Young Master, Please Put Some Pants On! - Chapter 56

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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 56

On one hand, she couldn’t believe that someone with that face and that physique had never been in a relationship. Moreover, wasn’t he Duke Severus? His popularity among the nobles truly reached the heavens.

Even at the New Year’s festival, there were so many noble ladies lingering around just to try to strike up a conversation with him. Recalling that memory, Mellis unconsciously pursed her lips.

‘…So it wasn’t true.’

And at the same time, she felt relieved that no woman had ever received his sincere affection.

Why did this make her feel so good? Mellis, who had been twitching the corners of her mouth, felt something strange and hurriedly changed the subject.

“Then why do you deliberately let such rumors persist? Honestly, it’s not good content.”

“You saw it at the New Year’s festival too. Even when people bring lovers, there are so many who throw flirtatious glances, so imagine if it became known that the seat next to me was empty. How much would they bother me? Rather than being tormented by such things, it’s better for bad rumors to spread.”

“I see…”

“Rather than saying a hundred times that I’m not interested in marriage, showing myself with a lover once is much more effective.”

Hearing his words, it wasn’t incomprehensible. Without a doubt, he could be called the best marriage prospect in the Empire, no, the entire continent.

“Then what about you? How many have you dated so far? Seeing how clueless you are, I doubt you’ve ever been in a relationship.”

“Me? I was totally flying around. I was incredibly popular too.”

Mellis spoke with a proud attitude, recalling all the confessions she had received.

“Really? That’s unexpected. Then may I ask when your last relationship was?”

“…ine.”

“What?”

“…N-nine years old.”

At her voice that was barely audible, Kermanomon turned his head with an indifferent expression as if there was no need to ask further.

* * *

While the two were having such trivial conversation, the surroundings darkened and stage lighting illuminated the stage. Not long after, Rachel Karen, who played the lead role, came up on stage and began her monologue.

“Wow…”

Mellis let out a small exclamation at the sight of her on stage. She knew Rachel was the Empire’s top actress, but this was the first time seeing her in person. The fox beastkin had a mysterious charm that seemed capable of enchanting people with just her gaze.

‘He’s been pretending to be lovers with such a beautiful woman all this time?’

When that thought occurred to her, Mellis felt a strange emotion. Surely Kermanomon must have acted similarly toward Rachel as he had toward her.

Of course, she knew it was just simple acting, but thinking that those gentle gazes directed at her, that affectionate tone, and those caring actions had been directed toward another woman made her feel somehow uncomfortable.

Belatedly realizing she was having unseemly thoughts, she shook her head vigorously to clear her mind. After all, both situations were just business, so why would she pathetically feel jealous?

Of course, it would be a lie to say she hadn’t felt even a little flutter toward Kermanomon that day, but that was simply being swayed by the caring image he had acted out. Just as she had changed her hair color and worn a mask to act as Merien, Kermanomon had also been faithful to his role.

‘Let’s focus on the play, the play.’

Mellis straightened her posture and tried to focus on the play again.

It was a scene where the handsome male lead fell in love with Rachel at first sight. The gorgeous stage set, the flawless acting of the performers, the heart-stirring story, and the magnificent music captivated all the senses. Before long, Mellis, completely immersed in the play, followed the actors’ movements with her eyes.

It was a scene where Rachel, who was trying to run away with the male lead, suddenly fell.

“Oh no, don’t…”

“Pfft.”

When startled Mellis let out a small gasp, the sound of Kermanomon’s laughter leaked out from beside her. Noticing this, Mellis glared at him with narrowed eyes.

“Why are you laughing?”

“No, your reactions are amusing. Do you usually get so immersed in plays?”

“I don’t usually get immersed at all!”

However, contrary to her words, her gaze once again glanced toward the stage. Somehow, if she gave a clumsy answer here, it seemed like she’d be exposed as a country bumpkin who had never seen a play in her life.

“It’s because the male lead is handsome. It makes me focus more.”

At Mellis’s answer, he raised one eyebrow and looked the protagonist on stage up and down.

“That man? Is that type your preference?”

When he showed a serious reaction to words she had casually thrown out to deflect the situation, a flustered Mellis belatedly examined the male protagonist.

He was also a fox beastman and quite handsome, but his appearance wasn’t particularly what she would call her type.

“…It’s a secret.”

“Well, your taste in men seems quite low. What would you even do with a fox like that? In many ways, you’re far too good for him.”

“Why are you saying that when I said he’s my type?”

“No, it’s just that I don’t understand. Compared to that man, obviously I’m much…”

Trailing off his words, he opened and closed his mouth with a flustered face before finally continuing.

“…I could find you a much better man.”

“Ah. Never mind.”

She had wondered what he was going to say, but in the end, it was just meaningless teasing. Mellis turned away from him and immersed herself in the play once again.

* * *

“Leave me behind and go. We were only meant to go this far anyway!”

Kermanomon, casually resting his chin on one hand, silently watched the stage. However, after looking at the stage for only a moment, his gaze soon turned to Mellis sitting beside him.

“Sniff…”

The person who had said she never got immersed in plays had disappeared somewhere, and as the two leads faced a crisis of separation, Mellis began to tear up in earnest.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand where the tears were coming from. Wasn’t this just a predictable classic story? He simply silently took out a handkerchief and offered it to her.

“Th-thank you…”

Mellis, who now seemed to have no intention of holding back her tears, covered her mouth with the handkerchief and sobbed. She laughed well, was easily surprised, and now she was even prone to tears – what was he supposed to do?

‘She really requires a lot of attention.’

Wasn’t she a woman who needed as much care as Garulus? Moreover, seeing that she liked such a weak man, her standards seemed quite low. He was even worried about what would happen if she ended up meeting some worthless guy.

Earlier, when he had almost blurted out that he was better, it must have stemmed from his concern for her.

‘Right, this is just the natural feeling of an employer.’

After all, wouldn’t the Ducal Residence be peaceful only if his employees lived happy lives? His mother, the Previous Grand Duke, was someone who always spoke of cherishing and treating people well.

So his irritation at the thought that Mellis might meet some strange guy was similar to supporting Anna’s earnest unrequited love, he reminded himself.

* * *

“It was so entertaining! Now I understand why people call it a masterpiece!”

When the play ended, Mellis clasped her hands together and continuously exclaimed in admiration.

“What about you, Grand Duke? How was it?”

“Well, it wasn’t bad.”

“That’s it?”

In fact, as a patron of the Santania Theater, Kermanomon had already watched the same performance more than five times, so he felt no particular emotion.

After briefly surveying the surroundings, he turned and said.

“I have somewhere to go for a moment, so I’ll head out first.”

“Where are you going?”

“Actor’s Waiting Room.”

Kermanomon, who had answered without thinking, immediately regretted it. Mellis’s eyes widened at the mention of the Actor’s Waiting Room.

“Are you going to meet Lady Rachel by any chance?”

“Something like that.”

“Wow… I’m really envious.”

Kermanomon silently averted his gaze from those sparkling eyes. What was with this burdensome gaze from earlier? Looking into those eyes made him feel as if he had done something wrong even though he hadn’t done anything.

“…Come along if you want.”

“Really?”

In the end, he walked alongside the excited Mellis. Was it just his imagination that he seemed to be strangely swayed by Mellis lately? He couldn’t understand the reason.

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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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