Chapter 157
‘Why is he staying so long?’
Up until now, Fei had never responded to an invitation. It was the same whether he was at the Duke’s residence or at the academy. Though he had said he would attend in place of the young lady, Luwen had expected him to come out early, but more than three hours had already passed.
Could something have happened? What if he wasn’t refusing to come out, but couldn’t come out?
For a moment, Luwen recalled the scene of him struggling in the water with his head held down. How he was helplessly overpowered, unable to resist even a thin arm that could be easily broken.
He also remembered the disheveled appearance when drugged. How he clung, unable to control his own body, emitting a sweet and fragrant scent.
‘…What if someone drugged him again?’
The nobles’ dirty games were already well-known. When even the First Prince of the Empire engaged in such acts, how could the waters below be clear?
Moreover, during his time at the academy, Luwen had learned all too well what kind of people nobles were. Only the former Duke, the current Duchess, and his beloved young master were special. Most nobles seemed to take pride in their debauchery.
So it wasn’t unreasonable to feel as if a young rabbit emanating a delicious scent had been released among a pack of hungry beasts.
“Luwen… I’m dizzy. Can’t you stay still?”
“Aren’t you worried about the young master, Uncle?”
He was the young master’s personal coachman since childhood. Though he cherished Fei equally, how could he be so nonchalant? It was incomprehensible.
‘Merin is the same.’
What was the need to dress him up so meticulously? He already stands out wherever he goes due to his appearance. It’s as if she was determined to make him the protagonist of the ball.
The moment he imagined Fei surrounded by people, unable to move, Luwen stopped his pacing steps.
‘This won’t do.’
He needed to sneak in and confirm that he was safe. Only seeing with his own eyes would put his mind at ease.
The level of the Marquis family’s security guards and resident knights was quite high. However, Luwen was confident in his ability to deceive their senses.
Just as he was about to move:
“House Vinter’s servant, please move.”
Welcome news arrived. Only then did his anxious heart calm, allowing him to regain his reason. But now he became impatient to see him quickly. Luwen urged the slowly moving coachman.
‘Indeed, I can’t be away from the young master’s side.’
He couldn’t imagine a life without Fei.
That’s why, the day after crossing the line with him, when he couldn’t look him directly in the eyes, he became frightened. He was awkward and uncomfortable with him. As soon as the thought occurred that even if he wasn’t dismissed immediately, the distance might gradually widen, Luwen had no choice but to offer an absurd excuse.
It was a natural action in a way, since he had no intention of doing anything with his realized feelings.
Still, Luwen didn’t mind. Because he was the one closest to him. Wanting more would be greed.
He was already receiving much love, so it was enough. Perhaps he would continue to guard Fei’s side in the future. There was no room for others to come between them.
‘I am the young master’s top priority.’
Because of this overflowing, more-than-deserved affection, Luwen wanted to maintain the current situation. He didn’t want to lose it by indulging in unnecessary desires.
But.
‘…Who is that?’
Fei wasn’t alone coming out of the Marquis residence. He was with a man about a handspan taller than him. Luwen’s face immediately hardened.
‘Has he been drinking?’
He frowned at the reddened cheeks and his insides boiled at the disheveled clothing. The coat buttons that had been meticulously fastened were undone.
Moreover, his steps weren’t straight. That seemed to be why the man accompanying Fei was holding his arm. Whatever it was, Luwen didn’t like it. Anger welled up.
“The carriage is in front. Are you alright?”
“Yesss, thank you, Young Master Theobalt.”
Fei smiled at the man called Theobalt as if Luwen wasn’t visible. A gentle and soft smile that was practically Luwen’s exclusive property.
“Young master.”
Luwen intervened between them. Fei would surely see him. And.
“Luwen.”
See? Doesn’t he smile more beautifully than for anyone else? Fei always smiles so radiantly and prettily when he sees him. Luwen reclaimed Fei from the unpleasant man who had taken his place.
“He seems to have had a lot of wine, so take good care of him.”
The man ordered in an arrogant tone. A man without qualification who didn’t know his place. While tightening his hand around Fei’s waist, Luwen forcibly bowed his head. Because his attitude would reflect on Fei’s reputation.
“Ugh… dizzy.”
Fei moaned faintly and dropped his head onto Luwen’s chest. Just that seemed to offset all the unpleasant experiences. After all, he always returns to his arms.
“Let’s go home.”
“Mhmm.”
