CH 69

“You’ve been helping Lusi a lot, haven’t you?”

“…”

“I’m grateful for that.”

Noel’s eyes sank coldly at the apparent provocation for unknown reasons. Above all, the brazenness of the grand duke who spoke of Elusiana as if she belonged to him was very disturbing. His dark purple eyes drew sharp lines toward Aster’s face.

“I don’t think there’s any reason to hear grateful words from the Grand Duke.”

Aster, who smiled sarcastically, instantly closed their distance and stopped in front of Noel.

“It’s not for you to judge whether there is a reason or not.”

Noel was startled by Aster’s sudden movement. But he asked back with a sly look on his face. “I don’t understand. Why is Grand Duke meddling with me and Lusi’s affairs?”

“If I answer—” Aster tilted his head and looked straight into Noel’s eyes. “You can no longer stay here. Will you listen?”

“…”

“Let me give you some advice with my little generosity.”

Aster gripped Noel’s shoulders and said, as if threatening him. “Don’t covet.”

“…?”

“I have never let anyone covet something of mine and live.”

Aster’s red eyes, full of obsession, shimmed with madness.

Only Elusiana, who hurried to meet them, was puzzled by the unknown tension.

* * *

In the parlor of Angel’s house, Elusiana was sitting opposite Aster.

Chuur.

Louis, who had arrived with Aster, poured the tea with graceful movements. After placing the properly filled teacup in front of Elusiana and Aster, he quietly backed away.

“Listen.”

Seeing Aster lifting the teacup carefree, Elusiana couldn’t hide her complicated feelings. When had she ever mentioned this place? Suddenly, the grand duke and his butler visited Angel’s house.

“…Your Excellency. How did you find out about this place?”

“Why do you think I don’t know?” Aster, who smiled brightly, strangely closed his eyes, unlike his sorrowful expression.

“Wouldn’t I have to look into one of these things when hiring my people?”

“Ah. That… I see.” Elusiana quickly agreed and nodded.

Aster was right. He wasn’t looking for a clerk at a restaurant, and it was foolish of someone from the prestigious noble family if they didn’t look into someone they hired. No matter how high the power of the grand duke’s family, there was definitely a group of people who kept them in check. He was a grand duke who disdained even the words from the emperor, so he must be a thorn in the eyes of the emperor and nobles from the imperial faction. Just like her family, the Waieos ended up.

Ah, isn’t that a bit different?

If there was an opponent they couldn’t even think of crossing over at all, the Waieos family wouldn’t have been delicious prey to eat. Indeed, with the family’s fall, the Waieos’s family lands and fortunes vanished with unusual rapidity.

It was obviously Simon who provided the cause. Still, it was easy to infer that there was someone’s influence behind it unless you were an idiot. Wasn’t that the same case with how the butler died on the road he had been traveling all the time? In any case, using your power to get what you wanted was commendable. Regardless of whether it was an enemy or an ally.

“Aren’t you angry? In a way, I did a background check.”

“I have no reason to be angry. His Excellency must do so. This place… is just the same as any other place, right?”

Aster’s eyebrows, which were calm at Elusiana’s expression, looked bitter for some reason, and twitched momentarily.

“By the way, what did you talk about with Noel earlier?”

“…Noel?”

Elusiana replied with an excuse to Aster’s mood, which suddenly became cold.

“Ah, you mean Sir Klaus.”

“Hmm.”

“He’s not the one to leave without saying anything, but I’m a bit worried that he suddenly left.”

“You’re… worried?”

“Yes, of course.”

He was the one who had become a big sponsor from today.

Elusiana, who naturally kept a smile on her lips, rolled her eyes at the sudden silence. Somehow, Aster’s expression was getting worse and worse.

Is he going to get sick again? His complexion… doesn’t look bad.

Elusiana asked carefully, looking into Aster’s eyes. “Excuse me, by any chance, Noel… Ahem, did Sir Klaus say anything to His Excellency? Actually, I saw you two together then.”

“…It’s just a quick greeting.”

“Is that so? Why did he run away so contemplative?”

