Chapter 5
That day, Adel admitted to himself that he wasn’t of much help to Anastasia.
“Go back. And I hope you won’t come see me anymore.”
Adel agreed to Anastasia’s request.
He and Anastasia hadn’t been particularly close in their childhood. It was just that the Duke Magnus and Count Sinclair interacted frequently, so their children naturally came to know each other.
Anastasia Sinclair was calm and mature. Unlike others, she never made unreasonable requests of Adel, nor did she ask intrusive questions about him. She spoke little and didn’t meddle in matters that weren’t her concern. Adel felt at ease when he was with her.
One day, when they went to watch a performance, Anastasia coughed up blood.
She suffered from an incredibly rare illness that hadn’t even been properly named. The doctor called it a “nightmare.”
The confirmed symptoms were extreme frailty, dizziness, and vomiting blood. She had even once shed tears of blood.
The count’s household was thrown into panic. Everyone searched the empire for a cure, but information about the illness was scarce.
Anastasia stayed in her room, and Adel visited regularly, trying to encourage her that she would get better soon.
He thought he was offering comfort, encouragement, and support.
But he realized far too late that sometimes, it would have been better not to say anything at all.
When Adel saw Anastasia again after a few days, she had changed. He had considered not visiting her, but her father—the duke and Adel’s own benefactor—wouldn’t allow it.
The last time Anastasia had coughed up blood, her family had trusted the Duke Magnus and were all away. Adel had no choice; he resolved to take whatever she threw at him.
But Anastasia greeted him with a bright smile.
“You’re Adel!”
It was a smile he had never seen before. Adel was surprised that she could smile like that. Anastasia muttered to herself, “As expected, he’s handsome.”
She openly stared at Adel, occasionally hiding her blushing face in her hands. Adel couldn’t understand her muttered complaints about him always being “someone else’s prize.”
Regardless, Adel and Anastasia spent a warm, cheerful time together.
Anastasia was lively, chatting freely with the maids. In just a few days, the atmosphere in the Sinclair household had brightened noticeably.
She ate well, talked a lot, and expressed her emotions openly. The maids seemed delighted too. Anastasia even engaged in lighthearted mischief with the maids in front of Adel.
When it was time for Adel to leave, Anastasia gently asked,
“You’ll come see me again, won’t you?”
Without thinking, Adel nodded.
From then on, Adel visited Anastasia every other day. She had begun to enjoy going out, but she was still extremely weak. From the times he secretly observed her, he noticed her steps were unsteady, and she would tire easily.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Adel gradually began to meddle, scolding her without realizing it.
It wasn’t enough that he interfered; he even committed the impropriety of entering her bedroom without permission.
Adel worried he had overstepped his bounds, but when Anastasia seemed unbothered, he quietly felt relieved. He became gradually more confident in his actions.
It was inevitable that Anastasia would eventually explode.
“I’m fine! I said I’m fine, so why are you meddling? I’m going to die anyway, and there’s no way to stop it! If you understand, just let me do as I please until the day I die!”
He wanted to say that if she wanted to go out, he would accompany her. But Adel was always someone who drew attention, and when he saw someone in need, he would instinctively move first. That had made Anastasia feel burdened.
Even as Anastasia cheerfully changed, she didn’t insist he accompany her.
“You just need to watch over me when we go out.”
Finally, when she said that, Adel felt joy.
It was strange. Just a simple change in her personality made her far more noticeable and precious to him than before.
Even when she became mischievous, Adel didn’t resent it. On the contrary, he enjoyed being with her.
Now, she didn’t hold back. Anastasia expressed her likes and dislikes clearly, sharply correcting him when he made mistakes. She wouldn’t let him repeat them.
He was deeply grateful for her care and thoughtfulness.
Following Anastasia’s request, Adel visited the Sinclair household whenever he had the chance. The maids had even grown accustomed to his visits.
And today, Anastasia again expressed her displeasure.
“You’re annoying.”
“I’m sorry. Did I make another mistake?”
Assuming he was at fault, Adel apologized first. Anastasia didn’t even respond.
“Hmph!”
“Anastasia, please tell me if I did something wrong. I will reflect and correct it.”
Her expression changed subtly.
