CHAPTER 005
"Here’s a gift."
When I went to the Duke’s mansion, Lewis gave me a gift.
"What is this?"
As soon as I opened the box, my jaw dropped.
A magic wand carved out of gold! How much was this? I didn't know for sure, but it looked incredibly expensive with its dazzling shine.
It was entirely made of gold, with a large diamond embedded in the center.
"You said you’d help me, right? Consider this a token of gratitude."
Who knew Lewis was capable of such thoughtfulness!
Receiving a reward seemed to have slightly eased my fear of Lewis by about 1%.
"Oh my, Lewis gave you something very special!"
Even Duke Croft, who was with us, was impressed by the gift.
With Michael congratulating me and Bella looking inexplicably strange, Lewis seemed quite proud of himself.
"Isn't it an honor? Keep it as a family heirloom."
Ah, yes.
After holding hands with Lewis briefly and enjoying tea time with Bella, it was time to go home.
On my way out of the Duke’s mansion, I put the magic wand in a paper bag.
As soon as I arrived at the Count's mansion, I moved to my room as quietly as possible. I wanted to keep this a secret from my family.
Consider it a kind of emergency fund?
It would be better to keep it hidden.
My parents always showed great interest in anything I brought back from the Duke’s mansion.
I would bet my diary, which contains all my secrets, that it would cause a big fuss.
"Magic wand, you’re mine!"
I gave the golden wand a quick kiss of joy.
Oh, I’m so happy!
* * *
A few days later.
Bella went out with me to the bustling city center. It must have been because of that gift.
"He didn’t even give me a gift like that!"
See? She’s probably feeling competitive with Lewis...
Determined not to lose to Lewis, Bella took me out and started asking questions non-stop.
"What do you want to eat? Is there something you want? Camilla’s Boutique just released new items-"
"What’s with all this between friends? It's okay, I just want to buy a snack-"
Before I could finish speaking, Bella rented out the entire dessert shop I was about to enter.
What? Can you decide that so quickly?
With a 'Closed' sign hanging on the door and all the customers leaving in a rush, Bella turned to me with a smile.
"Shall we spend the day here?"
Is this really okay?
"I haven’t even done anything for you."
"It’s fine. You’re my friend."
As we sat in the empty shop, Bella’s maid brought a gift box to us.
"My lady, here is your order."
"Thank you."
Bella handed it to me.
When I opened it, it was a hat from a popular boutique.
"A gift for you, Selina."
"A gift? For me?"
Bella surprised me again with another gift...
I have a conscience! The gift from Lewis was a reward for helping him, but Bella’s gift is not.
I tried to refuse, even if only slightly.
"No, Bella. Just coming here is a gift already."
"No. You deserve something like this."
"Deserve...?"
"You're my only friend. Remember, we promised to be together until death?"
"Of course, I haven't forgotten!"
I answered reflexively.
Bella is always so serious at times like this. Looks like I'll have to stick with Bella till the end!
I reached out for the hat on the table, as her words left me with no choice but to accept.
"The bonnet is really cute! I’ll gratefully use-"
Bang!
The door suddenly swung open, and Lewis appeared.
"Marquis?!"
Startled, I dropped the hat.
Bella didn’t welcome his arrival either.
"What’s the matter? How did you know we were here?"
"Let me borrow my friend for a moment."
I just received a gift!
"Borrow what-"
Before Bella’s astonished voice even faded, the space shifted.
"Whoa!"
In just a few seconds, we were back in the familiar drawing room of the Croft mansion. Apparently, it didn't matter where we were as long as it was the Duke’s mansion.
But being alone with him is scary.
Bella! Bring Bella here!
"Couldn’t you have just held my hand while Bella was with me?"
I asked, shrinking back slightly, and Lewis shook his head.
"There are other people around."
He seemed to be referring to the staff.
"It's already noisy enough; who knows what I'd do if they distracted me."
Lewis had an irritated expression.
Was this sudden abduction for the public good?
But what about me...? I’m now alone with Lewis! How should I take this...?
Oh, no. Don't overthink it!
I forced myself to think positively.
As long as Lewis postponed his 'researching the non-human thing,' I should be safe.
Lewis needs me!
Though he looked tense and scary, I extended my hand.
"Go ahead."
"Good."
Lewis grabbed my hand with a firm grip.
The effect was immediate. The tense expression on Lewis' face was visibly relaxed.
