Understanding the Subject Matter of a Delusional Person 102

#102

“…Ah.”

The illusion of ears and tail that had been visible on Sercil instantly disappeared.

“I see! Then it can’t be helped.”

At first glance, it looked like his usual bright and cheerful smile, but something was different from usual.

It seemed slightly… cool.

‘I must be mistaken.’

It couldn’t be that way toward the Archduke of all people.

‘But definitely something…’

Then Sercil spoke.

“Your Highness. When shall we meet again next?”

“Ah. I’ll come again the day after tomorrow.”

“Yes!”

Like a fox.

I was startled by my unconscious thought.

He clearly had an appearance that could be called the very embodiment of a flower fairy, yet he seemed more radiant when speaking to me than when looking at the Archduke.

Without realizing it, I thought of a fox said to bewitch people.

And because I was focused on this new side of Sercil, I realized a beat too late that the Archduke was looking at me.

“It seems you need time to recover. Would one day be sufficient?”

“…?”

“Your Highness.”

After flinching at his voice, I turned my head at the way he addressed me.

The Archduke was gazing at me with a gentle smile. I reflexively raised the corners of my mouth and answered under his observing gaze.

“I’m fine.”

Actually, I had intended to do it tomorrow, but my condition was worse than expected, so I postponed it by one day.

Sercil interjected with a lively voice.

“But I understand His Grace’s words too. I’m worried.”

“…”

The corners of the Archduke’s mouth rose slightly higher.

Sercil subtly continued.

“So please rest here a bit after we finish the day after tomorrow. That would be better than traveling.”

“Hmm.”

I naturally looked away from the Archduke and said to Sercil.

“It’s fine.”

“Ah, please don’t say that. I’ll prepare lots of cushions too.”

“Cushions?”

“Yes!”

I barely suppressed the urge to burst into laughter. Sercil’s face had a triumphant look as if he was going to prepare something truly magnificent.

Though the atmosphere had changed somewhat, Sercil was still adorable as always.

“Ha, really now. You think I’d be tempted by such things?”

I managed to suppress outright laughter, but I couldn’t help the mirth seeping through.

Perhaps sensing this, Sercil narrowed his eyes further and gently tugged at the blanket I was wrapped in with his fingertips.

So cunningly.

“Won’t it work? We have a lot to talk about anyway. Since it would be tiring to do it all at once, wouldn’t it be better to talk leisurely?”

“You want me to do that every time?”

“Hehe.”

His bashful smile is cute.

I made a “hmm” sound while looking down arrogantly.

Then I glanced at the Archduke and paused.

His smile remained the same, but like earlier, the Archduke’s eyes appeared to be a pale violet color.

“…Mm.”

“Your Highness?”

After quietly looking into those eyes, I decided.

“I’ll do that once.”

Actually, as Sercil said, I had been thinking it would be better to recover my condition here each time while observing the changes in Sercil’s body.

Unlike before regression, the fairy’s seal was being released in stages, so I needed to somewhat conceal the fairy-like aspects.

‘Seeing how the feeling changes after just once today, it seems I can manage to conceal the fairy’s power on my own.’

If so, when the curse removal was complete, there was a possibility that Sercil would be considerably different, both externally and internally, even if he didn’t arouse suspicion of being a fairy.

‘So I was thinking of continuing to watch over him… but actually, I’m not necessary for that process.’

I thought about staying by his side just in case, but the Archduke didn’t seem to like that idea.

I unconsciously tensed up once while being held in the Archduke’s arms, then relaxed. Though I had no intention of provoking him, I could feel through the cloth that the Archduke paused, perhaps reading my change of heart.

“…Once?”

“Mm-hmm. *Cough*, after that, it seems it would be better if I just wasn’t there…”

A strange smile formed on the Archduke’s lips. The arm holding me seemed to tighten slightly with a bit more strength.

His eyes still appeared violet though…

‘Ah, is he not joining in because of his eye color since a while ago?’

That seemed to be why he wasn’t looking at Sercil either.

Why do his eyes change color? I had speculated it might be due to emotions, but that wasn’t certain either.

Anyway, if he didn’t want to show Sercil his changed eye color, it would be better to leave quickly.

‘My condition is… like that too.’

While answering Sercil, I barely managed to swallow the bloody phlegm that rose again.

