Chapter 61

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: A Shared Space
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The tea time was prepared in Diello’s office—no, our office.

This office had undergone many changes over the past few days.

First, the temperature had been raised significantly for Diello’s recovery, but it returned to normal when my office was moved right next to this room.

But when I came back from my break, a door had appeared between my office and his.

‘What’s this door for?’

To my question, Diello answered lightly.

‘I had it installed in case of an emergency. Will it be an inconvenience?’

It wasn’t an inconvenience. In fact, it was easier to go see Diello.

But at some point, Diello started leaving that door slightly ajar.

So much so that I could hear the reports he was receiving.

It might have meant he didn’t mind me hearing them, but…

‘With the door open like this, it feels like we’re working together.’

When I glanced toward the door and murmured this, I heard Diello’s reply from beyond it.

‘Perhaps that’s why I’m able to focus so well, Croire.’

Contrary to his words, his work efficiency that day plummeted.

‘This is a document the Lord has not yet approved…’

‘This is a matter the Lord has not yet dealt with. I will inquire again.’

After hearing this about four times while handling my own work, I closed the magic door that was draining his efficiency.

‘…Croire?’

A flustered voice came from beyond the door, but I spoke firmly.

‘No distractions during work hours.’

After a brief pause, a reply came back.

‘What about other thoughts?’

I wondered what he meant, then heard his voice, now much closer to the door.

‘What if I keep thinking about you, Croire?’

I stared silently at him as he peeked his head through the slightly opened door.

I wondered why he was being so sudden, until I saw the knight standing behind him to give a report.

…Ah, an act.

I gave him a bright smile.

‘That’s not allowed either.’

Then I gently pushed his head back through the doorway and shut the door.

‘No thinking about me until you’re done working.’

‘Croire…’

Diello whispered in a pleading voice, paying no mind to the knight on the other side of the door who was likely suffocating from the saccharine sweetness of his lord and lady.

But I didn't open the door.

A sweet couple act is nice, but work is work!

The Argentas are supposed to get things done when it’s time to get things done!

Then, this morning, something happened.

—*CRASH!*

The door separating Diello’s office and mine came off, frame and all.

‘…Diello?’

And holding the door was Diello himself.

Clutching the handle, he held up the door that had been torn from its very hinges and looked back at me with a troubled expression.

‘…The door is broken.’

Anyone could see it was no accident. I looked at Diello, who was staring at me so brazenly, and finally burst into laughter.

‘Perhaps you think it would be more convenient to work in the same room?’

At my words, Diello cautiously nodded his head.

‘Yes.’

‘I can’t with you, really.’

Did he really smash the door because he found it hard to bring that up?

The Diello described in the original novel and the real Diello were quite different, but in moments like this, it seemed the man before me was indeed Diello Argenta.

[Diello Argenta was hesitant to voice even his own needs to the one he loved.

He feared that if his requests were too much, she would leave.]

To think that asking to share an office was that difficult.

In any case, that was how we ended up combining our offices.

That was just this morning.

“The office is a bit chaotic.”

I said, glancing at the maids moving a table behind me.

“Not at all, it’s quite all right.”

Redius Argenta, who had been invited to the office for tea, seemed a little flustered but quickly regained his composure.

Since the move into my new office had been decided so abruptly, I had considered having tea somewhere else, but there was no suitable place.

Other than the servants’ quarters, the other spaces on the fourth floor were Diello’s and my private areas, which were awkward to bring others into.

“As you know, this is Redius Argenta. My uncle, and my mentor.”

Diello introduced Redius as we sat down.

So he uses formal speech in private.

I recalled the two of them on the battlefield before turning to look at Redius.

At first glance, Redius, with his dark gray hair, and Diello, with his jet-black hair, seemed to have nothing in common.

But the closer one looked, the more their atmospheres were a perfect match.

“Redius Argenta, Madam. I apologize for the delay in formally greeting you.”

He stood and bowed respectfully. I nodded for him to sit.

“It’s been a hectic time.”

It was understandable that he was late. After I accepted his greeting, Redius sat down with a more relaxed expression.

“But I never expected the Lord of the House to attend as well.”

