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In spite of his fearsome aura, I mustered up the courage to meet his eyes directly as I contemplated what to say next.

“Well, I don’t know,” I began pensively. “I’ve never really thought about why I should save something. I just do it because I want to.”

What I had really meant to say was that I believed every living being held equal value and that the weight of their lives could not be compared; however, I felt ashamed to admit those words aloud.

It’s hypocritical for me to say something like that.

Though I recognized the worth in every life, I did not practice my beliefs equally. In the summer, I killed mosquitos without a second thought, and I couldn’t even begin to count how many ants I must have stepped on throughout the years. This unequal application of judgment was just how the world worked in the first place, and I knew it was hard to change that.

“But,” I continued, “this little flower might be valuable to other people.”

In spite of my apprehensions, I decided to challenge his skepticism, beginning with gently confronting his worldview. I was careful to speak in such a way as to not provoke the dragon’s feelings. Kyle made no move to respond, and I tried to figure out what his reticence meant.

Should I wait for him to talk? Or would it be better for me to retreat?

While I deliberated my next course of action, a delicate expression crossed Kyle’s face. He then clicked his tongue and spoke as he normally did.

“You’re speaking nonsense again,” he muttered dismissively.

Hearing his familiar, sharp tone filled me with a strange sense of relief. His irises also gradually shifted back to their typical, golden hue, and the tension in my body dissipated once I saw that the Kyle I knew had returned.

“It’s not nonsense,” I replied to him in my usual way.

“…”

I paused when he offered no reply, and a brief silence fell between us. During that time, Kyle scrutinized me intensely, and I wondered why he glared at me with such ferocity.

Is there something he wants to say towards me?

“So,” I carried on in an effort to keep the conversation going, “shall we continue our stroll?”

“…”

“Archduke?”

“…”

“Um, do you perhaps have anything else you want to say to me?”

“…”

Maybe this was not a good time to continue talking. I questioned whether my eyesight was beginning to fail me because I swore he was starting to look pale.

“Are you sick?” I murmured in concern as I reached a hand toward Kyle’s forehead.

I hadn’t been consciously aware of my actions until Kyle abruptly backed away before my hand could meet his skin. When I realized what I had tried to do, I also became shocked at myself.

“Don’t touch me,” he snarled with annoyance.

‘Don’t talk to me’, ‘don’t come near me’, and now, ‘don’t touch me’.

I felt as if I had successfully completed all three levels of some kind of ‘don’t do it’ challenge. Internally, I couldn’t help but laugh ironically.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Kyle pressed me before I could try to explain myself.

“… What was I doing?” I huffed and confidently shot back. “I just thought you were sick, that’s all!”

He became quiet again.

I didn’t say anything wrong, but am I maybe acting too harshly?

A small bit of guilt ate away at my conscience, so I softened my tone.

“I mean, I was just concerned that you were feeling ill since your face seemed pale,” I said, making sure to be gentler this time, “so I unconsciously reached out to touch you. I’m sorry.”

“…”

“Are you feeling sick at all?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Well, thank God…”

“Let’s continue walking.”

After abruptly cutting me off once again, the Archduke immediately whirled around and marched forward. I regretted ever feeling worried about him.

I stared at Kyle’s retreating back for a bit before moving to follow his steps. He walked with the same wide strides as he did before, and I wondered whether I would be left behind again. As I pondered the possibility, he gradually slowed his steps. I realized with surprise that I was now able to walk closer to him than before.

Why is he suddenly matching our steps?

I couldn’t help but be curious about what prompted this unexpected change.

Only

Is this a sign that he’s finally opening up to me?

Kyle’s pace slowed again, and this time I was actually able to walk beside him. Although we didn’t converse with each other, I felt rather satisfied with this arrangement. It was a strange feeling.

****

Night eventually fell over the mansion. After finishing all the activities on my agenda, I retired to the chambers I shared with Kyle and lay down on the plush bed. I was inexplicably tired. While in the midst of a yawn, I unconsciously glanced at the nearby sofa and was reminded of Kyle’s face. Thoughts of him somehow made me feel a headache coming on.

Come to think of it, I had not seen his face at all after we returned from our walk.

Will he come to our room tonight? Well, I honestly don’t care if he does. I’ll just go to sleep right now.

I leaned over to extinguish the candles beside the bed, but I suddenly heard a creaking sound coming from the door.

Huh? What’s happening? Why is the door suddenly opening?