PBPGD

CHAPTER 106

(t/n: 🔞 this chapter is kinda sus )

Lia watched in fascination as a man inked the form of types and placed a piece of paper on the tympan, pressing it down with the platen.

They were at the printing house on the outskirts of Del Casa. Every news publication that circulated in Del Casa was printed here.

"What do you think?" Claude asked.

"It's fascinating," she answered immediately, eyeing the mountains of newspapers.

"I've learned about how the printing process works, but I've never actually seen it before."

"Good thing we'll be paying more frequent visits in the future, then."

Lia's eyes were hungrily drinking in various aspects of the printing house when she noticed a pile of books with colorful covers in the corner.

They were the childhood education books she'd worked on for months. She walked toward them, unable to believe what she was seeing.

For so long, they were just sheaves of papers; but now, they were proper books, ready to make their debut in the world.

Lia bit her lip, her heart swelling with wonder.

"Your name's going to be engraved here," Claude said, running his fingers over the bottom of the cover.

"Right under the title. I instructed them to hold off until you decide on your last name."

"... Wouldn't it be just Camellia del Ihar?"

"That's not a full name. I want you to use your own last name as your middle name."

Lia pressed her lips together, covering her pink cheeks with her hands. Claude smiled at her adorable reaction, playfully fiddling with her reddened ears.

He caught the attention of the manager and strode over, engaging him in conversation.

Meanwhile, Lia stayed in front of her books, simply unable to move.

***

Camellia cried. Others would see it for what it was-a few drops of tears that she wiped away before anyone could see -but to Claude, it was tantamount to her bawling her eyes out.

When they returned to the Ihar Manor, the first thing he did was hoist her into his arms and jump into bed.

They ran into Lady Ihar as she was coming into the house from the garden, but Claude didn't pause.

He gave a short nod and continued up the stairs, for which he received an expected earful from Lia.

"Please, please let me greet Lady Ihar properly. Do you know what you make me look like?"

Unfazed, he showered kisses down on her rosy cheeks, nose, and eyes. "You'll be the next Lady Ihar once you come back from Gaior, so I don't see what the problem is. Besides, Mother loves to see us all lovey-dovey."

"That makes it so much more embarrassing," she sighed, eyebrows slanting downward.

She was like a disheartened puppy, drooping her ears at his refusal.

This kind of loveliness should be illegal. It's too dangerous for my heart-no, for anyone's heart.

Claude wove his hand through her hair, reveling in the softness. To be without her for a month was torture enough, but knowing that barbaric Ian Sergio would be by her side the whole time made his insides churn.

He almost hated himself for agreeing to let her go to Gaior.

Claude sat up, pulling Lia into his lap. He unbuttoned her blouse down to her chest, nipping her neck hard enough to leave a mark before licking away the sting.