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CHAPTER 82….
Sudden Warmth
Startled by the sudden warmth and the voice that followed right after, Leticia’s hand froze.
Because of that, she ended up handing over the towel reflexively.
“I can do it myself…”
But unlike how confidently Idris had snatched the towel away, his handling was clumsy.
‘I guess it’s because he’s never had to take care of anyone in his life.’
However, the words that followed soon told her otherwise.
“…Too delicate.”
“What is?”
“Your neck. It looks like it would break if I put even the slightest pressure on it. It makes me nervous.”
Hmm, wasn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?
Thinking that, Leticia looked into the mirror—and suddenly, his concern seemed a bit more understandable.
His hand was, without exaggeration, nearly the size of her entire head.
Despite that, he didn’t give up, and his clumsy movements tickled, making her laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s just funny seeing His Grace the Archduke playing lady’s maid.”
Normally, this was the kind of thing he’d laugh off with a witty reply, but today he was fully focused on brushing her hair. As awkwardly and clumsily as ever.
Watching him, Leticia’s eyes sparkled with an idea that came to mind.
“Do you not have anything to do today?”
“Why? If I don’t, are you planning to entertain me?”
“Well… something like that.”
Just as the brushing ended, Leticia stood and led Idris to the table.
Then she laid out a stack of documents in front of him.
“While I organize my own schedule, can you review these?”
Only then did Idris realize what she was up to, and he looked at her with a dumbfounded expression.
“…Is this really entertaining me? Not just making me work?”
Leticia only responded with a sweet smile.
“I’m the Archduke of Del Lua’s lover, aren’t I? If I mess this up, it’ll be your reputation that takes a hit too.”
“Ha, now it’s blackmail?”
“You’re a kind man, Your Grace. I’m sure you’ll gladly do this much for your lover.”
Idris gave her a side-eye like he couldn’t believe it—but he didn’t look particularly displeased.
In the end, he gave in and started reviewing the documents.
They were well-organized. Not just the handwriting, but the budget breakdown too.
So neat that they barely needed reviewing at all.
Still, since Leticia had asked, he gave it his full attention.
But then…
“…Leticia?”
The sound of her pen scratching paper had gone silent.
Looking over, he saw Leticia had fallen asleep, slumped over the table.
“Don’t tell me… you’re asleep?”
“…”
“With me right in front of you?”
When he’d first entered the room, she’d been so tense.
Now, she’d dropped her guard and fallen asleep—he couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle.
But the smile didn’t last. His expression shifted, leaving only a quiet, conflicted gaze behind.
“Should I be sad that I don’t make you nervous… or…”
He murmured to himself while gently playing with a strand of her blonde hair sprawled across the table.
“Should I be happy that you trust me that much?”
He didn’t like being treated with too much caution, but being trusted this completely didn’t sit quite right either.
He’d made all kinds of ridiculous excuses just to stay by her side. And now, when she let her guard down—he couldn’t bring himself to do anything.
Feeling a touch of self-mockery, he watched over her for a moment longer, then quietly lifted her into his arms.
After gently laying her down on the bed—
Leticia suddenly opened her eyes wide.
…?!
Having dozed off and woken up, she stiffened at the scene in front of her.
Idris’s face was right there.
She stared at him, frozen, then pieced together what must’ve happened from her last memory.
She’d been planning her work and had dozed off.
And Idris… had carried her to the bed.
Should I say thank you…? Apologize? No, wait—
He’s way too close.
But what really made her hesitant to open her mouth wasn’t the breath-close distance between them.
It was the shadow in his eyes, cast by the light behind him.
A darkness that looked like it might swallow her whole if she dared speak.
And yet, the heavy silence pressing down on them made it just as hard to breathe.
In the end, Leticia opened her mouth.
“…Sorry. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately and I must’ve been really—”
But before she could finish her sentence, Idris didn’t move away. If anything, he leaned in closer.
His shadow loomed over her, and her heart sank.
Then—
“Don’t trust me too much, Leticia.”
With that low murmur, his forehead gently touched hers.
“I’m not as good a man as you think I am.”
The shadow that had hovered over her disappeared as he withdrew the arm supporting her neck.
And soon after, the sound of the door closing echoed.
Only then did Leticia realize—
The pounding sound in her ears was the sound of her own heartbeat.
The next day, one thought kept circling in my mind.
“Don’t trust me too much, Leticia.”
…What did he mean by that?
I didn’t even see Idris this morning—he’d left early for work.
That just made it worse.
“Lady Cloel?”
“…Ah.”
I was spacing out even during the orphanage inspection, only snapping back when I heard Michael’s voice.
“Sorry. I’ve just had a lot on my mind lately. I’ll focus now.”
Nothing’s more foolish than letting personal feelings get in the way of work.
I shook off the unnecessary thoughts and followed Michael through the orphanage.
It wasn’t a large place, but unlike most orphanages, it had a proper classroom with a chalkboard.
“If we get support this time, I want to start teaching more than just reading—like sewing and art, depending on each child’s talents.”
“That sounds like a great idea. I’m sure there are kids who have talents in areas beyond language.”
Michael, who was normally shy, always spoke with confidence and conviction when explaining this project.
Past the classroom, our next stop was…
“This is… a library?”
“Yes. Since the teachers can’t teach everything, I wanted to create a space where the kids could search for answers themselves.”
Just like he said, it was still small—but it definitely resembled a real library.
‘This is definitely worth investing in—for the sake of these kids’ futures, and the empire’s too.’
By the time we’d toured the library, I could feel the full weight of the responsibility of this project.
Just as I was solidifying my resolve and moving on to the next stop…
Something caught my attention.
Huh?
It was… three small shadows that had been quietly following us.
I turned, sensing movement behind us, and saw three children hiding behind the wall, peeking out at us.
I expected them to run away or duck back once they were caught—but instead…
Two boys, who looked to be around ten years old, quickly hid.
But a little girl, maybe six or seven, clutched a worn teddy bear to her chest and came running toward us.
And then…
“Teacher… girlfriend?”
She pointed her tiny finger at me and asked Michael the question.
Michael’s face instantly turned bright red.
