RHFTY chapter 63

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However, Enoch, clueless about what Chaeyi was thinking, appeared rather cheerful.

“I’m not sure about the exact reason, but it’s definitely a positive sign! It’s rare for the master to invite someone who isn’t a VIP to a private dinner.”

“…I see.”

Chaeyi felt somewhat relieved but decided to stay cautious just in case. He nodded with a determined look.

“Got it. Tell them I’ll be there.”

“Yes!”

Enoch quickly scurried back to the main house.

When the appointed dinner time arrived, Leonard came to greet Chaeyi.

He explained that Delion had asked him to bring Chaeyi.

As they walked together, Chaeyi asked,

“Do you know why I’m being called?”

“Not sure. I don’t know the reason either.”

Leonard answered with a wry smile, brushing his fingers against Chaeyi’s cheek.

“Don’t worry. It’s probably nothing serious.”

Even if something did happen, Leonard’s presence would ensure that Chaeyi wouldn’t come to any harm.

“Welcome.”

As they stepped into the lobby, the head butler, who had been waiting, greeted them with a respectful bow.

Chaeyi recognized him from the banquet but had never seen him this close before.

When their eyes met, the butler gave a gentle smile.

“Please, follow me.”

Chaeyi followed behind Leonard and the butler, entering the dining room where all eyes immediately turned toward him.

Seated already were Leonard’s siblings, chatting amicably.

It seemed the Lancaster couple hadn’t arrived yet, possibly to make things less awkward for Chaeyi.

“You’re right on time.”

Aelan was the first to greet them warmly.

Oscar gave a polite nod, while Hallard and Violet glanced at Leonard with sparkling eyes.

Chaeyi found it oddly comforting that he recognized all their faces now.

“Please, take a seat.”

Oscar, who had been sitting calmly, gestured to two empty seats prepared for Leonard and Chaeyi.

The seats were quite close to where the head of the household and his wife would sit—a spot usually reserved for honored guests.

It made Chaeyi uneasy, as it meant being seated close to Delion and Bennet.

To make matters worse…

“Chaeyi, sit here.”

Leonard placed Chaeyi in the seat closest to the head of the table, putting himself between Chaeyi and his siblings.

His intention wasn’t to place Chaeyi near his parents but to ensure Aelan couldn’t sit next to Chaeyi.

Not that Chaeyi knew any of this; to him, it all felt the same.

‘I’m going to lose my appetite.’

Chaeyi sighed inwardly as he sat down.

Before the main course was served, he helped himself to some appetizers laid out on the table.

‘It’s okay, everyone’s already eating.’

Although it was customary to wait for the head of the family to start the meal, the atmosphere felt more relaxed since it was a family dinner.

Chaeyi dipped a piece of bread into the warm soup and began to eat without hesitation, despite his earlier apprehensions.

Oscar, seated directly across from Chaeyi, watched him eat before speaking.

“Chaeyi, do you have any foods you dislike? I’d like to inform the chef in advance if you do.”

“Oh, I’m not picky.”

“That’s good to hear. It’s a blessing to have a good appetite. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to let us know.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Chaeyi responded, but internally, he couldn’t shake off a sense of doubt.

He felt that her demeanor was softer and more considerate than the last time they met—almost like how one would treat family.

However, there was no significant interaction between them since then that might explain this change in attitude. It was puzzling.

Of course, there was a reason, though Chaeyi was unaware of it.

Until just before Chaeyi and Leonard arrived, even Oscar and Leonard’s brothers had not realized the true purpose behind the sudden banquet.

It was Ailen who had figured it out and filled everyone in.

That revelation had made it clear to them all about the nature of the relationship between Chaeyi and Leonard.

Leonard, who had always been indifferent to anyone he was paired with, had willingly chosen his partner this time.

Besides, everyone except Hallard was aware that the two shared a special bond from the start.

It was now almost certain that Chaeyi would become Leonard’s official partner.

Naturally, everyone had started to relax, accepting that if it was Chaeyi, it was fine for him to stand by Leonard’s side.

“What’s your favorite thing, then?”

Ailen leaned forward, glancing over at Chaeyi, who was partially hidden behind Leonard. Leonard looked down, clearly displeased.

He wasn’t happy about how his brothers were showing an unusual interest in Chaeyi today.

He didn’t want to share Chaeyi’s attention, but if he showed his displeasure, he knew he would get a stern scolding from Chaeyi later.

So he held back.

“Something I like…”

Chaeyi thought hard, trying to come up with something he particularly enjoyed.

“Desserts? Especially the ones that aren’t too sweet.”

Although he ate well in general, he’d recently developed a preference for desserts and had been indulging in them quite often.

It was a shift from before, perhaps due to the exceptional quality of the desserts in this world.

He had previously avoided sweets to maintain his physique but now found himself exploring a whole new world of confections, while still being mindful not to overdo it to avoid upsetting the balance he had worked hard to maintain.

“Something like scones, then?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Something like that.”

“Got it.” Ailen nodded knowingly.

He was mentally noting this down for a future gift-giving occasion, though Chaeyi had no idea why he was being asked these questions and looked puzzled.

“You’re right on time.”

Just then, Delion and Bennex appeared at the entrance to the dining hall.

As they took their seats at the head of the table, the waiting attendants began serving the main dishes.

“Please, enjoy your meal.”

After Delion’s simple invitation, the meal commenced in silence.

Chaeyi, who only needed to turn his head slightly to see Delion’s face, felt a little tense.

The initial moments were quiet, adding to the unease.

What’s going on?

A question mark lingered in Chaeyi’s mind as he popped a piece of meat into his mouth.

“Chaeyi.”

Delion, having just wiped his mouth, turned his attention to Chaeyi and suddenly asked a direct question.

“Do you have someone you love?”

It was an unexpected bombshell.

So it’s come to this, huh?

Chaeyi wondered if Delion was about to fling a wine glass his way or perhaps hurl a fork instead.

He was imagining all sorts of scenarios, even though he wasn’t about to get up from his seat.

Was my question too blunt?

Delion reconsidered his approach.

Although his expression remained unchanged, he was internally agonizing over his poor communication skills.

“Yes, he does.”

Before Chaeyi could answer, Leonard interjected and lightly placed his hand over Chaeyi’s, speaking without hesitation because he already understood the intent behind Delion’s vague question.

“We’re planning to bond together.”

Chaeyi blushed furiously at Leonard’s unexpected public declaration.

He assumed that it would cause a wave of shock, given how surprising it was.

However, contrary to his expectations, both Delion and Bennex, as well as Leonard’s brothers, all reacted rather lukewarmly.

“When did you decide on the bonding?”

“During my next rut.”

“Hmm. That’s a suitable time.”

“Then should we hold the wedding ceremony as well?”

Oscar’s calm conversation, Violet bringing up the wedding without any hesitation, and Ailen’s nonchalant response all suggested they had already known.

Even Hallard seemed curious about the adult conversation but wasn’t shocked by Leonard’s declaration.

Chaeyi, meanwhile, was thrown off by the unexpected, muted reaction.

The final blow came with Delion’s comment.

“That’s good to hear.”

And with that, the discussion was over.

For real.

Chaeyi felt increasingly bewildered by their lack of a strong reaction.

He thought perhaps they were dissatisfied, but their straightforward acceptance felt genuine, which made it even stranger.

Was this… such a trivial matter that it could be brushed off like this?

Is this really how it’s supposed to be?

Chaeyi was left utterly confused.

The sudden dinner gathering ended as uneventfully as it had started.

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