“Adel, whenever I see you, I just want to tease you.”
“…Is that so?”
Not knowing how to respond, Adel simply accepted it.
Suddenly, Anastasia’s eyes sparkled.
“Let’s go steal something to eat.”
“What’s that?”
Adel truly had no idea what she meant, and he was shocked by his ignorance.
Anastasia jumped up and grabbed Adel.
“Follow me.”
She led him to the kitchen. The chef was busy and didn’t notice them.
Anastasia pointed at a delicious-looking pie on the table.
“This is the chef’s special walnut pie. Doesn’t it look amazing?”
Adel nodded eagerly.
“He clearly put a lot of effort into it.”
Even someone not fond of desserts like Adel could see the elaborate decoration.
The walnuts glistened golden, showing their quality, and gold dust was sprinkled evenly. Strawberries soaked in chocolate lined the edge. A fragrant, sweet aroma filled the air.
Anastasia said in a solemn voice,
“We’re going to steal this.”
Adel was shocked again.
“Excuse me?”
Before he could react, Anastasia snatched the pie. Adel instinctively hid under the table with her.
Moments later, the chef shouted:
“Ah! Where did my walnut pie go?”
Adel couldn’t detect any pretense; it was a very poor act, but he was completely unaware.
“Oh no! The dessert I prepared with so much care for the young lady is gone!”
Adel sensed something was wrong.
“Anastasia, maybe we should just return it. After all, it was made for you, and the chef would happily give it to you if you asked.”
“Nope.”
She said this and took a bite of the pie, chewing it delightfully.
Adel felt a headache coming.
“Anastasia…”
“Sobs… I can’t find my walnut pie anywhere!”
Adel was persuaded by the chef’s exaggerated acting, as if reading from a book.
“The chef is so sad.”
Anastasia, undeterred, ate the entire piece and licked her fingers. Adel thought her lips were very beautiful.
Feeling as if he had seen something he shouldn’t, Adel quickly looked away. Anastasia didn’t care.
“Let’s leave it and go upstairs.”
Adel was flustered.
“Why are you behaving like this? Anastasia, you are a kind person. You’ve never hurt anyone before. I don’t understand.”
“I don’t know why you think I’m kind either, Adel. You saw it too, didn’t you? I’m a bad person who throws trash on the street and steals the chef’s walnut pie. And you’re my accomplice.”
The word “accomplice” stuck in Adel’s mind.
Anastasia smiled.
“But thanks to you persuading me, I’ve changed my mind. Let’s go to the chef.”
Though it felt odd, Adel felt relieved.
“Good decision.”
Anastasia carried the pie out of the kitchen, with Adel following.
“Hello, Luke. Were you looking for the walnut pie?”
“Young lady!”
The young chef brightened at her appearance. Anastasia offered the pie.
“Here. I ate one piece, but I’m returning the rest. Actually, Adel got hungry and secretly took it away.”
She was shameless.
“Wait! That’s a misunderstanding!”
Adel tried to explain, but the chef looked at him with a dazed expression.
“Don’t be persuaded!”
Adel felt wronged.
Luke, the chef, and I could barely suppress our laughter at Adel’s flustered expression.
Adel really was incredibly adorable. The chef’s poor acting worried me, but Adel suspected nothing.
He was simply shocked that he had suddenly become a walnut pie thief.
I restrained my emotions and called Luke.
“Luke, could you bring some food for Adel, who hasn’t eaten?”
“Right away!”
Luke dashed off. He would surely laugh once he turned around.
I bit my lip but couldn’t stop smiling a little.
Ah, this is crazy. Adel was so pure. He had never been caught in such a childish prank before.
Of course, he had always been mature. People thought Adel was the ideal and perfect noble. And they weren’t wrong.
He had never cried as a child, never been stubborn, and always handled his own affairs.
Even his parents admitted they struggled to deal with such a flawless child. Who would hold petty grudges against such a person?
That’s why it was so fun. I devised plans to tease Adel whenever I was bored.
Adel squinted his eyes.
“Is it that amusing to you?”
“Yes.”
I nodded immediately. Adel sighed.
“I admit it. You are not a good person.”
“Oh my.”
“But you are still a good person to me.”
That was unexpected. I looked at him, bewildered.
