CH 56

“Will you go on a picnic with me?”

“Pi-picnic?”

He was just talking about pocket, but why bring a picnic out of nowhere? Elusiana, who unknowingly asked back, shut her mouth.

“By any chance you don’t like it?”

“No, no, it’s not that I don’t like it… I’m a little embarrassed that Your Excellency suddenly said such a thing. And aren’t picnics mainly something children do as a pastime?”

Aster, who paused momentarily to Elusiana’s words, soon replied calmly. “Not necessarily. I heard that adults often visit scenic spots and enjoy their leisure time.”

…I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever seen adult nobles of this world enjoy a picnic. Is this a new trend? Elusiana laughed awkwardly.

“I didn’t know that. Does Your Excellency have a place in your mind?”

“…Are you agreeing?”

Aster tilted his upper body slightly forward and smiled, slightly folding the corners of his eyes as if he was looking forward to it. Elusiana forgot what had disturbed her mind and smirked because he looked excited, like a child who had never been on a picnic.

“Your Excellency, is this your first picnic?”

Aster, who blushed slightly, cleared his throat and answered, “Cough. That’s not it. Then have you ever… gone on a picnic?”

Picnic. She only did it once here. When she was young, she had a picnic with Astein, but it was raining all day. A smile spread across Elusiana’s face as she remembered that memory.

“I had once. But I don’t know if I can call it a picnic.”

A spring flower-like brightness spread over Aster’s face as she finished speaking. At first glance, Elusiana thought, ‘Why does he like it so much?’ but when she realized that the grand duke must have a good memory of the picnic, she fully understood his feeling.

Aster spoke with a slightly flushed face as if to prove her. “I have a place in mind.”

“I wonder where it is. I’m looking forward to it.”

“It’s not too far away.”

Elusiana, smiling thinly, hardened her expression as if she had just discovered something. But why is the grand duke’s face so fine…?

Elusiana stared at the grand duke’s face. The wound around his cheek, which should have been swollen, looked healed for some reason. She had seen something like that before. Because Astein was like that too.

Monstrous quick recovery. Minor wounds healed within minutes, and severe wounds completely disappeared after half a day to a day. The unhuman-like ability might be feared by normal people, but she was very familiar with it.

Is that ability common? Or am I being too sensitive? It’s fascinating.

It was a time when Elusiana drenched herself in the memories with Astein of that time.

“…siana. Elusiana? What are you thinking about so hard?”

“Ah? I’m sorry, That’s… I feel relieved.”

“Relieved?”

“Because there is no wound on Your Excellency’s face.”

“Wound…”

Aster, who was casually reciting Elusiana’s words, suddenly flinched. His two eyes met her in an instant. He suddenly grabbed his chest and breathed heavily.

“Heeuk.”

“Your Excellency!”

Elusiana was startled and looked at Aster’s condition. It was the same as back then. His face became pale as he couldn’t breathe properly.

Elusiana held onto the shoulders of Aster, who was crouching and breathing heavily, then said, “Please wait. I will call the doctor right away.”

As Elusiana stood up, Aster grabbed her by the wrist. “More than that, you haven’t… answered my question yet.”

“Pardon?”

“The picnic. Will you go with me?”

Elusiana lost her words for a moment because he said he had to listen to her answer even when he was breaking out in a cold sweat. Why is he serious about going on a picnic even in the middle of this?

However, Aster’s determination seemed too firm for her to ignore that gaze. Somehow he looked pitiful.

Elusiana, who sighed quietly inside, answered, wiping away the cold sweat on Aster’s forehead. “Yes, let’s go together. However, you need to see a doctor first.”

Aster’s face, which seemed to be out of breath at any moment, brightened as if it had never happened.

“Of course. Please call the doctor right away.”

* * *

As promised, Aster took Elusiana to the picnic place after being treated by the doctor. But that ‘picnic’…

Elusiana closed her eyes tightly. The sound of wind brushing her ears made her dizzy. What if I fall down and die? Am I going to die?

