TKMLTE 109

CHAPTER 109

Translator: Rae

***

You’re Really Oblivious In Certain Ways.

The bird, which seemed hesitant to fly away, suddenly fluttered into the air. It then gracefully landed on the shoulder of the man stepping out of the carriage. Whitney hurriedly left the room and nearly ran downstairs.

“Your Grace?”

“A guest has arrived unexpectedly. Please prepare tea in the parlor.”

Sheila, startled by Whitney’s abrupt departure, quickly gathered herself and headed toward the kitchen. Whitney smoothed down her attire and stood at the entrance hall.

The butler, eyes wide with surprise, opened the door and, upon seeing who had entered, clutched his chest in shock.

“Ugh, Your Grace.”

“I already know who has arrived, so get yourself together and open the door.”

The butler swallowed anxiously before composing himself and opening the entrance. Soon, Cheston entered, accompanied by knights.

“The Duchess Regnant of Orléans, I came unannounced because of an urgent matter. I hope you won’t take offense.”

“I also had something to discuss with Your Highness. You’ve come at the right time.”

Judging by the look on his face, he must have heard about Maurice’s d*ath. After instructing that the knights be given a place to rest, Whitney led Cheston into the drawing room.

Though surprised by his sudden visit, Whitney hesitated to speak, noticing the somber expression on Cheston’s face. Sheila arrived with a tray carrying teacups and a teapot. After warming the cups and placing them down, she poured the tea. 

A glass of cold water was also served before Cheston. He took a deep gulp of water and exhaled heavily.

"You seem out of breath.”

“Oh, I had to exert some effort.”

“Does this urgent matter have anything to do with Maurice?”

“That’s right. I came out of concern, but it seems there was no need.”

"I'm glad Your Highness came, nonetheless."

His grip on the glass loosened, and it slipped slightly in his grasp. Lowering his head, he suddenly broke into a bright smile, slowly lifting his gaze to meet hers.

Resting his chin on his hand, he didn’t hide his satisfaction with her response, his smile lingering.

“I didn’t expect to hear that. I’m quite surprised right now.”

Though his tone was teasing, his expression suggested genuine delight. His eyes curved so much they nearly disappeared, making Whitney feel unexpectedly flustered. Though the words had slipped out, she had meant them.

“Ahem. I sent Sir Zegmon to investigate Maurice’s case.”

She cleared her throat, steering the conversation elsewhere.

“No need for that. I’ve already looked into it—it seems to be my father’s doing.”

“I thought it was Her Majesty the Queen’s doing,”

 

Cheston spoke with a smile directed at her.

“No one can defy His Majesty the King’s orders. My father must have been displeased with the exceptional occurrence.”

Whitney pondered his words briefly before nodding in understanding. The queen wouldn’t have acted recklessly. She then called for a servant and instructed them to deliver a letter to Zegmon.

"By the way, I heard an interesting story today."

“...What kind of story?”

“I went to Yohareim last night, returned at dawn, changed my clothes, took care of some people who needed to be handled, and then came straight to the duke’s estate…”

“Took care of who?”

"Oh, you don't need to worry about that. It was no big deal...”

He suddenly trailed off. Then, leaning back in his chair with a weary expression, he murmured.

"I don't even have the strength to talk.”

Hadn’t he been speaking just fine a moment ago?

Noticing the meaning behind her gaze, he leaned forward from where he had been resting his back and lightly collapsed onto the table, blinking slowly.

“I was just about to send a reply confirming that we uncovered the mastermind.”

“I was going to tell Your Highness about that, too. It looks like House Dvitz, along with the Baron of Leonhardt and the Count of Eddington, are involved.”

“Dvitz, I expected. But the other two are surprising. So that’s why you spoke with the Marquis of Aroche at Helene’s banquet.”

Then, could that mention of diamonds have actually been referring to people captured through human trafficking?

Whitney swallowed anxiously.

“I need to meet with the Baron of Ephirenne. He was quite insistent about seeing me. He might have some valuable information to share.”

“That’s not a bad approach either.”

“Then, Your Highness, please take a rest with the knights for a while. I’ll have a room prepared for you.”

“So, after saying you were happy I came, you’ve grown tired of me already?”

Cheston tilted his head slightly, tapping the table with his fingers.

“You said you were too exhausted to talk, so you should rest.”

“I think I’d feel less tired if I were with you.”

“...Be honest, that was a lie, wasn’t it?”

“Whitney, you’re supposed to fall for endearing lies like this.”

Whitney was left speechless, her lips slightly parted. But as she looked at him, smiling so brightly, she felt an odd urge to simply let herself be fooled.

***

Cheston silently watched her as she focused on her work. He had worried that she might notice the lingering scent of blood on him, but thankfully, she seemed oblivious.

That was only natural—before coming here, he had changed out of his bloodstained uniform and washed his hands over and over again. There was no way she could know.

