TMBS 14💖

TMBS

Posted by faan, Released on July 20, 2025

Chapter 14. Carp, Carp

Nox came to a stop in front of Grey and bowed politely.

“Good day, Lord Grey.”

Grey, back to his usual cool demeanor, smiled faintly, a chill behind his politeness.

“Hello, Nox. But what brings you here at this hour? Shouldn’t you be working at the palace?”

“I stepped out briefly to deliver a royal directive from His Highness Harold to the Duke.”

“I see. Well then, carry on.”

It seemed like the exchange would end there. But Grey, as if something had just occurred to him, stopped Nox with a soft “Ah.” All the while, his hand was still holding Adele’s.

Adele, distracted by Nox’s sudden appearance, was unusually indifferent to Grey’s hand, which she would normally have pushed away without hesitation. Grey smirked.

“I happened to overhear during dinner yesterday… Nox, I heard you’ve got another matchmaking proposal?”

“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard.”

“They say it’s the second daughter of Count Leian. Wow. Lucky you.”

Nox stared quietly at Grey.

“…Lucky? In what sense?”

He asked, clearly puzzled.

And rightly so. Though adopted, Nox was the cousin of the Duke of Valloneque and the son of Count Gregory. He was also the young chief secretary at court, enjoying both the Duke’s full backing and the prince’s trust.

Nox was no stranger to the praise surrounding him: a rising star among central nobles, a favored figure supported by one of the most influential traditional houses.

So being matched with the second daughter of Count Leian—whose family barely maintained its noble name thanks to distant royal blood—was, frankly, insulting.

To make matters worse, the Duke and his son accepted nearly every matchmaking proposal to avoid ruffling feathers. In contrast, any ill-suited proposals for Grey were coldly rejected. It was hard not to feel a sting of resentment.

So when Grey said he was “jealous,” Nox couldn’t help but find it patronizing.

Grey noticed the subtle flicker of irritation in Nox’s eyes and finally let go of Adele’s arm. He stepped closer and casually draped his elbow on Nox’s shoulder, whispering,

“She’s pretty though, isn’t she? Curves like an urn, waist like a wasp.”

Nox’s expression tightened. Adele, who had inadvertently heard, frowned slightly.

Grey simply shrugged and chuckled. Not wanting to hear more, Nox stepped back.

“Well, I’ll be meeting her at least.”

“Good for you. You two should look good together.”

Grey turned back to Adele, lightly patting Nox’s shoulder, gauging her reaction.

But unlike he expected, Adele remained calm.

Shouldn’t she react more? Nox was about to meet a beautiful and well-bred lady, after all.

Grey tilted his head, a bit puzzled.

No reaction? How boring.

He shifted his gaze back to Nox.

“By the way, aren’t you going to say hello to Adele? Didn’t even see her standing there?”

It was Grey who had brought up the matchmaking, yet now he was scolding Nox for not being polite. Nox gave a bitter smile at Grey’s audacity.

His eyes drifted to Adele a few paces away.

“Hello, Lady Adele.”

“Hello, Lord Nox. I appreciate your hard work.”

Their voices were polite, formal—too formal. As if forced by Grey’s presence. Nox turned to leave, but Adele’s soft voice stopped him.

“Have you eaten?”

Her tone was equally formal, almost cold. Nox looked back at her.

“I came in a rush, so not yet.”

“The Duke just went for lunch a little while ago. I think it would be wise for you to eat as well.”

“It’s fine. I’ll wait until I’ve delivered my report.”

“Then please finish quickly and eat.”

This time, their eyes lingered a little longer before parting.

Nox knew. This wasn’t just polite concern. Of course, a mother would worry about her son’s meals—and to Adele, he was like a younger brother.

At one time, they had been everything to each other.

Nox’s jaw clenched. That bothered him more than Grey’s smug remark.

It was pathetic.

What was the point now? Why show up here, throwing around old nicknames, getting involved? She should worry about herself instead.

Their eyes were cold, their expressions indifferent.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Nox gave a curt nod and turned to go. But Grey caught his shoulder.

“Nox. My dear Nox.”

“Yes?”

“Why so rude today?”

