Saving My Childhood Friend Through... Questionable Means... - Chapter 32
As Seria finished speaking, Lucas scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, his expression unreadable.
“Is that how it works? If we don’t do anything… we’re just friends again? That’s how it is?”
“Yes. Everything’s resolved now, so we’re back to being friends. Why? Is that not okay?”
“…I can do that, if that’s what you want.”
Lucas forced a small smile, but to Seria, his kind expression as a friend felt unbearably cruel. A perfectly normal conversation felt like her world was crumbling. It became impossible for her to maintain a neutral expression.
Gripping the hem of her dress tightly, she turned around abruptly, her voice steady but clearly forced.
“Well, I guess that’s everything, then? I’ll finalize the plans for the capital trip today. I’ve been neglecting my work lately.”
“Alright. See you tomorrow.”
The moment Lucas finished speaking, Seria hurried off to the annex. After running for a while, she stopped in front of her room, panting heavily. She had dashed madly while still wearing her dress, looking undignified. Glancing around to ensure no one had seen her, she felt another wave of gloom settle over her.
‘So that’s it, huh? Everything’s settled now. Sorting out my feelings… what a luxury. I forgot my place for a moment. After all, I have to see Lucas every single day.’
Letting out a deep sigh, Seria trudged back into her room. From the next day onward, she would once again spend all her time by Lucas’s side. It seemed nothing would go her way. Being his secretary meant she had no choice but to always be near him.
With a downcast face, she collapsed onto her desk. She could only hope that these feelings would pass like a fleeting breeze.
*
The following day, Seria packed lightly for the trip to the capital. She dressed in simple, comfortable clothes, though her heart felt unbearably heavy. As she approached the main building, she spotted Lucas and his attendants, who were already prepared to leave.
“Your Grace, should we take the shortcut?”
“Yes. The weather’s nice, so the faster route would be good,” Lucas replied, glancing at the sky.
Gone was the sickly man from a few days ago. His face was smooth and radiant, like polished marble. It almost seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, an illusion that made Seria squint and sigh inwardly.
‘Ugh, why does his face have to shine like that?’
Though Seria had always known Lucas was handsome—thanks to constant reminders from everyone around them—it had never affected her much. She had grown up seeing his face so often that it had no impact on her.
But after three nights of intimacy, her perspective had changed. His features, which she once took for granted, now seemed different. Was his nose always that sharp? And why did his eyes glisten like a deer’s? Even his lips, brimming with an almost indecent allure, now looked unbearably seductive.
Watching him from afar, Seria sighed softly. She finally understood why Lucas’s looks were so widely praised. But now, merely looking at him made her heart race—a bothersome side effect she couldn’t ignore. She couldn’t fathom why someone with a face like that had never pursued romance before.
While Lucas squinted at the sky, seemingly deep in thought, he caught sight of Seria approaching and offered a gentle smile.
“Seria, you’re here.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Seria replied formally. Although everyone in the estate knew they were childhood friends, she always used honorifics in public. An informal attitude might make others see the duke, young as he was, as a fool.
“Get in first,” Lucas said, extending a hand as the attendant opened the carriage door.
What’s with him today? Normally, Lucas would jump into the carriage himself without a second thought. The fact that he was offering her a hand now felt strange.
Seria hesitated briefly before resting her hand on his and stepping into the carriage.
“Ah!”
“Careful.”
As she stumbled, Lucas grabbed her hand firmly and supported her waist with his other hand. The solid grip sent a small flutter through her chest.
‘Why is he acting so out of character? It’s making me feel weird.’
Usually, if Seria tripped, Lucas would tease her, saying that it was part of life’s lessons to learn from falling. But this unusual display of care made her feel oddly unsettled.
“Let’s go!” Lucas called out once he climbed in after her.
The carriage began to move, and silence filled the space. Seria, feeling stifled by the quiet, fidgeted with her fingers and kept her head down. The silence dragged on until she couldn’t bear it anymore and stole a glance at Lucas.
He was staring out the window, sunlight illuminating his golden hair and making it shine brilliantly. Lost in thought, Lucas seemed deeply contemplative as he gazed outside. Sensing her gaze, he turned to look at her. Startled, Seria quickly averted her eyes.
Lucas glanced at her briefly before turning back to the window.
“What is it? Do you have something to say?”
“No. I don’t have anything to say.”
Silence returned. Lucas’s calm demeanor left Seria feeling slightly hurt. She had wanted him to treat her normally, but seeing him so utterly unaffected now left her feeling uneasy. Her contradictory emotions baffled even herself.
Noticing her restlessness, Lucas tilted his head and gave her a curious look.
“You look like you want to say something.”
Er_amaral26@
Her contradictory behaviour is even annoying me at this point. She’s the one who keeps pushing him away and saying that they should act as normal, but then she becomes upset if he acts affectionate, or even if he acts normal. Like, MAKE UP YOUR MIND LADY!!