Episode 17: My Hero is Out of Proportion! (4

“That can’t be okay.”

“Because it’s against reason?”

I was wondering if the man in front of me was indeed Adele. I asked a question with stiffness.

“Let me ask you a question. Do you really know what you’re saying?”

“Not really,”

I let out a shallow sigh.

Adele’s coming out so violently is probably because he felt guilty. He didn’t accept that he didn’t have to be sorry for me.

I relaxed my expression and looked up at Adele.

“Adele, you don’t have to blame yourself. It’s not your fault that I got sick. I was just destined to be like this. So don’t say things you don’t mean.”

Adele shut his mouth, looking dissatisfied. I tried to persuade him.

“I like hanging out with you. It’s fun even if we don’t do anything at all. But if you keep feeling that pressure, I don’t know what to do. Am I a burden to you?”

“It sounds like Anastasia’s words are putting my feelings first before your own life.”

Somehow, he seemed a little sarcastic.

“Really?”

“I don’t know. To be honest, everyone I’ve ever met has asked me for something big or small. I had a preconceived notion that I would do the right thing even if I didn’t. Of course, it was intended, but…It’s different with Anastasia. I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

Moments like this make me hate the Duke a little. Adele seemed obsessed with being a good kid at any time and in any situation.

“All I want is for you to have fun with me.”

“Is that all?”

Adele was skeptical so I assured him.

“That’s all.”

“I don’t understand. If you use me, you might find a way to live. It’s natural to act selfishly because your life depends on it. Are you worried about the process? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of that.”

Hey! Listen to me so this bullshit could end!

“You idiot! You think I’m crazy to let you get blood on your hands because of me?! I’ll never allow that!”

I couldn’t resist so I grabbed Adele by the collar.

“If you say such a horrible thing one more time, I’ll ban you from going to the count’s estate. Do you understand?”

I felt the florist looking at us from afar, but I ignored it. I stared at Adele with a death glare.

“Adele, answer me.”

“But.”

“Yah.”

“…..I understand.”

What a stubborn guy. I let go of his collar and grumbled.

“Do you think I will ask you to do something like that to make me feel better?”

Adele couldn’t answer so I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Be honest with me. Are you worried about me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want me to live long?”

Adele nodded his head.

Ah, he looks cute again.

I must be really crazy.

“Adele, can you lower your head?”

Adele listened to me even though he was complaining just a few seconds ago.

I tiptoed and kissed Adele on the cheek. It made a small soft sound.

I whispered to Adele, who opened his eyes widely.

“Thank you, but I’m really fine. Actually, I wasn’t sure before, but I’m not scared at all right now because you’re by my side. I’m just worried that Ash Claude might spit in my coffin.”

Yeah, there was that bastard.

“I don’t know about people but I’m sure, the Marquis’ heir will die before you.”

Adele said something violent again, perhaps determined to be released. I laughed it off.

“Then it’ll be worth seeing.”

I was planning to get out of the street before getting more attention, but Adele carefully wrapped his arms around me.

“Anastasia.”

“Yes, Adele.”

Adele smiled faintly as I looked at him wondering if he still had something to say.

“Maybe you’ll regret it because of me.”

He didn’t give me a chance to answer.

“But I’ll be good to you, so don’t hate me too much.”

Adele’s eyes shone dimly. I thought I didn’t see it wrong this time.

The awkward walking time was finally coming to an end. If I knew this would happen, I shouldn’t have grabbed him by the collar.

It was because Adele was always worried about me, but it seemed that he reacted excessively to what he could do well.

I hesitated and glanced at Adele. What does Adele think of me? A terminally ill friend? But I don’t think it could simply be that.

Adele looked after me with great care.

Of course, Adele is kind to everyone, but I still felt like he was treating me differently. For some reason, I caught myself looking forward to it and I unknowingly started to become greedy.

Is it my mistake? Am I too full of myself?!

I followed Adele’s lead, and somehow we arrived at the Count’s residence without me realizing it. He stopped walking and spoke softly.

“Anastasia, can you come to the Duke tomorrow? My father said he had a present he wanted to give you.”

I was shocked.

“Again?”

I put the teacup I got last time in the safe because it was a waste! I couldn’t drink tea with that precious thing since it’s too precious for me.

“I’ll pick you up if you don’t mind.”

Adele smiled bewitchingly. Ah! It’s blinding! I’m seeing a halo around him! This is probably how Lynette felt!

“Y-yeah, alright.”

I nodded in a flash and Adele said his goodbye.

“Then, please take rest.”

It was a simple greeting. I heard that some aristocratic men even kissed the back of the lady’s hand as a greeting.

Come to think of it, Adele’s reaction was quite subtle when I kissed him on the cheek. He just opened his eyes widely as if he were surprised, and that was it.

