By Zephyria Unexpectedly, it was Winston who broke the tension between them. Winston, who had suddenly smoothed out the wrinkles on his forehead, leaned back comfortably in his chair and asked.
“Aren’t you going to call me a son of a bitch?”
The insult he had hurled at him once before flashed through his mind, and a chill ran down his spine. He had lost his temper for a moment back then, but Yu-jin was perfectly sober now, and not nearly as angry. He couldn’t bring himself to utter such an insult in his right mind, so Yu-jin could only move his lips without saying a word. Winston just stared at Yu-jin with narrowed eyes. As if he knew you’d do that. Yu-jin clenched his fist, feeling somehow resentful, when Winston suddenly chuckled. Yu-jin paused at the unexpected action, and he continued leisurely.
“You used to try not to lose to me sometimes.”
He murmured to himself with a faint smile.
“Trembling like a kitten.”
Yu-jin was bewildered by the calm expression, as if he were recalling a genuinely pleasant memory, rather than the usual sarcastic smile. Why is this man suddenly acting like this? After a moment of thought, he soon found his own answer.
Could this be his way of proposing a truce?
It was possible enough. After all, they were in a shared fate, albeit for a short time, and Winston had to have a child with him. He had no intention of trying to get along with him now, and was even thinking of running away, but if he offered peace, he would welcome it.
It would be beneficial for both of them to create a more comfortable atmosphere, rather than constantly engaging in this war of nerves.
It would also make it easier to run away.
“I don’t want to fight on purpose. I think we just need to be a little more considerate of each other.”
Yu-jin said bravely. Am I still trembling ‘like a kitten’ now? He was so conscious of what Winston had said that he couldn’t pretend to be nonchalant. He waited for an answer, keeping his mouth shut so as not to make any more mistakes, when Winston tilted his body to one side and shrugged his opposite shoulder. Did that mean he agreed? Unsure, he cautiously opened his mouth.
“Do you agree?”
“Do I have a choice?”
Winston raised one hand lightly. There was no hint of sarcasm. He knew he shouldn’t let his guard down, but a corner of his heart felt at peace. Only then did Yu-jin put down Winston’s teacup and straighten his posture. The Butler, who had been watching the atmosphere until then, quickly approached and arranged Yu-jin’s cutlery on the tray one by one, and finally placed the plate down. Opening the lid, a still-warm egg dish awaited him. Yu-jin, who was belatedly hungry, picked up his fork and began to eat the eggs. In the meantime, the Butler placed empty teacups on either side and poured warm black tea into each, then placed Winston’s original teacup back on the tray.
“Is there anything else you need?”
The maid, who had just entered, placed a basket full of freshly baked bread on the table and stepped back. The Butler, who had slightly rearranged the basket and butter to tidy up the table, looked back and forth between the two. He took his eyes off Winston, who was silently bringing the tea to his lips, and soon met Yu-jin’s eyes.
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
As Yu-jin greeted him, the Butler gave a short bow and soon stepped back. He quickly disappeared from view, but he was probably standing outside the breakfast room, waiting. So that he could respond immediately if the master called him. In any case, Yu-jin expected that Winston would finally tell him what he wanted, given the Butler’s actions, which clearly meant he was leaving them alone to talk. As expected, he put down his teacup and opened his mouth.
“I’m going to throw a party.”
At the sudden remark, Yu-jin paused and blinked. Winston spread butter on his bread and continued nonchalantly.
“It’s next weekend, so prepare accordingly. Ask Cain if you don’t know anything. It’s not that difficult, you just need to memorize the guest list properly.”
“W-wait, wait a minute.”
Yu-jin was flustered and hurriedly cut him off.
“What are you talking about? Prepare a party? For me?”
“Yes.”
That was all Winston replied. As if to say, what’s the problem? Yu-jin was dumbfounded by the nonchalant reaction.
Of course there’s a problem, a big one!
“How can I do something like that? I’ve hardly ever been to a party.”
Yu-jin could count the number of parties he had been to in his life on one hand. The only formal party was the wedding reception last time, and the rest were at a level that he was too embarrassed to even mention. And now he was being asked to take charge of the party?
“You can do it.”
Winston stated definitively.
“Whether you do it this time or not, it’s something you’ll have to do sooner or later. As long as you’re married to me and live in this mansion.”
“That’s true, but…”
But so suddenly? Yu-jin was flustered and desperately tried to think.
