Chapter 8 - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

When morning came, my eyes snapped open.

Actually, I had barely slept, tossing and turning until dawn, so I had only gotten about three or four hours of sleep.

Regardless, I was seized by an inexplicable sense of mission that I had to wake up earlier than undefinedthat manundefined.

Because even though I had run away from him yesterday, after regaining some composure, I felt uneasy leaving him alone.

undefinedHeundefineds crazy, so he might cause trouble!undefined

The familiar was probably watching him, but you never know. He was, after all, Duke Ruwellin Rashiane.

Just because he was crazy didnundefinedt mean his strength had weakened. Subduing a familiar like that would be nothing to him.

I quickly brushed my teeth and washed my face, changed into a comfortable summer dress, and hurried down to the first floor.

Fortunately, Ruwellin Rashiane still seemed to be asleep. I approached the bedroom I had given him and very carefully opened the door.

Peeking through the gap, I saw Ruwellin sleeping like an angel.

He was lying in a perfectly straight posture, and seeing him like that, I understood why people called him undefinedalways courteous and honest, a proper young man.undefined

But sadly, he was currently half out of his mind from the aftereffects of the Mana Rampage... Moreover, it was uncertain when he might suffer another rampage.

With a somewhat fearful feeling, I stepped into the bedroom. I needed to wake him up and feed him breakfast. Then I would have to ask him various things. Though I didnundefinedt know if Iundefinedd get proper answers.

I tiptoed toward the bed and cautiously reached out my hand.

The moment my fingertip touched the manundefineds bare skin, I was seized by a thrill and flinched heavily. But I quickly calmed down and shook him awake.

"Duke Rashiane."

"......"

"Duke, wake up. Itundefineds morning."

"......"

"Duke?"

Just as I was wondering if I should pinch his cheek since he showed no sign of waking no matter how much I called, his eyelids slowly lifted, and he quietly looked at me.

Whether due to the morning sunlight or his excessive beauty, I was dazzled.

As I momentarily relaxed with my eyes narrowed, a large, solid hand tightly grabbed my arm. And before I could even be surprised, I was yanked onto the bed.

"Huk...!"

A short scream escaped my lips. I collapsed onto Ruwellinundefineds body.

The thought that I had to escape flashed through my mind, almost instinctively. But his solid arms wrapped tightly around me and wouldnundefinedt let go.

He even smoothly rolled over, pinning me beneath him. Then, holding me tightly, he peppered kisses all over my face.

Astonished by his sleep-talking antics, I lay frozen, unable to move. How could someoneundefineds sleeping habits be like this... I squirmed and slapped his chest.

Only then did he seem to come to his senses. Focus slowly returned to Ruwellinundefineds eyes. After blinking a couple of times, he looked down at me with a genuinely surprised face.

"Ah, Ro, Roz."

"......"

His face flushed bright red, and flustered, he scrambled off me in a hurry. I slowly sat up and looked at him with lukewarm eyes.

Ruwellin covered his mouth with one hand, his eyes wide with dismay. His face was red, of course, but even his neck and ears were crimson.

He lowered his gaze and timidly made an excuse.

"Iundefinedm sorry... I was half-asleep... I thought it was a dream."

It didnundefinedt seem like a lie, and he genuinely appeared embarrassed. Plus, the way he timidly watched my reaction was almost cute.

Cute... I felt a sense of self-loathing and buried my face in my hands. I wished I were a little less of a sucker for good looks, but God had made me hopelessly so.

undefinedBeing cute and handsome is both a sin. That cheeky man.undefined

I sighed and got off the bed. Then, looking at Ruwellin, who was still blushing like a tomato, I said.

"Go wash up and come down for breakfast. Iundefinedll be in the living room. I left your change of clothes over there."

When I pointed to the bag containing the clothes I had bought yesterday, Ruwellin nodded obediently. I quickly fled before he could look any cuter.

As soon as I entered the living room, I flopped down on the sofa. The stupid familiar, oblivious to my mood, approached and wagged its tail. I pushed its chubby side with my bare foot and grumbled.

"Go away, you dog..."

Then, overwhelmed by an unbearable feeling, I buried my face in a cushion and sobbed like a ghost.

