The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 727: Trip To Forest

"Lady Erin, the Lord has asked if you would like to tour the estate, as the weather is less cold now," a servant asked.

Before Erin could even think about it, Rina burst into her chamber. "Lady Erin, put on warm clothes quickly. We’re going out. I’m so excited to see this estate!"

Seeing the excited little girl, Erin could only nod. She put on warm clothes and went out with Rina.

All the men were waiting for the two women to arrive. Horses were prepared for them, while a carriage—fitted with large glass windows, allowing them to view the surroundings without dealing with the cold—was arranged for Erin and Rina.

Lucian watched as Erin approached, his gaze lingering on her for no reason other than simply wanting to look at her.

Erin, well aware of his eyes on her, didn’t even glance in his direction and did her best to avoid meeting his gaze.

"Ready?" Rowan asked as he approached his sister. He adjusted the hood on her head properly and said, "You’re still like a child who needs me to take care of you during winter. You still haven’t learned to cover yourself properly. Your ears might ache from the cold."

"I’ll keep that in mind," Erin replied, letting her brother fix her winter coat.

Lucian’s gaze turned cold as he watched the scene, as if he didn’t like the way Rowan was close to Erin and the care he showed her.

They were all set to leave. The men mounted their horses, while the two women settled in the carriage, which rode with Nathaniel, Rowan, and Arthur leading it. Imbert and Rafal rode at the rear, and Lucian rode alongside the carriage.

"Brother, where exactly are we going?" Rina asked, while Erin looked out of the window on the opposite side to avoid looking at Lucian.

"There’s a river and a farmhouse by it. We’re going there."

"Won’t the river be cold?"

"You don’t have to get into the water."

"Oh, okay."

His gaze moved past his sister and landed on the woman who refused to look at him, making him wonder if he had offended her by chance. She hadn’t acted this way when he was her bodyguard, but something seemed to have changed in her now.

"Wow, this place is so beautiful," Rina exclaimed, looking through the same window as Erin.

Erin hummed and offered her a smile. Lucian’s gaze happened to catch a glimpse of her face finally. That light smile on her lips was truly beautiful, but she rarely smiled these days.

After a while, they reached the forest at the rear of the estate and stopped by the riverside, which was narrow and not intimidating at all.

"It’s so beautiful here," Rina said as she stepped out of the carriage but immediately began shivering. "B-but, it’s cold."

She ran to her brother and hugged him. "I’m feeling cold."

Lucian lifted her in his arms like a bundle and carried her toward the cottage. "Let’s go inside. You won’t feel cold there."

Rina nodded as she wrapped her arms around his neck and clung closer.

Erin watched him care for his sister, but then someone came up to her. "Do you want me to carry you as well?"

She glanced at her brother. "I can walk. If you want to carry someone, then find me a sister-in-law, and then you can keep lifting her now and then," she said, then walked toward the cottage.

"We’re heading out to hunt. We’ll be back soon," Rowan informed her. "Make yourself comfortable."

"Don’t worry about me."

All the men left while Erin, who was about to climb the stairs of the cottage, stopped, realizing Lucian was inside with Rina. She wished to avoid any encounters with him alone and decided to stay outside.

Although it was cold, she thought, I can bear with it until they return.

She walked toward the river and sat on one of the wooden blocks placed there as seating. She wrapped herself tightly in her coat, adjusted her hood, folded her arms in front of her chest, clenched her legs together, and lowered her head with her shoulders hunched up. It was clear she was feeling cold as the trees around her blocked the sunlight.

I never thought it could feel this cold in the middle of the greenery, even without snow. I hope they return soon, or I might freeze to death... or at least fall sick.

A while passed when Lucian stepped out after taking care of Rina and noticed a delicate figure sitting by the river, visibly shivering from the cold.

He approached her. "Why are you sitting outside?" he asked.

She didn’t look up at him but decided to reply. However, as soon as she opened her mouth, her teeth chattered before any words could come out. "I...was enjoying...the view..."

"And planning to get sick while doing so?" he remarked sarcastically. "Let’s go inside."

"I’m fine here," she replied.

"Do you want me to carry you like I did with Rina?" he asked. "Or would you rather walk on your own?"

She finally raised her head to look at him, noting the seriousness in his expression, leaving her unable to disobey. Walking was definitely better than letting him lift her.

She stood up, but her legs felt numb and stiff from sitting in the cold. Before she could lose her balance, Lucian reached out and steadied her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders.

"I... I’m fine," she insisted softly.

In response, he offered her his hand so she could hold it and walk. Though unwilling, Erin accepted it and walked with him.

Once inside the cottage, they found Rina asleep on the cushioned sofa in the drawing room, bundled under a warm blanket.

Lucian guided Erin to sit near the fireplace where she could feel warmer. She sat on the cushioned arrangement on the floor in front of the hearth and watched as Lucian picked up another warm blanket. He knelt in front of her and draped it around her.

Erin didn’t know what to do, but as a natural instinct, her body gave into feeling the warmth from however it would get.