How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love – Chapter 334

Author: Chewyy

–Flap, flap.

The sound of pages turning brushed past Noah’s ears.

Steady and unhurried, the soft rhythm soothed him like a gentle hand patting his chest.

If Noah hadn’t gotten into the habit of waking up at the same time every day, he would have taken that sound as a lullaby and slept a little longer.

‘…Is someone there?’

Still heavy with drowsiness clinging to the corners of his eyes, Noah shifted under the blanket.

As if realizing he was awake, a thud was heard from the bedside as a book was closed.

“Are you awake? You can sleep a little longer.”

“Uncle…?”

Oliver looked down at Noah, who was wide-eyed in surprise, with affectionate eyes, and gently brushed his bangs aside.

“It’s still early. Would you like to sleep more?”

During the journey from the capital to the County of Howard, Noah had shared a carriage—and sleeping quarters—with Oliver.

Because of that, Oliver had learned that even without someone waking him, Noah would open his eyes at an hour closer to dawn than morning. And every time, he would ask the same question.

But Noah’s answer was always the same.

“No. I want to get up.”

Noah yawned, covering his mouth with his small hand, as he slowly got up from the bed.

Part of him didn’t want to look lazy in front of his beloved uncle—but more than that, he didn’t want to waste the precious time he had in the County of Howard by sleeping it away.

“I’ll have some water brought for you to wash. You can lie down a little longer.”

“No, it’s okay. If I lie down, I think I’ll fall asleep again.”

“It’s good to be strict with yourself, but on a day like today…”

Oliver cleared his throat lightly, almost having let a certain word slip out.

Fortunately, Noah didn’t notice Oliver’s mistake and just simply rubbed his eyes with his fists.

“But uncle, why did you come to wake me up?”

“I wanted to go for a walk together before breakfast. How about that?”

“I like it!”

Noah didn’t find the suggestion strange at all. They had often done the same on their way to the county.

“Here, have a glass of milk before we go out. Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m okay.”

After gulping down the honey milk—sweetened with a bit of honey—Noah washed his face on his own with warm water.

“The morning air is chilly, so a hat—”

– Is it morning already…? I wonder what’s for breakfast today…

At that moment, Oliver’s hand, which had been about to place a hat on Noah’s head, froze midair.

Noah, who had been sitting quietly while his uncle combed his hair, stiffened like a stone.

‘Uncle still doesn’t know that Rake is a dragon.…!’

‘Is it okay to reveal now that Rake is a dragon? What if Uncle is surprised?’

Unable to bring himself to meet Oliver’s eyes, Noah simply rolled his eyes. Meanwhile, a sleepy, raspy voice rang out again.

– I want to eat strawberry cake.…

“Unfortunately, we don’t have strawberry cake. Do you not like anything that isn’t strawberry?”

At that moment, contrary to Noah’s expectations, Oliver naturally responded to Rake’s words.

Noah’s eyes widened in surprise, and Rake answered sleepily, not realizing that it was Oliver who was talking to her.

– grape… The grape cake was delicious too…

“I’ll speak to the chef. But is cake your staple food?”

– Mm… Rake likes snacks. Snacks are the best…

After another sleepy murmur, soft snoring followed. She had fallen asleep again.

Noah, whose mouth had been hanging open in astonishment, couldn’t make a sound until his eyes finally met Oliver’s.

“Y-you knew Rake is a dragon?”

“I did hear it say so itself. Something about being a great dragon.”

“Ah….”

It was like a habit of Rake’s, so Noah had no idea when exactly Rake’s identity had been discovered.

And ever since leaving the capital, Oliver had been around them constantly. He was the only person besides Leonhard whom the guards didn’t keep wary of.

“But is that little one really a dragon? I heard people talking about the Spirit of Raynbert, so I assumed that was it.”

“Well… the Spirit of Raynbert story was just a cover. Rake really is a dragon.”

Noah began telling Oliver about Rake—from the moment he had entered the treasure vault of Ajas.

Still flustered, his explanation came out a bit scattered. But Oliver listened patiently, nodding without interrupting.