There was a flash of steel behind Grey’s otherwise bright blue eyes.

“When someone asks if you’ve eaten, shouldn’t you return the courtesy? Aren’t you curious if we’ve eaten? Shouldn’t you be?”

Realizing his slip—forgetting that Grey, of all people, was right beside him—Nox felt a wave of annoyance.

He lowered his gaze.

“My apologies. I was in a hurry and forgot my manners. Have you eaten, Lord Grey?”

“Nope. Starving to death.”

Grey turned to Adele as if prompting her for an answer.

His attitude made it clear: My assistant, Adele, is not someone to be disregarded.

To Grey, used to sitting atop the pyramid, it came naturally to dictate the hierarchy beneath him.

Adele, understanding Grey’s intention, looked directly at Nox and nodded calmly.

“I have.”

Grey stiffened.

Since 11 a.m. until nearly 1 p.m., they’d both been stuck in the Duke’s office. And she claimed she’d already eaten?

She ate… and didn’t say a word?

What kind of blatant lie—

Grey stared at her as if trying to gauge her true feelings. Adele merely bowed again, this time to Grey.

“I have pressing matters to attend to. Excuse me.”

She left the hallway without looking back.

Still, she remembered to take the documents Grey had been holding.

Grey watched her graceful, composed departure, then turned toward Nox and frowned slightly at his clean-cut face.

He didn’t care if Nox met other women—but skipping meals? That was unacceptable.

So she’s still worried about him. Not about who he’s dating, but whether he’s eating.

Seriously? Is he actually the hopelessly loyal type? With all that fake confidence and swagger?

As Nox began to step back, intending to leave, Grey caught his shoulder again with a firm grip.

“Nox.”

As always, Grey’s tone was soft.

“Yes.”

His pale, elegant fingers rose and traced Nox’s face lightly.

“Do you think you’re handsome?”

“…Pardon?”

Nox’s brow rose. Aside from the royal family—and even then, out of politeness—everyone agreed: Grey Valloneque was the most handsome man in the kingdom. So this question coming from him was baffling.

“Are you asking if I’m handsome?”

“No.”

Grey’s finger slid from Nox’s brow to the bridge of his nose, pressing down firmly, almost critically.

He savored the feel of it, judging as he went.

Why is this nose so obnoxiously big? It’s all I see.

Honestly… is he even good-looking?

“I’m not asking if you’re handsome. I’m asking if you think you are.”

A subtle but pointed difference.

Nox frowned slightly.

“No, I don’t.”

Always so serious. Boring guy.

Grey gave his cheek a few casual pats.

“You’re handsome, idiot. Own it. Try to make it work with Lady Leian, alright?”

“…”

“But stop lowering your voice like that. It’s the worst.”

It was sincere advice—except for the part about being handsome.

Finally, Grey stood up straight, gave Nox a wink as if in support, and strolled off in the direction Adele had disappeared.

Nox was left alone in the hallway, staring after him in disbelief.

“Carp, Carp, Go Away…”

After delivering the royal decree to the Duke, Nox was heading out of the estate when a faint melody caught his ear.

“Carp, Carp, go away…”

At first, it sounded like a child’s song drifting from a distant alley. Or maybe just the wind.

“Muddy water’s for you, now get lost.”

But Nox knew the song—and the voice—all too well.

He stood still, made sure no one else was around, and stepped into the shadows behind the building where the sound was coming from. Just as he suspected, Adele was there.

“Stop singing.”

Nox’s voice was blunt. Adele answered in the same tone.

“Better than calling out ‘Nox,’ don’t you think?”

Fair enough.

You never knew who might be watching or listening in this estate. If rumors spread that Adele and Nox were meeting in secret, it could get ugly.

So Adele using a tune only the two of them recognized was smart. Still, Nox wasn’t pleased.

He frowned.

“Why?”

“Eat this in the carriage.”

She held out a sandwich made with rye bread.

It was filled with aged bacon—the same kind Nox had once tried to steal from a butcher as a child and got a brutal beating for.

Seeing the familiar bacon poking out, Nox grimaced. His face, so unlike Adele’s delicate features, looked rough and hardened.