Chapter 12
In the original story, my father appeared briefly as someone who helped Adel. But even though he seemed fine, just hearing the word “handsome” would make foam come to his mouth.
Hmm… now that he’s my father, he’s a little scary.
After a reasonably pleasant dinner, the Duke set down his wine glass with satisfaction.
“Adel, make sure you escort Anastasia home safely.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Goodbye.”
I greeted the Duke and left the mansion. Adel rode with me in the carriage.
As the carriage sped along the empty streets, a comfortable silence lingered. I crossed my legs and rested my chin on my hand. Staring lazily out the window, Adel suddenly spoke.
“Anastasia.”
“Hm?”
I looked up. Even in the shadowed space, Adel’s red, flower-like eyes had the power to make my heart race.
His golden hair, which seemed to glow if you brushed it with your fingers, fell slightly over his forehead, giving him an oddly alluring and sensual aura.
It was strange. No one was as restrained as Adel. Had my eyes gone weird? Was I being immoral?
“I’m glad I could see you today, Anastasia. Honestly, I’ve missed you a lot.”
His pleasant voice tickled my ears, and I found myself smiling without realizing it.
Right? You enjoy playing with me too, don’t you? Even if I glance at you with a selfish look sometimes, forgive me with your generous heart.
“Anastasia, you’re the only person who hasn’t expected anything from my kindness.”
His words were like a gentle ripple across water. I stared at Adel, almost mesmerized.
“I was taught to give, to sacrifice, and to always act kindly. My father said that if I accumulated enough good deeds, people would look upon me favorably. But you… you disliked my actions and words, didn’t you? I didn’t know what I had done wrong, so I was confused. I hadn’t learned how to handle situations like this, so I think I ignored your wishes out of flustered bewilderment.”
Adel spoke carefully. I straightened my posture.
The Duke had been a strict father.
He suppressed all of Adel’s desires in advance, fearing that he might grow into a terrible person. He taught him to yield, to consider others, and to sacrifice.
But could that really be called a merciful choice?
Surely Adel had things he wanted, things he desired.
Even unrecognized wishes accumulated quietly within him, only to shatter.
I wasn’t Adel’s parent, and I had no intention of presumptuously passing judgment.
But if I didn’t support Adel, who else would comfort him?
“I understand that the Duke raised you that way. But Adel, what do you think? Do you enjoy living a life where you help others and put yourself second?”
Adel answered straightforwardly.
“I might have thought so in the past… or maybe I just fooled myself into thinking so.”
“And now?”
“It’s not particularly enjoyable.”
I nodded.
“You don’t have to do things you don’t want to do. What’s the point of forcing yourself to be good? You’ve already accumulated so much virtue that even halving your good deeds wouldn’t make a difference.”
Adel stared at me intently. His blood-red eyes glimmered.
“Is that… really okay? Not doing them?”
“Of course, the Duke probably had good intentions. But I’m on your side! I don’t want you to be trapped by this role of being a perfectly good person. Sometimes I feel sorry for you. I worry. I just… can’t help but care.”
Adel seemed to think for a moment before smiling.
“Thank you for thinking of me, Anastasia.”
I smiled back.
“Take a break from being ‘good,’ and let’s just have fun together. You’ll come to my house tomorrow, right?”
“Yes.”
Adel spoke softly.
The next day, after lunch, Adel arrived while I changed dresses. He greeted me with a radiant face.
Ugh… my heart!
“Hello. Did you sleep well yesterday?”
“Yes. You came early.”
Adel had brought a small, mysterious object.
“My father said to give you this medicinal tonic. He also made me ensure that you actually drink it.”
“What kind of tonic is it?”
Curious, I asked. Adel unwrapped the cloth concealing the object with a meaningful expression. Inside appeared a golden cup.
“Here.”
He carefully opened the lid.
The golden cup was filled with a black liquid.
At first glance, it looked like a normal tonic, but something was moving. Looking closer, I saw soft, square chunks floating inside.
“T-there are… chunks?”
I stammered in shock. Adel just smiled.
“Don’t leave any behind. Drink it all.”
“Can’t I just take it in spirit?”
“Shall I feed it to you?”
I frowned.
“How am I supposed to drink this? I’ve never seen a tonic with chunks before!”
“You just saw it,” Adel replied innocently. Still acting like a wall of innocence!
I scowled.
“Tell me what ingredients are in this.”
“I think it’s better if you don’t know.”
My words caught in my throat.
“If you say that… then this really is some kind of deadly poison…”
I looked despairingly at the tonic. Dark green chunks swam boldly in the golden cup.
