Chapter 75: Seen without Trying.

“I really ate everything.”

The fact that saying I was hungry wasn’t just an excuse was soon proven. With empty plates.

From some point on, I seemed to have really focused on eating. When I came to my senses, I had finished all the food that had been amply prepared.

“It’s natural.”

He checked the plates I emptied and nodded. He seemed somewhat satisfied. He accepted my reaction, which went awry like creaking, as natural just as he said.

“And you are a cool person even without trying to dress up.”

I really didn’t know how to react to him remembering what I said and returning it. Hesitating, I returned a clumsy compliment to him.

“…You are, kind.”

The compliment that I am cool without trying was awkward. It felt like words I had never heard before. Even when I was Han Jay.

Thinking about it, both then and now, I have always tried hard to get someone’s recognition. Even I couldn’t recognize myself. But now, there was someone who recognized me as cool even without my trying.

“I didn’t say it to hear compliments from you either. Nor will I give you a bonus.”

At the joke he added, I could barely smile.

“I didn’t say it to receive a bonus either.”

“As the amount of the bonus increased, the modifiers praising me used to get longer.”

At his tone lamenting while recalling the past, I nodded. Right, there was such a time.

“Wasn’t it strange?”

“What?”

He asked back as if having no idea what I was talking about.

“A servant who didn’t even receive proper education suddenly created a wristwatch. Although I didn’t do everything alone.”

I think I already trusted him back then. That he would accept even if I did something a bit unusual. And beyond condoning, he made me move more actively.

The Duke also looked a bit far away, perhaps recalling that time. Slowly, a smile hung on his lips again. As if recalling childhood memories.

His gaze, which had moved away as if reminiscing a moment rising like a heat haze, which he knew would scatter if he reached out so he could only watch quietly, soon focused back on me sitting in front of him.

“Because you were always a mysterious person to me, that much wasn’t even strange.”

This time, my ears turned red helplessly. The lilac scent followed without fail. Unable to hide at all that his words fluttered my heart, I didn’t know what to do.

Watching me quietly, he approached my side.

“The sunlight is good today.”

More than the words sounding a bit random and unexpected, my attention was drawn to the hand extended to me. When I took that hand and stood up, he led me to the balcony.

Simultaneously with squinting my eyes at the strong sunlight, a cool breeze cooled my heated ears. I took a seat next to him on a soft chair where my body was completely buried.

“I feel like I’m doing something very luxurious.”

It felt like indulging in the luxury of turning on the air conditioner strong with the windows open. The unnaturally cool breeze was definitely the result of magic. But the luxury I felt didn’t stem from the gem used to create wind magic.

“You’re right. It feels very luxurious.”

The Duke, who achieved enormous wealth himself in addition to what he was born with, also agreed with me. This languid moment seemed to feel luxurious to him too. Probably, no, definitely because he was with me.

I looked at the wide lawn garden looking greener under the sunlight. At the end, there was a heavy main gate closed without gaps. There were no obstacles blocking the view in between. Although chairs for comfortable leaning were placed, this place had the distinct air of a guard post where one could notice immediately if someone tried to enter, rather than an observatory to view the scenery.

It was completely different from the balcony attached to the room where I stay, just a few steps away. That place was like a nest hidden among trees. Blocked so no one else could peek. That was my space.

At this time like a messy ball of thread getting more complicated as everything gets tangled, we were spending the most peaceful moment.

I also held his, Philius’s hand holding mine tightly, with strength.

****

“Sleepy?”

At the King’s Brother’s words, I blinked my eyes open. On my lap lay a newspaper featuring a large portrait of Duchess Mare.

“Eat a little, then sleep comfortably.”

“My sleep has increased too much.”

All I did for the past few days was eat and sleep. The excuse of offsetting past sleep deprivation didn’t work anymore. I didn’t even have time to sketch the ideas I barely came up with. Even though the workshop for me was completed, I haven’t been able to do any work yet.

During the short time I was awake, the King’s Brother focused only on me. Although he would work while I slept, not a single document was held in his hand while I was awake. The newspaper was the only reading material. Even with that, I often dozed off after checking only the headlines.

“I feel like an animal hibernating in midsummer.”

“Because your body wants sleep, don’t force yourself to stay awake.”

“I really need hibernation, no, estivation.”

“You should eat a lot before estivation.”

As if agreeing with his words, pheromones still acting willfully leaked out a little. I felt like an animal trying to digest after filling its stomach uncontrollably. No, it wasn’t a metaphor but the literal truth.

Lifting the newspaper fallen on my lap, I placed it on one side of the tea table set with food. I tried to pick up the fork just like that, but my gaze was stolen once again by Duchess Mare’s portrait and the headline above it.

“Duchess Mare denied the engagement rumors, it says. The title sounds like the Duchess tried to remarry someone other than Duke Mare. I can’t help but look.”

At my evaluation, the King’s Brother let out a low laugh.

“Reporters raised by the Prime Minister are all overflowing with creativity.”

Although they weren’t people with proper journalistic qualities, I had to admit their skill in stirring public opinion was excellent. The origin of trash reporters was here.

