The Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health – Chapter 329

Author: Asternkm

Since it was a charity party hosted by the current Chancellor, the list of attendees was dazzling.

At the very least, it seemed like all members of the Five Great Ducal Houses were present.

From Halbern, there was me.
From Spherom, the twins.
From Muvisk, the Duke’s younger sister.
From Idikels, the Duchess herself.

And as for Gremwart……

Gremwart really sent a crowd.

Perhaps each of them had a reason to make their presence known—Gremwart had sent not only the second and third sons, but even their children.

As if that would suddenly give them legitimacy or honor they didn’t already have.

“……?”

Then my eyes met those of Gremwart’s second son and his wife—and they immediately went pale and turned away.

What?

That lady used to approach me even when I didn’t call for her and chat me up just fine, but today she was avoiding me like someone fleeing from a serial killer.

What’s wrong with her?

I genuinely have no idea.

“Arell.”

Just then, Ciel—who had been mingling with others—came back to me.

“Why are you back? Weren’t you abandoning me?”

“Abandoning you? Wouldn’t it be considerate for someone like me—who you said you hated—to disappear elsewhere?”

“…Are you still sulking?”

Ciel smiled without answering.

…That was scarier than a hundred words.

“Then why did you really come?”

“Get up. There’s somewhere we need to go.”

“I’m really tired though.”

“You said you’ve gotten much healthier, even exercising. Come on.”

Dragged along by Ciel’s hand—which accepted no excuses—I ended up in a spot packed with Gremwart family members.

Once again, the second son and his wife turned ghostly pale and fled the moment they saw us.

Seriously, what is wrong with them? Do I eat people or something?

It didn’t seem like we’d come to greet the third son’s family either.

Ciel headed toward the seat of honor among the seats of honor—where a dignified elderly lady sat on a soft couch.

“It’s been a while. My mother was wondering how the Duchess has been.”

The elderly lady smiled at Ciel but said nothing. She seemed unable to speak.

“This is Arellin of Halbern. You were quite curious about her before, weren’t you? I brought her.”

As the elderly lady’s gaze turned toward me, Ciel whispered softly.

“She’s the Duchess of Gremwart. Didn’t you want to meet her too?”

It was true—I’d felt curious before, because of Sir Xavier and Madam Olivia. I didn’t know how Ciel knew that, but… well, it was Ciel.

“I am Arellin of Halbern.”

After greeting her, I could feel the elderly lady studying me with intense curiosity. Compared to the warm gaze she’d shown Ciel, her eyes were sharp.

The lady attending to the Duchess spoke to me.

“She collapsed after hearing of her husband’s accident. She hasn’t been able to speak since.”

“I see.”

“Could you hold her hand, just once? I think that’s what she wants.”

“Of course.”

I took the elderly lady’s hand as it cautiously reached toward me.

Dry and brittle—it felt like touching a lifeless tree.

……?

Huh, what is this?

The bio-mana flowing through her hand was extremely unstable. Wait—this felt familiar. I’d felt this kind of resonance before… but where?

I tightened my grip slightly, trying to recall—

“That will be enough. It seems the Duchess is satisfied.”

“Oh.”

The Duchess withdrew her hand and smiled peacefully. Even so, she looked exhausted.

“She seems tired. She should rest now.”

It felt like I was just about to remember something.

Reluctantly, I accepted the cue to leave.

“Of course. Please rest well. I hope to see you again.”

We returned to our spot, leaving behind the Duchess as she gave a small nod. Ciel whispered quietly.

“She may look like she’s on her last legs, but at this moment, she’s the most important person in Gremwart.”

“Why?”

“As long as she’s alive, Gremwart’s useless sons can’t openly fight over succession.”

Ciel shrugged, saying that while things were merely chaotic now, open conflict would cause serious upheaval.

In other words, the Duchess was single-handedly holding back a trigger on the verge of exploding.

“Hmm.”

That sounded dangerous for her, but since the Imperial Family was paying close attention to her health, I figured it would be fine……

Then I suddenly realized Ciel’s face was far too close to mine.

Eyes sparkling, he asked,

“Isn’t there something you forgot? Something you should say to me.”

“Your face is really close.”

“Not that.”

“Thanks?”

“That’s a given.”

“Hmm, so you’re finally done sulking?”

“…Not that either.”

I honestly had no idea.

I stared at Ciel.

“Your eyes are sparkling extra brightly today.”

“You really just say whatever comes to mind.”

“Whatever?!”

I was offended.

Ciel sighed, apparently unimpressed by my desperate effort to find the right answer.

“Yeah. What was I expecting. You’ve always been like this.”

* * *

“Arell. Did something happen between you and Ciel?”

“No? Nothing happened.”

“Really? That’s strange.”

Noel muttered, Then why is Ciel acting like that?

“What did you say?”

“Nothing……”

Noel trailed off, then let out a deep sigh.

“Never mind. Anyway—earlier, Ciel probably wanted to be praised.”

“Praised for what, all of a sudden?”

“I don’t know either.”

Facing Noel, I rubbed my chin in thought.

“I really don’t get it. But Noel, it feels like you’ve been getting a lot of messages—are you sure it’s okay to ignore them?”

“Huh? Oh. This. It’s kind of… scary to answer now……”

“Huh?”

“We decided that the consequences are Ciel’s problem. Even if things go to hell, only he’ll burn.”

What does that even mean?

Are you guys gambling with your lives or something?

Suspicious, I scrutinized Noel with hawk-like eyes for signs of gambling addiction—when he suddenly called my name.

“Arell.”

“Yeah?”

“How do you see me?”

How do I see Noel?

“Friend.”

“Not that.”

“A good friend.”

Noel looked at me like he was frustrated. It felt like there was an answer he wanted, but I had no idea what it was.

“A good friend I’ve known since we were kids?”

“…….”

Noel’s expression crumpled.

Not that either? Ciel did the same thing earlier—did these two plan this just to mess with me?

“Hey, I’m handsome, right? People say I’m handsome.”

“Hm. You are handsome.”

I examined Noel’s face carefully.

I didn’t know about what was inside, but his looks alone were angelic. No wonder—the Duchess of Spherom was famously beautiful.

“Honestly, even when we were kids, I thought your face was angel-like.”

Noel’s face instantly turned red like a ripe tomato.

……?

Is he angry?

“Then what about my personality?”

That’s pretty damn terrible.

But even if it’s true, I’m a Korean raised with manners—I know not to say that to a close friend.

“It’s… complicated.”

“I’m complicated?”

“You and Ciel both are.”

Noel’s expression grew serious.

“Could that be the reason?”

I didn’t know what he meant, but seeing Noel serious felt strange. I’d always thought even if the sky split in half, these twins would cheer.

Is this what becoming an adult looks like?

Well, as a fellow adult, I should say something nice.

“It’s okay. Even if your personalities are… like that, I think that’s part of your charm.”

If twins aren’t little devils, they’re not twins!

Noel’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Charm……”

Of course, they’d evolved from little devils into full-fledged demons by now. Still, they’d become gentler toward me lately, so it was harder to tell the difference.

“But why ask all this all of a sudden?”

“Just… I was curious how you see me.”

“?”

I already said you’re my friend?

Then suddenly, as if he’d made a big decision, Noel spoke tensely.

“I like you.”

“……?”

“I’ve liked you ever since we were kids.”

What kind of day is this?

First Ciel did something he’d normally be too embarrassed to do—and now Noel too.

“I like you too.”

“What? Really?”