When Juniper leaned in and got no reaction, she frowned in confusion. What was wrong?
Normally, if she took the initiative like this, the man would be over the moon. Why was he so calm today?
A few seconds later, it dawned on her. Oh, right. She'd forgotten she was disguised as a man. In everyone else's eyes, she was a man. A man trying to kiss him? That was admittedly a bit creepy.
"Shanley..." Juniper licked her lips, her sweet voice a stark contrast to her appearance. "Close your eyes."
Before Shanley could ask why, a hand covered his eyes, and a warm sensation pressed against his lips. It was the familiar taste of Juniper.
After a fleeting touch, Juniper pulled away, a faint blush on her cheeks. "I'm off," she said. She patted down her clothes, shoved her hands in her pockets, and strutted towards the ferry with an audacious swagger.
The audacious girl. She really wasn't afraid of blowing her cover.
"Boss, should I get the ferry ready?" Flint asked respectfully. It was just like last time. Ms. Payne had barely left before the boss was chasing after her.
"Forget it," Shanley said, turning to give Flint a deep look before curving his lips into a helpless smile.
"You're not going?" Flint asked.
"...I don't dare!" Shanley bit out, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white.
Felton and Flint exchanged a complicated look. Henpecked? That was their boss, alright.
—
He had an invitation, and his identification checked out. It should be correct. If he turned out to be a fake, the island's Lord would deal with him.
Juniper got into the car, looking around with interest. Though people called it "hell on earth," the environment was quite beautiful, especially the landscaping. The lush trees and fields of flowers were a refreshing sight.
After driving around the island for half an hour, the car stopped in front of a white, castle-like building. It wasn't the same castle she had visited last time; this place felt more like a private, idyllic estate.
As she walked forward, Juniper's gaze fell on a nearby vegetable garden filled with cilantro, medicinal herbs, and flowers.
"The Lord's wife grew all of these," the man explained helpfully. "Our lady may be intellectually delayed, but she's a very kind person."
"Except for forcing us to eat the cilantro she grows, she's wonderful," he added with a whimper.

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