Chapter : 29
I thought the original story had ended, but here’s
Leopold was treating Asad completely like an unwelcome guest.
Asad must have also sensed the meaning behind Leopold’s words. It probably implied, “Did the Empress really tell you to do that?”
At Leopold’s words, Asad looked at me with slightly surprised eyes.
“…….”
It was the kind of look that said, “Did you really tell the Crown Prince everything?” Feeling guilty, I quickly averted my gaze from Asad.
“Haa, if he found out, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Asad ran a hand through his hair in exasperation, sighed, and said,
“You’re right. I can’t just leave things as they are. The Empress told me to find your weakness.”
“…….”
I watched Leopold’s expression carefully. There was no change at all. Even though the Empress had instructed him to exploit a weakness, Leopold didn’t show any signs of anger or discomfort.
For him, it was probably common to have people approach him in this manner—not just the Empress. And with memories of his past life, he wouldn’t be easily fazed now.
“Whether or not it’s discovered, what I have to do doesn’t change. So from now on, don’t giggle to yourselves when you’re alone in front of me.”
“We never giggled alone together.”
I responded reflexively to Asad. Even to my own ears, my voice sounded cold. I didn’t have a mirror, but I probably had a frighteningly serious expression.
Where did he get the idea that we were giggling together? I had only called him over because I had something to say.
I had no memory of giggling with him like that. We weren’t that close to begin with.
If anyone overheard that, it would have been a disaster.
I said this, reacting slightly over-sensitively. Asad looked at me with a slightly puzzled expression.
“Good, then it’s nothing.”
“…….”
Seeing my overreaction, Asad seemed to think he had misunderstood.
But “from now on”—that phrasing.
Even though Asad had been exposed as the Empress’s spy, he seemed determined to stay put. He was even more brazen than I had imagined.
“First, sit down.”
“…….”
For some reason, I pushed on Leopold’s back, who was standing stiffly.
I seated Leopold on the innermost sofa and sat on the right-hand sofa.
A tea time with the three of us—this was an unexpected combination.
“Oh, you really brought it!”
Once I sat down, I finally noticed what was on the table.
Seeing the melon ice cream set on the table, I exclaimed cheerfully.
Three days ago, in my reply to Leopold, I had half-jokingly written:
Bring melon ice cream when you come.
I hadn’t expected Leopold to actually bring it. I didn’t think he would care enough to follow through, so I didn’t have much hope. Especially since Eveline wasn’t around, I couldn’t be sure he would bring it. But maybe because of the affection we’d shared, he actually did bring it.
Or maybe it was because I added a postscript threatening not to open the door if he didn’t bring it. Hmm, knowing Leopold, the latter seemed more likely.
“I didn’t think you’d bring it. Thank you.”
I thanked Leopold and immediately sat at the table. As I reached for my portion of the ice cream, Leopold handed me his portion. I looked at him curiously.
“I don’t like sweets that much.”
Seeing my expression, Leopold quickly added the explanation as if making an excuse.
Today, Leopold seemed somehow unusually kind. Clearly, something pleasant had happened before coming here.
I spoke to him with a genuinely touched expression.
“Leo, thank you.”
“…Making such a fuss over nothing.”
Leopold turned his head slightly away as he spoke, so I couldn’t see his expression.
I suppose from the Crown Prince’s perspective, it really was nothing. After all, this was our house. Visiting someone’s home empty-handed might have felt improper.
Judging by Leopold’s slightly prickly reaction, that seemed about right.
“…….”
However, sitting across from him, Asad’s expression gradually turned pale as he noticed Leopold’s expression.
“What are you acting coy for?!”
Asad shouted, sounding horrified. His face looked as if he had seen something disgusting.
It was as though his stomach churned and he might vomit any moment.
“Ugh!!! Annoying!!! Gross!!!”
Perhaps feeling goosebumps, he stood and brushed at his collar as if something filthy had stuck to it. Why was he reacting so strongly?
Ah, maybe he was emotionally unstable.
He had grown older and more composed, but at this age, Asad was quite temperamental.
He would sulk over tiny things, then act as if nothing had happened the next day. Or suddenly get red-faced with anger, throw something in annoyance, or cling one moment and push away the next.
I thought he was a bit emotionally unstable even then. At fourteen, it was a sensitive age anyway.
I decided not to overthink it. More pressing was the ice cream in front of me.
I took a spoonful of melon ice cream and watched Asad’s horrified reaction as if it were entertainment.
“Phew.”
After shaking off his discomfort, Asad finally sank back into the sofa. I had already finished my portion of melon ice cream and reached for Leopold’s. Our eyes met, and I felt like I had been caught stealing. Well, Leopold had given it to me. I quietly pulled it closer.
Asad raised an eyebrow at me, looking puzzled, and said as I ate the ice cream,
“Do you like it that much? Fine, I don’t like sweets either.”
He offered me the melon ice cream in front of him.
“No.”
The word flew out reflexively, without thought.
Asad froze, holding the bowl in his hand, perhaps surprised by the firm refusal. His brain seemed to shut down for a moment.
Moments later, he returned to normal and angrily jumped up.
“Why do you eat what he gives but refuse mine?!”
“You had a bite of yours. And now I’m full.”
“Ha.”
Even if he had offered a fresh one, I would have refused. I had no intention of eating what Asad gave me.
Unless I was starving, I had my own portion and Leopold’s. If I took Asad’s as well, I’d probably have a stomachache tomorrow.
“And you like that.”
I said knowingly.
Not only Eveline and I, but Asad himself liked sweet things. Despite his appearance, he had a childlike taste. Even as he grew older, he maintained that preference.
However, Asad furrowed his brows and looked puzzled at my confident statement. He tilted his head and asked incredulously,
“What are you talking about? I’ve never had such fancy things before.”
Ah, it hadn’t been long since he was adopted into the Ducal family. He stared at me suspiciously.
Though I had known him for a long time and naturally knew his tastes, I couldn’t know everything at this point.
“Hmm, well. Not bad.”
“…….”
Asad flushed slightly and coughed awkwardly. I looked at him uneasily.
“I thought you wouldn’t care at all, but maybe that’s not the case?”
“Ha.”
Seeing him look somewhat happy, I wondered if this might be the biggest mistake I’d made since returning.
But I didn’t show it. I tried to remain calm and casually changed the subject.
“Anyway, I don’t need yours.”
“…….”
When I refused firmly, Asad sighed deeply, brushed his bangs back in frustration, and took his bowl away.
Leopold quietly watched all this with his serene golden eyes.
“……Phew.”
Asad slumped back into his seat, exhausted. I finished my ice cream and kept an eye on him.
Seeing Asad as a child was refreshing compared to the adult I usually saw. His reactions were entertaining.
“Are all nobles like this?”
Asad glanced at me and asked Leopold in disgust. Leopold didn’t even look at him and replied,
“I don’t intend to talk to a stupid dog.”
“What?”
A stupid dog.
Since the previous life, Leopold had always called Asad that.
He wasn’t truly stupid. In some ways, he could be even sharper than Leopold.
But after losing his memories, Leopold always called him a stupid dog. The reason was clear.
After losing his memory, Asad had sworn loyalty to Eveline, whom he met first. Leopold saw that and called him dog-like, and his “stupid” remark referred to his amnesia.
…Truly avant-garde naming sense.
