CH 223

Duke, Please Repent! chapter 223

42. The Duke's year-end settlement (3)

Although I cite retreats and field trips as examples, that does not mean that I would like the instructor to appear as well.

Isn't there anyone who can come at this hour...?

I looked towards the door that reflexively sounded, and then back to Serpens.

turned the line

Without a sign of surprise, he sat down on the bed naturally, tidying up his messy hair and dressing.

It means that you already knew that someone was coming.

This meant that I didn't want to be specific about where I wanted to go.

"Why are you looking at me with those eyes?"

You know your sins!

Open the door.

Serpens looked at me with pitiful eyes and pointed to the door with a chin.

I want to ask him why he looks at me like that.

- Smart.

Someone outside knocked on the door again.

The beat was a little faster than before. No matter who you are, you have a quick temper

it's ram

Yeah, yay~. I'm leaving, I'm leaving!

When I was about to get up, it was a pity that I had to leave the bed.

After a short deliberation, I got up from my seat with the blanket wrapped around my body and the slippers I had taken off nearby.

'Is it okay if I can take care of you in someone else's room and do something like this for you?'

I bewitched Serpence once more and opened the door.

There stood a man with green eyes and blue-silver hair like Serpens.

The moonlight that leaked through the hallway window fell on his face with a puzzled expression on his face.

What are you doing at this hour, Eirich-sama?

That's what I'd like to ask.

Yes?

I want to know what the hell is this after he comes over.

Suddenly, the child's presence disappeared, so I came to see if Sir Sion knew where he was going...

Here is the disappearance of Serpence.

Did you feel it?"

Yes.

Eirich looked at me with eyes that needed an explanation.

If you think about it, the case of Eugene and Hans who witnessed Serpence sleeping here and did not ask anything is unusual.

I can't even say to him, who is embarrassed even if he pretends to be, 'Serpence will sleep here from now on, so don't worry about it.'

"Come in first."

Then excuse me.

Eirich entered the room cautiously.

Then he found Serpens standing by the bed in his pajamas and stopped walking.

I closed the door and turned the light back on.

What are you doing standing up and talking? Let's sit down and talk.

"Where are you talking?"

Looking at the tables and chairs scattered around in the corner of the room while unpacking the blankets, Eilic asked the question.

In a case like this, it is impossible to say. To demonstrate, I took off my slippers and sat down on the blanket on the floor.

Serpens sat down on the bed again, and Eirich thought about it, then pulled up a chair and sat down on it.

There is no reason why Serpence is doing this here...

"I must be uncomfortable."

Eirich cut off my words, and said in self-help.

Seeing the quilt on the floor and Serpens in pajamas, I came to that conclusion.

seems to have been

And I thought it would be worse if I made excuses like this, so I guess that's why I said it in the first place.

It's not like that. It's a misunderstanding!

"If not, then why is that child here in such a way?"

In response to his question, I looked closely at Serpens' appearance.

He had his hair and clothes in order, but, unlike usual, his hair was loose and his pajamas were wrinkled here and there.

The brightly shining eyes didn't belong to someone who woke up from sleep, but at least he seems to have rolled around in bed a few times.

It's true that I came here to sleep... Anyway, that's not the reason Eirich-sama thinks. It's been almost two months since Serpence started sleeping here, so it's not related at all.

Saying that, I looked up at Serpence, and he nodded and confirmed my words.

Eirich is serious about what I said.

He stared intently into my face to tell if it was a white lie or just a white lie.

I was proud, so I faced his gaze confidently.

I don't think it's a lie.

That's right, that's it!

Fortunately, he believed me.

Eillich's complexion brightened a little as if he was relieved that Serpens had not run away from him.

"Then why is that child sleeping here?"

Eilich-sama knows everything about the situation, so it's not difficult to give an answer... Why are you asking me with the person in front of you?

Eirich, speechless at my question, glanced at Serpens.

I sneakily avoided his gaze, and I don't know what I'm going to do with it now.

If your nephew is shy, you should try to talk more and try to get closer! What if I avoid that?

Do?

"No, well I know that it's awkward and apologetic makes me more cautious, I know "

Seeing that he had a sullen expression with a face resembling Serpence, his heart weakened for some reason.

But you were good at talking last time. You're coming in now, don't you think that time will take care of it if you just sit still?

It's not like that.

sure?

Eirich looked at Serpens again.

If you don't pay attention too much, you'll end up like a humanus, so it's a problem, but even if you pay attention too much, that's a problem.

If Serpence is also thinking that he wants to get closer to him, he may not know, but in the present state, he only draws an eternal parallel.

'Those who are thirsty must first dig a well.'

I dug a well first, so Serpence snooped around and drank water.

Are you not working hard?

Someday, even Serpens will have to learn to approach others first, but that's not the case right now.

Especially if the opponent is Eirich, the older brother of the Duke.

Serpens did his best just to accept him as a duke.

Suddenly, I thought that maybe I was ignoring his intentions out of my greed and forcing him to accept me as a family member.

"If that was the case, I wouldn't have even been allowed to enter the family.

