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Chapter 100. I Like You (2)
“Where are you going? When will you worry about me? Instead, why don’t you join me and spend our precious time together?”
“What!”
Noel strode forward and gently pressed his lips against the back of her hand, which he held. “I’d be so happy if you’d be with me.” He smiled brightly as he raised his eyes while pressing his lips onto her hand.
Elusiana looked into those eyes, forgetting that she was embarrassed. Her hand was still in his grasp, but she had no time to notice it. It was because the affection in his mysterious purple eyes seemed sincere. As if not to deny it, the calmly swaying heat was tenacious enough to be blatant.
I’d be so happy if you’d be with me… You mean you like me? Only then she could feel his lips touching the back of her hand. Elusiana shook off her hand in fright at the scorching heat.
Tak! Half-turned, Elusiana secretly swept her hot cheek. Wake up, Lusi. He can’t be serious! As usual, this was just Noel’s play. The pleasure of staying and disappearing for a while like the wind. But why is her heart pounding so much?
Noel, who backed off meekly, watched her from the side. She pretended to be calm, but from her averted gaze and flushed face could tell she was agitated. Is this an opportunity? Or is it just an illusion? Either way, he expected that the former would be the answer. One corner of his mouth curled up.
“Wait, do you want to go for a walk?”
“No!”
As soon as the question was over, Noel’s smile deepened at the reply that came back like a knife. Smiling with satisfaction, he held out his big, straight hand in front of Elusiana.
“Hold it. I have something to say, Lusi.”
The voice wrapped around her ears sank. The laughter around his mouth was completely gone as if he had never smiled.
Elusiana, who was nervous for no reason, answered with her fingertips closed. “C-can’t we do it next time? It’s too late at night, and—”
“No. I must do it today.”
He thought there wouldn’t be another opportunity if it wasn’t today. Noel smiled lightly, hiding it behind her back. It was a kind of sad smile.
When she didn’t answer, Noel continued. “Actually, walking is an excuse. To be honest, I’m still a bit hesitant. Should I say this or not?”
“W-well, if you’re that hesitant, just say it next time.”
Noel shook his head. “No. That doesn’t change anything. Because anytime, anywhere, my words will be the same.”
“Aren’t you too sure? What if you change your mind?”
“Perhaps that’s possible. I may regret it then. But for now, I will say it.”
Noel’s voice, which seemed to be suppressed, fell into her ears. His purple eyes trembled faintly when he slightly lowered them.
“I like you, Lusi.”
The eyes that stared straight at her were unfamiliar today. Elusiana unconsciously held her breath.
The thrill and nervousness couldn’t be hidden. Fear of being rejected. However, within that fear was a distinct passion that could overflow at any moment. A burning desire that had been hidden but now could only be revealed. Elusiana was captivated by that gaze, completely drawn in.
“Lusi, I like you.”
Thump, thump.
Thump, thump.
His fingertips, carefully lifted to touch Elusiana’s fair skin, but stopped in the air. He wanted to touch her. Noel thought so. What he thought he could never have was right in front of him, so he didn’t want to miss it this time. But is it really okay?
Noel hesitated for a moment. He learned that you should always cherish what is precious to you. He believed that forcefully imposing his emotion like this wasn’t knightly. Nevertheless, I want to have her.
His hand, which had stopped in the air, moved again. It was because he suddenly thought he could be greedy, even if it was just a little. His carefully moved his hand and touched her cheek.
At that moment, the startled Elusiana stepped back from him. She wasn’t the only one who was surprised, and Noel stopped moving.
“Lusi!”
Just then, the door to the mansion opened with a rattle, and Simon walked out. He wasn’t too far away, so he wouldn’t take long to arrive.
Noel glanced at Simon and thought it was time to step down, looking at Elusiana, who was nervous. If I insist on staying any longer, it’s my greed. It was okay in his mind, but he didn’t want to bother her. Still, it’s a bit of a bummer.
As Elusiana was looking at Simon, Noel kissed her on the cheek.
“I will be waiting, Lusi. Would be nice like that.”
When she turned around in surprise, he was already gone.
* * *
“I’ll be waiting for you, Lusi. If there is still an empty place in your heart, I wish I could be the owner of it.”
