DO NOT OVERTHINK

"GOOD MORNING, Noonim."

Gypsy, who was in the kitchen while wrapped in a blanket, blinked her puffy eyes before her brain functioned properly. "Good morning, Young Master Yvo."

The morning was indeed good.

Yvo, who was dressed lightly despite the frosty morning, looked hella gorgeous as usual.

[If only he wouldn't open his mouth and make light threats left and right…]

Right now, the two of them were in the small yet neat kitchen of the ship, headed back to the duchy. The plan was to return before sunrise, but they had stayed on the island longer than expected.

And it was kind of her fault.

After all, she fell asleep when she was supposed to wake up Yvo when she was done mourning. But, alas, she fell asleep and only woke up when the young master carried her in his arms.

Again.

[He sure likes to pick me up a lot.]

Was it because she was small and easy to lift?

"Noonim, what did you make?"

She lifted the mason jar in her hand. "Iced coffee."

"Coffee?" Yvo asked, confused. "Noonim likes coffee?"

She nodded while taking a sip of her iced coffee. Ah, that was so refreshing. Thank goodness the ship's kitchen was loaded with many ingredients for cooking different meals and drinks. The container that worked like a refrigerator was the best.

"Lady Yvette apparently loves tea, so the late grand duchess always made me drink tea," she explained, then she took another sip of her beloved coffee. "But I actually prefer coffee over tea. Iced coffee, to be precise."

When she was still living as Baek Si-a in Korea, she just had to start her day with a cup of iced coffee. She felt like she couldn't work without it. Baek Si-woo, her dongsaeng, would often tease her, saying that iced coffee ran in her veins instead of blood.

[I miss you so much, Si-woo-ya.]

"Noonim, does it taste good?"

She was a little startled when Yvo stood in front of her.

He was a foot taller than her, so he easily towered over her. So, even if his build wasn't that big, he still looked intimidating in her eyes.

"Uh," she said while trying to make her brain work. "Would you like me to make you a cup of iced coffee, Young Master Yvo?"

He shook his head, then he pointed at the jar in her hand. "May I take a sip, Noonim?"

Her automatic response to Yvo's requests was to say 'yes' and do his bidding since she was always in "survival mode" around him.

So, before she knew it, she was already handing her iced coffee to him.

[Wait, nooo!]

It was already too late, though.

Her jar of iced coffee was already in Yvo's hand.

And before she could say anything, he already brought it near his lips. He took a whiff of the aroma first, then he finally took a sip. Was it just her or did he intentionally take a sip on the same part as to where her lips touched the glass?

[Nah, I'm just probably overthinking.]

"Mm," Yvo said approvingly, then he handed her iced coffee back to her. "It tastes good, Noonim."

Gypsy was flustered. [Why are you saying that while looking at my lips?]

***

[I SHOULDN'T overthink.]

Gypsy was channeling her inner Rose (from Titanic) while standing on the deck and looking ahead. All she could see was blue water, of course.

She was already dressed properly, but she still felt cold. Even though she lived in the North for years, she still got cold easily. Even back when she was living as Baek Si-a in Korea, she had never been a fan of winter.

"Noonim, what are you doing here?" Yvo, who appeared behind her, asked while draping a blanket over her shoulders. He was also properly dressed this time, and as usual, he looked absolutely handsome. "You might get cold."

"I'm channeling my inner Rose."

"Pardon?"

Gypsy blinked when she realized that she had said her inner thoughts aloud, so she immediately shook her head and turned to Yvo with an awkward smile. "I'm just using my brain for a little exercise."

"What are you thinking about, Noonim?"

[I'm actually thinking about why you're acting weird these days, but it's not like I can say it straight to your face.]

Thus, she just made another confession.

Yvo's suspicious behavior wasn't the only thing on her mind, after all.

"Young Master Yvo?"

"Yes, Noonim?"

"I want revenge."

"My father and mother are already dead," he said, and unexpectedly, he looked like he was taking her seriously despite the randomness of her confession. "So, am I right to assume that you're talking about Count Eugenio Woolsey and his son– Ethan Woolsey?"

"Yes, the two of them are the target of my revenge," she confirmed while nodding. "But I want to crush Ethan Woolsey more. That pervert is just a piece of trash with human skin."

She endured it when Ethan Woolsey almost assaulted her.

But that didn't mean she had forgotten the fear and trauma that he had caused her in the past. Now that Count Eugenio Woolsey couldn't threaten her anymore, there was no way she would waste the opportunity to bring the evil father-and-son duo down.

[I have Yvo to support me. Since he also wants to get rid of Eugenio and Ethan Woolsey, I'm sure he'll help me with my revenge.]

"Do you have a plan, Noonim?"

She nodded firmly. "I will loot their hidden treasures."

The young master's eyes went wide a little. "I didn't take Noonim for a thief, but I find it adorable that a small animal is planning to steal from two scary predators."

"Small animals are cunning, you know? How do you think they survive from the cruel world if they're not cunning?" she said defensively. "Not that I'm saying I'm a small animal."

He just gave her a lazy smile. "Do you know where my uncle's hidden treasures are?"

Yes, because she had seen it from the game walkthroughs that she had binge-watched.

"I know where the treasures are hidden."

"May I know what kind of treasures my dear uncle has been hiding all this time?"

"Merfolks."

Yvo's eyes went wide again. "Merfolks?"

Gypsy nodded firmly. "To be precise, merfolks that can make you rich, Young Master Yvo."

***

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