Chapter 56

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 56

Chapter Title: Distractions and Desserts

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Rattle-rattle-rattle.

The table shook, a faint vibration humming through the floor. Ares, who had been silently enduring the steady noise, finally set down his fountain pen.

"Again? What's the problem today?"

Though he spoke with a smile, a vein throbbed prominently on his forehead. The target of his compressed anger was Lucas.

As Ares's aide, the two shared an office. Lately—no, for over a month now—his close friend hadn't been able to focus on work at all.

Seeing the guy not even respond when his boss asked directly, Ares seriously considered docking his pay.

"Lucas."

"Ares, have you ever seen Marquis Casper somewhere before?"

Rather than answering Ares's call by name, it felt like he'd opened his mouth because he had a question.

Ares clenched his molars and ventriloquized through gritted teeth.

"I dunno... But if you don't get back to work soon, your pay's gettin' cut..."

"Don't just brush me off—think hard. Really, nothing?"

Lucas furrowed his brow gravely, stroking his chin. Ares finally raised the white flag with a sigh.

"Marquis Casper—we've crossed paths occasionally for work. Or at social gatherings."

"Tch... I swear I've seen him somewhere else."

Not the answer he wanted, Lucas tilted his head.

"Why this time? Got some dirt on him?"

"No, it's just... Sometimes Marquis Casper goes on da... dates with Lucia and brings her home."

Lucas ground his teeth mid-word on "date," lowering his voice. Who else but the ultimate little-sister obsessive would react like that?

"Ahem. Anyway, we run into each other then, but no matter how I think about it, his face feels familiar from somewhere."

Having looked downright demonic moments before, Lucas cleared his throat and reverted to his usual self.

He crossed his arms, reminiscing about the past.

Every time he saw Bern, there was this nagging sense of familiarity.

But nothing clicked with a eureka moment—no matter how much he racked his brain, it stayed frustratingly vague.

"...Maybe from the academy."

Hearing Lucas mutter, Ares racked his own memory for any glimpse of Bern.

"Could be. He's just a year older than us. As our senior, we probably saw him around."

"You think?"

"Yeah. You're overthinking nothing."

"Feels like there's something..."

The question was half-resolved, but some blockage lingered. It seemed more important than just Bern being an academy senior.

Knock knock.

"Come in."

At Ares's invitation, a servant from the Lydia House entered.

"What is it?"

"A guest for Aide Lucas."

"A guest?"

With no one expected, Lucas blinked in confusion.

"Yes, a woman named Becky. Shall I send her away if you don't know her?"

Hearing his lover's name, Lucas jolted up from his seat in panic.

"Uh..."

Her visit thrilled him, but it was work hours. An unannounced drop-in made meeting her tricky.

Glancing at Ares, who waved him off with a resigned look.

"Go on."

"For real?"

"Yeah. You haven't focused all day anyway. Take the rest off with your girl for a mood boost. But I'll note today's work, so you know."

Grumbling aside, it was permission for leave. Lucas beamed and clapped Ares's shoulder.

"Thanks, Ares. I'll hustle double tomorrow to make up."

As thanks, he playfully puckered for a kiss—Ares recoiled in horror. After taking a swat, Lucas chuckled, prepping to clock out.

Packing up and heading out with the servant, he soon met his sweetheart.

Spotting Lucas, Becky grinned wide.

"Honey!"

His adorable lover trotted over; Lucas swept her waist, spinning her around. Clear laughter rang out.

"Hahaha, people are watching."

"Couldn't help it—I'm just so happy! What brings you here?"

Becky laughed long before remembering her purpose, handing him the item in her hand.

"This is..."

"Snacks from the patisserie. You said your brain stalls around this time."

Seeing the sliced cakes and muffins inside, Lucas's face softened with emotion.

"You came all this way for me?"

"That too. Mostly an excuse to see your face."

Becky winked. Lucas's lips twitched before he kissed her cheek.

"Seriously, thank you. I'm touched."

"Haha, your big reactions always make it worth it."

Sweet nothings flew between lovers.

The nearby servant, numb to it, slipped away. Alone, they cooed pet names breathlessly.

Suddenly snapping to, Lucas remembered something.

"Oh, right. Becky, do you know Marquis Casper?"

"Marquis Casper? Sure—the one who just got engaged to your sister."

"No, I mean personally or any rumors. You went to the Imperial Academy too."

"Hm..."

Becky pondered his question. A year younger than Lucas, she'd attended around the same time as him and Marquis Casper.

"Not really... Why? Something bugging you?"

"Ah..."

Lucas faltered.

