The next morning came. Lucas came to my office to receive his punishment.
He looked miserable, as if he really hated it.
I cleared my throat a couple of times and said, “You can stop wearing the flower crown after today. It seems you’ve reflected enough.”
“Are you serious?”
His expression brightened immediately.
Seeing his smiling face made me feel good, too.
When I added that I was serious, Lucas was overjoyed.
“Thank you. I will be careful from now on.”
He must have really hated it.
I think I can trust those words for a while.
With a brightened face, Lucas waited for Mill.
Mill arrived.
She entered carrying a flower crown that was twice as gorgeous as yesterday’s.
“…”
“…”
We were speechless.
It seemed today’s crown was made with red flowers to match Lucas’s eye color on purpose.
Yesterday’s was a work of art, but today’s… it was enough to be worn at the Emperor’s coronation.
It transcended art and was practically a national treasure.
“Isn’t that a bit excessive?”
“I made it with all my might. Do you not like it?”
Noticing our lack of reaction, Mill asked, feeling dejected.
I couldn’t tell her the truth, so I shook my head.
“Ah, no… that’s not it, I was just asking because you look even cooler today. Yesterday was great, but today is even more amazing. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll have you stop making the crowns after today. I think you’ve reflected enough, so I’m going to stop it.”
Mill looked disappointed but replied that she understood.
Now it was Lucas’s turn. He looked at the crown, placed delicately on the tray, with a pale face.
“So… why don’t you take a break in your room today? I’m sure everyone would understand.”
“Yes…”
Mill placed the crown on Lucas’s head and secured it.
It looked heavy, but it was secured well.
I had hoped it wouldn’t be.
“All done.”
I looked up at Mill’s voice.
Lucas was standing there, wearing the red flower crown, looking even grumpier than yesterday.
“…”
He looked incredibly good. He looked so good that I wanted to say, “Get into my bed right now.”
The color of his pupils and the color of the flowers matched exquisitely.
It was as if the flowers existed just for Lucas.
Platinum blonde hair and red flowers—if yesterday he was a flower fairy, today he looked like a god of everything.
I looked up at the ceiling and sighed.
Lucas cannot go outside today.
A catastrophe will occur.
Mill, not knowing what kind of disaster she had brought upon us, smiled and said, “How is it? I put in some effort today.”
“Yes. I can see that. It suits you so well that I don’t want to let you outside today. I didn’t know you had such talent.”
“How could you not know? I’m the one who trims Lady Shane, too.”
‘My sister-in-law hated being decorated.’
She had been hiding such an amazing talent.
I didn’t know I would uncover it like this.
“Do, do I look good?”
Lucas asked as if he truly didn’t know.
Shouldn’t he know that himself?
I said honestly.
“You look good.”
“To the point that you’d want to call me into your bedroom tonight?”
What did I just hear?
That’s not something I want to answer honestly.
I wanted to think it was a joke.
Lucas didn’t smile at all.
I couldn’t bring myself to respond, but Mill, standing next to me, secretly covered her mouth with the tray.
Lucas and I looked at Mill at the same time.
Although her mouth was covered, her eyes were crinkled in amusement.
I felt my energy drain away.
“Mill, that’s all too obvious.”
“I apologize.”
“You worked hard, so you may return now.”
“May I hear more?”
When I pointed to the door with my chin, Mill bowed politely and left.
I tried to move on naturally as if it hadn’t happened, but Lucas asked again, “Shall I come to your bedroom tonight?”
He asked persistently, as if he had made up his mind.
I was about to tell him not to come, obviously, but suddenly Lucas winked at me.
It was a brazen, beautiful-person strategy.
Without realizing it, I said, “Do as you please.”
“Really?”
What did I just say?
Lucas’s eyes widened, as if he couldn’t believe it.
Only after seeing that reaction did I realize what I’d done.
“No, what I mean is, well…”
“I understand. Then I will be going.”
I tried to act like it didn’t happen, but Lucas noticed and left the office after quickly bowing.
I gripped my forehead with my hand.
Why on earth did I do that?
No matter how much Lucas tried to seduce me…
Now the butler and the aide were going to see me in this state.
The air in the office, now that Lucas had left, was incredibly awkward.
“…”
“…”
It was agonizing.
To be swayed by a wink—I didn’t know I was someone so weak to a pretty face!
It was a trick that was clearly visible, yet I’d helplessly told him to do as he pleased.
I said it with my own mouth.
Why on earth did I do that? Should I sleep in a different room tonight?
The butler said, “Shall I prepare the bedroom?”
“That was a slip of the tongue just now, so don’t do it. I’m going to tell him not to come later.”
“Yes.” The butler answered with a smile.
I’m sure he doesn’t believe me, right?
I looked at the aide, but she didn’t even spare me a glance.
I would have preferred if she had just said something.
I wanted to hide somewhere.
Since we had decided to train today as well, I went to the private training ground.
Lucas was already waiting for me there.
He held his head high, looking down at me as if it weren’t even heavy.
“…Is your neck okay?”
“It’s not very heavy. It’s fine.”
Lucas handed me a wooden sword.
I just need to get through this moment.
After finishing sword training well, I’ll just tell him not to come tonight.
I can do this. I can.
“Today, I’m planning to correct your posture just a little bit.”
“Is it not good?”
“It’s not bad, but this way is more efficient.”
After having me try various blocking stances, Lucas made more detailed adjustments to my foot position and the angle at which I held my arms.
I’m not sure if it’s more efficient as he says.
“Then I’ll try attacking.”
Lucas attacked so I could feel the effect immediately.
When I blocked as he told me, it took less effort than I’d expected.
“How is it?”
It was amazing. Just by changing my posture a little, the burden of blocking and enduring with my arms and legs together had decreased.
“How did you do that? It’s amazing.”
