“I see… But do you have any idea why he left home? Or where he might be now?”
“None at all. That’s the biggest problem.”
Duke Bryden shook his head, looking troubled.
“Ian was never the type to cause trouble. Not even once in his life.”
Then why did he suddenly run away?
Was I only so bothered by his disappearance because he was the original male lead in the story?
No.
It wasn’t just that.
There were other things about Ian that felt off.
Especially the time I saw him at Duke Spiegel’s banquet years ago.
His shining golden hair walking into that estate was a scene I could never forget.
It was strange because, in the original story, there was no connection between Ian and Duke Spiegel at all.
“Um… Did the young duke have any close friends—”
I carefully tried to ask more, but—
SCRAPE—!
Caesar suddenly pushed back his chair, standing up with a loud noise.
His voice was strangely cold when he spoke.
“Sorry, Duke, but I have another appointment. You’ll have to leave now.”
“…What?”
Duke Bryden blinked in surprise at the sudden dismissal, but he still got up from his seat.
“Ah… I see. Time flies, doesn’t it?”
“Another appointment?”
I was sure Caesar had no other meetings scheduled today.
I quickly gathered my things, planning to walk out with the duke and ask him more questions about Ian on the way.
But before I could stand—
“Evelyn, you stay.”
“…Huh?”
“I have instructions for you.”
“Oh… Alright.”
I agreed, but I had no idea what Caesar meant.
Technically, I was his assistant head maid, but he had never actually given me orders before.
“If it’s about the export plans, there’s no reason to send Duke Bryden away first…”
Then—
“Oh!”
Maybe it was about his awakening.
That was the only secretive topic we ever talked about alone.
Duke Bryden left the room, and as soon as the door shut, I turned to Caesar.
“Is this about your awakening? Are you feeling something different?”
“…”
But Caesar didn’t answer.
He just stared at me—his expression cold and unreadable.
…What’s wrong?
“Your Majesty…?”
I hesitated, feeling like something was off.
Then Caesar let out a deep sigh, like he was holding something back.
“Eve.”
“…Yes?”
Caesar looked at me, his face full of hurt.
“Is that all you ever care about?”
“…What?”
What did he mean?
“Whenever we talk, it’s always about my awakening. Every day, it’s ‘awakening’ this, ‘awakening’ that…”
“Well, that’s because—”
Wasn’t it important?
It was something that would shape his future.
Caesar’s frown deepened.
“But when it comes to Duke Bryden’s son—
You ask where he is, why he left home, who his friends were…
Yet when it comes to me, all you ever care about is my awakening.”
“Ah…”
I finally understood why he was acting this way.
A long time ago, when we first met, he had said something very similar.
‘Why don’t you just go talk to Floria instead?’
‘You two are always having tea in the garden, laughing about something. What’s so fun about that?’
That time, I had only asked him if the blue delphinium flowers reminded him of Floria’s hair—
And yet, his face had twisted with jealousy.
Now, the name had changed from Floria to Ian, but the feeling was the same.
He was hurt in the exact same way.
I couldn’t help but smile.
It was both frustrating and adorable.
When we first met, Caesar had been a wounded child, lashing out at every kindness, convinced people only pitied him.
I had thought those days were long gone—that he had grown past that insecurity.
But lately, he was acting cute again.
Especially since last summer—
Since the day he had cried in front of me.
‘Or maybe it’s not him that changed, but me…’
I had forgotten that no matter how much he grew, he was still the same person.
Even now, he had sides of him that were soft and vulnerable.
And I hadn’t been paying enough attention.
Lately, I had been too focused on his awakening, asking the same questions over and over again.
Feeling a little guilty, I reached out and carefully took his hand.
The moment I did, I felt that strange energy again—the one I always sensed when he used his powers.
But lately…
It had been happening more and more often.
Even when he wasn’t using his powers—
Whenever his emotions were too strong, I could feel it.
Whether he was happy or angry, his energy would pulse like a heartbeat.
Right now, his power was raging.
He must be really upset…
“Your Majesty, I’ve never even had a conversation with Ian Bryden before.”
I spoke gently, trying to soothe him.
“I only asked about him because… Well, it’s just common courtesy to ask how someone is doing.”
Caesar’s blue eyes locked onto mine.
