Yesterday, refusing the servant’s help had led to Luinael personally attending to him, an event that had earned him unexpected favor.
Still, wasn’t it too soon to grow accustomed to such intimate interactions?
Isaac decided he needed to draw the line somewhere and nodded.
“Alright, go ahead.”
“Th-thank you.”
“….”
The servant’s face brightened with relief at Isaac’s permission.
Perhaps he’d been scolded for failing to serve properly yesterday.
Despite his fear, he seemed eager to avoid being dismissed.
Isaac quietly observed the young man’s anxious movements.
“Is the water temperature alright?”
“It’s fine.”
“Th-then I’ll continue.”
“Go on.”
Isaac endured the discomfort of being washed and dressed by another, determined to avoid another visit from Luinael.
Preparing to leave, he struck up a conversation.
“Your name is Noah, right?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Good. Thank you, Noah.”
“Y-you’re welcome…!”
Noah’s eyes widened in surprise at Isaac’s unexpected words of gratitude.
Isaac, seeing his reaction, felt a bit flustered.
“Well, anyone would be shocked if someone who’s always been so cold suddenly says thank you,” Isaac thought, turning his head away and clearing his throat.
“Hmm, has His Grace sent any messages?” he asked.
“Ah, um… He invited you to join him for breakfast…”
“Lead the way.”
“Understood.”
Noah quickly turned around and began to lead the way.
Isaac followed, his expression unreadable.
The main storyline of the original work had ended, so there was no longer any need for Isaac to maintain his villainous persona.
However, after playing this role for a year, changing his demeanor didn’t come easily.
As a result, he found himself acting awkwardly toward Noah.
‘I’ll need to figure out how to interact with the people around me from now on,’ Isaac thought, trailing behind Noah.
As they exited the mansion, he asked, puzzled, “Where are we headed?”
“Ah, well…”
Yesterday, breakfast had been served in the dining room, but today, they found themselves stepping outside.
Noah stopped walking and answered calmly, “Since the weather is nice today, His Grace suggested we dine in the garden.”
“Hmm…”
It was spring.
After a grueling winter of civil war, the villains had ultimately been defeated.
In the novel, the protagonist celebrated his coronation during spring, enjoying carefree days with his heroines—a perfect happy ending.
The capital’s climate was mild enough for outdoor dining, and Isaac nodded in understanding.
“Alright. Lead on.”
“Yes, sir.”
Noah, who barely came up to Isaac’s shoulders, quickened his pace.
Despite his effort, his smaller strides made it easy for Isaac to catch up.
Isaac walked leisurely, taking in the meticulously maintained garden.
The vibrant flowers and dew-kissed plants were a far cry from the ruins of the frigid palace he had seen in his dreams.
“Isaac, did you sleep well last night?”
“Ah…”
A large table stood in the garden’s center, shaded by a canopy that suggested it was a regular spot for tea.
Waiting there, Luinael greeted Isaac with a radiant smile, as fresh as the morning dew on the spring flowers.
Isaac froze for a moment, his lips slightly parted, as a memory of a young Luinael from his dream resurfaced.
The fleeting image of the crying child clung to him, prompting a reflexive cough.
“Hmm. Yes, I slept well.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. I was worried you might be uncomfortable in a different bed.”
“No, actually, I slept better than I did at the duchy.”
“That’s wonderful to hear.”
Luinael nodded in relief, his expression warm.
As Isaac observed him, the memory of the weeping child once again invaded his thoughts.
When we first met, Luinael was crying.
It’s hard to reconcile that image with the grown man before me—strong, tall, and hailed as a war hero.
His beauty belies his formidable strength.
The image of his younger self feels almost like a mirage.
…Or perhaps not?
For a fleeting moment, Isaac imagined the current Luinael crying.
Transparent tears streaming down his face as he gazed at him.
The thought stirred something dangerous within Isaac, something he couldn’t quite name.
“This is insane,” Isaac muttered, turning away and cursing under his breath.
‘What am I doing, entertaining such shameless thoughts about someone standing right in front of me?’
He tried to shake the image from his mind.
“Isaac? Is something wrong?”
“…It’s nothing,” Isaac replied through gritted teeth, forcing a strained smile.
He faced Luinael and said, “Let’s begin breakfast, shall we?”
“Yes, of course. Please, have a seat.”
Startled, Luinael guided Isaac to the table.
Isaac’s gaze fell upon the spread before them.
Unlike the expansive dining room, the garden table was smaller, limiting the amount of food—thankfully.
Yesterday, Luinael’s watchful gaze had left Isaac too uncomfortable to eat properly.
Recalling that, Isaac’s appetite returned.
He hadn’t eaten much the day before, but everything had been delicious.
The dishes before him, presented in a brunch format, looked equally enticing.
“Please, eat plenty. I had them prepare light, easy-to-digest foods, just in case your stomach still felt unsettled…”
“Thank you for the consideration, Your Grace.”
“Again with the formalities…”
“Ah.”
Luinael’s expression fell, his eyebrows drooping in disappointment.
Right.
‘We agreed I’d call him by name…even his nickname.’
Feeling flustered, Isaac glanced around before correcting himself.
“My apologies, Lui.”
“It’s alright. I understand… It’ll take time.”
“…”
Luinael’s melancholic tone and forlorn expression made him look as fragile as a solitary flower petal.
The sight, coupled with the memory of the crying child, tugged at Isaac’s resolve.
“I’ll… try my best.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“No, I must make the effort.”
While Isaac’s ultimate goal was to use Luinael to claim the protagonist’s role, he knew he needed to grow closer to him to earn the points he needed.
“I hope our relationship becomes more than just a duty,” Luinael said earnestly.
“…”
Hearing Luinael’s sincerity, Isaac felt a pang of guilt.
Luinael claimed to have harbored feelings for Isaac ever since their fateful childhood meeting.
Perhaps Isaac had been his first love.
But Isaac knew he could never fully accept Luinael, not physically or emotionally.
From the start, they had been destined to walk separate paths.
Despite knowing this, Isaac bit his lip, struggling with an unfamiliar sense of remorse.
“I’m ruining the mood, aren’t I?” Luinael said softly.
“…Not at all.”
“You must be hungry. Let’s eat.”
“Yes, Lui. You as well.”
The two began their meal in a slightly awkward atmosphere.
“…”
The moment Isaac tasted the soup, his attention zeroed in on the food.
He quickly finished the pumpkin soup and moved on to the salad.
Though he normally didn’t enjoy salads, the dressing here was exceptional.
“Is it to your liking?” Luinael asked.
“Yes. Everything is delicious.”
“I’m glad.”
Luinael smiled contentedly, watching Isaac eat heartily.
Compared to yesterday, when he had barely touched his food, Isaac’s appetite now put Luinael at ease.
‘I’ll need to come up with excuses if anyone notices the difference between my habits and the real Isaac’s, Isaac mused as he chewed thoughtfully.’
Once he finished the salad, he grabbed a bacon-and-cheese sandwich.
“Listen while you eat, Isaac.”
“…Of course. Go ahead.”
Isaac calmly responded as he diligently chewed his food.
Watching him with a satisfied expression, Luinael’s face suddenly grew serious.
“The Emperor has ordered you to enter the palace today.”
“…Ah.”
“If it feels burdensome, you can request an extension.”
At last, the inevitable had arrived.
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