Summer Is For Falling In Love
15. As long as Esther's on the side

"Esther, please open the door," Holland exclaimed from behind the locked door. Both of his hands touched the surface of the door, occasionally knocking on it.

"Go!" shouted Esther. Even inside the locked door, Esther's voice could still be heard clearly, as if she was behind the door itself.

Listening to the sad tone in one phrase from the woman made Holland's chest throb pain. Again, he thought, he hurt Esther again. Holland doubts his own quality of life, why does he constantly hurt Esther? Wasn't the vow he had secretly taken was Holland who wouldn't let the woman feel disappointment again? So, why is it that when the day rolls around, the joyful highlight disappears, replaced by a real disappointment? Everything was Holland's fault.

When news of the pregnant Olivia begins to spread in the Floral residence, the only thing Holland does is visit Descartez's residence. He even ignored Olivia who was already waiting for him with a warm smile.

Holland even came here without telling Miel or any of the maids. It could be said, his residence would be excited if it knew that their master had disappeared.

"Esther, please listen to my explanation," Holland persuaded calmly.

"It's free, Holland. Even if you explain, the only key word is betrayal. You reneged on the promise we made."

Holland bit his lips strongly when he heard Esther's vowels filled with tremors.

"Esther, I'm sorry."

Esther chuckles small. "If you're sorry you could solve everything, then there wouldn't be a war in this world, Holland."

Holland bit his lips. Although the fishy liquid began to drip, Holland was numb to the pain. Precisely, the pain from his heart was so felt that his body was filled with emotions of despair, a thick fog swarmed his mind, as well as a guilty feeling that reverberated merrily.

"When you made a new promise yesterday, you reneged on an old promise?"

Holland jumped, his face filled with panic. "Ti—"

"You've denied it" Esther said with a nanar. "I knew that you were acting strange before, but I didn't expect that promise that you had broken."

"Please promise me, Holland."

"What is that, my dear?"

"Don't touch Miss Olivia."

"I promise."

This memory passed through his mind with a glance, but left a real panic.

"No, Esther! I ... I ...!" Holland's voice restrained at the end of his tongue. Although Holland tried to speak, no sound came out of his throat.

"Enough, Holland. Although you explained the reason why you touched Olivia, my common sense could not accept it. So, you better go. If you'd been there any longer, I'd have been hurt even more."

Holland's voice choked, his breathing also hunted because of the restless feeling that monopolized his body, dominated, so that the man could not feel calm. Moreover, the fact that his presence here does not correct a wiggle being made, but instead aggravates a suffering.

Holland took his breath. "Alright, Esther. I'll be back later. Please, accept me at the next opportunity."

There was no reply from within, but Holland could listen to the little prank that escaped. Just hearing it made Holland's heart even heavier.

Despite his hesitation, Holland turned around and began to leave Esther's bedroom door. Holland's footsteps were weak as he tried to climb down the stairs to the first floor of the residence.

"Ah, Master Duke!" The baroness tries to get close to Holland. "Are you okay?"

The baroness felt sympathetic just by looking at Holland's chaotic expression on her face.

"Mr Duke, are you okay?" The baron tried to ask. "I'm sorry my daughter who—"

"No," cut Holland. "Esther is completely innocent. I'm the guilty one here. No need to blame Esther."

Baroness biting lips. "You're hurt, Mr. Duke."

"Ah." Holland had just felt the pain from the bite wound on his own lips. He had even just realized that the dripping blood was starting to stain his clothes.

"I'll treat you, Master Duke!" baroness.

"No, Mrs Descartez," hold Holland. "I'm fine."

"Yet ...."

Holland tried to comment on the smile, but instead felt a pain on his lips. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the blood flowing on his chin. "I'm fine. I have to go back to my residence."

"Are you sure you're okay?" asked Baron doubtfully.

"Yes" Holland replied lightly. "However, maybe I'll trouble the two of you for the next few days."

"Of course it won't trouble us, Mr. Duke. Please visit our residence at any time."

"I'm honored."

Holland was approached by a kind family, but he felt guilty for hurting the daughter who was raised in a warm family.

