IWBTVCF 03

Chapter 3

The apple in my mouth dropped.

It rolled across the floor and stopped at Darius’s feet.

His eyes slowly looked over me—like I was a thief caught at the crime scene.

This is insane! Why do I have to meet him at a moment like this?!

Darius stared at me quietly, then bent down and picked up the apple. The apple with my small bite marks on it.

“Were the desserts in the banquet hall not enough?”

I forced my dizzy mind to work and quickly tried to explain.

“S-Sorry. Um… I can’t feel full unless I eat carbohydrates and protein! I’m still growing, so I need proper nutrition!”

In my panic, I just said whatever came to mind. A smile touched his eyes, and I felt my cheeks grow hot.

“You could have told me or Simon. We would have prepared something properly for you.”

“I didn’t want to cause trouble… I was just going to take a little and eat it quickly.”

I scratched the back of my neck and laughed awkwardly.

“I’ll show you to an empty reception room.”

“Th-Thank you… but it’s okay! I want to eat outside in the garden. Like a picnic.”

Even as I said it, I felt ridiculous.

I must look like such a strange kid at someone else’s birthday party. Or maybe just a greedy little glutton.

I can almost hear my image falling apart.

But I can’t tell him I’m trying to feed your brother!

Darius let out a small laugh at my awkward excuse. Even though I was dying of embarrassment, my fangirl heart was overflowing.

Ah, his smiling face is so beautiful!

He looked exactly like I had imagined while reading the novel.

Platinum-blond curls, skin as white as jade, straight brows, long lashes over slightly drooping puppy-like eyes, a tall nose, and soft reddish lips.

Precious. Absolutely precious.
If he were born in modern times, he would be a top celebrity.

Seeing my favorite character up close again made my heart shake.

Who cares how I look? As long as this smile never disappears, I could roll in mud happily.

I bowed politely.

“Then I’ll go now. I’m really sorry for sneaking the food. Please send the bill to my brother later.”

I tried to slip past him and hurried down the hallway.

But soon I heard steady footsteps behind me.

When I turned, I almost jumped. Darius was following me with long, relaxed strides.

“Why are you following me?!”

“I’m coming with you.”

“W-What?!”

“I was just about to escape as well. And I can’t let a young lady, my friend’s sister, wander outside alone.”

I shook my head quickly, but he didn’t stop. Instead, he even took the bundle of food from my hands.

“Actually… I promised to share this food with someone.”

“Who?”

His clear golden eyes looked at me, and I couldn’t lie.

When I hesitated, he nodded lightly.

“It’s fine. Whoever it is.”

He probably thought it was some maid I secretly brought. In the end, I left the mansion with him following behind me.

Not that anyone could chase away their favorite character.

Outside, a gentle spring breeze blew between us. Darius took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air.

He looked like someone who had finally escaped a long and tiring family gathering.

“Where is your companion?”

He looked around.

I searched the place where I had left Kyle. The garden was quiet. No sign of him.

“I think he left because I took too long.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“It’s okay. I expected it.”

It would have been more surprising if he had waited obediently.

“…Then I’ll return the food.”

I tried to take the bundle back, but Darius easily avoided my hand and walked toward a pergola near a flower bed.

“Shall we eat it together?”

“Pardon?”

“Come here.”

W-What is happening right now? Eating together with my favorite character?

While I stood frozen, I heard a soft brushing sound.

Darius was sweeping fallen leaves off the bench with his hand.

“Wait!”

Stop!

I quickly ran over, brushed away the dirt properly, and wiped the table and bench carefully with my handkerchief.

Our Darius must not dirty his hands or clothes.

When everything was clean, I patted the seat proudly.

“Please sit here.”

Darius, who had been watching quietly, laughed again.

“Ha ha. I’m sorry. I didn’t know Simon had such an interesting sister.”

I stared at him in complete admiration.

This is a rare scene… Is there no camera anywhere?

Suddenly, Darius grabbed my hand and pulled me gently. Before I realized it, I was sitting in the clean seat.

A moment later, he sat down on the grassy side opposite me.

Wait—I was too busy admiring his face!

“Your clothes will get dirty!”

“It’s fine. Hurry and eat.”

“No! Let’s switch seats!”

“Oh. You gathered quite a variety.”

Ignoring my flustered waving arms, Darius untied the cloth bundle and placed it on the table. Bread, jam, butter, sliced ham, cheese, and fruit appeared neatly.

We’re really eating together??

It felt unreal to sit and eat with my favorite character.

Darius wiped the apple and split it in half with his hands. He offered me the larger piece.

Stunned, I accepted it. He bit into his half, and the sweet scent of apple juice filled the air.

Is this an apple juice commercial?

His golden eyes shone in the sunlight like honey.

I stared at his face in a daze—until I felt drool at the corner of my mouth. I quickly wiped it with my sleeve. A faint smile appeared on his face.

“You said you were hungry. Go ahead.”

Ah. He thinks I’m drooling over the apple. That’s much better than being seen as a pervert.

I slowly took a bite.

Honestly, I was already full from the desserts earlier. I only gathered this food for Kyle.

But with Darius watching me with sparkling eyes, I had no choice but to eat.

I chewed the apple without even tasting it and looked up. Our eyes met.

“Ah… I can die without regrets.”

“Hmm?”

“N-Nothing.”

If I don’t control myself, I might start saying weird fangirl things.

Stay calm. Change the topic.

“…Do you know what happens when an apple laughs?”

“I’m not sure.”

“It becomes a ‘ha-ha-pple.’”

Silence fell for a moment. Then Darius understood the silly joke and laughed brightly.

“Ha ha! Where did you learn jokes like that? I should take lessons from you.”

My heart felt like it was floating. I didn’t even know if the food was going into my mouth or my ears, but as long as he kept laughing, I was happy.

Ugh. I feel like I’m about to throw up.

If I were wearing a corset, everything would have come back up. Thankfully, I was still young and wearing a comfortable dress.

As the sun slowly set in pink shades, we cleaned up and stood.

Kyle never showed up again.

He probably didn’t return to the banquet hall. Maybe he went back to his room.

I wanted to get closer to him, but even staying near him is difficult.

Anyway, I should thank the owner of the food.

“Thank you for the meal, Young Master Darius.”

“Young Master sounds too formal. Call me comfortably.”

He closed his eyes tightly, clearly uncomfortable with the title.

“…Darius oppa?”

If you’re handsome, you’re automatically oppa.

I tried boldly, but Darius nodded.

“That sounds good.”

I didn’t expect him to accept it. I looked at him gratefully, and he added with a faint smile,

“I didn’t expect to hear ‘oppa’ before I ever heard ‘hyung.’”

A bitter smile touched his lips.

“I actually have a younger sibling around your age.”

“Doesn’t Kyle call you hyung?”

“Kyle?”

His eyebrow lifted slightly at the nickname.

“Oh… I met him earlier. He helped me when I was lost in the maze.”

“I see. So that’s how you introduced yourselves.”

“Yes.”

A sharp light flickered in Darius’s eyes.

“The person you planned to eat with… was it Kyle?”