Over half his past flings had dumped him upon learning of his sister obsession.

'Sister or me—which matters more?! Answer!'

With that history, he hated revealing it in future romances.

Half a year shadowing Ares in the duchy had kept it hidden so far...

"J-just! With my sister engaged, I'm all sentimental. Can't have her with some weirdo."

Sweating bullets, Lucas spat a plausible excuse. Thankfully, Becky took it as normal brotherly concern.

"Fair enough. Rumors... I'll dig some up for you."

"Huh? Really?"

Surprised by the offer, Lucas perked up. Seeing his awkward joy, Becky laughed.

"Rumors stick like tails—you'll hear quick."

Thrilled at the bonus, Lucas hugged her tight. Becky giggled, squirming.

"Oppa, what're you doing there?"

Then, an unfamiliar voice called out.

The casually intimate tone sharpened Becky's gaze.

Turning toward it, they saw Arista on the central staircase.

Having spotted Lucas and called out immediately, she belatedly noticed Becky in his arms.

Meeting her wary eyes, Arista halted her descent.

Oblivious to the tension between the women, Lucas grinned and greeted her.

"Oh, Arista."

Recognizing her as the Duchess's Daughter of Lydia, Becky softened her glare slightly.

"Heading out now."

"Out? At this hour?"

"Out? For real?"

Both women reacted in sync. Eyes meeting, Becky pouted first, nestling deeper into Lucas's arms and peering up.

"Yeah, special half-day off. See? Coat and all."

"Oh, true enough?"

Noticing late, Becky fiddled with his clothes.

Their private bubble repelled outsiders; Arista stepped back awkwardly.

"S-sorry to interrupt your time. I'll just..."

"Arista! Wait."

Lucas stopped her frantic exit. Biting her inner cheek out of others' sight, she turned.

"Yeah?"

Excusing himself to Becky, he climbed to Arista's step.

As he neared, she gripped her skirt tightly.

"Here."

Lucas pressed a box into her hands.

"Snacks from my girl. Share with Ares."

Arista's delicate hand trembled. She looked up at him. He wore his usual sunlit smile.

Glancing down, she saw Becky smirking with arms crossed.

Arista's lips parted, then:

"...Thanks. I'll enjoy it. Tell him that?"

"Yeah, tons of good stuff inside—eat some too, got it? See ya later."

Lucas patted her shoulder lightly and hurried down.

Becky clung like a magnet, asking:

"That was for you—why give it away?"

"This date's thanks to Ares, right? Gotta bribe him at least."

Convinced, Becky just pursed her lips. Instead, she glanced back at Arista, saying loudly:

"So, what's with you and the Duchess's Daughter of Lydia?"

"What? Friend's little sister. You know me and Ares."

They were boss-subordinate, but above all, best friends.

"Still too chummy. Makes me jealous."

"Haha, why? Just a friend's sis. And my sister's friend too. Weird, huh?"

"Hmmm..."

Becky nodded vaguely, peeking back.

Arista lingered in place, eyes fixed on them.

Noticing, Becky smirked smugly.

"So really nothing?"

"Yeah, just like a little sister."

Satisfied, Becky gripped his waist affectionately as they headed out.

Meanwhile, watching them go, Arista let out a hollow laugh, staring at the dessert in her hands.

Feeling glum, head drooping—then she steeled her gaze and turned on her heel.

She barged into Ares's office without knocking.

"Ow, you scared me... Ever heard of knocking?"

Startled, Ares grimaced at his blood relative. Ignoring him, Arista flopped onto the sofa, slamming the box on the table.

"Eat this."

"...What's that?"

Ares rose, sitting opposite. Spotting the desserts, his eyes widened.

"Cakes? From you?"

"Not mine. Lucas oppa's girlfriend brought 'em. For you and me."

"Nice. Gotta thank him later."

Ares hummed cheerfully, calling a servant for tea. Still sulky, slouched sideways, Arista spoke up.

"Hey."

"What."

"...How long have Lucas oppa and his girlfriend been together?"

"Lucas?"

Munching a muffin already, Ares mumbled:

"Nah, like two months? Three? Why?"

"They seem awfully touchy."

"Ah, yeah, he's like that."

As witness to all Lucas's romances, Ares readily agreed.

"Every time, acts like it's first love—gives everything. But they never last. Max was half a year? Not a cheater, yet girls always dump him."

Ares muttered it odd, then sipped tea with dessert as it arrived.

"...They don't last long."

"Hm? What?"

Missing her murmur, Ares asked. Arista shook her head.

"Nothing. Just eat."