CH 9.1

The next day, Lila woke up with a groggy face and helped Michael get cleaned up.

“Did you not sleep well again?”

He looked at her, his pink eyes full of concern. Lila forced the corners of her mouth up.

“I did get some sleep though. Don’t worry too much.”

“Okay. Have fun with your uncle today. Tell him to buy you everything you want.”

“Aren’t you coming with me?”

Lila, who had expected to go with him, waggled her eyebrows wistfully. Michael’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. It was nice to have someone else who felt bad about his absence, and she was very cute.

“I really don’t understand why you wear makeup like that.”

He still didn’t understand why she would ruin a beautiful face that made him blush just by looking at it, but he was going to keep his promise to her.

“Well, it’s okay.”

A small hand patted her head. Sometimes it was confusing to look at him, because he doesn’t seem like a child. Even when the roles were reversed, who was the adult and who was the child, Lila could only smile.

She was grateful that he didn’t pry into her secrets and just hugged her.

“Okay, you’re all set, good luck in class today!”

Michael fidgeted awkwardly with the collar of his shirt as he put on the new clothes they’d ordered from Kate’s wardrobe.

The shorts and vest were brown to match his hair, and the shirt was a cool mint color. She wanted to give him a pink shirt to match his eyes, but he vehemently refused, so she settled for mint.

His chocolate-colored curly hair was slicked back and he looked more polished than usual.

“Well, sleep a little longer, I’ll be back.”

With that, Michael left the room, and she could hear Henry, who was waiting for him, filling him in on the day’s schedule.

Lila closed the door and walked over to the couch. She sighed lazily as she let her tired body sink into the couch.

Maybe Michael was right, she should get some more sleep. She felt all the fatigue that had accumulated from not getting enough sleep all at once.

After listening to Henry talk about his schedule, Michael said.

“I need to see my uncle for a while. You go to my room first and tell teacher to wait for me.”

“My lord?”

Henry’s eyes widened in surprise, for he had never skipped class before.

“Anyway, you go ahead, I’ll be right there.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

At Michael’s firm words, Henry bowed his head slightly and headed down the stairs. Michael headed straight for Lucas’s room.

Knock knock.

“Uncle.”

He called softly, hoping Lila would hear him, but the door swung open.

“Why, did something happen to the Lady?”

Turning to Lucas, who was demanding as soon as he came out, Michael said.

“I need to talk to you for a moment.”

“What’s going on?”

His nephew, who could barely reach his waist, looked up at him with a grave expression.

“Come in.”

Michael trudged over to the couch and plopped down, crossing his arms in front of him, looking gravely serious.

“Uncle, either you have an idea or you don’t.”

“What?”

Lucas, who had slowly followed and sat down on the couch across from him, raised one eyebrow at his nephew’s bravado, wondering if what he’d heard was true.

“Seriously, the more I think about it, the more ridiculous it is.”

His tone was becoming more and more sibilant, and Lucas couldn’t help but make a face.

“Speak so I can understand you.”

Michael shook his head as if he didn’t want to listen to his uncle, then snapped.

“If you’re going to be a contract couple like that, I’ll marry Lila!”

Lucas’s eyes widened in disbelief at Michael’s declaration of war.

“What, three years? And then you’re sending her to another country? Uncle, have you lost your mind?”

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he jumped up from the couch and paced.

“How could you do that to Lila! Forcing such a pretty and kind lady into a contract marriage! Uncle is a stupid dog!”

Lucas looked at the red-faced Michael with a serious expression and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

He was wondering what he was talking about, but he didn’t seem to know about the contract.

“Haha, where did you hear about being a contract couple? Did the lady tell you.”

“No!”

Michael sits again on the couch while squirming. Lucas couldn’t hold back his laughter and kept smiling. Michael, who widened his eyes in his appearance, shot back.

“What are you laughing at, Uncle? Are you really thinking of sending Lila to another country? Are you crazy?”

“You’re the one who needs to admit how you found out.”

Lucas said seriously, stifling a laugh. Seeing the stern look on his uncle’s face, Michael hesitantly answered.

“I found the contract by accident.”

“Then you’re saying you’ve been looking at the contract without the lady’s knowledge.”

“Well, I didn’t mean to! But I don’t regret seeing it, otherwise you would have sent Lila away. Change it now. We can overcome an 11-year age difference.”

“What? Hahahaha.”

Lucas was about to point out his nephew’s misbehavior when another burst of laughter made him bend over at the waist.

While it was exciting to discover this new side of Michael, he wanted to tell his nephew that he could never listen to him.

“Absolutely not, she’s already my wife, and that’s something I can’t give you, Michael, even if you wanted it.”

“Then why did you sign that contract?”

“I regret that part too, so don’t be too hard on me.”

Still chuckling at the ridiculousness of it all, Lucas asked after a moment’s thought.

“So, what did you do with the contract? Did you put it back where it belonged?”

“…No.”

“Then?”

“I hid it in my room.”

Michael prepared to be scolded and answered. But there was a greater fear of losing Lila than to be scolded.

Expecting a scolding, Michael’s eyes widened in slight embarrassment at his uncle’s pleasant voice.

“Well, that’s good. I was wondering how you were going to handle the contract without me, but you did it very well.”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t know what to expect at first, but now I don’t have the slightest intention of letting her go.”

“Really?”

Michael’s face flushed at his uncle’s unexpected comment.

“Yes. So, stop saying weird things about making her your wife and get to class. Isn’t it already past the time?”

Michael jumped to his feet, watching Lucas check the time.

“Are you sure I can believe you?”

Lucas replied, tugging at his nephew’s cheeks as he looked at him with a still-doubting stare.

“You can believe it. And bring me that contract. Of course, it must be a secret from my wife. I don’t think she’s been entirely honest with me yet.”

“Not being honest?”

“Yes. I think she’s keeping a lot of secrets from me.”

“I see.”

Michael replied, nodding his head. Clapping his nephew on the back, Lucas said.

“Now, get to your lessons first. I’ve named you as my heir, so you’re going to have to study hard. And you need to be a little more mature in your love life. And don’t covet your aunt.”

“…That’s too bad.”

Michael was a little disappointed that he was so sincere. But it was comforting to know he wouldn’t have to part with her.

“It’s Uncle’s promise. You will never send Lila anywhere.”

Lucas’s lips curled into a smile as he watched his nephew make good on his promise.

The dark arc of his lips looked terrifying.

“I promise you, it will never happen.”