“This wasn’t a party that was planned in advance, was it? Why are you rushing so much… is there a reason?”
“Yes.”
That was all Winston replied. He wasn’t in the mood to say anything more even if he asked, but it was difficult to just accept it in silence. Yu-jin shook his head and muttered to himself.
“I’m already stressed about going to a charity party… I can’t do it, absolutely.”
Was this man trying to embarrass me?
As he imagined himself being humiliated in front of people and became terrified, the hand that had been spreading butter on the bread suddenly stopped, and Winston looked up. His face was still expressionless, but his reaction was different from before. Yu-jin was momentarily bewildered by the momentary reaction, which seemed somewhat surprised, or perhaps even flustered.
“Go to a charity party? What are you talking about?”
Yu-jin was even more puzzled by Winston’s quiet voice. Could it be that he didn’t know?
“A charity party… I heard there would be one soon, from Cain.”
Yu-jin, who had been stammering without even forming a proper sentence, quickly pulled himself together and replied.
“I heard it’s a party that couples have to attend, so I have to go too. So I heard I have to get a dress to wear there… and that someone will be coming.”
“Cain was mistaken. You’re not going to that party.”
A firm voice rang out. Yu-jin unconsciously blinked and looked at him. Winston stared at Yu-jin with a cold face and reiterated as if hammering it in.
“I have no intention of taking you to such a place. Not this time, not next time, I will never take you to a party as my partner.”
Yu-jin seemed to have stopped thinking for a moment. It wasn’t just his thoughts that had stopped. He stared at Winston, forgetting even to breathe.
What does that mean?
That was the first question that came to his mind as his sluggish brain began to work again, but he already knew the answer.
I’m embarrassing to him.
He couldn’t find any other answer. He was so dumbfounded that he actually became calm. Yu-jin unconsciously twisted the corner of his mouth and let out a short snort.
“So.”
He continued in a calm voice.
“You mean you don’t want to be seen with me in front of people? Then why are you throwing a party? Do you want to embarrass me?”
Winston just stared at him without a word. His narrowly opened eyes showed a hint of displeasure, but it was impossible to know what he was thinking. Just as he was about to urge him to speak, there was a sudden knock and the Butler entered.
“Mr. Campbell, Yu-jin.”
He bowed to each of them in turn and stated his business.
“Mrs. Campbell has arrived. Shall I bring her here now?”
At those words, Yu-jin was so surprised that he almost jumped up from his seat. Winston, who glanced at Yu-jin’s reaction as he gasped like a scream, opened his mouth.
“Take Yu-jin to his room first and then bring her here.”
“I, I can go alone!”
Yu-jin shouted hastily and ran out of the breakfast room as if fleeing. Winston, who had been watching his retreating figure, finally opened his mouth after Yu-jin had completely disappeared from view.
“Now, bring my mother here.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Winston added to the Butler, who bowed respectfully and was about to step back.
“Yu-jin will not be going to the upcoming charity party. Cancel the schedule.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
The Butler, who answered after a brief pause this time, soon left the room. Left alone, Winston finished spreading the remaining butter and put the bread in his mouth. He chewed the food slowly and mechanically, lost in thought.
You mean you don’t want to be seen with me in front of people?Of course, the reason was different for him. But it no longer mattered to Winston. The thought of Yu-jin’s trembling voice and disheveled breathing made his brow furrow slightly. Yu-jin didn’t smell of pheromones, meaning he was taking his medication properly. But even so, Winston couldn’t keep his composure whenever he saw him.
Damn it, what’s wrong with me?
He cursed to himself, put down the bread he was eating, and picked up a wine glass. He emptied the wine in one go, and as he put down the empty glass, the Butler led his mother in.
“Winston!”
Mrs. Campbell, who had entered with a delighted expression, kissed Winston on both cheeks before even sitting down. Winston silently let her, indifferently watching his mother readily sit in the seat Yu-jin had been occupying just moments before.
“So, what brings you here at this hour?”
Winston asked as the Butler poured wine into the empty glass. It was a subtle hint to get to the point quickly since he had to go to work soon. Mrs. Campbell didn’t seem to mind and began to speak.
“I heard you’re throwing a party soon.”
Of course. Winston thought indifferently. To know about something he’d mentioned just last night, someone in the house must have reported it. It could be the Butler, or it could be someone else, but it wasn’t a big deal. She continued, looking excited for the first time in a while.
“I should be the hostess, shouldn’t I? So, what do you think about inviting Evelyn?”