Something Beautiful
Chapter - 27

"I lost because of my long skirt, and not because of your skill in playing the sword" he said with a laugh. After breaking away from Mingyu's embrace, he stepped back, his chest heaving with gasping breath. But the color of her cheeks makes Mingyu want to chew her, not because of her breath.

"You should be able to beat me a few points in a tie" he reminded. "After all, you're twice as strong as me."

"Right," I Mingyu, smiled meaningfully, "but I did not take advantage of my strength. After all, I'm a lot older than your age."

Laughing, Lisa placed her hands on her slender waist. "You're so old, Your Grace, next year or two, you're old, with a shawl wrapped around your shoulder and Henry fast asleep at your feet."

"And where are you going?" mingyu asked softly, her hands already itching to pull the woman back into her arms.

Lisa backed off with a smile. "In the children's playroom, playing around with my dolls, because I was a kid."

Mingyu let out a cold laugh, wondering what the nobles would say if he saw her being treated disrespectfully by the eighteen-year-old village girl.

"Where would I be, '" said Lisa, "if not in the playroom?"

On my lap, Mingyu thought.

Lisa suddenly stopped laughing and pressed her hand against her cheek, staring through Mingyu's shoulder. "Oh my God!"

Mingyu sharply turned around to find out what caused the woman to be suddenly embarrassed, and saw six bodyguards, two horse guards, and a coachman standing side by side. From their expressions it seems they watched the fencing match earlier and now they are listening to the conversation between husband and wife, their boss.

Mingyu's jaws hardened, his ice-cold and resolute eyes pierced them one by one, and dispersed the crowd more effectively than any of his words.

"Very impressive," seduced Lisa, bending over to pick up her clothes she had taken off. "Things you do with your eyes" he explains, looking around to find Henry. "You can kill people with your eyes. You don't need a sword. Is it a natural skill that nobles are born with, or a skill that you acquire later, to suit your standing?" He found Henry sniffing under the bushes and carrying him.

"Your grandmother can do it too. He scares me a little. Will you please hold this?" before Mingyu realized what Lisa was proposing, the woman had already put a hat, jacket and a puppy full of fur into her hands. "Try turning over, while I'll put on stockings."

Dutifully, Mingyu did as he was told, but his mind, as usual, could imagine the royals flocking with amusement and surprise at how Mingyu Kim, the 12th Hawthorne Noble, was, vast landowners and enormous wealth throughout Europe, which was not only in the plains of England, but also included other European territories, he said, was standing in the meadow with hands full of clothes and an annoying puppy who now insistently wanted to lick his face.

"Who taught you how to play fencing?" mingyu asked as they walked back to the carriage.

"My dad, we usually practice for hours when he comes home. When he comes home, I usually train with Roseanne's brother or with anyone who's willing, so that if my father comes again, he'll be amazed to see my skills. I guess because I wouldn't be as beautiful as a girl, my dad would be more fun turning me into a boy. On the other hand, maybe also he does like fencing, and he uses that match as a way to pass the time. "Lisa did not realize at all that the pain and hatred she felt for her father sounded real in her tone.

***

Lisa turned her gaze away from the rustic backups rolling outside the window of the train. Ever since their duel two hours ago, Mingyu had been staring at her with a strange judgment-filled highlight, so Lisa had grown increasingly uncomfortable.

"Yes?"

"You said your father rarely came home. Where does he spend his time?"

The dark shadow dimmed the twinkle in Lisa's eyes, then with a flash the shadow disappeared removed the sennyum that immediately appeared. "She comes home two or three times a year and stays with us for about two weeks. He spent his time in London. He looks more like a guest who came to visit."

"I'm sorry, too" said Mingyu, apologizing for making Lisa talk about someone who seemed to have hurt her heart.

"You don't have to apologize, but if you could please don't hate my mother too much, I'd be very grateful for that. My mother used to be an attractive and cheerful woman, but after my father died, she was like she was blown to pieces."

"And handed over the burden of the household along with all the servants to the shoulders of the fourteen-year-old," Mingyu finished the sentence half-heartedly. "I've seen your house, and met your mother and uncle. I can clearly imagine what you're feeling."

Lisa heard an angry but affectionate tone in the man's voice.His love for Mingyu grew because she knew the man cared for her, but she shook her head, refusing to be pitied. "Not as bad as you imagine."

It felt so pleasant, so safe, and so protected to find someone who cared about her, because Lisa had absolutely no idea how to keep the tenderness and gratitude she felt for the man. Unable to express it in words, he did the other best thing he had in mind. He reached into a small, bright yellow handbag that matched his skirt and jacket, then lovingly pulled out a chain pocket watch. For Lisa it was a sacred object, the most precious thing belonging to the person she admired. She reached out to Mingyu and the man accepted her with a confused look, explaining, "This hour belongs to my grandfather. Given to him by a Scottish nobleman who admired his knowledge of philosophers."

Just looking at the watch was in Mingyu's hands, making her eyes glaze over. His voice choked with memories, then he said, "My grandfather would have wanted you to be his owner. He must like you."

"I'm not sure," Mingyu replied very confidently.

"Oh, but he sure likes it! He said I should love a noble man."

"He told you to love a noble man?" remake Mingyu in disbelief.

"No. Nope. But noble-hearted men. Like you."

Without knowing that Mingyu already had a few more beautiful golden hours, Lisa said, "I sent one of your servants to my house, then Boo took the watch. Your grandmother said it's okay."

Mingyu clasped the clock. He could only say, "Thank you."