I Ran Away And The Reverse Harem Started

Chapter 66 “Make you my servant?”I couldn’t hold back and let out a small laugh. Colin widened his eyes at my reaction and, seeming displeased, pouted as he looked at me.“Rose, I never lie to you. I’m always sincere—even when I say things like that.”“If I made you my servant, would that really make me feel at ease?”“Just think of it as a role reversal. When you were cleaning and polishing our mansion, I never felt comfortable, not even once.”Colin looked quite serious, but that didn’t mean I was ready to respond with, “Fine, build me an inn, and you can be my servant!”Instead, I cupped both of Colin’s cheeks. Startled by the sudden touch, he widened his eyes as he leaned closer to me.“Still, how could I make you my servant? Do you even hear yourself?”“…….”“Instead of being my servant, just drop by the inn I’ll run someday. Colin, I’ll let you stay for free for one night—just for you.”As I held his face, Colin stiffened briefly but soon averted his gaze, unable to meet my eyes.He barely moved his lips and whispered.“…Just for me?”“Yes, just for you. So stop saying things like being a servant. It hurts my feelings.”At that, Colin’s expression softened, and he chuckled.“Daniel and Lucas would get a free night too, right? They’re special too.”I blinked in surprise.“Huh? I doubt Daniel would even bother staying at my inn… But I guess, yeah? If they wanted to stay…”Colin’s smile grew wider. Finally, he met my gaze, his warm green eyes darkening slightly.“Right. Everyone’s equally ‘special,’ huh?”Then, burying his face in my hands, he murmured softly.“Fine. For now, I’ll be satisfied with this much.”“Huh? What did you say?”“I said I’m looking forward to it. To when your inn is finished.”For a moment, I froze at the soft sensation of his cheek against my hand. Why is a guy’s cheek this smooth? Shaking myself out of it, I nodded vigorously.“Oh, uh, yeah. At least when I have an inn, I won’t have any reason to run away! Where would I go, leaving my inn behind?”“Good. That’s a relief. But promise me, when your inn is ready, I’ll be the first person you invite—not anyone else.”“Alright.”I replied absentmindedly, trying to pacify Colin. Honestly, I had planned to show the inn to Lynne’s family first…But oh well. Colin would have to be the first.For some reason, Colin hadn’t seemed happy earlier—especially when he asked if Daniel and Lucas were also special.“Colin used to always step back and let others have their way as a kid…”Had I romanticized the past, or was it because we’d both grown up? The Colin who once patiently gave up everything to others now seemed anxious and restless about something.“Does he really care that much about my inn?”Or is he genuinely worried I might leave? I wasn’t sure, but I found myself welcoming the subtle changes in Colin.Sensing the slight shift in mood, Colin gently tapped my nose with his finger, smiling his usual affectionate smile. The strange tension between us dissipated entirely.We talked late into the night, catching up on things we hadn’t shared, and then parted ways to our respective rooms.By dawn, we had arrived at Rewybourne, the kingdom’s premier resort town.  *****  “Yaaaawn.”“Did you sleep well?”Beside me, Mika let out a big yawn. Just as dawn broke, the train stopped at the platform in Rewybourne. Mika wiped away a small tear that had gathered at the corner of her eye.“Yeah, I slept great. The train was more comfortable than I expected. I was worried my back would hurt from spending the night here, but…”“But?”“It was like I had the whole train seat to myself. I feel completely refreshed!”I smiled quietly at Mika’s words. While Colin and I chatted away in the pub all night, it seemed Mika had slept soundly without waking up even once.“If you’re feeling good, could you help me carry some of my luggage? I didn’t sleep well at all.”“Really? Geez, it’s always the weaklings who can’t even sleep properly.”Mika snorted but willingly picked up one of my bags. My face must have looked sleep-deprived enough to convince her.Rubbing my tired eyes, I followed Mika and the other maids. Colin and Lucas were scheduled to take a separate carriage to the villa with the maids.“I wonder what the summer villa looks like. Have you heard anything, Marie?”“I heard it’s a two-story mansion. It’s in the city, so the garden’s small, but there’s an atrium and a fountain indoors. Angie told me that.”“Really? That sounds impressive.”In response to my question, Marie chattered away next to me. Despite her composed expression, she was practically radiating excitement. Chuckling, I gave her cheek a light pinch.Just then, Colin passed by behind me, brushing his fingertips against my palm as he went.