Saving My Childhood Friend Through... Questionable Means... - Chapter 30
The next day, Seria woke up feeling restless, only to realize that the real curse had just begun. Lucas’s body was completely healed, but their relationship had reached a point of no return. Surely, by now, Lucas must have come to his senses. He was probably regretting having begged for ‘one more time’ last night.
‘Still, it’s awkward… I’ll keep my distance for a while to sort out my feelings.’
First, she tied a letter to the foot of her carrier sparrow, instructing it to summon the sorcerer. Once he confirmed the curse was completely lifted, these past few nights would simply become a fleeting incident.
Then, Seria spent the entire day working from her alternate room in the annex. Although she was the Duke’s secretary, there was another secretary who oversaw major business matters. Her role primarily involved handling miscellaneous tasks, which allowed her to work separately from Lucas.
When a servant came to inform her that the Duke was calling for her, Seria made up an excuse to refuse. On the rare occasion when she had to go to the main building, she deliberately avoided crossing paths with Lucas.
By the time afternoon rolled around, Seria decided to take a break from her work in the small study and go for a walk. Strolling in the annex garden would ensure she wouldn’t run into Lucas, who typically spent his days in the larger main building and seldom visited the annex unless necessary.
Walking briskly, she soon reached the garden. The tranquil space was filled with the gentle rustle of leaves swaying in the wind. The central fountain’s koi statue spewed out a steady stream of water, and somewhere, a wind chime tinkled cheerfully.
As she wandered through the garden, Seria tried to soothe her troubled mind. The place was designed like a maze, offering perfect solitude for quiet reflection.
‘This will pass, too.’
Just as it was her first time with a man, Lucas was likely overwhelmed because it was his first time, too. Now that he’d learned how enjoyable s*x could be, it wouldn’t be long before he found a woman of equal standing to marry and forgot all about their three nights together.
By then, it would be nothing more than a faintly embarrassing memory of sharing a first experience with a childhood friend. Of course, Seria planned to find a suitable match herself and leave this place before that happened.
Seria knew her position all too well, which is why she couldn’t bring herself to express her feelings honestly to Lucas. If he felt guilty and offered to take responsibility for her, it would make her miserable. And if he rejected her outright, saying he couldn’t return her feelings, that would be even more humiliating.
So, Seria deliberately clung to the worst possible thoughts, trying to suppress the strange emotions she harbored for him. But the more she thought, the deeper she sank into a pit of melancholy.
‘Ugh!’
Looking down at the ground as she walked, Seria suddenly grew frustrated and kicked a small stone with all her strength. The stone arced through the air and disappeared into the bushes.
“Ah!”
A sharp voice cried out, followed by the distinct thwack of the stone hitting someone. Mortified, Seria froze. Before she could think of what to do, the person she’d hit emerged from the bushes, brushing past the foliage.
It was none other than Lucas—the very person she had been avoiding. He rubbed his forehead with a pained grimace that was oddly satisfying to see.
‘Why was he lurking around the annex garden like a ghost?’
Well, he wasn’t exactly hiding. He had probably just approached from the opposite direction. But in her flustered state, all Seria could think was, Why is the Duke, who should be in the main building, out here in the annex?
“Wh-what the heck. What are you doing here at this hour? Why are you in the annex?”
It was work hours, after all. Shouldn’t he be in his office? Lucas, still rubbing his head, finally looked at her with a calm expression.
Standing under the bright sunlight, his face looked healthier than ever—glowing, even. The curse had not only been lifted but seemed to have revitalized him. His complexion was so vibrant that there didn’t seem to be a need to summon the sorcerer for confirmation.
“Seria. We need to talk.”
“Huh? …Uh, later! I’m busy right now!”
For a brief moment, Seria considered hearing him out, but the thought of what he might say filled her with dread. What if he said something like, I must have been out of my mind. Let’s just forget everything that happened. The idea terrified her. It was one thing for her to decide to move on, but hearing it directly from Lucas was another matter entirely.
Panicking, Seria shook her head and pretended to be in a hurry, walking briskly away.
“Seria, wait! I need to talk to you!”
At first, she walked quickly, but when she heard Lucas’s footsteps behind her, she broke into a run. Unfortunately, it was no use. Lucas caught up to her easily with his long legs, while she, the metaphorical sparrow, struggled to escape the pursuing stork.
