I Don’t Want the Obsession of a Twisted Archduke - Chapter 46-2
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- Chapter 46-2 - I Don’t Want the Obsession of a Twisted Archduke Chapter 46-2
***
How much time passed since Jean left?
Suddenly, I looked out the window and noticed darkness covering the landscape. I must have been too absorbed in my document.
I wasn’t sure how time went differently when I worked, but I felt a sense of stability, so I continued.
‘As expected, people have to work and live.’
I’ve had so much fun until now, but it wouldn’t be good to overdo it. I organized my desk and decided to head back to my room.
‘Let’s see. The wedding is in about a month, and the place is the largest Arcane Temple on the continent.’
But there was something strange here. Something that stood out. The budget for the wedding was not accurate.
To be exact, that part was blank.
‘Why? Are you not the one who is supposed to set a limit?’
This is a bit much. I didn’t really understand the Archduke’s decision. While I kept thinking about it, I covered the papers, knowing very well that I would stay up all night going through them.
I got up and walked to the door.
At this point, I would typically have called for the maids, however, since I started working late at night, I didn’t want to keep them waiting, so I dismissed them earlier. The knights are on patrol anyway.
When I opened the door, I heard a little squeaking sound.
Perhaps being alone at night was playing tricks on me; the noises seemed to be louder. It was not pitch-black thanks to the lights in the corridor, but I still felt the need to hurry to my room.
“…!”
I was so surprised that I couldn’t even scream at the huge silhouette in front of me…
Then I realized.
I called his name after identifying his white gloved hand that gently wrapped around my arm to prevent me from falling.
“What, Archduke? Since when have you been here?”
I could now distinguish Kyle’s silhouette perfectly.
After releasing my arm, he leaned back against the wall right next to my office, crossed arm.
Then, he made a subtle expression for a moment and opened his mouth.
“What is it? Why are you so surprised?”
“… Why am I surprised? Wouldn’t you be surprised if someone’s shadow were waiting for you in the middle of the night?”
Kyle’s expression, which seemed to say ‘you, surprised, that can’t be true’ was written all over him.
Come to think of it, this man would not be surprised if a dragon appeared in the middle of the night… Because he is a dragon himself.
“Hmmm. Why are you here at this hour Archduke?”
I turned away at Kyle’s sneering gaze.
Kyle answered immediately, waiting for the exact question I just asked. “Why are you not coming into the room?”
The problem was back to this question.
To interpret Kyle’s profound dragon language, it would mean; she was not in the room late at night, so I have to come here myself.
‘If someone were to see us, they might think I’ve broken my promise to him.’
I had a rather absurd look on my face.
“Because I have been working. You are no better; the last few days without even showing your nose.”
“I came into the room.”
“It’s not valid because I didn’t witness it.”
“… I said you didn’t have to work.”
Oh! Look at him changing the subject as soon as he’s at a disadvantage. I didn’t want to hear that from him, but I decided to indulge him and answer his last question.
“I like to work. I want to do it. I think it’s fun and rewarding. It feels like my world is expanding.”
“…”
“I guess working is my preference over playing.”
When I saw Kyle, who quickly opened his mouth, a smirk came out. I felt like I could read Kyle’s thoughts again ‘you don’t have to work, what a unique person’.
“If you’re having a hard time, it doesn’t matter if you quit halfway.”
Meaning, I could throw it away. I recited with a slightly bragging face at the sweet words I heard.
“Do you think I will quit halfway?”
“No. I don’t think so. I think you’re going to stick to your work.”
I didn’t like the expression ‘stick’, but it was accurate in this situation. If I said I would do it, I didn’t intend to throw it halfway through without any thought, like it was not my responsibility.
To begin with, Kyle seemed to know my tendencies but somehow, I think he was trying to encourage me. This was quite a humane remark coming from him.
And…
“Tell me if you have any difficulties with your work. I’ll help you as much as possible.” The voice, which came after a brief silence, contained more humane words.
I took a moment to absorb all of Kyle’s sudden confidence.
“Those are very strong words. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
Afterall, he had to end with a snippy comment. Nevertheless, my heart was moved, and I murmured quietly.
“Then I will be in your care.”
After finishing our conversation in the corridor, we headed slowly down the hall of the night in the thick silence.
Naturally going toward the bedroom.
***
The next day.
Questions have been blooming in my head since the morning.
So, um… I fell asleep with Kyle last night after a long time.
How should I say this? It sounds very strange to hear that we slept together. It wasn’t exactly wrong since we used the same bed. Of course, Kyle didn’t come over to my side. Kyle wasn’t even there when dawn broke.
