AT THE MOMENT, THE SLENDER WRIST in Lucian’s hand slipped out as his grip loosened. That alone made Lucian feel empty.
It was pathetic to see himself this way, dropping into the abyss in an instant with only the smallest of his gestures.
Looking at Raphael with shaky eyes, he gave a belated answer.
“I can’t promise you that.”
“…Brother?”
He tried to calm himself down while he was in front of Raphael, who was surprised by what he said.
Sweeping down his thin arm, he held that small hand again. He really liked this beautiful, warm feeling.
When he thought about how this small hand had been taking care of him since they were young, his fear faded a little.
Raphael showed him his favorite smile. He hoped that he would smile at him in the same way, always.
For Lucian, no one else mattered except Raphael.
He hoped that everyone else would just cease to exist. They were just obstacles.
Lucian was furious just by recalling what happened earlier. His teeth clenched together automatically because of the discomfort he felt.
“I’m really offended by the scoundrels who approach you carelessly. Actually, gloves aren’t enough. I should go ahead and ki—”
While grinding his teeth, he spat this out but stopped himself from continuing after recalling what he said earlier while caressing his chin.
He was properly tamed by every little thing. If a beast gets used to a hand, it’s said that they can’t go back to their original place.
Why is it that you can think you’ll tame me yet leave me so easily?
How can you let go of my hand so effortlessly?
How long had it taken for me to hold your hand…
How long had I been waiting…
You must know everything.
These were all the words threatening to burst out of his lips. He was so dangerously shaken that he was like a glass of wine that would spill over the moment just one single drop would trickle in.
“But asking for a dance at a banquet is just a formality. That young man thought I came without a partner, so he just asked for a dance. But then as soon as the dance was finished, you suddenly threw a glove.”
“It’s foolish for him to think that you came without a partner. Ray, your partner is me.”
“……”
“You can dance with me.”
Of course, Lucian could understand what happened if he put his thoughts into it, the reason why he didn’t refuse another young man’s invitation to dance.
This was all because of that prince.
This was all because of the father who brought him into the household.
And the biggest reason was Raphael, who knew that the prince was his kidnapper but didn’t tell Lucian.
He couldn’t control the storm of emotions brewing within him. His golden eyes looked unfocused.
“Haa…”
Raphael let out a deep sigh. Then, he stared up at him and spoke.
“Let’s go back home, Brother.” Seeing his troubled smile, Lucian’s emotions surged up within him. He pulled his hand and led him towards the other direction.
This time, it’s you who’s come closer.
Why am I the only one who can’t reach you?
Why don’t you recognize my feelings?
As he couldn’t hide his emotions anymore, his control faltered and he reached out.
Lucian naturally locked him into his embrace, wrapping his arms around his waist.
Always as though it was a vain effort, he placed his hand around his neck with one smooth movement, and it seemed like he was dancing together with him now.
Raphaell blushed shyly, and in turn, Lucian embraced him as if to hide him in his arms, looking at him with his emotions completely revealed.
Heat rose from the places that touched. He tightened his embrace, wanting to feel this heat even more.
“…Raphael.”
Unlike his heated body, his mind was cold and clear.
“Yes, Brother.”
He wants him. He wants Raphael to be his.
“Don’t dance with another man ever again.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Lucian took this opportunity to realize this important fact—that Raphael did not see him as a man.
It was childish, but he had no choice but to beg again.
“How long are you going to call me brother?”
“How else should I call Brother when you’re my brother?”
As though Raphael heard it as a joke, he smiled quietly as he answered, and Lucian raised his head.
Lucian looked at Raphael’s face from such a close distance that their noses could touch.
“You and I don’t share any blood.”
Even if he still looked at him as a brother now, then he could make it so that he’d look at him as a man in the future.
Like clothes left out in the rain, ever since Raphael tamed him, it was his turn to imbue his with his own colors.
“Call me by my name.”
Lucian asked once more, his tone ever more sorrowful. He decided to prod Raphael’s weaknesses.
Raphael had been hesitating for a while, but with a coy look, he whispered.
“Lucian?”
“Once more.”
“Lucian.”
The hushed voice calling his name sounded as sweet as honey. With only this, Lucian’s heart seemed to swell.
