CHAPTER 091
To win his heart, I also need to think about whether I want to date Lewis.
"You said you didn't mind me."
"But love is a different matter. If you ask whether I love you, Marquis... Ah, this is a bit awkward."
To be honest, I've never felt that I loved Lewis.
That's why I was so surprised when I found out he saw me as more than a friend.
Ugh, I didn't expect to talk about this!
I felt awkward as I spoke. It felt so bad, like who am I to be saying this?
Fortunately, Lewis didn't seem too upset.
"If you really see me just as a friend, then why did you blush when you looked at me sometimes?"
"Ah, that’s-!"
Look in the mirror, see how you look!
I replied, flustered.
"It's a human instinct. It's separate from love."
"So, you need time?"
"Yes."
I nodded timidly.
After hearing this much, Lewis seemed to realize he couldn't push his feelings any further.
Respecting my feelings, he nodded.
"Alright, let's take our time to think it over. I'll wait."
"Thank you for understanding, Marquis."
Phew! I'm so glad Lewis isn't upset.
As I was feeling relieved, Lewis unclasped our intertwined hands. Then, he lifted my hand, showing the back of it.
Was he trying to stop the noise? No.
Lewis kissed the back of my ungloved hand.
He lightly kissed it and then let go.
"A token of you acknowledging my feelings."
"Why, why would you do that..."
Why am I stuttering?
I was flustered without realizing it. It wasn't the first time we had such contact.
Maybe it was because I didn't expect such a gesture outside of a grand ball or a similar event.
After he let go, I rubbed the back of my hand, where his lips had been.
* * *
It didn't take long for Lewis and Selina to reach the Duke's residence.
He didn't go inside but escorted Selina to the mansion and then turned the carriage around.
Lewis felt uneasy every time Selina emphasized their friendship.
He wanted more, but she showed no sign of wanting the same.
He had even tried to drop more hints, wondering if she was oblivious.
But Selina finally noticed his feelings.
She was definitely conscious of him. That's why she kept stressing they were just friends.
Lewis liked Selina.
Not just as a friend, but he definitely saw her as a woman.
He couldn’t mistake these feelings.
Selina seemed genuinely flustered, as she said.
'So she asked for time to sort out her feelings.'
Lewis recalled Selina's reaction earlier.
She blushed just from his gesture of kissing her hand. As if it was an unexpected situation.
Can we still be just friends after that?
She said it was human instinct, but her reaction was certainly more than indifferent.
There’s a chance.
It was too early to be disappointed.
He was willing to wait as long as it took for her to sort out her feelings.
* * *
Since his attempt to sway Selina failed, Philip had been quiet.
But while he avoided encounters with Lewis or Selina, he continued to meet with Yaniels.
"Marquis Bloomberg has the magic stone."
Philip told Yaniels.
He already knew Lewis had taken the magic stone from Alain.
"Why is there no news when the stone is with the Marquis?"
If the stone made to curse Lewis was with him, its effect should have manifested by now.
Lewis was perfectly fine.
He heard that Lewis was still energetically pushing the mages around at the tower.
The same old news of him being his usual self.
"Could it be the stone isn’t working?"
"Impossible."
Yaniels shook his head firmly.
"It’s definitely a curse spell. I infused it into that stone myself."
Their conversation was inaudible outside due to the soundproofing spell.
So Yaniels spoke without hesitation.
Philip raised a doubt.
"Then why is there no effect? If you’re right, the Marquis should already be affected."
"That's... I don’t understand either."
Yaniels couldn’t provide a clear answer.
Even he didn’t know the reason.
Was the stone defective, or had the Marquis done something? Philip could only guess vaguely.
* * *
At Croft Duke’s residence.
Lewis was in Michael's room, discussing magic.
"The Crown Prince still visits our department often, but I can’t tell what they talk about..."
He couldn’t eavesdrop since the head of the court mages was always with them, which was expected.
But it was probably nothing new.
Lewis’s thoughts wandered away from those who couldn’t harm him directly.
Selina Elsner.
She knew his feelings now, but they needed time to think about each other’s feelings.
My feelings are certain, but how do I prove it?
As he pondered, Michael asked.
"Lewis, what are you doing?"
"Talking to you."
Lewis responded indifferently, though he was thinking of something else.
Michael suddenly asked.
"Thinking about Selina?"
"...?"
What the...
Lewis looked at Michael.
Seeing his narrowed eyes, Michael smiled nonchalantly.
"Am I right? Selina."
"What's with you, suddenly?"
Lewis had never told anyone he liked Selina. Even if it was obvious.
Michael smiled.
"I thought you liked Selina."
"What if I do?"
"I’d cheer you on."
"How boring."
Lewis clicked his tongue.
"Instead of cheering, why don’t you think of something that would actually help me?"
"That’s not something I can do. It depends on Selina’s feelings. And how attractive you appear to her."
Attractive?
Lewis stared at Michael at his last words.
"Do you think I’m not attractive?"
"Maybe Selina doesn’t think so?"
Michael’s innocent face was surprisingly blunt.
Lewis ended up asking.
"Then what should I do?"
His words came out sharply, so he added.
"What do you think I should do to appear attractive to Selina?"
"You really like Selina? I guessed, but I was right!"
"Do you want to die?"
Despite the cold words, Michael didn’t lose his smile.
"Somehow, I thought it was strange that you kept wearing that ring when you used to find them cumbersome."
A silver ring like those sold on the street, followed by a new ring.
And it was around the same time Selina’s ring changed.
Of course, Michael noticed.
Probably even his mother knew. Only Bella might be clueless.
"Be good to Selina."
"Of course. I can do better than anyone."
"Make her see you as a man."
That remark struck Lewis.
"Make her see me as a man?"
...But how do I appeal to her more than I already do? He had no idea.
Then Lewis realized.
Michael was surprisingly popular among young ladies.
Come to think of it, he was more sociable than Bella or himself.
Lewis unknowingly leaned slightly toward Michael and asked.
"Be specific. What should I do?"
* * *
I met Lewis again after a few days.
"How are you today?"
Honestly, this question usually gets a similar response from Lewis.
So-so, same as usual, a nonchalant reply.
Since it’s a chronic condition, his answer to this question was always indifferent.
So I asked without thinking, but today Lewis’s answer was a bit different.
"Good."
"What? Good?"
What's going on?
It’s rare for him to respond like this.
I've heard "bad" or "the worst" before, but this is a first.
Especially with such a bright smile!
"Yes. Today is good."
"...You seem to be in a really good mood."
I said as I observed Lewis closely.
Was there something to make him this happy? Especially with our current ambiguous situation.
"Did something good happen today?"
"No. Same as usual."
Yet, he’s smiling like this? That’s not like Lewis.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No, it’s nothing!"
Lewis chuckled. But that face...
I remembered it.
When we went to Ceylon Island together!
He seemed really happy walking around holding hands with me! It was just like that.
Now, we’re not even holding hands or anything, so why is he in such a good mood?
"It's not nothing."
"Actually, it’s strange to see you smiling."
Lewis shamelessly replied to my comment.
"You might not know, but I always smile like this."
"Do you really not look in the mirror? You should."
Liar! That’s not the face he usually makes!
He must have some reason for smiling like that.
"..."
Anyway, seeing that face made me realize this again.
No matter how much I say we're just friends, I am weak to that face!
Lewis quietly held my hand and looked at me intently.
When he smiles at me like that, it’s hard to get used to, no matter how familiar I am.
Even without saying anything, I felt strangely embarrassed.
Why is Lewis acting like this today?
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