* * *

After all that rain yesterday, the weather was truly sunny today. On a day like this, walking side by side with a beautiful person so stunning it made my eyes wide, I felt good.

The problem was that this beautiful person kept unsettling my heart.

"Thank you for the clothes. They fit me well."

Ruwellin folded his emerald eyes and smiled softly. Whenever our eyes met, he would smile like this.

undefinedAt first, I thought it was just a habit...undefined

But thinking about it, I had never heard that the Duke of Rashiane often smiled with his eyes when talking to others.

Though I had lived my life cooped up in the Magic Tower, I prided myself on not being oblivious to the world. Had I been mistaken?

The image of Duke Rashiane that had been vaguely established in my mind was shaken. If I wasnundefinedt mistaken, then was he smiling so lavishly because he was currently crazy?

undefinedWhat if he stays crazy... This is a real disaster. Heundefineds not going to ask me to take responsibility later, is he?undefined

My heart felt heavy, but I opened my mouth to answer him. After all, it was true that the clothes I had chosen suited him very well.

"Iundefinedm glad. The size fits perfectly... and the style suits you well."

"Is that so? Do you like how I look right now?"

"Yes, I like it."

When I nodded with a smile, Ruwellin beamed brightly. For a moment, I thought hundreds of flowers had bloomed around him. His beauty was so intense it caused visual hallucinations. At this point, it was scary.

undefinedI should have bought him weird clothes.undefined

Then the dark aura emanating from the strange clothes might have dulled his beauty! ...Or not, I might have just been reminded of the truth that the face completes the fashion...

"I hope I look good to you, Roz."

"Huh? Of course, you always, Duke—"

I almost answered, undefinedYouundefinedre always pretty, cool, and handsome,undefined but stopped myself. ...I almost revealed my weakness for good looks. Clearing my throat, I tried to act dignified.

"You are the Duke of Rashiane, so of course you are always beautiful."

"Is that so? Have you been interested in me all along, Roz?"

The question felt a bit out of the blue yet flowed naturally. I thought he seemed like a person skilled at extracting desired answers this way. Even crazy, his eloquence remained intact. I nodded lightly and answered.

"Itundefineds not that I wasnundefinedt interested."

Because heundefineds the male lead.

"Itundefineds basic knowledge to know about the Empireundefineds nobles."

So, about the same level of interest as looking up a famous celebrity. That was all. Personally, I wasnundefinedt very interested. I tended not to pay attention to people I wouldnundefinedt get deeply involved with anyway.

undefinedBut I ended up kissing him. Twice, even...!undefined

I was crazy! If Adrian found out, heundefinedd have a fit. I absolutely, absolutely had to keep it a secret. Just imagining what that madman might do was terrifying...

As I trembled in fear thinking of Adrian, Ruwellinundefineds soft voice reached me.

"So you werenundefinedt entirely uninterested in me."

"Huh? Well, I suppose..."

He seemed to be in a very good mood today, and after hearing my story, he appeared even happier. The satisfied smile on his lips softened his features further.

Moreover, the way he looked at me somehow felt... ticklish. Cursing my heart that had started to pound, I slightly averted his gaze.

As I walked a bit stiffly, clenching my hands that had grown hot, Ruwellin spoke as if he had just remembered something.

"Ah, Roz. And—"

"......?"

When I turned to him with a questioning look, Ruwellin grinned and continued.

"The underwear fits perfectly too."

I froze in shock.

As I stood there stiff as a wooden plank, unable to move, Ruwellin, still smiling, reached out and gently stroked my cheek.

...He looked pleased. Was I imagining it?

Did he bring up the underwear on purpose?

To tease me? On purpose?

undefinedNo way. Thatundefineds character assassination.undefined

The male lead wouldnundefinedt do something so shameless! Th-thatundefineds too much character assassination! This man is none other than the always upright and honest Duke of Rashiane!

undefinedHeundefineds even lived as an innocent virgin who knows nothing of obscenity! The embodiment of abstinence! The very essence of purity! Heundefineds surely never even engaged in self-gratification...!undefined

...I cut off my thoughts before they could race further. Letundefineds stop. I was scared of what else I might think.

