The Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health Chapter 308

Regent Duke Ludwig watched Arellin’s debut for a while from the relatively prominent seats, then quietly stepped back.

He could have stayed until the end and congratulated her along with everyone else, but instead, he wanted to take a step back and watch over her from behind.

To think that the child who had once been so young had grown up so well and was now debuting into high society.

‘Is this what a parent’s heart feels like?’

The ambition he once had—to take Arellin as his own daughter—was still tucked deep in his heart, but to be honest, the position of “godfather” he had now was more than enough.

“I’ve changed a lot.”

Ludwig let out a small, self-mocking laugh.

The man who had been nothing but a corpse without arrogance had somehow become someone who could be satisfied with something like this, which still felt unbelievable to him at times.

But ever since he came to know Arellin, all the events he had gone through—

Especially the experiences where he nearly lost Arellin—had been enough to change even Ludwig, who had once been wrapped head to toe in arrogance.

More than anything else, Arellin had taught him happiness.

“…She looks happy.”

The moment Arellin smiled, Ludwig found himself smiling along without realizing it. Just then, an uninvited guest quietly approached his side.

“This seems like an unusual place for you to be alone.”

“It’s quiet here. I like it.”

Bertino stood beside Ludwig. Ludwig’s shadows reacted, but at his gesture, they withdrew and left them alone.

The priest standing beside him made the sign of the holy emblem and smiled contentedly.

“You look much more at ease than before, Your Highness.”

“Do I?”

The current regent duke no longer had that arrogant, self-centered side, nor the side that needed to clutch everything he desired tightly in his grasp.

That change left a deep impression on the old priest.

“What brings a priest to a party like this?”

At Ludwig’s indifferent question, Priest Bertino smiled. Invitations to balls were sent to the clergy as a courtesy from the imperial family, but priests usually did not attend. This time, however, Bertino had quietly come.

There was someone he wanted to see.

“It’s a beautiful sight.”

In the distance, the hall of the ballroom was visible. Vitality overflowed among the bustling crowd.

“Is it?”

“Is it not beautiful in Your Highness’s eyes?”

“It is. How could it not be?”

After Shione took her own life before his eyes, every day had felt like hell for Ludwig. Now, each day felt like he was walking among the clouds of heaven.

“Arellin is alive.”

And so, even while living far from home—a life never meant for him—every day felt completely fulfilling.

“She’s smiling so beautifully.”

Even if only three times, he could be called “Father.”

And even if he couldn’t shake off the afterimage of Shione reflected in her 모습, that was exactly why Ludwig was even more careful with his attitude.

Perhaps because he had already once ruined a precious opportunity by being consumed by twisted possessiveness and obsession.

…Well, Shione would probably laugh at even this regret of his.

“I hear the sacred relics of the Holy Kingdom were used quite efficiently. We received great help.”

“Then we are glad to hear it. That too is part of the god’s design.”

“Why does the Holy Kingdom help me at all?”

Even after meeting the Saintess, Ludwig still couldn’t clearly grasp the Holy Kingdom’s true intentions.

He simply allowed things to continue, as long as they didn’t lead him or Arellin in a bad direction.

“We are not helping you. We are merely being guided by fate.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Ha ha. You’ll understand when the time comes.”

Ludwig, who had no taste for riddles, was narrowing his brow when Priest Bertino suddenly dropped a bombshell.

“Soon, an important prophecy will be announced by the Holy Kingdom.”

The Holy Kingdom of Lemuren was the only place in this era that proved the gods’ touch still existed.

Thinking of how the world had shaken every time a prophecy was announced, it was not something that could be taken lightly.

“And one more thing.”

At that moment, Priest Bertino’s gaze shifted away from Ludwig and landed on someone in the party hall.

“The Saintess wishes to meet your godchild.”

Arellin.

Ah, only after the flowers had fallen did I realize it was spring.

After I reacted with clear disgust and rejected countless dance requests one by one, the twins and Harun finally stepped in to sort things out.

“They’re shameless, even with us here.”

“So we’re not as scary as His Highness, huh.”

