Saving My Childhood Friend Through... Questionable Means... - Chapter 34
The carriage arrived in the capital by early evening after a long journey. After resting at the Loren family townhouse, the next day’s schedule began.
Seria hid her complicated emotions and diligently assisted Duke Lucas by his side. The important meeting went smoothly, followed by a dinner banquet and an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, which concluded the day’s packed schedule in no time.
Lucas pressed his fingers to his tired eyes and spoke.
“Seria, it must’ve been a long day for you too, right?”
“Not at all, Your Grace. The schedule is all wrapped up for the day, so you’re heading back to the townhouse now, correct?”
Seria responded formally, to which Lucas let out a soft laugh.
“There’s no one around, you know.”
“Oh, right.”
Seria looked around, relaxing and switching to a more casual tone. Despite the tangled thoughts she’d had earlier in the carriage, the busy day left her mind feeling clearer. Perhaps staying occupied really was the best remedy. While working, even with Lucas by her side, she found her mind free of unnecessary distractions.
Smiling with a sense of relief, she followed a few steps behind him.
“So, heading back to the townhouse now?”
“Hmm, not sure. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the capital, so maybe I should go out and have some fun.”
Seria’s heart sank at Lucas’s words. Fun? What kind of fun? Although she hadn’t accompanied him to the capital many times, their visits usually consisted of completing official duties and then returning to the Loren family townhouse. She had never seen him suggest going out at night before.
From what she knew, Lucas had spent his academy years focused on studies with no interest in women, and after graduation, he adopted the devout lifestyle of a paladin. That was until his recent… fall from grace. But now? With no obligation to uphold vows of chastity, who knew what he might do?
Seria’s eyes drifted to the darkening view outside the window. At this time of evening, ‘fun’ could only mean drinking or indulging in debauchery.
“Are you planning to meet friends? Or… what kind of fun are you thinking of?”
“Still deciding. I might meet some friends or do something else.”
Seria had met Lucas’s usual circle of friends a few times before, but she couldn’t say she knew them well. She remembered that he had exchanged letters with them often during his academy years, but their personalities weren’t something she could clearly recall.
Were they good friends? Or the kind who indulged in hedonistic pastimes? Either way, meeting them at this hour made her uneasy.
Impulsively, she spoke up.
“Can I come with you?”
“You? Why?”
The question was natural, but the hint of surprise in his eyes stung. Seria swallowed hard and quickly came up with an excuse.
“Your body! We still haven’t had it checked by the sorcerer. What if something suddenly goes wrong?”
“I feel fine right now, though.”
“No, it could happen suddenly. That’s why I came along—to keep an eye on you. You have to bring me with you.”
Seria clenched her fists and widened her eyes as she spoke, and Lucas’s expression turned peculiar. His face flushed slightly as he averted his gaze and covered his mouth with a hand.
“You know, the way you’re saying that… it almost sounds like you’re offering to… anytime.”
“Th, that’s not what I meant! I just… If something goes wrong, I’m the only one who can help you.”
Seria stammered, her face flushing red in realization. Lucas’s expression grew even more complicated.
“‘If something goes wrong,’ huh. That’s a condition, isn’t it?”
“If not for that, there’s no reason to do it,” Seria replied, her voice firm.
Lucas lowered his gaze in thought, his long golden eyelashes trembling slightly. When he lifted his head again, his blue eyes held an inexplicable heat.
“What if something’s wrong now? What will you do then?”
“Now?”
Lucas’s face appeared perfectly healthy. While his slightly flushed complexion might suggest a fever, Seria’s own face was even redder, making it hard to argue that he was unwell. Just as she was about to point this out, she hesitated. The atmosphere had shifted, making it difficult to speak carelessly.
As Seria tried to find the right words, Lucas, looking a bit restless, spoke again.
“Actually… even though the mark is gone, my body still feels… strange. I didn’t tell you because I thought you wouldn’t like it, but… I feel kind of hot.”
