Chapter 66
What Are You Doing Right Now? (2)
“Ick, at this rate I’ll really lose her.”
Noel broke into a run, chasing after her as she quickly drew far ahead. Even while running, he racked his brain on how to soothe her anger and prolong their time together.
Just then, as if struck by inspiration, a mischievous smile tugged at Noel’s lips.
Catching up to Elluciana in no time, he called out to her.
“Lucy.”
“I’m telling you nicely, just go back.”
“Whew, then I suppose I have no choice.”
“What did you just say?”
Without warning, Noel dropped to one knee in front of her. Startled by the sudden and incomprehensible gesture, Elluciana froze in place, her mouth falling open.
“W-what are you doing right now? Get up this instant!”
Fluster written all over her face, Elluciana darted her eyes around anxiously.
What in the world is this crazy young master doing?
As if it weren’t enough for a high noble to kneel to a commoner, he was now offering the utmost form of courtesy. If another noble saw this, they might kill her on the spot.
But Noel only went further, declaring,
“My lady, will you grant me the honor of serving you?”
At that moment, the door to a nearby restaurant opened, and someone stepped outside.
Panicking, Elluciana hurriedly laid her hand on the one Noel had extended and hissed through clenched teeth,
“Fine, I get it—so please, just get up already!”
Noel studied their entwined hands and smirked as he rose to his feet. For some reason, the warmth of her touch felt burning hot.
The moment he stood, Elluciana snatched her hand back and glared at him.
“You really are unbearably inconsiderate, Young Master. You never once think about how others feel.”
“I know. But my concern for you is real, Lucy. That rumor—it’s actually true.”
Elluciana furrowed her brows, her tone sharp.
“Excessive kindness is only a burden. Young Master.”
“I know that too. I made you uncomfortable just so I could feel at ease. Still, just for today, I have to see you home.”
“What sort of nonsense is that?”
Noel gave a bitter smile, his gaze fixed elsewhere. From that direction, he had sensed a faint killing intent for a while now.
Whether it was aimed at him or at the young lady beside him, he couldn’t ignore it.
Locking eyes with her scarlet irises, Noel muttered quietly,
“I don’t want to lose someone again.”
“……”
“No matter who it is.”
The wistfulness on his face as he turned away left Elluciana unable to say anything back.
She could only stare at his broad back, stubbornly set.
Then, in the distance, someone came running toward them. The sight was not unfamiliar. Elluciana’s eyes widened, and she waved her hand high with joy.
“Father?!”
“Oh, my God! So here you were.”
Simon stumbled as though he might collapse any second, then seized Elluciana’s hand tightly.
“You child! If you’re going to be late, you should at least send word! Do you know how worried this father was, waiting and waiting for you to come?”
Only then did Elluciana realize how much time had passed, and she let out an awkward laugh.
“I’m sorry, Father. I just stopped by a shop for a bit—I didn’t realize how much time went by. Were you very worried?”
Simon pulled her into a light embrace, then released her with a warm smile.
“You’re safe, and that’s all that matters. So long as you’re unharmed, it’s enough. God has watched over you.”
As he held her hand tight and gently stroked it, Elluciana felt a pang in her chest, her guilt forgotten in the warmth of his concern.
“Have you eaten, Father? Don’t tell me you skipped your meal again.”
“I… ate something.”
Elluciana sighed softly at his evasive answer.
“Father, you’ll truly ruin your health that way. You need to take proper care of yourself if you want to live long and well.”
Lately, Simon’s health had been in decline.
The betrayal of Viscount Milan had started it, but the real wound came when Simon, seeking money, went to old acquaintances—only to be turned away at their doors.
Of course no one would want to climb into a sinking boat. But those people were ones who owed Simon great debts in the past.
Yet all of them had turned their backs and rejected him. Even a kind man like Simon could not escape having his heart scarred by that.
He seemed to have aged ten years in no time. Stroking Elluciana’s hair gently, Simon spoke,
“Heh. None of that matters. By the way, who is this young man beside you?”
At last his eyes shifted to the neatly dressed youth standing at her side.
Though he still wore a smile, Elluciana couldn’t shake the faint chill she felt in it.
Before Noel could step forward, Elluciana quickly blocked him and spoke first.