Perhaps my eyelids trembled unconsciously and gave me away, because the Archduke spoke before Sercil could respond.

Still without making eye contact with Sercil.

“It seems you should go rest right away. Let’s be going now, Sercil.”

“…Yes. Please go safely, Your Highness! Next time, you must rest here!”

“Mm-hmm, Fairy-nim.”

Actually, I was going to continue and say let’s meet again tomorrow. Since there would be many occasions to encounter Sercil besides curse removal. But before I could say more, the Archduke started walking.

I had no choice but to slowly wave my hand back and forth instead.

A small, innocent laugh could be heard from Sercil’s direction.

‘It seems like it’ll be okay.’

I get the feeling that this time, Sercil will definitely be okay.

When I chuckled, the Archduke looked at me intently, then spoke when we had gotten somewhat far from Sercil’s room.

“You haven’t forgotten about coming to the Rodias estate, have you?”

It was an affectionate voice.

Though for some reason it was a quieter tone than usual, so it sounded strange.

“Mm-hmm. That, *cough*.”

“I’m relieved.”

I couldn’t finish speaking as bloody phlegm rose again, so I covered my mouth pretending to suppress a cough.

He nodded without being disturbed, then we quickly reached the front of his office.

I realized that he had been moving as slowly as possible from when he went to Sercil’s room until now.

When I just blinked and glanced at him, he showed a smile with blue eyes that looked mysteriously deep as the violet had almost disappeared.

What is this really?

I had never seen him have violet eyes before, so I felt a subtle anxiety creeping up.

Though I couldn’t find any reason other than a curse.

‘Anyway, since I’ll lift that, the color change won’t be a problem for long either.’

After reaching that conclusion, I found myself back on the bed before I knew it.

“Archduke. You know you don’t have to do this at your estate, right?”

Evening time.

When I spoke with a sour expression while looking at the spoon naturally held out in front of me, the Archduke tilted his head slightly.

“I wonder.”

“…What do I do when you say ‘I wonder’?”

When I tilted my head the same way and stared at him piercingly with an annoyed expression, he said:

“It will depend on Your Highness’s condition.”

“You’re doing this because you’re worried I won’t last until then, right? I understand, but… I’ll probably be able to last until then. There won’t be any problems.”

“Hmm. I wonder.”

He says “I wonder” again.

“…I’m serious.”

He smiled mysteriously with his blue-ciel colored eyes. It was a very gentle and ticklish smile.

“My arm hurts, Your Highness.”

Since it was a refusal to continue this topic, I glared at him with a displeased expression.

He paid no heed and held out the spoon again.

When I opened my mouth, it went in and came out smoothly. The movement was so swift in a way that didn’t suit the Archduke that I couldn’t help making a subtle expression.

“You eat well. It’s good to see, Your Highness.”

Honestly speaking, the amount of food he fed me was too much. I would be satisfied with an amount that filled about half the plate.

But I liked seeing the faint happy smile that appeared on him when I finished an entire plate.

What’s so enjoyable about this?

“Archduke…”

I’ll protect you.

Those words almost came out, but I barely stopped and changed what I was saying.

“Yes?”

“Make sure to meet someone who won’t deceive or use you.”

“…Huh?”

After saying it, I screamed internally.

He also looked bewildered.

But at least it was better than ‘I’ll protect you.’

‘Let’s brazen it out.’

I forced myself to rationalize that as a good tool, I could give this much advice, and continued speaking.

“Meet someone who treasures you.”

I had never imagined someone being by his side. Of course, including myself. But because of the words I carelessly uttered, I drew that picture for the first time.

What Sercil had said, his reaction that seemed greatly shocked by the feeling of the curse being lifted, made this possible for me.

The Archduke might also feel more stability than imagined when his curse is lifted. No, he probably will.

Then wouldn’t he envision a distant future?

Then I hope there will be good people by your side for a long time.

“That way your later years will be comfortable.”

“…Later years…?”

…Though it seems too early to say this now.

He seemed to think so too, showing a somewhat flustered look.

Since I had said it, I spoke again.

“Yeah. The Archduke seems like he’ll live long, so you should think about it.”

His eyes widened slightly. Then he made an indecipherable expression.

“Well, I said it as payment for feeding me, so take it to heart. Got it?”