Chapter 289: You Dare Kiss her in front of me?
By the time the carriage pulled up to the serene, green-draped entrance of Oak Haven, the afternoon sun was casting a warm, golden hue across the valley.
I stepped down onto the familiar path, a heavy weight lifting from my chest as the cold, suffocating pressure of the Raith estate finally vanished behind me.
I let out a long, genuine sigh, breathing in the crisp, earthly scent of the surrounding forest.
"Oh, Young Master Jin..."
An elderly woman carrying a basket of freshly harvested herbs paused on the walkway, her weathered face lighting up with warmth as she recognized me. She immediately lowered herself into a proper, respectful bow.
"Welcome back."
"Good afternoon, Madam," I replied softly, dipping my head in a polite, genuine greeting. "It’s good to see you well. Is the Chief currently at his residence?"
"Yes, young master, he’s inside his home," she smiled warmly, gesturing down the winding path. "You can head right on over. He’ll be happy to know you’ve returned."
"Thank you," I nodded, stepping past her and making my way down the quiet, sun-dappled village street.
As I rounded the corner near the central courtyard, a very familiar figure caught my attention. Standing near the stone well, carefully inspecting a wooden crate of supplies, was Agnes. Her long hair was tied back in a loose braid, and she was so engrossed in her ledger that she didn’t even hear my boots against the smooth river stones.
A small smirk touched my lips.
I dropped my footsteps into absolute silence, using my natural agility to glide up right behind her. Before she could react, I reached over her shoulders and wrapped my hands over her eyes.
Agnes instantly stiffened, her breath hitching as her body tensed up in surprise.
"Guess who?" I whispered close to her ear, letting my voice carry a subtle, teasing warmth.
The moment she recognized my tone, the tension in her shoulders melted away completely. A soft, breathless laugh escaped her lips as she gently reached up to touch my fingers.
"Youn—" She caught herself mid-word, her cheeks flushing slightly as she corrected her usual formal title.
"I mean... Jin!"
I pulled my hands back, and she spun around on her heel, her bright eyes lighting up with unfiltered joy as she looked up at me.
"Welcome back," she beamed, her entire face softening with a radiant, gentle smile.
Without a second thought, I stepped forward and wrapped her in a warm, solid hug. The faint, sweet scent of crushed lavender and dried medicinal leaves clung to her clothes.
"How have you been, Agnes?" I asked softly, pulling back just enough to look at her.
"I’ve been wonderful," she replied, her smile lingering as she smoothed down the front of her simple linen dress. "Things here have been surprisingly quiet since you left for the Academy, though everyone keeps talking about your practical exam results. We were so proud when the news reached the village!"
"Word travels fast, must be Tessa’s doing." I chuckled, shaking my head. "And how is your mother doing? Her recovery was still in its final stages when I left."
"She’s doing fantastic, Jin," Agnes said, her voice filled with deep, sincere gratitude. Her eyes softened as she looked at me. "The potion you prepared for her worked completely. She’s up on her feet, tending to her garden every single morning. She asks about you almost every day."
"That’s the best news I’ve heard all week," I said feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction wash over me. "I’m really glad to hear that, Agnes."
"Are you staying long?" she asked, a trace of hopeful anticipation in her voice as she tilted her head. "Or are you just dropping by before heading back up to the Academy?"
"No, I have to head back up to the Academy by this evening," I said softly, offering her an apologetic smile. "I just wanted to drop by, check in on everyone, and make sure things were running smoothly here first."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Agnes’s face, but she quickly hid it behind a warm, understanding nod.
"I see... You must be terribly busy with all those Academy lectures now. Just promise me you’ll drop by for dinner before you leave? Mother would be heartbroken if she found out you came all this way without eating her home-cooked stew."
"It’s a deal," I chuckled gently. "I just have some urgent business to settle with the Chief first."
"All right then. Go on, don’t keep him waiting!"
I offered her a final wave, stepping past the square and making my way up toward Chief Zen’s residence.
When I reached the wooden front gates, the attending servants bowed deeply in recognition, immediately informing me that the Chief wasn’t in his primary quarters.
Instead, he was down at the Workshop.
I nodded and headed towards the workshop.
The heavy wooden doors of the workshop were slightly ajar, letting out a rich, warm aroma of simmering moon-grass, crushed mana crystals, and sweet ozone.
I pushed the heavy door open and stepped inside and barely had time to register the bubbling glass retorts before a blurred, dark crimson silhouette lunged at me from the side.
"Jin~!"
"Whoa—!"
A soft, slender body violently collided against my side, the sudden impact throwing off my balance and causing me to stumble back two paces into the doorframe. I barely managed to wrap an arm around her waist to stabilize us both, catching a strong, intoxicating whiff of wild berries and fiery alchemy ingredients.
I looked down, blinking in pure surprise. "Tes—"
Before I could even finish her name, Tessa grabbed the lapels of my coat, pulled herself up on her tiptoes, and locked her lips straight onto mine.
It was a fierce, breathless, entirely unapologetic kiss that sent a sudden shockwave through my system. She held it for a long, lingering moment before pulling back just an inch, her bright, fiery eyes sparkling with pure mischief as a triumphant grin spread across her face.
"Mnmm~" She let out a contented hum, resting her hands against my chest. "It’s been way too long, handsome."
I blinked, still trying to regain my composure from the sudden assault, but before I could utter a single word of response, a harsh, thunderous cough echoed from the back of the workshop.
"Oi! You insolent little brat!"
Chief Zen slammed a wooden stirring paddle against the side of a massive bronze cauldron, making the liquid inside violently splash.
"You dare to shamelessly kiss my granddaughter right in front of my face?!"