Elusiana, who had washed up, had her hair ruffled roughly. Her cheeks, which his lips had touched, were red again. She, who covered her cheek, spat out her words. “No, why couldn’t I say anything at that moment?”
Even at the moment Noel confessed, and at the moment when he asked for her heart, she couldn’t open her mouth.
“To say something like that with such a handsome face.”
It wouldn’t be strange if she was bewitched.
“Sigh…”
Elusiana sighed for a long time and pulled her hair as her head was about to explode.
“To speak so seriously with a face like that. It’s a foul.”
The strangely mesmerizing purple eyes. The moment she met them, her mind went blank as if it had been brainwashed, and she couldn’t think of anything. It was just the sound of her heart beating loudly. Is this what happens when you lose your mind seeing something beautiful? Suddenly, it occurred to her that this feeling might be awe.
Shaking her head, Elusiana brushed off her wet hair. She was in awe. She didn’t know why Noel confessed, but accepting it was another matter. Even if she had a liking for him, how could she handle the resentment of many women?
“That would be suicide.”
The mere thought of women rushing at her, with their eyes flashing, sent goosebumps all over her body.
Plop. Lying on her bed, Elusiana stared at the low ceiling. Are you joking as usual, Noel?  She turned over and buried her face in the pillow.
There was too much going on today. In the Grand Duchy, in the house, outside the house. It was the day that she betrayed her will and got involved. So it was mentally exhausting for her to have deeper thoughts about them. I’m tired.
“Ha… I don’t know.”
Elusiana’s body, which had tossed and turned around, became quiet before she knew it. And then, an even sound of breath escaped from her mouth.
* * *
Eirin visited the Waieos Mansion as well. As promised, she sent a letter in advance, but it didn’t mean much. As soon as she checked the letter, Eirin had already knocked on the door.
Elusiana chuckled as she watched Eirin delicately tearing apart the soft bread like a child. I didn’t expect ‘next time’ to mean the very next day. Could it be her words, ‘I’m on vacation for the next week,’ were accepted as permission to her? Just overnight, it was known that Eirin was surprisingly aggressive.
Eirin, who filled her cheeks with bread, asked while chewing. “The Viscount… Is he already at work?”
“Yes. More than that, Eirin.”
Elusiana, who served heated milk to Eirin, said anxiously. “Didn’t an escort knight come with you?”
“Huh?”
Eirin stared at Elusiana with her surprised eyes widened.
“You know. You have been through scary things, but I don’t think it’s okay for you to go around alone.”
Eirin, who suddenly remembered Genoyer’s face, smiled awkwardly. “If that’s the case… I’m fine. It won’t… happen anymore.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I will always watch over you. You can be relieved.”
Before parting ways, Eirin’s face turned red when she remembered what Genoyer had said.
Elusiana, who wasn’t aware of this, looked at her quietly and remembered her words. It could also be annoying to ask more when the person concerned said she was fine. Well, there’s no way she’d be left unattended in her own house. Elusiana, who accepted this inside, smiled brightly.
“That’s a relief, then.”
“By the way, Elusiana.”
Gulp, Eirin, who swallowed a sip of milk, hesitated for a moment.
“What is it?”
“I… can I take a look at the flower store you said you work for?”
“There’s not much to see. It’s small compared to the main store.”
“S-still, can’t I? I wonder what your place of work is like.”
Eirin bit her lips slightly and held her hands together as if asking for permission. Looking at her like that, Elusiana felt troubled for a while.
Come to think of it, when was the last time I stopped by? Trisha stopped by from time to time and looked at the branch, so she wasn’t paying any attention to it. The maid Louis gave to her also worked well. In fact, her absence wasn’t a problem at all for the branch store. It made me feel a little sad.
When Elusiana made a serious look instead of answering, Eirin hesitated and asked again. “…Why? Is it difficult?”
“Huh? No. It’s been too long for me too.”
“Then…?”
“Let’s go. I need to stop by.”
“Thank you, Lusi! I really wanted to go!”
Eirin, who raised her hands, jumped up from her seat and hugged Elusiana.
“ Do you like it that much?”
“Yes.”
Seeing Eirin nodding her head, Elusiana smiled.