CH 67

Aster could hardly contain his soaring anger while secretly chasing after Elusiana and Simon. At this distance, he could have turned around, but the eldest son of Marquis Klaus was still standing there, keeping his eyes on her.

At first, Aster was just going to watch her for a while and go back. He was sad that he had to send her back early because of the smell of blood from his body. But the moment he saw her with that man, his thoughts stopped.

If he hadn’t found the knight of Count Eragost wandering around at the right time, he might have blown an ice spear into that man’s face. Like when that man knelt down and suddenly held out his hand. Even when Lusi put her hand on top of his. Aster really wanted to slash the smiling man’s head.

“You can’t just kill anything that has life, As.”

If it wasn’t because Lusi was standing in front of that bastard, he would have crossed the line eventually. It was certainly a blessing for him to remember Lusi’s words while they were chattering at that moment.

In that situation, Simon’s appearance caused the man to fail to send her back home. Aster confirmed the traces of murder soon disappeared, and he quietly followed the two of them.

* * *

About ten minutes had passed since she started walking while talking to Simon.

…Huh?

Elusiana, who had arrived in front of her house, felt strange, so she suddenly stopped and looked left and right. An unmanaged tree grew high on the wall a little sideways from the main gate, and there was deep shade under it. She stared blankly at it, tilting her head. Simon stopped too and asked her.

“Why?”

“…No. It’s nothing.”

She thought someone was there. At that moment, the wind blew a little. Maybe because of that, it seemed like there was a glistening light was in the darkness. And that glistening light was— Silver hair?

Elusiana’s eyes widened. Could it be, Your Excellency? Since it was so brief, it was a bit difficult to be sure. But it looked clear to her eyes. Silver hair with a blue tint… Red eyes wrapped in golden rings.

“Luis, let’s go in quickly.”

“Ah, yes, Father.”

Maybe it’s because she saw something unbelievable. Elusiana rubbed her eyes a few times. But there was nothing there when she saw it again. “Did I see it wrong?” While walking with Simon, Elusiana looked back several times.

After she entered the mansion, a dark shadow crept up under a tree swaying in the wind. Aster, wearing a black robe, licked his curved lips once in satisfaction. And he gazed calmly at Waieos Mansion.

At that time, he heard a voice that should not be heard but that was most familiar to Aster.

“I did it just in case.”

“…?”

“It’s really the Grand Duke.”

A gentle crack spread like a virus on Aster’s face, which was drawing a pleasant smile.

* * *

Elusiana doubted her eyes as she faced Aster, who was wearing a black robe deeply.

“How did you get here?”

“…As I walked, it happened.”

Elusiana let out a stupid laugh. You want me to believe that now? Even while walking side by side with Aster on the night roads of the island, she couldn’t easily accept his words.

“Waieos Street is close to the island’s center, but it’s a little far… to just go for a walk.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Astor shuddered when he lowered his eyes shyly at Elusiana’s firm answer. He seemed somehow gloomy, and she felt guilty for a moment. It looks like I’m harassing the innocent grand duke.

Elusiana sighed deeply inside and asked anxiously, “Are you allowed to come out like this?”

“Is there a reason why you can’t come out?”

“Rather than that, I think Your Excellency should be careful. You never know when you’ll get sick.”

Aster had never left the mansion since taking over the title of the grand duke. The reason, of course, was because of his sickly body. Isn’t it no different from self-destructing to bring out a body that doesn’t know when you’ll collapse?

There was a reason why the head of the family hid his sickly body. Being unwell also meant that the family’s fate could be in jeopardy.

“…Have to, be careful.”

Elusiana’s eyes narrowed as he spoke words of concern. I think he paused a little bit in the middle. Did I hear it wrong? Why did he drop his shoulders again?

Looking at the grand duke’s shrunken shoulders, she felt sorry for him again. For some reason, she felt like she should hug and rub his back.

Elusiana, who tried to shake her thoughts, said while clearing her expression, “Where is Your Excellency’s escort?”

