But Lusi didn’t ask anything until the end.
Although it could be said to be a consideration for him, the distance that was clearly felt was more unpleasant and dirty than he thought. Didn’t it feel like she’s drawn a line and taken a step back?
Did you want to be strangers to me? Or, did you hesitate because you were afraid of losing me too? …He hoped it was the latter.
His hands tightened as he held the window frame. The window frame was crushed by the force and soon broke like dry firewood.
I probably shouldn’t follow my temper yet.
For the sake of the kind Elusiana, he had to make her think of him as a kind and harmless person. Because he couldn’t let her awkward feelings pass up the opportunity he wanted to gain by destroying their solidly built relationship.
But I have no intention of just chasing after you.
More than anything, the purple eyes that persistently tried to entangle Elusiana were annoying. He curled his tail and backed away for now, but he never knew when that man might stick out his snout.
Klaus’ bloodline really flows in him. He doesn’t seem to know how to give up.
Aster, who swept over his disheveled bangs, muttered slowly. “Prepare to go out, Louis. I’m going to Waieos Mansion.”
“Do you intend to visit Viscount Waieos?”
“That’s true, but there’s something I’m more worried about. I think it would be a good idea to definitely step on it.”
So, hurry up.
Aster gave instructions with his eyes fixed on the carriage leaving the Grand Duchy.
Louis didn’t know why, but the energy radiating from Aster was unusual. He sighed inwardly and answered. “I will prepare it right away.”
* * *
Elusiana headed home in the carriage of Sestein. It wasn’t that far away, so she quickly arrived at Waieos Mansion.
It was when Elusiana, who got out of the carriage, reached the back gate of the mansion. Someone hiding behind a tree suddenly popped out.
“Isn’t it too late?”
“Noel? Didn’t you go back home?”
Noel took a big step closer and put his head in front of Elusiana’s face. “There is something I haven’t said yet.”
Noel, who stopped at a close distance, smiled brightly. His smile was so beautiful that Elusiana blushed without realizing it.
“It’s too late at night. If it’s a story, let’s meet next time with an appoint—”
“I really missed you, Lusi.”
Noel, who cut off Elusiana’s words in the middle, hugged her tightly as if he could no longer take it.
“Gasp. Noel. Why are you like this all of a sudden? Let go of me!”
Startled, Elusiana struggled and pushed Noel away. But the more she pushed, the more strength Noel’s arm applied.
“My blood dried up, and my eyes were dark.”
“…”
“I thought I would find you right away, but no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find you.”
“No-Noel. I understand everything, so let’s leave this aside for n—”
“What did you do with the bracelet I gave you? Where did you keep it?”
The bracelet was taken into the hands of the vicious man who kidnapped her. He coveted it because it was pretty, but he ripped it off at some point. But she couldn’t say that to Noel. She was sorry to think of him wandering around looking for her, believing in it all night. Elusiana secretly hid her hand, which was wearing the bracelet before.
“Sorry. I said I would go anywhere you went, but I couldn’t find you.”
“It’s okay. Nothing happened.”
“I’m glad you’re safe. Thank you… for coming back alive.”
Noel couldn’t let go of Elusiana as he hugged her for a long time. What was so unsettling about this was that his hand holding her was shaking, so she couldn’t shake it off.
Elusiana thought as she quietly rubbed his back. The fear of being kidnapped still remains a vivid and terrible memory, but she was glad to be alive. It was a great comfort and strength to have people around her who cared about her.
“I’m sorry, Lusi. It’s all my fault. I’m really, really sorry.”
“Why do you keep saying that? It’s not Noel’s fault. Even if that’s the case, I will forgive everything, so stop now. Understand?”
“You, really…!”
Once again, Noel, who hugged Elusiana, dropped his forehead on her shoulder.
“I’ll make sure to pay them back. I’ll find everyone who hurt you and take revenge on them. So, Lusi, don’t hate me too much. Don’t hate me.”
Elusiana was somehow heartbroken by his pleading words. Why on earth does this man make things difficult for himself by creating sins that don’t exist? Until now, she has thought herself insignificant, but did she mean so much to this man?
“I like you, Lusi.”
