Chapter 43
After Kartian finished washing up, he and Lia had breakfast together in the room.
A strange, subtle tension hung between them, and Baron noticed it with a puzzled expression.
Kartian usually couldn’t help but get flustered around Lia, but now he was even more jumpy, unable to look at her properly.
From the way he acted, it was almost like a newlywed husband on his first morning after the wedding night.
“Must be because of last night,” Baron thought.
“Don’t keep checking on me with your eyes—just eat,” Lia said coldly, bothered by Kartian’s constant glances.
“Okay,” he mumbled, but despite his answer, he fumbled with his utensils.
He couldn’t open his eyes properly, and when he tried to bring food to his mouth, it often missed entirely.
“Are you protesting or something?” Lia said sharply.
“…Sorry.”
Kartian bit his lip hard as he said it, feeling a deep sense of self-reproach. His face fell in shame.
“Stop making me think about it and just eat quietly,” Lia said firmly.
Feeling like a child being scolded by his mother, Kartian focused and finally managed to pick up the food and chew properly.
“And…”
Lia spoke casually while continuing her meal. Kartian quickly looked at her, then hurriedly lowered his gaze.
“I’m not going to disappear without saying anything, so don’t worry,” she said.
She literally meant she wouldn’t leave silently.
If interpreted further, it also meant she could leave after speaking—but Kartian didn’t catch that nuance. Instead, he smiled brightly and nodded, sensing the thoughtfulness directed at him in her words.
It meant she understood why he had panicked about her disappearing and why he had opened the bathroom door.
“Don’t smile. You’re so annoying, I feel like hitting you,” she added.
Kartian forced his grin down, trying to keep a neutral expression. The fake calm looked awkward, but he managed it.