“I see… There are old tales that Ajas once made a pact with a dragon. So it wouldn’t be strange if a dragon’s egg were in the treasury. Though liking cake is a bit unexpected.”

“Rake likes anything sweet. Like cookies or ice cream.”

“I don’t know if eating like that will give her a good nutritional balance.”

Leaving aside the question of whether Rake’s true identity was a spirit or a dragon, Noah also became serious about the concerns Oliver brought up from the perspective of a foster parent.

“Now that you mention it, I’ve never really thought about it. Rake hasn’t been born very long—she should be eating a variety of things…”

With each breath in and out, the small mound of her body—covered with a handkerchief like a blanket—rose and fell.

“Rake might’ve gained a little weight since we first met…”

“At least we don’t have to worry about cavities.”

Not sure whether Oliver was joking or serious, Noah burst into giggles.

“That’s a relief. Rake doesn’t brush his teeth.”

“But if that thing is really a dragon, why is she taking the form of a bird?”

“I don’t know for sure. Rake has been like that since she was born.”

At first, Noah hadn’t known Rake was a dragon, so he hadn’t questioned her bird-like appearance.

And when he did find out, he had been so shocked by the revelation that he hadn’t thought further.

‘I should ask him about it someday.’

“But I wonder whether it’s appropriate for me to know his true identity. If it’s some kind of state secret of Ajas…”

“No! It’s a secret to other people, but Uncle and Aunt are family. I was actually going to tell you when we were still in the capital. But Rake sleeps so much…”

– I’m not… a glutton…

He must have heard that part, even though Noah had whispered. Though perhaps not clearly.

“Rake sleeps a lot and loves sweets, but she’s a kind and affectionate friend who takes great care of me.”

“I see. It’s wonderful to have a good friend.”

Oliver gently stroked Noah’s head, as if praising him.

Noah chuckled at the pleased expression on his uncle’s face.

“Well then, shall we go for a walk? If we keep talking here, your little friend might wake up.”

“Yes! Let’s go quickly, uncle.”

Noah, wearing a hat and a coat, took Oliver’s hand and left the bedroom.

“But where are we going?”

“Is there a place you want to go?”

“Hmm… Can we go to the forest one more time?”

Standing on tiptoe and covering his mouth with both hands, Noah whispered. Oliver naturally bent his knees and leaned closer to hear him.

“I picked up ginkgo and maple leaves yesterday and made bookmarks. But there are so many people I want to give them to—I think I don’t have enough.”

“Then we’ll have to gather more ginkgo and maple leaves.”

“Yes!”

“If that’s the case, I’m an expert.”

Oliver winked at Noah.

“Let’s go. I know a place where not only ginkgo and maple trees are in full bloom, but also many flowers.”

“Whoa…!”

To keep the things they had collected from breaking, the two of them held hands affectionately and went for a walk in the forest, each carrying a thick book under their arm.

* * *

The place Oliver took Noah was a lakeside surrounded by maple and ginkgo trees.

Near the water’s edge, where a small wooden rowboat was tied, clusters of white and yellow wildflowers bloomed abundantly.

“Wow, they’re so cute…! Uncle, can I pick these flowers?”

“Of course. But flowers shaped like those won’t hold up well when pressed. Choose ones that still look nice when flattened—like cosmos—or flowers whose petals you can take off one by one.”

“Yes!”

Noah carefully selected and picked flowers that would make good bookmarks.

Every so often, he glanced up at the sky to check the time—but each time, as if deliberately distracting him, Oliver’s voice chimed in.

“Look at that butterfly over there. Isn’t the white one lovely?”

“The water is exceptionally clear today. I can see the fish swimming. Come closer and take a look.”

“Do you see that squirrel on the branch? Look how fluffy its tail is—so adorable.”

By the time Noah finished picking all the flowers, the sun had fully risen and the surroundings were bright.

Noah spoke to Oliver, hiding his slightly anxious feelings.

“Uncle, I think this many flowers should be enough. Let’s head back now.”

“Really? I’ve only gathered this many maple and ginkgo leaves… Wouldn’t it be better to pick up a few more?”

“But I think it might already be past breakfast time… Won’t Mother and Father be waiting?”

“It’s okay. They said they were going to sleep in today.”