Lisa could now listen more comfortably to the conversation behind the door.
“ Jungkook seems completely enthralled by his wife, acting recklessly together like a pair of lunatics.”
“That’s exactly why you can’t remain as the head of the family any longer.”
Ji won had also risen; the click of her heels could be heard.
“If you want to live comfortably with that woman in your twilight years, then please come to your senses.”
“Dear, Ji won, Ji won !” Soo-hyun’s voice turned to a pleading tone, accompanied by a loud thud as something hit the floor.
“I lost my mind, I made a mistake—”
But Ji won’s voice was colder than the winter wind. “There’s no need to wait until next year. We’ll start the succession process immediately. We’ll take responsibility for the woman and hide her in the estate.”
The sound of her heels faded as she walked out of the living room. Lisa continued to pretend to be asleep, while Gella squatted, clutching her head in distress.
Inside the room, there was a loud crash followed by a strange, animal-like wail. Lisa, deciding there was nothing more to eavesdrop on, sat up and leaned against Gella’s back.
“Do you want a piggyback ride?” Gella asked.
Gella carefully carried Lisa through the corridor. Gella’s back was drenched in cold sweat, but luckily they didn’t encounter any servants along the way.
Safely back in the bedroom, Gella set Lisa down and then collapsed onto the wooden floor.
Lisa lay down next to her. Despite the strange comfort and urge to laugh, she held back her amusement.
“Ah, no wonder you like lying on the floor, young madam. It’s cool and nice,” Gella whispered, giggling. Suddenly, the door opened, and she quickly sat up in surprise.
“Y-young master, you’re back!” she stammered.
“…I’m back, but are you unwell?” Jungkook asked, his tone puzzled.
“No, I’m fine,” Gella replied hastily.
Lisa, still lying down, couldn’t see Jungkook’s expression, but she heard him stride towards the bathroom.
“The young madam is resting well, so you may go now. I need to wash off the sweat.”
“Yes, understood.”
As soon as Jungkook closed the bathroom door, Gella shook her head in exasperation. “Goodness, he startled me. He should make some noise when he walks.”
Gella carefully lifted Lisa onto the bed before leaving the room.
“What did you do today?” Jungkook asked as he returned from his bath.
Lisa hesitated, wondering if she should mention eavesdropping on Soo-hyun and Ji won’s conversation. She decided to keep it simple.
“I went to the kitchen and had some pecans…”
“What’s so interesting about the kitchen?”
“The people there are fun. It’s noisy and busy.”
Jungkook listened to her rambling stories with a gentle smile.
“I’ve been thinking we should really get you some new clothes,” he said seriously, looking at her attire.
“I like these. They’re comfortable.”
“Still…” His gaze lingered on her bib, embroidered with delicate patterns. He hadn’t realized she cared about such things, but she always wore the embroidered bib with care.
“I’m not suggesting jewelry, but maybe some clothes with softer fabric, made similarly to these.”
He mused to himself, “I forgot to give the maids a reward.”
“Yes?” Lisa asked, confused.
“Oh, nothing. It’s just that the embroidery on this bib is quite detailed. It must have taken a lot of effort. Mother might have already rewarded them.”
Jungkook added, “The servants and residents only need to fulfill their duties. This kindness goes beyond duty and shouldn’t be taken for granted.”
Lisa listened carefully, finding his words intriguing.
“It’s fascinating,” she said.
“What is?”
I’ve never heard such reasoning from the ruling class before. Lisa thought but changed the subject. “I like similar clothes, but I don’t like having a tailor come and measure me. It’s a hassle for both of us.”
This is what she says because she cannot stand docilely.
“I understand. We’ll use your existing clothes as a reference to make similar ones.”
“Okay,” Lisa agreed with a bright smile. Jungkook returned her smile warmly but didn’t kiss her as he might have in the past.
Lisa noticed this absence of affection when she woke in the early hours of the morning. Since the incident with Maleca, he hadn’t initiated any physical contact, not even a kiss.
She sat up and looked at Jungkook’s face in the dim blue light of dawn. It had become a new hobby for her to watch him while he slept. She propped her head on her hand and continued to observe him.
She didn’t mind his warmth when he carried her or climbed the stairs. She lifted the thin blanket covering him and slowly slipped her arm underneath, feeling the cool early morning air. She inched closer, stopping just before touching him, and continued her silent observation.
His sleeping posture was always neat. He never snored or talked in his sleep. He lay still, with his eyes and mouth firmly closed, always sleeping quietly on his back. It was fascinating.
Despite his large frame, he had delicate features when you looked closely. His long eyelashes, well-shaped nose, and tightly closed lips were all appealing.
Having heard that he was handsome, she found herself agreeing more and more. While wandering the mansion and even back at the royal palace, she had never seen anyone as striking as him.
She called his name softly, “Jungkook.”
Of course, there was no answer. But Lisa couldn’t help but smile.
Since the first time they met, Jungkook had always been kind to her. It was as if a fog that had clouded her vision had finally lifted, and she could now clearly see all his actions.
Even when he had every reason to be upset, he never got angry with her. He never raised his voice or scolded her; he always smiled.
Moreover, he always said pleasant things. He had never once spoken harshly to her.
“You’re more straightforward than you seem. You haven’t been particularly difficult or done anything without reason.”
It sounded like he was saying that she was a good person. The real Lisa.
Hearing those words from the one person who truly knew her made her happy. And then there was…
“It’s natural to cherish and protect my own. Furthermore, the Jeon family never breaks faith.”
YOU ARE READING
The surviving princess {Liskook}
Romance"Fine, I shall give you my sister, dearer to me than anything." A bolt from the blue strikes the Jeon family, the heroes of the victory. Jeon Jungkook, the promising heir of a renowned military family, is suddenly ordered to marry the princess. Now...
