* * *
In the meantime, he lifted the new cake plate in front of Ranshel so he couldn’t eat it.
However, Ranshel, who had been quickly lifting his fork, made a face like a raccoon washing cotton candy in water.
Seeing that, Zavad clicked his tongue and put the plate back down.
“…I know I should be grateful. I showed a very rude attitude.”
“Not at all. There are moments when it is hard for anyone to act rationally. I understand those anxious feelings.”
Frey covered her mouth with a fan, but her eyes were curved with hidden laughter.
Zavad looked annoyed, as if he had bitten into a bitter persimmon.
But soon, he asked in a gentle voice.
“Although his condition has improved a lot, I want to watch his progress. Would it be alright if I let him stay at the Vershel mansion a little longer?”
“Of course. Young Master, please feel free to visit anytime as well.”
Zavad bowed his head slightly.
“I express my gratitude for Vershel’s kindness.”
Ranshel, having finished the cake in that short time, opened his mouth.
“I’m perfectly fine.”
“Then, I will leave him in your care.”
“I really don’t have a single place that hurts.”
“I will return after my training is finished.”
Zavad glanced at Ranshel, then tried to grab his chin to check inside his mouth again.
When Ranshel covered his mouth with both hands and shook his head, Zavad clicked his tongue and turned around.
And from that moment on, Ranshel began to suffer from extreme overprotection that he had never experienced before.
“Daniel, I’m really okay. I received the Saintess’s blessing, so how could I be unwell?”
“I think so too, but as someone ordered to nurse a guest, I cannot neglect you.”
Daniel, who had to stay by Frey’s side, instructed the other servants of the mansion to nurse Ranshel thoroughly.
Ranshel was not allowed to leave the bed except for one allowed walk per day.
“Young Master Zavad requested that we serve you healthy meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without fail.”
The dessert time that had made Ranshel happy at first was no longer allowed.
His main meals became rye bread with no taste, meat with almost no seasoning, and salad without dressing.
The comfort and goodness were brief.
This was an environment close to imprisonment.
Ranshel, suffering in pain, tried to appeal to Zavad about his health.
“I really don’t have anywhere that hurts. My body feels so light I feel like I might fly away, so I almost need to be tied down.”
“Then open your mouth.”
“…….”
When Ranshel covered his mouth and shook his head again, Zavad seemed to judge that he was hiding internal injuries.
Eventually, far from being released from confinement, Ranshel ended up in a situation where he had to receive periodic health checkups.
To think he became a hopeless fake patient like this.
His body, lying under the blanket, twisted in frustration at the loss of freedom.
However, he absolutely could not tolerate Zavad looking inside his mouth and bringing his face close.
His heart beat too fast, and above all… Ranshel was not confident he could control himself.
‘Stupid Zavad. I am a beast….’
He couldn’t remember at all how he had treated Zavad before.
Whenever that beautiful face came close, his heart felt like it would burst, and he felt like he would forget how to breathe.
His mind went blank, and his eyes kept drifting to those well-shaped lips without him realizing it.
His memory wasn’t clear.
But he was aware of the fact that someone had given him artificial respiration when he was confused after being waterboarded.
When he saw the face he met after waking up, there was no doubt the person was Zavad.
Even in his hazy consciousness, that sensation was vivid.
The breath that was intensely imprinted on him, as if the smoke of a hot furnace was sweeping through his body.
‘I am… I am no different from a crazy beast in the moonlight….’
Ranshel was in the most wicked state of his entire life.
He kept losing his reason and wanting to feel the touch of those lips again.
He wanted to inhale that hot air into his mouth again.
While suffering from the burning pain in his throat, he wanted to press his jumping heart against him.
But Zavad, not knowing this, kept telling him to open his mouth, holding his chin, and bringing his face close.
He had seen him since he was so young, so how could he feel these emotions?
He must have lost his mind.
Ranshel wanted to cry a little. The tip of his nose was already stinging.
“Ranshel, how is your body?”
Just then, Frey arrived for the scheduled checkup.
She walked faster, looking a bit surprised to see Ranshel making a crying face.
“What’s wrong? Is there somewhere that hurts?”
Hearing that kind voice, he didn’t want to forgive his dark and unpleasant heart.
“You… You shouldn’t do this to me, Saintess.”
“What is the matter? Is there perhaps a chronic illness I don’t know about…?”
Her question, so incredibly kind and endlessly worried, felt like it was squeezing his heart.
“Please don’t look at me with such warm eyes….”
“What are you saying, Ranshel? Just calm down a little and breathe easily.”
Frey reached out and patted his shoulder.
He couldn’t take it anymore.
Ranshel buried his face in his two palms and shouted.
“I am coveting the Saintess’s fiancé!”
“……Oh my.”
Frey opened his eyes wide and covered his mouth with both hands.
Seeing that shocked look, Ranshel felt like his heart was breaking.
“I’m sorry, I… no, I know I shouldn’t do this. It’s not like I was going to do anything. Well, I wanted to, but I’m trying not to. I am trying to avoid it somehow… I am trying to stop the beast inside me…!”
“……Calm down for now. How about drinking a glass of water?”
Frey’s voice was trembling thinly.
Ranshel grabbed the water cup on the table and gulped it down to hold back his tears.
“……Cough!”
He choked on the water.
Ranshel bent over and coughed roughly.
Frey patted his back.
Faint trembling was felt at his fingertips, perhaps due to confusion.
To show such kindness even while flustered by a servant talking nonsense.
He was truly generous, fitting for someone chosen as the Empire’s Saint.
Ranshel felt that disappointing such a person once was enough.
So, after his coughing subsided, he spoke seriously.
“Don’t worry, Saintess. I intend to give up soon. I only told you because I didn’t want to deceive you. I swear I will never do anything to interfere with your engagement. I will never convey my feelings to the Young Master either.”
Every word was sincere.
Ranshel had absolutely no intention of interfering between the two.
But Frey looked puzzled, as if he couldn’t understand.
“……Why?”
“……You ask why?”
What kind of reaction was this?
Ranshel tilted his head in wonder.
Then he thought maybe Frey was doubting the truth of his words.
Well, it would be strange to immediately accept it when someone who just ranted about coveting his fiancé suddenly said, “Don’t worry, I’ll give up.”
Ranshel leaned his body closer to Frey, who was sitting next to him, and spoke with a serious attitude.
“I have absolutely no intention of mocking the Saintess with lies. You two promised to be together far into the future, and I know well that I am just an obstacle.”
“Umm….”
However, Frey looked troubled rather than relieved.
Was it still hard to believe?
Ranshel worried about how to express his sincerity, then he held Frey’s hand tightly with both hands.
“I can swear in any way you want. I really want you to be happy with the Young Master.”
“Um, hmmm… Excuse me, Ranshel.”
“Yes?”
“If the Young Master stays with me… will he truly be happy…?”
“……Of course?!”
Where else is there a sure happy ending like ending up with the main character in a romance game?
“Why do you have such doubts? Do you still not believe me?”
* * *
