Bailonz Street 13

“That’s crazy. Alright, Miss. You should enjoy the sea.”

“Oh! Stop it! Ah! Help!”

As she grimaced and hugged his head tightly, the man chuckled. He looked obviously pleased. His thin pyjamas crumpled under her hand, and her shawl gently fell onto the sandy beach.

The sea breeze wasn’t too harsh, so it didn’t feel particularly cold despite their light clothing. No, on second thought, she didn’t feel cold at all. Frowning, she looked at Liam. It seemed like he had done something to ward off the cold. Just like… yes, just like the warmth of Nifoisse Hall.

Sitting down on the beach, Liam quietly looked up at her. His cheeks were pale from winter. His hair fluttered in the sea breeze, getting into his eyes. Watching his grey eyes and the thick, dark pupils beneath the long lashes, she gently traced his eyes with her fingers.

He visibly flinched. He flinched even more as she continued her stern questioning.

“It’s not cold. Strange. Did our Mr. Liam Moore do some magic again…?”

“Hmm… well. Are you curious?”

“Very!”

But it seemed he had no intention of telling her easily. Liam looked at her with a shameless face, chin raised.

“If I asked you to kiss me since morning in exchange for telling you the secret… would that be too boorish?”

“Not just boorish. You’d be treated as an impudent rascal blinded by temptation and get a slap on your face.”

The man who softly laughed at her said,

“Well, then, I might as well take a few slaps.”

Understanding the hidden meaning behind his words, her face turned bright red. As he laughed heartily and hugged her waist, she got annoyed for no reason and pushed his shoulder, making Liam Moore fall over.

When he tried to get up again, she pushed his shoulder down to stop him, and he lay still, blinking his eyes. His lashes fluttered.

“You impudent rascal, little Mr. Moore.”

“Yes, Miss Jane Osmond.”

Trying to suppress her laughter at his obedient response, Liam raised a finger and tickled the corner of her mouth.

“You smiled.”

“I didn’t smile.”

“The corner of your mouth went up a bit.”

“Oh, be quiet.”

Out of words, she covered his mouth with her hand. Liam Moore’s eyes widened, precisely because of what she did next.

With her hand still covering his mouth, she lightly kissed over it. She heard a sharp intake of breath.

When she completely removed her hand, he opened his mouth, his face flushed a bright red.

“Dear Jane. Where did you learn this?”

“Hmm… well, does it matter where I learned it? I just didn’t want to be too stimulating since it’s morning.”

Liam Moore covered his eyes with both hands. Sand grains were visible between the strands of his black hair, resembling stars scattered in the night sky.

“It was too… too stimulating…”

And because of his confession, she couldn’t help but laugh for a while.

＊ ＊ ＊

Since it wasn’t cold, they could stay by the sea for a long time.

There were no harbours, ships, or merchants here. There were no noisy bell sounds or shouts announcing ship departures like near the London harbour. The absence of familiar sights surprisingly made one’s heart feel at ease.

Thinking of the London sea only brought to mind the smell of fish.

It was a stratified society. Ordinary citizens, not the middle class, often bought things from street vendors. Items less fresh than freshly caught ones, meat a bit dusty. The vendors selling relatively good items always had many customers.

Occasionally, one could see an Asian at the London market. They were usually traders from China, selling rice or spices with pointy beards. They sold items not only to noble ladies but also to common people, although not many bought them.

Whenever she occasionally glanced at Asian items, they looked at her curiously. Saying “hello” in short Chinese surprised them even more.

So, she feared that looking at the sea would overlay her beautiful memories with London’s fierce life scenes. But fortunately, this place was just an ordinary sea. Not a means of desperate survival, just the sea as nature.

There were no ominous crows or shadows of death in Heathford. It was a relief to have a place away from the king’s eyes, even for a moment. Here, there were only calm heather bushes. Nothing here to torment her. Finally, she felt like herself. She could breathe. She felt alive.

Liam Moore was still lying beneath her, and she was contemplating how to tease this foolish detective.

“…Sister-in-law?”

An unwelcome voice was heard. It was Theodore Moore. If only he hadn’t called her that, her contemplation would have certainly taken a delightful direction.

Liam Moore hastily got up, and she slid off him.

“Ah!”

Regardless of her falling, Liam was busy hiding her. He hurriedly adjusted her gown and pulled up her shawl to cover her tightly, looking incredibly urgent. Only after she was properly covered did Liam turn around.

Theodore was standing on the stairs. His lemon-blonde hair fluttered in the sea breeze. His wide green eyes looked quite surprised.

Liam seemed to want to bite his tongue and die. No, he looked like he wanted to kill his brother.

‘Well, that’s understandable.’

Honestly, even she wouldn’t want her romantic life to be caught by her sibling.

Liam Moore hastily brushed off the sand from his hair and looked at Theodore. Acting as if nothing had happened.

“I-I didn’t mean to…”

“Nothing happened.”

Liam brazenly told an obvious lie. Theodore Moore frowned. He had a look that said, “That can’t be true.”

“Nothing happened, so it’s not a disturbance.”

Liam Moore’s shamelessness shone in such moments. He seemed determined to insist. Insist, and they will believe it.

She quietly stayed as Liam tried hard to shield her, seemingly embarrassed to let anyone see her in her pyjamas.

“Liam. Don’t we have to go back?”

“We do, but… that guy…”

Theodore Moore gasped and quickly covered his eyes.

“Please come up! I didn’t see anything!”

His considerate gesture was so touching that she felt like crying.

＊ ＊ ＊

And shortly after, their brief Christmas holiday came to an end. It was because of a telegram they received, just arrived from London.

They each received one, hers from her brother Jonathan, and Liam Moore’s from Scotland Yard.

“Jonathan Osmond?”

Seeing the signature on the telegram, Liam raised his eyebrows.

“…Your family?”

“My brother.”

“You haven’t contacted him recently.”

Uh. Well. As she averted her gaze, Liam’s eyes widened as if in shock.

“You did?”

“Well… when you were busy. It wasn’t a big deal. Just to wish him a Merry Christmas…”

Liam tilted his head.

“But how did a telegram reach Heathford?”

“…we did mention where we were going.”

Right. He mumbled as he let her check the telegram.

It started with, ‘It’s been a while, sis.’

[Since you didn’t send a letter, I thought you forgot about me. Honestly, we both know how awful Father was. I understood why you distanced yourself.

I’m doing well. I saw an article that said the man you’re living with disappeared and came back. Even though they say it’s nothing serious, I’m worried. I hope you’re not suffering. If he acts like a scoundrel, tell me. I can take care of you.

I moved. I’m changing jobs, too. They were looking for a personal assistant who can do security, so I applied and got in. They provide accommodation, so I’ll live there.

I’ll send another telegram once I settle down.

By the way, Bailonz Street is the same. A girl I didn’t know told me you were on a health retreat. Are you really okay?

– Jon.]

“He sure had a lot to say…”

She muttered. His casual way of speaking and his concern showed the typical kindness of a sibling. It was amusing how he seemed wary of Liam.

It seemed Mary had informed him that they were in Heathford. Saying she was on a health retreat was a bit embarrassing, though.

Seeing her smile while reading the letter, Liam, resting his chin on his hands opposite her, spoke.

“You seem to get along well with your brother.”

“I practically raised him on my back.”

“Then he should treat you well.”

Right? He should, right? She bragged about her brother doing so well, chatting about various things.

“He got a new job. Seems like he’ll be a personal assistant.”

“Hmm.”

“What does your telegram say?”

Liam Moore handed her the telegram. It seemed there was a case in London.