The Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health Chapter 214

“Yeah. So—did you meet His Highness?!”

Noel suddenly snapped his head up.

A gaze mixed with anxiety and concern landed on me.

“I did meet him, but…….”

Seeing me smile faintly, the twins seemed to sense something and went quiet.

“Pession has… gotten a lot pricklier.”

Our kid really changed.

Where did that sunny boy who used to stick to me nonstop go?

I knew it was my fault, but I couldn’t help feeling wronged anyway.

“Did Pession… recognize you……?”

Noel swallowed hard and asked nervously.

“I’m not sure if I should say he recognized me or didn’t.”

Before I even said I was Arellin, he blew up, shouting that I was impersonating her—so in that sense, he recognized me.

But he couldn’t see that I was the real one—so in that sense, he didn’t.

What is this, Schrödinger’s Pession?

“He told me to get out of his sight if I didn’t want to die, you know? I was really shocked. When did our cute Pession learn to say such scary things?”

I could see Noel’s eyelashes tremble up close.

I was definitely smiling gently, but he seemed to clearly feel the discomfort hidden behind it.

“Arell… are you okay?”

“If I wasn’t, what could I even do?”

A brief silence followed.

Both Siel and Noel looked at me, their expressions stiffening as they sank into their own thoughts. Then suddenly, Noel pouted at me.

“But why didn’t you come see us?”

“No, I thought I’d be able to see you at the imperial ball. Come to think of it, where did Harun go?”

“Harun’s probably on a mission.”

“Really?”

I wanted to see Harun too—what a shame. Everyone’s grown up and busy with their own lives now.

So it really is different from when we were kids.

“Arell, you’ve changed a bit.”

“Me?”

After carefully examining me, Siel nodded. Noel agreed as well.

“You feel… the same, but different.”

Their unfamiliar gazes clung to my cheeks. The hands touching my arm and face were cautious, like I might disappear if they touched me wrong.

After holding onto my arm like that for a while, Siel finally made a suggestion.

“Arell, want us to help?”

“With what?”

“We’ll guarantee to His Highness that you’re the real Arellin.”

“That’d probably backfire.”

I could clearly picture Pession doubting me even more, thinking, How did you even fool the twins?

How do I know?

Because if I were Pession, that’s exactly what I’d think.

You went this far just to deceive me, and I’d get furious.

Considering the distrust in people he’d built up after seeing fifteen impersonators, and the emotional wall I’d seen with my own eyes, that approach would only make things worse.

“But twins—how do you believe I’m Arellin?”

“There’s a way to know it’s you.”

“What way?”

The twins smiled brightly.

So they had no intention of telling me.

“I wish Pession had something like that too.”

Just as I was sighing, thinking I should’ve made some secret only we knew back when we were kids—

“Arell……”

Noel hesitated, then spoke.

“Do you still like His Highness?”

“Yeah.”

Isn’t that obvious?

“I do.”

“…….”

“…….”

Where should I even start explaining this feeling? How much of it could I really put into words?

There was a time when I couldn’t even stand seeing him.

But now, just thinking about him made a smile spread across my lips.

I was almost scared to say I liked him out loud, afraid something might get damaged if I did.

“Yeah. Even though he treats me like that now, I still like him. Ridiculous, right? Well, wanting to punch him whenever he’s annoying is a separate issue.”

“Do you think you’ll keep liking him? That your feelings won’t change?”

“Probably? He’s the first person I’ve ever liked—or even thought I liked—so I don’t really know.”

Noel blinked like he’d just been punched.

“……At least you’re very clear about things, Arell.”

“Am I?”

When I tilted my head, unsure, the twins drooped.

Why did they suddenly lose all their energy?

Is it because I keep talking about Pession?

“I like you two as well.”

The twins’ faces instantly brightened.

“Just not as much as Pession.”

“…….”

“…….”

Their expressions sank again.

Wait—what did I do wrong this time?

As I hesitated, trying to figure out what to say while watching their faces, Noel suddenly clenched both fists.

“I’m still not giving up.”

On what?

“Just wait and see, Arell.”

See what?

“Same here.”

