Chapter 24
Finn gawked at me in shock, his mouth hanging open, but Siegmund’s gaze was fixed only on Arnulf, who was doing proper push-ups with his upper body exposed.
His skin, so pale it seemed to have never seen sunlight, was unfamiliar.
So were his slender neck, his trim waist, and the delicate arms trembling with each rise and fall.
And yet—those movements, smooth and precise without waste, stirred a strange sense of familiarity.
Perhaps he had been unconsciously wishing for this all along.
Each time he caught a flicker of Arnulf in Josef’s expression and eyes, that suspicion had grown stronger.
Siegmund recalled the conversation he had with the physician from the Royal Hospital the day before.
“You mean Josef’s condition when he first woke up?”
The doctor blinked, looking puzzled, as if unsure why Siegmund was asking again when they had already discussed it.
But seeing the sharp violet eyes staring straight through him, he forced himself to recall the details.
After a moment of effort, the doctor finally remembered something noteworthy.
“Ah—right! Now that you mention it, he said something odd then.
‘This isn’t a dream? Is this really Josef’s body?’ That’s what he said….”
Josef’s body.
He had asked several times if it wasn’t a dream—if he really was Josef.
Back then, Siegmund hadn’t thought much of it, but now, in light of the current situation, those words took on an entirely different meaning.
“You’ve… changed lately.”
Finn, startled, even lifted his shoulders in surprise before realizing Siegmund was looking at Arnulf.
“Oh—yes! Totally! He’s really changed! Like a whole new person!”
Finn’s eyes gleamed as he spoke, not even sure why—but since Siegmund seemed to be viewing Josef in a new light, he wanted him to see him favorably.
It had always pained Finn to see Josef trailing after Siegmund one-sidedly.
Others might have called Josef a hopeless troublemaker, but to Finn, he was still the precious youngest lord.
So he wished dearly that this long wait might finally bear good fruit.
Honestly, Finn even thought—perhaps foolishly—that anyone would take a liking to Josef now.
“A new person, huh.”
“Yes! He trains hard every day now, doesn’t drink at all, rarely goes out, and even spends his evenings reading!”
As Finn chattered, Siegmund’s gaze never wavered from Arnulf.
Yes. He was different now.
The Josef of before and the one before him now—worlds apart.
A faint crack of a smile touched Siegmund’s lips.
Finn tilted his head, not knowing why he was smiling like that.
“Huh?”
Arnulf winced from the pain shooting up his wrist and straightened his upper body—only to flinch when he saw who was standing there.
He really meant it when he said he’d come every day?
Even though Siegmund wasn’t the joking type, Arnulf hadn’t believed he would actually do it.
After all, they’d never been close enough for Siegmund to spar with Josef daily.
Though… something had felt subtly different since yesterday.
Siegmund met his eyes and started walking over.
As he passed Finn, he casually took the towel draped over his arm—so naturally that neither Finn nor Arnulf noticed.
“Here.”
Arnulf looked down, puzzled, and froze when he saw the towel in Siegmund’s hand.
“Take it.”
Arnulf blinked at him in confusion until Siegmund lightly gestured up and down with his hand.
He took the towel reflexively, still not understanding what was going on.
Why had Siegmund, who said he’d come in the afternoon, arrived early—and why was he being so… kind?
“Does your wrist still hurt?”
“No, it’s fine. Just a little strain.”
Arnulf looked down at his wrist. It had hurt a little when he pushed himself earlier, but now it was fine.
He started to rotate it to show he was fine—but Siegmund suddenly reached out and caught his hand.
“Don’t move it carelessly. You might worsen the injury.”
Of course, it was Siegmund holding his wrist. His calm yet gentle voice carried a note of concern.
Then, he laid the warm towel over Arnulf’s wrist.
Arnulf, staring at the sight, was suddenly reminded of a dream—
A hazy bedroom, fluttering curtains, a bed with someone lying on it…
A pull, a fall—and lips brushing together.
“Ah!”
