I Put all my Stats into Charm - Chapter 56

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

I Put All My Stats Into Charm Episode 056

 

I stared blankly at Jerome and barely managed to open my mouth.

 

“You… said you found me…”

 

I thought he was a painting, not a person.

 

A handsome man and moonlight. I almost clapped like a seal at this genius combination.

 

As I inwardly admired Jerome’s appearance, he rose from his seat and approached me.

 

“I apologize for calling you out at such a late hour.”

 

I waved my hands dismissively.

 

“Not at all. I was just bored anyway.”

 

“Please, have a seat.”

 

Jerome sat on the sofa at the central table in his study.

 

When I sat down right next to him, Jerome flinched.

 

“Why are you sitting next to me…”

 

“You told me to sit comfortably. I’m most comfortable next to you, Duke.”

 

I answered shamelessly.

 

Normally sitting across from each other would be standard, but I didn’t think I could make any progress that way.

 

I had to advance my relationship with Jerome by at least one step in this study.

 

Even now, Jerome couldn’t meet my eyes.

 

Jerome tried to lean back against the sofa but quickly straightened his posture, and his hands that had been wandering over his knees were neatly folded together.

 

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

 

“You’re not making me uncomfortable.”

 

Jerome answered with an awkward posture.

 

It was obvious he was uncomfortable. Looking at him, he’s the type who can’t lie.

 

Even if you honestly said you were uncomfortable, I’d still sit next to you.

 

Jerome, unaware of my devious intentions, continued speaking in his still stiff tone.

 

“Was the meal to your liking?”

 

“Yes. Thanks to you, I ate deliciously.”

 

I watched Jerome, who still wouldn’t meet my gaze.

 

“Duke. Could you please look at me while you speak?”

 

“I cannot do that.”

 

Jerome answered firmly.

 

But I wasn’t one to back down here.

 

“I also have something I want to ask you, Duke.”

 

“I’m listening. Please speak.”

 

Having a conversation without making eye contact felt like talking to a wall.

 

I called Jerome’s name once more.

 

“Duke?”

 

When I leaned my face toward Jerome, he hastily turned his head in the opposite direction.

 

Time was passing and my heart was growing impatient.

 

At this rate, I wouldn’t be able to show off my winning dress!

 

I decided to use my secret weapon.

 

“Oh, Duke! Please look over there!”

 

“…?”

 

The moment Jerome turned his head toward me.

 

Like a fisherman catching a fish, I cupped Jerome’s cheeks with both hands.

 

“Caught you!”

 

“…!”

 

Moonlight streaming through the window illuminated Jerome’s widened pupils.

 

His blue eyes bathed in moonlight glowed mysteriously. His pupils swaying like gentle waves looked like glass marbles made of ocean.

 

The study became quiet as if time had stopped.

 

I forgot what I was going to say and stared at his eyes as if enchanted.

 

When I lowered my gaze, his well-sculpted nose bridge came into view. Going further down, I could see his lips with a subtle flush of color.

 

I unconsciously swallowed my saliva.

 

‘Were Jerome’s lips always this red?’

 

When I raised my gaze, I met Jerome’s eyes once again.

 

Like waves rising in a calm sea, his blue eyes were shaking violently.

 

In a moment when even our breath seemed tinted with moonlight.

 

My mind went blank and I instinctively withdrew my hands and stepped back.

 

Then I lowered my head while avoiding Jerome’s gaze.

 

“So, what I wanted to ask was…”

 

My voice trembled strangely.

 

An inexplicable heat rose up, making even my face feel hot.

 

“I think I misunderstood what you said, Duke…”

 

“…What kind of misunderstanding?”

 

Jerome’s voice resonated low and calm.

 

That resonance made me fidget with my skirt hem and bow my head even deeper.

 

“Well, the misunderstanding was… I thought you disliked my dress, Duke.”

 

“I did?”

 

Instead of answering, I nodded my head.

 

With my head bowed, I couldn’t tell what expression Jerome was making.

 

“Why did you think that?”

 

“It just happened somehow…”

 

“I think we had a similar conversation before.”

 

After a brief silence, Jerome spoke.

 

“What I meant was that the dress suits you very well.”

 

Jerome continued in a low, firm voice. There was a strangely reassuring resonance in that voice.

 

“You should have confidence in yourself. Any dress would suit you well.”

