Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Having said that I was going out, I hurriedly prepared and finished breakfast with him quickly.

Dressed in the light blue striped dress made of linen he had given me as a gift, I climbed into the carriage with Lucian with pleasant steps.

“Where are we going, Luci?”

Now, his nickname was stuck in my mouth, so the title ‘brother’ did not come out well. Besides, if I had called him brother again, Lucian would have pressed his lips on me without missing the opportunity.

“Jeweler.”

“Why the jeweler…?”

“Do you remember the ring I put together with you before?”

“Ah!”

I could recall right away. How could I forget? I picked it for six hours.

“Is the ring done?”

“Yes.”

Wow, he seemed to be in a really good mood today.

Even though Lucian always showed a smile to me, he was smiling more than usual today. Every time he smiled at me, my heart raced. Wow, his face was working hard today too. How could a smile like that come out? It was definitely one of the top smiles I’d seen so far.

What a crazy look. So handsome! My bias!

…Huh? When did he change his shirt?

He was wearing a black shirt when he came this morning though now, it was different. Lucian was wearing a light gray suit, a striped shirt that at first glance looked identical to my dress. As he dressed more brightly than usual, it seemed that not only his face but his entire body was enveloped in brilliance.

Oh, so dazzling…

What was the name of something that was more dazzling than the summer sun?

It would be Lucian.

This obsession, which had become a habit, had made me greedy. I smiled bashfully before grabbing his finger and waving it.

“Ray, are you looking forward to it?”

“Yes! I am very much looking forward to it!”

Just the thought of Lucian wearing a ring with a design I drew made me feel so good that I felt like it was floating in the sky. I have truly become a successful fan. While I didn’t buy it for him, it felt like I gave it to him?

I glanced out the window, wishing we could arrive at the jewelry store quickly. The carriage, which entered the noble-only street earlier than expected, ran without hesitation.

Arriving in front of the jeweler, we headed to the parlor room with the owner still smiling.

“I am really looking forward to it. How did it come out?”

“It must be beautiful.”

Lucian also responded with a look of anticipation. I agreed with him.

“It will definitely suit Luci. It’s a design I drew while thinking of Luci.”

His expression, which had been smiling continuously at my words, was slightly distorted and then returned to its original state. After making a somewhat disapproving expression, his face became naturally expressionless before he smiled again.

Lucian paused before entering the drawing room.

“I’m afraid we won’t check it now.”

“…What?”

Suddenly?

He was happy a while ago, so why all of a sudden?

“Why? We came all this way, let’s check it out first. First, we have to make sure it fits your finger well.”

The jeweler’s owner, who was by my side, added to my suggestion, “We’ve made sure we match the size, but why don’t you check it first, Duke.”

However, Lucian’s answer was firm.

“No, put it in the carriage as it is.”

“Understood.”

Lucian looked at me after finishing his words. He said with only his head turned at an angle like he did when he was a child.

“Since we’re going out, do you want to go on a date?”

My pouted lips opened and rejoiced with the unexpected word, ‘date.’

“Really? I want to go to that new cafe. Bellisa says the melon tart, which is only available in the summer, is so delicious.”

“Okay, then let’s go.”

We left the jeweler again without seeing the ring. Even though I wondered why he had changed his mind, it was an outing after a long time, so I thought about asking him to show it to me later. Of course, it was a bit disappointing. I wanted to see the finished ring shining on his finger…

However, as soon as I entered the cafe with him, my thoughts evaporated easily.

“Wow, brother. Look at this.”

Even in the morning, there were quite a few people, so I did not call him by name. There was no need to spread rumors.

“…Choose what you want to eat.”

Of course. Maybe, Lucian was not good outside too? Even though he told me to call his name every day, he didn’t even touch my lips when we were outside. Still, why did I feel a bit down even though I take that for granted?

Even when the light pink melon tart came out, it was not very exciting. Lucian’s expression became serious as he ate.

“Does it taste bad?”

It seemed that he was not interested in tarts from the beginning.

I glanced at him holding the teacup. His appearance in the window seat filled with the morning sunlight was like a picture in itself. When full of sunlight came in, the golden eyes shone more faintly and looked mysterious.