Am I the only one who’s affected…?

As I entered the house in a gloomy mood, I saw the gardener, who was decorating the flowers I ordered.

I asked Irina, changing into comfortable clothes and chewing chocolate.

“Irina, what do you think Adele thinks of me?”

“A close friend who’s biologically just a woman?”

I coughed with the chocolate I was eating in disbelief.

Irina was heartless.

What the heck?!

“I think Lord Magnus has a special regard for you…but it’s hard to conclude since he’s very kind to everyone.”

It was irrefutable. I swallowed my tears and pushed the chocolate into my mouth.

The next day, I headed for Duke Magnus’s residence with Adele. Surprisingly, the duke came out and was waiting for us. As soon as I saw the duke, I could not hide my embarrassment.

“Ack!”

“Welcome, Anastasia.”

The duke is wearing glasses.

He! Is! Wearing! Glasses!

“Is it okay for you to be this cool?”

I shouted without realizing it. The Duke replied with a smile.

“I should wear glasses often from now on.”

Indeed, I could see why the Duke was so confident in his appearance. My heart was pounding. I could feel the heat rising on my face. Ah, I think I’m going to get a nosebleed.

“I wonder how Adele will grow up because the Duke is so wonderful. I wish I could see Adele as an adult…”

Adele will definitely be handsome even if he becomes a grandfather. It’s obvious!

The duke suddenly shut his mouth. Adele’s face was also stiff, so I was puzzled.

“What’s wrong with both of you?”

Did I make a mistake? I just said I wanted to see Adele in the future.

Wait, did I just say that out loud again? Did I just talk about the unfulfillable dream of a terminally ill patient?

“Oh, please ignore what I just said.”

I hurriedly took care of myself.

“I’m really fine.”

But neither the Duke nor Adele moved. They’re frozen stiff. I crept backward.

Should I just go home like this?

“Umm excuse me… “

I hurriedly looked around then Adele suddenly let out a sigh.

“Father, Anastasia is embarrassed.”

Then the Duke pressed his forehead and closed his eyes.

“……yes, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Let’s go in.”

I followed the Duke into a very large room. There was a row of something that seemed to be a collection of dresses from all over the world.

“Uh… Huh? “

My family was never poor, but it was hard to believe what I’m seeing right now, even though they are considered one of the ten richest people.

100? 200? Maybe it’s more than that…

Even if I took out all the clothes in my closet, it would have been less than this. The Duke’s voice awakened my panic-stricken spirit.

“I heard that a party for young aristocrats who haven’t debuted yet will begin soon. I’ve prepared some clothes for you to wear.”

“How many are these?”

“I bought a whole store, so I don’t know.”

The Duke was talking like he was only buying some ice cream.

“The Duke is scary.”

The dresses were on endless display.

It was divided by color, design, sleeve, and skirt length, and the number of pairs of jewelry such as diamonds, rubies, peridots, and amethysts in here seemed to be enormous.

“What, you can’t get tired of this already. I didn’t say I only bought one store.”

“…yes?”

This man? Am I perhaps your long-lost biological daughter?

“You still have to choose your accessories, you know?”

The Duke was brazen and arrogant. I was ridiculous.

“You really must have the fortune to buy a country but please understand. I don’t need more than this!”

The Duke’s complexion suddenly darkened.

“I won’t deny it but do you know what’s strange? I can get as many artifacts from thousands of years ago, weapons used by the children of God, and treasures hidden at the bottom of the Imperial City. But do you think it makes sense that we still haven’t found your cure yet?”

As expected, he had my words in mind. I answered lightly on purpose.

“Isn’t it because it’s rare?”

“I still don’t want to accept it with that as a reason. As I went around looking for your medicine, Wall and I found all kinds of cures for incurable diseases. But nothing worked for you. Except for the new medicine I found.”

Ugh… Just thinking about that thing is making me sick already.

“You’re talking about the one with green things floating around, right?”

I was on high alert.

“I couldn’t expect anything but to slow the progression of the disease.”

“That sounds great, too.”

“You’re welcome. If you know what ingredients are in it…”

I interrupted the Duke in a hurry.

“Ah, I don’t want to know. Adele already warned me about it so it’s a big deal!”

The Duke smiled when I madly denied the reality. He patted me gently on the head.

“Then let’s stop chatting and try on your dresses. Gabriela will help you.”

“Don’t tell me I have to try them all on?”

I grumbled. I should admit it. I really felt comfortable with the Duke.

He treated me without hesitation and he could arm me with obviousness so that I would not get uncomfortable or feel burdensome. He really felt like my godfather.

“It’s better if you choose something easy to move in. We’ll have to move a lot around this party. Well then, we’ll leave you for now.”

When the handsome father and son left, a maid and a woman with an elegant atmosphere remained in the room. The woman greeted me.