Capturing the human traffickers and turning them over to the royal court had been one thing, but uncovering those who supported them through informants and tracking down the illegal guilds connected to the three noble families had been anything but smooth.

Cheston eventually had to step in, as those rats were too skilled at slipping under their radar.

‘I’m tired.’

Swinging his sword since the early morning had left him exhausted.

He sank deeper into the couch, his gaze fixed on her as she sat at the desk, reviewing documents.

Her emerald eyes moved swiftly, scanning each word without rest. Simply watching her brought him a strange sense of fulfillment. Since she had firmly refused his suggestion to take a stroll, he had settled for observing her at work instead.

Despite his lingering stare, she seemed entirely unbothered, not sparing him a single glance. Sunlight poured over her head, making her brown hair shimmer like gold. A breeze slipped through the open window, lifting a few strands, tickling her face. With delicate fingers, Whitney tucked them behind her ear.

He didn’t like how composed she appeared after hearing about Maurice’s d*ath. She couldn’t possibly be fine, and yet she acted as if nothing had happened. It made him uncomfortable.

Crossing his arms, Cheston let his gaze linger on Whitney a little longer before slowly closing his eyes.

"Do Your Highness not feel uncomfortable? Why don't you go rest properly in the guest room?”

"I thought you weren't paying attention to me.”

“How could I not, when you’re staring at me like that?”

A soft clack sounded as she set down her quill pen. But Cheston didn’t open his eyes—he merely chuckled. Somehow, even without looking, he felt like he knew exactly how she was gazing at him.

"I'm used to sleeping like this, so don't mind me. Just keep working."

"Are you really going to sleep like that?”

“I’ve been meaning to ask since last time… Have you been sleeping well, Your Highness?”

Hearing the concern in her voice, Chesotn slowly opened his eyes and looked at Whitney. As he watched her sitting at the desk, he patted the seat beside him. 

"If you're worried, why don’t you help me sleep?”

“…”

“I want to be with you, and I want to sleep, so just let me rest here.”

“That doesn’t even make sense.”

"You're the one who made me want to be unreasonable.”

“…”

Tilting his head slightly, he patted the sofa again. He knew she wouldn’t come sit beside him, but watching her flustered expressions was entertaining. It was like seeing a new side of her every time, each expression a fresh discovery.

"Yes, so be it."

“...Pardon?"

Cheston’s eyes widened slightly in surprise as Whitney rose from her chair and approached him. Then, without hesitation, she sat beside him and patted her lap.

“When I was very young, I used to sleep on my mother’s lap. I remember sleeping well that way.”

She always managed to catch him off guard like this.

Dazed, he stared at her as the small hand reached out and gently guided his head onto her lap. His body tilted, and soon, he found himself resting against her delicate legs.

Lying on her lap, Cheston blinked absentmindedly. Then, as her fingers ran through his hair, a smile bloomed on his lips. Her scent lingered in his nose, and the tender touch of her fingertips made his mind grow sharper rather than drowsy. A sudden gleam flashed in his once-languid blue eyes—something Whitney likely didn’t see.

His hand, resting on her knee, burned with sudden heat. His body, like a caged beast, stirred with unbidden expectation, as if desire itself threatened to consume him whole.

She wouldn't know what he was thinking right now. If I had been wary of him in the first place, I wouldn't have told him to sleep on his knees. Whitney had no idea what was running through his mind. If she had even the slightest suspicion, she would never have offered her lap as a pillow so casually.

“There’s still time until lunch, so get some proper rest. I’ll wake you when it’s time.”

“A different method might be more effective.”

If he kissed her, let their breaths tangle, and roused his languid nerves with the heat they shared—if her soft sighs brushed against his ear, dizzying him—then, surely, he could sleep soundly in her embrace.

Of course, the only problem was that lunch would be entirely forgotten.

But skipping one meal wouldn’t k*ll them, would it?

Cheston turned his body and met Whitney’s gaze as she looked down at him.

‘Ha. Crazy b*st*rd.’

The moment he locked eyes with those green irises, filled with concern over his inability to fall asleep, his mind snapped back to reality. If she knew what had just crossed his thoughts, she would be more than disappointed.

She might even be utterly appalled, thinking of him as someone who couldn’t restrain any of his desires.

“Are you comfortable?”

Whitney must have assumed he was shifting because he couldn’t sleep, and so she asked cautiously. The hand that had been gently stroking his hair paused, as if caught in brief contemplation.

Even now, alone in a secluded space, their bodies touching and sharing warmth, she still seemed to be focused solely on getting him to sleep. 

“You’re really oblivious in certain ways.”

“Pardon?”

However, Cheston was fond of that side of hers. He could feel, more than anything, how much she cared for him and worried about him. Placing her hand back on his head, he closed his eyes.

“It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

Even if he didn’t fall asleep, just spending this time with her was more than enough.

***

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