“See you later, Rose.”He whispered softly enough for only me to hear before walking away with Lucas toward the opposite side of the platform. I subtly waved in their direction.Next to him, Lucas, noticing the interaction between the two of us, started squawking loudly as if asking, “What were you two talking about just now?”“That guy, seriously…”I let out a small laugh, shaking my head.“That blond young master is causing a fuss as always.”Unaware of the story behind it, Marie muttered as she watched Lucas. *****  The carriage carrying the maids made its way to the villa. It passed over the white stone pavement of Rewybourne’s city center and then down a road lined with plane trees on either side. The fresh scent of summer greenery wafted into the carriage.Following closely behind the carriage carrying Colin and Lucas, we eventually arrived at the villa nestled in the middle of the lush foliage.Though smaller than the three-story mansion back in the count’s estate, the pale lemon-colored two-story villa was anything but modest. Green ivy climbed elegantly along the walls, adding to its charm.“Wow, it’s beautiful.”We went straight to the maids’ quarters in the back to unpack. Shortly after, Mrs. Rosa, the head maid, called us together.“All the ingredients for dinner have already been prepared, so there’s nothing for you to worry about today. There’s plenty of time until dinner, so I’ll give you a few hours of free time. Feel free to explore the area or relax.”“Wow, that’s amazing!”Mika exclaimed excitedly.“Is this your first time at the villa, Marie and Rosieta? Take this chance to get familiar with the layout and maybe go for a walk.”Mrs. Rosa, seemingly in high spirits herself, spoke kindly. We nodded in agreement.As Mika began talking about nearby tourist attractions, a sharp noise interrupted her.“Tch. Acting like this is a vacation.”It was Angela, standing behind the four of us, clicking her tongue. When I glanced back at her, she was clinging tightly to Anne’s arm.“Hey, don’t look at her. You’ll just end up in an argument. Let’s just go.”Mika nudged my side with a casual remark. Angela’s freckled face flushed red, possibly overhearing Mika’s comment.Feeling awkward, I left the area with Mika, though my gaze lingered on Angela.She doesn’t seem like a completely bad person, but why is she always so brash with me?Does she really dislike me that much?Though Angela often acted like a sulky child, there were moments when she’d turn red with embarrassment, like she couldn’t handle attention.As Mika tugged me away, I looked back again. Angela was still glaring in our direction with a stubborn expression.It feels like things have gotten too strained to resolve with words now…Sigh, I don’t know anymore.I deliberately turned my gaze away from Angela, choosing to let the matter rest.  ****  “The summer sun is stronger than I expected. It feels hotter here than back at the Count’s estate.”Thanks to Mika and Angie, who had been to Rewybourne before, we managed to combine a trip to the market with a bit of sightseeing.“Don’t try to endure it stubbornly. Later, go into town and buy a lightweight dress. It’s cooler at night than in the capital, but during the day, the sun is no joke.”“Exactly. We came here last year too, and back then Mika got heatstroke and was bedridden for days. I had to do all the work myself!”Angie said this as she braided Marie’s long, flowing black hair into a single plait. After spending all afternoon at the market, Marie’s face was as red as a ripe apple.I fanned her gently from the side.“Marie, you should lie down until evening. It looks like you’ve gotten heatstroke.”“Yes, I think that’s a good idea.”“I’ll stay by Marie’s side.”“Seriously, you’re all so pale and delicate, like fragile twigs. How do any of you manage as maids?”Mika grumbled, but she diligently went to fetch some cool water.“If Mika hadn’t insisted we wait an hour outside that famous bakery she talked about…”“You little rascal, now it’s my fault?”“There’s no helping it. Mika, you’ll just have to take responsibility and look after Marie,” I teased.Mika, though grumbling, checked Mari’s temperature.“Fine, fine. I’ll take care of this kid, so you two go do what you need to. Angie, isn’t it about time you started helping in the kitchen?”“Yeah, you’re right. By the way, Rosieta, why don’t you explore the villa until dinner prep starts? You haven’t really gotten a proper look inside yet, have you?”“That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.”At this villa, Marie and I were sharing a two-person room. As I rummaged through my suitcase, Mika raised an eyebrow and asked,“Wait, you brought that birthday gift all the way here?”“Huh? Oh.”From my suitcase, the gift I had prepared for Colin slipped out. The ribbon had come loose, leaving the lid slightly ajar.It was a silk handkerchief.A luxurious blue silk handkerchief from the boutique Mika had recommended—the most expensive one they had. I’d agonized over it endlessly before buying it.