But my damned mind didnundefinedt listen to me.

undefinedBut for a virgin, his kissing was rather skillful.undefined

The kind that leaves the other person completely helpless...

undefinedAh! Stop! Please, letundefineds stop!undefined

Feeling deep self-loathing for recalling in detail the times I had kissed him, I quickly stopped thinking.

My scalp hurt; I must have been unconsciously pulling my hair. As I quickly let go and tried to pull myself together, a low laugh came from beside me.

Ruwellin Rashiane was watching me, thoroughly amused.

undefinedThis guy...?undefined

I wasnundefinedt a violent person, but I felt like hitting him.

But hitting his solid body would only hurt my hand. And if I used strength magic, I might seriously injure him.

undefinedHoo, Iundefinedll let it slide because youundefinedre handsome.undefined

Ruwellin Rashiane would never know that his overwhelming beauty had already saved his life several times...

I deliberately walked past him, taking the lead, and said.

"Letundefineds go eat breakfast quickly. Iundefinedm hungry."

"Roz... letundefineds go together."

He followed close behind and gently took my hand. His hand was so large it completely covered mine. And it was very warm.

Feeling my face flush, I tried to pull my hand away. But Ruwellin held on tightly and wouldnundefinedt let go.

When I looked at him with a undefinedlet goundefined expression, he blinked his pretty eyes and made a pitiful face.

"Iundefinedm afraid I might get lost."

"...Me? Or you, Duke?"

"Not Roz, me."

A man much larger than me pretending to be fragile was exasperating. But his face gave him plausibility. When he made a sorrowful expression with that handsome face, I felt like doing anything he asked.

Cursing my heart that kept weakening against my will, I turned my head away and started walking, looking only ahead.

I tried not to be conscious of the feel of our joined hands, his body heat, or the gaze that kept reaching me, and just walked with my mouth firmly shut.

The fact that the beautiful man walking beside me, showing off his long legs, seemed to be in a very good mood did nothing to help my complicated feelings.

The more he acted mysteriously, the more I wanted to uncover his true intentions. I wanted to know what thoughts he was hiding behind his leisurely smile.

I was half-convinced he was definitely crazy, but sometimes, it seemed like he was just pretending to be crazy.

Either way, it was clear he was a very difficult man to read. Dealing with him left me drained and uneasy.

I wanted to part ways with him as soon as possible and go our separate ways, but I had a bad feeling that a long time would have to pass before that could happen.

undefinedThis is driving me crazy. Iundefinedm not confident I wonundefinedt fall for him...undefined

Swallowing a sigh and lost in various thoughts, I soon arrived at our destination, a restaurant.

Perhaps because it was morning, the restaurant wasnundefinedt very crowded. But even the few customers there, not to mention the waiter, kept glancing our way.

It was obvious who was responsible. The man who naturally sat down next to me, instantly drawing all eyes.

His platinum blonde hair sparkled in the morning sunlight, and when our eyes met, his green eyes curved into crescents.

There he goes, smiling with his eyes again. For a Duke, was it alright to smile so lavishly?

undefinedBut why does he insist on sitting next to me?undefined

There was also a seat across from me. And normally, when you come to a restaurant, donundefinedt you sit across from your companion? Why on earth was he sitting next to me? I couldnundefinedt hold back and asked.

"Excuse me, why do you insist on sitting next to me..."

"Ah."

He let out a short exclamation and then smiled brightly. That smile again! A smile that seemed to hide something. I wanted to grab his cheeks with both hands and demand to know why he kept smiling like that.

Knowing nothing of my inner turmoil, he calmly poured water and drank as he spoke.

"Because those brats keep glancing at Roz."

"......?"

Rough words that didnundefinedt suit Ruwellin Rashiane at all came out, and I was startled. I looked around to figure out who he meant by undefinedthose bratsundefined.

Inside the restaurant, besides couples and families, there were two groups of three or four men each. He probably meant them.

Those men looked to be in their early to mid-thirties at most, and the youngest seemed around my age.

They kept glancing our way, more precisely at me, and whispering among themselves.

Then, for a moment, our eyes met. The young man around my age blushed deeply and lowered his head.

That fresh reaction made me laugh unintentionally. Another one swayed by my face. Well, at least my outer shell was decent...

undefinedItundefineds a thousand thanks that Adrian isnundefinedt here.undefined

If my brother were here, he would surely have caused a scene, saying heundefinedd gouge out those menundefineds eyeballs...

