RHFTY chapter 48

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Three days had passed since Silviet left.

During this time, Chaeyi had been lost in thought.

The biggest concern was how to restore the relationship between Bennex and Leonard… and another concern was why he had recently become unusually uncomfortable with Leonard’s touch.

Since there were no physical issues with his heart, the cause was likely psychological.

But pinpointing the exact psychological cause was difficult.

‘It’s the same with figuring out how to mend Ben and Leo’s relationship.’

As of now, nothing comes to mind.

At this rate, time will just keep slipping away without him doing anything….

“Sigh.”

Chaeyi sighed again, stuck in a loop of worries.

He wasn’t used to being so deeply troubled.

But he couldn’t just leave things to chance, as he felt a sense of responsibility.

Even though Chaeyi had a tough mindset and was slow to pick up on things, it didn’t mean he was irresponsible.

Anyway, those two issues had been the main sources of his recent headaches.

“Hey.”

Suddenly, Ferdinand’s face appeared in front of Chaeyi, startling him out of his thoughts.

He had momentarily forgotten that Ferdinand had come over for tea time just a few minutes ago.

Feeling guilty for unintentionally neglecting him, Chaeyi gave an awkward smile.

Ferdinand squinted at him.

“Hm. What’s the problem?”

“…What do you mean?”

“You’ve been out of it, not saying much, sighing with that serious look on your face. It’s not like you.”

Ferdinand crossed his arms.

His observation was sharp.

However, Chaeyi didn’t think it was a problem worth discussing with him, so he deflected by resting his cheek on the tea table.

“By the way, when are you going back?”

“What’s this? Are you hoping I’ll leave?”

“It’s not that…”

He had stayed longer than expected.

Ferdinand’s parents, like Bennex’, must be worried about him.

Although Ferdinand didn’t seem to share this concern, possibly because he had a strained relationship with them.

Ferdinand chuckled at Chaeyi’s vague response, crossing one leg over the other as he spoke with confidence.

“You’re just less lonely with me around. I keep you company, go on walks with you. Isn’t that great? So, you should cherish my presence.”

Though his tone was somewhat smug, he wasn’t entirely wrong.

Chaeyi let out a helpless laugh.

“That’s true. Thanks.”

Ferdinand, who hadn’t expected a thank you, was momentarily at a loss for words.

He found Chaeyi’s lazy smile unexpectedly unfamiliar, and for a moment, he was silent.

Then, Chaeyi suddenly remembered something and looked up with wide eyes.

“Oh, by the way, when do you think Ben will come back? It hasn’t been long since he left, so I guess I’ll have to wait a bit longer to see him?”

Ferdinand’s expression immediately turned sour.

“That’s harsh. Looking for him when I’m right in front of you. Do you really like that skinny guy that much? Your taste is peculiar.”

Just like Enoch had before, Ferdinand seemed to have the wrong idea.

Chaeyi was about to correct him, but Ferdinand continued speaking before he could.

“But you won’t see him for a while. He didn’t show it in front of you, but he wasn’t in good shape. Once he falls ill, he’s down for a few months, so probably….”

“What? He was sick?”

Chaeyi was genuinely shocked.

He had no idea….

But then he quickly understood.

Despite his cheerful demeanor, he had always been described as frail.

It seemed he had been hiding his condition so as not to worry anyone.

Chaeyi felt sorry for not noticing sooner.

“Chaeyi.”

Just then, Leonard’s familiar voice called out to him.

Both Chaeyi and Ferdinand turned to look.

Leonard approached, giving Ferdinand a sidelong glance.

“When are you planning to leave? Even Koneurer’s son has gone back… it’s shameless.”

Leonard’s words echoed Chaeyi’s thoughts from earlier, though the intent behind them was entirely different.

Ferdinand, irritated by their apparent agreement, frowned deeply.

“Because of you, I’m never leaving.”

“……”

“Maybe I should stay for a whole year?”

Ferdinand taunted with a laugh, causing Leonard’s eyes to narrow dangerously.

Sensing another fight brewing, Chaeyi quickly intervened.

“Leo, are you already done with work?”

