Having said that I was going out, I hurriedly prepared and finished breakfast with him quickly.
Dressed in the light blue striped dress made of linen he had given me as a gift, I climbed into the carriage with Lucian with pleasant steps.
âWhere are we going, Luci?â
Now, his nickname was stuck in my mouth, so the title âbrotherâ did not come out well. Besides, if I had called him brother again, Lucian would have pressed his lips on me without missing the opportunity.
âJeweler.â
âWhy the jewelerâŠ?â
âDo you remember the ring I put together with you before?â
âAh!â
I could recall right away. How could I forget? I picked it for six hours.
âIs the ring done?â
âYes.â
Wow, he seemed to be in a really good mood today.
Even though Lucian always showed a smile to me, he was smiling more than usual today. Every time he smiled at me, my heart raced. Wow, his face was working hard today too. How could a smile like that come out? It was definitely one of the top smiles Iâd seen so far.
What a crazy look. So handsome! My bias!
âŠHuh? When did he change his shirt?
He was wearing a black shirt when he came this morning though now, it was different. Lucian was wearing a light gray suit, a striped shirt that at first glance looked identical to my dress. As he dressed more brightly than usual, it seemed that not only his face but his entire body was enveloped in brilliance.
Oh, so dazzlingâŠ
What was the name of something that was more dazzling than the summer sun?
It would be Lucian.
This obsession, which had become a habit, had made me greedy. I smiled bashfully before grabbing his finger and waving it.
âRay, are you looking forward to it?â
âYes! I am very much looking forward to it!â
Just the thought of Lucian wearing a ring with a design I drew made me feel so good that I felt like it was floating in the sky. I have truly become a successful fan. While I didnât buy it for him, it felt like I gave it to him?
I glanced out the window, wishing we could arrive at the jewelry store quickly. The carriage, which entered the noble-only street earlier than expected, ran without hesitation.
Arriving in front of the jeweler, we headed to the parlor room with the owner still smiling.
âI am really looking forward to it. How did it come out?â
âIt must be beautiful.â
Lucian also responded with a look of anticipation. I agreed with him.
âIt will definitely suit Luci. Itâs a design I drew while thinking of Luci.â
His expression, which had been smiling continuously at my words, was slightly distorted and then returned to its original state. After making a somewhat disapproving expression, his face became naturally expressionless before he smiled again.
Lucian paused before entering the drawing room.
âIâm afraid we wonât check it now.â
ââŠWhat?â
Suddenly?
He was happy a while ago, so why all of a sudden?
âWhy? We came all this way, letâs check it out first. First, we have to make sure it fits your finger well.â
The jewelerâs owner, who was by my side, added to my suggestion, âWeâve made sure we match the size, but why donât you check it first, Duke.â
However, Lucianâs answer was firm.
âNo, put it in the carriage as it is.â
âUnderstood.â
Lucian looked at me after finishing his words. He said with only his head turned at an angle like he did when he was a child.
âSince weâre going out, do you want to go on a date?â
My pouted lips opened and rejoiced with the unexpected word, âdate.â
âReally? I want to go to that new cafe. Bellisa says the melon tart, which is only available in the summer, is so delicious.â
âOkay, then letâs go.â
We left the jeweler again without seeing the ring. Even though I wondered why he had changed his mind, it was an outing after a long time, so I thought about asking him to show it to me later. Of course, it was a bit disappointing. I wanted to see the finished ring shining on his fingerâŠ
However, as soon as I entered the cafe with him, my thoughts evaporated easily.
âWow, brother. Look at this.â
Even in the morning, there were quite a few people, so I did not call him by name. There was no need to spread rumors.
ââŠChoose what you want to eat.â
Of course. Maybe, Lucian was not good outside too? Even though he told me to call his name every day, he didnât even touch my lips when we were outside. Still, why did I feel a bit down even though I take that for granted?
Even when the light pink melon tart came out, it was not very exciting. Lucianâs expression became serious as he ate.
âDoes it taste bad?â
It seemed that he was not interested in tarts from the beginning.
I glanced at him holding the teacup. His appearance in the window seat filled with the morning sunlight was like a picture in itself. When full of sunlight came in, the golden eyes shone more faintly and looked mysterious.
