CATBP~19

Chapter 19

“Goodnight kiss?!”

I shot up as if my spine had reacted on its own.

With a grimace, I shouted at the duke.

“Are you crazy? Why on earth would I kiss Lucas?”

“I’m not crazy. And lower your voice.”

The duke pointed at the wall.

I clamped a hand over my mouth and glared at him, giving him the strongest possible look that screamed What on earth are you thinking?

“I only said that because it reminded me of what you mentioned earlier, in the room—that you’d do it if necessary. Meaning, you could if it came down to it.”

“There’s no need! I only said that earlier to get through the moment.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes.”

The duke half-closed his eyes and stared at me intently.

Why is he looking at me like that?

His gaze made me nervous, so my eyes darted around.

Only when the duke turned away did I finally feel relieved.

Wow. I almost fainted thinking he’d noticed my heart suddenly racing for no reason.

Honestly, this was his fault.

Who wouldn’t have their heart skip when someone who looks exactly like the grown-up version of their favorite character says something like that?

That face is the problem. A real problem.

A Class A dangerous face.

Clutching my chest, I exhaled deeply.

Now that it was quiet, the tension drained from my body.

Yaaawn. I’m tired. Today was exhausting, wasn’t it.

The fatigue I’d been holding back flooded over me like a dam breaking.

The rhythmic ticking of the clock felt like a lullaby, and my heavy eyelids sank.

Then I heard the rustle of movement—the duke getting up.

But my eyelids felt like waterlogged cotton, too heavy to open.

“Asleep?”

No. Not yet.

I replied silently, too lazy to move my lips.

“Looks like Fey has fallen asleep.”

Strange. He’d been sitting so still, yet now he got up.

“That child… to think a single word of praise could make him smile. Just from one little compliment.”

Exactly. Why are you only saying things like that now?

My favorite has so many praiseworthy points.

“At the very least, this time you were helpful.”

I felt his presence leave the bed.

I barely cracked my heavy eyelids open, watched his back as he walked away, then closed them again.

…He sure has a long-winded way of saying ‘thank you.’

That was my last thought before drifting off.

When I woke up, the duke was already gone.

Already out?

I was still groggy since I’m not a morning person.

Staggering up, I opened the window out of habit.

Unlike the villa, an expansive garden spread before me.

Would I get used to this scenery in a few days?

As I breathed in the cool air, my head cleared a little.

I should head back to my room.

Walking slowly, I yawned wide—then bumped into something and stumbled back.

But I’d been walking straight…?

“…Lucas?”

“You’re awake.”

“Why are you dressed like that?”

The duke was in attire I’d seen before—wearing a white robe, hair damp.

The difference this time was that his hair was even wetter, and his skin flushed reddish all over.

“I just washed, that’s why. And this is my room.”

“Ah. Right.”

Startled, I’d completely forgotten this was his room.

Awkwardly, I scratched my cheek.

“You look like a statue today as always. I’ll be going then. See you later at breakfast.”

I bowed quickly and hurried past him.

Oh, right.

I turned my head slightly.

“Lucas.”

“What is it?”

“Good morning.”

I waved lightly, as usual.

“…Good morning.”

In an instant, I was wide awake.

What did I just hear?

“Wait… Lucas, did you just return my greeting?”

“You’re noisy. Just leave already.”

With a grumpy face, he walked past me.

“Could you say it again? I want to make sure I didn’t mishear in my half-sleep.”

“I’m getting dressed.”

In the end, I was kicked out and went back to my room.

My favorite must have returned to his room already, because only sunlight slanted through the window inside.

Tch. Stingy.

I should’ve stayed, even if he was changing clothes.

Sinking into the bath Sally had prepared, I muttered inwardly.

I wanted to hear it once more.

<…Good morning.>

Something I couldn’t even imagine happening just yesterday.

It was only a small change, but it felt like receiving a great gift—just thinking about it made me smile.

Even though I’d been chased out, I wasn’t upset.

On the contrary, my reflection in the bathwater showed my lips curved into a satisfied smile.

We must have gotten a little closer, right?

…Hehehe.

Unable to contain my excitement, I dunked my face underwater up to my eyes.

“Madam?”

Sally, tense while helping me bathe, called out in alarm.

But her voice barely reached me.

At this rate, before long…

He’d probably answer easily if I asked about his health, accept any gift I gave without suspicion, and even talk calmly if I brought up people he disliked.

Bubbles rose to the surface and popped.

My goal is going smoothly.

It felt like happiness had visited me early in the morning.

After washing up and dressing, my favorite peeked into my room through the door.

“Fey!”

Coming into my room like this—what a win.

Beaming, I stood before him, grinning so much it was like I had the sun above my head.

Then I saw his knee and gasped.

“You’re hurt? Are you okay?”

The skin on Fey’s left knee was scraped, bleeding slightly.

My heart ached at the sight of his wound, and I bit my lip.

“On the way here, he tripped. The young master is more reckless than I thought.”

I turned to Kana, smiling sweetly.

Her tone when she said “reckless” sounded almost mocking.

He’d never tripped even once back at the villa.

Even if Fey was reckless, it felt wrong for his nanny to speak so lightly of it.

“Leave us. I’ll take care of Fey.”

I dismissed Kana and asked Sally to fetch the physician.

Sally, with a determined face, answered, “Yes, ma’am!” and dashed off.

Soon, she returned with the doctor, who treated the wound. Afterward, I dismissed them both.

Then I sat down, meeting my favorite at eye level.

“Fey, is your knee okay?”

“Mm. It’s fine.”

His childlike voice was sulky.

Because it hurt?

It’s fine if he admits it hurts. He traced the bandage absently with his eyes, then looked up.

I should ask.

Kana’s sing-song voice came to mind as I organized my thoughts.

“Fey, how do you like your new nanny?”

His long lashes lowered, hiding his eyes, then lifted again. His round amber eyes fixed on me.

“She’s fine.”

Still, his voice was curt.

“Really fine?”

Nod.

He gave a small tilt of his head.

Maybe he’s just in a bad mood because he’s hurt.

Kana still bothered me, but I decided not to press further.

“At least it wasn’t a serious fall. From now on, let’s walk slowly and carefully in the halls and on the stairs.”

I took his hand and headed to the dining hall.

The duke was already waiting inside.

“He’s injured?”

“Yes. Apparently, he tripped on the way.”

The duke’s eyes lingered on Fey’s knee.

His expressionless face looked almost menacing, yet I found myself smiling faintly.

Strangely, it reminded me of how I’d stared at Fey’s wound earlier.

Who would ever guess that was a worried face?

I shrugged lightly.

At that moment, Fey tugged gently at my hand.

“…Auntie. Did you and Uncle have a goodnight kiss yesterday?”

The sudden, awkward question made a chill run down my spine.

My eyes darted nervously, and like a rusty machine, my head jerked up and down stiffly.

“Y-Yes. Of course we did.”

Fey whipped his head away.

“Liar.”

Goosebumps prickled all over me.

I bit my dry lips, then forced an innocent smile.

“Huh? Liar?”

My heart pounded guiltily.

“You didn’t kiss Uncle goodnight yesterday either.”

…So he heard.

Who was it that raised their voice last night?!

Right. Me.

Seeing him turn his whole body away, refusing to look at me, I rubbed my face in frustration.

So that’s why he looked upset earlier.

I leaned forward, trying to see his expression.

His cheeks puffed up, lips jutting out.

And beneath his eyes, I saw the faint shimmer of tears.

“I’m not talking to liars. I won’t kiss you either. Hmph!”

Thud.

My world just collapsed.