Chapter 18: A Smile That Shouldn’t Feel Dangerous

The lifeless look in Osh’s eyes suddenly sparkled again, as if it had never been dull to begin with, and within them a faint glimmer swirled like a vortex. Was it just his imagination, or did that gaze seem… impure?

For some reason, it felt like there was something close to desire hidden in his eyes, leaving Kebel with a strange feeling.

Tap, tap- as the sound of rain hitting the umbrella gradually softened, Osh straightened his bent posture. He seemed to have grown taller, now looking down at Kebel.

Even so, Kebel couldn’t help but think that Osh’s eyes, shining like sunlight after rain, were beautiful enough to bring him to tears.

If the Count really had been abusing Osh, then Kebel wanted to protect him no matter what. He never wanted to see those empty, hollow eyes again like before. And surely… he himself was partly responsible for how things had turned out.

Kebel wrapped his arms tightly around Osh’s waist. Hoping his warmth could bring him some comfort, he buried his face near Osh’s neck. The scent of rain mixed with Osh’s natural fragrance filled his lungs, making his head spin.

He hadn’t meant it that way, but somehow it made him feel like he was being driven by desire, and that unsettled him.

“…What, do you pity me now?”

Osh seemed to have misunderstood his intention. His tone was sharp, almost mocking.

“…Of course not.”

“Then why are you hugging me? You’re the one who pushed me away.”

The question struck directly. Kebel pressed his lips into a thin line. It was true, but still, it irritated him. He gently pushed Osh away. The breath he had been holding scattered into the air.

Unlike his own chaotic feelings, Osh simply looked at him with a calm smile, as if nothing was wrong.

If he had to make excuses, he had plenty, but he couldn’t bring himself to say them now. He had underestimated Osh. In the end, instead of explaining, Kebel changed the subject.

“You’ll catch a cold.”

With that short remark, he grabbed Osh’s wrist and led him into the castle. At least he had told Bill to prepare bathwater earlier. Thankfully, they wouldn’t have to stay in these wet clothes for long.

As soon as they entered, the Duke was standing at the entrance. It seemed he had been watching them the whole time.

With Ida and the head servant standing behind him, he wore a displeased expression as he looked them over from head to toe. His gaze narrowed when he noticed Osh’s torn shirt.

Anyone could tell, the Duke had misunderstood.

Kebel quickly waved his hands in denial. He had only meant to check Osh’s injuries, but in his haste he had torn his clothes. Thinking about it again made him feel embarrassingly ashamed.

“So, you’ve made up?”

Pretending not to know anything, the Duke asked. Kebel felt his face burn hot, as if he had been caught doing something improper.

“…Yes.”

“Tch. What kind of state are you in? Go wash up immediately. I’ll inform the Count.”

“Yes!”

Kebel quickly replied and pulled Osh along by the wrist. As if someone were chasing him, he hurried up the stairs, with Bill and Ida following behind.

At the top of the stairs, several attendants were already waiting with fresh clothes. It seemed the Duke had anticipated this situation. Kebel felt grateful, and his earlier embarrassment quickly faded.

He was about to head straight to the bath, but Bill stepped closer and whispered quietly,

“Young master, you should let go of the young count’s hand.”

“Hm? Why? Aren’t we bathing together?”

“…”

“…”

At Kebel’s completely natural remark, the atmosphere froze.

They were both men. Friends. He hadn’t meant anything by it.

But the silence that followed felt heavy, as if he had said something he absolutely shouldn’t have.

The servants looked shocked, and Osh turned his head slightly, his ears faintly red. A strange unease crept up on Kebel.

“Young master… it’s too soon.”

‘Too soon for what?’

Kebel glanced at Ida, silently asking. She cleared her throat awkwardly and gestured toward Osh. Following her gaze, Kebel slowly looked at him.

Their eyes met.

Osh smiled softly, the corners of his red lips curling up. Perhaps because of the rain, the flush on his cheeks made him look shy.

Like a newlywed on their first night.

‘Wait, what?!’

Kebel turned to look at the servants, and as realization dawned, heat rushed to his face. Startled, he flung Osh’s hand away and quickly turned around.

“Let’s… wash and then meet.”

His voice came out stiff, almost mechanical, as he walked away awkwardly. He had a strange feeling Osh might be smiling behind him, and it made him want to crawl into a hole.

****

After washing up, Kebel found himself pacing around the room. They had simply gotten caught in the rain and cleaned up, but for some reason, everything felt strangely suggestive.

Sitting on the bed felt odd. Sitting in a chair felt just as strange. So he kept walking back and forth, rubbing his chin.

Outside, rain still poured steadily. Even though it was early, the room felt dim and gloomy. The tense atmosphere made him restless, so he took out the framed picture he had hidden in the drawer.

Seeing Osh’s portrait again reminded him of that day.

Osh had changed so much since then.

Was this what parents felt? His chest tightened with emotion.

Smiling unconsciously, Kebel gently placed the frame back where it belonged. It finally felt like it had returned to its rightful place.

But the unease in his heart still lingered.

At this point, he felt like he needed a clear answer from Osh today. No matter what happened in the future, he wanted Osh to promise never to harm the Duke’s household, or him.

Whether Osh would give the answer he wanted… he didn’t know.

Kebel took a deep breath.

As he stood there, determined, a knock came at the door. His throat tightened.

“Young master, I’m coming in.”

With Bill’s voice, the door opened, and Osh entered. Kebel signaled to Bill, who quietly left and closed the door behind him.

Silence filled the room.

Kebel spoke first.

“…Uh, do you want to sit?”

“Yes.”

‘Idiot. What was that “uh”?!’

They weren’t strangers.

If anything, his awkward tone made things worse.

Kebel quickly sat down, and Osh followed, taking his usual seat beside him.

Gulp-

Kebel swallowed nervously. Once he became aware of him, everything Osh did became noticeable. So he kept sneaking glances at him.

Osh looked cleaner now. More mature. More masculine.

And it made him… strangely frustrated.

Kebel hadn’t changed at all, so why had Osh changed so much? The realization that Osh had truly grown into a man made him feel oddly uneasy… even unwilling to let others see this new side of him.

The thought itself startled him.

“Kebel.”

At the sound of his name, Kebel turned his head quickly, eyes wide like he had been caught doing something.

Now that he looked properly, Osh’s features were sharper than before. His jawline more defined, his eyes more intense. His nose stood straighter, and with the baby fat gone, there was something almost wild about him now.

Children really did grow fast.

“You’ve gotten thinner.”

Kebel almost laughed. Who was he to say that?

Leaning back slightly, he shrugged.

“You’ve gotten thinner too.”

“Have I? Then I’ll take that back.”

“Hm?”

“You’ve become much prettier. Enough to make me want you.”

Kebel’s eyes widened.

He stared at Osh in disbelief, wondering if he had heard correctly.

But Osh only smiled brightly, as if he had said nothing strange at all.

For a moment, that smile seemed almost cunning… but Kebel dismissed the thought.

The Osh he knew would never be like that.