It was an article reading as if she tried to engage but couldn’t achieve her will, rather than not intending to engage yet. Although it didn’t mention a word about who interfered, it was written so anyone could guess it was the King.

I wonder if this is what it means to be someone who drives people crazy when on the other side but reliable when on my side.

Still, what I liked was that the necklace hanging on Duchess Mare’s neck was drawn very realistically.

“‘Meanwhile, this citrine necklace was produced by Palmer Jewelry.’ Did you tip this part off, Duke?”

“I paid for the advertisement, and they added it on their own.”

Along with his words, a piece of steak approached in front of me.

“I will…”

When I reached out to grab the fork held in his hand, the steak was already inside my mouth.

“The chef must have been a little anxious.”

It was seasoned only with pepper, salt, and butter. For a chef who thinks a dish isn’t worthy of a noble’s table without various spices and carefully made sauce, it tasted like he cooked with great agony.

“How is it for your taste?”

“Just right.”

“I should praise the excellent chef.”

Another piece of steak approached in front of me. As I just watched, one of the King’s Brother’s eyebrows raised upward. Only after I opened my lips did his eyebrow return to its place.

“By the way, the King is quiet.”

“Not particularly. He spoke very strongly that he would never overlook those who run their mouths carelessly.”

It seems such an article appeared in another newspaper I haven’t seen yet. His Majesty the King, nervous about information in many ways, didn’t seem to know the fact that such words spread unofficial rumors instead of blocking official channels. Now the King’s name has become indispensable in rumors about the unidentified dominant Omega.

“You know well that I’m talking about a different issue.”

I looked quietly at the King’s Brother offering another piece of steak in front of my mouth. Although I was curious about the King’s official movements too, I was more curious about why the King wasn’t doing anything particular about him, the King’s Brother, yet. When I didn’t open my mouth, he shook his head saying he wouldn’t answer. I eventually had to accept the steak he offered. Only then did he answer my question.

“Because the King’s eyes haven’t crossed the sea yet. He knows I contributed to the victory but doesn’t know exactly. Although mercenaries’ praises stinging his ears are annoying, he can ignore the shouts of lowly things as much as he wants.”

“He has a complicated temper. And very generous to himself.”

“He was always like that. My trait was annoying so he needed to know where the limit was, but the bloodline continued from the person who gave birth to me became grounds to ignore me. Like a small thorn stuck under a fingernail, I am annoying, but if a bigger wound occurs, he can ignore me as much as he wants.”

It meant Duchess Mare and the Little Duchess Diane are bigger and more serious wounds to the King now.

“I left everything I did in official records in detail so it couldn’t be omitted when discussing merits, but actually, little entered his hands. Because I took measures. All my merits will be revealed in the parliament. Though it will be after all the generals return.”

The King’s Brother burst into a chuckle.

“My half-brother thinks I’m still the child dragged to the underground laboratory, thankfully.”

He cut the steak and handed it to me again. In his calm expression, I couldn’t find any trace of suffering due to past memories. I hoped it was a change caused by me.

I hoped, it was so.

“You must eat up to this.”

To him showing a pretend strict expression while continuing to urge me to eat, I opened my mouth obediently like a child. To him making a satisfied expression, I showed a smile.

****

“Still sleepy?”

At the question he asked after finishing the meal, I shook my head.

“A bit drowsy, but not enough to sleep. Above all, if I sleep like this, I feel like my minimum humanity will be lost.”

He let out a laugh as if hearing something quite funny.

“I’m thinking of taking a walk, would you go with me?”

But when I reached out my hand to him, the laughter disappeared from his face as if washed away. Seeing his eyes wide open as if truly surprised, I hid a bitter smile forming inwardly.

Just by reaching out first, I could surprise this man.

“Good.”

Composing his surprise, he smiled broadly and grabbed my hand at once. Without asking where we were going, we started walking side by side.

While going down the main building, we encountered no one. Although glass windows weren’t covered and the main gate wasn’t closed, it was as if only we were isolated.

“It’s hot.”

As soon as we stepped outside, a distinct temperature difference was felt.

“Shall we go back inside?”

“Going to the shade should be enough.”

His steps headed straight under the tree. To the place where the large tree wrapping the balcony of the room where I stay cast a shadow.

I leaned against the tree and looked around.

“It’s late now, but I’m thinking of planting lilac trees here next spring.”

A landscape reminiscent of his forest I saw in my dream came into view. The moss blooming on the stone placed at the base of the tree and the dark soil resembled what I saw in the dream.

“And making a small pond too?”

“Good…”

He, who seemed to agree with my words as is, stopped speaking with a slightly flustered expression.

“I see the Duke in my dreams. Do you perhaps see me in your dreams too, Duke?”

The voice calling me. That was a voice confirming I was in that dream. I finally mustered the courage to verify the fact.

Although embarrassment still remained in his eyes facing me, he soon nodded.

“I dream of meeting you among the forest, lake, and profusely blooming lilac trees.”

“Is that dream the good dream you mentioned, Duke?”

“Correct.”

At his appearance affirming immediately, my heart seemed to beat loudly.

Because his eyes looking down at me quietly, and his hand holding mine tightly were lovely.

Standing on tiptoes, I kissed his lips. When I confirmed his eyes widening, I closed my eyes.