RHFTY chapter 35

* * *

As Chaeyi, Bennex, and Ferdinand settled around the tea time table, Chaeyi asked Bennex a question while Enoch placed tea cups and desserts before them.

“Do you have any hobbies, Bennex?”

“Yes! It’s nothing special, but….”

“I’m curious. Could you tell me about it?”

“I enjoy… reading books.”

“Oh, I like reading too.”

“Really?! What kind of books do you read?”

When Chaeyi and Bennex discovered a shared interest, Bennex became engrossed in the conversation.

Chaeyi also found the conversation enjoyable, as their interests overlapped more than expected.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand, who was not part of the conversation, sat with his legs crossed, wearing a sour expression.

Although Ferdinand was knowledgeable, the topic Chaeyi and Bennex were discussing was far from scholarly.

Their conversation flourished, and encouraged by the flow, Bennex made a suggestion.

“Chaeyi, could you… call me Ben? It’s a sort of nickname, and others call me that comfortably.”

“Hm. That’s fine. But if you call me without ‘-nim’ too.”

Chaeyi said with a playful smile, causing Bennex’s face to turn as red as a beetroot.

Blushing to his ears, Bennex lowered his head and spoke with a trembling voice.

“W-well… Chaeyi….”

“Yes, that’s good, Ben.”

“I… I really can’t do it! Chaeyi, you’ll still call me Ben, right?”

The sight of Bennex covering his face and peeking through his fingers was so cute that Chaeyi couldn’t help but laugh.

Clank!

Ferdinand slammed his empty tea cup down loudly and shot a scornful glance at Bennex.

“Stop being so ridiculous.”

Bennex turned pale instantly, gulped, and shivered. The conversation came to a halt. Chaeyi sighed and glared sharply at Ferdinand.

“Ferdinand. Don’t pick on someone weaker than you.”

“Worse than weaker! He’s an omega like me, you know? And you don’t know how formidable he is. You’re just fooled by his appearance.”

“Oh? Then don’t pick on someone stronger than you.”

“Do I look weaker than him?!”

“Really. What exactly do you want? Fine. You’re just jealous, aren’t you? Ugh, I’ll give you a nickname too.”

“It’s not…!”

As Ferdinand stood up abruptly, frowning, Chaeyi, deep in thought, muttered a nickname derived from Ferdinand’s name.

“Fer? Will this work? Is this how nicknames for your name are usually formed?”

Ferdinand hesitated and stepped back, his face unusually flushed.

Whether he was embarrassed by having his inner thoughts exposed or by suddenly being called by a cringeworthy nickname, it was unclear, but he seemed at a loss for words.

After a long silence, Ferdinand quietly sat back down.

Since Chaeyi had known Ferdinand for quite a while, it was easy to tell that his mood had improved.

‘He’s surprisingly simple-minded.’

Suppressing a smile, Chaeyi brought up the previous topic again.

It was to subtly include it in the conversation with Bennex.

“Don’t you read novels or anything?”

“…Hmph. Who reads those silly stories meant for common folk? It’s beneath me.”

“Beneath you? That’s not something a troublemaker like you should say.”

“What! I’m behaving myself these days!”

Ferdinand slammed the table, as if to show his frustration at being called a troublemaker.

Bennex, startled once again, shrank back.

But Chaeyi, used to Ferdinand’s outbursts, appeared unfazed.

“Hmm. Now that you mention it, why have you been so quiet lately? It doesn’t seem like you’ve grown up.”

“…Are you speaking to me in such a rude manner?”

“Just a misunderstanding.”

In the end, Ferdinand sighed and propped his chin on his hand, glancing sideways at Chaeyi.

“Think about it. What could be the reason?”

“Oh, maybe because if you act up in someone else’s mansion, you’ll be severely punished and kicked out? You don’t want to be kicked out?”

“…….”

“So you’re a troublemaker who still picks his time and place. How commendable, Ferdinand.”

“Enough. Damn it, stop talking.”

Ferdinand turned his head away with a sulky expression.

Despite not causing any trouble, his temper hadn’t changed from before.

While Chaeyi watched his pouty face, Ferdinand suddenly stood up.

Chaeyi, eyes wide with surprise, looked at him as he glanced away and said:

“I’ll be leaving first.”

“What? Are you still upset?”

“Yeah. Think whatever you want.”

Though Ferdinand’s reply seemed curt, he didn’t look particularly upset.

He turned and left. A short while later, Enoch began clearing the table and looked back at Chaeyi.

