HIS FACE LOOKED SO SERIOUS, so I could only laugh.
“That’s not it. I’m just thinking of the family. What if it falls to ruin? Then I won’t be able to face my parents in the afterlife.”
I meant this.
Our time was short, but they gave me an abundance of love, even if they didn’t know that another person’s soul took over their son’s body.
So I felt a sense of indebtedness to them.
“Why didn’t the Duke tell me?”
When I asked this, Lucian reached up from my cheeks to touch my eyelids. I could feel his breath as he hovered over me with my eyes momentarily closed.
“Maybe he wanted to hide it from you…”
“Huh?”
Why would he need to hide it from me?
Didn’t that only mean there’s a secret I didn’t know? One that wasn’t even mentioned in the original?
As I contemplated it seriously, Lucian silently hugged me. He used one arm to embrace my waist, then his other hand stroked my hair.
“Seriously, Brother, why aren’t you answering? Do you know what the Duke is trying to hide?” As he breathed out a languid breath, he replied slowly.
“If you want to know, I can find the answer for you. So…”
Lucian rested his chin over my head.
“Ah, that hurts!”
Just how sharp was his chin?
His jawline was immaculate, but it’s not supposed to be a weapon.
I heard a low chuckle from above.
At this, my lips curled up into a smile, but I pushed his chest in front of me with both hands. Firmly.
…Was it because his chest was hard? Rather, it was me who was pushed back.
The intent was different, but anyway, I was separated from Lucian.
But soon, Lucian drew me into an embrace once more.
He’s been really touchy these days. Of course, this Hyung doesn’t hate it, but he needs to grow up.
“Brother, you’re heavy!” As I complained, I heard Lucian sigh, then he lifted his weight from me. Only then did I wonder why he was in my room.
“But Brother, why did you come here at this hour? Did you find out that I left?”
How did he notice? That’s amazing.
Looking at his reaction, it looked like only he knew and not the Duke.
Lucian didn’t answer for a moment. He, who had a subtle look on his face, soon nodded to confirm this.
“Whoa. How did you know I went out?”
“…I came to see you because it didn’t feel like you were sleeping well.”
“So that’s how you found out!”
I nodded vigorously for no reason, just accepting the reason why he came to my room despite it being so late.
Right. My bias had extraordinary abilities.
He’ll probably be able to sense people’s footsteps soon.
I looked into Lucian’s eyes, which were shining brightly in a strange mood. His eyes seemed to have deepened as he matched my gaze, but my curiosity bubbled.
“How far away can you sense? Can you feel my movements all the way from your room?”
Lucian had a subtle look as he listened to my question, but he soon answered me.
“…I can’t feel your presence from my room, but I can if I’m nearby.”
“Wow! You can feel people’s presence now after practicing your swordsmanship so much!”
“Something like that.”
Oh, how cool. It’s really amazing. As expected, this was something possible in a fantasy setting.
“Then if I learn now, will I feel other people’s presence like Brother, too?”
As though he heard something he didn’t expect, Lucian frowned.
My bias, ahh, are you feeling flustered?
While seeing Lucian act this way, I suddenly became the one who’s flustered this time.
His hand shot out and held my shoulder gently.
“Can’t I be your eyes and ears instead?”
Oh my goodness. My heart kind of fluttered…!
No, no. My heart fluttered a lot.
Of course, that’s the only natural response!
I smiled helplessly, but I nodded anyway.
“Of course. I’m reassured that Brother is beside me!” Lucian’s expression relaxed, relieved to hear what I said.
He’s really different now. In the past, he wouldn’t even care to look at me, but right now, it’s like he’s looking only at me.
Even though that shouldn’t be the case.
But I was happy anyway. He was thinking about me at least. My bias’ interest in me was a bit different from his interest in others.
Then, I suddenly recalled something.
“Ah, by the way, I saw Noah with you earlier.”
“…When we left the salon?”
“Yes! Are you close with him?”
“…I don’t think we’re that close.”
“Really? You looked close back then, though.” Ey, but you looked really close. Even objectively, it looked like that to me.
Are you embarrassed to talk about him to your brother?
“I get it, I get it. You guys aren’t close! I got it, hm?”