Elusiana’s brow, which muttered to herself, had a deep crease. It was even more questionable because Noel left as if he were running away right after talking to the grand duke.

I’ve never seen his surprised face. What on earth is going on?  Aster always had a smile, which made her feel even more uncomfortable. Was it because he didn’t like him?

Aster said in a slightly annoyed tone, “You seemed to be close with Sir Klaus. Are you two very close?”

“Noel, I mean Sir Klaus, was kind of affectionate.”

“…Affectionate?”

“Yes?”

“Did you just say… affectionate?”

Aster’s tone became more feisty. It was like you could feel the murderous intent, as if thorns were tightly planted in his words.

Did Noel make a mistake with His Excellency? Why is he so serious? Considering Noel’s usual lighthearted behavior, it wasn’t impossible. But in front of Grand Duke Sestein, could he do the same? Shaking her head, Elusiana pondered for a moment.

Still, he was here to do something good for the children. I can’t let him get hated.

Elusiana, who examined Aster’s expression, swallowed the moderately cooled tea and answered. “I said… affectionate, right? Noel, um, Sir Klaus is a bit mischievous, but if you keep looking at him, he’s cute— Ahem, I didn’t hate him. Sometimes he’s upsetting— Huh? Your Excellency! What’s wrong?”

Elusiana suddenly put down the teacup she was holding and thrust her face right in front of Aster’s face. His face, which had been cold, was blushing as if he got a fever.

“Now… what are you doing?”

“You look so pale. Your temperature seems to have gone up. Are you okay?”

“…I’m fine. Could you please move away from me?”

Aster, who pushed Elusiana’s forehead with his finger, frowned.

“Ah. I-I apologize,” said Elusiana, who hurriedly returned to her place with a blush. Then she continued. “I-if you still feel any pain, please tell me. Don’t hold it in. Ah, what about your medicine? Did you bring your medicine? Wait, the butler came with His Excellency, right? I will bring the butler.”

As soon as Elusiana finished speaking, she jumped up from her seat. Aster, who caught her, sighed softly. For some reason, he wasn’t happy that she treated him like a little child today.

“I’m really alright. I told you. I know my body best.”

Elusiana looked down at her wrist, which was being held, and then looked back at Aster again. His red cheeks seem to have regained their color. The power of his grip was also very strong for a sick person. But just a moment ago, didn’t he have a noticeable fever? Even if he was okay, he couldn’t really be okay.

But why is this man so stubborn? As if his pain wasn’t a big deal. No, he was indifferent to his pain. Elusiana’s scarlet eyes sank quietly.  

“I don’t know anything else, but I know this. That Your Excellency is stubborn.”

“I… What?”

“You’re stubborn like a child now.”

“Child… Haa, you’re too much, Elusiana.”

“You’re the one who says too much, Grand Duke. Is this going to end just because you’re okay? Have you ever thought about how I feel to watch over you whenever you’re sick?”

“…”

“I have the responsibility of assisting His Excellency. It’s my duty to protect you.”

“Do you mean you’ll protect me?”

His bright red eyes were colored with gold and shone strangely. A bizarre shimmer that seemed to be thrilled and at the same time looking forward to it. Somehow, his upper body seemed to lean a lot toward her, so Elusiana swallowed her saliva without realizing it and replied.

“Yes. Because that’s my job.”

“…I see. Today, I will be satisfied with that kind of answer.”

Aster, who nodded his head gently, calmly rose from his seat. His face, as he passed her standing blankly, turned red for some reason. It seemed like his fever rose again.

Seeing the color of his face, it seems like he’s really fine… No, no, that’s not it, right?

Elusiana quickly turned her body around and shouted on the back of Aster, who was about to open the door. “Your Excellency! Are you going to leave like this?”

Aster, who flinched while holding the door handle, answered after slightly shifting his head.

“Do you have anything left to say?”

“Of course.”

Elusiana, smiling, walked in front of Aster. It was similar to slamming the wall, not just stretching her arms.

“Why are you doing this?”

Aster stepped back without realizing it at Elusiana’s expression, which even looked solemn.