If you don't like it now, I'm sure you don't like it... I don't do it, but I say it in bulk. It's not like I'm pushing Eirich-sama out of the way.

Eirich looked at Serpence again, and Serpence stared openly at me.

He seems embarrassed to talk about himself in front of his eyes.

"Really is it like that?"

To be honest, it's uncomfortable, and I don't know how to deal with that , uh , but it's not that I hate it.

Serpence avoided Eilich's gaze and replied hesitantly.

Thank you.

"No, I can't take it purely because "

It's not your fault.

Serpens bowed his head, perhaps because he was unfamiliar with the face he looked at with warm eyes.

And Serpens doesn't know how to call Eirich-sama.

Shion, Zion?

The guy is startled and his eyes are round.

He opened up and looked at me.

I guessed that it was because of the awkwardness of the sentence he just uttered, and the reaction he showed now confirmed that.

Heh heh...! If it's a name, eldest son...Father, Uncle.... Call me whatever is convenient for you.

Eirich, unable to hide his shyness and anticipation, spoke to Serpens.

I think you were trying to call me big dad instead of daddy, but I'll pretend I don't know.

'More than that, I'm curious about this

place?'

First of all, I won't call you by my last name.

I also looked up at Serpens with full of anticipation, waiting for Serpens's mouth to open.

"Well then Bae, Uncle ?"

Suddenly, Serpens's mouth opened, and a small disappointment crossed Eilic's face.

It's the same for me too.

'What is Uncle, Uncle?! Desolation Hedgesri!'

If the word uncle is too cute and burdensome, you can call him uncle, and if the word father is awkward, you could use uncle.

The aide was disappointed with the Duke.

That too a lot.

I'd like to get back to the point now.

Well... Anyway, don't be afraid, just ask Serpens directly.

"That ! That's difficult."

Suddenly Serpens is urgently needed

Lee said as if he was in trouble.

I'm in trouble, what is it?

" can't Shion speak for me?"

why?,,

Instead of telling the exact reason, Serpence looked at me with tears in her eyes with a sad expression on her face.

My heart was shaken, but if I fall for that expression every time, there is no limit.

Sometimes you have to eat your heart out.

Serpence is now a year or two older

You're not a child. Isn't it a bit too much to rely on me for all these things?"

But...but still...

He was restless and hesitant like a poopy dog.

For some reason, he seemed embarrassed.

Ah! That's right. It's very embarrassing to say that you sleep with a friend because you're scared of sleeping alone. You're not even a little one or two years old.

Ugh...

Serpens shrugged his shoulders, narrowed his eyes, and looked at me.

His eyes were filled with dissatisfaction as to where it would go if he carefully turned it around and spoke.

"It would have been nice if Serpence had said it himself."

No, it's not me who did it too much, it's Serpence.

Okay, okay! That's a tricky long.

I guess I'll have to explain it again.

I have a lot of trouble because of my delicate boss.

Hmm, hmmm! Then I'll explain it properly again.

I coughed, cleared my throat, and let go of my luck.

Eirich, who looked at Serpens and me alternately with a puzzled expression, came to his senses and fixed his gaze on me.

Serpence has suffered from nightmares since childhood, but the last kidnapping incident made it worse, so I

They are sleeping in the room.

Still you mean?

Eirich's face suddenly darkened.

The voice that asked me was trembling.

Does the 'still' he speaks refer to until the kidnapping case is over?

Or is it referring to the present, 10 years after the death of the former Duchess of Prasidus?

I'm not sure which one you're referring to, but I'm asking

didn't

Because the answer is the same anyway.

It's a lot better now. In the past...,,

Zion.

As if Serpens had guessed that the word 'pump' would come out of my mouth, he put his shoulder on my shoulder and shook his head left and right.

I mean don't tell me.

Eirich's complexion, who was sure that he had misunderstood something, was even more grieved.

It is unfortunate, but in order to protect Serpense's human rights, we have decided to keep our words short.

Anyway, it's a lot better than it used to be. It seems like you can't sleep well when you sleep alone, but it's a little better than before the incident.

But still sleeping here...

Right now, I'm just sitting down because it's fun to sleep with me, so you don't have to worry too much. Basically, kids this age are just trying to sleep at a friend's house for nothing.

yo. This.

"Is that so?"

Eirich asked a question, wondering about my answer.

It seems that they have lived a life of beating heretics on a fictitious day, so they are unaware of the types of behaviors children show in the process of growing up.

It is unavoidable. I, who is an expert, should help.

Yes, is that so? When I was young, I told my parents that I would come to my friend's house to sleep.

Excuse me, but how old is Sir Zion?

Are you okay?"

Yes? You're twenty-six? Oh, you'll be twenty-seven soon.

Eirich came out with a slightly subtle look and looked at Serpens in turn.

He put his hand on his forehead and avoided his gaze.

No matter what happens, Serpence will surely sleep in a cozy and soft place, so just leave the sleeping problem to me.

Ah, yes...

There was a slight tinge of confusion, but there were no further questions.

He quietly returned the chair he was sitting on, turned off the lights, and quietly went out to the door.