Who? Irene frowned. Neither she nor any of the employees had seen him recently.

He was there.

What? Madam, are you feeling sick? I heard that people recover their energy for a while before they die. No! No way! Laritte had to calm her down again.

No, no. Im fine. Hmm, Ill go for a walk. Im bored, so I want to breathe fresh air.

Its snowing outside. Its going to be very cold!

Ive been upstairs all the time and the fireplace smells bad, with that, she walked out. The landscape was covered in pure white snow. Its really cold. Irene had hurriedly wrapped a shawl around her shoulders, but she was cold to the bone.

She took ten steps from the annex and looked around. There was nothing but clear footprints of her passing.

Ian?

Her breath turned into smoke as she spoke. The land was so quiet that it felt empty. It was winter, and due to the plague, no one was seen on the trails and in the training grounds. Leaving the annex behind, she hovered near the mansion.

Employees who were not affected were gathering under the torches to warm themselves. In fact, they werent very good either. Their family members or even those who were like family to them were being treated in the annex, so they took turns in nursing and guarding the place.

Were running out of food and herbs. Well have to go to a distant city and load up a wagon. Anyone volunteer? It was time for the knights with the remaining energy to volunteer. One of them, who was helplessly eating bread, found Laritte through the window.

Madam! Youre all right! The knight opened the window with both hands. Holding back her cough and covering her mouth, Laritte stepped back.

It seems I am fine now, but dont come near me. I dont even know if I am completely healed. But do you know where Ian is?

Captain? Has he returned from the Capital? If he were here, we wouldnt have missed him

Laritte sighed. No one had seen Ian. Where the hell was he?

After that, Laritte paced around the mansion. She saw the wall Ian and Laritte had climbed the first day they came to the Duchy. She also saw the small stream running through the Dukes land. There was no one, but she continued her search. In her arms, she held the dagger Seta had given her. She had a lot of things to share with Ian.

Ian, she walked down the deserted promenade. Answer me. How many times do I have to call you by your name? If thats the case, you should have a nice name. Actually, Ian is a very boring name.

She shrugged her shoulders, but then changed her mind. Oh, Im sorry. Its the name given by your parents, but I said it wrongly. I forgot. If I had to excuse myself, I always treated my name carelessly. You know, it doesnt mean much. She was speaking softly, but it was an ordeal enough for her.

Cough, cough!

The more she walked around the mansion, the more her cheeks froze in the cold air and became red. Her cough also got worse.

Iaaaaaaaaaan!

She firmly pulled her shawl around her. She was becoming numb, it was difficult for her to walk any further. Her feet staggered and eventually, she tripped over her other leg.

Thud!

She collapsed on the snow, but was not seriously injured. She lifted her face buried in the snow. Oh, cold, the snow on her eyes and nose fell to the ground as she raised her head. But there was a pair of shoes in front of her. Luxurious winter boots.

She looked further up, confirming the person in front of her, .Youre really hard to find, arent you, Ian.

Ian was very angry. He helped Laritte to her feet. He was hiding the whole time and observing Laritte, but he had no intention of appearing in front of her. When she was somewhat better, he thought of leaving again. But all of a sudden, she walked out of the annex.

Do you have any idea! Youve barely recovered, but youre wandering around for so long! However, he couldnt voice out his anger. Maybe she fell because I came back to her?

Even though it was a simple coincidence, he mistakenly thought it was his fault. He silently brushed off the snow from Larittes hair and clothes as she stood there blankly.

She was calm when she asked, Ian, since when have you been here?

..

Are you the one who nursed me last night?

..

It looked like he didnt want to talk until the end. Laritte rolled her eyes.

Stupid.

..

Idiot, she continued to tease Ian in a monotonous voice. Have you found a new mistress in the Capital?

..

Or did you really have an eye on His Majesty? I heard from the young ladies. There were rumors like that.

After all, Ill have to capture all those people who started those rumors, thought Ian as he covered Laritte with his coat. Laritte stared into his eyes, which did not even meet her gaze once. She had a lot to say. She had been missing a lot since then. She had feelings for him.

It was her first time feeling this way. Was it an emotion other people often felt? Why did he leave without a word? He could explain it to her at least. Had he regretted bringing me here? Had he heard her confess her feelings last night? Standing in front of Ian, she tried again, Ian.

Finally, Ian opened his mouth, yeah, I was worried about you! So what of it?

Oh, he was angry, alright.

Laritte only blinked at his reaction, If a person gets better after nursing them all night, dont they have to be careful the next day, at least? Walking in the snow all day! Falling, talking in the cold! Do you have the energy to do that? You even skipped breakfast!

Oh, he was very angry, yes.

Annoyed, Ian shook his head. It was always because of Laritte that he got emotional. This darn emotion of love brought a fool out of him. Then again, he was missing it. Was he in a position to get angry? As Laritte said, he was really stupid.

Laritte pondered whether or not she should apologize. Well, anyway.

I finally see you talking. This was the first conversation they had in months. She waited for his answer, but he didnt say anything. Instead, she grabbed his collar and pulled him closer. Instead of the countless words she wanted to say, it appeared she could only show it with her actions.

Laritte?

Tilting her head slightly, she placed her lips on Ians. It was soft. In fact, she had never kissed someone in her life. She seldom had anyone kissing her cheek. All she had to do was literally touch the lips with her own. Was it the correct way to do it?

She released him after a while. Her expression was extremely calm, though Ians wasnt. From the top of his head to the bottom of his toes, he felt everything in him thumping with the rush of blood.

..Laritte?

I hope I didnt get you sick, Laritte shrugged. Even Ian had to consider that, because he had kissed her last night.

Now lets talk. Dont go anywhere without a word with me.

She wiped her eyes on her shawl, as if she was sleepy and stretched out her arms like nothing happened.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep