~Chapter 75~
Antiquarian bookstore, Deluze.
It had been in operation for 250 years. Almost like a museum, it had existed alongside the development of printing technology.
The moment we opened the door, the rich smell of wood and paper filled the air.
I looked at Baldwin, wondering if the scent might bother him.
His mouth curved upward in a pleasant smile.
Good. He likes bookstores.
The store itself was a bit old and worn, which might bother some.
I could guarantee that most gentlemen in the capital would dislike a place like this.
They’d rather ride horses at the stables or play poker. The latest trend these days was clubs at the equestrian grounds.
Weekends were always packed there, right?
“Is the bookstore okay?”
Baldwin’s eyes curved as he smiled.
[ I like quiet places. I also like when there are few people. ]
“…We’re similar then. You don’t have to listen to anyone, and they don’t have to listen to you.”
Baldwin lifted his long index finger to his lips. Playfully, he pressed his lips together in a shushing gesture.
Inside Deluze, there were almost no people at all.
In truth, Deluze wasn’t run to make a fortune from book sales.
The owner had originally started the printing press as a hobby, loving to collect books.
Even now, he still ran the press, so the bookstore’s profits weren’t crucial.
I had learned about this place when I was about ten.
I hated studying, and I hated my parents who only cared about money.
It had only been a short time since I started receiving my grandfather’s support, and I thought his intentions were selfish.
He’s using me. He wants to make me smart to use me as a spy… or maybe to marry me off to a rival family.
A frail ten-year-old girl—what could I possibly be used for? I misunderstood so much. I had simply wandered out, and this is where I ended up.
This place felt like a treasure trove. Books were stacked everywhere, hiding me from view, and the owner barely noticed me.
I could sit there, hunched over, reading, even while hungry.
Wishing I could just disappear.
I stayed there alone until my grandfather came to find me.
He plopped down beside me and opened a book.
‘Have you eaten?’
‘…I’m not hungry.’
‘Your stomach seems to say otherwise.’
I could almost smell the caramel he had given me, lingering in my mouth.
‘Shh. It’s a secret. Normally, food isn’t allowed here.’
The hand that had unwrapped the caramel and put it into my mouth. The wrinkled eyes that smiled at me. Everything was vivid.
‘You’re going to sell me off? You need me. You’re going to make a fortune using me…!’
‘You cheeky thing. Why would I need that? I already have plenty of money. And I have a lot of everything else too.’
‘Then why…?’
‘Do you like books?’
‘…More than caramel.’
‘If a child loves books, let them read. If a child loves studying, let them study. What’s wrong with that? I have the money and the time.’
‘…Why me?’
‘Because you’re unusually ugly?’
‘…Liar.’
In the end, I fell asleep in the bookstore, cradled in my grandfather’s arms.
That memory was still clear.
Because of that, I always remembered to bring something when I came to the bookstore.
I pulled a small box from my pocket. Without a word, I handed it to Baldwin, who looked at me curiously.
“Caramel. Don’t you like it?”
He shook his head.
Baldwin, smiling with his eyes narrowed, slightly parted his lips. He peeled a piece of caramel and placed it on my fingers—but bit his own finger.
“Ah.”
I swallowed a small moan and glanced around. The previous customers were gone. Even the owner had stepped away.
We were in a blind spot, out of sight from the street.
The moment I pulled my finger back, it was caught. His lips nibbled on it. My face flushed bright red at the suggestive gesture.
My breath caught.
The smell of caramel mixed with the bookstore’s scent hit my nose. My fingers grew sticky.
Baldwin tilted his head after removing his lips.
“Baldwin, here…!”
Too close for words to matter, he kissed me.
It felt like my head would spin.
Sweet and hot.
Like a marshmallow melting on a flame, sticky and soft. Baldwin entered deep inside me.
The caramel still partially intact melted along with me.
I clung to Baldwin, gasping, before pulling away. My legs trembled, and I remained supported by him.
He lifted me, seating me on the stairs to the second floor, and kissed my cheek while looking into my eyes with a smile.
He peeled the rest of the caramel from my hand. Almost all of it had melted in my mouth.
Baldwin placed the softened caramel back into my mouth, smiling.
It was overwhelmingly sweet.
“I’m doomed.”
I muttered in a voice mixed with a moan. The small, gentle, warm memory from the fairy-tale-like morning had turned provocative.
Sorry, grandfather.
Baldwin smiled as he watched me bury my face in his palm.
At that moment, I decided: no more eating caramel in bookstores.
Outside the bookstore, Anais carried Keilersk’s poetry collection Footsteps in Spring and the essay collection Deer Living in the Garden.
Baldwin looked at her with a faint smile.
Going out with Anais was enjoyable.
Most nobles preferred crowded, flashy places. Many loved to go out to show off.
But Anais had similar tastes to him. She sought quiet places.
And antiquarian bookstores?
It was a very refined hobby for a young noblewoman.
“There’s still time before lunch. The lunch service starts at 12:30. Do you want to go somewhere?”
Baldwin blinked. Somewhere she wanted to go?
There wasn’t anything like that.
He preferred staying inside the mansion, a place no one could enter without permission.
No one could enter the library or study without approval.
He had always been the center of attention from a young age. Often, it was almost unbearable.
If Anais weren’t with him, he probably would never have gone out like this.
Baldwin shook his head slightly.
“…I want to do what you want, Baldwin. Thinking back, it seems I’ve only done what I wanted. There really isn’t anything?”
He silently stared at her.
Why was that?
Anais was naturally considerate. She had never met anyone like her before.
Everyone else clung to him, wanting everything: money, power, everything he had.
But Anais offered herself freely.
She showed that even someone so full could have gaps—and Baldwin was filling that emptiness with her.
[It would be good to take a walk and eat first.]
“And after that?”
[There’s a hotel nearby.]
Anais widened her eyes.
“Baldwin…!”
He raised his finger in front of her lips.
[What are you thinking? It’s still morning. Stop the naughty thoughts.]
“I… yes?”
Anais fanned her face to calm her blush. Her silver hair made it more noticeable.
Baldwin moved his finger.
[There’s an exhibition at the hotel. Beroux Dubois’ exhibition.]
“Wow! Really?”
Not a very famous artist, so it wasn’t a widely celebrated exhibition.
But Anais had that artist’s painting in her room. She had said it was her favorite.
So when he heard about the exhibition, he remembered. The hotel was nearby—the Ritz.
[We should go.]
“Great!”
[Then we can eat at the hotel restaurant afterward. The Ritz’ restaurant is also well-regarded.]
“There will be time in between. Oh, if we look at the exhibition several times…!”
[The rooms at the Ritz are also beautiful.]
In truth, Baldwin preferred that the most. Anais might not know.
Baldwin smiled, and Anais’ cheeks grew even redder.
It was as if summer had settled deeply on her cheeks alone.