She thought it was just a fleeting confession. One of the words was thrown out as if to light a fire in the hearts of many young ladies.
Even though he told her several times that he was sincere, she didn’t believe it. No, she couldn’t believe it. Even his unusual appearance was considered just being playful.
“I’ll wait. Until you open your heart. So, don’t push me away.”
“I don’t hate you.”
“…”
“There is no reason to hate you. How can I hate you when you care so much about me?”
“Is it true… you don’t have reason to hate me?”
“If it’s something to hate, I’ll hate it. But that’s no reason not to forgive. Noel is already a precious friend of mine.”
“Sigh. Lusi, you really… You’re a mean lady.”
For a brief moment, Noel’s shoulder trembled slightly. She didn’t know if it was an illusion, but she also felt like her shoulder, where his forehead touched, was wet.
Elusiana cleared her throat slightly and hesitantly blurted out her words. “By the way, Noel. Are you going to stay like this.”
“That’s what I want to ask you. How long do you two plan to stay together like that?”
Aster, who had been watching for some time, approached them with a scary aura and spoke in a frosty voice. Surprised, Elusiana urgently distanced herself from Noel. Then she turned her head to the sound she heard.
“As…! Your Excellency… How did you get here…”
When Elusiana, who almost made a slip of the tongue, managed to continue talking, Aster smirked and rolled up the corners of his mouth.
“I came here because I have something urgent to tell you. I didn’t know that the reason you left the Grand Duchy without saying goodbye was for Lord Klaus, not Viscount Waieos, who was waiting for you at home, Elusiana.”
“Ah, so, this—”
“Your Excellency seems to have urgent business, so I’ll just head back.”
Noel, who intercepted Elusiana’s embarrassed words in the middle, bowed briefly toward the Grand Duke. He immediately turned to Elusiana. “Lusi, thank you for listening to me. The same goes for comforting me. I will definitely repay you the next time we meet.”
“I don’t think there’s a need to repay the favor.”
“I’m just saying this to put my mind at ease. Don’t say you don’t need it. Just give me a chance, Lusi.”
Noel lightly held the hand of Elusiana, who was embarrassed, then kissed the back of her hand.
“I’ll contact you.”
Noel, who had retreated, smiled brightly. He turned away as if he had finished his business. And Aster glared at his back as if he were going to kill him.
* * *
After Noel left, Aster said nothing for a while. Would it be an illusion if the stubbornly closed mouth looked like a protest saying, ‘I’m hurt!’?
Did he hate me meeting Noel that much?
She knew Aster didn’t like Noel but didn’t know he felt this much hate.
I’ll have to talk to As about this issue again later.
Just because Aster disliked Noel didn’t mean she could unilaterally cut off her relationship with Noel. In the last two years without him, Noel has been a great comfort to her, in a good way or in a bad way.
Elusiana swallowed a short sigh inside and spoke first. “As, what do you mean by something urgent to tell?”
“Huh?”
“You said you came here because you had something to talk about.”
“Ah, I did.”
Aster, with a slight frown, and swept his face with one hand.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick? Aren’t you still having a fever? Wait a minute.”
Elusiana reached out her hand and placed her hand on Aster’s forehead. Shocked, Aster turned his gaze to one side and answered. “…I’m okay.”
“Really? But why is your face red?”
Elusiana tilted her head and looked worried. Aster pursed his lips, unable to find what to say. It was then. She heard Simon calling her from behind.
“Lusi! You’re back now. If you return, you should hurry and come home quickly. What are you doing there?”
“Father?”
Simon, who seemed to be glad, suddenly approached her and hugged her.
“Good to see you back. Wasn’t it hard?”
“Yes, Father. It wasn’t hard at all.”
“This brat, you’re sly. Ah, but—”
Simon’s expression, looking at Elusiana’s side, sank coldly. Isn’t that unfamiliar man standing next to his daughter like a scarecrow that someone has set up?
“Who are you?”
But to Simon’s sharp question, Aster simply smiled and answered.
“Forgive me for being late to greet you. My name is Aster Miriam Sestein, the head of the Sestein family.”
Very rare for him, he had a relaxed face, as if he had met an old family member.
