* * *
After wandering around for a while, the two sat on a nearby bench to rest and finish the remaining ice cream.
As Chaeyi cleaned up the melted ice cream, Leonard, who had been watching with a slight smile, asked:
“Chaeyi, is it really that good?”
“Yeah. Why? Don’t you like it?”
“I think it’s good too.”
“Really? Well, that’s a relief.”
Chaeyi tossed the empty cup into the trash can next to the bench.
Feeling full and in good spirits, he leaned back against the bench’s backrest, and the tension melted away, making the place feel like paradise.
A breeze came by and touched his cheek.
It was a warm and refreshing spring breeze that made his feel drowsy.
“It feels nice….”
Chaeyi closed his eyes for a moment.
The sounds of music from the fountain, the chatter of people, and someone’s laughter all felt like white noise, creating a sense of comfort.
As he thought about how he felt like taking a nap, he suddenly opened his eyes and looked up at the sky.
“Ah.”
With a startled expression, Chaeyi let out a gasp, as if he had remembered something he had forgotten.
Leonard, who had been stealing glances at Chaeyi’s profile, was also surprised and widened his eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“This is bad. The sun is setting.”
“…Ah.”
“No, ‘Ah’ isn’t enough. We need to hurry.”
While Leonard wore a frustrated expression, Chaeyi quickly got up from the bench.
However, Leonard, wanting to spend more time with Chaeyi, remained seated and said:
“Let’s stay a bit longer, Chaeyi.”
“Huh? Why?”
“It’s quite late, but it’s still a while before sunset. It’s fine to stay a bit longer. We haven’t seen all of the plaza yet.”
Leonard’s persuasion sounded reasonable. However, Chaeyi’s stance was firm.
“That’s true, but we’ve played around too much. We came to visit you… Should we just stay at Ben’s house and go back tomorrow?”
When Chaeyi asked while checking the time, a faint crack appeared on Leonard’s face.
It seemed he was unsure how long Chaeyi intended to stay.
“…No. We need to go back today.”
Fearing Chaeyi’s unknown intentions, Leonard reluctantly got up from the bench.
If given the choice between visiting now and returning today or staying a bit longer and returning tomorrow, the former was the obvious choice.
Returning to where they had left off, they were greeted by the coachman, who had arrived early. They quickly traveled along the outskirts towards the Coneller family’s estate. As they ascended the winding path, they began to see a mansion and grounds as large as the Lancaster estate.
Meanwhile, the Coneller family’s soldiers, who had seen the carriage bearing the Lancaster crest, informed their masters of the arrival.
The Coneller couple, having been informed, came out to meet the visitors at the gate.
So, when the carriage stopped in front of the main gate, Chaeyi and Leonard were able to meet the Coneller couple directly.
“Welcome. Young Master Leonard.”
“Thank you for coming all this way.”
The Coneller couple was overjoyed to see Leonard make the effort to come all the way here, and it was clear even to Chaeyi.
It was only natural, given that they had hoped for Leonard and their precious only son, Bennex, to successfully become engaged.
Given their hopes, anyone would have seen Leonard’s visit as a positive sign, especially since he came personally to check on Bennex.
Even though the Coneller couple didn’t know the details of the situation, it was understandable that they saw this as a good omen.
Moreover, Bennex, upon hearing that Leonard was coming, was visibly excited and happier than usual, which made the Coneller couple’s misunderstanding seem only natural.
Of course, Bennex’s reaction was due to Leonard coming with someone named ‘Chaeyi,’ but since Bennex didn’t elaborate, the Coneller couple couldn’t pick up on that detail.
“And… you are…”
After engaging extensively with Leonard, the Coneller couple finally turned their attention to Chaeyi.
“Hello. I’m Chaeyi.”
Chaeyi bowed politely, and the Coneller couple greeted his with kind smiles.
“Sir Chaeyi. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Thank you for coming all the way here.”
Their smiles resembled Bennex’s a lot.
They didn’t seem like bad people. Soon, the man who appeared to be Bennex’s father spoke with cultured politeness, placing his hand on his chest and nodding.
“Oh, I should introduce myself. My name is Wekerson de Clencus Coneller. And I am a Dominant Omega And my wife here is…”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Madelia de Clencus Coneller. A recessive Alpha.”