Looking down at our joined hands, I thought.
'I think we can let go now.'
But when I tried to pull away, Lewis didn’t let go.
"...?"
Excuse me... Could you let go, please?
I flinched and tried to pull my hand away. Why isn’t he letting go...?
"Just a moment."
There was no way Lewis didn’t notice my discomfort.
When he opened his eyes, I saw myself reflected in his golden eyes.
"Just stay like this for a moment."
At that moment, seeing him, I stopped pulling my hand away out of stubbornness.
How much has he been suffering?
His face was still full of fatigue, even though he had just relaxed his frown.
It’s a peaceful midday, but what does it feel like to be tormented by maddening noise?
I didn’t know exactly, but it must be extremely exhausting.
I nodded slightly and stayed still, holding Lewis' hand quietly.
Lewis closed his eyes again.
‘This is so strange.’
In the bright midday sunlight, in the drawing room where anyone could walk in if they opened the door, holding hands.
With none other than the ruler of the Magic Tower.
‘Ugh, my heart is trembling out of fear.’
I placed my free hand over my left chest.
I could feel my heart beating a bit faster.
Anyone holding hands with someone like this would feel the same. Too scary!
What kind of ability does he have to make people so uneasy?
He looks so decent. No, not just decent, he’s otherworldly handsome!
But in reality, his personality sends people to the other world!
I quietly watched Lewis, who had his eyes closed.
‘...He looks surprisingly gentle with his eyes closed. Unexpected.’
While I was vaguely thinking that, Lewis suddenly opened his eyes.
"Are you staring at my face to bore a hole in it?"
Gosh, you startled me...!
"Oh, that’s..."
How did he know I was looking at him when his eyes were closed?
I was flustered and said whatever came to mind.
"I was going to tell you soon! If someone walks in, they might misunderstand."
Like a ridiculous misunderstanding that we’re in some kind of relationship!
"Don’t worry about that."
Lewis chuckled.
"Who would think we’re dating?"
It’s true, but... you’re very blunt, aren’t you?
Lewis, who casually made a harsh remark, immediately changed the subject.
"Didn’t I say that the effect lasts for about three hours after I let go?"
"Three hours? Oh, yes."
"If we’re just together without physical contact, the noise comes back right away."
That must have been what happened during our last meeting.
"The noise is terribly bad today, so I had no choice."
Lewis explained why he was holding my hand for longer today, and a thought suddenly occurred to me.
‘Then how can we extend that duration?’
I’m not Charlotte, so I can’t seal Lewis' power like in the original story.
Instead, all I can do is extend his noise-free time... by holding hands for three hours?
But I quickly dismissed that thought. Even if it’s possible, I wouldn’t do it.
* * *
It’s been two weeks since I started calming Lewis’ noise.
Despite the time we spent alone together, Lewis and I hadn’t gotten any closer.
‘Instead, I’m just getting more anxious...’
There was a reason for my unease.
I realized only yesterday that when Lewis and I go to the Duke’s mansion together, he’s completely left out of conversations. Only yesterday!
‘I really liked the place you took us to last time, Selina. Let’s go again next time!’
When we talked about where the three of us had fun, how would Lewis understand any of it?
The one who talks the most among us is definitely Bella.
And Bella talks the most to me.
So naturally, I became the center of conversation.
‘Outside, everyone trembles at the Master of the Magic Tower, but at the Duke’s mansion, he’s completely like a bystander.’
While gauging his mood, I accidentally met Lewis' eyes, and his smile was so creepy.
‘Bella’s friend. Aren’t you curious about the Magic Tower?’
He even said something like that in passing. How could I not feel uneasy?
"No, Lewis and I have a deal!"
I shook my head vigorously and forced myself to banish the ominous thoughts.
Calm down. It’s not just a verbal agreement, right?
I took out the magic wand that I looked at whenever I remembered. It was solid proof of my deal with Lewis.
"I trust you. My treasure!"
As I hugged the magic wand close, the door suddenly burst open.
"What are you
doing?"
"Oh my gosh!"
It was Levi.
I quickly hid the wand behind my back, but it was too late—Levi had already seen it.
"What? Mother didn’t mention you receiving something like this?"
Levi came around to see what I was hiding.
And then,
"Levi. Shh, shh!"
"Mother!"
He ran straight out the door. Oh, that terrifying blabbermouth!
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