Chapter 83

Chapter 83

However, the moment our eyes met, his expression softened. As naturally as cold snow melts in the spring sun.

“Ray.”

A heavy bass sound echoed in the hallway. It wasn’t that loud, though the employees around him showed signs of nervousness at his words.

He had grown up to the point of affecting the people around him without taking any action.

I was proud.

Even though I didn’t think of him as my son, I did think of him as my little brother. Would it be similar to watching a small and fragile little brother grow up bravely…?

I smiled brightly and put my hand on his arm. Perhaps, the Duke and Duchess have already arrived at the banquet hall. It was customary for the Duke that was going to hand over the title to deal with the guests before the day’s main character arrived.

Behind us, Amber, Lucian’s attendants, and other employees followed. After passing the familiar hallways and stairs, I entered a new path.

“Has Ray never been to the Black Rose Hall?”

“Yes. It was the first. So I’m looking forward to it.”

“Yes, I’m really looking forward to it as well.”

Lucian seemed to feel the same way as me. He was taking over the dukeship he has been wanting for a while, so of course, he would be looking forward to it.

The Black Rose Hall, which we arrived at quickly, showed off its splendor from the outside. The hall was built like a small annex, so attention was paid to the outside of the building, so a small magic lamp was installed on the building, the tree, and even the floor to give off light.

Although the sun had already set, it was not dark at all.

I was once again surprised by the wealth of the Duchy, which installed such a large amount of magic lights. It was because magic light was also a magic tool, it was never cheap.

While I was busy walking carefully and looking around, we finally arrived at the door.

The tension came all at once.

…No, it was not my coronation ceremony, it was Lucian’s, so why am I so nervous? For fear that his clothes might get wrinkled, I couldn’t even hold his arm tightly, and I breathed continuously.

“What’s the matter. Are you nervous?”

I answered Lucian’s question while taking a deep breath.

“Hoo, brother is not?”

“Lucian.”

“Oh, God!”

No, now that we came all the way here, was that important? What should I do if the word brother was already stuck in my mouth and came out without me knowing…?

“I don’t know why I’m nervous.”

“Hoho, that’s right. I’m not nervous at all.”

“Why?”

Not only did he say that, though the way he looked was so strange. As I tilted my head, he added, “I’m not nervous, but I’m excited instead.”

“Excited…?”

“Yes, very badly.”

Lucian smiled as he spoke. Then, the raised corners of his lips seemed to represent his mood.

The attendant at the door found us and delivered the message to the other attendant.

While we were waiting for our time to get in, at that moment, as I stared blankly at the door, I suddenly remembered something. I forgot because it was so natural. This wasn’t just a banquet…? It was Lucian’s coronation ceremony.

…So, why am I entering together with him?

I forgot about it because of Lucian, who came to pick me up every time I went to the banquet, although he, the spotlight of the coronation ceremony, had to enter alone.

He didn’t even need a partner.

In the original story, there was a reason that Noah could not enter with him because he was a man, but apart from that, originally, he wouldn’t need a partner, right? Just thinking about it now, I felt so stupid. Unable to do anything, I rolled my eyes and found Amber.

Why didn’t she even tell me? She must have known, right?

Regardless of the reason, I thought it would be better to separate from Lucian first, so I tried to remove the hand that was on his arm first. However, at that moment, Lucian grabbed my wrist and put it back on his arm.

No, what was he doing now?

I opened my mouth slightly in embarrassment as he tapped me on the lips again. Still, he spoke as if he knew what I was thinking, even though I didn’t say it.

“it’s okay. We can go in together.”

…Was he really Lucian? Was he not possessed?

I glanced up at him with trembling eyes and tucked the tip of his tapping finger between my lips.

Even though I opened my mouth slightly and closed it belatedly, the fingertips that had already penetrated inside did not stop and went deeper. The finger that had touched my teeth before touched my tongue this time.

“Huh…!”

I was so startled by the unfamiliar touch and action that I couldn’t say anything. A long finger lightly rubbed my tongue and came out.

‘No, what is it?’

I lost my mind, and my face turned into a puzzled look.

What the hell was going on with this now…?

