Chapter 120
‘…Ah, this is driving me crazy.’
Unable to find a place to rest my eyes, I pretended to examine the tools by walking toward the countertop.
Only then could I regain my composure. Sensing Luwen hurrying after me, I quickly spoke up.
“I can handle most things. Tell me everything. I’ll do it all for you.”
“Since you’ve only recently recovered, I’d like to prepare your meals. However, your cooking is unique and delicious, so I wanted to ask for just one meal.”
Glancing over, I saw Luwen scratching his cheek shyly. I never expected him to have such a thoughtful idea.
But at the same time, I felt a subtle worry. I had never taught Luwen how to cook. I had hidden my recipes, hoping that after he became independent, he would occasionally visit when he craved my cooking. Naturally, having no reason to go to the kitchen except with me, Luwen had grown into an adult who didn’t know how to cook.
Yet he claimed he would take responsibility for my meals?
‘He knows how picky I am about food.’
Considering Luwen’s sincerity, I was confident I could pretend it was delicious even if it didn’t suit my taste. However, my weakened body would likely get sick. Since that would only cause more worry, it seemed better to quietly do everything myself.
‘Since I do want to try Luwen’s cooking made for me, maybe I’ll ask for just one meal.’
…To be honest, I felt a bit excited. No matter how hard I tried to hide it, I couldn’t control my body’s reaction, and my heart was beating rapidly.
* * *
The morning of the welcome party arrived. I woke up earlier than usual and hurried. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, I could see Luwen already finished with preparations, sitting in a chair in the living room.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Good morning.”
I felt Luwen’s gaze on me intensely. Every step down the stairs was nerve-wracking. I placed my fingers on the railing consciously as I stepped down.
‘I was used to Luwen always watching me, but…’
Yesterday and today were different. Despite my resolution to give up, I seemed to want to look good for Luwen. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be trying so hard to appear impressive while walking.
Before I knew it, Luwen had come to the bottom of the stairs and raised his arm. Like an escorting knight, he naturally extended his hand.
Drawn by the elegant gesture, I almost took his hand without thinking. No, honestly, I wanted to take it. I wanted to grasp it casually like before, joking together, walking while laughing together.
‘That’s impossible right now. My heart would surely burst if I took that hand.’
Perhaps at another moment it would be fine. But right after being so conscious of him, it was difficult.
In the end, I playfully hit Luwen’s palm with my fist and continued down the stairs.
“What’s this? Why are you suddenly extending your hand?”
“You look especially handsome today, young master.”
Luwen, with slightly flushed cheeks, lightly closed his extended hand and smiled.
“Young master?”
My mind snapped back to attention at Luwen’s voice calling me while tilting his head. I must have been lost in thought for a moment. I needed to focus properly. The problem was his blushing cheeks, looking shy, and that smile that seemed to brighten everything around him—it was too captivating.
“Huh? Oh. Let’s go.”
Is this really okay? Can I really live without showing my feelings?
While walking and questioning myself with self-deprecation, my body was suddenly pulled backward. Surprised by the warm temperature felt at my wrist, I opened my eyes wide.
“You need to watch out for the pillar.”
“Huh?”
Looking ahead while stupidly asking, I saw a pillar right in front of me. If I had continued walking, I would have embarrassingly collided with it.
‘I’m not focusing… What am I doing?’
Suddenly, irritation welled up inside me. After paying so much attention to my appearance and resolving not to show my feelings, making such a mistake.
“This isn’t like you, young master.”
There was laughter in Luwen’s voice. He then checked my forehead.
“You didn’t seem to have a fever, let me see.”
From his sparkling eyes and seemingly joyful attitude, I could tell. Luwen was finding me cute right now. As soon as I realized that fact, amusingly, my irritation instantly subsided. Instead, my heart started pounding.
‘I’m just grateful he finds my stupid behavior cute.’
No matter how much I like him, the other person is Luwen. Falling for someone I’ve practically raised since childhood is already blameworthy, but to feel excited because he finds me cute? I felt a bit crazy.
