Young Master, Please Put Some Pants On! - Chapter 83

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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 83

‘By now, she should have returned from the Academy.’

Kermanomon glanced at the clock and stroked his chin with one hand, deep in thought. These days, Gwen Academy was the biggest factor making him uncomfortable. Just hearing the word “Academy” kept bringing back memories of the photograph of Duke Ferzen and her that he had seen on Heartwing Day.

That said, he couldn’t exactly stop sending the child’s governess to the Academy, and of course Duke Ferzen wouldn’t be going there every single day, but he couldn’t help the unpleasant thoughts that kept arising.

Just thinking about that black-hearted lion bastard making all sorts of excuses to pester Mellis made his irritation flare up.

‘How have I been treating Mellis normally?’

With all these thoughts swirling around, he couldn’t help but let out an unconscious sigh.

When Malcolm returned again, he composed himself and acted as if nothing had happened. Malcolm, who had no way of knowing his inner thoughts, poured tea and spoke up.

“Your Grace, are you really planning to infiltrate the black market alone this time?”

“Yes. There’s no need for several people to go.”

The black market opening day, which was held once a month, was approaching. Of course, the knight order would be standing by nearby, but for Malcolm, who was a safety-conscious person, it was something he couldn’t help but worry about.

‘He’s already made up his mind firmly…’

As he briefly shifted his gaze, a certain clever idea came to his mind. However, instead of immediately voicing it, he naturally changed the subject.

“Ah, Your Grace. About the Young Master’s photographs we brought from Lord Bermin’s house the other day. Would it be alright to send them to the Academy for a moment?”

“The Academy? Why there?”

Malcolm raised his eyebrows slightly, startled by his sharp reaction.

“It’s nothing serious, but isn’t it the Young Master’s birthday soon? The Academy said they prepare a joint birthday party every month and requested the necessary photographs. Mellis asked me about it just a moment ago, so I’m asking to confirm.”

“Ah, yes, just tell them to be careful not to damage the photographs.”

“I already told her that. It seems like she’s in the process of selecting photographs to send to the Academy.”

At that moment, a thought flashed through Kermanomon’s mind.

“Then I should probably help her. There are thousands of Garulus’s photographs alone, and it would take quite a while to select the good ones from among them.”

“Pardon? No, that’s not necessary. Anna is already helping, so you don’t need to take time out personally…”

“What are you talking about? I’m the person who knows Garulus best. I should go.”

Kermanomon hurriedly left his seat without giving Malcolm a chance to add anything more. Malcolm watched his retreating figure for a long while before finally letting out a small sigh.

“Ah, so that’s how it is.”

It seemed his unnecessary worry about having tea prepared was just his own groundless concern.

* * *

“Mellis, this is the last batch!”

Anna, who had brought an armful of items from the library, spoke in a cheerful tone. What the two were organizing was none other than Garulus’s photographs and drawings.

The two were selecting items to send for the joint birthday party to be held at the Academy in a few weeks. Since this had to be done without Garulus knowing, they worked their hands tirelessly.

“I’ll focus on the drawings, so Anna, please select the photographs!”

“Yes!”

Mellis energetically rolled up both sleeves and began sorting the photographs with quick hand movements. While the two were absorbed in organizing, Anna glanced at Mellis and asked with a subtle smile.

“By the way, I’ve been wanting to ask for a while now, what’s going on with Duke Ferzen? Don’t tell me you’re really with the Duke…”

“What? No. I keep telling you it’s all just rumors.”

How many times was this explanation now! After that strange article came out, rumors spread among the servants of the ducal residence that Duke Ferzen’s lover might be Mellis. Every time she faced blatant questions and whispering glances, she broke out in a cold sweat trying to explain it away.

“Garulus was even there that day too!”

“Oh, really? Well, you’ve been looking dazed lately and your mood has been strange, so I thought you might have gotten a boyfriend. Or someone you like?”

“Wh-what are you talking about? Me liking someone… who would I even like…”

However, at that question, Mellis’s face flushed hot, and the sharp-eyed weasel didn’t miss that instant.

Excited at finding an interesting topic of conversation, Anna shouted in a thrilled voice.

“Mellis has someone she likes!”

“What? Me?”

“Who is it? Just tell me! Is it Duke Ferzen? Come to think of it, you’ve been hanging around with Malcolm a lot lately too… It’s not Noel, is it?”

“Absolutely not!”

Not just Arsian, but Malcolm too, and Noel! The parade of handsome men flashing before her eyes made Mellis’s mind grow increasingly hazy.

Anna’s eyes narrowed as she watched the flustered Mellis. With a mischievous smile, she pointed both index fingers at Mellis and said.

“Aha, I get it. Then it must be Duke Severus after all…”

“I must be what?”

“Kyaah!”

Startled by the low bass voice from behind, Anna threw the bundle of photographs she was holding.

“If you’re going to gossip, do it where I can’t hear. Where I can’t hear.”

“G-gossip? I heard you were very busy, so what brings you here?”

Anna, unusually flustered, made an awkward excuse. Mellis was equally surprised by Kermanomon’s sudden appearance. At the same time, her heart began pounding rapidly.

Mellis cautiously lifted her gaze to steal a glance at him.

‘He didn’t hear that, did he?’

The thought that he might have heard their earlier conversation made her mouth feel parched. The idea that she liked Kermanomon was absolutely ridiculous.

If he heard that story, he might tease her mischievously, asking if she had a crush on him. Her concern about his reaction was solely for that reason.

“I just stopped by for a moment. You’re selecting photographs to send to the Academy?”

“Yes. I think they want to decorate the party venue with hand-drawn pictures.”

“Really? Then I’ll help out too.”

Just then, Anna, who had been looking back and forth between the two, suddenly stood up.

“Oh, I almost forgot. There should be other items left in the archive!”

“What we have here is already more than enough, why bring more?”

“…No! I’ll take my time going there, so you two wait here!”

Anna shook her head firmly at Kermanomon’s words. Then she secretly gave Mellis a thumbs up and even winked slyly.

‘Mellis, do your best!’

Somehow, Anna’s inner thoughts seemed to reach her. The door closed, and the two people suddenly left alone blinked at each other.

Mellis, belatedly startled, hastily avoided his gaze and said.

“I-I’ll look at this side…”

“Ah, r-right. Then I’ll check over here.”

Kermanomon stole a glance at Mellis sitting across from him. He had rushed here thinking it seemed like a good excuse to be with her, but now that they were alone, he couldn’t easily figure out what to say.

‘What did we usually talk about?’

He gently closed his eyes and searched his memory. However, only her bright smile and her adorable sulking expression with pursed lips came to mind, making his lips curve up helplessly.

‘Ah, damn. This isn’t right…’

“Your Grace, look at this! I think it’s a photograph of Garulus when he was little!”

Meanwhile, Mellis, who had said she would select photographs, was now completely absorbed in looking through the photo album. Holding the album, she quickly approached his side. As Mellis leaned in with the album, the sweet scent of shea butter suddenly hit his nose.

For him, with his already sensitive sense of smell, it was far too strong a stimulus.

“Isn’t he really small? He’s so cute!”

‘You’re even cuter.’

Kermanomon, barely suppressing the words that had risen to his throat, bit the inside of his cheek and struggled to maintain a composed expression.

It was a photograph of Garulus, who couldn’t even open his eyes properly yet, wrapped snugly in white swaddling cloth. Seeing his soaked hair and unusually red face brought back vivid memories of right after his birth.

As he gazed at that photograph for a moment, a faint smile spread across his lips.

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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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