If You Wish to Have Me - Chapter 149

“Watching us?”

Gale’s expression hardened in an instant, and he first pushed Kisa into the carriage before nimbly scanning the surroundings.

After some time had passed, he finished his search and returned to board the carriage.

“There are a few passersby, but I don’t see anyone particularly suspicious. Of course, if they were trained, they could easily fool my eyes.”

Feeling sorry for causing him trouble for nothing, Kisa hurriedly waved her hands.

“It was probably just my imagination. I’ve been unnecessarily sensitive about various things since becoming pregnant. I’m sorry for making you go through all that trouble.”

Gale nodded at her words.

“I’ll be more careful on the way back just in case, but you don’t need to worry too much. As the doctor said earlier, it’s important to keep your mind at ease.”

Then he added a few more words as if to reassure her.

“Well, even if there really was someone suspicious, they would be targeting me, not you, Miss. Unlike you, I didn’t particularly hide my face.”

Kisa tilted her head, puzzled by his tone that seemed somehow familiar.

“Are you often followed?”

“It’s not anything as grand as being followed, but there are quite a few factions that keep a close eye on my movements. They’re competitors of the Manoa Trading Company.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Since my role within the company mainly involves going here and there, it ended up that way.”

“That’s true, but you’re in an important position too. To reach such a position at such a young age, you really seem remarkable.”

“No, well, it’s not exactly like that… You’re being too kind.”

Gale scratched his head while avoiding Kisa’s gaze, seeming embarrassed.

This was the first time she’d seen him like this, so Kisa experienced a somewhat refreshing feeling.

Her first impression was that he was just a taciturn person, but seeing how he pretended not to care while being kind to Daisy, and the more she looked, the more she could see he was someone with a warm nature.

‘…How admirable.’

Unlike someone who had lived under their parents’ shadow and achieved nothing on their own, he was completely different.

She had known this before, but now that she had left home and looked back on her life, Kisa keenly felt that she had grown up as a greenhouse flower.

‘But now I have no choice but to change.’

She had to grow much more than she had until now.

If only to become a parent worthy of the child’s respect.

Just as Kisa was making firm resolutions while looking at the scenery outside the window, the carriage that had started moving as soon as Gale returned suddenly stopped.

Looking outside, they were still within Matera city limits, so she wondered what was happening when Gale began preparing to get off.

“The horses have been running for a long time, so it would be better to change carriages here.”

She learned that the place where the carriage had stopped was in front of the Octava branch of the Manoa Trading Company.

Soon after, the coachman who had been sitting in the driver’s seat got down and entered the building.

“If you wait just a moment, he’ll bring another carriage for you to take back. He’s a trustworthy person who has been with me for quite a long time, so please don’t worry.”

“Oh, aren’t you coming with me, Mr. Gale?”

“I think I should stay. If there really is a watcher attached to me, it would be better for you, Miss, if we part ways here.”

“It was most likely just my imagination. If even you, Mr. Gale, didn’t sense anything, there’s no way I could have sensed something you couldn’t.”

Compared to him, who had been through all sorts of experiences, Kisa was nothing more than a mere novice.

However, Gale shook his head and spoke with a somewhat bitter smile.

“You could have a little more confidence in yourself.”

It was something she had heard from someone else before.

“And even if your intuition was wrong, Miss, there’s nothing wrong with being careful.”

“…That’s certainly true. Goodbye, Mr. Gale. Please always take care of yourself.”

“Thank you for your words. Since we came all the way to Matera, it’s unfortunate that I couldn’t properly show you around the city this time either.”

“It’s fine. I didn’t come here to sightsee anyway.”

“Ah, this. I almost forgot – it’s a gift.”

Gale rummaged through the bag he was carrying and pulled out a package, handing it to Kisa.

“What is this?”

“Please check it yourself.”

At his words, Kisa carefully tore the yellowish wrapping paper and finally saw what was inside.

It was an alarm clock. Something Kisa needed, as she had been sleeping in frequently lately due to the effects of pregnancy.

Yesterday, when Daisy was telling Gale about the gift she wanted, he had casually asked what she needed, and she had mentioned needing an alarm clock.

However, after the pregnancy was revealed and everything became chaotic, she had completely forgotten about it, and even after arriving in Matera, she hadn’t thought about the alarm clock.

If even she, the person involved, was like that, then others would be even less likely to remember.

“When did you prepare this? You were with me the whole time.”

To Kisa’s question, Gale answered in a somewhat embarrassed tone.

“Before we went into the hospital together earlier, I asked my coachman friend to take care of it. If we went any later, all the shops would be closed.”

“I see. I had no idea.”

“It’s nothing special, but I didn’t mention it beforehand since I wanted to give it as a surprise gift. Daisy says that unexpected gifts are more joyful.”

“Yes, I’m really happy. Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

He scratched his head again.

“…Since you’re happier than I expected, I feel a bit embarrassed. If there’s anything else you need or want, please let me know. I’m planning to visit that village next month too, and I won’t forget to prepare it.”

“Oh no, this is more than enough. How could I ask for more when I feel so sorry?”

“It’s fine. Mana and Daisy’s gifts are quite a lot, so it would be strange if you, Miss, didn’t have anything.”

“Is, is that so?”

Flustered by his unexpectedly firm attitude, Kisa mentioned that besides the sweets she had received from him as a gift this time, she wanted to try other desserts from Sorbi.

Gale then replied with a satisfied look that he would find out what was popular recently and bring it.

‘He must be someone whose hobby is giving to others.’

Just as Kisa was having such thoughts, Gale showed an expression as if he had something to say.

It seemed like he was hesitating because it appeared to be quite a different topic from the conversations they had shared so far.

“Um…”

Just as Kisa was about to ask first, knock knock knock – the sound of knocking echoed inside the carriage.

Looking outside, she saw that the coachman who had brought a new carriage was standing in front of the door.

Gale, who had briefly glanced at the man, looked at Kisa instead of opening the carriage door.

“What is it?”

“Pardon?”

“Weren’t you about to say something to me earlier?”

Kisa hesitated briefly but concluded that since Gale hadn’t brought up what he wanted to say, there was no need for her to pry.

“It’s nothing.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, you must be tired, so you can go ahead now. You’ve had a hard time because of me today.”

“Not at all. You must be the one who’s tired, Miss, so please get some rest during the journey.”

Saying this, Gale opened the door and escorted Kisa as she got out of the existing carriage and boarded the new one.

“Well then, until next time.”

That was the last greeting he gave her.

And so Kisa parted from Gale and headed toward the village where Mana and Daisy were, alone in the carriage.

“…I should have asked after all.”

Until the very moment they parted, Gale seemed to have something he wanted to tell her.

Kisa tossed and turned for a while, bothered by this, but eventually couldn’t overcome her heavy eyelids and fell into unconsciousness.

She was tired as Gale had said, and it seemed the child in her womb wanted its mother to restore her energy rather than worry.

Though there were various concerns and the road ahead seemed uncertain, her sleep was nothing if not sweet.

****

Even after returning from Matera with Gale, the same ordinary days continued.

Though there were minor disturbances, the small village located in the suburbs was basically peaceful.

Speaking of minor disturbances, it was something like this.

“Really, Mrs. Sara is saying strange things again.”

Mana grumbled after returning from an outing.

“She went to gather herbs at dawn and saw a suspicious person looking around the village. She’s making a fuss about strengthening security. Really, what thief in the world would come all the way to this insignificant village?”