Now, like inertia, I got obsessed with him. Even though I knew that I could no longer praise him as beautiful as ever, I could no longer suppress my rising heart.

…Oh, crazy. Hot damn.

The low mood for a while disappeared so quickly that it was ridiculous.

“No, it’s delicious.”

Obviously, the better the mood, the better the taste. As I moved my fork diligently, my mouth clenched. Lucian drank tea leisurely while looking at me. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen him rest properly since becoming the Duke.

As expected, it would be good if he could rest well today…

It seemed that the position of a duke was a formidable position. Although I couldn’t know all of his work, only invitations and sorting, I could predict it enough.

“Brother, I want to eat this and look around the square. They say that there are artists painting or playing music.”

I recited what I had heard from Bellisa through the letter. At my words, Lucian smiled kindly.

“You can do that if you want.”

“Hehe.”

He stared at my lips as he spoke as if wanting to eat it right now—passionately and earnestly. I was rather relieved by that look, but why…? I couldn’t even understand my heart, so I just ate the melon tart.

While chewing the fresh and sweet melon, I suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, Oscar asked me to buy melon-flavored candy. It was sold here, too, right?”

Wouldn’t it be more delicious because it was sold at a more famous shop?

Thinking that, I glanced around to call an employee. The employee, who was nearby, came to me after quickly noticing my head nod.

“Are you looking for something, customer?”

“Do you also sell melon flavored candy here?”

“Of course. Shall I bring some for tasting so you can taste it?”

“No, you don’t have to. Just pack three.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Because it was a place only nobles came to, the uniforms worn by the employees seemed to be quite expensive products. As the employee left, Lucian put down the teacup that he was holding, and he asked in a tone that seemed somehow unpleasant.

“Did that fox dare do that to you?”

“What? Oh, I promised to buy him.”

“Why are you buying it? Make someone run the errands, that’s enough.”

I widened my eyes and rolled them around at the tone of his voice that was getting more agitated. I was a little surprised.

Why was he suddenly angry…?

In this way, when the other person was angry, my lips stick like glue. It had been one of those habits I’d had for a long time. In this case, no matter what I said, the other party would be angry.

As for the other person, it was only my adoptive parent.

Even so, my lips didn’t open and I didn’t think they would ever. I rolled my eyes and waited for him to calm down. Suddenly, his hand came under his chin. Lucian, who lifted my face, which was gradually descending, came to meet my gaze.

“I told you not to bow your head.”

“Ah…”

I remembered what he once said as I felt the full moon-like eyes I saw that day still staring at me.

Golden eyes like a full moon that seems to come true if you make a wish. When I met those eyes, it was as if I had been possessed by magic that made me unable to move.

“Ray… When are you going to find out?”

What?

From the beginning, he seemed to have a lot to say to me. However, the words that came out of his mouth were not at all understandable. It would be nice if he could tell me honestly. I could give him anything he wanted…

Still, why wasn’t he speaking properly? Why did he keep asking me?

Embarrassed, I bit my lip. He grabbed my chin with a stronger hand than usual. The crushed cheeks trembled slightly in his long fingers. I felt like I was suffocating in this situation where I felt a sense of déjà vu.

At that time, a familiar but unwelcome voice intervened.

“Hmm, I didn’t know we would meet in a place like this?”

The trash booger king spoke softly in a still good place. He glanced at me, slowly wiping his silver hair shining in the sunlight. The purple eyes that stared at my face in Lucian’s grasp seemed to gleam a little dangerously.

The trash booger king licked his lips briefly and opened his mouth again.

“It’s bitter for siblings to fight.”

Even though he knew everything, he still called us siblings. Every time it happened, I just wanted to hide in a strange way like a child caught doing something terrible.

Then, someone rushed to his back.

The person who was in a hurry, as if they were late for the appointment, saw us and stopped for a moment. Lucian also noticed the other person, and his gaze glided as he looked at the trash booger king.

“I’m sorry, Prince… Gasp. It’s not that I’m late, someone jumped in front of the carriage…”

Noah, who was making excuses haphazardly, saw me and Lucian and widened his eyes.

It was way too early for tea, so why were we meeting these people now?

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