“Mister Chaeyi, I’ll clean this up.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks.”

Thus, the dessert and tea that had been in front of Ferdinand were left untouched and discarded.

‘I really…’

With Enoch gone, an awkward silence fell between Chaeyi and Bennex for a moment.

However, Chaeyi soon broke the silence, and the uncomfortable atmosphere quickly dissipated.

Also, Bennex, who had sensed an instinctive mismatch with Ferdinand, felt more at ease than before.

“Bennex, this might be a sensitive question, but I’m curious. Do you have someone you like?”

“Ah… Yes.”

Bennex’s pale cheeks, responding shyly, were lightly tinted with a flush of crimson.

He glanced at Chaeyi, but Chaeyi, misinterpreting the look, responded with a mischievous smile.

“Do you happen to know someone I know?”

“Th-that’s something I can’t reveal yet.”

Unable to withstand Chaeyi’s subtle gaze, Bennex eventually, in embarrassment, cupped his cheeks with his hands.

‘It seems clear that Ben is interested in Leo. Hmm, I wonder how Leo feels about Ben.’

Chaeyi was convinced that the person Ben had feelings for was Leonard.

It was a huge misunderstanding, but she never once considered that the person in question could be herself.

“You’ll do great. I’ll be cheering for you, Ben.”

Chaeyi offered a gentle smile and took a sip of the now lukewarm tea.

Bennex, who had been silent for a moment, slowly lifted his gaze.

“Lord Chaeyi, you’re really a Beta, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

Though Chaeyi was often misunderstood as a frequent activator, he shrugged lightly with a smile.

Yet, Bennex’s face displayed an inexplicable solemnity upon hearing this confirmation.

“I… I will definitely overcome this.”

“……?”

Chaeyi didn’t understand the meaning of his words at all, but he thought he was talking to himself and dismissed it.

Before long, the afternoon had arrived. It was well past lunchtime, so Enoch urged them to finish up.

Reluctantly, Chaeyi decided to look forward to their next meeting with Bennex.

“It was fun. Go on in.”

“Um… Is it okay if I come back tomorrow?”

Bennex, hesitant as if he didn’t want to part, mustered up the courage to ask Chaeyi for permission.

If Leonard and Ferdinand had been there, they would have definitely interfered, but since Chaeyi had no reason to refuse, he nodded lightly.

“Of course, you may.”

Bennex left with a bright smile, saying he would come again tomorrow. Chaeyi waved goodbye to his retreating figure.

Enoch, who had been quietly observing the entire situation from Chaeyi’s side, turned to his and cautiously asked.

“Excuse me, Mister Chaeyi.”

“Yes?”

“Are you perhaps favoring Lord Bennex? It seems like you’re showing him special affection.”

“What?”

Startled by the question, Chaeyi firmly denied and waved his hand.

“Don’t misunderstand; it’s nothing like that.”

It didn’t make sense for Chaeyi to like someone who would be Leonard’s future spouse.

Enoch, still skeptical and trying to gauge the truth of his words, asked once more.

“Are you really sure?”

“Yes, I told you it’s not.”

Chaeyi let out a small, relieved laugh and shook his head.

Only then did Enoch secretly exhale in relief.

He was worried about what Leonard might do if Chaeyi fell in love with someone else….

‘I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but I need to make sure that Mister Chaeyi doesn’t end up alone with anyone or become too close to other.’

Hiding his true thoughts, Enoch put on a cheerful smile as usual.

“Let’s go have a meal, Chaeyi.”

“Sure. I’m starving anyway.”

So, Chaeyi and Enoch headed towards the mansion together.

They engaged in light conversation, and soon they were heading down towards the dining area, but….

‘Hmm?’

Enoch spotted a small figure lingering near the opposite staircase.

It was a little child, wearing a hat pulled down tightly, and dressed in luxurious clothes that could not hide their aristocratic status.

‘Who could that be?’

Chaeyi, exchanging a glance with Enoch, approached the child and spoke casually.

“Are you lost?”

“Eek!”

The startled child whipped around. The hat fell off with the sudden movement, revealing the child’s face.

“Oh…”

Enoch, recognizing the face, covered his mouth in surprise. It was a face that Chaeyi also knew.

‘This kid is…’

Black hair reminiscent of Delion. Purple eyes similar to Bennett’s. The child’s eyes darted around nervously.

This was the youngest member of the Lancaster family, who had clung to Bennett’s leg during their first introduction to the Lancaster couple.

“You… Hallard, right?”

* * *