For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 65 - Push

#65. Push

Perth held her tightly without pushing her away. Their hearts beat against each other’s bodies, tightly pressed together.

“I understand. You like me.”

It was a carefully considered statement, but Perth’s response was arrogant.

“You knew? I just realized it too. That I… like you, Mr. Perth.”

Even though Lia had just said it herself, she stumbled over her words, feeling embarrassed. Perth found even that endearing, making Lia’s heart flutter.

“I don’t start fights I know I’ll lose.”

It was just a vague guess. Every time he touched her, Lia felt how much he trusted her. He just wasn’t sure if it was a real, rational crush, which meant it was a bluff.  Even now, he wore white gloves, afraid to know that the answer in her heart might not be what he wanted. As evidence, his hand trembled slightly as he held Lia close.

“Lie.”

Lia thought over his words and denied them. She didn’t think she was acting so obviously. No, she didn’t want to think so. How foolish would she be if that were true! Despite liking him so much, they had been tirelessly denying that they were just friends.

“Yes, it’s a lie. My legs feel weak, so may I sit in that chair?”

Without waiting for Lia’s permission, Perth confidently strode over and sat in the rocking chair. The problem was, he didn’t let go of Lia’s hand.

“Gyaah!”

Because of his abrupt move, Lia’s body was pulled towards the chair. He sat first, then pulled Lia to sit on his lap. She struggled to break free, but it was futile. Perth held her tightly, as if afraid she would run away.

“People say this when they’re in situations like this. ‘It feels like a dream.'”

Lia glanced sideways at Perth. His smile now was brighter than any expression she had seen so far. He seemed genuinely happy. Seeing him so delighted to receive her confession and like her as if he were a child, Lia’s heart swelled with emotion. Lia hugged Perth tightly and gently pressed her lips against his forehead. It was a small gesture, but Perth soon noticed and looked up at her.

“Is this allowed?”

Before Lia could ask what he meant by permission, Perth’s hand came up. In an instant, he pulled Lia’s head towards him and kissed her. Lia was surprised by the sensation of his lips, but she couldn’t escape as he held her tightly.

Moreover, despite it being their first kiss, Lia felt so good that her body relaxed. She was too tense, unable to breathe properly. When Perth finally pulled back slightly, she gasped for air. As she tried to catch her breath, Perth continued to kiss her cheeks and jawline.

“Hmm, Mr. Perth.”

Lia couldn’t focus because it was both hazy and ticklish. Seeing her dazed expression, Perth swallowed her lips once more. This time, it was easier to breathe than before. Unknowingly, Lia pressed her body against Perth.

“No, we shouldn’t.”

“What?”

He suddenly pulled away his lips. Regretfully, Lia murmured. Perth’s breathing was as rough as Lia’s. 

“It’s risky if you get too excited.”

Not understanding what he meant, Lia blinked slowly. Her cheeks flushed as if intoxicated, and her gaze was unfocused.

“I don’t think the inside is a good idea. Is there somewhere we can walk outside?”

Although he spoke like that, Perth’s eyes remained fixed on Lia’s lips. He forcibly focused his gaze on her lips, afraid it might drop lower. It was just after Lia’s answer had been heard. Moreover, they were at Penelope Manor, where Lia’s father, the Count, and her two brothers, Charlie and Rufus, were present. It was the heart of the enemy’s territory. They couldn’t act recklessly.

Lost in thought at Perth’s question, Lia couldn’t understand why the inside wasn’t an option. She just thought maybe he wanted to go for a walk together.

“I usually walk in the woods behind the mansion.”

“Sounds good. Let’s go there.”

Anywhere was fine as long as it was open. If they didn’t cool down this heat soon, it seemed like it would be harder to hold back.

Lia stood up first. Perth also got up, immediately taking her hand.

“Lead the way.”

“Yes, this way.”

Lia glanced at the gloves Perth was wearing. It felt somewhat regretful to see them so tightly held together. But holding hands with him was thrilling and delightful. Lia moved towards the forest without hesitation. As summer approached, the grass grew lush. As she had come here many times before, Lia skillfully navigated through the grass.

“You might get hurt doing that.”

“It’s something I always do. Besides, I have to do it for these kids to grow back after they get hurt.”

That was true. Looking back, the grass she had pushed through had grown back. It even seemed more vibrant. As they went deeper, a path for humans appeared. It seemed that they deliberately let the grass grow thick only at the beginning of the forest so that people couldn’t enter carelessly. When they reached flat ground, Lia’s light lemon-colored skirt was stained with a pale hue.

“There’s moss on the hem of your skirt.”

