# Chapter 19
Since his possession, Shaki was the only one who had been kind to him. But Asher knew he shouldn’t form deep emotional attachments for the sake of the future. He felt a tightness in his throat due to Shaki’s constant kindness.
“Want to have a drink with me after a long time?”
“No. I’ll just get some fresh air here and then go back inside.”
“Asher.”
“You came straight here after training, right? Go and eat something. They say a person runs on food.”
Though that saying was from the world before his possession, Asher waved his hand as he pushed Shaki away. Smiling brightly as if to say this was enough, Shaki burst into laughter as if he found it ridiculous.
“But don’t stay out too long. The longer your idle thoughts last, the more you lose yourself.”
Asher nodded as he watched Shaki speak with warm words. On this particularly bright night, Asher looked up at the sky, hoping that everything would continue to be peaceful.
*
Parties celebrating the founding day of the Empire were held throughout the town. Colorful flags and cheerful music provided energy from early morning.
As it was the Empire’s biggest event, there was busy movement of servants in the Duke’s residence as well. Asher wore clothes tailored in advance through a dressmaker and headed to the dining room.
“Our youngest. You look especially handsome today.”
Having finished his preparations early, Shaki was already seated. Dressed neatly in white attire, he was reading a book while sipping a cup of tea. Asher sat across from Shaki and smiled awkwardly.
“…Does it look strange?”
“Not at all. If anything, you look more like your old self, which is nice.”
Though he knew it was meant as a compliment, the words didn’t feel welcome. Just as Asher was adjusting his attire, wondering if he had overdone it with the clothes, he saw the Duke coming down from the second floor.
Despite being over sixty years old, the Duke maintained a youthful appearance. However, his body seemed to be struggling, as he appeared to have difficulty with each step down the stairs.
“His Grace the Duke is visiting our residence?”
The Duke, who had briefly brightened at the news, soon frowned as he looked at Asher.
“Yes.”
“To relay such important information only now. There’s nothing you do properly.”
The Duke clicked his tongue at Asher’s answer and took his seat. The butler promptly placed a cup of tea in front of the Duke.
“Since an esteemed guest is coming, we should prepare grandly. By the way, Shaki, I heard Her Highness the Imperial Princess sent you a separate letter?”
“I played chess with Her Highness once and unintentionally won. So she wants to compete with me again and has invited me to the palace.”
“An alpha is still an alpha. She won’t approach you without a purpose. If you notice any signs, report to me immediately.”
“Don’t worry, Father. Despite appearances, I have a sharp mind like yours.”
The Duke’s lips curved into a long arc at the flattering words. It was evident that he favored Shaki over Ember.
“You’re out early?”
Ember, who came down last, nodded slightly and took his seat. Recently, as if going through a belated puberty, he maintained a consistently expressionless face.
“I noticed that the Christo family has a high stake in the goods going to the Happle Kingdom. Explain how that came about.”
The Duke’s expression was filled with distrust the moment he saw Ember. He seemed not to trust Ember.
“If you said you were entrusting it to me, couldn’t you trust me just once? Are you still anxious about me?”
“Ember.”
“As a family in the logistics business, they are a family we cannot overlook, both strategically and absolutely. They will be of great help to our family. As an example, I’m thinking of bringing the distribution rights for the goods coming from the Happle Kingdom to our side.”
“They might accommodate us now because there’s profit to be made, but since the Christo family has no binding ties with us, we don’t know when they might stab us in the back. I’ve repeatedly told you not to trust your counterpart when making deals. Stop wasting time and think about getting involved with the imperial family. How can you be worse than your younger brother?”
The Duke seemed to believe that once he gained the power of the imperial family, everything would fall at his feet. Ember clenched his fists as if suppressing his anger.
Asher remembered that there was no division between the two in the original work. Of course, since the story focused on Braden, such incidents weren’t particularly highlighted.
“I apologize for interrupting the conversation, Father, but I respect my brother’s choice. He will be taking over the family in the future, so wouldn’t it be better to watch from behind sometimes?”
