Isaac scoffed inwardly.
His own memories from that age were hazy at best.
“It’s true. I remember everything about Isaac. The names of the wildflowers you taught me, the books you read to me, and even… how you promised to marry me after the war ended.”
“Puha!”
“Isaac, are you alright?”
When Luinael mentioned wildflowers and fairytales, Isaac had merely thought the original Isaac must have been surprisingly kind.
But marriage?
What kind of nonsense had the original Isaac told a child?
“Did I… make such a promise?”
“Yes. Don’t you remember?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Isaac’s apologetic response made Luinael smile softly.
“It’s fine. I remember everything.”
“…”
“Really… it’s fine. Even if Isaac forgets and is forced into this marriage by His Majesty’s decree… I’m alright with it.”
“…”
Luinael’s forlorn expression rendered Isaac speechless.
Was it really necessary to look so desolate?
Feeling uncomfortable, Isaac turned his gaze away.
Luinael must have overheard his earlier conversation with Gilbert.
Unease gnawed at Isaac as he bit his lip.
But what could he do?
He had been suddenly ordered to marry another man.
How could anyone be expected to like that?
There was no reason for guilt.
If anything, Isaac was the victim.
Reassuring himself, Isaac stifled the emotions stirring within him.
Knock, knock.
“Um…”
“What is it?”
“Well, it’s…”
This time, Noah hesitated awkwardly as he entered the room.
Unlike before, he wasn’t gauging Isaac’s or Gilbert’s reactions.
Instead, his eyes were on Luinael.
Isaac, feigning ignorance of Noah’s unease, shifted his gaze to Luinael, who was leisurely sipping his tea.
“Your Grace, um… about Shane…”
“Shane?”
The name sounded vaguely familiar. Isaac tilted his head in thought.
‘Ah.’
Then he remembered.
It was the name of Luinael’s aide.
The character had appeared only a handful of times in the novel, and since Isaac had never met him directly after his transmigration, it took him a moment to piece it together.
When Luinael had come to fetch him from the duke’s mansion, he had come alone.
Shane was likely handling Luinael’s work in his stead, as he often did when Luinael was away.
Perhaps even now…
“Lui.”
“…”
At the sound of his softly spoken name, Luinael flinched slightly.
He avoided Isaac’s gaze entirely now.
“You lied to me, didn’t you?”
“…I didn’t.”
“Didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
Luinael shook his head firmly, but Isaac’s narrowed eyes only deepened with suspicion.
If Luinael wasn’t busy, why would his aide come looking for him?
And why would the messenger be so visibly nervous?
Isaac fixed Luinael with an intent stare, unspoken accusations in his eyes.
“It’s true. I had time to share tea with you…”
“I dislike liars.”
“…!”
“Lying is bad, you know.”
“Ugh…”
Isaac’s firm words caused Luinael to well up with tears.
Despite feeling like he was bullying a child, Isaac pretended not to notice and continued sipping his tea.
“…I’ll come back later.”
“That’s a good decision.”
In the end, Luinael lowered his head in defeat.
Isaac smiled faintly as he watched him.
If you’re going to take a break, at least finish your work first.
As Luinael rose from his seat, Isaac stood up as well, intending to see him off.
Smack.
“…!”
At that moment, Luinael leaned in and kissed Isaac on the cheek.
Isaac’s eyes widened in shock.
“I’ll be back soon, so wait for me.”
“Uh…”
Did Luinael just… kiss him?
The whole thing happened so quickly that Isaac couldn’t react.
Before he could say anything, Luinael slipped out of the room.
Noah, who had been frozen like a statue, glanced at Isaac, only to flinch when their eyes met.
He quickly turned away, visibly flustered.
[Congratulations!
You’ve engaged in meaningful physical contact with your match! BL Points have been awarded.
Current BL Points: 26
Keep earning points!]
“…”
Even amidst the chaos, the system diligently tallied his points.
Isaac let out a sigh and slumped back into his seat, looking defeated.
“Are you all right?”
“Huh… yeah, I’m fine.”
“…”
Though his heart was still pounding and his mind felt dazed, Isaac nodded to reassure Gilbert, who was watching him with concern.
It started with holding hands.
Then a kiss… what’s next?
“…”
Just thinking about the next step made his body shudder slightly.
He couldn’t stop the involuntary tremor.
‘Damn it.’
The thought of escalating physical contact with another man should have filled him with dread, but despair wasn’t the only emotion he felt.
Luinael’s lips had been soft and warm.
Even though the kiss was brief, Isaac hadn’t felt any revulsion.
On the contrary, he found himself regretting the moment they parted.
‘I’m losing my mind.’
It must be because of that ridiculously beautiful face.
There was no other explanation for these thoughts. Desperate to steady himself, Isaac gulped down his now-cold tea.
* * *
In the quiet office, the faint sound of a pen scratching against paper was the only thing breaking the silence.
But soon, a different sound began to interrupt the rhythm.
Sigh…
“…”
Shane paused, his pen hovering over the paper.
He turned his gaze toward Luinael, who had been sighing deeply for some time now.
Sitting at his desk, surrounded by piles of paperwork, Luinael let out another habitual sigh.
Sigh…
“…”
No matter how you looked at him, Luinael was an extraordinarily beautiful man.
But Shane, with dark circles shadowing his eyes, wasn’t easily moved anymore.
At first, Luinael’s looks had been shocking, but now, Shane had grown used to them.
If he thought of Luinael as a breathtakingly beautiful statue, it became easier to stay composed.
After all, statues didn’t interact with him.
They were simply there to admire.
Shane’s gray eyes grew distant as he fell into thought.
“Is something troubling you?”
As much as Shane wanted to ignore it, Luinael’s lack of productivity would ultimately become his problem.
Most of the paperwork that needed to be completed today hadn’t even been touched, making overtime inevitable.
The past few days had been overwhelming.
Shane found himself reminiscing about his time on the battlefield—it was almost relaxing compared to this.
At least on the battlefield, his body worked while his brain rested.
Here, both body and mind were on the verge of collapse.
“Shane…”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
Shane nodded, maintaining a neutral expression.
Despite his irritation, he kept his tone respectful.
Luinael might be exasperating, but he was still Shane’s superior and a member of the royal family.
However, Shane could already guess what this was about.
It was likely about his fiancée, the future duchess.
It always was.
“You said this before, didn’t you?”
“Pardon?”
“You did, didn’t you?”
“Say what?”
“…”
Luinael hesitated, his melancholic blue eyes fixating on Shane.
Even Shane, who prided himself on his composure, flinched slightly.
Luinael’s beauty was simply overwhelming.
“You said anyone who saw my face would fall for me.”
“Ah…”
“And that if I just looked at them and treated them kindly, it would be easy.”
“Yes, I did say that.”
Shane nodded, recalling their previous conversation.
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