If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 33

Just like when he had climbed up, Lockwood landed smoothly below with a single leap. Despite his large frame, his movements were lighter than a cat’s. Georgiana, watching him from above, caught her breath before relying on his hand to descend the railing.

Her legs felt weak, and coming down was twice as hard as climbing up. Her face was still burning, and it would likely stay that way until she fell asleep. She had hoped the darkness would hide her flushed cheeks, but seeing how easily Lockwood moved through the pitch-black deck, avoiding obstacles, even that seemed futile.

Georgiana muttered to herself, thinking that Lockwood, not Sarah, should have been the one to wear the cat mask.

“Locke, what’s your dream?” she asked, breaking the silence on their way back to the cabin. She didn’t want to dwell on their kiss, so she posed the question to distract herself.

After a brief pause, Lockwood gave an answer that seemed indifferent.

“…I’ve never really thought about dreams.”

“Not even when you watch fireworks and make a wish for the new year?”

“No.”

It was such a typical answer for him.

From what she had observed in the short time she had known him, he didn’t seem to have desires for food, clothing, or even any grand ambitions. Of course, he had entered into a sham marriage with her to secure business rights, but lately, he seemed indifferent to even that. If he needed her to play a role, he would have been dragging her around to different places, but that hadn’t happened at all.

Even someone like Willow, who never put in any effort, dreamed of striking it rich through gambling. Marianne, though she didn’t show it, had hoped that Georgiana’s father’s letters would bring sudden fortune.

But the man before her didn’t seem to have any dreams at all.

Was he always like this, even as a child? She suddenly grew curious about his past.

“Do you have any siblings?”

“I have a younger brother.”

“Is he like you?”

“Not at all. My brother is much more… kind-hearted.”

It seemed he knew he wasn’t the warmest person. Georgiana could imagine a younger version of Locke, quiet and stern, while his gentle younger brother took care of things around him. She wondered how adorable their parents must have found them.

A faint smile tugged at her lips. It reminded her of her own childhood. Although she didn’t have clear memories of it, she recalled how she had once tried hard to win Willow’s favor.

She must have been around eight years old. She had made a paper flower with her tiny hands and given it to Willow, only for him to scold her for wasting paper.

Thinking about it, it was strange.

Why had she tried so hard to please him, even though they were family?

From the moment she could remember, she had always been tiptoeing around him or suffering under his bullying. Her parents had never intervened.

At some point, it had become so normal that she hadn’t even thought to question it. But now, away from them, she realized how abnormal that life had been.

The more she thought about it, the more she marveled at how she hadn’t run away from that house sooner.

Lockwood, noticing her thoughtful expression, added in his usual straightforward tone, “I don’t have any grand dreams, but I’ve always wanted the strength to protect what matters to me.”

“That sounds vague and difficult to achieve.”

Had he failed to protect something in the past? Or was there something he longed to protect, but found it too challenging?

Georgiana looked up at his face, searching for clues, but the dark shadows from the deck obscured his expression, making it unreadable once more.

“And what about you, Georgiana? Do you have a dream?”

“Of course. I dream of having a small house with a garden to myself.”

She had never dreamed of becoming rich or finding a perfect husband. Her only wish was to live in a peaceful, safe place where she could grow flowers and never go hungry.

“Once our contract ends, you’ll be on your own, and all you’ll need is that house with a garden to make your dream come true.”

“That’s true. I suppose I could.”

Georgiana looked up at him, seeking reassurance.

“Of course, you will,” he said with a soft smile before leading the way again.

“Achoo.”

Though the air wasn’t particularly cold, her shoulders felt chilled after wearing the strapless dress for so long. It seemed the alcohol had something to do with it too, making her shiver.

“You should have some hot tea once we get back,” he said, draping his jacket over her shoulders and escorting her back to the cabin.

Tonight, Lockwood was more polite and gentlemanly than ever before.

Perhaps it was because of the unexpected warmth and kindness he had shown, but her heart felt light.

By the time they reached the cabin, she felt warm even before drinking tea. However, just as she took a few steps inside, her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the floor.

The truth was, her energy had been depleted when they were climbing down the railing. She had made it this far through sheer willpower, keeping the conversation going to distract herself. Without it, she would have collapsed sooner.

“Are you alright?”

Lockwood’s face, which had come rushing over, suddenly appeared doubled in her vision.

“There are two of you, Locke.”

Lockwood chuckled at her astonished remark. “It’s normal for the alcohol to hit harder once you step into a warm room. Can you stand?”

“Of course.”

She answered boldly, but even her arms were trembling as she tried to push herself up. She nearly toppled over, but Lockwood caught her just in time.

“I’m sorry, Locke… both of you,” she apologized to the two figures of him she saw.

Lockwood, still laughing softly, pointed at himself. “You’ll need help to get to bed. Which one of us should carry you?”

Georgiana, with a playful smile, pointed to both of them with her hands.

“Either Locke is fine. They’re both devastatingly handsome.”

Before she could stop herself, the words spilled out of her mouth.

“You’re definitely drunk,” Lockwood said with a laugh, not at all annoyed by her tipsy antics.

“I’m not drunk.”

“I see.”

“I mean it.”

“I believe you.”

Without another word, he scooped her up in his arms.

As she rested in his arms, like a princess being carried by her knight, she gave him a playful command, “Sir Limberton, slay that villain at once for Princess Georgiana.”

“The princess seemed quite capable of handling it herself. You showed great talent for marksmanship.”

“That was only because I had no choice.”

Lockwood laughed heartily at her response.

As he strode toward the bed, Georgiana wrapped her arms around his neck, her heart pounding almost as loudly as his footsteps echoed through the cabin.

He gently laid her down on the soft mattress, his touch so delicate that she barely registered she was on the bed until her back hit the sheets.

Pulling the blankets up to her chin, Lockwood made to leave, but Georgiana stopped him.

“Hey, Locke.”

“Yes, princess?”

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve always dreamed of someone saving me. Whether it was a prince, a knight, or even a passing stranger.”

Though she didn’t specify who she needed saving from, she was certain Lockwood understood.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. But on that day, the day I shot him…”

“Yes?”

“That’s when I realized—I could save myself. I just didn’t know it before.”

For too long, she had forgotten that only the birds who broke out of their own shells survived. She had lived her whole life thinking someone else would have to free her from her cage.

“That’s understandable, considering how you grew up,” Lockwood replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“If the same thing happened again, I’d shoot him without hesitation. You have no idea how good it felt.”

“It seems I’ve made you brave.”

“Yes, I’m much braver now, and I’ll keep living like that.”

“That’s a fine resolve.”

“So, Locke…”

Georgiana, half-sitting in bed, pulled at his arm. He leaned down, bringing his face close to hers, their reflections mirrored in each other’s eyes.

“When this contract ends, you don’t have to worry about me anymore. You’ve done enough for me already.”

“Is that what you’ve been wanting to say? That I shouldn’t concern myself with you anymore?”

Lockwood’s voice suddenly dropped, his lips tightening as he stared at her.

Before he could say more, Georgiana reached out with both hands and lifted the corners of his mouth into a smile.

“Smile like this, okay? And don’t make that expression you sometimes make.”

“What expression are you talking about?”

“The one that looks like you’re sorry or unsure of what to do There’s no need for that. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“……”

She spoke with such certainty that, after finishing her words, she drifted off into unconsciousness.