Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 62

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 62

* * *

“Good afternoon, my lady.”

“…You’re not late.”

Unfortunately.

Click.

As I closed the cover of my pocket watch and spoke primly, the Duke awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

I nodded my head as if showing magnanimity.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Then I’ll shamelessly accept.”

While the Duke sat across from me, Terry, who was guarding me in place of Penandel, tactfully stepped aside.

The chair that was reasonably comfortable for me looked quite small for the Duke.

He looked like a giant black bear performing tricks on top of a small ball, making me unconsciously let out a laugh.

“…I didn’t intend to displease you.”

Ah, that wasn’t what I was laughing about.

Despite his size, he seemed to have a small heart as he quickly shrank back.

How on earth did such a gentle bear-like man end up with such terrible rumors?

The rumor that he killed his family to claim his title was particularly vicious.

Since I too was suffering from Belinda’s rumors, I felt a small sense of kinship and ordered a cup of tea for the Duke.

Even if it was a relationship bound by money, that’s precisely why he was an ally who wouldn’t betray me.

Yet remembering how I had been harsh to him thinking he was trying to take Penandel away forever made me feel belatedly embarrassed.

So I tried my best to maintain a gentle expression while attempting small talk.

“Tomorrow is the last day of the royal ball. Will you be attending?”

“No. I plan to leave by tomorrow morning.”

“I understand you only arrived in the Royal Capital at dawn today.”

I knew the distance between Baluashten Territory and the Royal Capital was quite considerable, so it must have been an incredibly demanding schedule.

The Duke seemed to think so too, as he rubbed the back of his neck embarrassedly while answering.

“I can’t leave my estate unattended for too long…”

It seemed the Duke was quite the homebody.

I nodded lightly and then gazed over the Duke’s shoulder, which had looked empty since earlier.

That should be enough small talk.

“I see. By the way, where is Penandel?”

“I sent him on a brief errand.”

What? Who gave you permission to send Penandel on errands?

He’s completely my person for at least six months, yet this guy keeps using him.

“I-Instead, I brought another guard to take care of your protection. He’s someone I cherish.”

“…”

“He’s a bit blunt and stubborn and terribly disobedient at times, but he’s a very handsome young man.”

“…”

“M-My lady? Are you perhaps offended?”

“Your Grace is quite oblivious. To think you need to ask me that question to understand the atmosphere.”

When I smiled slightly and spoke sarcastically, the Duke just moved his mouth saying ‘No, that’s not it, I meant well, so…’

And someone he cherishes, no less. He must be planning to attach some superficially decent person in place of Penandel.

‘How capable Penandel is. He’s a good teacher for Leo too, and I’ve only just gotten close enough to recognize his emotions behind the mask.’

Just as I was about to bang on the table with my twisted mood and demand he bring Penandel back immediately.

The door to the private room opened and a man entered.

The Duke quickly put the man forward like a shield and shouted.

“His name is Cherry!”

“…”

I blinked and stared intently up at the face of the man the Duke had introduced.

To others it would look like an expressionless face, but I could tell he was in an extremely unpleasant state, as if he’d chewed on something foul.

“Cherry?”

“It’s a childhood nickname… sir.”

The man somewhat irritably swatted away the Duke’s hand that was gripping his shoulder.

I quickly opened my essential fan, feeling like laughter was about to burst out.

“My, what a cute nickname.”

“…Thank you.”

Oh no, this is bad. I’m failing to hold back my laughter.

I trembled behind my fan, barely swallowing my laughter, then leisurely asked Penandel, who had somehow transformed into Cherry.

“What’s your name?”

“…Please just call me Cherry.”

“Then what’s your surname?”

“…”

True to Penandel’s nature of being unable to lie, he couldn’t give any answer to my question.

“Then I’ll have no choice but to call you Sir Cherry. Your Grace, when will Penandel return?”

“Well… it seems it will take quite a while.”

“Then I’ll borrow Sir Cherry for a moment. I happen to have somewhere to go.”