Shaki, who had been listening silently, joined the conversation. Though it was evident he was trying to lighten the mood, Ember’s expression hardened even more. He seemed quite offended.
“Passing the family to your brother? Who said that?”
“Father?”
“I never said such a thing. Nor did I ever say that inheriting the family meant inheriting the merchant guild.”
“…”
“My words about entrusting were to test your abilities. So, make sure you don’t disappoint me and work harder.”
A heavy silence settled over the table at the Duke’s firm words and stern expression. Since they had never had such a conversation before, Asher just observed cautiously with a troubled expression.
“Your Grace. His Grace the Duke has arrived.”
At the timely news of the Duke’s arrival, the Duke rose from his seat. Judging by his expression, he seemed quite pleased with Luke’s visit. The Duke hurriedly went to where Luke was and welcomed him.
“Have you been well?”
“I’m always the same. However, I’m honored that Your Highness has personally visited the Duke’s residence.”
Luke visiting on a day like this was almost equivalent to giving strength to the Anest family. So it was understandable why the Duke spoke that way. It was also a golden opportunity to quell the rumors that Asher was clinging to the Duke, so the Duke spoke to Luke with a cunning look.
“Would you like to come inside?”
“I’ll do that next time. Today, I came because I have business with Asher.”
He smiled kindly, emphasizing the name. The Duke laughed as if he had been waiting and pushed Asher’s back.
“With age, I’ve become insensitive. Then I’ll see you in the evening after your comfortable date.”
“Is that really necessary? The Empire’s festival begins at night. Today’s evening is a day for everyone to enjoy, regardless of whether they are nobles or commoners, so there’s no need to burden the people of the Duke’s household. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone to spend their time as they wish?”
“…Is that so?”
“I’ll have dinner another time.”
At Luke’s words, the corners of the Duke’s mouth trembled. But as an elder, he gathered his expression and responded with dignity.
“Understood. Next time, I will formally invite you.”
*
The sound of rattling wheels accompanied the rapidly passing view outside the window. Flags announcing the festival were abundant on trees everywhere, and the sound of fireworks filled the streets even in broad daylight. Asher felt his heart racing at the festival, his first since his possession.
“If you’re uncomfortable, shall we take a brief rest?”
“…No?”
Asher tilted his head with a puzzled look at Luke’s question. Then he realized that he was sitting on the edge of the seat, pressed against the window.
“I’m fine. I just got carried away with the festival…”
Asher sat up straight and smiled awkwardly. Initially, he had distanced himself because being alone together felt awkward. After all, it was the first time they were alone in a confined space since the boat. But now, he had been so engrossed in the outside world that he had momentarily forgotten about Luke’s presence.
“Why don’t you come over here?”
“What?”
“Or shall I come to you?”
“N-no! I’ll come over.”
Startled like a rabbit, Asher moved his hips slightly to the side. There was enough distance for a person to sit in the middle.
“Is that all?”
“…?”
“I guess I have no choice but to approach you first…”
With those final words, he closed the distance in one go. With their clothing close enough to touch, Asher unconsciously took a deep breath.
“How have you been?”
“…Just, reading b-books… The same as always.”
The atmosphere in the carriage subtly changed. Asher sat up straight in the strangely heightened tension.
“Is that all?”
“…W-why?”
“I’m asking if you never thought of me after we parted that day. Given that our relationship is about to change, I thought we would have contemplated each other more.”
Only then did Asher let out a short moan, saying “Ah…”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. Your kindness is too sudden… And on the other hand, I feel anxious.”
“…So you dislike it?”
“No, I don’t dislike it. It’s just that this feeling is so unfamiliar that I don’t know what to do.”
At first, he had just wished Luke would smile. So he had intended to quietly watch over him until the moment he left. But with Luke’s unexpected approach, Asher felt uncomfortable.
“It might be an unfounded concern, but if you’re using me, I want to say that I’m okay with that. Just please don’t hurt me too much and put me back in my place when you’re done with me.”
“…”
“I genuinely wish for Your Highness to be happy.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