But Lusi didn’t ask anything until the end.
Although it could be said to be a consideration for him, the distance that was clearly felt was more unpleasant and dirty than he thought. Didn’t it feel like she’s drawn a line and taken a step back?
Did you want to be strangers to me? Or, did you hesitate because you were afraid of losing me too? …He hoped it was the latter.
His hands tightened as he held the window frame. The window frame was crushed by the force and soon broke like dry firewood.
I probably shouldn’t follow my temper yet.
For the sake of the kind Elusiana, he had to make her think of him as a kind and harmless person. Because he couldn’t let her awkward feelings pass up the opportunity he wanted to gain by destroying their solidly built relationship.
But I have no intention of just chasing after you.
More than anything, the purple eyes that persistently tried to entangle Elusiana were annoying. He curled his tail and backed away for now, but he never knew when that man might stick out his snout.
Klaus’ bloodline really flows in him. He doesn’t seem to know how to give up.
Aster, who swept over his disheveled bangs, muttered slowly. “Prepare to go out, Louis. I’m going to Waieos Mansion.”
“Do you intend to visit Viscount Waieos?”
“That’s true, but there’s something I’m more worried about. I think it would be a good idea to definitely step on it.”
So, hurry up.
Aster gave instructions with his eyes fixed on the carriage leaving the Grand Duchy.
Louis didn’t know why, but the energy radiating from Aster was unusual. He sighed inwardly and answered. “I will prepare it right away.”
* * *
Elusiana headed home in the carriage of Sestein. It wasn’t that far away, so she quickly arrived at Waieos Mansion.
It was when Elusiana, who got out of the carriage, reached the back gate of the mansion. Someone hiding behind a tree suddenly popped out.
“Isn’t it too late?”
“Noel? Didn’t you go back home?”
Noel took a big step closer and put his head in front of Elusiana’s face. “There is something I haven’t said yet.”
Noel, who stopped at a close distance, smiled brightly. His smile was so beautiful that Elusiana blushed without realizing it.
“It’s too late at night. If it’s a story, let’s meet next time with an appoint—”
“I really missed you, Lusi.”
Noel, who cut off Elusiana’s words in the middle, hugged her tightly as if he could no longer take it.
“Gasp. Noel. Why are you like this all of a sudden? Let go of me!”
Startled, Elusiana struggled and pushed Noel away. But the more she pushed, the more strength Noel’s arm applied.
“My blood dried up, and my eyes were dark.”
“…”
“I thought I would find you right away, but no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find you.”
“No-Noel. I understand everything, so let’s leave this aside for n—”
“What did you do with the bracelet I gave you? Where did you keep it?”
The bracelet was taken into the hands of the vicious man who kidnapped her. He coveted it because it was pretty, but he ripped it off at some point. But she couldn’t say that to Noel. She was sorry to think of him wandering around looking for her, believing in it all night. Elusiana secretly hid her hand, which was wearing the bracelet before.
“Sorry. I said I would go anywhere you went, but I couldn’t find you.”
“It’s okay. Nothing happened.”
“I’m glad you’re safe. Thank you… for coming back alive.”
Noel couldn’t let go of Elusiana as he hugged her for a long time. What was so unsettling about this was that his hand holding her was shaking, so she couldn’t shake it off.
Elusiana thought as she quietly rubbed his back. The fear of being kidnapped still remains a vivid and terrible memory, but she was glad to be alive. It was a great comfort and strength to have people around her who cared about her.
“I’m sorry, Lusi. It’s all my fault. I’m really, really sorry.”
“Why do you keep saying that? It’s not Noel’s fault. Even if that’s the case, I will forgive everything, so stop now. Understand?”
“You, really…!”
Once again, Noel, who hugged Elusiana, dropped his forehead on her shoulder.
“I’ll make sure to pay them back. I’ll find everyone who hurt you and take revenge on them. So, Lusi, don’t hate me too much. Don’t hate me.”
Elusiana was somehow heartbroken by his pleading words. Why on earth does this man make things difficult for himself by creating sins that don’t exist? Until now, she has thought herself insignificant, but did she mean so much to this man?
“I like you, Lusi.”
