Chapter 3
Why does it have to taste this good?! So annoying!
“I… I’m not going to forgive you just because of this… Give me one more.”
“Yeah, sure! Right? There’s no way something like this could fix everything.”
Arno grinned slyly.
“Heart-shaped? Star-shaped?”
“Heart-shaped.”
Still smiling like an idiot, Arno picked a heart-shaped chocolate and popped it in my mouth.
Sugar is dangerous.
Chocolate is a wicked thing—it made my mood better in an instant.
Did they put something in this?
I stared suspiciously at the chocolate, amazed at how quickly my mood changed.
“What? Is something wrong?”
“It’s suspiciously delicious— I mean, no! Don’t think you can get away with this just because it tastes good!”
I almost fell for it. I need to get a grip!
“Okay, okay. It’s not a bribe, just a gift. You can relax and eat it.”
Relax? You being so chill is what’s making me more anxious!
“Has that guy asked you to do anything strange or dangerous?”
“Not at all.”
…Could it be something else then?
I quickly looked around, leaned in, and whispered into Arno’s ear.
“If you’re being threatened right now, just shake the chocolate box.”
But instead of shaking the box, Arno shoved me away and started wiping his ear.
“Agnès, what kind of family does this?! That was seriously gross.”
Ugh, so annoying.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore and smacked the back of his head.
“Listen up. If he ever asks you to do anything suspicious or dangerous, don’t agree. You have a cute little sister to think about!”
“Cute? …Did Dad have another kid while I was away?”
Arno chuckled, still rubbing his head, clearly not taking me seriously.
“Are you insane? If Dad ever did something like that, I’d kick him out of the family!”
“Then I’d become the family head early?”
“If you want to be the head of the family, then that guy—”
“Want another chocolate?”
Arno cut me off and held out another piece.
“I’m only eating this because you insist.”
“Of course. I know.”
Looking at the now-empty chocolate box, I was overwhelmed with regret.
I buried my face in my knees and sighed.
I came here to scold him and make him promise to send César away, but all I got was… calories.
“This isn’t what I wanted…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m leaving.”
I decided there was no winning today and that I needed to come up with a new plan.
“Agnès, why are you taking the empty box?”
I ignored his question, stood up with a tired look, clutching the box tightly.
“You clueless idiot.”
Leaving Arno behind, who kept asking what I just said, I walked out of the room.
But just as I turned the corner, a long shadow fell over mine.
I looked up—and locked eyes with red ones, as César leaned against the wall, arms crossed, staring at me.
“Uwah?!”
I made a weird noise and stumbled backward, almost falling.
César grabbed my wrist quickly and pulled me up.
“Be careful.”
Ugh. Now it really looks like I was gossiping behind his back and just got caught.
Did he hear me?!
My face turned red and my eyes darted around nervously.
“Thank you.”
I managed to mumble.
But César kept staring at me, silently.I turned my head away, feeling awkward.
Should I apologize?
Before I could decide, he spoke first.
“You’re just like Arno Franteya. Except for the eyes.”
What the—?!
“How could you say that?!”
I was so shocked I started trembling.
He looked genuinely surprised by my reaction, blinking in confusion.
“Haven’t you heard that before?”
“Are you insulting me right now?”
“No… I just thought it was interesting.”
“If you look closely—I mean, you don’t even need to look closely—we’re nothing alike.”
“From far or near, you still look similar.”
“We both have two eyes, one nose, and one mouth. That’s all.”
“Well, so do I.”
“…Ha!”
Ugh, talking to him is impossible.
I gave up and looked down, keeping my mouth shut.
He quickly tried to apologize, but it didn’t sound sincere.
“Did that upset you? I’m sorry, anyway.”
“You don’t have any siblings, do you, Lord Valdeon?”
“Nope.”
“That’s why you don’t get it.”
“Even the way you wrinkle your nose when you’re annoyed looks like Arno’s—”
Again?!
When he said we looked alike again, I frowned hard.
He let out a small laugh, and this time I noticed a deep dimple on his right cheek.
“Are you here to see Arno? I’ll leave you two. Go ahead.”
I turned to leave, but he gently called my name.
“Agnès.”
His voice was soft and fluffy, like cotton candy.
“…Yes?”
“Sorry if I scared you by showing up like this. I told Arno I wanted to come. He invited me.”
So he really heard everything…
“…”
“I have good hearing.”
I hadn’t even asked yet, but I guess my face showed everything.
“Uh, well…”
“If it really bothers you, should I dye my hair? I can’t change my eyes though. Pulling them out would be too creepy.”
He asked with such a serious expression.
“Or I could wear an eye patch?”
What kind of logic is that? Why not just shave your head while you’re at it?
I stared at him, speechless.
“That’s… a bit much…”
“Arno said you’re the boss of this castle—the law and ruler—so I should be on my best behavior. I’m just a guest after all.”
He smiled, his eyes turning into crescents.
“You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”
“No way. How could I dare? I’m just doing my best to stay on the good side of the real boss.”
If César’s talking like this, Arno must’ve been saying all kinds of nonsense again.
I covered my face in embarrassment.
“Ugh, just ignore Arno’s babbling. Most of what he says is nonsense and exaggeration! I’m leaving.”
“Okay. I’ll remember your advice.”
Trying to walk away with dignity, I had just taken a few steps when I heard something totally unexpected.
“See you later, bunny.”
W-What did he just say…?
I froze mid-step and spun around.
César shrugged with an innocent smile.
What did he just call me?!
I made a silent scream. Goosebumps ran down my arms.
If it were Arno, I’d have smacked his mouth!
As I ran away, I heard César laughing joyfully behind me. I clamped my hands over my ears and rushed to my room.
* * *
Hearing the laughter, Arno came out and stared at César, who was still leaning against the wall, laughing.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming in?”
“Ah, just…”
“Just?”
“Watching a bunny.”
“Bunny? Why is everyone talking about bunnies today?”
Arno looked around the hallway, confused.
But of course, there wasn’t a single rabbit in sight.
Where the heck is this bunny everyone’s talking about?
* * *
Back in my room, I rushed out to the terrace to cool my burning face.
“Oh my, miss. Did something happen? Your face is all red.”
“It’s… It’s just hot!”
I shouted, avoiding Sofia’s curious eyes.
But the warm summer breeze only made me hotter.
“Here’s some cool water, miss.”
I chugged the water she handed me. Only then did the heat in my head begin to calm down.
Those curious red eyes kept flashing in my mind.
Even though he knew I didn’t welcome him, he didn’t seem bothered at all.
The character I imagined from the novel was colder—
Someone who seemed kind on the surface but treated people like chess pieces.
But the boy I met today…
He just seemed like a regular boy my age.
“Miss, why did you bring the empty chocolate box?”
Sofia’s question made me look at the box I was holding.
I thought of Arno’s self-satisfied face… and crushed the box angrily.
“So annoying…”
“Should I throw it out?”
“No. I need to remember the shop name so I can buy more in the capital.”
Even in that ridiculous moment…
I held onto the box like it was treasure.