“…Escort?”

“Didn’t you come with Sir Logan?”

“I’m… alone.”

“Eii, you’re kidding, right?”

“…”

Perhaps because of the moonlight, the grand duke’s fair face seemed even fairer. Looking at his hardened expression, he seemed to have come alone. Is he insane? Really? Elusiana’s face was stained with astonishment.

“Are you really here alone?””

“I don’t need an escort to take a walk.”

“No! Why are you taking a walk here? What about that large garden in the Grand Duchy? If you suddenly fall down in pain, who will help Your Excellency?”

At Aster’s innocent stare, Elusiana automatically pulled the back of her neck. Of course, Louis talked about Aster’s magical talent, saying he’s genius that will never be seen again in history. But what’s the point of having such great talent? He’d faint before casting that kind of magic.

“Do you have an artifact for calling? The butler took care of it to prepare for an emergency.”

Astor shrugged his shoulders as if it was insignificant. “It looks like it’s in a drawer on the bedside table next to my bedroom.”

“What?”

Elusiana glared reflexively at Aster. Why does he keep the things he should always carry around in his drawer? At that moment, she became very curious about the grand duke’s brain structure.

“…Then, do you have any other means of contacting the Grand Duchy?”

“Umm, I don’t think so.”

When Aster answered so easily, Elusiana had to rethink whether her question was wrong in the first place.

“Is it a problem?”

“No, no. It can’t be. Rather than a problem— Ummm.”

Elusiana, faced with his red eyes staring at her, was finally discouraged. Now all the methods and means of contacting the Grand Duchy Sestein had disappeared. She had only one way. It was to take this man in question herself.

Elusiana swallowed a sigh inside and said quietly, “I will take you back.”

“I’ve caused you trouble.”

“Despite the circumstances, Your Excellency still smiled. Like this—”

Elusiana grinned, stretching her lips with her fingers. Aster’s expression, which had been smiling at her, suddenly hardened.

“…You saw it wrong.” Aster, who answered briefly, took the lead first. His earlobes, which were half-hidden by his silver hair, turned red.

Elusiana’s mouth was twitching, which had been quietly watching his back. Wow, he must be shy.

At that time, Aster, who was walking in the lead, suddenly turned around quickly.

“Why do you keep smiling- ugh.”

“Argh!”

Elusiana, who was walking close to him, bumped into Aster’s chest. Surprised, she quickly stepped back and made an excuse. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t see Your Excellency stop.”

“…It’s okay. It’s because… I suddenly turned around. Is your forehead okay?”

“Yes? Forehead?”

Elusiana, who touched her forehead carelessly, tilted her head. “What’s on my forehead?”

Aster, who looked at her forehead, sighed low.

“I think… there is a scratch.”

“Scratch? But I feel fine.”

“It looks like a scratch mark from a button.”

“Ah, it must have been scratched a little. I’m okay. It will heal quickly if I apply ointment for a few days.”

Elusiana, who responded lightly, wrinkled her nose and smiled. Then, something warm landed on her forehead. Surprised, she jerked her head up. His deep, sunken red eyes stared directly at her.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not okay at all.”

A slightly deflected gaze moved to her forehead. It was a red mark the size of a fingernail. Aster carefully caressed the wound, frowning as if in pain.

“I really don’t like this… Lusi.”

“Lu-Lusi?” Elusiana was a bit surprised because the grand duke had always called her ‘Elusiana’ except for their first meeting. Above all, his tone felt so friendly.

“…It’s an emergency, so I’ll start with treatment.”

“W-wait a minute! Treatment. What do you mean—”

“Heal.”

Saaaa—

Aster’s fingertips were wrapped with red light without a moment to waste. The light, which was wrapped warmly as it touched a small scratch, spread softly and soon disappeared.

“…by … it?”

“It’s done.”

“…!”

The corners of Aster’s mouth loosened, gently sweeping away Elusiana’s smooth forehead.