Like a black rose blooming beneath the full moon’s illumination, black flowers bloomed in his heart.
Seeing his reaction, Raphael’s face turned red as though he was on fire. He was fascinating, Raphael was so beautiful—like a lovely red rose.
Lucian embraced him tightly and lowered his eyes. As his hands wound through the strands of his emerald hair, he thought.
To devour everything about him. To dye him with his colors.
Even if the color becomes pitch black, there would never be a chance that he would let go of Raphael of his own volition.
It didn’t matter if this was something he did or did not want.
Because he couldn’t even imagine a life without him anymore.
Very quietly, so that Raphael couldn’t hear him, he whispered.
Persistent, desperate, as he rubbed his lips against his hair, he vowed.
“My world, my savior, if I could have you…”
Whatever I need to do, I’ll do it.
Even if it destroys you.
I need to have you.
Raphael—everything about you.
As the black tinge fluctuated as though it would dominate his golden irises, a person watching them from afar made his presence apparent.
Lucian looked straight at him.
Without avoiding that gaze, Elliot’s posture was crooked.
Lucian embraced Raphael tightly in his arms, as though he had no intention of him being taken away from him.
His small body was tightly woven into his crossed arms. Like prison bars, hard and unrelenting, to prevent him from escaping.
You don’t even know that you’ve been trapped in a prison, he spoke quietly.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───
WITH LUCIAN’S PERMISSION, I can now proudly go out during the day. It’s much easier compared to the duke.
Well, could it be said that it’s easy? Instead, I was given something to bring, but I was curious about what this magic tool was for.
Inside the carriage, I handed the magic tool to Damian.
“Do you know what kind of magic tool this is?”
He couldn’t recognize magic circles, but distinguishing mana colors was Damian’s specialty.
So, even if it wasn’t in detail, he’d be able to guess the approximate use of the magic tool.
“Master, who gave you this magic tool?”
“Huh? Is it something weird? Brother gave it to me.”
Damian stared at me for a moment before he replied.
“Yes, it’s nothing strange. It’s the same as a safety device.”
“I knew it, it’s like that, huh?”
Really, Lucian, that cute rascal!
You’re worried about this Hyung!
Indeed, he said he’d give his permission for me to go out. But it’s much better than a trick to prevent me from going out!
Yes, yes, of course.
Today, I decided to go to the information guild. It was a visit that has been postponed over and over again.
Lucian said that he could find it out for me, but more than that, I also want to find out on my own.
It’s only when several people could find more information that they could get confirmed results.
After switching to another carriage in the middle of our trip, I walked along a familiar alleyway with Damian and Oscar.
When I entered the bookstore, I saw the same old man I met before, perhaps because it was the middle of the day.
“I’ll guide you there.”
I followed him into the room hidden behind the bookshelf. A young man with an innocent-looking face welcomed me.
“You came by a little late.”
“I was busy doing this and that.”
I responded to him bluntly. He wasn’t very reliable last time.
I’ve done some of my own research this time, too.
I’m really going to spread rumors about this place.
“First of all, I’ll let you know about Noah de Castilla.”
The man brought up the main topic right away, perhaps to make up for his mistake last time.
“His situation had become bad due to the recent controversy surrounding his business. I believe he was beaten by his competitor because he was trying to expand too much.”
“Is it a restaurant business?”
“Yes. It was a place that sold tea and refreshments, but rumors had spread that the establishment’s hygienic practices were poor. Since then, customers have stopped visiting.”
“Then?”
“He couldn’t pay off his debts every month, so it seems that there’s been some talk about whether he’s on the verge of selling his peerage. Of course, the one on the border.”
If it’s a baron’s domain, it’s worth almost like a commoner’s assets. That’s why even if it was a collateral from Noah’s father, they’d still be in debt.
So the collateral to be asked for would likely be the peerage instead. And if Noah naïvely sells his peerage, it would definitely be bought right away.
But Noah wasn’t a fool to sell his peerage. How could a nobleman live as a commoner?
Ah, that’s right.
Around this time, Noah was forced to borrow money from the trash booger king.
In the original.
However, there’s something different compared to the original. It was that the trash booger kind was no longer the ruler of the underworld.
He was now an imperial prince.
Then, how will Noah pay off his debts?
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