# Chapter 46
Though Asher was the one giving the gift, somehow Shaki’s demeanor felt heavily weighed down. They hadn’t been this awkward before, but in the time they hadn’t seen each other, Shaki had changed, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere at the dining table. Asher made an embarrassed face and called out again, “…Brother?”
“…Thank you.”
“If you don’t like this sort of thing, you don’t have to accept it. There’s no need to use it just because of me.”
“No. I love it. That’s why I was thinking about what to say.”
Despite his words, Shaki’s expression remained enigmatic. He didn’t seem pleased enough to be called happy, yet he didn’t seem displeased enough to dislike it. Asher gazed at Shaki awkwardly before picking up his glass and emptying it of alcohol.
“I’ll have another glass.”
When Asher waved his glass, a waiting staff member approached and poured more alcohol. Normally, Shaki would have smiled and told him to stop drinking, but he was just staring at the fountain pen Asher had given him, lost in thought. Feeling embarrassed, Asher cleared his throat, and only then did Shaki slowly raise his eyes and grin.
“You’ve grown up. Even taking care of your brother.”
“I’ve always been grown up. You just treat me like a child.”
“I suppose so… Thank you.”
Shaki placed the fountain pen he was holding inside his pocket. He tucked it away carefully like someone trying not to lose it, then focused on the main dish that had just been served.
“Let’s eat first.”
“Okay.”
Asher continued his meal, using a fork and knife to cut the steak placed on the table. Though he didn’t particularly like meat dishes, perhaps because it was paired with alcohol, his appetite was stimulated. As they were slowly finishing their meal, Shaki opened up a conversation.
“Would you consider going on a trip for a few months?”
At the word “trip,” Asher coughed as if choking. A trip, of all things, at this timing. Asher swallowed his food with a gulp, trying to hide his surprise.
“Why a trip all of a sudden?”
Shaki had never liked it when Asher, an Omega, went outside. If there was ever a special need to go out, he would assign carefully selected knights, showing how much he cherished him. For him to suggest a trip now… Asher tilted his head slightly with a puzzled look.
“I’m thinking of finding somewhere as quiet and safe as possible. You’ve been feeling cooped up at home, haven’t you?”
“Is something wrong?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
Though he said this, Shaki’s expression seemed more serious than usual. Perhaps it had something to do with the heir training he’d been receiving lately. As if reading Asher’s thoughts, Shaki exhaled a long breath and answered with a tired face.
“Just… I think there might be a conflict between me and our brother.”
“…”
“I’d be upset if you got hurt because of our problem.”
“Brother.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt. So please, go on a trip for a while, Asher.”
Looking at Shaki speaking with such determined eyes, Asher bit his lip gently. Considering how Ember had raised a hand against him recently, it wasn’t an unfounded concern.
“I don’t want you to get hurt either… But could you give me some time to think about this?”
“Why?”
“Actually, I was thinking about taking a trip when spring comes. But if I leave now, I think both Father and Brother Ember would come looking for me directly.”
The Duke was already waiting for Asher’s heat to trigger. If he disappeared without even going through that heat period, the Duke would definitely find a way to bring him back and confine him. Knowing he couldn’t be free from the Duke until at least February passed, Asher gave a pleading look.
“I guess you’re right. Looking at Father now, he’s more than capable of that.”
Honestly, the reason Asher was talking like this was because he felt he should at least speak to Shaki before disappearing. Considering how considerate Shaki had been all this time, it didn’t seem right to vanish without a word. Above all, if he postponed this moment, it seemed likely that both brothers wouldn’t look for him for a few months due to the heir issue.
“But brother… Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“…”
“I just remembered how you used to look so happy when handling your sword.”
Asher waved his hand dismissively as if it wasn’t a big deal. Then he picked up a spoon and took a bite of the dessert that had just arrived.
“Sword… But unfortunately, I’ve found something more precious than my sword.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a secret.”
Shaki smiled mischievously and emptied his drink. Asher didn’t probe deeper and quietly put the pudding in his mouth while looking out the window.
“It’s snowing?”
Beyond the window, white snowflakes were fluttering like flower petals. Asher watched the snow and put down his spoon. Then, meeting Shaki’s gaze, Asher’s eyes trembled slightly.
How long had he been watching? Shaki’s eyes didn’t look away even when they met, continuing to gaze at him. He stared at Asher with an excessively straight, proper gaze, his blue eyes rippling.
“Father is pushing forward with your engagement to His Highness.”
“I see.”
“I think the engagement ceremony will be held by spring at the latest.”
Asher nodded at Shaki’s words with an unsurprised face. By spring, Caleb and Braden would return anyway, and the Duke would push for Braden and Luke’s engagement just like in the original story. The only sticking point here was that Asher himself liked Luke. After making a bitter face, Asher quickly erased his expression and put on a faint smile.
“It was an engagement that was going to happen anyway, wasn’t it?”
“If I inherit the title of Duke, I don’t plan to force that engagement on you.”
“…”
“Of course, Father won’t stand by quietly during that process. That’s why I’m trying to inherit the title.”
As expected, Asher was included in Shaki’s reasons for wanting to inherit the title.
“Honestly, I don’t want to send you there. If you want, I’d prefer you to stay in the house.”
“Brother.”
“A mansion without you… It would be so lonely.”
It was an engagement that had been planned from the beginning. But Shaki gripped his glass tightly with a bitter face, as if he’d only just found out.
“You should date too, brother. It seems Princess Roxina has feelings for you.”
“Would you like it if I dated?”
“Of course. Wanting family to meet good people and be happy, wouldn’t anyone think that way?”
“I don’t.”
“…Huh?”
Shaki shrugged as if he didn’t want to talk anymore. Lately, Shaki looked like a boy going through puberty. Perhaps it was natural. He had always been someone who led a righteous life. Asher smiled awkwardly and changed the subject.
“Aria’s visits have been less frequent lately. Have you heard anything?”
“She’s sick, they say.”
“…Sick? Where?”
“I guess Father didn’t tell you. Actually, Aria doesn’t have long to live. Five months at most?”
At the unexpected answer, Asher’s eyes trembled roughly. An untimely terminal illness. Still, she was someone who had been by his side for several months. With a sorrowful face, Asher picked up a linen napkin and said,
“I think I’ll visit her.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Yes… I just feel like I should.”
Asher felt strongly that he needed to do this, for reasons he couldn’t explain. As Asher silently wiped around his mouth, Shaki gave him an inexplicable look.
“If that’s the case, I’ll tell you where she’s staying. It’s probably different from where you think.”
“Come to think of it, I’m curious, how did Aria come to the Duke’s family? Knowing Father’s personality, he must have been extremely picky.”
“I only know that she’s acquainted with someone Father has known for a long time.”
Shaki swirled his glass as if he didn’t know any deeper than that. After a brief silence, Shaki put down his glass and spoke to Asher.
“You might face difficult times ahead. Perhaps it was inevitable from the moment I declared I would inherit the title of Duke.”
“…”
“But do you remember what I told you? That I would do anything to protect you.”
Asher recalled what Shaki had said in the Wind Garden.
“From now on, I intend to do whatever it takes to protect you. Even if the end of that path leads to hell.”
“That hasn’t changed. The reason I’m inheriting the title, even if it means pushing our brother away, is solely for you.”
“…”
“So don’t run away because things get tough. If you’re gone too in the midst of this family feud, I might truly go mad.”
Go mad? Asher’s eyelids trembled as if having a spasm at Shaki’s words. Somehow, all the uneasy thoughts he’d had until now seemed to be becoming reality. Asher averted his gaze evasively at Shaki’s unwavering demeanor.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
