IFAHWIPUTML Chapter 29

Chayston was swinging his sword in the training hall.

Under the clear, cloudless sky, brilliant sunlight shattered and streamed over his obsidian-black hair.

The sharp ring of the blade echoed faintly through the verdant breeze.

His red eyes remained fixed on the sword in his hand, and with every movement, the blade sliced through the air with a distinct sound.

His broad shoulders and solid chest muscles formed a harmonious composition—like gazing at a masterpiece painting come to life.

His rolled-up sleeves, discarded for convenience, exposed thick arms where blue veins and taut tendons bulged in visible irritation.

For several dozen minutes now, Chayston showed no signs of fatigue as he continued adjusting his stance and swinging his blade.

He had no idea that Kaysis—nicknamed "the Sparrow" for her incessant chattering—had arrived at the estate.

"Huu..."

His face, exhaling rising breaths, bore clear signs of exhaustion.

Chayston hadn't been sleeping properly lately.

He'd lost count of how many times he'd bolted awake and downed cold water in the middle of the night.

It had started after seeing Verasielle singing.

Even before that, she'd occasionally crossed his mind unpredictably, but this was the first time thoughts of her had invaded his mind so thoroughly that he couldn't sleep.

Why was this happening? Why had Verasielle looked so lovely that day?

He couldn't answer his own questions.

Because even he didn't know the answers.

The sword, which had been cutting horizontally through the air, abruptly stopped.

All because of that sunlit smile rising in his mind again.

"Damn it."

Clang.

The sword he threw down in irritation clattered against the floor.

Chayston's gaze fixed on one particular window among the estate's many windows.

That was the guest room where Raphel and Verasielle were staying.

She'd irritated him from their first meeting.

Her audacious attitude despite coming to commit fraud, and those eyes that refused to lose—they'd bothered him in a strange way.

But after observing Verasielle continuously, he realized that his initial impression of her was completely different from who she actually was.

She was kind and cherished the child. She genuinely liked him.

She showed no signs whatsoever of trying to exploit the child for profit.

Instead, she'd rushed into danger to save him, and she'd even taught a song she'd created herself to a child who loved stars.

The child, in turn, clearly adored and followed her.

"So is that why?"

Because she was different from his expectations.

Was he preoccupied with her because of guilt over having grossly misunderstood her?

It was a rather sound theory.

He nodded his head vigorously at this plausible explanation.

Finally, the suffocating feeling in his chest seemed to clear somewhat.

Life returned to Chayston's face now that he'd identified the cause of his emotional turmoil.

Tonight, he wouldn't have to toss and turn.

"My lord."

Rohan appeared carrying a fluffy, dry towel.

Chayston accepted the towel and wiped the sweat beading on his forehead.

"Lady Kaysis has arrived."

"Why."

"That, I don't know... She's currently with Lady Verasielle and Lord Raphaleon."

"What?"

He nearly dropped the towel he was holding. Why would that chattering sparrow...

"...She met the lady?"

"Yes. They appeared to be conversing in the room."

Chayston shot forward instantly. His stride was alarm-level fast.

His expression was genuinely urgent.

Kaysis, who normally spoke without thinking, absolutely loved talking about other people.

For instance, his old stories. Or his embarrassing childhood past. Or dark history he wanted erased.

Kaysis would definitely blabber everything to even complete strangers without hesitation.

He didn't want Verasielle learning about his dirty laundry.

Chayston accelerated his pace and entered the estate.

Chayston's instincts were accurate.

"Selly! Do you know what the Duke's nickname is?"

Verasielle had moved locations and was conversing with Kaysis in the room.

Thanks to their surprisingly compatible personalities, the two were chatting away, oblivious to the passing time.

"Nickname?"

Verasielle tilted her head at Kaysis, who was looking at her with expectation-filled eyes.

The only nicknames that came to mind for the Duke were things like "cold-blooded" or "asshole"...

"Yes! Do you know?"

"Um, no. What is it?"

"Pita!"

What's Pita? It seemed like an abbreviation, but she couldn't figure it out at all. After pondering for a while, Verasielle asked again.

"Pita?"

"Pain-in-the-ass mouth!"

Pfft...

Verasielle nearly forgot her aristocratic dignity and burst out laughing.

Fortunately, she managed to grasp the thread of reason and prevent her face from contorting.

Pita. Pain-in-the-ass mouth. Wasn't that truly a perfect nickname?

When Verasielle couldn't hide her escaping laughter, Kaysis's eyes sparkled.

"Funny, right? It suits him perfectly, right? I came up with it!"

Kaysis, intoxicated by her own naming sense, puffed out her chest proudly.

Verasielle grinned and stuck out her thumb.