Luwen helped Fei into the carriage first, then followed. Just before closing the carriage door, he saw the man still standing there, watching them. He was staring at the carriage. As if trying to see the person inside.
After closing the door, Luwen knocked on the wall towards the coachman’s seat to signal that they could depart, and looked at Fei. Several buttons of his shirt were undone as he sat leaning against the wall. White skin was visible through the open shirt.
‘…Hah.’
Being so defenseless without understanding people’s hearts. Even though warned to be cautious, he didn’t listen at all.
‘But… he’d hate it if I really drew a line.’
In the end, it was like a complaint and a warning to himself. What needed to be guarded against was his own lack of self-control.
While Luwen’s greatest fear was losing Fei, on the other hand, he knew that if only he didn’t make mistakes, Fei wouldn’t drift away. He had received such constant care for too long to doubt Fei’s affection.
Thud, he moved next to Fei. His reddened eyes were maddeningly seductive. They were so similar to the eyes that had cried in disarray that night.
‘This… to that bastard.’
He had to bow his head because he was undoubtedly a noble. For the first time, Luwen resented being a commoner. But such feelings would be momentary. Because being a commoner allowed him to be Fei Vinter’s guard, spending that much time together.
‘It was this arm, right?’
Luwen brushed off the arm of Fei that the man had held.
“Mmm… is there something on it?”
“There was dust.”
“It’s okay, we’re going home now, so it’s fine if it gets a bit dirty.”
Smiling brightly, he seemed in a better mood than usual. Was it the alcohol? Or was there something else?
“You seem in good spirits.”
“Yes. Something that seemed would be a headache was resolved more easily than expected. It became a bit troublesome, but well, it’s not a losing situation.”
“May I ask what it was?”
Had he had something to worry about? There had been no sign of that. Moreover, it was even more incomprehensible that whatever problem existed was resolved at a ballroom.
“Hmm. Later… It’s not completely finished yet, so I’ll tell you later.”
It was disappointing. It’s not like he would interfere even if told. Rather, if it was something Fei needed, he was confident in taking the lead, whatever it was. Even if it was something ugly, if he said it was necessary, he could do anything, anytime.
‘He’s not that kind of person to begin with.’
The problem is rather that he tries to do everything alone. When would he be recognized by Fei as a proper guard? Unconsciously, Luwen reached out and rubbed Fei’s cheek. Warm heat transmitted.
“That feels cool, nice…”
The purple eyes hid beneath the eyelids. The densely packed long eyelashes trembled finely. Feeling the weight leaning on his hand, Luwen smiled. Even when feeling disappointed and upset, when he leaned on him like this, a sense of fulfillment filled him as if those negative emotions had never existed.
“If you need me, no. Even if you don’t need me, you should always take me with you.”
“I need you… I always need Luwen. Stay by my side.”
“Of course. But.”
When he cut off firmly, Fei opened his eyes. Meeting the subtly trembling eyes, Luwen continued.
“Alcohol isn’t good for your body, so it would be better to refrain.”
He blinked. It was an expression sometimes seen when he was flustered or at a loss for words. Cute, pretty, and lovable. As always.
“…Why do you have to say that so seriously?”
“Because I think that’s how you’ll remember.”
“Nooo. There’s such a thing as flow of conversation. You surprised me.”
Perhaps because he had been drinking, his speech kept slurring. His usual warm and gentle tone was good, but somehow this way of speaking, as if being cute, was also good. Well, anything from Fei would be good.
“Why were you surprised?”
“I’ll always be by your side, and then when a ‘but’ comes next, what do you usually think?”
“Ah. You thought a condition would be attached.”
“Yes.”
Hearing it now, it was certainly a flow that could be misunderstood. He gasped at the belated realization, and Fei looked at him with narrowed eyes. That too was so cute that it made him laugh.
‘I want to kiss him.’
Luwen imagined grabbing his chin and forcibly kissing him. At first, he would be surprised and open his eyes wide. When he opened his mouth in bewilderment, Luwen would push his tongue in so he couldn’t say anything.
If he pressed down with his weight so he couldn’t escape, he would be trapped in his arms. He might hit his shoulders or push against his chest. But with a delicate body without any muscle, his actions would only tickle.
‘If I persistently sucked his tongue and rubbed everywhere inside his mouth, he would probably cry.’
He often couldn’t breathe properly during kisses. Just thinking about it sent a chilling thrill down his nape.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
