* * *
While he was stunned by the unexpected gentleness, the person in the shoes bent down and helped him up.
“Uh, uh…”
Colin wobbled, trying to see the person clearly.
They wore a hood pulled low, dressed in pants and a dusky-blue cloak, with a bag slung over their shoulder.
Definitely a traveler.
“I-I’m… alright.”
“You’re not hurt?”
Her voice was clear, like a songbird’s.
Colin blushed and nodded.
Someone like him—never even had a fling—could hardly handle a woman’s voice.
“You were talking about something interesting just now.”
“Huh?”
“You said there’s someone loved by the dukes. Might even become the mistress of the Carlisle family. That’s what you said, didn’t you? Quite the fascinating story.”
Colin’s heart sank at the calm tone of the traveler’s voice.
Had he really said all that?
As the buzz of alcohol faded, a chill crept over him.
He shouldn’t have run his mouth about the dukes so carelessly.
“A-ah, no! That was nonsense, I was just rambling!”
“Hehehe.”
The traveler chuckled softly, then pulled back his hood.
A young, strikingly beautiful face was revealed.
“Would you like to come with me to my inn? Let’s have a little talk.”
Faced with such a rare beauty, Colin was dumbstruck.
The slight soberness he’d gained evaporated again, and his heart pounded furiously.
‘It’ll be fine, right?’
Surely they just thought he was a funny guy.
He must’ve charmed the traveler somehow.
And it’s not like he said anything that bad.
Nothing important anyway.
“Ahem, well, sure.”
Colin responded with a feigned air of dignity, blushing all the while—completely unaware of how his hair was a mess like a bird’s nest and his clothes were caked with dust.
“This way.”
The traveler smiled with a hint of mischief as he gestured with a tilt of his chin.
But Colin didn’t catch the teasing edge in that smile.
Adam looked startled.
“You want me to dine with Lord Chester?”
“Yes, Sir Adam.”
The calm reply came from David.
With a small smile, David began walking down the hallway.
Adam, still dazed, realized he was meant to follow and started moving.
“Why the sudden order?”
“Is it really so surprising?”
David countered gently.
“You’ve dined together a few times already, haven’t you?”
“Well, yes, but those were special occasions. We were on a spring outing, so we happened to eat together.”
“I don’t see it that way. Whether it’s an outing or anywhere else, the Dukes never dine with just anyone.”
David added cheerfully, “No need to be so flustered. It’s simple—Lord Chester likes you. Naturally, he’d want to share a meal with someone he’s fond of.”
Then David asked Adam to keep that last part a secret.
Adam blinked slowly, still struggling to grasp the situation.
Before he knew it, they were entering the room where Chester was waiting.
“Welcome, Adam. I’ve been waiting.”
“Lord Chester.”
A snow-white tablecloth covered the walnut dining table.
At its head sat Chester, beaming at Adam, who stood awkwardly at the door.
“I thought we might have breakfast together. Come, have a seat.”
Even before Chester finished speaking, servants approached.
Adam ended up seated at the farthest point from Chester.
Their eyes met across the long table.
A strange, uneasy feeling stirred inside him.
‘Why all of a sudden…? Does he have something to say? No, if it were serious, he’d have told me through the butler.’
David’s words lingered in his ears: Lord Chester likes you very much.
Adam’s chest felt like it was boiling from the inside.
“Well then…”
Chester gave David a glance.
David clapped twice, summoning the food.
Dishes began to fill the table—roast turkey, thick ham, coiled sausages, minced meat pies, warm bread, mouthwatering fruits, and fresh vegetables.
A maid placed a bowl of hot soup in front of Adam.
The fragrant steam tickled his nose.
“…Thank you.”
Adam gave a cautious word of thanks, and Chester’s smile deepened.
He began eating with a casual air.
Adam, watching him closely, finally lifted his spoon.
Clink, clink.
It was so quiet that even the slightest touch of spoon to plate rang out loudly.
The tension made it nearly impossible to eat.
Eating alone had always been much more comfortable.
“Why so quiet?”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s our first time meeting today. Shouldn’t we be chatting a little?”
Chester spoke gently.
“You could say something like ‘you look lovely this morning,’ or ‘what are your plans today?’ Things like that.”
The light joke finally helped Adam relax.
“Ah, I was worried you might not hear me, since… well, we’re pretty far apart, as you can see.”
“Oh? Hahaha.”
Chester laughed.
“You’re right, Adam. It’s rare for us to share breakfast like this—and we’re much too far apart.”
With that, Chester stood up, picked up his plate, and walked over to Adam.
Everyone else froze in surprise.
Chester set down his plate and pulled up a chair—right next to Adam.
“There. Better, isn’t it?”
Adam looked to David, flustered, silently asking if this was okay.
David merely blinked rapidly.
Regardless of the others’ reactions, Chester always did as he pleased.
“What would you like to eat?”
“Uh… this is fine…”
“Good choice.”
Then Chester surprised Adam again.
Instead of asking someone else, he began carving the meat himself.
He thrust the knife deep into the goose’s breast.
Clear juices ran out, releasing a delicious aroma.
“I-I can do it myself.”
“No need. I rather enjoy serving you.”
Chester placed a slice of meat onto a clean plate, poured sauce over it, and even added a few vegetables on the side.
“Thank you…”
“It’s nothing.”
Their private breakfast had begun.
As Adam chewed the meat, he glanced at Chester.
Feeling the gaze, Chester smiled brightly and winked.
‘Good grief.’
Adam was struck anew by how handsome Chester was.
Even a simple smile made his heart thud.
He focused on swallowing the meat, trying not to completely lose his mind.
It slid down his throat barely half-chewed.
Cough!
Adam choked and reached for water.
Chester’s smile only grew warmer.
“Why so stiff? It’s just a meal. Relax.”
“Haha…”
“Shall we talk, then?”
Adam nodded slightly, still holding his knife and fork.
“Good. I have news you’ll like. I acquired a few rare ancient books recently.”
Adam leaned forward before he could stop himself.
His eyes sparkled with sudden excitement.
“Ancient books?”
“Yes. Ones not even your academy’s library has. It wasn’t easy to get them.”
Chester sliced off another piece of meat, skewered it, and instead of eating it himself, held it out to Adam.
“Say ah.”
“Ah…?”
“You’ll only hear what books they are if you eat this.”
A blush spread over Adam’s cheeks.
Embarrassment passed quickly, however, as curiosity took over.
He opened his mouth and accepted the bite.
“You’ve heard of Lucius, haven’t you? The ancient philosopher.”
Adam nearly dropped his fork.
He even forgot to breathe, but Chester remained completely at ease.
“Judging by your reaction, I’d say you have. Yes, Lucius—the one who built his philosophy on innate human goodness. The one who spoke boldly about just rule, even in front of tyrants, and was eventually poisoned.”
“Yes… That’s right.”
Adam’s voice trembled.
“Of course I know him. He’s one of my favorite philosophers.”
“His disciples transcribed all of his teachings. Due to the scarcity of paper at the time, only a few books were ever made.”
Chester’s lips curled into a smile.
“Thankfully, they were preserved remarkably well. And now, Adam—I’ve acquired an original.”
“That’s impossible. How did you even get your hands on something like that? These are priceless texts, thousands of years old. Only five copies remain in the entire world.”
Adam nearly said that out loud, but changed his mind.
Maybe it wasn’t impossible.
After all, the person in front of him was Chester Carlisle.
The man with power second only to the Emperor himself—was there anything he couldn’t obtain?
Rare books like those would be well within his reach.
* * *
