KMKS 44

chapter 44

Meanwhile, Aiden, left at the Viscount’s residence with Ken, scratched his cheek.

He was at a loss on how to break the silence.

“I don’t even know what to say or how to start.”

The seasoned businessman, once well-known for his acumen, found himself locked in a non-verbal stare-down with Ken.

And the reason? Because it was too difficult to even utter a single word!

Aiden felt disappointed at himself for glaring more intensely than Ken, instead of embracing the situation with adult composure.

“…But I can’t lose.”

Perhaps it was pity for the boy’s efforts that made him want to endure this fully. Fortunately, Ken was the one to break the silence first.

“Unless there’s a reason for me to stay seated here, may I get up first?”

The words were polite, yet carried a faint hint of defiance.

Aiden had sensed Ken’s stubborn distrust of adults from the very moment he had brought him in.

“Sit down again for a moment.”

As Ken stood, Aiden finally relaxed his eyes and gestured toward the chair.

He wanted desperately to get closer to Ken, yet his voice was gentle. He wanted to win over Ken’s heart, just as he had won over Sara and, in recent days, even the servant Vivi.

[Are you sure you’ll be alright alone?]

*[Of course. Don’t worry about Ken; just go.]

With arms rolled up and a confident smile, Aiden had reassured Sara with all the certainty he could muster.

He had no intention of rushing, but if things continued like this, there would be no progress until Sara returned.

Ken furrowed his brows, unwilling to allow even a moment’s delay, and Aiden blurted out a question in desperation:

“What does Ken like?”

That’s the best question I could think of? Aiden pressed a hand to his throbbing forehead. He felt his earlobes warm, embarrassed by the triviality.

Unsurprisingly, Ken’s reply was sharp.

“Why would I tell you?”

“…Because I thought you’d hate me talking behind your back. I want to get along with you. Asking someone else isn’t my style.”

Ken looked at him silently. Aiden’s unwavering blue eyes seemed sincerely honest—even if it didn’t seem like a compelling reason to Ken.

Instead, Ken came up with a more practical reason.

“You want to get along with me?”

“Yes. As long as you’re alright with it.”

At that moment, Aiden recalled Sara’s words permitting him to make full use of the opportunity. He wondered why the Viscountess had encouraged him to do so.

“How much money do you have, Viscount?”

Aiden expected a scolding, a reprimand for such a rude question, but his own answer was unexpected.

“Hmm, enough that I lack nothing.”

“……”

Ken’s gaze lingered on Aiden’s study, skeptical.

The wealth of the Duke of Winston’s family was unparalleled, but Ken, unaware of Aiden’s true identity, saw only the Viscount Spencer—a regular noble, much like any other.

“You don’t seem to trust me.”

Was it wrong to try to win Ken over with money? Aiden thought quickly. If he asked about wealth, it meant Ken probably wanted something.

He recalled the first day he found Ken, sitting quietly in the workshop instead of running away.

He had repeatedly warned that no one should touch the child, yet Ken stayed on his own. That image remained vivid in Aiden’s memory.

[How did I manage to keep him here?]

*[We gave him something to drink, but that wasn’t the reason. He didn’t even take a sip.]

Ken did not trust anyone, not even enough to drink.

Then why had he stayed in the workshop?

*[Instead, he stared intently at our staff making cutting boards.]

‘Cutting boards…’ Aiden’s eyes flashed. Whatever the reason, Ken had stayed because of the workshop. He could verify for himself if Ken was interested in the items there.

“Would you like to come along somewhere?”

Ken didn’t answer, staring at the floor.

Aiden understood that Ken wanted to try something for him but also wished to leave him be. After all, everything done with Viscount Spencer would likely be boring.

There was nothing to bridge the gap between a noble and an ordinary boy. Since Ken had no positive memories of adults, it was natural that he was wary. Without Aiden’s insistence, Ken would never have followed.

“I’m going to that workshop.”

“!”

“You remember, right?”

Ken’s pupils trembled despite his effort to hide it. His curiosity about the workshop was confirmed.

