A Midsummer Breeze

Chapter 37

"MISS!?"

"This was created, track down the mana in the air, I'll be off!" Beating the ropes of the reign, Estelle took off to the night. 

*The paths are all covered in mud, which means it's a matter of time until I have to go back before I can find him. This is all too convenient for Yvonne!*

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/Ingrid is just a replacement. Eventually, the Phoenix can't die./

/Phoenix?/

/Now, I wonder what she'll do.../

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Stepping on the luminous grass of the dry forest, he chose to spend his night here. Where every stroke on the grass was to be welcomed with soft fireflies, here, he could relax and forget about his worries. Here...was once his paradise.

'Mother?'

'Yes, dear?'

'Why does Father hate me?'

'August...your father is the only person in the whole world who loves you as much as I do, in fact, he pampers you more than I do.'

'Really?'

'When we were having dinner, he congratulated you in secret because he was shy to do in front of you!'

'But then..'

'Are you saying that Mother is lying?'

'No...'

'You'll find out my dear, your father adores you.'

"In the end...I never found out Mother."

He couldn't relax, there was this stuffed feeling he was experiencing, one that seldom came around. It was as if he was missing something, or someone. Probably it was his late mother whom he once loved. 

But it did not slide easily this time. 

Confused at the events of today he reached his hand to the vast sky, his hand which murdered, his hand which threatened and slaughtered with a second thought. How would he look his mother in the eyes if she knew? But just a small, tiny urge to hold his wife made all his disgusted feelings fade away. 

It was strange, more than abnormal for him to have even think about these in the first place. It never mattered to him who he killed or who's life he ruined as long he could achieve what he wished. 

*It's been lively lately...too lively that this silence is no longer soothing.*

Deep down, was he feeling that, even for a bit, he could mourn for the lives he took? Did he wanted to be forgiven all this time?

 But by who? 

"CE..." 

A faint voice was in the woods, a voice so far away it could disappear any moment. He would let it slide. Only if it wasn't her voice.

It was strange indeed.

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"YOUR GRACEE!" 

*I'm sure he's doing fine.*

"YOUR GRACCEE!"

*So why am I even here?!*

The ugly noise of the storm shut her cries, she could barely hear her own voice at this point. If Estelle was being honest, this was probably the first time she didn't adore the rain. Collecting any recent information she had, the Duke was most likely at the cabin they moved the Count to. But unluckily, he wasn't there. 

Then maybe he could've already gone back to the mansion and was now taking a nice nap or helping out with the sudden uproar. 

Or Augustus could've wandered around for a bit since this is his territory. All sorts of scenarios and options came to her mind. But right now, all Estelle wished for was to see him. 

It was strange and unusual.

*I blame the kiss, I blame the kiss, I BLAME THE KISS!*

Her conclusion to this 'concern' and rash actions was to due to the kiss. 

*It could have been just a whim, he is the Duke after all...*

She wasn't wrong, the Duke had everything a woman could ever dream of. A wealthy status, an elegant power, good-looking features and a well-built body. If he wanted, he could be picking up women from left to right like toys, but if he ever was that kind of man, Estelle would have never agreed to the marriage. 

Not because her figure would be tainted, because her pride would convert into a murder scene of a Duke.

After all, women are also humans. And humans have feelings and will-power. 

Estelle was still walking through the deep forest until she noticed the rain stopped. It was a relief, until the bushes started to waver.

"Who's there?" Getting out her hand ready to attack she was welcome with a worried face.

"Ha...is that how you greet your husband?" He sighed and firmly grabbed her hand.

"Y-Your Grace?!"

"You're drenched."

Somehow in the midst of the cool, quiet night. He couldn't stop his chest from skipping a heart beat to racing with sky dragons. Not thinking a bit, he set her down and took off her cloak to dry it. It was bothering that he didn't know why and what he was doing, but he didn't hate it. In fact, he enjoyed seeing her flustered with emotions. So much to the point he unconsciously showed her his favorite place.

"You're smiling more Estelle." He sat down beside her. Taking a glance at her wet, blonde hair, it now seemed somewhat orange from the fireflies, but he could tell her ears were red.

Red, yet it seems so soft and warm. 

"T-thank you, Your Grace.." Stiff as a stone, Estelle wasn't sure why she was like this. She couldn't calm down, her face was now dry due to the fact that all the water evaporated because of her blushing. She tried to take a short glance at Augustus, only to be locked with his gaze.

Crimson eyes shining in the moonlight of the forest, dark, messy hair unraveling itself, his collarbone showing as he leaned closer...and closer...