Then, I quickly rolled my eyes when I remembered that there were employees here, too. However, there was no change in the expressions of the employees standing around. Everyone was staring at the wall with a calm face that showed no signs of being surprised or disgusted.

So, I couldn’t notice it… Where did the fingers that went out of my mouth go in and out again?

After hearing a sound, I turned my head to look at him. Nevertheless, he was just staring at the door in a posture not different from before.

…What the hell is this?

Am I not dreaming again…?

Suspicious, I tried to pinch my cheek with my other hand, not on his arm. At that time, another employee came and whispered to the employee who was standing in front of the door, and the one in front of the door shouted loudly.

“Today’s main characters, Lord Lucian de Leon, and Lady Rachel De Leon enters!”

No, today’s protagonist was Lucian alone… Can I really come in with him?

The door opened wide without time to stop it or say anything. No, I couldn’t even run away when the attendant cried out, but I was so embarrassed.

There were colorful magic lanterns, beautiful fountains, and many colorful roses. Still, I couldn’t quite see it.

With embarrassment, I wanted to hide in a mouse hole. I just rolled my eyes, thinking that I had to get out of the way. However, I couldn’t. Many were watching us, and the Duke and Duchess at the top seat were also staring at us.

I clenched my teeth and pretended not to know. I had no choice but to go with Lucian to the top seat.

When I finally arrived at the top seat, I felt relieved. As I quickly stepped away from him and tried to go to the Duchess, Lucian naturally stretched out his arm, wrapped my waist around him, and made me lean against his arms.

It was like skinship to a lover, just before introducing our relationship to others.

What should I do with my widening eyes…? I couldn’t. Although I didn’t want to show off with my expression whenever possible, I couldn’t manage my expression as much as I did at this moment.

…No, why was he doing this?

It was crazy, really.

It was very burdensome. Countless eyes focused on me and Lucian. After all, the main character was Lucian. They wouldn’t curse at me for being next to him without notice, right…?

‘Oh, I’m going crazy. I’m going crazy.’

I glanced at the place where the Duke and Duchess were, looking for help. Noticing my gaze, the Duke moved, though the Duchess grabbed the Duke’s hand.

…What? Did you two reconcile?

No, was it right that they fought in the first place?

I was really confused. Knowing in advance from the original story, I couldn’t make any further predictions. It was because it was already flowing differently from the original. Although It was nice to have succeeded in twisting the original story, suddenly, I felt like an idiot.

Was I the only one who didn’t know anything?

No one pointed me out even though I was with him, and the attendants began to carry champagne diligently.

Then, Lucian opened his mouth when everyone in the banquet hall raised a glass.

“Thank you for being here today. We didn’t prepare much, but I hope you enjoy it enough.”

A heavy, low-pitched voice resounded too close to me. I was nervous for nothing because it felt like it was humming. At his coronation ceremony, he delivered a toast in a very plain tone.

At that brief toast, I saw people showing bewildered expressions.

‘No, you said you were excited…’

Why did the child’s fluttering voice like this?

I grabbed the cup the servant had given me and stared blankly. Still couldn’t figure out why he didn’t let me go, I saw Lucian raise the hand holding the glass, and we raised the glass together.

“Toast to the Leonis Empire.”

“Toast to the Leonis Empire!”

At Lucian’s call, people cheered and shouted along. He was the first to hit my cup with the cup he had held.

Clink—The glass clashed lightly.

While observing the spectacle, a familiar face caught my eye through the falling glass. As we were already surrounded by many people, they were staring at me, a foreign object.

Purple eyes met mine.

He pouted his mouth as he raised a glass of champagne towards me. Without knowing what he was saying, I narrowed my eyes and tried to take a closer look, but my eyes got dark. No, should I say it was brightened up?

“Are you okay? You look tired?”

Lucan, who turned his body slightly and lowered his head, put his face in front of my nose and asked worriedly. I habitually answered. It was my reflex reaction that I had already gotten used to.

“No? It’s just a little weird…?”

“What?”

I had no idea what the problem was, so I had to ask.

“I don’t know why I’m in the position of the Duchess.”

__