“Oh, Jacqueline will nag at me, but it’s okay. It always happens.”

“Come to think of it, there was moss on the hem of Lady Lia’s skirt when we first met.”

Both of them recalled the day they first met. It was on her way back from playing in the mountains, just like any other day.

– How long will you stay like this?

The face that used to grimace at even a touch came to Lia’s mind, and she burst into a chuckle.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Oh, sorry. But, Mr. Perth, back then, you made it obvious that you hated it when I accidentally touched you.”

Perth’s face slightly softened at Lia’s words. It was due to the sudden criticism catching him off guard.

“That’s true.”

“And now?”

Lia deliberately shook the hand she was holding. Her mischievous laughter filled the air.

“Now.”

Perth pulled her closer with force. Lia’s body came without resistance. With his other arm, which wasn’t holding her hand, he embraced her waist. Their faces came close as if they would touch any moment.

“I want to keep touching you like this.”

It was such a sweet whisper. Unable to resist any longer, they collided their lips simultaneously.

* ** 

The two headed towards the valley Lia often visited. It was the spot where Lia always sat, overlooking the valley, and it was shallow enough to dip their feet in. They watched the flowing water with their feet dipped in.

“The water is still a bit chilly. Are you okay, Mr. Perth?”

“Yes. This is my first time dipping my feet in a valley like this.”

He hadn’t come up the mountain for enjoyment purposes originally. He hadn’t even taken the time to look around or relax. He was always busy taking care of Alfonse. Now, all he was doing was enjoying the sunlight breaking through the water, listening to the flowing stream, feeling the cold water under his feet, and the warmth from holding hands with his lover.

“It’s nice like this.”

If he had been alone, he wouldn’t have thought to dip his feet even if he passed by the valley. No, he might not have even realized how beautiful the valley was, even if he dipped his feet in due to the heat. The reason this moment was so nice was Lia, who was right beside him.

“But how did you come here?”

She brought up a question that should have been asked long ago. Perth was a person of the palace. Those who worked in the palace couldn’t go out without permission.

“A kind boss allowed me.”

“A kind boss?”

If it was his boss, it must have been Alfonse. Lia couldn’t help but ask. It was because it was the first time she had heard him praise someone.

“Yes, he turned out to be quite nice.”

“What happened?”

He pondered what to say, remembering what happened before leaving the palace.

* * *

“This is ridiculous!”

With Lia’s disposition decided, the queen turned and left the greenhouse. Kevin continued to appeal against the injustice as the queen left. But naturally, it didn’t make any difference. Perth thought he needed to understand the whole story of the incident. He took advantage of the moment when no one was watching and took off his gloves, putting them in his pocket.

Then he began to touch whatever came his way. The culprit was quickly identified. He was the one who managed the Miracle of the Desert while Lia was away. But his motive was unclear. Perth pretended not to know and bumped into him. With a strong force, he pushed, causing him to stagger. Pretending to help, he peeked into his memory.

– It’s very easy. You just have to pull out that plant when no one is looking.

A familiar face and voice passed by. Perth ran to Alfonse’s office.

“Please uncover the truth. Lady Lia is innocent.”

He blurted out his words abruptly. Alfonse was surprised to see Perth so agitated. But soon he regained his composure.

“It won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“Why are you trying to claim you know?”

“I saw it!”

Alfonse also knew his ability. When he was young, he could have been sold to the palace for a high price because of his ability. Except for a few officials, his ability was kept secret.

“The culprit is the one who managed the Miracle of the Desert while Lady Lia was in the Hiver region. The instigator was Lady Abigail Ferdinand.”

Alfonse’s eyes widened at the unexpected name. He hadn’t imagined that his fiancée’s name would be mentioned.

“Lady Abigail?”

“Yes.”

“Why would she do such a thing?”

Alfonse didn’t doubt Perth’s words. He just couldn’t immediately think of a reason why she would dislike Lia. Perth hesitated without answering impulsively. Abigail’s grudge against Lia was because of him. Right after he harshly rejected her, she went straight to the Miracle of the Desert. Then she bought off the responsible person and casually attended the dinner party. She didn’t forget to drop a hint to the queen that she had come back from the Miracle of the Desert and that something seemed wrong with its condition. 

“Is it because of you?”

While contemplating what to say, Alfonse asked first.

“Did you know?”

He hadn’t thought he was being watched. He couldn’t even perceive how Abigail thought of him. 

“I’ve always been watching her.”

The next words shocked Perth again. He thought Alfonse didn’t love Abigail, his fiancée. If he loved her, he wouldn’t be seeing so many women. 

“She’s my first love.”