My Engagement Got Broken, But I Don’t Remember Getting Engaged in the First Place

Chapter 22: Nora Kranz’s Exhaustion

 

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Translated by lacusky.

To be temporary lovers was Nora’s suggestion.
She was well aware of that.
But she still had to say it. 

No matter what the circumstances are, there will always be a limit.

“Elias, can you please refrain from kissing me on the lips?”

“Even though we’re lovers?” As Nora desperately appealed, the grayish brown-haired gentleman leaned forward.

“But it’s a trial.
Honestly, I haven’t caught up with reality.
Please bear with me.”

The moment they became temporary lovers, Elias started kissing Nora.
Afterwards, even if she tried to create some distance between them, he would always manage to close the gap and kiss her.
Nora would always try to stop him but it was difficult to keep herself on guard all the time.
As a result, Nora was exhausted from being kissed all day.

“Then, it’s fine as long as it’s not on the lips?”

“Y-yes, thank you.” She really wanted him to reduce the amount of kisses or even eliminate them altogether, but that was a good enough start. 

“Got it.” Elias shrugged his shoulders as though he had no other choice.

Feeling relieved that she could finally have some peace, Nora sighed. 

All of a sudden, Elias reached out his hands and caressed her cheeks.
Taken aback, she gazed into his glistening sky blue eyes as Elias dropped a kiss on her cheeks.

” ”

She was surprised but it was just on the cheeks and not on the lips.
Even though it had become strangely routinary, Nora felt a little twinge in her chest as she waited for Elias to pull away.

But instead, he kissed her on the opposite cheek. 

Perhaps he was like those people who were particular about  symmetry; he won’t be satisfied if he didn’t do it on both sides.
She realized her logic was strange but thinking that it would end with that, she stayed quiet.

However, even after being kissed on both left and right cheeks, Nora was bombarded with a flurry of kisses.

Indeed, they were not on the lips.

But.

It may not be on the lips but isn’t he still messing me up?

“W-wait!”

“What?”

“Um, please spare me.
I beg you, please.” Feeling embarrassed and unsure what to do, Nora desperately pleaded.

“Well? Do you think it’s better on the lips?”

“Is there no gentler option?” 

“No.
I’m already being lenient, you know.” The gentleman with gorgeous blue eyes smiled.

What shall I do? I feel somewhat scared.

She wasn’t sure if he noticed that she felt faint but in the end, he said as a compromise, “I’ll kiss you three times a day, except on the mouth.”

“In exchange, I want you to accept something from me.” Elias gave Nora a bright smile, who was utterly exhausted from all the dickering.

“Could it be a ring? He’s gonna propose?”

“Probably not.
I think he already proposed the first time we met.”

“Oh yeah, that’s quite true.” As she was choosing from a pile of sheet music, Flora listened to Nora’s story. 

It’s not an exaggeration to say that as she was focused on her part-time job, Nora was ignorant when it comes to romance.
She wanted to consult Flora but halfway through, she ended up grumbling about Elias.

“Besides, what’s with three times a day?”

“He probably figured you’d be frightened away if there was no limit.
But he wouldn’t settle for nothing.”

“So, three times? It’s not like it’s a prescription drug!”

She started arranging the sheet music.
It seemed like she had decided on today’s song.

“If you hate it, just outright refuse him.”

“Yeah, but-”

“You don’t hate it, do you?”

“But it still isn’t right.”

“That’s the same thing, by the way.” After compiling it together, she handed the score to Nora.

Although she knew the song, she still wanted to practice before her performance but she couldn’t concentrate well. 

“I really don’t know anymore.”

“If you did, you wouldn’t struggle mulling over it.” Flora heaved a heavy sigh as she started playing the piano.

“Then, think about it carefully.
It was you who removed the reins on Elias.
So, take responsibility and do your best.”

“Sigh.” Nora was still troubled but started singing along with the melody.

“Good morning, Nora.” As soon as she opened the door, she was greeted with a kiss on the cheeks.

She was about to reason with him out of instinct but remembering the promise of three times a day, she held herself back. 

There’s only two more at most, let’s hang in there.

With a renewed determination she couldn’t quite explain, Nora rode the horse-drawn carriage as urged by Elias.

Inside the carriage, they discussed the design of the grape juice bottle.
Now that they’ve cleared their debts, Nora had to be serious in marketing the specialty products of their estate.
She wanted to do her best for their people who were working hard. 

She was very grateful to Elias, who patiently explained all the intricate details of the design.
As she listened intently, they finally arrived at their destination. 

“So, where did you want to take me?”

“Actually, I really wanted to give you dresses and accessories but you don’t want them, do you?”

“Yeah, well, I don’t need them.” Seeing Nora nodding as she answered, Elias smiled.

“That’s why, I thought you’d accept it if I gifted you a beautiful scenery.”

Even with such stupid and cringey words coming out of his mouth, he still looked handsome.
What frightening power good-looking people have.

But the moment she opened the door and got out of the carriage, Nora couldn’t help screaming in awe.

With its crystal clear aquamarine waters, the lake spread out breathtakingly in front of her.
It looked like glistening pieces of jewels as it reflected the light of the sun.

“Amazing! Very beautiful.”

“As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.” 

“Thank you, Elias.” As she looked back to express her gratitude, she saw him smiling.
Nora was a little surprised seeing gentleness in his face.
Although it was her who suggested that they start dating, Elias had been aggressively seeking her out and she honestly felt tired. 

However, the current Elias was irresistibly dashing.
He had told her he liked her and had even proposed to her the first time they met.
But this was probably the first time she realized that she was certainly loved.

“There are a lot more things that I enjoy, but this sure makes me happy.”

She really wanted to thank him sincerely for bringing her there but she felt embarrassed for some reason so she ended up saying such nonsense.

It wasn’t endearing of me to say that, I know.
But well, I don’t want you to think I’m cute anyway so that’s probably for the better. 

Although she was still conflicted, Elias took Nora’s hand and they started walking slowly together.