Then, his voice dropped to a whisper.
“…Liar.”
“Huh?”
Caesar pouted, pushing his lips out slightly.
It was the face of someone sulking as hard as possible.
“You did talk to him. When you were eighteen… At the debutante ball.”
“Huh?”
I searched my memory—and then froze.
Wait.
He’s talking about that time?
When Ian approached me—?
When I barely said a few words before rushing out because Caesar was feeling unwell?
“That doesn’t count! That wasn’t even a conversation!”
I waved my hands dismissively.
“It was just— Wait. How do you even know about that?”
Caesar hesitated.
“What?”
“How did you know I ran into Ian that night? You were resting because you weren’t feeling well.”
“That’s…”
Caesar looked away, his voice suddenly defensive.
“I heard about it. From Alvin. Just randomly.”
“Alvin, you snitch.”
That man never gossiped.
So if he had mentioned it to Caesar, that meant Caesar had asked about it first.
“Anyway, that’s not the point,” Caesar huffed.
“The point is, you did talk to him. So why did you lie to me?”
“I wasn’t lying! I forgot about it! It wasn’t important!”
I crossed my arms, feeling unfairly accused.
“And if I had been trying to talk to him, I wouldn’t have even gotten the chance! Sir Alvin dragged me away before I could say anything!”
Honestly, if I had actually spoken to Ian, I wouldn’t have felt so frustrated.
I muttered under my breath.
“You have no idea how panicked I was when I heard you weren’t feeling well. I dropped everything to come find you— I didn’t even get to say a proper hello.”
Caesar visibly flinched.
Then he mumbled.
“Oh… That’s… Uh… I’m sorry.”
His voice was small.
He looked guilty.
“I wasn’t trying to blame you,” I sighed.
I reached for his hand and gently rubbed the back of it, the way you would soothe an upset puppy.
“Caesar, the reason I don’t ask questions about you is because I already know everything.”
I smiled softly.
“Why would I ask where you are? You’re always right here, next to me.”
Caesar’s eyes flickered.
Then he asked, almost suspiciously.
“Then tell me this—”
“Hm?”
“Who’s my closest person?”
“…”
His closest person?
I knew everyone around him, but if I had to pick one…
I hesitated, glancing at him.
He was looking at me with hopeful eyes.
Oh.
He wants me to say it.
I took a deep breath—
And then dramatically gasped.
“Wait— It’s not me?”
“What?”
Caesar blinked in shock.
I clutched my chest.
“Are you saying there’s someone else closer to you than me?!”
Caesar stepped back slightly, looking panicked.
That was my cue.
I grabbed both his hands firmly.
“Caesar, I consider you my closest person.
If you don’t feel the same way, I’m going to be so disappointed.”
Caesar’s ears turned red.
“You… You…!”
I bowed my head sadly, acting as if I had just been betrayed.
There was a long silence.
Then, above my head, I heard him mumbling.
“…Me too.”
“Huh? I didn’t hear you.”
Caesar groaned.
Then, a little louder—
“Me too… You’re my closest person.”
His voice was soft, like a shy confession.
I couldn’t help it.
I burst out laughing.
When I lifted my head, I saw Caesar’s face burning red.
“Why is he being so cute today?”
“Eve… You tricked me.”
“No, I didn’t!”
I shook my head quickly, but the wide grin on my face made it unconvincing.
Caesar, now flushed all the way down to his neck, tried to pull his hands away.
I held on tightly.
“I mean it! You are my closest friend!”
I beamed.
“Of course, if Your Majesty would allow me to be.”
“You tease me like this and then ask for permission?”
Caesar grumbled, but his expression had softened.
The dark mood from before had completely disappeared.
His grip on my hands tightened again.
“You really like calling me ‘Eve,’ huh?”
I smirked.
“You’re going to keep calling me that?”
“Of course. You just said we’re the closest to each other.”
When had he grabbed my hand again?
Caesar casually led me toward the couch, pulling me along.
I followed without resistance, when suddenly—
I remembered something.
“Wait.”
Caesar paused.
I narrowed my eyes.
“You said you had something important to tell me. That’s why you sent Duke Bryden away.”
I tilted my head.
“But… it wasn’t about your awakening, was it?”
The back of his shoulders tensed slightly.
Comments (0)