I pretended not to see the Spherom twins smiling darkly, as if they were about to show everyone just how scary they could be.

“But, Arell. Are you really going to refuse everyone?”

“I’m tired.”

“Arellin, you’re quite fragile.”

What are you talking about? I’m pretty sturdy by now!

Noel, who had been looking at me with pity, patted my shoulder like he understood everything.

Why is it that even though I’m being comforted, I’m still getting annoyed?

Harun also made space so I could sit down and rest.

“Sit here.”

“……”

Why does your kind consideration hurt me so much?

“I’ve gotten a lot healthier!”

“I know.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m really healthy!”

“Sure, sure.”

“So just sit.”

I wanted to prove how healthy I’d become, but my blood sugar dropped first. As if he had expected it, Noel put a glass of juice to my lips.

The taste of freshly squeezed orange juice.

“But don’t they usually serve wine here?”

“…You want to give alcohol to you right now?”

“They say wine isn’t alcohol.”

“Then why does it make you drunk?”

As I argued while drinking the sweet-and-sour orange juice, Noel, Ciel, and even Harun looked at me worriedly.

Seriously, they grew up in a country with a culture of aperitifs—why are they being so conservative?

“You need to stay clear-headed.”

“Yeah, you really do.”

Why am I being lectured right now?

I mean, one glass of wine should be fine, right?

Just as I was about to feel wronged, Noel grabbed my hand tightly and warned me seriously.

“Arell, if anyone offers you alcohol, run away.”

“…….”

“Yeah, today’s especially dangerous.”

Ciel chimed in, and even Harun nodded.

What are they even saying?

I wanted to complain about them being overprotective, but—

‘Well, they’re probably just looking out for me.’

Better safe than sorry.

I decided to be generous and accept it, unaware of the intense battle of nerves happening behind me.

What bothered me more was the music filling the ballroom.

‘I thought this earlier too, but this music feels like a sonata, yet some parts feel like a symphony.’

Romantic music that sounded almost Classical—it didn’t quite make sense, but it felt like Schubert mixed with something like Haydn… leaving me strangely puzzled as I listened.

“The music bothering you?”

The one who noticed first was Ciel, the art lover who was always pestering me for new sheet music.

“It’s new music by composers influenced by your works. What do you think?”

“That’s not my music.”

“But you gave it to us anyway.”

Well, that’s true.

Still, I never imagined it would have this much influence.

“You have no idea how many composers and performers were shocked after seeing the scores you gave.”

They were pieces from another world—music by geniuses even among geniuses. Of course it would leave an impact, though it made me feel a bit unsettled.

After cars and pizza bread…

No, wait—was music first?

“It sounds nice.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

At my praise, Ciel looked proud. Even if the lineage felt confused, it really was a great piece.

It even made me want to play it myself.

 

 

****

 

 

 

While Arellin was resting comfortably despite all the attention, Pession was dealing with people in a sour mood.

“Your Highness, welcome back safely from Gairen—”

“Our son was greatly indebted to you—”

Even as he spoke, Pession’s gaze kept drifting toward one corner of the party hall.

It was so obvious that even the people talking to him couldn’t miss it.

“You need to learn to spend time apart to realize how precious each other is.”

If Empress Ageni hadn’t urged him to do his duty, Pession might have ignored everyone and gone back over there.

‘I don’t want to be Crown Prince.’

Since when had socializing become this irritating?

It was only a few exchanged words, but his patience plummeted in real time, and Pession even stopped smiling.

At least it was easier on his nerves because no young ladies were showing interest in him.

That was only Pession’s perception. In reality, the young ladies wanted to approach him, but Pession was pushing them away.

“Your Highness, there’s something I’d like to discuss—”

“Your Highness. If you have a moment, perhaps—”

“I don’t. Next time.”

After casually brushing off the young ladies trying to speak with him, Pession carefully stepped back, wary that he might even brush sleeves with them.

And there was a reason for that.

‘What if Arellin sees and misunderstands?’

Arellin wasn’t paying any attention to this side of the hall at all, but to Pession, it was a serious concern.