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

Chapter 23: Nora Kranz’s Throbbing Heart

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“Um, do we have to hold hands?”

“I’m worried you might trip and fall.”

But the promenade around the lake is well-maintained, I don’t think I’d trip at all.

“I’ll be fine.”

“But I am worried. Besides, we’re lovers anyway so it should be fine, right?”

Unable to refute his words, Nora walked on with Elias leading her along. From her peripheral vision, she could see his awfully long legs striding along with ease. Since his legs were longer, his stride should naturally be different than Nora’s. And yet, she didn’t feel tired walking alongside him. Seemed like he had been matching her pace.

Blessed with good looks and impeccable manners, no wonder all the female staff at the restaurant were fawning over him.

“How terrifying…”

“What was that?”

“Nothing.” She shook her head hurriedly upon realizing she was blurting out her inner thoughts.

“I assumed you might be hungry so I prepared some snacks.”

After a short walk along the lakeside, they returned to the carriage, and then sat on a bench beside the lake. The breeze across the waters was pleasant.

“I prepared bread with raisins and apples. As well as grape juice. Are you fine with that?”

“No problem, thank you.”

She was afraid some elaborate fancy food would be in there but the contents of the basket turned out normal. When she took a bite of the bread, the sweetness of the raisins filled her mouth.

“How delicious this bread is!” Even the raisin bread was of a different quality for the Marquis’ family.

The bread was fluffy and the raisins had an element of freshness to them, something you wouldn’t normally expect from a common raisin bread.

The raisin bread in the Kranz household was rather hard and chewy, although still quite delicious. Even though it was like that, she’s fond of it since it was savory.

As she was chewing and lost in her thoughts, she suddenly felt Elias’ eyes on her.

“Is anything the matter?”

“Nothing, You looked like you were enjoying it.”

“I am. It’s delicious.”

“That’s right, you’re not good at telling lies. I’m relieved you’re enjoying it.”

“Lies? What do you mean?”

Who can feign enjoying eating such delicious bread? I’ve no idea but what a messy life that must be.

“It’s like your singing voice. Calm and soothing.” Elias took a bite of the raisin bread as well.

Even though he was simply eating the bread, he looked so picturesque, like a painting on a white canvas.

“Are you tired, Elias?” When she asked him, there was a look of surprise in his face, which almost immediately changed into a wry smile.

“Quite a bit, but since you’re here, all’s well.”

All’s well? But I didn’t even do anything.

As Nora was mulling over what he meant, she found Elias staring at her.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s some crumbs on your lips. Let me remove it for you.” Before Nora could react, he kissed her near the lips.

“I told you the lips are off limits!”

“It wasn’t on your lips. I just simply removed the breadcrumbs.”

“You should’ve just used your hands!”

“All right.” He placed his hands on her cheeks and stared into her eyes. His glistening sky blue eyes made her feel uncomfortable and embarrassed somehow.

“No need! I can do it myself.” As she brushed away his hand, she felt her cheeks grew hotter, as though the warmth from his hand was still there.

“What a pity.”

“That’s already your second kiss.” As Elias was smiling, she sent him a piercing glare.

“That’s right, I still have one more.”

“That’s not what I meant…” Nora wanted to say that the kisses would soon be over but instead, it sounded as though she was eagerly looking forward to it. Unable to explain it well, she furrowed her brows.

“Can you wait for a while?” Elias stood up from the bench and went back to the carriage.

“Could it be a ring? He’s gonna propose?” She recalled Flora’s words in her mind as she looked at Elias’ back.

What should I do if it’s really a ring and he’s about to propose? 

But she couldn’t just refuse him; she ought to do something. But that meant she was leaning towards accepting Elias more than before.

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Suddenly, Elias returned with a bouquet of blue roses in hand. The refreshing aroma of the roses wafted through the air.

“Is this what you wanted to give me?”

“Yes. I wanted to give you one before but you refused it, remember?”

It was the day after that catastrophic engagement cancellation when he had paid her a visit. That time, she didn’t accept the flowers because she was suspicious of his intentions. Who in their right mind would offer an engagement proposal right after a cancelled one?

“You know what blue roses mean in the language of flowers, right?”

Nora nodded. The manager told her that there were two meanings behind it. One was to make the impossible possible. The other was love at first sight.

“I fell in love with you at first sight. Twice. I wanted to convey my feelings properly. Will you accept it this time?”

“…Yes.”

This time, although he’s still a temporary lover, at least he’s no longer a suspicious person, so there was no reason to refuse him. Nora received the bouquet and breathed in the fragrant scent of flowers. Strangely, she felt a surge of happiness as the refreshing aroma enveloped her.

All of sudden, Elias placed a hand on his mouth.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing. I just didn’t expect you to accept it willingly.” His face was vaguely blushing. Somehow, he looked embarrassed.

He’s been actively pursuing her for so long but she didn’t expect to see this side of him. Thinking he was adorable, she couldn’t help but smile. Before she could react, Elias reached out his hands and dropped a kiss on her cheeks.

“Seeing you smile like that, I couldn’t hold myself back.” He whispered into her ears as she was about to scream. Elias’ face lit up in delight as he saw Nora cover her ears and hurry away.

“I had to come up with several ways to make you accept it. If I knew this was going to happen, I should’ve placed a ring in the bouquet as well.” His smile widened.

I take it back. He’s not adorable at all! Several ways, huh? Elias is Elias after all. I shouldn’t let my guard down.

Nora thrust her face into the bouquet of flowers to calm her beating heart.