"Then let me take you to your horse carriage."

"Thank you very much."

"It's no problem, Mr. Duke. I'm honored that you visited my residence."

...***...

Holland returns to his residence only to find Miel nagging him.

"How can you leave the residence without telling? I think you want to dethrone the Duke title and live with Miss Esther as Descartez!"

"Miel, that's a great idea."

"Not good, Mr Holland!" shouted Miel frustrated. "Do you know how frantic I am looking for you in the entire residence?! My heart is not calm, my mind is a mess. Master Duke! You hear no?"

Holland stepped foot in the wide hallway firmly, but decided to ignore all the nonsense that Miel spoke. His mentality is shaken at the moment. Holland was rejected by his lover, until his mind is now mixed.

Today was the fifth day after her wedding ceremony, but Holland didn't think her life would fall apart so quickly.

"Holland!"

It's just that Holland wants to try to avoid the most troubled woman in his life for the future.

Holland turned the direction, but his arm was tightly gripped.

"Holland!" get Olivia.

"Take me off" Holland replied coldly, his maniac reluctant to look at Olivia.

Olivia shook just by hearing Holland's frozen tone of voice. "T-No! You are my husband! I've got the right to touch you!"

"Olivia," press Holland.

"No!" exclaim Olivia stubborn. "Where have you been since noon, Holland? You know, don't you, if I'm carrying your child?"

Holland clenched his jaw. "How dare you! I would never consider that child as my son!"

"Holland, this is your son! This is both of us! How could you forget that night?!"

Holland's anger is burning. The faint memory Holland had been trying to erase, but this woman had instead drawn a half-saint memory to come back clear.

Holland pulled out Olivia's wrist, which was still holding her arm, and then gripped her tightly until Olivia complained.

Holland lowered his face to stare at the pair of bright blood red beads, in contrast to Holland who was slightly darker. "Listen to me, I've already said that I don't like you, Olivia! Where are my words that you do not understand?! Take one of these things, Olivia! I don't like you, so get out of my life!"

Olivia looked frightened, her lips and manic were shaking. Although Olivia admits that she loves Holland, it's only the first time she's seen Holland's horrible side.

"B-But I'm your wife" Olivia said, still stubborn. "You should like me too! The only thing in your eyes, it's just me, right?"

"The only thing in your eyes, it's just me, right?"

Holland.

"Why are you saying the same thing to him?" holland murmured, he tried to suppress his anger, but failed. Holland tightens his grip on Olivia's wrist, so Olivia is convinced that her hand is injured.

"Olivia, you have deceived me and are trying to bind me forcibly! You ruined me and my life, Olivia! What other part of me do you want to destroy? Do you want to eliminate me too, huh?!"

Now, Olivia could not help the fear that dominated her body. Holland is creepy, Olivia can no longer stand until her body shakes violently. The corner of his eyes was wet and tears started to flow.

"Olivia, stop it all" Holland said with a nanar, his eyes soft, his grip weakened. "If you want to ruin my life, just kill me."

Olivia shook her head in unison with tears. "No, no!" Olivia screamed loudly. "No, Holland!"

Apparently, what Holland said had shaken Olivia mentally.

Holland saw Olivia's slumped body sitting on the marble floor. However, Holland was not sympathetic to the woman. After destroying her life, Holland no longer wants to be involved with her until she ignores Olivia's distressing screams and steps firmly away from Olivia.

Miel followed Holland from behind, but swallowed his entire words. He couldn't interrupt the chatter of the nobles if he didn't want to die, that was the most sticky lesson in his head after Miel decided to become a servant.

However, Miel felt sympathy for Holland. The destruction of his life was so obvious. A feeling is a deadly weapon. Sometimes it can be happy, but it can also be painful.

From childhood, Miel had accompanied Holland, seeing the boy grow up to be a beautiful man. However, his strict upbringing made Holland have to have a cold personality and isolate himself with others.

Miel thinks Holland will spend his life monotonously and tediously, until Holland meets Esther. Holland's smile that never rose, now more often appear. Holland's face was stiff, becoming softer and friendlier.