Elusiana held onto the grand duke sitting in front of her as if holding her lifeline. But the more strength she had in her hands, the faster he drove. Hey! You crazy grand duke! Slow down! Are you going to kill me?!

It was clear that if he had driven a car, he would have been caught dozens of times by the surveillance cameras. Perhaps a police car would start a chase with its siren blaring to stop immediately.

Elusiana wanted to scream out every time the horse hit the ground vigorously, impacting her buttocks. You said we would go on a picnic! It’s a picnic to spread a mat in a place with a beautiful view and eat delicious food to heal yourself, but what the hell with this crazy speed!

Elusiana clung desperately to the grand duke’s waist as her soul shook. It was clear that the grand duke misunderstood the nature of the picnic. Otherwise, there was no way they would run like a galloping race on horseback for more than thirty minutes.

“Y-Your… Excellency… how far… Uurgh.”

“We’ll be there soon.”

However, contrary to the grand duke’s words of ‘there soon,’ it was only after a long time that the speed began to decrease.

Hiiing—

Soon the horse stopped and raised its front feet vigorously as if to let out a roar of joy.

Please, enough! Eeeeenough!

Elusiana swallowed the curses that seemed about to pop out, glaring resentfully at the grand duke’s back, which she had been staring at happily until about thirty minutes ago. Obviously, when she first sat in the back, she was thrilled to see his wide and reliable back. But now, just looking at it made her shudder and nauseous.

I think I’m going to throw up. Uurgh.

He drove at a scary speed, but her brain shook, and she couldn’t focus. Even now, she had the illusion that well-grown trees were passing.

I will never ride a horse with this man again. Uuurgh. No, I won’t ride anything other than a carriage.

Elusiana concentrated on her staggering body, barely pushing her strength into her completely drained fingertips. She had endured when the horse was running like crazy, but now she wanted to slump down to the ground.

“Fortunately, we arrived without difficulty.”

Elusiana was astonished, then glared at him. What do you mean without difficulty! I’m not like you. I’ve never ridden a horse before, so I’m on the verge of fainting. Elusiana was forced to get her back upright and swallowed the swear words on the tip of her lips.

Then Aster jumped off the horse.

…Uh, huh? You madman! What are you doing now! Elusiana, who was holding on to Aster, felt that a moment of despair had arrived again.

As the grand duke jumped off without a word, the balance she barely held on to the horse was broken. Her body, which had been swaying from side to side, leaned sharply to one side.

At that moment, Simon’s brightly smiling face passed by like a lantern. What will happen to Father if I die? She was the one who supported him and made sure he continued to stay alive. Nothing was strange if Simon would make a fuss and die immediately if Elusiana died first.

What will happen to the… children in Angel’s house if that happens? A thin tear welled up in Elusiana’s eyes. She was the one who came to this world, and people believed her to be Elusiana. But let alone saying goodbye, her life will end here.

Aaah. God! Would you really feel better if you took this humble life? Please take pity on this poor lamb and let me stay alive… Please!

It was at that moment. Something warm wrapped around Elusiana’s body and pulled her gently.

“I’m sorry to startle you. Are you okay?”

A warm breath touched her ear… And a firm, broad chest that could be felt at her fingertips.

“Lusi, get yourself together.”

Elusiana suddenly came to her senses for a moment when she fell in love with that sweet and kind voice.

W-what is this…?! Elusiana opened her eyes wide and was startled to find herself in Aster’s arms. She was sure that he jumped alone, but when did he come and hug her tightly?

“Lady, His Excellency is very ill. It won’t be strange if he collapses at any moment, so please stay by His Excellency’s side.”

Heilla, who packed the basket, said it before she got on the horse. However— Neither this strong forearm that was wrapped around her waist nor the strength of this undisturbed lower body that stood firm was by no means the one who was sick.