The texture must be terrible. It didn’t even look edible.
Maybe noticing my hesitation, Adel spoke again.
“Shall I give you a spoon?”
Imagining drinking it made me gag.
“Ugh… my stomach already feels upset.”
“I’ve heard it’s extremely effective. You won’t regret it.”
Of course, the Duke probably didn’t prepare this to torture me…
I pleaded in a voice on the verge of tears.
“Do I really have to drink it?”
“You absolutely must,” Adel insisted.
Damn it.
I swallowed hard and grabbed the golden cup. Fine, he said it works well… I’ll sacrifice my taste buds once for the sake of my body.
But wait, aren’t taste buds part of my body too? Even if it helps my body, I’ll lose my sense of taste… it’s basically a wash, isn’t it?
I glanced at Adel with a trembling gaze. No matter how pitifully I looked, the golden-haired, annoyingly perfect young man didn’t even blink.
Damn it. No matter what I do, I can’t persuade this fortress of a man.
Finally, I let out a resigned sigh and gulped down the tonic.
I swallowed the chunks without chewing. The slimy sensation going down my throat made me feel like dying. Thankfully, the portion wasn’t huge.
I tossed the golden cup down.
“Ugh.”
Since I’d vomited blood in front of him before, I figured a little gagging would be forgiven as cuteness, so I stopped trying to control my expression. Adel kindly encouraged me.
“You did well, Anastasia.”
“My stomach feels queasy.”
I muttered in complaint. Adel returned the cup to its box.
“You’ll feel better soon.”
I nibbled on a chocolate ganache he offered and began to feel slightly more lucid. I finally took a closer look at him.
Adel wore a deep navy jacket with a subtle shine. In sunlight, it looked blue; in shadow, black.
He had an oval sapphire brooch on his chest, and all other adornments on the jacket were gold.
His white shirt was buttoned all the way to the neck, neat to perfection.
I looked at my own dark purple dress with navy accents and said casually:
“We really do look like a couple.”
“Hm?”
“My dress and your jacket are similar in color.”
“Indeed.”
Adel replied lightly. I pouted slightly.
“Why that indifferent reaction? You don’t care if we look like a couple or not?”
“I hear that a lot these days.”
“…Huh?”
I paused. Adel added with a faint smile:
“Everyone keeps asking if you and I are dating.”
Since my social circle was limited, I sometimes forgot just how famous Adel was. His every move was a matter of intense interest to other nobles.
I felt a little nervous.
“So what did you answer?”
Adel smirked playfully.
“Curious?”
“Of course!”
“Then it’ll remain a secret.”
I’d been outplayed!
“You naughty…”
I never thought Adel would play a trick on me. Ignoring my glare, he stood and extended his hand.
“I heard it’s going to rain heavily tonight. If you want to go outside, now would be the best time.”
There was no reason not to take his hand now.
I placed my hand over his.
“Let’s go get parfaits.”
“Yes.”
“I want to try every flavor.”
“I’m glad you seem energetic again.”
At Adel’s words, I squinted. Somehow, I really was hungry enough to finish all the parfaits.
Ilina had worried about my forehead being cold, but now it was warm and flushed.
Maybe I could even go for a light run if I wanted.
“That tonic… I think it’s working…”
Before I could finish muttering, Adel said:
“It had something truly extraordinary in it.”
What on earth…?
No, I shouldn’t ask. Some things are better left unknown.
I swallowed my tears with effort.
We walked leisurely out of the Count’s private estate. As time passed, I felt more alert and stronger. It was unusual. Was it the black liquid? Or the chunks? Hmmm…
I tried not to think about it, but curiosity kept creeping in.
I fidgeted with the hand I was holding, trying to distract myself. Ah, it feels so nice. White, smooth, soft…
Just as I was starting to forget the tonic, Adel lowered his head and murmured in a low voice:
“Anastasia, someone’s been following us since a while ago.”
I followed his gaze. A boy who looked a couple of years younger than me was peeking at us from behind a wall. It was the same boy who had thrown a stone at me before.
“Them again.”
Is that kid hopeless or what? Being lenient because he’s young only works so many times. I probably need to have the escort knight chase him away.
I sighed quietly.
“He’s probably tailing me. We met yesterday too.”
Adel didn’t stop walking as he asked:
“Why are you so sure? I know who that child is. I’ve helped him a few times, and we met at the lantern festival. So even if he’s following me, it shouldn’t concern Anastasia, right?”
“They probably think I coaxed you, and that you’re refusing to help them because of me.”
I explained briefly. Adel’s face stiffened.