I got ready to go out as usual and arrived at the office after finishing breakfast.
‘… why is Kyle in my office.’
Kyle sat with his long legs crossed on the sofa I had arranged to entertain occasional guests.
Ugh. He had a document in his hand that seemed to belong to me.
I was so toothless that I asked with an absurd face. “What are you doing here, Archduke?”
“Work.”
“No, why are you working here? This is my office.”
“Didn’t you say you would be in my care yesterday?
Ah! It was the source of trouble. I forgot for a moment that Kyle had his own translator in his head, and the proof of the arbitrary translator could be found in his hands. It seems Kyle accepted my remarks as a request for help.
I went to my desk with a shameless face and sat down. Honestly, it was bothersome to think about the situation I found myself in. However, it was hard to stay still now.
I looked at the calendar once again, like everyday I was sitting here.
‘Why is today the day, the same day Sejan is supposed to give me his answer?’
I couldn’t help but trying to get Kyle to return to his office as soon as possible.
“If I need help with something, I’ll come to you right away.”
“Yes.”
“By the way, how long are you going to be here?”
“Morning.”
I didn’t care if it was just the morning.
The probability that Sejan would come to me at an early hour was close to zero considering his personality.
Relieved, I re-opened the wedding document that I saw yesterday.
‘Well, he’s just in time.’
I decided to solve the paperwork situation with him.
“Archduke, about the budget for our wedding. It’s not written down. How much should we set aside?”
While I was the original author, I had no knowledge of marriage’s cost in this world. Since such detailed settings were not set aside, there was no way to know how much it would cost for nobles to marry.
Actually, I was going to ask Jean about it. However, due to Kyle’s tendency, if I didn’t pursue harder for an answer, he would stay here all afternoon.
‘I think I know the answer just by looking at Kyle.’
I decided to play the player in advance with a very clear answer.
“… I noticed yesterday and meant to tell you, there’s no limit set for to the amount of the wedding.”
“That’s right.”
Yes, I’m sure you know. I’m sure there would be no limit considering the Grand Duchy’s wealth was so high.
Having nothing more to say, I silently wrote the infinite symbol in the budget and asked the next question that came to my mind.
“Oh, and the ceremony’s location is the largest Arcane Temple. Have you been here?”
“There’s no place I haven’t been.”
I think it was my fault to ask more questions knowing very well the situation, but I continued firmly.
“I see. I’ve never been there before.”
“… Is that so?”
“Yes. I have difficulty setting the estimated amount in detail. I’d like to go survey the place in advance. If you don’t mind, would you like to come with me?”
I peeked at Kyle while asking him. He doesn’t like to go out, so would he refuse?
“Okay.” Kyle answered without a hitch.
Contrary to expectations, I was somewhat puzzled by the easy answer.
“By the way, Riddel Spencer. How long are you going to call me the Archduke?”
Kyle’s dry words doubled my embarrassment.
‘Why are you calling me out on this all of a sudden?’
Contrary to me, who could not mutter any words at the moment, Kyle looked at me with a heavy expression.
“Why do you have that look? You and I are a couple, so we definitely need a suitable term, and the title ‘Archduke’ is too rigid, you need to call me something else.”
“No, well, I know that…”
Since it was a hard question, I didn’t know what to say.
‘Was there a different title for him?’
I thought hard about the titles those wives would use to call their husbands.
Honey, husband, dear, baby…
‘Crazy.’
I couldn’t do that. All those names were too mushy. Even the last one would never fit in this world.
Kyle’s serious look made the names fade in my imagination,
He asked me with equal seriousness. “Riddel Spencer. What’s my full name and title?”
Kyle urged me before I could ask him why he brought it up so out of the blue.
“Go ahead and tell me.”
“Uh, uh, Archduke Kyle Romani.”
“What’s my first name?”
“Archduke Kyle.”
“Tell me only my name without the title.”
“Kyle. Ah…”
I exclaimed with astonishment at what I said.
Kyle’s mouth was displaying a victorious smile.
“Call me that from now on.”
“What? I don’t think it’s right to call someone by their first name.”
What was that? Kyle made an incredible face and told me. “There’s no need to be so polite, call me Kyle.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m a very polite person, and I do believe it’s hard.”
I was refuting, but I became stiff. I had no choice but to because of Kyle.
At this moment, it felt different. Kyle didn’t have his usual apathetic expression; he was smiling warmly. Both corners of his mouth were straight up.
And he was staring straight at me.