Yet whether he would go with someone he wasn’t close to remained uncertain. Aiden sensed Ken’s discomfort.

“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to walk with me to the carriage.”

“……”

“But I’ll leave before the clock strikes noon, so don’t be late getting to the carriage.”

It was Aiden’s way of accommodating him.

Soon, the two arrived at the workshop, exhaling awkwardly. The carriage ride had been filled with silence.

Even a skilled conversationalist like Aiden found himself diminished in front of a wounded child.

“Have you arrived, Viscount?”

Jack, the workshop owner, greeted them.

“What brings you here?”

“I’d like to learn how to cut wood today.”

“You’ll be doing it yourself?”

Jack’s eyes widened. The Viscount’s hands were fair and delicate, unsuitable for handling rough wood.

“It’s no surprise. I’m learning, with this one.”

Jack led them into the workshop as Aiden spoke confidently.

Ken looked up at Aiden, noticing the large shadow at his feet. He hadn’t thought of him as an adult during the stare-down in the study. But for the first time, Ken thought Aiden seemed grown-up—different from any adult he knew.

That feeling didn’t last long, as Ken soon shook his head at Aiden’s repeated mistakes during the lesson.

“You’re hopeless too, Viscount.”

“And you? Have you ever learned before?”

Unlike Aiden, Ken showed considerable talent for the first time, his cutting board gradually taking shape with smooth curves.

“I haven’t had the time to learn.”

“That’s calling you a genius. Out loud, too.”

“Guess my face has thickened from being outside.”

“Even joking.”

Aiden smiled, and the corner of Ken’s lips lifted slightly, though he quickly corrected himself.

Soon, they were too focused on the cutting board to care about their smiles. Just doing something together in the small workshop fostered a subtle bond. Aiden’s occasional clumsiness was also interesting to Ken.

So it wasn’t coincidence that Ken naturally took the handkerchief Aiden offered as they left.

The sun was slowly setting.

“You can come back for the items next time.”

“Ken, hear that? They’re asking you to come again.”

Ken swallowed his response and boarded the carriage first. Aiden followed and promised Jack they’d return.

“We’ll come back soon.”

There was no need to ask Ken; Aiden knew next time it would be easier for Ken to join him at the workshop.

Sara arrived at the Viscount’s residence, taking a deep breath as if steeling herself.

She knew she had to tell Aiden about what had happened today at Count Cordelia’s garden.

“He needs to know.”

It was a matter affecting the reputation of Winston, Aiden’s original body. She couldn’t let his social standing be swayed by “her husband.”

But as Sara opened the front door and entered, she couldn’t help but be struck silent.

“What happened?”

Aiden and Ken were already sprawled on the sofa, utterly exhausted.

Each had claimed one side of the sofa, faces drained and eyes closed.

Even seeing Aiden, usually composed, in such disarray was surprising. Seeing Ken in the hall instead of his room was equally unusual.

Sara forgot her urgent message and rushed to check on them first.

“Are you hurt?”

“Oh, you’re here? We just used our energy a bit too much today.”

Aiden sat up slightly, smoothing his brow to hide fatigue.

“Used our energy?”

He glanced at Ken, then, seeing his eyes closed, hinted to Sara that they had been at the workshop.

Understanding why they were collapsed, Sara smiled faintly. She was pleased that Aiden had succeeded in opening Ken’s heart today, evident in his raised shoulders.

“But did the lady have a good visit? It seems early yet.”

She had expected the tea party to last until the afternoon, so arriving early had caught them by surprise.

“Ah…”

Sara hesitated, unsure where to begin. Her lips felt dry.

Glancing at the wall clock, she noticed Ken, lying silently, making space for her. Only Aiden and Sara knew about the body swap. Once Ken was safely upstairs, she finally spoke carefully.

“Today, ‘he’ came to the Count’s residence. In your body.”

Aiden’s brows furrowed at the word “he,” but Sara did not reveal it.

“Yes?”

So far, nothing strange. Winston attending the tea party was merely part of social duties. Aiden had often done so when in the Duke’s body.

The problem came next.