Madelia continued the introduction and greeted Chaeyi as well.
As Chaeyi repeated their names in his mind to remember them, the couple turned toward the mansion.
“Let’s go inside.”
Following Leonard in silence, Chaeyi trailed behind the Coneller couple and took in the sights of the Coneller mansion.
Compared to the grandeur of the Lancaster family, the Coneller’s estate had a more modest feel.
Unlike the Lancasters, who built separate wings for each child, the Conellers had only one large mansion on their property.
It seemed that Bennex lived there with them.
This must reflect the Coneller couple’s personality and family dynamics.
The fact that they had only one child was likely a factor as well.
“Bennex’s room is on this floor.”
While they were climbing the stairs after passing through the mansion’s lobby, Madelia added some details.
After a moment, Wekerson, who was leading the way, stopped in front of Bennex’s room and knocked.
“Bennex. Lord Leonard and Sir Chaeyi have come to visit. May I let them in?”
A faint noise came from inside. As the clattering subsided, the door creaked open.
“Come in.”
Bennex’s face appeared through the gap in the door, welcoming Chaeyi after a long time.
Seeing their son, clearly happy to see her, the Coneller couple smiled contentedly.
“Well, we’ll be going now.”
“Bennex, if you need anything, call for us.”
“Yes! Mother.”
Bennex, who had seen off my parents, immediately ushered Leonard and Chaeyi inside.
The room was very neat and had a bright, cheerful ambiance, which made Chaeyi marvel and explore.
On the other hand, Bennex seemed embarrassed to show Chaeyi his private space, not knowing what to do… C
haeyi understood that Bennex’s reaction was probably due to his poor health.
“How is your health? We came to visit you, not to trouble you, so don’t worry too much and just relax.”
After some hesitation, Bennex tucked himself into the blanket. Although his health had already improved significantly, hiding under the blanket made him feel more at ease.
“Lord Chaeyi, how have you been?”
Bennex looked at Chaeyi with a flushed, shy face.
Leonard, who had been watching silently, eventually showed his displeasure by frowning, but he quickly concealed it behind a neutral expression.
“Yes, I’ve been well. How about you, Benny?”
“I’ve been okay too! Actually, the most sorrowful thing was not being able to see you, Lord Chaeyi… I’m so happy that you came to visit me first.”
Bennex, fidgeting with his fingers, glanced at Chaeyi and added.
“I missed you, Lord Chaeyi.”
His voice was small, like an ant crawling, but it was clear enough for anyone perceptive to understand.
He was timid but expressed everything he wanted to say and his feelings without hesitation.
From Leonard’s perspective, Bennex was a very intimidating presence.
Unable to tolerate it any longer, Leonard intervened to cut off Chaeyi and Bennex’s conversation.
“By the way… It seems that Lord Connell doesn’t see me. Someone might think that Chaeyi came alone to visit.”
Noticing that Leonard’s displeasure was obvious, Bennex was startled and waved his hands in denial.
“That wasn’t my intention. Lord Leonard.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it’s true. I’m certainly grateful to Lord Leonard as well. In fact, I didn’t expect someone like you, Lord Leonard, to visit me.”
“Well then, let’s talk.”
Leonard smirked slightly.
Though his rare smile seemed very kind at first glance, Bennex could tell that his eyes were not smiling.
Instead, Bennex felt even more fearful, as if he were prey being targeted by a predator.
Bennex glanced at Chaeyi for help, but…
‘Leonard is smiling like that.’
Chaeyi’s thoughts upon seeing Leonard’s smile unfortunately differed from his feelings.
‘It seems like they’re having a fairly normal conversation. Is this the green light?’
While their conflict was actually a red light, Chaeyi remained optimistically cheerful.
‘Alright. Then I should start getting up.’
Chaeyi checked the time and stood up, causing Leonard and Bennex’s eyes to follow his movements quickly.
Not only that, both seemed to simultaneously exclaim as if they were telepathically connected.
“Where are you going?”
“Where are you going?”
Seeing Leonard and Bennex in perfect sync, Chaeyi, unaware of their deeper intentions, just smiled contentedly.
* * *
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HAHAHAH POOR BENNY
Thankss
Chaeyi, please get a clue!!