* * *
Moreover, the servants who had been helping with the cleaning all turned pale and began to tremble, making Chaeyi feel even more awkward.
“Chaeyi… Are you sick?”
At that moment, Silviet, who had just woken up, blinked sleepily and draped himself over Chaeyi’s legs.
Chaeyi patted Silviet’s back and replied.
“Well, I feel a bit strange, but I’m not sure. I think I’ll need to get checked to know for sure if there’s anything wrong.”
“Don’t get sick.”
“Thank you. Don’t worry too much.”
Before long, Enoch returned with Jaden.
Judging by Jaden’s serious expression, Enoch must have caused quite a fuss.
Chaeyi couldn’t help but feel awkward, wondering what would happen if it turned out to be nothing.
“What exactly are your symptoms?”
Jaden crouched down beside the bed to meet Chaeyi’s eye level and asked.
Chaeyi rolled his eyes before answering.
“Recently, my heart started beating irregularly… Whenever it happens, I break out in a cold sweat, feel dizzy, and sometimes experience a fever. I wonder if it might be arrhythmia.”
“Could it be from overexerting yourself recently…?”
Enoch murmured anxiously from the side, even though no results had been determined yet.
His worry was overwhelming.
“I see. Excuse me for a moment.”
Jaden, who had been deep in thought, pulled Chaeyi’s arm towards him and rolled up his sleeve.
His movements as he checked the pulse were very skillful.
After checking the pulse multiple times, Jaden finally decided to do a blood test, taking a few drops of blood.
After a while, Jaden reviewed the test results and made a strange face.
Both Enoch and Chaeyi, worried that something was wrong, tensed up.
“Hmm.”
Jaden hummed briefly before turning to face the two with a serious expression.
“There’s nothing wrong.”
Enoch, unable to comprehend Jaden’s words immediately, wore a confused expression.
“Pardon?”
“Chaeyi is not only perfectly healthy, but there’s no sign of tachycardia or bradycardia. He doesn’t even have high or low blood pressure.”
Upon hearing this, Enoch finally sighed in relief, realizing there was nothing to worry about.
However, while Chaeyi was relieved, he still felt uneasy.
After all, the cause remained unknown. Seeing Chaeyi’s unsettled expression, Jaden began to ask a few different questions.
“Chaeyi, do you remember the situations in which your heart beat irregularly? It doesn’t have to be exact; just tell me whatever comes to mind.”
In what situations… Chaeyi thought back carefully.
“It happened yesterday, and another time while I was just having a regular meal. And, though I’m not certain, I felt a bit strange on the day of the banquet as well.”
“I’ve heard you exercise frequently. Did you experience any issues while exercising?”
“Oh, no. I think I was fine then.”
But how did Jaden know that Chaeyi exercised often?
The thought crossed his mind, but Chaeyi soon dismissed it.
His presence was well-known to the point where people talked about him being famous, so it wasn’t surprising that details of his life were known to others in the household.
“Hmm. What could possibly be the cause…?”
As the truth grew more elusive, Jayden propped his chin on his hand, deep in thought, before asking,
“By any chance, was there something common during the times when the symptoms appeared?”
“Not really… Oh, but Leo was always nearby. Though, it feels a bit strange to call that a commonality.”
“…”
Suddenly, Jayden’s expression turned quite peculiar.
He seemed baffled, almost as if he couldn’t comprehend what he was hearing.
Enoch, who had also picked up on something, had a similarly subtle expression.
“Well then, Sir Chaeyi, may I ask a few more questions?”
“Yes.”
“You mentioned earlier that the symptoms suddenly appeared during your meal. Did you and the young master do anything specific at that time? Like having a conversation or engaging in some activity?”
It was a somewhat unexpected question, but Chaeyi answered as he was asked.
“Yes, we talked a bit. Nothing much, just some friendly bonding.”
“…Then, what happened yesterday when the symptoms occurred?”
“Oh. Yesterday, Leo played a little prank on me.”
“A prank?”
“He suddenly kissed me on the neck.”
Chaeyi scratched the back of his neck.
Thinking back, it seemed like he was startled by Leonard’s sudden prank yesterday.
But Enoch, his face suddenly turning a rosy shade, covered his mouth with his hand.
The contrast with Jayden, whose expression was increasingly sour, was stark.
