My Beloved, Whom I Desire to Kill - 254

—Lorenz, I’m grateful and proud that you took my advice to heart and made an effort. But why did you have to learn something that I couldn’t enjoy with you?

—Because you made fun of me, asking if I even knew how to fly a plane.

.

……So, it was because of me?

—I wasn’t making fun of you, I was calling you out on your lie.

He was acting so confidently back then that she thought he didn’t care.

—You’ve been holding on to that?

A deep resentment was etched in his dark eyes as he stared intently at Giselle.

Was that a sore spot for him?

She didn’t know how shocking or confusing the ordeal had been for Lorenz to accept the reality that he was no one, let alone a hero of Konstanz, but the fact that he didn’t know how to fly a fighter jet must have been a trigger.

Her heart ached for Lorenz, who, as a human, had begun to dream of a tomorrow, and had, of all things, learned to fly first.

—I was just waiting for the day I could show you that I could do it, too. But you’ve forgotten all about it, haven’t you? That’s why you think I learned it just to torment you. It’s ridiculous that I got excited all by myself, even though you had no intention of watching me no matter how much I tried. You’re right, I guess I am an idiot.

He laughed at himself, a bitter laugh that could be called a cry.

This time, no one could see his tears. So why was it bothering her so much, like a thorn in her heart?

Giselle, who didn’t understand herself, wrapped her arms around Lorenz and leaned into him. She had intended to hug him, but because of the big difference in their sizes, she ended up being held in his arms instead. Her stance, awkwardly patting his shoulder, was also a far cry from a proper embrace.

—I’m sorry. I didn’t forget. I just didn’t know you took my words to heart. You really got me good. I was so surprised. It’s incredible. You’re amazing. I’m being serious.

—I don’t feel an ounce of sincerity. How can you say I’m amazing without even looking at me?

Giselle sighed, raised her head, and faced the man who was sulking to the highest degree.

—I want to see you fly a plane, too, but I’m afraid of it. If you love me, you shouldn’t force me to do something I hate.

Of course, she expected Lorenz to just ignore her, as he always did. That’s why it was utterly bewildering when, after he stared at the hangar with a look of regret, he took her hand and started walking toward the car.

The man’s shoulders were slumped as he put Giselle in the passenger seat and walked around to the driver’s side. He hadn’t been like this on the way here. Even Giselle felt herself getting down.

Is there another way?

Her mind began to race in the car, which was now driving down the country road again.

—Lorenz.

—What?

—You’re not going to stop at just learning this, are you? Next time, why don’t you learn something that I can enjoy with you?

She felt as if she could shake off this unpleasant feeling if he agreed.

—Like what?

—Uh…

What could Lorenz learn that Edwin Eccleston couldn’t, a skill that was unique to him and that Giselle wouldn’t hate? The conditions were so tricky that nothing came to mind. Lorenz was in the same boat.

—Things you like… Alcohol, cigarettes.

—Why are those the first things that come to mind?

Giselle glared at the man in the driver’s seat.

—Ice cream, traveling, listening to records, going shopping for them, meeting friends, watching movies. Things like that. What can I learn from those? Should I learn how to act and become a movie star?

—That would be the Duke’s double life. That sounds fun.

A strange light suddenly gleamed in his eyes, which had been lazily watching the road.

—It was a joke. Don’t do it.

—Right, it’s not even my face.

—That’s not what I mean. You’d have to kiss other women.

—Right. Disapproved.

—You proposed it and then you disapproved it yourself. How ridiculous.

As their conversation veered off on a strange tangent, another hurdle appeared.

—Something we can learn together, or something you can teach me.

Lorenz had added another condition.

What in the world would fit that?

The problem wasn’t Giselle or Lorenz; it was Edwin Eccleston. The man had mastered almost every sport and hobby, so it was no exaggeration to say there was nothing he hadn’t done.

—Then what about going to college? I’ll help you with your studies. You can become a Kingsbridge alum with me.

—I would do the studying, but the degree would have Edwin Eccleston’s name on it.

Ugh, how picky. Giselle kept wringing her brain like a dry towel until she managed to come up with a couple of things that might fit all the conditions.

—How about we learn to cook together? I can do simple things, but I don’t know how to do complicated things, like baking a cake.

She knew he probably wouldn’t be interested, but she had hoped he might be intrigued by the idea of doing it together. However, he just snorted. Then the next one will probably be even less likely, but what if I dangle a lure?

—What about me teaching you how to knit? Duke Eccleston doesn’t know how to do that. I’d love to get some socks that someone knit for me for Christmas.

But Lorenz just gave Giselle a cold glare, as if it wasn’t even worth answering.

—Tsk, fine, if you hate all of them, then forget it.

As Giselle folded her arms, shut her mouth, and stared straight ahead, Lorenz molded her cheek affectionately, laughing. He looked confident, so he must have thought of something. He kept talking about other things all the way back, and only brought it up when they were about to part ways at Magnolia Terrace.

—Dancing.

—The Duke has already mastered dancing, hasn’t he?

—There’s one kind of dance that’s too vulgar and lewd for the noble Duke to have ever tried.

—What is it?

—I’ll tell you if you promise to learn it with me.

—No thanks. I’ll just ask Edwin tomorrow.

A counter-scheme is the best remedy for a scheme. As she called another man’s name affectionately and turned her back on him dismissively, Lorenz snatched Giselle’s waist and pulled her body tightly against his. Without giving her a chance to push him away, he lowered his head to the surprised Giselle, who was now bent backward, and whispered lewdly in her ear.

—Tango.