 

Embarrassed by Jerome’s compliment, I bowed my head deeper and nodded slightly.

 

“…So my dress isn’t an eyesore?”

 

“As I’ve said repeatedly, you are correct.”

 

When I slowly raised my head, my eyes met Jerome’s.

 

Unlike before, Jerome wasn’t avoiding my gaze and was fixing his deep blue eyes on me.

 

“Is the misunderstanding cleared up now?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I nodded and said.

 

“Then don’t avoid my gaze anymore.”

 

And I looked straight at Jerome.

 

“Please look at me properly.”

 

I extended my pinky finger toward Jerome.

 

“Promise.”

 

Jerome looked at my hand quietly and asked.

 

“What is this?”

 

Ah, doesn’t this world have the culture of making promises by hooking pinkies?

 

“Hooking each other’s pinky fingers is like a vow to keep a promise.”

 

“I see.”

 

Jerome nodded and raised his pinky finger.

 

Then he carefully hooked his finger with my pinky.

 

“I promise.”

 

There was no longer any awkwardness in Jerome’s eyes. The warmth surrounding him somehow felt much softer.

 

Phew. Now I finally feel at ease.

 

It feels like I’ve finished a major assignment.

 

With the tension released, I straightened my posture.

 

“What did you want to say?”

 

Jerome’s expression hardened again.

 

He took a breath, then spoke in a low voice.

 

“…I wanted to talk about the conversation we had at dinner earlier.”

 

“The conversation at the banquet…”

 

“It’s about the troll’s tattoo.”

 

Ah. He’s talking about the pattern Calliton showed us.

 

Now I think I understand why Jerome called me aside.

 

Jerome continued speaking with the same serious expression and voice.

 

“I don’t know why the troll has the same tattoo as mine, but no one knows about my tattoo except my deceased parents.”

 

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about the Duke’s business.”

 

At my answer, I could feel the rigid atmosphere around Jerome softening. However, a cautious light flickered in his eyes.

 

Jerome took a low breath, then opened his mouth.

 

“You don’t need to worry about the tattoo. I’m not a dangerous person. It’s just…”

 

Jerome took a deep breath for a moment.

 

Then he slowly exhaled.

 

“…I’m just a little different from others.”

 

“Different how?”

 

“That’s…”

 

Jerome trailed off hesitantly again. This was the first time I’d seen him, who was always clear about everything, show such hesitation.

 

Watching Jerome quietly, I spoke carefully.

 

“You don’t have to tell me. I don’t want to make the Duke uncomfortable.”

 

Because I have that tattoo too.

 

I don’t know why I have it, but I’m not a dangerous person either.

 

Feeling a sense of kinship with Jerome, I briefly considered whether to tell him about my tattoo.

 

I had some hope that telling him might bring us closer, but…

 

‘It’s probably better not to say anything.’

 

There was no guarantee he’d feel the same kinship just because we had the same tattoo.

 

Rather, couldn’t it provoke Jerome’s hostility? Especially since it seems connected to monsters like trolls.

 

‘It’s better to keep it secret for now.’

 

Deciding to be cautious until I got definitive information about the tattoo, I spoke to Jerome.

 

“Could I possibly see the tattoo?”

 

I only saw it briefly at the hot spring, so I might have seen it wrong. I wanted to confirm once more if it was really the same tattoo as mine.

 

At my question, Jerome’s eyes wavered subtly.

 

“The tattoo?”

 

It was very slight, but I could sense bewilderment in that brief moment.

 

Though I asked out of curiosity, even I think it’s a bit much.

 

It’s not like the tattoo is in a place he can openly show. It wouldn’t be strange if Jerome refused such a request.

 

“…I suppose that’s an unreasonable request.”

 

Just as I was about to give up and move on.

 

An unexpected answer came back.

 

“I’ll show you.”

 

Along with his answer, Jerome took off his uniform jacket.

 

Then he brought his hands to his shirt.

 

As the buttons came undone one by one, his firm chest muscles became visible through the opening shirt.

 

As the unbuttoned shirt flowed down his well-toned body, Jerome’s bare upper body was revealed.

 

Solidly built shoulders, abs that moved subtly with his breathing, and his broad chest.

 

Moonlight flowed along his body lines, revealing his muscular contours.

 

At the beauty of his firmness built through exercise and his restrained lines, I swallowed hard.

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