Our Summer Is Not Over - vanish into fiction

The sharp scent of alcohol that had been stinging her nose just a moment ago seemed to have entirely dissipated, leaving only Dylan’s fresh fragrance lingering at the tip of her nose.

“Wasn’t that a dress you liked?”

Dylan studied Mia’s face, then clicked his tongue quietly.

“I’ll call the Madame again.”

It seemed like things might escalate at this rate. Startled, Mia hurriedly responded.

“Don’t trouble everyone over this. And don’t have your aide pick out a dress for his superior’s wife either.”

“Why would I have him do that?”

The scent of grass from the garden, mingled with Dylan’s cool fragrance, filled her senses so much it made her feel faint.

As Dylan pressed down carelessly on her thigh, Mia flinched and replied,

“Well, because it takes time to order a dress from the Madame…”

At the same time, a faint look of surprise crossed Mia’s face as she read his expression.

“Don’t tell me you picked them all out yourself?”

“Then who else would have done it?”

He wasn’t someone with time to spare. Why would he bother with such a tedious, complicated task…?

“If I hadn’t chosen them myself, the Madame wouldn’t have even accepted the commission. If you’re as familiar with high society as you say, you’d know that.”

At Dylan’s pointed remark, Mia closed her mouth.

She already knew that if he hadn’t placed the order himself, this dress would never have made it to her.

Even so, she wanted to deny it.

She didn’t want to admit that the dresses she liked so much had been chosen by Dylan, one by one.

If she acknowledged one thing, she’d understand a second, and begin to want more.

If she let herself melt under his sympathy and affection, she feared she might shamelessly forget her past altogether.

Even her parents, killed by the Murad Royal Family because of her appearance.

The hostages from Hipoli who smiled at her even as they didn’t know when they might die.

Even the resolve she’d made, that after returning home she’d let go of all lingering attachments to life.

Knowing she was falling apart, Mia had kept her heart closed, even as she shared her body with Dylan. Yet he kept breaking down her walls, again and again.

Her chest felt tight, her throat stiff.

Unaware of Mia’s state, Dylan continued speaking.

“No matter how little time I have, there’s no way I’d entrust the clothes you wear to anyone else.”

“Why…?”

“Mia, you’re smart. I’m sure you already know the reason. So why do you keep trying to avoid it?”

There was no reason for him to say all these sweet, pleasant things unless he wanted something from her.

“Is there something you want from me?”

Dylan slowly raised his head and met her eyes.

He always used to look down at her, but now, from below, he gazed up at Mia. She couldn’t predict or even guess what he might be thinking.

The sound of insects in the quiet garden tickled her ears.

Because neither looked away, they stared at each other for a long while. Cutting through the silence, a blunt but pleasant, low voice sounded.

“To start with.”

Dylan touched Mia’s lips lightly with his finger.

“Smile for me.”

That brief touch, and the look in his eyes, drew her into a strange mood.

It felt like walking barefoot along an endless shore.

With every step her feet sank softly into the sand, but the small, smooth grains glided between her toes, warming them gently—a pleasing sensation.

“I always smile.”

“Smile for your husband more than you do for anyone else.”

“…I’ll try.”

Mia always wore a gentle smile. Her expressions didn’t vary much, but she had confidence in the painted-on smile she showed the world.

So it was a strange request. But she didn’t dwell on it for long.

Before Dylan, Mia became endlessly generous. The emotions that had been swept away by the tide shamelessly began to gather again, little by little.

“Is that all?”

“If you look at me with eyes that seem ready to accept anything, it makes me expect more.”

“If it’s too much, I’m telling you in advance, I can’t do it.”

Dylan placed his large hand over Mia’s, resting on her thigh.

“After the Murad Royal Family’s trial is over, I’d like to go see the southern sea.”

“Do you even need my permission for that?”

“Let’s go together.”

The traces of the past that always lingered in a corner of her heart were scattered, as if they’d never existed at all, by his simple actions and meaningless words.