"Hehehe. He's handsome on the outside, but the moment he opens his mouth... you know?"

Oh, she knew. She knew all too well.

The two women simultaneously met each other's eyes and nodded. They didn't actually high-five, but it felt like they had.

To think there was someone who thought exactly like her. Kaysis was about to become even more likable.

Knock knock.

"It's Chayston."

Right on cue, Chayston's voice came from outside the door.

Verasielle and Kaysis simultaneously went hup- and closed their mouths.

They'd been talking about Chayston, and suddenly the man himself appeared...

However, the two quickly composed their faces. They'd only been discussing a nickname, after all.

"Yes. Please come in."

The moment Verasielle gave permission, the door opened and Chayston entered.

He'd come in light clothing and appeared to have been training—his muscular forearms were exposed.

That angelic face with a decidedly un-angelic body was as solid as she'd imagined.

Verasielle's gaze, belonging to someone whose type had always been athletic, muscular men, unconsciously fixed on Chayston's forearms.

"Lady Kaysis."

"Brother... I mean, Duke Chayston."

Kaysis rose from her seat and smiled at Chayston with composure.

"What brings you here?"

Chayston's eyes looking at Kaysis were sharp.

He also studied Verasielle's expression in case Kaysis had said something strange, but found nothing unusual.

"Ah, I came to see the Duke."

"Then let's go to the drawing room."

Chayston glared once at the shameless Kaysis before bowing to Verasielle.

"Excuse me."

"Selly, see you next time!"

"Yes. It was a pleasant time, Lady Kaysis."

Verasielle smiled gently at Kaysis, who even said goodbye with such liveliness.

What would have been a boring day had become enjoyable thanks to Kaysis. She felt good about making a friend with whom she got along so well.

"She's interesting. Right, Raphel?"

"Yeah! Like!"

Raphel grinned and hugged her tightly. Kaysis would probably become a good friend to Raphel too.

Upon entering the drawing room, Chayston whirled around with a frown.

"Why."

"Why? Father told me to come see you."

With no observers, the two dropped formalities. They were like siblings who'd been together since childhood.

"You didn't say anything unnecessary, did you?"

Kaysis shook her head at Chayston's sharp question as he stood with arms crossed.

"Hm? No~? Why would we talk about you? We absolutely, totally didn't!"

Kaysis denied it.

Though her conscience pricked a bit since the conversation's entire beginning, middle, and end had been about him.

"Kaysis."

His voice sank low and sharp.

He'd only asked if she'd said anything unnecessary, yet she was claiming they hadn't talked about him at all.

Without a doubt, she'd been discussing him.

What exactly had the two of them said about him?

Along with irritation, he was curious about Verasielle's expression. Had she been smiling the whole time they talked?

"......"

What was he even thinking right now? Chayston's frown deepened. He stopped that train of thought before digging deeper.

"Ah, really, I didn't say much..."

Kaysis's voice grew quieter. Seeing his fierce expression, he was clearly angry.

"Oh right! You found Raphaleon, didn't you? Selly said you didn't even use the potion! It's unfortunate he can't remember anything from the shock of the accident, but..."

Kaysis hastily changed the subject.

Her brother's lectures were too long—she didn't want to hear one.

Chayston glared at Kaysis once before relaxing his expression.

She always escaped crisis situations by deflecting like this.

Knowing she did this because she hated hearing lectures, Chayston didn't say anything more.

"We'll only know for certain by using the antidote."

"Don't you trust Selly, Brother?"

Since when had Lady Verasielle become "Selly"?

He found it curious but didn't think much of it. Creating nicknames and pet names was Kaysis's specialty, after all.

"I simply want to be certain."

"Brother. Selly is truly a good person."

How quickly she'd completely taken Verasielle's side after one meeting. Chayston clicked his tongue internally.

"I made a verbal mistake after hearing rumors, but she was generous enough to understand and let it go, you know?"

Kaysis couldn't forget Verasielle smiling with the composed grace of a magnanimous adult and moving past her mistake with dignity.

And that beautiful face that couldn't be easily forgotten once seen—she liked that too.

"And she's so pretty."

"That's true."

Chayston nodded in agreement. When he'd opened the door and entered, Verasielle's appearance blending with the red sunset painting the sky had been quite pretty...

"What did you say, Brother?"

"What?"

The two stared at each other in surprise.

Chayston himself hadn't even registered what words had just left his mouth.

"You think Selly is pretty too?"

"Nonsense."

"Really? Did I mishear?"

When Kaysis let it pass casually, Chayston exhaled quietly.

He'd nearly given this sparrow ammunition against him.

Still, to have such strange thoughts again. At this point, wasn't there something wrong with his mind?

Chayston decided he should summon a physician and get his health checked.