As I rose from my seat, Penandel without his mask—no, Sir Cherry—familiarly took his position behind me.

I didn’t know what the Duke’s intentions were, but he had returned him unharmed as promised, so I bore no ill will.

I smiled brightly at him and said kindly.

“You can send Penandel back to my manor. I don’t know when we’ll meet again, but I hope the next place we meet will be in the North.”

I meant I hoped we wouldn’t have to meet again in the Royal Capital.

* * *

The place I took Penandel—no, Sir Cherry—was the most famous patisserie in the Royal Capital.

While the Blanche Family’s head chef was also excellent, there was nowhere better than this place for desserts.

I gestured with my chin toward the showcase displaying various desserts and said.

“Sir Cherry, choose something.”

“I’m fine.”

“I know you’re fine, so choose.”

Sir Cherry reluctantly stood before the showcase, but then spent a long time pondering with a very serious expression before selecting a dessert.

It was a cake topped with fresh fruit coated in sugar syrup and plenty of whipped cream.

After choosing tea to go with our desserts, we picked a sunny spot to sit and leisurely enjoyed our treats.

Unfortunately, what I chose was too sweet and I got sick of it after just a few bites.

So instead of the cake that was sweet enough to melt my tongue, I enjoyed my tea while using the handsome man silently devouring his cake as my dessert.

Penandel without his mask, basking in sunlight while munching on cake—this was precious indeed.

I propped my chin on my hand and watched the knight diligently battling the cake monster, bite by bite.

“…Why are you staring at me like that?”

“You look quite pleasant eating so heartily.”

Ah, his left eyebrow just twitched ever so slightly.

I suppose he made expressions like this behind his mask whenever he was exasperated.

After confirming that Sir Cherry had emptied his plate, I rose from my seat.

“If you’re done eating, let’s move to the next location.”

Our next destination was a high-end boutique specializing in men’s accessories.

I examined cufflinks and leather gloves that would suit Sir Cherry, placing them one by one in his hands.

It was when my gaze turned to pocket watches, the ultimate luxury item.

“Lady Blanche, I cannot accept such things without reason.”

What nonsense. You’re someone who won’t accept things even when there’s a reason.

At his words, both I, who had been excitedly shopping, and the boutique owner, who had been eagerly rubbing his hands while bringing out every new item in stock, lost our enthusiasm.

“Cheri.”

“Yes.”

“Do you happen to know someone called Penandel?”

“…I do know him.”

Perhaps unable to say he didn’t know, Cheri nodded awkwardly.

Well now, at times like this it would be fine to feign ignorance.

While his integrity was very reassuring at times, it was also occasionally a bit frustrating.

Precisely when he was being so thorough about separating public and private matters like this.

Penandel had even sacrificed his rare vacation to indulge my whims, yet he wouldn’t even accept payment, saying that providing room and board was sufficient.

So I had tried to at least get him a gift, but he refused even that, saying he had only done what was naturally expected.

So what choice did I have? I had no option but to give him as much as possible when he was Penandel but not Penandel.

I glared at Cheri, who was reluctantly trying not to accept gifts as if I were forcing garbage on him, and spoke suspiciously.

“Cheri, I didn’t see you that way, but looking closely, you’re just as stubborn as Penandel… could it be?”

“I’ll accept them. Thank you. I really li— ahem, enjoy receiving things like this.”

“Ah, I see. You’re quite different from Penandel indeed. Good, then this time pick one of these brooches.”

“…”

“Don’t you like them? Are you perhaps…”

Cheri picked a brooch without complaint.

Much later, I emerged from the boutique carrying loads of accessories for him.

Unlike my refreshed expression, Cheri’s face was sullen.

To others it might look expressionless, but I could see his very, very slightly drooping mouth corners.

Pretending not to notice his mood, I headed toward our final destination.

Cheri, who had been tense like a knight heading into battle wondering if this would be yet another place to spend money, finally relaxed when he saw the scene spread before us.

“Let’s walk a bit.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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