LUCIAN, WHO USUALLY DID NOT SHOW HIS internal feelings on his face at all, stood in front of his father’s study room with a nervous look.
Until just a while ago, he had dinner with his father, which made him feel like he was walking on air.
Of course, not just the two of them, Raphael was with them, but it was still good.
He was happy.
He thought his father had finally recognized him as a son.
However, after Raphael returned to his room first, his father’s expression changed dramatically.
His mouth became tightly closed and his gentle smile was erased, and his soft eyes turned into a manly and stern glare.
First, he left the dining hall and asked Lucian to come to his study room.
The room where he is always disciplined is his father’s study room. He tried to open the door as casually as he usually does.
But he didn’t want to go in today.
He had never felt this way before.
No wonder he wanted to rebel…
Lucian shook his head to chase away the strange thoughts he had been having for a while.
Then he hastily turned the doorknob.
The grand and imposing door opened without any sound.
The shadows in the room, created by the dim light, snaked around the walls like monsters waiting to eat him.
Lucian looked blankly inside the study room and stepped in with his emotionless face.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───
IT’S ALREADY BEEN A MONTH SINCE I CAME HERE. I feel a lot more comfortable within the castle because I have now become a lot more familiar with it.
Holding a basket of snacks in my arms, I checked all of the places where Lucian could be.
The duke seemed to be changing little by little.
When I first called for Lucian, he showed disapproval, but in the end, I called for him as much as I wanted.
I am very proud to see him eat well. But I haven’t met the Duchess yet.
She didn’t open the door even when I visited her. I ended up having to return to my room after my maid told me that I couldn’t meet her due to her weak mind and body.
Well, this past month must have been the time when her depression is at the worst peak.
Even if she didn’t see me, she would have felt upset after hearing about me.
Now is probably when her hate and resentment towards the Duke, who has been cold and indifferent towards her son but caring and warm to me, is reaching new heights.
Knowing the difference in our treatment, it is hard for me to seek Lucian out. I feel guilty for my desire to become friends with him.
Out of the castle, I ran toward the dusty field.
This field, which is used by the Knights, is farther away from the castle. The duke’s personal training field is much closer.
Maybe Lucian is there.
If he was moving according to his schedule, he would have a class after lunch and is wielding a sword in physical training, but it was a little hard to get away from Amber, but whenever I saw Lucian from afar, I felt strong enthusiasm rise up inside me.
Standing under the afternoon sun, he is as brilliant and beautiful as an angel.
“Brother!”
I called him brightly.
Turning his head in pursuit of my voice, he put down the sword he had been holding without any expression on his face.
“Eat some snacks.”
I was happy when I convinced the Duke to have him eat at the table with us, but it didn’t go as well as I wanted the next time I asked.
First of all, I don’t have a lot of power, so I can do anything.
So I thought I should at least feed him well in the meantime.
“What? I brought you some iced tea too. Eat and drink some!”
If I say it like this, I hope you please eat!
When the sword was put away, Lucian still stared at me without answering.
As I got closer, he took a step back.
Huh? What’s wrong?
No matter how forceful I tried to connect in the past, this has never happened before. Surprised by his reaction, I froze in place.
Feeling embarrassed, I stared at him with my eyes blinking.
Lucian also felt embarrassed with his own actions.
Confusion flashed for a moment on his expressionless doll-like face.
Does he even know why he did that? Why did he avoid me? Is he rejecting me? Why? Did I do something wrong?
No, you’re my favorite. You have to tell me. I’ll be more careful in the future.
“…What’s wrong, brother?”
“….”
Oh, my God. He must have been really surprised.
My face paled even more and I began to feel sick.
“Brother, would you like to sit on the bench for a moment? You look unwell.”
“….yes.”
I heard a voice that sounded like he had barely prevented himself from vomiting.
I quickly remarked that he must be tired and tried to lighten the mood. I had hoped that he would relax a bit but he said nothing.
As my body shrank in embarrassment, the conversation was very uncomfortable on my part.
I tried to brush off my feelings and sat on a bench next to the training grounds first. I put the basket full of refreshments in the middle of the bench.
He glanced sideways at me.
Lucian walked over very slowly as if he didn’t want to come.
