Chapter 39
"I heard you weren't feeling well, so I came to examine you."
The violet eyes that had been burning like fire softened slightly.
Melance roughly wiped his face with a clean, dry towel and nodded.
Drops of water still clung to the ends of his black hair, giving him a strangely alluring air.
The palace physician saw him and nearly screamed.
"N-no, absolutely not!"
He rushed into the room and snatched away the basin of cold water.
"W-what are you doing?"
Esslin stared at the physician in confusion.
"Isn't this too much?! Young Lord Melance is unwell, yet you brought him cold water!"
"Huh...? N-no, that's not what happened."
Esslin looked toward Melance with a pitiful expression, silently begging him to explain.
But Melance had already checked out mentally.
"No more cold water from now on! Understood?"
"...Yes."
No matter how desperately Esslin signaled with his eyes, Melance showed no reaction.
Esslin could only pout and answer.
The physician cleared his throat and approached Melance.
"If you tell me where you're feeling unwell, I'll examine you carefully."
"...Nowhere in particular."
The physician tilted his head and cautiously looked him over.
"I just have a slight fever."
There was no way Melance could explain the rest.
How could he possibly admit that every time he looked into Riena's golden eyes, his heart felt like it might burst and his throat closed up?
Melance practically chased the physician and his aide out of the room, then extinguished the lights early.
Otherwise, that chick-like young lord might bring the Crown Princess along and come visit him.
Melance looked good when perfectly composed.
But there was a certain charm to seeing him slightly disheveled too.
Dressed comfortably, he sat on the windowsill and filled his eyes with the night sky.
His violet eyes, which appeared pink or deep purple depending on the angle, reflected countless stars.
It was a breathtaking sight.
His elegant nose, red lips, and pale skin completed the picture beautifully.
In truth, Melance himself was the most beautiful thing in the room.
But as though none of that mattered to him, his violet eyes remained fixed on the Imperial night sky.
...Beautiful.
Deep and vivid, just like Riena's eyes when curiosity stirred within them.
The corners of his lips curved naturally.
Then, as though realizing he was smiling, Melance immediately flattened his mouth again.
He looked out the window once more.
But the feeling wasn't the same anymore.
Eventually, he climbed down from the windowsill.
Knock, knock.
The quiet shattered.
Who could it be at this hour...?
His brows narrowed instinctively, and his head tilted slightly.
There were only so many people allowed to request an audience with the Grand Duke's heir this late at night.
Even fewer would dare knock on the door of his darkened room.
Knock, knock.
The sound came again through the darkness.
Almost as though whoever was outside knew Melance wasn't asleep.
Eventually, he walked slowly toward the door.
If the attendants and aide waiting outside had allowed the visitor through, then he had little reason not to open it.
The moment he pulled the handle, the cold night air rushed into the room.
"I thought you'd be asleep."
A large hand was still raised in the air, apparently about to knock again.
"...You've come."
"I heard you were sick, so I stopped by."
"I'm fine now. I'm sorry for worrying you."
A pair of deep violet eyes, almost identical to Melance's, examined him.
The proud gaze clearly held concern.
"The wind is cold."
The Grand Duke turned immediately and strode through the arched doorway.
He sat in the largest, softest chair in the room without hesitation.
"Sit. The moonlight is bright enough. There's no need to turn on the lamps."
The moon really was bright.
Melance's room was illuminated almost like early evening.
How long had it been since the two had sat face-to-face like this?
The moment Melance sat down, Grand Duke Jeremier leaned forward and carefully examined his son's face.
His expression remained as indifferent as ever.
But beneath it was unmistakable affection.
He looked carefully for any sign of injury and studied how much his son had grown.
After staring for a long while, he finally leaned back against the chair with a faint smile.
Some time passed.
"How much of the library have you organized?"
"Approximately seventy-eight percent. I apologize that progress has been so slow."
"It's fine. You're also serving as Her Highness's tutor, and there have been several major incidents along the way. It's understandable."
"Thank you for understanding."
Jeremier smiled gently and turned his gaze toward the window.
He looked at the clusters of stars scattered across the sky and gave a small laugh.
"Then how have you been personally? Your face looks a little thinner."
"I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me."
Jeremier nodded halfway.
"Still, it looked good."
Melance's brows twitched as he stared at his father.
"Your new friend."
"......?"
Friend?
Melance hadn't made any friends.
What friend?