Even Siel joined in, burning with determination—while I was the only one completely confused.

“?”

No, seriously—what are you even talking about?

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

No matter how you looked at it, the twins were benefactors. They solved the problem I’d been agonizing over in one fell swoop.

“A Black Market ticket? Of course we have one.”

“My saviors!”

Right—why hadn’t I thought of this?

This was Spherom, who held all the wealth of the empire in their hands. There was no way they wouldn’t have Black Market tickets.

When I clung to him with sparkling eyes, Siel struggled to hold back his laughter.

“Please help me.”

“Do you really need it that badly?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Arell, you’re cute when you use polite speech.”

“Are you laughing at my sincerity?”

“What do you need it for, anyway? Nothing but low-quality goods show up there.”

“There’s an artifact coming up. Do you know it?”

“Oh.”

Siel rubbed his chin and nodded.

“I heard it’s stolen. The Adventurers’ Guild filed a theft report, so we were planning to look into it.”

“I need that.”

“…….”

An unintended staring contest began.

I hadn’t planned on taking it this far, but trying not to lose momentum, I put strength into my eyes—and here we were.

Ah, my eyes sting.

For a moment, mischief flickered in Siel’s golden eyes.

It was just as I couldn’t endure my dry eyes any longer and closed them.

“Then grant me one request.”

“A request?”

“I’ll help if you do.”

“Our relationship is only worth that much?”

“It’s because it’s our relationship that I’m settling for one request.”

“What kind of request?”

A strange smile spread across Siel’s lips.

“We’re hosting a party at Spherom in a few days. Come as my partner.”

“That’s a hassle.”

“Pession will be there.”

“I’ll go.”

At the immediate answer, Siel’s smile deepened.

“Arell, you’ve become very easy to read in the exact ways that piss me off.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Never mind.”

Siel let out a sigh.

“We have to match the dress code, so we’ll send clothes and jewelry. You’re staying at the hotel, right?”

“Probably?”

I needed to hurry and tell Mehen this good news. At last, I could pull Mom out of the hellscape of socializing.

“But don’t you have any other partners? Why ask me?”

“Do I look like I lack partners?”

At Siel’s confident smile, old memories I’d forgotten briefly resurfaced.

Right. In the novel, this guy definitely was……

“Be honest, Siel. How many women do you have?”

“…Women?”

“You’re a playboy.”

I saw it in the novel, you know.

At the sudden interrogation, Siel burst out laughing and ran a hand through his hair. His neat hairstyle became slightly tousled.

“Where on earth did you hear such ridiculous rumors?”

“Huh? You’re not?”

“I’m a pure, untouched item with not a single scandal, you know. Want to have me?”

“No, thanks. I already belong to someone.”

Even if that someone was currently trying to throw me away—still.

Siel wasn’t a playboy?

Then did that mean Noel didn’t become a knight either?

I felt a bit dazed at how different things were from the original story.

“So what have you been doing all this time without even dating, Siel?”

“Because of you.”

“What did I do?”

“…Never mind. If I explain, I’ll just end up miserable.”

“?”

If you’re going to say something, then say it properly.

I made a very dissatisfied face at how the twins kept cutting their sentences short and saying things only they could understand.

Seeing my sulky expression, Siel smiled brightly.

“It’s your fault.”

So—what did I do?

 

 

****

 

 

 

The party hosted by House Spherom was famous enough to be featured in the Albrecht Times.

Perhaps because Spherom didn’t host many social parties despite running charity galas, auctions, and high-end clubs, it seemed to draw a lot of attention.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I went with you?”

Even Mehen made such a suggestion.

“Mm. No. That’s too much. Mom, rest.”

Even though Mehen was resuming her activities as my proxy, returning still required its own procedures. Sudden public appearances right now weren’t a good idea.

“The Crown Prince will be attending as well. Will you be all right?”

Mehen seemed worried I might clash with Pession again.

She didn’t get it.

“That’s why I’m going.”

So he’d get mad when he saw me next to Siel.

And then we arrived at the party venue.

“…….”

The moment he spotted me, Pession glared intensely.

I greeted him with a bright smile.

I told you we’d meet again, didn’t I?