# Chapter 16
Asher blushed with embarrassment and stuttered.
“Oh, y-you’re here?”
“Is there something amusing?”
“I just thought the weather was nice.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Luke looked up at the sky. Then Asher realized that instead of his usual uniform, he was wearing casual clothes. Asher felt strange noticing that the colors of their outfits seemed to match, as if they had coordinated.
“Let’s sit down then.”
At Asher’s gesture, Luke went to sit at the prepared spot. The corners of his mouth slightly turned upward at the healing view of the open field. Being near the lakeside, the smell of water was distinctly noticeable. Then Asher looked around, detecting the scent of peppermint wafting through the air.
Looking more carefully, he could see small mesh bags of peppermint hanging beneath the canopy. Somehow, the scent resembled Luke’s pheromones that he had smelled before, making Asher feel peculiar.
In brief silence, the meal was gradually served. True to a lunch menu, the food was presented in small portions on plates, and the table was filled with quite a variety of dishes, more than enough for two people.
“Not knowing what you like, I instructed the chef to prepare only the most popular items from the menu.”
“…I like everything. I don’t particularly avoid any foods.”
“I thought as much.”
Asher blinked slowly at Luke’s words. Somehow, he felt that Luke had been concerned for him.
Asher smiled at the corners of his mouth and held a fork and knife in each hand. Now that he was about to eat, he didn’t know where to start, so he began by emptying the dishes closest to him. Then he felt a gaze and realized Luke was staring at him intently.
“Your Grace… aren’t you eating?”
Luke briefly stared at his own plate.
“Next time, I’ll instruct them to prepare seafood dishes.”
“…”
“Let’s continue with our meal.”
Despite Asher saying he liked everything, Luke had pinpointed his food preferences. Though surprised, Asher picked up his fork and continued eating.
“Has anything happened since that day?”
“No… why?”
“If anything should happen, I would like you to tell me. I may be partly responsible for you quitting that gathering.”
Watching him calmly cutting his meat while speaking, Asher felt his heart tickle. Somehow, it seemed like Luke was worried about him.
“Alphas are beasts with strong possessiveness. Even if you ended things like that, they probably won’t let you go easily.”
It seemed like he had noticed that Varhan was planning something behind the scenes. Asher vaguely recalled what Shaki had said.
-You need to trust His Grace more.
-He’s not as weak as you’re worried about. There’s a reason he holds the title of Duke, right? A position that requires responsibility for many people?
-Everything will probably be resolved before you even start to worry. Unless there’s a special exception.
“I’m thinking of looking after you from now on. Shouldn’t I change too, as much as you’ve made an effort?”
Asher felt his emotions surge. Luke’s single sentence made him feel so reassured that it seemed to compensate for all the lonely times he had spent. Asher responded with a brief thank you and continued eating in silence.
Although no more words were exchanged after that conversation, Asher was happy just being with him. The mere fact of eating with him in the same space made him so happy that the smile never left his face.
“Shall we take a walk?”
Luke suggested after finishing the meal. Since Asher was reluctant to part ways just yet, he quickly answered and stood up.
Not far from where they had dined, there was a stone path. Following the stone path embedded between the grass, the lakeside gradually came into view. As they got closer, Asher clasped his hands behind his back and smiled broadly at the distinctive smell of water and soil.
True to the city’s reputation for its famous lake, the surroundings were filled with sparkle. Like stars planted on the surface, the sunlight reflecting on the water delighted Asher’s eyes. With a bright smile on his lips, Asher looked up at Luke and said:
“I think this place is really wonderful.”
“Do you like it?”
“Yes. Enough to want to come again.”
With a face full of excitement like a child, Asher stepped forward and took in the view of the lake. Seeing him gazing continuously as if this moment was his last, Luke quietly asked:
“Would you like to ride it?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked because you were looking at the ferry.”
Only then did Asher realize there was a ferry boat in the middle of the lake.
“Yes, I’d love to!”
Wanting to spend more time with him, he answered in an excited voice. His voice was as bright and cheerful as his face. At this, Luke’s pupils trembled slightly for a moment. It was a deep wavering, like the turbulent waters beneath the calm lake.
After gathering himself, Luke nodded to a knight who was following. The knight hurriedly went to the lakeside and rented a boat, and Asher boarded it with Luke.
On the boat for the first time, Asher staggered. Luke quickly wrapped his arm around Asher’s waist, but Asher shook off his arm and maintained distance.
“I-I’m sorry.”
Though brief, he felt an unfamiliar emotion from Luke. A feeling that seemed impossible… it was the feeling of affection towards himself.
That emotion could have various meanings, but what he felt from Luke seemed somewhat strange. It was an emotion that felt somewhat intense and impure. Amidst these jumbled, confusing emotions, Asher felt uneasy.
“I was just startled…”
“At this rate, you’ll cry if I try to hold your hand even once.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m joking.”
His expression was too serious for it to be a joke. Asher blankly watched Luke sit down and then quietly took a seat across from him.
The sound of rowing followed the slowly moving boat. Being on water, the sound of rustling leaves spread over the calm lakeside like music. Asher quietly looked at the scenery and then parted his lips.
“Your Grace, I’m truly thankful.”
“For what?”
“For spending time with me like this when you must be busy… Thanks to you, today feels as happy as my birthday.”
Asher faintly smiled at the corner of his mouth and fidgeted with his fingers. Unable to meet his gaze directly, he lowered his eyes to his feet, and then Luke called his name.
“Asher.”
“…Yes?”
“Didn’t we agree to call each other by name when others are present?”
At the mention of others, Asher looked around. But the only people present were the boatman, Luke, and himself.
“You must know my name, would you like to try calling it?”
“How could I call Your Grace by name…”
Asher smiled awkwardly with a troubled expression. Of course, the day would come when he would call Luke by his name, but if he called his name now, he felt that the unrefined emotions in his heart might overflow.
“It’s alright.”
But his answer was firm. His eyes looked resolute, like someone who was determined to hear his name called in this place. Finally, Asher mumbled incoherently and then carefully called his name.
“…Lu…ke.”
“I couldn’t hear you.”
“…”
Actually calling his name in front of him was embarrassing. It was like someone tickling his skin with a feather. With a fluffy feeling that made his heart feel like it might burst, Asher exhaled a soft breath.
“I-I’ll take it slow. It’s not familiar to me yet…”
Asher’s neck turned red as he bit his lip and rolled his large eyes. His shy appearance looked exactly like a cosmos flower blooming by the roadside.
“I understand.”
Despite his stiff tone, Luke’s eyes curved gently. But that smile disappeared as quickly as it was recognized, and he returned to his usual demeanor.
“If I call you by your name, could you smile for me just once?”
“…”
“I want to see Your Grace smile.”
Though it was an absurd condition even to his own ears, he wanted to see Luke’s smile again.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Luke.”
Asher called his name as soon as Luke finished speaking. He thought it might make Luke smile again, but what came back was Luke’s silence. In the heavy silence that settled like humid air, Asher rubbed his nape.
“I’ve been thinking since that day. It might be good to redefine our relationship going forward.”
“…In what way, for example?”
“Since you said you won’t meet anyone except me, I plan to meet with you more frequently from now on. I’m thinking of inviting you to the ducal residence soon.”
“The Blake Ducal Residence…?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