As I trembled at Adrianundefineds terrifying psychopathy, a chill suddenly emanated from beside me.

I slowly turned my head to the side. Ruwellin Rashiane was glaring at the young man with a chilly smile.

"......"

I stared at him with wide eyes, at a loss for words.

Come to think of it, it was my first time seeing him angry. Why was he angry? Because that young man blushed at me?

undefinedWhy... would he get angry about that?undefined

Even as I realized it, the fact didnundefinedt immediately register in my brain, confusing me.

Then it suddenly dawned on me. Ah, I see...!

undefinedThe upright Duke Rashiane simply cannot tolerate people blushing at members of the opposite sex in public!undefined

Indeed, that must be it. I nodded to myself in understanding. Ruwellinundefineds gaze quietly fell on me.

Glancing at him, his eyes had already softened.

undefinedHmm, as expected of a generous person.undefined

I looked at him and smiled brightly. Ruwellin seemed to hesitate for a moment, then smiled back. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair that had fallen on my cheek behind my ear.

"You said you were hungry, right? Shall we order?"

"Ah, yes."

I nodded at his question and picked up the menu. I had been to this restaurant often with Adrian, so I knew what was good.

"Hmm, olive clam stew... Ah, do you eat clams?"

"I eat anything."

"Really? I thought you might have preferences."

When I spoke, sounding surprised, Ruwellin smiled softly.

"When Iundefinedm with Roz, I can eat anything deliciously."

"I-is that so?"

"Yes. Though I havenundefinedt tried the most delicious thing yet."

What on earth did that mean? The nuance was strange, but I couldnundefinedt understand what he meant. I just assumed it was some high-level joke from the Duke.

undefinedLetundefineds just focus on ordering.undefined

Tilting my head, I lowered my gaze to the menu and chose a few more dishes and drinks.

Ruwellin said he ate anything, but just in case, I asked him about each item.

Each time, he would answer with things like, "Anything is fine if Roz feeds me," or "What Roz likes is what I like."

I couldnundefinedt tell if he was saying those things out of consideration for me or if he meant them sincerely. Feeling confused, I ordered our food. After a short wait, the waiter brought out steaming hot dishes. Seeing the table laden with food, I gulped.

The seafood in this region was fresh and high-quality, so no matter how it was cooked, it was delicious. The salad with tomatoes and cheese was also excellent.

In addition, the drink made from freshly squeezed raspberries mixed with sparkling water and honey was never tiring no matter how much I drank. I wondered if Ruwellin had ever tried it. I glanced at him and took a sip of the raspberry ade. A sweet and tangy flavor spread through my mouth.

undefinedItundefineds so delicious...!undefined

Soon, I melted into a state of happy bliss. All the complicated thoughts and worries that had been troubling me because of Ruwellin vanished, and only the delicious food and drink captivated my heart.

Ignoring everything around me, I ate and drank voraciously. When I started to feel full, my mind gradually cleared.

...Oh no, I got completely absorbed in eating again. Adrian always teased me about this habit.

undefinedI feel a bit embarrassed...undefined

I cautiously raised my head to look at the man beside me. Immediately, our eyes met.

Had he been watching me the whole time? His utensils and plate were clean.

undefinedNo, was he not eating at all, just observing me?!undefined

Was my eating that entertaining? I suddenly felt so embarrassed that my face flushed bright red, and I dropped my head. Fidgeting with my hands, I asked.

"Arenundefinedt you going to eat, Duke?"

"......"

The answer came a beat later.

"Because you look so cute when you eat deliciously, Roz."

"......?"

What? I looked at him in confusion, blinking. Ruwellin smiled leisurely, reached out, and gently wiped the corner of my mouth. Then, he brought his sauce-covered thumb to his own lips! I was shocked.

The tongue that peeked out between his pale lips lightly licked his thumb. Watching that, I almost fainted on the spot.

After licking off all the sauce, Ruwellin stared at me with a suggestive gaze and murmured.

"...Delicious."

...Somehow, it didnundefinedt seem like he was talking about the sauce.

My body trembled, and I clasped my hands together tightly.