Saving My Childhood Friend Through... Questionable Means... - Chapter 48
“Love. What? How exaggerated. It’s just that I’ve spent so much time with Seria… and I hope to keep it that way. Yeah, that’s all it is.”
Lucas’s voice grew quieter, ending in a muttered attempt to convince himself. Cain’s straightforward mention of “love” had deeply unsettled him.
He had never labeled his emotions before—was this really love? What did Cain even know to define his feelings so definitively? All he had seen was a brief exchange in the drawing room, and he knew nothing of the backstory.
Lucas didn’t like how his friend acted as though he knew everything, but he had no intention of explaining what had really happened between him and Seria. Partly because of the need to keep the curse a secret, but also because he could already predict Cain’s teasing if he found out about their physical relationship. More than that, though, he simply didn’t want to share the details of his and Seria’s relationship with anyone.
As Lucas’s expressions shifted rapidly, Cain crossed his arms and nodded as if he had it all figured out. The older-brotherly air of someone who thought they knew everything irked Lucas, but he had no retort, so he kept his mouth shut.
“Lucas, don’t regret it later. Don’t be a fool who lets things slip away and ends up regretting it.”
“Slip away? What are you even talking about… I know everything about Seria’s movements. If she starts looking anywhere else, I’ll be the first to notice.”
Cain sighed and shook his head. Lucas’s casual confidence was because he assumed Seria was securely in his grasp. He was letting his guard down, too oblivious to realize he might lose her. Cain thought about how Lucas might react if he actually lost her—he’d throw a fit, no doubt.
Shaking his head at his friend’s cluelessness, Cain rose from his seat.
“You’d better act fast before she misunderstands. She looked upset just now, probably because of something I said.”
“What? What did you say?”
Lucas’s eyes widened in alarm.
Cain sighed at Lucas’s clueless expression.
“Do I really have to spell it out for you? I mentioned how only women from insignificant families would be left if you didn’t act soon. It was just to prod you, but she looked genuinely hurt. Who knows? Maybe my words made her give up altogether.”
“Ah…!”
Images of Seria abruptly leaving the room flashed through Lucas’s mind. He hadn’t noticed it earlier, but her expression had been far from ordinary. Why hadn’t he caught on?
His face grew serious, and he abruptly stood and headed for the door. Cain called out after him.
“I didn’t expect you to react so strongly! Anyway, good luck! Don’t wait too long!”
Bang! Lucas slammed the door shut so forcefully it sounded like it might break. Walking down the corridor, he grabbed passing servants to ask about Seria.
“Have you seen someone with silver hair?”
“No, sir.”
“Damn it, Cain! What was the point of saying all that nonsense!”
Before he realized it, Lucas found himself running as he searched for Seria. She wouldn’t have left the manor entirely—there was nowhere to go in the capital. Knowing her personality, she was probably tucked away in some secluded corner of the count’s manor.
Sure enough, he finally spotted her silver hair in the garden. He let out a long breath of relief and took a moment to compose himself, smoothing his irregular breathing before walking toward her with a casual stride.
“Seria, what are you doing here?”
At the familiar voice, Seria flinched and looked up. Her violet eyes were wet with unshed tears, and Lucas’s relaxed demeanor vanished.
“Seria, are you—”
“You’re heading back to the duchy now, aren’t we, Your Grace? I’ll arrange for the carriage,” she said, cutting him off.
Just as Lucas reached out to place a hand on her small shoulder, Seria abruptly stood. She avoided his gaze, her tone suddenly formal. It was the first time she had spoken to him so stiffly when they were alone.
Without waiting for a response, she bowed briefly and stepped away.
“I’ll wait at the entrance, sir.”
“Wait, Seria. Let’s talk,” Lucas called after her, his voice laced with desperation.
But Seria quickened her pace. When Lucas tried to follow and grab her arm, she slapped his hand away with a sharp smack. Without giving him a chance to speak, she ran off, making it clear she had no intention of having a conversation.
Lucas stood frozen, staring at his stinging hand.
“Does she think using formal speech fixes everything? And did she really just swat away the Duke’s hand… Her slap packs a punch, though. Damn it.”
Rubbing his sore hand, Lucas trudged toward the estate’s entrance, a defeated expression on his face. Seria’s resolve seemed firm, though it wasn’t entirely his fault. Technically, it was Cain’s careless words that had driven her away.
“What am I supposed to do in times like this? I have no clue.”
Rubbing his temples, Lucas sighed heavily. The prospect of soothing Seria’s wounded heart felt daunting, and he couldn’t see a way forward.
