Saving My Childhood Friend Through... Questionable Means... - Chapter 31
‘Why are you chasing me?!’
Seria’s frustration skyrocketed as Lucas overtook her without even breaking a sweat, while she gasped for air like a fish out of water.
“Hah… hah… What’s your deal? Why are you chasing me?”
“I told you—I want to talk.”
Seria cursed her poor choice of escape route. This corner of the maze-like garden had no way out. She briefly considered slipping through the thicket, but ultimately, she gave up and caught her breath, sneaking a side glance at Lucas.
“What do you want to talk about? Oh, by the way, I sent a carrier sparrow to the sorcerer. I asked him to return when the mark disappeared.”
“Oh… really? Right, that’s what we agreed on.”
Lucas hesitated for a moment before suddenly changing the topic.
“By the way, why have you been avoiding me? Did I do something wrong? I’ve been looking for you all day, you know! Whenever I go where they say you are, you’re gone. And when I call for you, you just say you’re busy!”
Caught off guard, Seria tried to dodge the question, but eventually, she answered hesitantly.
“I told you—I have been busy. Anyway, what do you want to talk about? Just say it quickly. I’ve got a lot to do today.”
“Busy, huh?”
Lucas repeated her words, his tone skeptical. He chuckled faintly and shrugged.
“What could possibly keep the Duke’s secretary busier than assisting the Duke? You do realize this is neglecting your duties, don’t you?”
“Uh, well… um.”
Using his authority like that was unfair. Seria clamped her mouth shut, unable to counter his logic. Lucas seized the opportunity to continue.
“I’m heading to the capital tomorrow, and you’re coming with me. You didn’t forget, did you?”
“Oh, that. Well… I don’t really need to go, do I? I didn’t go with you last time either…”
She trailed off, but Lucas immediately caught her meaning. Letting out a sharp “Ah,” he folded his arms and firmly shook his head.
“No way. I already put your name on the list. Besides, we still can’t be entirely sure the curse has been fully lifted. What if something goes wrong while I’m there alone? You need to take responsibility and see this through to the end.”
“Responsibility?”
Seria frowned at the unexpected word. Lucas cleared his throat awkwardly, avoiding her gaze.
“Yeah. Take responsibility. I mean, you’ve already… done this to my body.”
“What exactly did I do to your body?”
Lucas flushed bright red, waving his hand in embarrassment, then looked away.
“Anyway, you’re coming with me tomorrow. That’s final. Don’t forget—I’m not just your friend; I’m your boss. Follow orders.”
He was using his rank to intimidate her now, leaving her no choice but to comply. As a mere secretary, Seria couldn’t refuse the Duke’s command. Frustrated by her lack of options, her shoulders slumped.
“Tomorrow… already?”
The thought of spending an entire day by Lucas’s side, when she was trying to avoid him to clear her head, made her stomach churn. Her face darkened at the realization, and Lucas, noticing her reaction, hesitated before adding softly,
“And… I’m sorry.”
“What?”
Her heart sank at the unexpected apology. Was this his way of telling her to forget the past few days? Her shoulders drooped involuntarily, but Lucas finally spoke again.
“I must have been out of my mind these past few days… I mean, I thought I was just trying to make you happy by putting in the effort, but if I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry.”
“Oh… no, it’s fine. You’ve always been the type to try your best at everything. I mean… I was the one who convinced you to do it even though you were against it. And it’s all resolved now, so…”
As she mumbled her response, Seria’s violet eyes grew misty. His sincere apology made her own outburst from the other day feel childish. So he’s back to normal now, she thought bitterly. Does that mean he doesn’t want to do it again?
Even though he had been so insistent about wanting more just yesterday…
As the thought crossed her mind, Seria was startled by her own reaction. She had started all of this to save a friend, but now she was overanalyzing every little thing and harboring resentment toward him for apologizing. I was the one who decided not to attach any meaning to this. So how did I end up feeling this way after just a few days?
Forcing herself to hold back her tears, Seria widened her eyes and turned her head to avoid Lucas’s gaze, worried he might notice the glistening in her eyes.
Unaware of her inner turmoil, Lucas let out a deep sigh and continued.
“So… about that ‘casual relationship’ you mentioned. If that’s what you want, I’m fine with it. After thinking it over last night, I realized I’d lost my mind for a bit there. I think I was pushing my desires onto you too much.”
“…Yeah. A ‘casual relationship’. But that’s over now. We’re friends—just friends, like before. There’s no reason to continue anymore.”
Not even a ‘casual relationship’. Just friends. Her heart ached as she corrected him, blinking away the tears threatening to fall. A ‘casual relationship’ only applied when their bodies were involved, but now that the mark was gone, there was no reason for them to continue being anything other than friends.
Whether they could truly go back to being just friends remained uncertain, but this was how it had to be.