‘Ah, but what can I do if it feels good?’
Perhaps I was a pervert all along. Looking at the result, I certainly seem to be.
“Fortunately, there’s no fever.”
Satisfied, Luwen lowered his hand with a refreshing smile.
“…I strangely feel like I’m being treated like a child.”
“Ahaha. Not at all.”
I glanced at Luwen, playfully frowning, then unconsciously broke into a wide smile.
‘Just seeing him beside me makes me so happy.’
This is serious. I can’t even pretend to be angry anymore when I keep smiling every time I see Luwen. It was always like this, but now it’s worse.
Worried he might notice the meaning in my gaze, I quickly changed the subject.
“Nadian is surprisingly diligent, so let’s hurry.”
“Yes.”
Today I got up earlier than usual to participate in the morning event with my former roommates. It was a ploy to hide behind Nadian’s huge body in case I caught the 1st Prince’s eye while he was on the podium.
In reality, Alteo had already told me which spots were less visible from the podium, so all I had to do was stay quietly in that location. However, I couldn’t tell Luwen the truth. He would wonder why Alteo would provide such information.
My conversation with him contained only things I couldn’t reveal to Luwen. So I just said I wouldn’t stand out if I stayed among the students, but Luwen convinced me that wasn’t enough.
At that time, Luwen had held both my hands firmly with a serious face.
‘I don’t want to show you to him. You must hide completely, even a strand of hair. If you catch his eye, he’ll surely call for you, so absolutely not.’
How hot my trapped hands felt.
‘I felt like I would catch his heat.’
Wanting to quickly withdraw my hands, I agreed, and Luwen calmly released them. Once released, I felt a sense of loss, but…
Creeeeak- A door-opening sound broke my thoughts. Luwen, who was a step ahead, stood waiting for me in the sunlight. With my habitual smile, I tried to forget my distracting thoughts and matched my steps with his.
Thanks to our early start, we had extra time, so Luwen accompanied me to the medical department dormitory.
Knock knock.
Standing in front of my former dorm room, I checked for signs of activity and, seeing that everyone seemed to be awake, knocked on the door. They must have been eagerly waiting for the welcome party, as they were so excited that their enthusiastic welcome was almost overwhelming.
“Nadian, I have something to say.”
Meanwhile, Luwen took Nadian out to the corridor. As the door closed, tension drained from me, and my shoulders slumped. Only then did I realize I had been tense.
‘I’m rather tired.’
Hiding my feelings wasn’t as easy as I had thought. But humans are adaptable creatures, so perhaps time will resolve this.
In truth, if I were separated from Luwen, this issue would be easily resolved, but I didn’t even want to imagine that option. I wanted to stay with Luwen until it became absolutely unbearable. After all, it’s a finite period. I didn’t want to regret it later.
“I wonder what Luwen is talking to Nadian about?”
Small Norman asked curiously. I shook my head with a relaxed smile.
“I don’t know. He didn’t give me any hints.”
Country Norman wouldn’t know about the 1st Prince’s tendencies, nor did he need to, so Luwen had suggested we pretend not to know. That’s why Luwen had called Nadian to ask him to shield me, but I pretended not to know.
“Wow… Norman… today…”
Small Norman, apparently not that curious about it, quickly lost interest and muttered with his mouth wide open.
“Yes?”
“No, it’s just that today you… you’re really beautiful. No, no. That’s not it, I knew you were beautiful already, but more than usual…? Ah, how should I explain this? My vocabulary is truly pathetic.”
Norman blamed himself while hitting his head. Thinking it wasn’t something to blame himself for, I smiled slightly, and he stared at me blankly again.
‘Isn’t everything the same as usual?’
I tilted my head and looked at Cadin. But he too seemed to agree with small Norman, blushing intensely and nodding vigorously, clearly embarrassed.
‘What’s going on?’
I had deliberately acted exactly the same as usual, fearing that focusing too much on my appearance would be noticeable… Do they say that people become more beautiful when they fall in love applies to men too? Does it also apply to unrequited love? I couldn’t figure out any other explanation.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