“Yeah. I finished everything that had piled up since yesterday. I should have some free time now. I wanted to spend more time with you, so I pushed myself.”

“Is that so? Aww, you worked hard.”

Chaeyi, sensing that Leonard was looking for praise, patted him on the back to encourage him.

Leonard’s eyes, as he gazed at Chaeyi with a gentle smile, were warm and tender—completely different from how he acted toward Ferdinand.

The difference was stark, almost excessively so.

But then again, if Leonard suddenly started being kind to Ferdinand, it would only give him the creeps, so there was no need to feel pity.

“Ugh. You’re such a fox.”

“What?”

“You two are just too sweet, aren’t you?”

“So what?”

Ferdinand’s snide comments continued, and despite Chaeyi’s attempt to intervene, the childish argument between the two reignited.

Amid the bickering, Chaeyi was lost in thought for a moment.

‘Wait. Ben must be home by now, right? He said he wasn’t feeling well, so he’s probably resting.’

Leonard had mentioned that he would have some free time for a while…

If they left now, they could arrive by tomorrow morning.

The Duchy of Clancus, where the Duke of Coneller’s estate was located, was right next door.

Resting his chin on his hand, Chaeyi thought to himself, this might be the perfect opportunity.

“Let’s go.”

Once he made his decision, all that was left was to act.

Chaeyi abruptly stood up from his seat.

Leonard and Ferdinand, in the middle of their argument, turned to look at him.

Chaeyi addressed Leonard.

“Let’s go visit Ben today, Leo.”

“…Huh? Today?”

“Oh, and before that, could you send a letter to the Coneller family? Let them know that you and I are coming to visit. It would be rude to just show up unannounced.”

Of course, given how close the families were, Leonard’s visit would be welcomed, but still.

Leonard was visibly surprised by the sudden proposal but, since it was Chaeyi asking, he nodded compliantly.

If Chaeyi had asked him to go alone, he would never have agreed, and he knew that.

That’s why he decided to say they’d go together, even though he would have preferred to send Leonard alone if possible.

He could always arrange a private moment for them later.

It was a perfect plan.

Chaeyi smiled broadly.

“Alright, I’m going to get ready. Ferd, I’ll see you in a few days. Sorry for cutting our time short.”

Leonard left to send the letter, and Ferdinand, clueless about the situation, also left. Thus, the sudden trip to Clancus was decided.

---

It was late afternoon, and the sun was beginning to set.

A carriage, taking a different route than usual, sped across the plains near the estate’s boundary.

Inside, Chaeyi and Leonard looked happier than ever.

Leonard might have been dragged along, but he was enjoying the rare opportunity to spend time alone with Chaeyi and the excitement of traveling together.

For Chaeyi, this was his first time leaving the Combest estate, so he was thrilled by the experience.

Although the trip was meant to visit a sick friend, both were excited for different reasons.

“Chaeyi, are you enjoying this?”

Leonard asked, glancing at Chaeyi, who was looking out the carriage window.

He turned to him with a smile.

“It’s my first time outside the estate. Clancus is a grand duchy, so it must be huge, right?”

“Yes. The culture is a bit different, but it’s as developed as Combest.”

With a look of anticipation, Chaeyi turned his gaze back to the window.

The carriage sped across the plains and soon crossed the boundary into Clancus.

After passing through a forest, they arrived at a quiet town just as night fell.

“Would you like to stay the night? This is the town of Sola, in the northern part of Clancus. The security here isn’t bad,” the coachman asked, slowing the carriage.

Chaeyi and Leonard exchanged glances before deciding to stay overnight and got out of the carriage. The horses and the coachman deserved a rest, after all.

“You’ve worked hard today.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

They found lodging nearby, secured a room for the coachman, and rented a premium room upstairs.

It had two beds and a large bathroom, and since the place seemed newly built, it was clean and satisfactory.

“Two beds, huh….”

Our young master Leonard didn’t seem entirely pleased.

“Isn’t it better to have two beds?”

“……”

Leonard sighed. He wanted to share a bed with Chaeyi.

But since they’d already booked the room, and it was the best one available, changing it would be difficult.

Unaware of Leonard’s disappointment, Chaeyi simply tilted his head in confusion.

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