“Damn it…”
Jayden, who had been muttering with his head hung low, let out a deep sigh and rose from his seat.
“Anyway. There’s nothing wrong with your body. It seems this is no longer an issue for me to be involved in… I shall take my leave.”
“Is there no way to find out the cause?”
“I’m not sure you’d believe me even if I told you. Besides, it’s something you could figure out on your own, eventually.”
He handed his a small vial, saying it was a recovery potion, and left the room.
The way he said he wouldn’t believe the cause even if told made it sound like he had some incurable disease.
But with no physical issues and being told he was healthy, he was left bewildered.
‘What could the cause possibly be?’
Or was it just a throwaway comment?
While Chaeyi was lost in such thoughts, there was a commotion in the hallway.
When he lifted his head, someone was entering the room—Leonard.
“You called Jayden. Are you okay?”
It seemed he had rushed over, his hair still disheveled.
Feeling guilty for making him come over for nothing, Chaeyi smiled awkwardly.
“Yeah, I’m fine. They said there’s nothing wrong.”
“Really?”
Though Chaeyi answered, Leonard’s question was directed at Enoch.
He was clearly worried Chaeyi might be lying about being okay.
Swallowing a sigh, Chaeyi waited quietly for Enoch to respond.
Enoch hesitated, unsure of how to answer.
After all, Chaeyi’s heart racing wasn’t due to some regular arrhythmia but rather because he had developed feelings for Leonard.
If Leonard found out, he would undoubtedly be pleased.
A simple “Sir Chaeyi’s heart races whenever he’s with the young master, but there are no health issues,” would be enough for Leonard to understand. But there was a problem.
‘It seems Sir Chaeyi hasn’t realized his true feelings yet…’
Given the situation, would it be wise to hint at this change?
Just as Jayden said, even if someone told Chaeyi right now, he likely wouldn’t believe it, especially with the strong “family-like” bond between the two of them.
If he were to interfere rashly, it might ruin everything.
‘It’s best not to say anything about what I’ve figured out.’
Whether he hinted at it or not, Leonard would continue to act as he always had, and Chaeyi would eventually realize his true feelings.
For now, the best course of action was to simply observe.
“Yes. He really did say she’s fine.”
Enoch nodded vigorously as he responded.
Leonard still looked worried, his brows furrowed, but he seemed a bit more relieved than before.
“Chaeyi… Don’t get sick.”
Kneeling down on one knee, he gently covered the back of Chaeyi’s hand with his own.
Chaeyi felt the unfamiliar sensation of skin moving against hers.
Perhaps it was the subtle way it touched him, but he suddenly became acutely aware of the warmth of Leonard’s hand.
Trying not to seem awkward, he slowly withdrew his hand and patted Leonard’s head.
“Sorry for making you worry.”
Leonard, looking at his quietly as he patted him, shook his head.
Then he said,
“Chaeyi, just in case, don’t go anywhere or meet anyone today. Rest well. Okay?”
There was an underlying intention to keep his away from Bennex and Ferdinand, but Chaeyi didn’t pick up on it.
“Alright.”
Satisfied with his response, Leonard’s expression softened.
Then, turning to Silviet, he narrowed his eyes.
“You. Don’t bother Chaeyi too much.”
“Hmph! I don’t bother Chaeyi. Silvie is a dragon who can do things all by himself.”
Silviet, expressing displeasure, smacked the bed sheets with his short tail.
Ignoring his half-heartedly, Leonard stood up and met Chaeyi’s gaze again.
His eyes were warm, like a spring day—completely different from when he looked at Silviet.
“Then I’ll get going. I came in a hurry and haven’t finished my work. Let’s have dinner together tonight.”
“Sure. Go on ahead.”
Chaeyi patted Leonard’s thigh encouragingly, as he had done the day before, and saw him off.
Enoch, who had been waiting by the door with the servants, left the room, leaving it quiet once more.
It was only then that Chaeyi felt the tension release.
“Whoo.”
As Chaeyi flopped onto the bed, Silviet rolled around beside him. Just as Leonard had said, he decided to spend the day reading and playing with Silviet until dinner.
* * *
Cute
Oh, I thought he was doing some pheromone stuff maybe in dense too xd
I thought that was because of pheromone
thank goodness its just chaeyi being stupid and its just himgetting feelings lmao