

Isabel flinched like someone caught doing something wrong. She vividly felt his gaze slowly sweep over her disheveled blonde hair from her hurried movement, and then down her plain woolen dress, devoid of any frills or lace.

Exposed to his naked gaze, Isabel’s cheeks flushed red. Was it because she was caught hiding, or because Jerod was too handsome?

I wanted to show him a prettier side. I worried I might look too shabby.

Isabel swallowed dryly, her heart pounding with nervousness, and asked.

“H-how did you know? That I was here…”

“Do you think I wouldn’t know you?”

Jerod approached, answering briefly.

Thump, thump. His long legs reached her in just a few steps. Her face grew hot under his calm gaze. Isabel shyly lowered her eyes to the floor. If I had known I’d run into him like this, I should have worn an elegant and pretty dress. I shouldn’t have hidden like a child.

But at the same time, she was happy.

The fact that he had anticipated her actions meant that Jerod had consistently thought of her during the five years they were apart. “How is your body?”

“I’m all better now.”

“The doctor said your fever was gone. Did you take your medicine?”

“They said I only need to take it until tomorrow. Um, by the way, did you perhaps come to my room?”

Isabel cautiously raised her gaze and asked.

“I thought I saw you early this morning.”

Her heart pounded as if it would leap out of her chest. In front of the nervous Isabel, Jerod nodded without hesitation. “Because I was worried.”

“Ah.”

Isabel’s earlobes turned red at his direct answer.

As if unaware of Isabel, who had turned as red as a ripe apple, Jerod stared at her face, which still held a pale hue, as if examining it thoroughly, and said.

“I brought you a new scarf, so wear that from now on.”

“A scarf?”

“It’s lighter and warmer than the one you have now, so don’t take it off even if it feels stuffy.”

His voice was indifferent, but his actions were so thoughtful that she felt incredibly sweet. Isabel pressed her lips together and held back a smile. Jerod, who had been gazing at her intently, opened his mouth.

“Come here, Isabel.”

“Yes?”

“So I can check if your fever is gone.”

Before Isabel could move, Jerod took another step closer and reached out his hand. Soon, his firm, large hand, which she had felt every morning, was placed on her forehead. She felt his warm body heat transfer through her forehead.

Isabel froze like a stone and secretly took a deep breath. Her kind and handsome fiancé was too much for her heart.

“You’re fine.”

He raised the corner of his lips as he stroked her hair with the hand that had been on her forehead. Isabel, mesmerized, gazed at his blue eyes, which seemed satisfied, and swallowed.

She liked him stroking her hair, but she wished he would hold her hand now. She wondered what it would feel like to hold the heavy hand touching her head.

‘But if I ask for it directly, it’ll be too obvious, won’t it?’

Come to think of it, she worried if her face wasn’t already red. And her clothes were so shabby! She hadn’t even put on makeup! Isabel hastily changed the subject.

“Oh, Jerod. I just received the gift. Thank you so much.”

“Do you like it?”

“Of course! It’s the most, the very best gift I’ve ever received.”

Isabel’s eyes sparkled as she smiled brightly. When she said she would wear the necklace to the Winter Banquet in a few days, clear satisfaction spread across Jerod’s calm face.

“That’s good.”

Her ears tingled at his low voice. Isabel’s heart, filled with curiosity and excitement, began to race again.

‘Perhaps, would it be okay to ask what the meaning behind this is?’

As everyone else had noticed it immediately, she had also picked up on it. Still, she wanted to hear it directly from Jerod and confirm it. Just as Isabel, full of anticipation, was about to speak.

“I have something to tell you.”

“What?”

“Something I said I’d tell you five years ago, after I returned from the expedition.”

Her crimson eyes widened.

The hazy memory returned.

It was the fifth year of their engagement. Exactly five years ago from now.

At that time, Jerod was about to depart for the opposite continent to conquer the barbarians. Jerod, who had become the commander of the expeditionary force, had stroked Isabel’s hair and said.

It won’t take long. Yes.! I have something to tell you when I get back.

Back then, Isabel, not knowing the war would drag on so long, had only nodded, holding back tears. After that, it was difficult to send and receive letters from the battlefield. Waiting for letters that were hard to receive even once every six months, Isabel regretted that moment countless times. Why didn’t I just ask what he meant back then.

Then, at some point, it was a forgotten memory. She thought it had been buried in the mists of five years.

“Meet me when the final waltz begins at the Winter Banquet.”

Come to the last balcony on the left side of the hall.

His voice, clean and without embellishment, and therefore even more thrilling, spoke softly. His blue eyes, like the winter sky, gazed solely at her, as if waiting for an answer.

Isabel’s cheeks burned uncontrollably.

Was her heart about to leap out of her throat? Trembling so much she could only nod her head wildly, Jerod slowly stroked her hair once more. His touch, larger and firmer than she remembered, gently moved a few more times, as if handling something precious and cherished, then moved away.

Isabel, unable to breathe, returned to her room, jumped onto the bed, and rolled around.

The thought of wanting him to hold her hand or anything else had vanished.