“He’s a guest, Father.”
“A guest?”
“He helped me close the shop.”
“Ah, is that so? Truly a kind gentleman, then.”
Simon’s demeanor shifted instantly, genuine gratitude in his voice.
“Thank you for helping my daughter.”
“Oh, uh… yes.”
“Father, the guest needs to be going soon. He said he has urgent business.”
“Oh dear, I’ve detained you without manners. Forgive me.”
“…It’s fine.”
“Thank you again for today, sir. If you visit the shop next time, I’ll be sure to give you excellent service.”
“……”
Elluciana bowed deeply at the waist. Noel gave a reluctant smile.
With her drawing such a clear line, insisting further would only make him look ridiculous.
Forcing a reply, he said,
“Think nothing of it. We should all help each other.”
“Well then, sir. Safe travels. Father, let’s head home.”
“Yes. Take care, young man.”
“…Yes.”
Noel swallowed a hollow laugh. Watching the father and daughter walk away, so absorbed in each other, was heartwarming—and yet irritating.
His gaze sharpened.
The faint killing intent from earlier was gone without a trace. Even expanding his senses, he found nothing.
Click. Slipped away, huh.
Noel clicked his tongue and rubbed at his twisted lips.
Who were they after, exactly?
His eyes fell on the two figures ahead. They chatted endlessly, smiling and laughing.
So she can make expressions like that? She only ever scowls when she’s looking at me.
The sight of her laughing so innocently gave Noel a strange pang of disappointment.
“That face… Hmm. Somehow it looks familiar.”
Narrowing his eyes, he studied Simon. That gentle, handsome face stirred a faint memory.
“…A mistake, maybe.”
After pondering, Noel shook his head.
“If he were someone important, I wouldn’t forget.”
He gave a small, wry laugh and turned away.
In a dark alley not far from the fragrant garden—
Drip—
Drip—
A pale hand gripped something tightly. From it, red blood dripped ceaselessly to the ground.
“Dead, huh.”
The man gave a crooked smile and squeezed harder. A sharp crack rang out as bones snapped.
“Definitely dead.”
He tossed the limp body to the ground.
Splatter.
Blood from the pooling puddle sprayed outward, but strangely, not a drop touched him.
Blue flames flared to life in his hand, instantly engulfing the corpse.
Whoosh.
In moments, everything was reduced to ash, not a trace left behind—not even bloodstains.
“Logan.”
“…Yes, my lord.”
A pair of chilling red eyes swept over Logan’s body slowly. The gaze was so sharp it felt as though his flesh might be stripped away. Logan shuddered despite himself.
“Why is that wretched thing still allowed to linger?”
Following Aster’s eyes, Logan turned to look.
There knelt the Marquis Klaus’s eldest son, begging before the young lady.
Damn it! What’s he doing now? If he wants to fool around, do it somewhere else!
Cursing Noel inwardly, Logan answered,
“…That man is the Marquis Klaus’s heir. He mainly comes to buy flowers, so I didn’t interfere otherwise.”
Then Elluciana, face flushed, placed her hand over Noel’s and whispered something.
“…!”
“That doesn’t seem to be all, does it? Logan.”
“…There must be some mistake. The young lady… detests the heir of House Klaus. Why she’s acting this way… Ha-ha. P-perhaps she’s being threatened?”
Logan’s face went pale, stiff with tension.
At that moment, it seemed the people across the way sensed something and looked toward them.
“Dragging along such worthless baggage, and yet he has the leisure to flirt.”
The man Noel had just disposed of was a knight of Count Eragost, stationed to watch him.
Aster’s lips twisted, his eyes flashing murderously.
“At this rate, only poor Lucy will suffer. I think I’ll have to teach that fool just what he’s done wrong, if only to ease my anger.”
“…!”
Logan squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the impending carnage. But Aster, who seemed on the verge of bathing the street in blood, simply stood there.
Then Logan saw Simon enter the scene.
Relief made him choke back tears for a moment.
“Return first.”
“…Sir?”
With only those words, Aster vanished without a trace.
“Haah! I—I thought I was done for.”
Clenching his trembling hands into fists, Logan forced strength into his unsteady legs.