She thought it was just a fleeting confession. One of the words was thrown out as if to light a fire in the hearts of many young ladies.
Even though he told her several times that he was sincere, she didn’t believe it. No, she couldn’t believe it. Even his unusual appearance was considered just being playful.
“I’ll wait. Until you open your heart. So, don’t push me away.”
“I don’t hate you.”
“…”
“There is no reason to hate you. How can I hate you when you care so much about me?”
“Is it true… you don’t have reason to hate me?”
“If it’s something to hate, I’ll hate it. But that’s no reason not to forgive. Noel is already a precious friend of mine.”
“Sigh. Lusi, you really… You’re a mean lady.”
For a brief moment, Noel’s shoulder trembled slightly. She didn’t know if it was an illusion, but she also felt like her shoulder, where his forehead touched, was wet.
Elusiana cleared her throat slightly and hesitantly blurted out her words. “By the way, Noel. Are you going to stay like this.”
“That’s what I want to ask you. How long do you two plan to stay together like that?”
Aster, who had been watching for some time, approached them with a scary aura and spoke in a frosty voice. Surprised, Elusiana urgently distanced herself from Noel. Then she turned her head to the sound she heard.
“As…! Your Excellency… How did you get here…”
When Elusiana, who almost made a slip of the tongue, managed to continue talking, Aster smirked and rolled up the corners of his mouth.
“I came here because I have something urgent to tell you. I didn’t know that the reason you left the Grand Duchy without saying goodbye was for Lord Klaus, not Viscount Waieos, who was waiting for you at home, Elusiana.”
“Ah, so, this—”
“Your Excellency seems to have urgent business, so I’ll just head back.”
Noel, who intercepted Elusiana’s embarrassed words in the middle, bowed briefly toward the Grand Duke. He immediately turned to Elusiana. “Lusi, thank you for listening to me. The same goes for comforting me. I will definitely repay you the next time we meet.”
“I don’t think there’s a need to repay the favor.”
“I’m just saying this to put my mind at ease. Don’t say you don’t need it. Just give me a chance, Lusi.”
Noel lightly held the hand of Elusiana, who was embarrassed, then kissed the back of her hand.
“I’ll contact you.”
Noel, who had retreated, smiled brightly. He turned away as if he had finished his business. And Aster glared at his back as if he were going to kill him.
* * *
After Noel left, Aster said nothing for a while. Would it be an illusion if the stubbornly closed mouth looked like a protest saying, ‘I’m hurt!’?
Did he hate me meeting Noel that much?
She knew Aster didn’t like Noel but didn’t know he felt this much hate.
I’ll have to talk to As about this issue again later.
Just because Aster disliked Noel didn’t mean she could unilaterally cut off her relationship with Noel. In the last two years without him, Noel has been a great comfort to her, in a good way or in a bad way.
Elusiana swallowed a short sigh inside and spoke first. “As, what do you mean by something urgent to tell?”
“Huh?”
“You said you came here because you had something to talk about.”
“Ah, I did.”
Aster, with a slight frown, and swept his face with one hand.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick? Aren’t you still having a fever? Wait a minute.”
Elusiana reached out her hand and placed her hand on Aster’s forehead. Shocked, Aster turned his gaze to one side and answered. “…I’m okay.”
“Really? But why is your face red?”
Elusiana tilted her head and looked worried. Aster pursed his lips, unable to find what to say. It was then. She heard Simon calling her from behind.
“Lusi! You’re back now. If you return, you should hurry and come home quickly. What are you doing there?”
“Father?”
Simon, who seemed to be glad, suddenly approached her and hugged her.
“Good to see you back. Wasn’t it hard?”
“Yes, Father. It wasn’t hard at all.”
“This brat, you’re sly. Ah, but—”
Simon’s expression, looking at Elusiana’s side, sank coldly. Isn’t that unfamiliar man standing next to his daughter like a scarecrow that someone has set up?
“Who are you?”
But to Simon’s sharp question, Aster simply smiled and answered.
“Forgive me for being late to greet you. My name is Aster Miriam Sestein, the head of the Sestein family.”
Very rare for him, he had a relaxed face, as if he had met an old family member.