Arnulf gasped and instinctively stepped back, covering his mouth with his palm.
Siegmund’s eyebrows rose.
“What’s wrong?”
Arnulf only shook his head, unable to meet his eyes.
Siegmund, quick as ever, could tell something was off. His gaze searched Arnulf’s face.
The sweat on his forehead and damp hair could be from training—but his flushed cheeks and red-tipped ears? That was something else entirely.
Siegmund’s eyes narrowed.
“You—”
“Finn!”
Arnulf cut him off, calling out hastily to his servant.
“Yes, sir?”
Finn, who still hadn’t grasped what was happening, jumped at the sudden urgency in Arnulf’s voice.
“Get lunch ready. I’m starving after the workout.”
Arnulf smiled awkwardly.
“Where should I prepare it?”
“The terrace, I think,” Siegmund answered before Arnulf could.
Arnulf looked at him in surprise, and Siegmund’s lips curved with a mild smile.
“The weather’s nice—why not enjoy it?”
That gentle tone—Arnulf couldn’t get used to it.
Really, why was Siegmund suddenly acting like this?
Just like he used to before Arnulf took over Josef’s body.
Huh?
The thought startled even Arnulf himself.
He quickly shook his head.
Impossible. Even he still had trouble adjusting to this body—there was no way Siegmund could suspect anything.
A soul inhabiting another’s body? If Arnulf hadn’t lived it himself, he’d never have believed it.
And yet… that look in Siegmund’s eyes—it made him uneasy.
“Shall we go?”
Siegmund’s voice, as warm as the midday sun, snapped Arnulf back to reality.
“Yes, let’s.”
He answered quickly and stepped ahead—never noticing Siegmund behind him, still holding the towel that hadn’t yet cooled, watching him silently.
Lunch was served again on the terrace overlooking the clearing.
The meal was simple—Arnulf was never one for heavy lunches, and he kept it light so he wouldn’t feel sluggish during the day.
“The same dishes as yesterday,” Siegmund noted.
Arnulf, tearing a piece of bread absentmindedly, froze at the tone.
He glanced up to see Siegmund frowning slightly.
“No matter how simply you prefer to eat, this is rather lacking in care. Makes me wonder if the chef’s doing his job.”
Was it, though? Arnulf looked down at the table—
Bread, chicken salad, and kumpir (a baked potato stuffed with cheese and other ingredients).
True, kumpir had been served yesterday too—but today the fillings were different. That seemed thoughtful enough.
“Does it not suit your taste?”
“No, the food’s fine. It’s just… the same menu.”
Siegmund sighed softly.
“Well, you never did care about such things.”
There he goes again.
Arnulf set down his bread and stared at him. He spoke as if they’d known each other for ages—but was that for Josef’s sake, or something else entirely?
“Well… if there’s something you’d prefer, just say so. I’ll have it prepared.”
“No need. I just want to make sure you’re properly taken care of.”
There it was again.
Since when had Siegmund ever been so attentive to Josef?
Not that it was a bad change—just one he couldn’t quite get used to.
“Haha…”
Not knowing how to respond, Arnulf let out an awkward laugh and focused on poking the kumpir with his fork.
Fortunately, Siegmund didn’t mention the meal again—instead, he shifted the conversation.
“When you open your fencing hall, will you be preparing anything aside from the training itself?”
That question, too, made Arnulf hesitate. The topic could easily veer into uncomfortable territory—like whether he really intended to return to the duchy, or if that was even necessary.
“No, nothing concrete yet.”
Whatever his true thoughts, Arnulf answered honestly.
It was just an idea—he’d never seriously planned it. Returning to the duchy had always been the priority.
But lately, thanks to Siegmund’s unexpected involvement, he barely had time to even think of that.
“Then… would you let me help?”
“You, Sir Siegmund? Help with what?”
Wasn’t coming every day to train him already help enough?
Arnulf gave him a look of mild disbelief—but Siegmund only smiled gently, the corners of his lips curving faintly.