He said, turning to look at Diello.

What does he mean by that?

As I lifted my teacup, I saw Diello pause for a fraction of a second.

“The Lord and I have never had tea time together. At best, a meal—”

“Uncle.”

Diello cut him off, his voice tinged with unease.

But Redius continued shamelessly.

“Isn’t it the truth?”

At that, Diello smiled, looking even more troubled.

I mean, it’s not unheard of for people to not have tea time.

“Well, tea time isn’t a tradition in every family.”

I tried to take Diello’s side, but it was clear that Redius was more mischievous than I thought.

“And we’ve only had a meal together exactly three times since he was a child.”

That was rather unexpected. I lowered the teacup I was holding.

“Then when do you usually talk?”

Normally, for nobility, conversations happened over tea or a meal.

That is, if you counted having tea in the drawing room as tea time.

But there was no reason for two blood relatives to meet in a drawing room.

Redius grinned at my question.

“He’d just tell me to say what I had to say and leave.”

I blinked at his words.

What, without even offering him anything to eat?

As far as I knew, in the Empire, summoning someone to talk without offering even simple refreshments was considered incredibly stingy, unless it was a matter of giving and receiving orders.

“Just say what you need to say and that’s it?”

“Yes. We’ve rarely had a chance to build a rapport.”

“That’s…”

Diello raised a hand as if to object.

But he couldn’t say anything further, which seemed to confirm it was true.

“That’s surprising. He’s such an affectionate person.”

At my words, Redius looked at me. I was about to say something in response to his strange expression.

But Diello smoothly changed the subject.

“After my parents passed away, he was the one who looked after me like a parent, so I respect him.”

To that, even Redius didn’t argue.

He met Diello’s gaze and finally raised both hands as if to surrender his little game.

He then added.

“It worked out well for my wife and me, as we don’t have a son.”

After that, Redius spoke more comfortably.

Diello, too, had a softer expression than usual.

Of course, he was always a gentle person, but while that was usually more business-like, he now seemed genuinely at ease.

“To think I’d get to have such a long, private time with the Lord.”

“Uncle.”

“Please, let me bask in this touching moment a little longer.”

As I watched the two of them bickering, having returned to the original topic, I spoke.

“You really do seem a little more at ease in front of Sir Redius.”

Diello turned to look at me at my words.

“Did I?”

Unexpectedly, his eyes widened slightly.

He didn’t know?

After a moment of silence, he asked abruptly.

“Then, how am I in front of you, Croire?”

Diello in front of me? I blinked before answering.

“The kind Diello Argenta, of course.”

“Is that all?”

The reply came instantly. Of course, that wasn’t all…

“Also, a little more, um…”

It was a bit embarrassing to say such things in front of Redius.

A sweet… person.

I don’t know why it’s so hard to say, even though I know our relationship isn’t real.

As if this relationship were real.

As if I were feeling it for real.

“I should be a little more special to you.”

Diello smiled brightly then.

He had moved slightly closer to me and was now caressing my fingertips.

Warmer than the teacup, I thought.

“This is troubling.”

His voice was close as he said it. I froze.

At some point, only the three of us—Redius, Diello, and I—were left in the room.

I subtly pushed him away with my fingertips.

“Do you have to be like this, even in front of Sir Redius?”

“Like what?”

“Well…”

As I was about to answer, I saw his eyes flash with a hint of blue.

…Ah, the aftereffects of his emotional outburst are still there.

What is his true nature?

Given that he keeps telling me not to leave, it’s clear he’s grown fond of me, so does this mean he’s in a state where he can’t hide his feelings?

I looked at him, then snatched a cookie from the plate and held it out to him.

“Sweets are good for stability.”

But instead of taking the cookie, Diello simply leaned in and ate it from my hand.

“?”

I froze for a moment.

Did I just… feed this man?

And did he just readily accept it?

It was something that might happen between a married couple, and perfectly normal in front of others, but in a private space like this, it felt strangely intimate.

Just as I was about to brush off my hand, Diello, smiling with his eyes, caught my fingertips.

“It’s delicious.”

Strange, since I don’t like sweets.

After saying that, he picked up a cookie and ate it himself.