* * *
“So, tell me what you’ve spent it on so far.”
“Um… I bought clothes for my sister. And gifts for the people who came with me.”
Adam rolled his eyes upward, recalling what kinds of gifts he’d bought.
Chester, listening with a smile, frowned slightly.
There wasn’t a single thing Adam had bought for himself.
At this point, it wasn’t even surprising.
“And then… um…”
“Then I guess we’ll get something for you.”
Chester felt the wrist in his grasp twitch.
“The big guy will like it, too. Alright, it’s settled. Let’s get walking.”
“Ah—wait, Lord Chester, I—”
“Just come. I’ll help you pick something that suits you.”
As they walked, Chester glanced sideways.
Adam was following with a dazed expression, clearly still overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.
Seeing that made something flutter warmly in Chester’s chest.
He found himself, without realizing it, looking at Adam with a tender gaze.
Time passed, and before long, the sun dipped behind the mountains.
Crimson, orange, and gold hues painted the sky.
Adam gazed up at it through the carriage window.
Just then, a voice tinged with amusement fell upon his ears.
“Good job.”
Adam turned his head at the words.
Chester was sitting across from him.
His hair fluttered pleasingly with every bump of the carriage.
“We spent all the money before sunset, just as instructed. Since you followed the orders well, my brother will praise you too.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Lord Chester. I’m very grateful.”
“No need for that. I had fun watching, too.”
Chester had taken him to, of all places, a tavern.
Adam had expected a shop and was completely thrown off.
Did he mean for them to start drinking in broad daylight?
But his guess was wrong. Instead of ordering drinks, Chester had led him over to a group.
The group was a mix of mercenaries and merchants, all eyeing Adam with interest.
‘They’re a merchant caravan from distant Eliadel. They probably have a lot of rare goods—I figured you’d like it.’
Adam found himself nodding instinctively.
Eliadel was a faraway island nation in the northeast.
The items the merchants displayed were each unique and rare—ornaments made of coral and pearls, old books filled with Eliadel’s folk tales, tapestries embroidered with exotic designs, even illustrated books said to be by a famous artist.
“Your curiosity is impressive, Adam. You even went straight for the books there.”
Adam gave an awkward smile.
He remembered how he had thrown himself into browsing those rare books.
He’d even accidentally locked eyes with Chester while flipping through the pages, only to see him watching with the expression of someone observing an intriguing animal.
“You’re the kind of guy who’d be perfectly happy reading books all your life until the day you die.”
“…That sounds like an honor.”
Just imagining it made Adam’s cheeks flush slightly.
Seeing the change, Chester clicked his tongue, almost incredulously.
At that moment, the carriage came to a stop, and the door opened.
Chester stepped out smoothly with practiced ease.
Adam, on the other hand, hesitated.
Chester had extended his hand toward him, a smile on his lips.
“What’s with the hesitation?”
“Do you mean… I should take your hand?”
“Yeah, you got that right.”
Chester’s eyes curled gently.
His gesture was as courteous as if he were escorting a lady.
“Y-you don’t have to go that far.”
“Why not? I’m escorting my omega, after all.”
‘My omega.’
The words made Adam’s chest sink oddly.
To hide his flustered expression, he quickly reached out and took Chester’s hand.
Their hands fit together surprisingly well.
“Thank you.”
As soon as he stepped down from the carriage, Adam tried to pull his hand back.
But Chester brought his lips to the back of Adam’s hand, kissing it with an audible smack.
He blinked slowly, as if asking, ‘So?’
‘How can he be so shameless? He’s definitely just teasing me.’
There was no doubt that his embarrassment was giving Chester far too much enjoyment.
Adam looked uncomfortable, his cheeks burning where Chester’s lips had touched.
“Now then, go on to my brother. If he has any doubts, just say my name. Tell him Chester himself confirmed it.”
With that, Chester turned his back.
Just as he took a step forward, Adam called out urgently.
“Lord Chester!”
“What, another thank-you?”
Adam fumbled through his coat in a hurry.
Chester let out a curious “Hm?” as he watched him search.
Under his intrigued gaze, Adam finally brought something out from inside his coat.
“I… I wanted to give you this.”
He held it out respectfully with both hands—a small velvet box.
Chester tilted his head when he saw it.
Adam swallowed dryly, his throat suddenly parched.
“What is it?”
“A gift… for you, Lord Chester.”
His face turned red from embarrassment.
The fact that he’d bought a gift using someone else’s money was mortifying.
Feeling like he had to say something, his mouth started moving on its own.
“I, um, picked it out with a lot of thought… though I’m sure it’s still lacking in many ways. Please just accept it lightly, as something small.”
“……”
“I’ll make sure to buy the next one with my own money. It may not be anything grand by your standards, but I’ve saved up a little from tutoring, so… um…”
Adam babbled on like someone drunk.
Then he suddenly realized—Chester hadn’t said a word.
“Lord Chester…?”
Chester was staring intently at the velvet box, his eyes wide open.
He looked genuinely caught off guard, as if he had never imagined Adam would give him a gift.
His usually upturned lips had fallen into a straight line, and his purple eyes were visibly trembling.
The vulnerability on his face felt foreign.
Adam hesitated for a moment, then called his name again.
“Lord Chester.”
Only after being called a second time did Chester’s lips twitch.
He stepped forward and reached out.
His pale, slender fingers gripped the box, but rather than taking it right away, he gazed steadily at Adam’s face.
“Why…”
Why are you looking at me like that?
Adam wanted to ask, but the words wouldn’t come out.
He held his breath and met Chester’s eyes.
Time seemed to freeze in the heavy silence.
Chester, his expression unreadable, finally moved his hand.
As the box slid from Adam’s palm, Chester’s gaze deepened.
Adam quickly dropped his arm and clenched his fist, pressing his nails into his tingling skin.
“Can I open it?”
Chester asked, giving the box a slight shake.
Adam nodded several times.
With a soft clicking sound, the box opened.
“…Well, well.”
Chester gave an unreadable reaction. Inside was a bracelet.
A piece Adam had picked out after much deliberation—a band of platinum adorned with small amethysts.
Chester lifted the bracelet and blinked at it.
“Do you not like it?”
Adam asked cautiously.
At the jewelry shop, it had looked so lovely and refined.
But now, in the hands of the dazzlingly handsome Chester, it felt somehow plain in comparison.
“Hm.”
Chester touched the bracelet, then let out a small chuckle.
“You picked this with me in mind, didn’t you? This platinum and amethyst—it’s all just like me.”
His eyes curved in delight, his white teeth showing in a grin.
His well-balanced features came together in perfect harmony.
It was the kind of face that could only be described as flawless.
Adam was a bit taken aback.
* * *