Esther's presence was a good influence for Holland, but it was also the deepest wound for the man. Loving Esther is a risk, but like an addiction, Miel knows that Holland will stop at nothing to love Esther, even if it eats away at the essence of her life.

...***...

The next day, Holland returned to the Descartez residence with a bouquet of roses in his arms. Yesterday, Holland visited Esther empty-handed for being too panicked, but now she has to carry a hand to show courtesy to the homeowner.

The baroness looked doubtful. "Not good, Mr. Duke. My daughter refused to come out of her room, even just ate a little yesterday."

Holland breathed. "I'll visit him."

"Yes, Mr. Duke. Please help my daughter to eat something, I'm worried."

"No need to worry, Baron Descartez. I'll try as I can."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Duke."

"No need to thank me, this is my fault."

After a brief conversation with both the Baron and the Baroness, Holland finally climbed the stairs to the second floor with a tray containing breakfast next to his hand and a bouquet of roses in the other hand.

Esther's door was no longer locked, even slightly open until Holland only had to push it slightly until the door was wide open.

"Esther?"

Holland glanced into Esther's room. A writer's room is undoubtedly filled with books. White-painted high-rise bookshelves give a soft impression, so that a messy pile of books can be ignored. Esther room leads directly to sunlight so that the light that enters, making the room brighter and natural. There is also a round table in the middle of the room to relax, along with a work desk filled with novel scripts, then a large bed with a canopy. On the bed, Esther fell asleep.

Holland carved a smile when he saw Esther's peaceful face. It was so unbelievable that Holland had hurt this gentle face.

Holland put breakfast and a bouquet of roses on the nightstand next to the bed, then sat down next to Esther. Her fingers rose and touched Esther's deep red strands, brushing her slightly to the point of not blocking Esther's beautiful face.

Esther's breath was pulled regularly, her nose was sharp and thin, and her soft lips were no longer stiff because they held back emotions. Esther, while asleep, appears to have been released from her suffering.

"Esther," murmured Holland. "What do I have to do to accept your apology? Do I have to abandon this march of mine, then join your family?"

"That's a bad idea."

Holland smiled, not surprised even though Esther replied with her eyes closed.

"Are you awake?"

Esther brushed aside Holland's hand that was about to touch her cheek, then straightened her body. "Don't leave Floral" he said.

"Why? Miel said the same thing. Though, if I leave Floral, I can come back to you."

"Are you stupid?" maki Esther, but not to anger Holland, maintains her gentle smile. "If Duke Floral's position is lost, Teratia's military power will collapse. You know that yourself, right?"

Holland breathed. "I'll hand over Duke's position to Miel."

"Are you stupid?!"

Holland chuckled, then gently pulled Esther's chin. "I'm a fool for loving you too much."

Holland laughed again when he saw the red hue spread across Esther's cheeks. "Esther, I'm sorry." Holland cupped Esther's cheeks together.

"I'm sorry? Didn't I say that if I'm sorry I won't be able to fix everything, Holland."

"I know, Honey. But apologizing is not a mistake. I apologize to you because I am guilty. I've reneged on my promise to you, I've broken your feelings, and I even made you cry." Holland stroked the corner of Esther's puffy, flushed eyes.

"You ...." Esther bit her lip. "Do you really like Olivia? You touched that woman, you liked her, right?"

"You're wrong, honey. The only one I love is Esther."

"Then, why—?"

"If only I were more vigilant, I wouldn't be influenced by stupid potions. I'm sorry, Esther. I'll be more careful going forward."

"Roquet?" Esther frowned.

"Yes." Yeah." Holland breathed heavily. Now, Holland knows why her favorite tea tastes weird despite having the same aroma. Because, there are other mixtures in the tea to taste the same. "Aphrodisiac. You know that?"

Esther jerks. In a concocted drug, Esther can tell. A person who consumes it even a little, will not be able to resist the passion in his body, even the desire to touch someone will increase.

"Y-Yes, I know."

"I'm sorry."

Esther gives it a pause. "No, I'm guilty. I'm accusing you of being unidirectional, I'm guilty."

