Chapter 38
Pin, who had just been setting food on the table, suddenly lifted his head in shock. His wide eyes met Arnulf’s gaze just as the latter happened to look up.
‘Lord Josef! Did I really hear that right just now?’
Somehow, Pin’s expression seemed to be asking exactly that.
Arnulf blinked rapidly several times — a habit that appeared whenever he was flustered or in an awkward situation.
Unfortunately, since he hadn’t spoken aloud, Pin couldn’t possibly understand what that meant.
Meanwhile, Siegmund, who had been watching Arnulf closely, noticed the faint tremor in those green eyes.
“Was that… not true?”
When Siegmund pressed again, clearly expecting an answer, Arnulf’s eyelids fluttered once more.
Indeed, this was awkward. Especially since Pin, with his round eyes full of curiosity, was also staring at him, silently demanding an explanation.
“Well, I mean…”
He couldn’t exactly deny that they were involved — but saying it out loud himself somehow felt impossible.
As Arnulf scratched his cheek in embarrassment, Siegmund chuckled softly.
“Then please accept it. For my sake, at least.”
Arnulf frowned, thinking it over, then finally nodded slightly.
Well, Siegmund had already brought several outfits — it wasn’t as though he could refuse now.
Then suddenly, a thought struck him. The clothes Siegmund had brought from the tailor fit perfectly, as though they’d been made for him.
“How did you know my measurements?”
Arnulf regretted the question as soon as it left his mouth — especially when he saw the amused, knowing look Siegmund gave him, as if to say, Do you really want to know?
“Never mind—”
“The night I touched and saw every inch of you, remember?”
Arnulf hadn’t even finished speaking when Siegmund casually dropped that answer.
Instantly, Arnulf’s face flushed scarlet. His once-calm gaze wavered violently.
Even if Pin hadn’t understood Siegmund’s words, Arnulf’s reaction alone was enough for him to guess that something very unusual had happened between the two.
Oh my goodness…!
Pin’s jaw fell open, and then his face grew complicated.
It wasn’t easy to tell whether he should be happy or not.
After all, while it was good that Siegmund and his master had become closer, he couldn’t forget that Siegmund had mentioned returning to the Duchy soon.
“Please wear it comfortably. I chose it with great care — for you.”
With that one extra line, Arnulf couldn’t bear it anymore and covered his face with his palm.
Unfortunately, his reddened ears still peeked out clearly — and Siegmund, of course, noticed them all too well.
After a late lunch, as always, the two went out to the open training grounds to spar. Arnulf held his practice colichemarde sword, just as he always did.
Siegmund’s gaze lingered on the weapon for a moment before returning forward.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the sword you commissioned from Schmidt since then.”
He brought it up just as Arnulf finished his warm-up and drew his practice blade.
“Ah…”
The sudden question made Arnulf hesitate, unable to answer right away.
Truthfully, he’d been avoiding bringing that sword — specifically so Siegmund wouldn’t see it.
“I… don’t think my skills are quite enough to use it yet. I’m saving it for later.”
“I see.”
Arnulf fiddled with the sword in his hand, sneaking glances at Siegmund to check if he looked suspicious.
Fortunately, he didn’t.
Well, of course, Arnulf thought.
There was no way Siegmund could possibly realize that Josef’s body was currently being inhabited by Arnulf’s soul.
His eyes drifted down to the smooth ricasso of the blade.
He remembered carving a phoenix emblem there — and it had been bothering him ever since.
Even if Siegmund didn’t think of him as Arnulf, he didn’t want to raise any other suspicions either.
After their sparring session, Siegmund didn’t return home. He stayed behind, claiming he wanted to see how the clothes he’d sent Arnulf looked on him.
Naturally, that meant evening came — and they ended up sharing dinner together.
Unlike lunch, they ate in the dining room this time.
“Would you care for a drink?”
Arnulf, just about to cut into a large lobster, looked up at Siegmund with only his eyes.
That faint smile on Siegmund’s lips seemed innocent enough.
It was Arnulf’s mind, not Siegmund’s, that was suddenly filled with… that night’s memory.
Why the hell would I think of that right now?
The moment Siegmund mentioned alcohol, that particular incident resurfaced vividly in his mind.
Arnulf grimaced before forcing himself to relax.
“Sure, why not.”
After all, that had been a special case — normally, he could handle his drink just fine.
