FDSML CH 20

Chapter 20

“Hm?”

Because I had been too distracted staring at his muscles, I hadn’t caught what he said and asked him to repeat it.

Instead, he smoothly changed the subject.

“Anyway… since then, you haven’t had any aftereffects, right?”

“Oh, I’m fine. Other than the fact that I don’t remember much from that day, nothing else.”

My memory was hazy from the moment I’d gone into his study. Here and there, flashes of Alperen’s face surfaced, so I figured he must have stayed by my side the whole time.

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“Thanks. I just feel bad, like I caused trouble by barging in uninvited.”

“If anything, I should be the one apologizing.”

“Eh, no. I heard it was a mistake by a trainee. You didn’t scold them too harshly, right?”

After a long pause, Alperen answered,

“…I only gave a warning.”

He looked away as if avoiding my eyes, but it wasn’t my place to interfere in Tower business.

“Oh, speaking of that… how’s that flowerpot doing?”

“Flowerpot?”

He looked puzzled, and I immediately regretted bringing it up.

Eden had reacted so seriously at the time that I thought it must’ve been important, but maybe it wasn’t?

Feeling like I’d unnecessarily reminded him of my mistake, I faltered.

“Well, um… that day, in your study, I touched a pot by accident…”

Alperen stayed quiet, waiting for me to finish. His gaze pressured me into continuing.

“You know, the dead sapling on the window sill? I touched it without thinking.”

When I described it, Alperen’s expression hardened.

“You mean… the white pot?”

“Yes. …But really, nothing happened! I swear!”

Seeing his face grow more serious, excuses tumbled out of me in a rush.

Alperen suddenly said, “Excuse me for a moment,” and took my hand.

White mana flared faintly over my skin as he examined me.

He was checking whether my body had been affected.

A long sigh escaped him once he let go.

“From now on, don’t touch anything in my study. Most of it is experimental—it could be dangerous.”

Even in scolding, his tone was tight, unlike his usual self.

I quickly tried to defend myself.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have touched anything while you weren’t there. It’s just—the sapling turned green for a second and I panicked. I swear I only brushed it! If anything broke, I’ll pay—”

“…The sapling turned green?”

His eyes widened again.

Less frightening this time, but I still felt like a rabbit under a hawk’s gaze.

“…Wait. Don’t tell me Eden never reported this?”

So he really didn’t know? I thought he’d been informed already.

Looking troubled, Alperen admitted quietly,

“To be honest, I haven’t gone back to the Tower since that day.”

“…What? But you go there almost every day. Did something happen?”

“…It just felt empty.”

He turned his face slightly, covering his mouth, ears faintly pink.

Empty? That Tower he practically lived in?

And then it clicked.

“…Wow. Even you have days where you don’t want to go to work.”

Really, working too hard was inhuman anyway. He was supposed to be the second male lead—not a machine!

“You’re right, though. You should rest. In the end, work is just work. It’s nice to see you being… human for once.”

In the original story, Alperen buried himself in work to escape pain, dragging half the Tower mages into his whirlwind.

That was part of why Adrian was the male lead—his extroverted warmth contrasted Alperen’s deep introversion.

Alperen hardly ever left his home or the Tower. Naturally, he had no scandals.

Honestly, a homebody like him would make a great husband.

The only problem? Homebodies usually stay home alone.

Thank goodness the heroine, Summer, was outgoing. Still, I worried.

I grabbed his shoulders firmly.

“Listen, oppa. When you meet someone you like, don’t just sit at home thinking about her. You have to hang around her. Be where she is.”

“Just… hang around?”

“Of course not only that. Talk to her sometimes, give her little gifts, invite her to see nice views with you.”

I sighed. Did I really have to teach him this step by step?

“And you need to get used to parties too. You’ll be free of your engagement soon—you should meet new people.”

“…I don’t think I need to, though.”

His eyes, which had shown a flicker of interest, dulled again.

As if saying, Just visiting your house sometimes is enough.

“Ugh. You can’t just keep visiting my family! Is Adrian really your only friend?”

“…Yes.”

Oh.

My heart squeezed at his pitiful honesty.

This man isn’t going to end up alone forever, right?

Of course, I was probably worrying too much.

He was one of the most sought-after bachelors this season, and Summer was his first love anyway.

They’ll meet again at some party and fall in love, just like in the novel. I don’t need to stress over his romance. I can barely handle my own problems.

So instead, I focused on what mattered most to me.

My eyes sparkled.

“So? When will the annulment be finalized?”

At that, a small crease formed between his brows.

Judging from his expression, it wasn’t going smoothly.

As expected. No way Nanael would agree quietly. She’s far too petty for that.

If she dragged this out, the annulment might not be done even by the time Summer arrived in the capital.

Recalling the original novel’s frustratingly slow pace, I urged him,

“Then you need to take the initiative.”

“I plan to request an audience with His Majesty soon.”

“Good. That’s the way.”

If a subordinate dragged their feet, sometimes you had to push from the top.

After a moment, Alperen asked,

“By the way… nothing happened at the gathering today? It was hosted by the Empress Consort, wasn’t it? And Princess Nanael was there too.”

“Oh, she made my day, actually.”

“…She did?”

He looked skeptical, so I patted my stomach like a satisfied beast.

“Thanks to her, I got to eat a mountain of desserts.”

I was about to explain that I also enjoyed her sour expression, when—

“…She forced you to eat?”

Alperen’s voice dropped, sharper than usual. Was he angry?

Flustered, I hurried to explain,

“Well, yes, but honestly, it worked out in my favor. I’d been eating like a bird for weeks because of debut prep.”

“You didn’t have any weight to lose.”

“Exactly! My chaperone seems to think all ladies should look like mannequins. I hate this whole culture of fitting people to clothes instead of the other way around.”

My grumbling drew a faint smile from him.

“So Nanael ended up humiliated.”

“Of course. I don’t take things lying down.”

I shrugged proudly, and Alperen suddenly burst into laughter.

The sound was so warm that I found myself laughing too.

As the atmosphere softened, my words loosened with it.

“But honestly, the gathering itself was so boring. Once the Empress Consort arrived, it turned into some kind of daughter-in-law audition. Like a contest for Cesare’s bride.”

“Bride? You mean… Cesare, the Second Prince?”

“Yes! She straight-up asked me if I’d consider meeting him.”

“…What?”

I happily went on complaining, oblivious to the way Alperen’s face was cracking like glass.

“And then she even took jabs at my brother. I nearly flipped the table! Honestly, some people don’t understand how precious others’ children are.”

My voice rose with indignation at the memory—

And then, suddenly—

CRACK!

The chair beneath Alperen splintered with a violent sound.