Now, like inertia, I got obsessed with him. Even though I knew that I could no longer praise him as beautiful as ever, I could no longer suppress my rising heart.
âŠOh, crazy. Hot damn.
The low mood for a while disappeared so quickly that it was ridiculous.
âNo, itâs delicious.â
Obviously, the better the mood, the better the taste. As I moved my fork diligently, my mouth clenched. Lucian drank tea leisurely while looking at me. Come to think of it, I hadnât seen him rest properly since becoming the Duke.
As expected, it would be good if he could rest well todayâŠ
It seemed that the position of a duke was a formidable position. Although I couldnât know all of his work, only invitations and sorting, I could predict it enough.
âBrother, I want to eat this and look around the square. They say that there are artists painting or playing music.â
I recited what I had heard from Bellisa through the letter. At my words, Lucian smiled kindly.
âYou can do that if you want.â
âHehe.â
He stared at my lips as he spoke as if wanting to eat it right nowâpassionately and earnestly. I was rather relieved by that look, but whyâŠ? I couldnât even understand my heart, so I just ate the melon tart.
While chewing the fresh and sweet melon, I suddenly remembered something.
âOh, Oscar asked me to buy melon-flavored candy. It was sold here, too, right?â
Wouldnât it be more delicious because it was sold at a more famous shop?
Thinking that, I glanced around to call an employee. The employee, who was nearby, came to me after quickly noticing my head nod.
âAre you looking for something, customer?â
âDo you also sell melon flavored candy here?â
âOf course. Shall I bring some for tasting so you can taste it?â
âNo, you donât have to. Just pack three.â
âYes, I understand.â
Because it was a place only nobles came to, the uniforms worn by the employees seemed to be quite expensive products. As the employee left, Lucian put down the teacup that he was holding, and he asked in a tone that seemed somehow unpleasant.
âDid that fox dare do that to you?â
âWhat? Oh, I promised to buy him.â
âWhy are you buying it? Make someone run the errands, thatâs enough.â
I widened my eyes and rolled them around at the tone of his voice that was getting more agitated. I was a little surprised.
Why was he suddenly angry�
In this way, when the other person was angry, my lips stick like glue. It had been one of those habits Iâd had for a long time. In this case, no matter what I said, the other party would be angry.
As for the other person, it was only my adoptive parent.
Even so, my lips didnât open and I didnât think they would ever. I rolled my eyes and waited for him to calm down. Suddenly, his hand came under his chin. Lucian, who lifted my face, which was gradually descending, came to meet my gaze.
âI told you not to bow your head.â
âAhâŠâ
I remembered what he once said as I felt the full moon-like eyes I saw that day still staring at me.
Golden eyes like a full moon that seems to come true if you make a wish. When I met those eyes, it was as if I had been possessed by magic that made me unable to move.
âRay⊠When are you going to find out?â
What?
From the beginning, he seemed to have a lot to say to me. However, the words that came out of his mouth were not at all understandable. It would be nice if he could tell me honestly. I could give him anything he wantedâŠ
Still, why wasnât he speaking properly? Why did he keep asking me?
At that time, a familiar but unwelcome voice intervened.
âHmm, I didnât know we would meet in a place like this?â
The trash booger king spoke softly in a still good place. He glanced at me, slowly wiping his silver hair shining in the sunlight. The purple eyes that stared at my face in Lucianâs grasp seemed to gleam a little dangerously.
The trash booger king licked his lips briefly and opened his mouth again.
âItâs bitter for siblings to fight.â
Even though he knew everything, he still called us siblings. Every time it happened, I just wanted to hide in a strange way like a child caught doing something terrible.
Then, someone rushed to his back.
The person who was in a hurry, as if they were late for the appointment, saw us and stopped for a moment. Lucian also noticed the other person, and his gaze glided as he looked at the trash booger king.
âIâm sorry, PrinceâŠÂ Gasp. Itâs not that Iâm late, someone jumped in front of the carriageâŠâ
Noah, who was making excuses haphazardly, saw me and Lucian and widened his eyes.
It was way too early for tea, so why were we meeting these people now?