“Pin, bring us something to drink.”
Not knowing what they had, Arnulf simply told him to fetch something appropriate. Fortunately, Pin didn’t ask questions and hurried out.
Before long, he returned with a slender bottle of liquor.
“Huh?”
Arnulf paused mid-motion as soon as he opened it. The smell that hit him was far stronger than he’d expected.
“Pin. What kind of drink is this?”
“It’s the one you always asked for— oh!”
Pin cut himself off mid-sentence, realizing belatedly that Arnulf had lost his memories.
Arnulf sighed. Of course, he’d assumed Pin would bring wine — not something this strong.
If I’ve been drinking stuff like this all the time, no wonder my stamina’s in shambles.
He shook his head in dismay.
“It’s a fine liquor,” Siegmund remarked.
Arnulf blinked. When did he move that close?
Before he knew it, Siegmund was standing right in front of him, smiling faintly.
“Allow me to pour you a glass.”
He tilted the bottle, and a deep golden liquid flowed into the glass with a clear, ringing sound. The strong aroma instantly filled the air.
Siegmund filled Arnulf’s glass, then his own, before raising it slightly toward him.
“Cheers.”
Arnulf sighed softly and lifted his own glass.
“It is good,” he admitted after taking a sip.
“Is it?” Siegmund’s tone was amused.
The liquor burned all the way down, yet Siegmund’s expression didn’t change at all.
Come to think of it… I’ve never actually seen him drunk, Arnulf realized.
They’d spent years on borders and battlefields — places where you learned to drink only enough to stay sharp. Maybe Siegmund had simply never let himself get drunk.
Arnulf shook his head rapidly.
“Something wrong?” Siegmund asked.
“No. Nothing.”
Arnulf dismissed it quickly and stared down at his glass.
He didn’t need to drink like that anymore.
Actually, he probably shouldn’t drink at all — not after what had happened last time.
He told himself firmly that he’d stop after this one glass.
So why… why was everything spinning already?
“You all right?”
Arnulf blinked blearily. His vision blurred, as if fog had settled before his eyes. Someone was speaking, but it was hard to make out the words.
“Oh dear, already drunk? Seems your tolerance has gotten worse than I thought.”
A gentle voice — and then an arm slipped around his shoulders. He could’ve pulled away, but the warmth felt so familiar that he simply blinked again, dazed.
“Where’s his room?”
“I-I’ll show you!” Pin stammered.
Even though their voices reached his ears, Arnulf couldn’t process the words clearly.
“Wha—?”
Suddenly, his feet left the floor. Arnulf reflexively grabbed the arm supporting him, startled.
A soft chuckle sounded above his head.
“Hold still, or you might get hurt.”
His body swayed gently as they moved. The motion made his stomach turn a bit, and he shut his eyes tightly to fight the dizziness.
“Here we are.”
After a brief stop, they moved again — then his back met something soft.
He’d been laid on a bed.
Through half-lidded eyes, he saw a shadow leaning over him.
“When you look at me like that, it’s hard to resist… But I suppose I must. Rest well, Arnulf.”
The tender voice echoed once more.
Then — a warm, soft touch brushed him briefly before pulling away.
Time passed, and at last, the day of the ball arrived.
Arnulf left the dressing room with a face full of troubled thoughts.
“Lord Josef, you look amazing!”
Pin clapped his hands in delight.
From head to toe, Arnulf was dressed in the outfit and accessories Siegmund had sent — and he looked more stunning than ever.
“Thanks,” Arnulf replied flatly as he walked.
The clothes were a bit flashy, but undeniably well-made and surprisingly comfortable — Siegmund’s attention to detail showed.
‘The night I touched and saw every inch of you…’
Why did that line suddenly pop into his head again?
Arnulf shook it off quickly and stepped outside.
A carriage was waiting by the front gate — sent right on time by Siegmund.
He had tried to refuse at first, of course.
But, as always, Siegmund’s persistence had worn him down. Arnulf had never once won against him in matters like this.
At least the carriage didn’t bear the Waldeck family crest — if it had, they would have drawn far too much attention upon arrival.
“Have a good time!” Pin called brightly as Arnulf climbed into the carriage.
Arnulf, already seated, gave a brief nod in reply.
Then the door closed, and the carriage rolled forward — toward the grand Waldeck estate, where the ball awaited.
