Young Master, Please Put Some Pants On! - Chapter 24

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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 24

“Count Benito?”

“Yeah. Look at this!”

Garulus ran back to the bed and barely managed to lift up an ant doll as big as himself to show it off. He boasted about receiving many gifts, not just the doll but also a hat and toys.

‘That stuffy old man had that side to him too.’

Whenever they had met at the Imperial Palace until now, he had always shown a dignified and restrained demeanor. What on earth had happened today? In any case, contrary to his concerns, it seemed like Garulus had enjoyed a pleasant day, which was fortunate.

“Garulus must have really liked the Count. Look how he’s using formal speech when talking about him.”

Mellis, who had approached his side at some point, whispered and burst into laughter. Kermanomon stared at Mellis intently for a moment without saying anything.

In truth, it wasn’t him but Mellis who had given Garulus a happy day today. Without Mellis, Garulus would surely have spent just another ordinary day, no different from usual.

He slowly took in the scene around him. The sound of thin raindrops tapping against the window late at night, the gentle light filling the dark room, the laughter of the child he loved, and the warmth of another person he had come to know in a completely unexpected place.

Perhaps that was why Kermanomon found himself feeling at peace without realizing it.

It was a strange experience. It had clearly been a terrible day, yet this one brief scene had beautified all the memories of the day. Kermanomon closed his eyes tightly and simply wished this moment would continue.

* * *

That night, even though deep dawn had arrived, Mellis couldn’t fall asleep easily and tossed and turned. It had been a day that felt unusually long. She stared at the dark ceiling and recalled the day that had passed.

Although the schedule had been greatly disrupted, it seemed like their relationship had recovered considerably thanks to this trip to the capital. But…

“Sigh…”

Eventually, Mellis got up, let out a deep sigh, put on a thin robe, and headed to the balcony. The rain had stopped at some point, and a bright yellow full moon was clearly floating in the dark night sky. The cold night breeze brushed against her cheek.

“The Pria War…?”

Perhaps it was a feeling of wanting to deny it for no reason. Mellis murmured in a low voice. The Pria Kingdom was a small kingdom near the Northern Empire. Due to its harsh terrain and severe weather, it was also a place where magical beasts appeared particularly frequently.

As battles with magical beasts became more frequent, the kingdom lost its strength, and due to attacks from foreign nations that took advantage of this gap, the country eventually perished. The place that was once called the beautiful Snow Kingdom had now completely disappeared and become part of foreign nations.

“But that was already half a year ago…”

Since the fact that the kingdom had been integrated into foreign nations was announced half a year ago, the battles with magical beasts had probably ended even earlier.

She could now understand why Garulus had been staying at the Ducal Residence for such a long time. The fact that he couldn’t return even though the battles had ended meant one thing.

Judging from the atmosphere so far, it seemed like everyone at the Ducal Residence except Garulus knew that fact. It was just that no one spoke of it aloud and pretended not to know.

‘It was probably the Grand Duke’s order.’

Mellis slowly turned her head to look at Kermanomon’s bedroom located nearby. She couldn’t even begin to imagine what kind of feelings he, who cherished Garulus so much, had been hiding the news of his parents’ death with all this time.

Just then, the balcony across from her suddenly opened, and Kermanomon appeared. While the flustered Mellis stood there unable to do anything, Kermanomon, who noticed her belatedly, raised one eyebrow and asked.

“Were you peeping at my room at this late hour of the night?”

“No, no! Absolutely not! I just couldn’t sleep…”

“What a coincidence, I’m the same way.”

He leaned his arms against the balcony railing and murmured while turning his head toward the opposite side. A moment of quiet air passed. It was when Mellis was thinking of returning to her room, worried that she might be disturbing his personal time.

“It was delicious.”

“Pardon?”

“The cookies.”

At his quiet voice, she unconsciously turned her head, and their gazes met in mid-air. Only then did Mellis look at him directly. Instead of his usual neat attire, he was wearing a disheveled robe, and his hair ends were moistly wet as if he had just finished bathing. The completely different atmosphere from usual felt unfamiliar.

“Ah…”

Every time the cool night breeze blew, the warm soap scent mixed within it tickled the tip of her nose. It was such a soft fragrance that she could almost mistake him for being right in front of her.

While Mellis fidgeted, unable to give any response due to the embarrassment that was somehow washing over her, Kermanomon, who had casually propped his chin on his hand, spoke in a low tone.

“I am indebted to you. In many ways, at that.”

It was such an affectionate tone that it was hard to believe he was the same person who had ruthlessly cornered Mellis just a few days ago.

Mellis knew this was his way of expressing gratitude. Kermanomon, who was rational and calm in all matters, was equally direct in expressing his emotions.

That was the kind of person Kermanomon was. Cold and sharp, reluctant to easily let anyone close, but in truth, he had a kind and warmhearted side hidden within. This could be seen just by watching how he usually treated Garulus.

“I only did what I had to do.”

Mellis murmured as she ran her tongue over her dry lips.

‘This makes me look like some weird person obsessed with apologies.’

Though she had boldly declared that she would get an apology from him once things were resolved well, when he actually apologized, she found herself at a loss for words. It was because embarrassment washed over her, feeling like she had been stubborn all by herself for no reason.

“I was worried that Garulus might have spent another lonely day today, but thanks to you, it seems he had fun.”

“That’s right. Thank goodness.”

“I wanted to join as well, but it couldn’t be helped, unfortunately.”

Seeing him openly express his regret, Mellis suddenly thought of something.

“Ah, Grand Duke. Wait a moment!”

She went inside and quickly headed to Garulus’s bedroom to fetch something before coming back out.

“This is what Garulus drew today!”

What Mellis brought was Garulus’s picture diary. Approaching the end of the railing, Mellis stretched her arm out far to show it to him. There was Garulus with a bright smile riding on Noel, with Mellis and Anna watching over him, and even Count Benito handing a gift to Garulus. At a glance, it looked like they were having a wonderful time.

Kermanomon, who had been staring intently at the drawing for a moment, burst into a chuckle.

“Did Noel give him piggyback rides all day?”

“Yes. He said that way he could see farther.”

“Noel must have had quite a hard time too.”

“And there’s this too.”

Mellis said as she turned to the next page of the drawing. It showed a man with black hair and pale white skin, and Garulus shedding tears while staying by his side. The Grand Duke slightly furrowed his brow as he read the text written beside it.

“His Imperial Majesty, please get… better quickly? What does he want to get better quickly from? Is he hoping for a prince to be born?”

“Pfft.”

At his expression of disbelief as he let out a hollow laugh, Mellis bit her lips to hold back her laughter.

“He said he would deliver this drawing to His Majesty personally later.”

“Well, His Majesty would certainly be pleased that Garulus is praying for the Empire’s future.”

The two burst into laughter at the same time. This moment felt so comfortable that Mellis wondered if the person she was having a conversation with was really Kermanomon. As their laughter gradually subsided, quiet silence returned once again. He silently gazed at the night sky embroidered with stars.

“I heard from Noel. About what happened a little while ago.”

“Ah…”

Mellis couldn’t quite figure out how she should respond. It felt like she had learned something she shouldn’t have known.

Seeing that Garulus still didn’t know about this fact, Mellis guessed that this incident was also the cause of the rift between the two. Secrets couldn’t last forever, and to hide lies, one had to repeat even bigger lies.

When she learned the truth, Mellis was able to understand why he had shown such a particularly sharp attitude that day.

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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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