"No, Honey. How can you be guilty? The only guilty one is me."

"You're not wrong, it's Olivia!"

Holland smiled. "Alright, both me and you are innocent, but Olivia."

Esther nodded. "Well, I'm .. sorry to you for being mad at you."

Holland stroked Esther's lips with her thumb. "I'm sorry for breaking the promise too."

Esther nodded her head.

Holland commented a smile before bringing his body closer, a sweet kiss met. Holland presses Esther with a gentle kiss that seeks to lead her, not to hurt, but to be careful. Holland locks all negative feelings in a kiss, persuading Esther to take her second story on a new page, restarting it all.

Esther whines small. His fingers clutched Holland's clothes, but did not reject a kiss that signified loving. For Esther, this kiss that locks up all mixed thoughts brings a messy feeling to a pleasant sense of joy.

Esther always loved Holland's kisses. Holland was always gentle with her, guiding her ignorance, and teaching her many things. Loving Holland is not a curse, but a magic that makes him addicted.

The kisses of the two are released and Esther gasps with a blushing face, while Holland smiles happily. The body of Esther, left the beautiful angel drowned in her chest.

"Thank you for loving me, Esther."

Holland could feel that Esther was nodding her head.

"I also mencin—" Esther's reply was cut off when a rumbling sound from inside the stomach rang out.

Esther instantly covered her face with both hands, a shame dominating her.

Holland took off a hug while chuckling. "It's not a problem, honey. There's no shame. Didn't you just eat a little yesterday? Good thing I brought you breakfast this time."

"Bring me breakfast?"

Holland smiled gently. "Yes, there are even roses too." The man grabbed a bouquet of roses and gave it to Esther.

Highlight Esther being more cheerful and her face still retains a sweet hue. "Thank you, it's very fragrant" Esther said after inhaling the intoxicating scent of roses.

"Also breakfast." Holland turned to grab a breakfast plate and a spoon, then fed Esther. "Come, open your mouth."

Esther is getting embarrassed. "I can eat by myself!" Esther attempts to take over the plate and spoon in Holland's hand, but the man dodges Esther's hand more quickly.

"No, let me bribe you."

"I'm not a kid!"

"Let me show you my love, Esther."

Esther's face hinted, pounding on her chest too hard that she was worried that Holland would hear her.

"All right."

"Come, open your mouth."

Doubtfully, Esther chewed the food from the lover's mouthful. Esther was so embarrassed. She was fed to her lover when Esther was wearing only a simple nightgown, even without makeup on her face, a look that was not worth seeing. Esther was one hundred percent sure that her hair was even a mess. However, seeing how happy Holland was, Esther held herself back. Esther was happy to be loved by Holland, she felt very lucky.

"What are you going to do next?"

"Yes?" Holland's spoon stopped in midair.

"Regarding Olivia. She's carrying your child, if she gives birth to a child, she'll bind you even more."

"Ah." Holland also knows that with the presence of a child between Holland and Olivia, the entanglement of the chain of destiny will be even more tightened. Not only is it difficult to break away, Holland will continue to be tied to an additional chain of a child.

Holland feels that the boy will live in injustice, but Holland himself is reluctant to make a child tie him up strongly. The child is innocent and innocent. Holland will definitely feel guilty just by looking at the look of the child later.

"It's okay" Holland said. "I'll keep releasing Olivia later and come back to you."

Esther smile. "Then, what about the kid?"

"We'll look at the situation, then decide how to go ahead."

"All right, I get it."

"Thank you for understanding me." Holland briefly kissed Esther's lips.

"Holland!"

Holland chuckles a little, then goes back to feed Esther.

Now, it's possible that a child who doesn't know anything will tie Holland to Olivia, but Holland is convinced that with Esther alone, Holland is able to get through everything, deciding on a major decision together, and back to Esther's side.

...***...

Esther here is so generous, yeah. If someone else might not accept cheating. But it's different from Olivia's point of view, she must have seen Esther as an actor. I'm cringe same this chapter:(

July 2nd, 2023