Okay! This Hyung will pretend not to know. Oh, I knew it. I won’t need Plan B.
I was going to introduce Lucian to other people… But if he’s getting along well with Noah, then I wouldn’t need to anymore, right?
I felt a sudden wave of drowsiness. My excited thoughts soon calmed down, and Lucian, who was a comfortable presence, made me feel even sleepier.
Yaaawn. I can’t even sit up anymore.
“Huaaam, Brother, I’m sleepy…”
“It’s alright, I’ll stay with you until you sleep.”
“No, you don’t have t…”
But it seemed like flying so high up in the air took a toll on my body.
After being strained like that, I was now in a comfortable place and next to a person who relaxed me, so I quickly succumbed to the pull of my dreamscape.
As I blinked, I saw Lucian. I raised my hand to gesture for him to go to his room now, but he held my hand tightly.
Then, he lightly hugged me and tucked me into bed. I was just sitting on the bed, he didn’t really need to hug me like that to tuck me in.
You’ve become so caring even though you’re already kind. I’m so proud of you. After drawing the blanket under my chin, Lucian sat next to me on the bed.
“I’ll… sleep now…”
I was asking him to leave, but he just watched me. I was really sleepy, so I couldn’t wait for him anymore.
Ah, I dunno. He’ll leave on his own.
I closed my eyes and let go of my hold over my consciousness. Feeling his hand caressing my cheeks, I unconsciously reached up and touched his hand.
As I did, he flinched as though he was surprised, but I was already asleep then.
I’m not sure, but I think I heard a low sigh.
Good night, Lucian.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───
LUCIAN STARED AT RAPHAEL, who fell asleep next to him. If Raphael were still awake, he’d see just how much depth his eyes had as he stared at him.
“Haa… I can’t believe you went out again…”
The moment he saw the empty room, it’s like the world was swept under him. He could only stand in the middle of the room, frozen stiff.
He was glad that Raphael came back shortly after. Otherwise, he couldn’t even imagine what he would have done.
He stopped by Raphael’s room every day at dawn.
It started out with the pure intention of wanting to check if he was still there after he had returned from the south.
Because now, he just wanted to keep seeing him for just a little longer.
Because now, he just wanted to take in his scent for just a bit more.
He only wished to spend a little more time with him.
Although Raphael was asleep, he felt happy just by staring at him endlessly, stroking his cheek as he would.
Of course, as the days passed by, his greed only grew.
He wanted to know everything about Raphael. He wanted to memorize the shape of his lips, listen to all the words he murmured in his sleep, trace the shape of his slender neck, feel his wrist in his hold.
“How should I express my feelings—to you, who think of me as nothing but a brother… How must I convey my heart?”
When he met him again, he didn’t feel this way yet.
He just thought he was something precious to him.
However, he didn’t know the extent of just how precious he was.
He reaffirmed this when he saw other men or women (aside from Raphael’s best friend) looking at him.
It was unpleasant.
The way other men and women looked at him.
His father was even thinking of sending him away to another man/woman.
“My Ray…”
‘Do you even know how deeply I feel?’
If he knew what went on in his dark and dismal mind, he would never appear before him with his guards down.
Lucian caressed his porcelain cheeks with possessive hands.
The only place he’s allowed to be in…
Would Raphael grow tired of him? He felt like dying if he wouldn’t be able to reach him…
“Can you wait for me a little?”
He held his face with both his hands.
“I’ll propose to you the moment I take over the Dukedom.”
He carefully recited his plans—to Raphael, who was breathing quietly.
“You said this before. It’s better to have a backup plan, so now, I always make two plans.”
Lucian continued and gently rubbed his eyelids with his two thumbs.
“If Father peacefully hands over the Dukedom, I’ll have to let you go for a while, then you’ll be my husband.”
He lowered his hand, gently sweeping over his round lips.
“If Father tries to steal you away without listening to me… I don’t know what I’ll do.”
‘What should I do, Raphael? Hm?’
Lucian smiled, not knowing whether he was delighted by being able to touch his lips… or whether it was because he was looking forward to what will happen in the future.
Only a dimly lit magic lamp illuminated his face.
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