‘Your legs are long. Why are you so slow? You don’t like me? Is all of your energy spent on avoiding me? What did I do wrong?’
I couldn’t correctly figure out what the problem was.
I tried to take care of him, but now I’m worrying that he might feel pressured.
Even if he didn’t say anything, I would memorize the food and snacks that seemed to be his favorites and take care of him.
I went around exploring the castle on purpose, greeted him happily when I met him, and tried to talk a little longer each time.
As shown in “There is Another Doll that Lives in the Dollhouse,” I wanted to prevent him from growing up like a doll.
A person has to live like a human.
What’s with being a doll?
Of course, since this place is a webtoon, I expect him to go with the flow according to the settings a little bit.
I, who is a fan of web novels and webtoons, have read the writers’ blogs and even reread it all.
I used to imagine myself in the world of a fantasy novel and with a similar character setting.
Can’t you just change the set-up of the webtoon? Please?
Is everyone but me in this world just a “character” in the novel and I’m the only real and free person here?
When I was tossing around all of these thoughts in my mind, Lucian came to my side and sat down.
Why are you coming so late?
“Brother, have this first.”
I gave him iced tea.
His sweaty black hair stuck to his forehead shone like obsidian. Lucian slicked his hair back carelessly.
Oh, it’s blinding!
I closed my eyes slightly and opened them again.
He is always a very handsome person.
I wonder what makes him so handsome? Is it because he is like a rose blooming full of regret? A strange and stuffy feeling overflowed in my heart.
Should I call out to him sweetly?
“…Raphael.”
“Yes, brother.”
“I have to learn and eat according to my schedule. You can’t keep bringing food like this.”
Maybe I’m really making things difficult for him, Lucian breathed out a small sigh.
Oh, you know how to sigh in frustration huh? It was my first time seeing him like this.
As I had seen in the webtoon, he showed no emotional expression like a doll.
He has never expressed anything that looked like annoyance, irritation, or anger.
I wish he’d be cute, like a younger brother, but it hasn’t been that long since we first met has it?
“Well, could you put me on your schedule?”
But I’m not someone who gives up easily, I’m telling you! I’m happy enough that you have shown me just a single expression!
My favorite! If you’re angry, be angry, if you’re annoyed then show it, and if you’re wanting to be lazy, say you want to be lazy.
No matter how negative the feelings are, I would have nothing more to ask if you would just express them all.
“What the…”
Lucian stopped mid-sentence and he shut his lips tight straight away.
After a bit, he did not speak yet, but only opened and closed his lips.
Oh, my! His lips are so plump. How can I be so weird? I looked at his lips as if I had been possessed.
Then his lips opened again.
“I want you on my calendar…”
That statement was so shocking I thought I misheard, but he slowly blinked and casually picked up the iced tea I had given him.
Oh, good. All the hard work I’ve done has finally paid off.
I bit my lips and waited for him to drink the iced tea. Lucian drank the tea without realizing my inner feelings.
I clapped my hands on the inside.
Whether he is aware of my strange behavior, he only blinked this time.
And he spoke in a low voice.
“If I put you in my calendar, I’m supposed to be with you all day……….is that what you meant?”
I wanted to get up and dance on the spot.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s calm down. Calm down. Hey self calm down.
I wanted to ask him to do that, but my common sense won out in the end.
“That’s not what I meant. Please clear the time I come to visit you on your schedule. Well, I hope, brother can spare me some time.”
Lucian opened his eyes wide when he heard me.
Oh, that’s interesting. You didn’t blink even when I acted cutely, but now you’re reacting like that.
It was worth exaggerating and putting in some effort.
“……I need permission from, father.”
That was what he managed to come up with, which was incredibly embarrassing. I swallowed a sigh and nodded.
It’s only been a month.
It’s because of my greed that I want our relationship to progress faster since we’ve been together for a month.
“Of course. I don’t want to bring trouble to my brother.”
He glanced at me due to my answer. I saw some heat pass through in his eyes, is that an illusion?
“Yeah…”
His late but positive answer made me want to dance again.
So I got up and moved my body a little this time.
I was so happy that I can never forget how I felt at this time, but I didn’t realize that Lucian was staring so strongly at me while I had a bright smile on my face.
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