* * *
Raising a hand to his head, he messed up his neatly-combed hair.
“I’m still staying at the Carlisle estate. I’m teaching various subjects here—ancient languages, philosophy.”
Lies made his face flush with heat.
After writing, Adam reread the line.
It sounded suspicious, like he was trying to gloss over everything.
Not good.
With a sigh, he reached for a fresh sheet and started over.
Scratch, scratch.
Time passed, and the rain had completely stopped.
The clouds quickly cleared, and bright sunlight streamed in through the curtains.
Yet Adam was still locked in a battle with his letter.
“Mmm.”
He let out a low hum and scratched his cheek with a finger.
Ink smudged on his fingertip stained his cheek, though Adam didn’t notice.
But someone else did.
“You’ve got ink on your face.”
Startled, Adam dropped his hand.
At some point, Isaac had stopped reading and was quietly watching him.
“On your cheek.”
“Oh.”
His cheek, now pointed out, began to sting.
Realizing how messy he must look, Adam flushed to the top of his head.
He didn’t know what to do, flustered and frozen.
Isaac’s lips twitched slightly.
“Finished the letter?”
“Yes… It’s done.”
“You looked like you were taking a test, groaning like a sick puppy.”
Isaac put down the ledger.
“Is it really such a thankful thing? To exchange letters with your sister?”
Adam looked confused at the unexpected question.
‘Why is he saying that?’
“Of course I’m grateful. You’re letting me maintain a bond with my family. I thought you’d understand, Lord Isaac, since you have a sibling too.”
A faint smile ghosted Isaac’s lips.
Rising from his chair, he spoke as if to himself.
“In our case, there’s no such thing as tight-knit family love. We’re more like allies. Careful not to point swords and knives at each other, that’s all.”
Adam thought of the two dukes he had seen earlier.
They certainly seemed close, but it was a completely different kind of relationship.
There was no deep affection, no heartfelt sentiment like what exists only among true family.
“So instead…”
Isaac spoke again.
“I’d prefer to be thanked for something else.”
With that, he reached into his inner coat.
Adam just stared, unable to guess what he was up to.
“Take it.”
Isaac tossed something with a soft thud onto the table.
It was a pouch tied with silver thread.
Adam picked it up with a puzzled expression.
The pouch was heavy in his palm.
“Money.”
“What?”
Adam’s eyes widened at the unexpected word.
Isaac motioned with his eyes for him to open it.
‘Gasp.’
The moment he opened it, Adam inhaled sharply.
It was filled to the brim with gold coins.
Knowing their value, Adam felt his mind spin.
Then came Isaac’s next words, which only added to his dizziness.
“Go into town. Spend every coin in that pouch—leave nothing behind.”
“Lord Isaac!”
Adam stood abruptly, calling out in disbelief.
The unexpected order left him stunned.
“What do you mean, spend all the money?”
“Exactly as I said.”
Isaac spoke in his usual slow, emotionless voice.
“Be back at the castle by sunset. Use it all by then.”
“A-ah… I can’t possibly do that.”
“Why not?”
Adam was momentarily lost for words.
He couldn’t answer right away, clearly flustered.
Watching his confusion, Isaac tilted his head slightly, as if genuinely baffled by Adam’s reaction.
“It’s too much. I wouldn’t even have anything to spend it on.”
“Nothing to spend it on?”
“I’m already provided with food, clothing, and shelter here. I don’t even have to pay for my sister’s hospital bills or medicine. I’ve already received more than enough generosity from you, Your Grace.”
Despite Adam’s respectful tone, Isaac showed no sign of agreement.
Instead, his dark eyebrows twitched in annoyance.
“Is this rebellion?”
“It’s not that, I just…”
“Enough. Do as you’re told. It puts my mind at ease.”
“…”
“You said the letter’s done, right? Then off you go.”
“I just don’t understand… I only wanted to express my gratitude. I don’t see why that would be such an issue.”
Isaac looked at Adam as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
It wasn’t unreasonable—Adam was rejecting money, after all.
After a brief pause, Isaac spoke again, slowly.
“Right. You were just trying to be polite.”
“Then why…”
“Because it’s bothering me. Your little gesture of gratitude keeps echoing in my head. It’s annoying and distracting.”
“…”
“That’s why I’m giving you money. I find it much easier to accept thanks in the form of payment or status. That way, I won’t be so preoccupied with your appreciation.”
“You’re just kind, Lord Isaac. That’s why you keep thinking about it.”
“What a ridiculous thing to say.”
With a low mutter, Isaac rubbed his temple, as if baffled by the entire conversation.
Then, wearing an openly displeased look, he curled one corner of his lips into a half-smile.
“Do as you’re told, Adam Ross. If not, I’ll punish you for disobedience.”
At the word “punish,” Adam’s hand gave a small, involuntary twitch.
“Yes, punishment. For example…”
Isaac paused, then continued.
“…bending you over this table and thrusting into you, loud enough for everyone outside to hear.”
“Gasp.”
“Wouldn’t be so bad to open the door and let them watch, either. Your sister’s taught me the fun of voyeurism.”
Tap, tap. Isaac’s fingers drummed against the table.
“What’s your decision?”
After speaking, Isaac silently traced Adam with his gaze—the hand clutching the coin pouch, the hair trembling slightly, the flushed cheeks.
When their eyes met, Isaac gave a small nod, signaling for an answer.
“I—I’ll head into town.”
Adam frowned at the sound of his own voice—shaky and clearly rattled.
It was a pitiful display.
Isaac’s gaze lingered on Adam’s lips, his stare loaded with meaning.
“Then go.”
Adam bowed hurriedly and turned to leave, but Isaac had already stepped closer, grabbing Adam’s arm.
His hand, soft as waterweed, wrapped around him, and Adam didn’t move away.
“Adam.”
With that name came a warm breath brushing against Adam’s cheek.
Isaac lifted Adam’s chin with his other hand and kissed him—a slow, quiet, sweet kiss.
The taste of black tea lingered on Isaac’s tongue as it slid into Adam’s mouth.
“Mm…”
Letting out a breathless sound, Adam shut his eyes tightly.
A sudden worry crossed his mind—what did his own mouth taste like?
He recalled eating a chocolate chip cookie just a while ago.
“Ow—!”
Without warning, Isaac tugged his nose.
It wasn’t painful, just… startling.
Adam had no choice but to open his eyes.
“You were thinking of something else just now, weren’t you?”
The low voice was unexpectedly gentle.
“While I’m right here.”
“N-no, I wasn’t…”
“Now you’re lying too. Definitely deserves punishment.”
Adam shook his head with a desperate look.
Isaac gazed into Adam’s pleading eyes for a few seconds before raising his hand.
“Focus.”
Isaac’s palm covered Adam’s eyes.
Adam couldn’t tell what kind of expression Isaac was wearing.
The only thing he could sense was the smile behind the breath brushing against his lips.
* * *
