Episode 13

Does Ute Velvet like me?

Or, more precisely, was there a 'romantic spark' between us?

I swear, I've never entertained that thought even once.

If it's simply his trust and goodwill towards a temporary colleague, that's one thing.

Contrary to what the lawyer claimed, I've never mistakenly thought that Ute Velvet felt romantically towards me.

"Sir Ute, do you like me?"

And so I casually joked, already aware of his answer...

"D-do I like you? M-me, towards Miss Sonnet?"

Why is he reacting like this?

"Do you?"

"So, um, when you ask if I like you, you're not talking about a universal love, but rather that exclusive, generally exclusive.... love between two persons?"

"Did I say something wrong?"

"...W-Why would you think that?"

His originally pale skin turned a bluish-green.

Her looked like the dough I once accidentally over-soaked in the kitchen.

His silver eyelashes blinked three times in succession.

"What did I do... to give you that impression?"

Thud.

Thump.

Tha-thud.

The bags that he held fell one after another.

"Where did such a mistaken thought come from... oh..."

"Sir Ute?"

"How... I was careful in my own way..."

Why does he look terrified?

Ute wrapped his now empty hands around his face and mumbled.

"Oh no. We already signed the contract. I can't back out now. Really, oh..."

"Excuse me?"

"W-Why would you think that?"

Oh my, face attack.

He jerked his head towards me as I approached him.

His watery green eyes were as transparent as the leaves reflected in a stream.

'Is he crying?'

He hadn't shed tears yet, but it seemed like they'd pour out if I touched him just once.

His silver hair shook pitifully.

"What did I do wrong to make you think that way..."

"I didn't misunderstand."

"No, that's a mistake! I don't have feelings for Miss Sonnet in such a way!"

"I know! You don't like me!"

"Why would you think that? Why?"

I'm screwed.

'I don't think he can hear me.'

I denied his words several times, but Ute Velvet remained miserable.

"I really chose to believe this time. Oh, have I been too complacent with this face of mine? But it's too narrow-minded to think that everyone would like me in the same way..."

"..."

"I'm done for..."

Just because I asked if he liked me, he's done for?

Ute lowered his upper body to fit my field of view, as he always did.

"Miss Sonnet Posa."

"Yes."

"I'm unaware of how I acted to make you believe this, but I do not like Miss Sonnet in that way."

"I know."

"I don't even consider you as a potential lover. I like you as a friend, but I'm not holding back my feelings because of embarrassment or anything of the sort!"

"I told you I know?"

Although I continued letting him know I understood, it wasn't pleasant to keep getting told 'I don't like you' by the person I had a crush on.

Ute, unaware of the fact, continued to sob earnestly.

"I really don't have feelings for Miss Sonnet. Truly."

"Yes, yes. I understand."

I made one joke and now it was getting me in trouble.

The doctor, whose lips were quivered in agony, made a proposition.

"Let's talk seriously somewhere else rather than here."

Was it that big of a deal?

However, if I refused, he would likely fall into an eternal swamp of misunderstanding.

I followed Ute obediently.

"Miss Sonnet, please speak honestly."

A café with a stunning view.

The most beautiful man in the world opened his mouth gravely, both hands clasped.

"What made you think that way?"

"I never thought that way."

"It's alright. I'm used to misunderstandings like this."

Even after I chugged the carbonated drink down my throat, my body still felt stuffy.

He continued in a sweet voice.

"Miss Sonnet, I'm a kind person."

"..."

"I have good judgment. If the other person feels uncomfortable, I often notice faster than others."

"Yes..."

"Although I say so myself, I'm overflowing with consideration."

What a skillful self-appeal.

Ute emphasized his intentions by slicing a pancake and pushing it towards me.

"Let me be clear; there is no reason or motive behind my actions."

"..."

"Surely, after all, it's better to live kindly in a harsh world."

"That's right."

"There's no need to behave badly to others."

It was a solid and honest statement, but...

'Why do you look so sad?'

"Miss Sonnet, you are my only business partner. I'm grateful in that sense, and I feel more affection for you than others."

"..."

"However, that is it."

Ute seemed genuinely exhausted from explaining.

"No one believes a word I say..."

"I believe you."

His mouth, which had been moving incessantly, finally stopped.

I continued confidently to stop Ute's intentions of opening his mouth again.

"I said it before. I know you don't like me, Sir Ute."

"..."

"I first mentioned it as a mere joke. I've never thought about it that way."

"Really?"

"Of course. I can roughly understand how other people feel towards me."

Even if I try to misunderstand, it's just too easy to gauge other's thoughts.

'I can tell just by looking.'

It was astonishing how far-fetched the lawyer's thoughts and actions were.

"You truly don't believe I like you?"

"How many times have I told you?"

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Do you believe everything I do is a simple act of camaraderie and kindness?"

"Yes."

Ute Velvet continued demanding definitive answers from me.

'Why did I have to like this person?'

It was heart-wrenching, but I had to respond like this and comfort his heart.

I mean, his sun-kissed beauty was enough to bring a smile to my face.

"Don't worry, I don't wish to date Sir Ute."

I was sincere.

'Just because I like someone doesn't mean I want to date them.'

He's nice to look at, why take the risk of losing this sight forever?

I repeated firmly.

"I don't want to date you."

"Alright."

"I don't have one-tenth of that heart, not a penny, not an ounce..."

"...I understand fully."

"I would never, ever, ever date Sir Ute, even in the face of death."

"..."

My determination seemed to have been conveyed, as he then shifted the topic.

It seemed my sincerity got to him. I was pleased.

We returned to the mansion just as dusk approached.

"I'll take you to your room."

"Sure— Ah, could I leave my books in Sir Ute's room? There's not much space to put my luggage."

His green eyes narrowed.

'Did I get caught?'

I was trying to use that as an excuse to see his face more often.

Ute adjusted the handle of his bags and asked.

"Was the maid lodgings a two-person accommodation?"

"It's a four-person accommodation."

"Of course, then. You may utilize my quarters for the time being."

"Thank you very much—"

"By the way."

The gentle voice lowered a half-tone.

Ute Velvet took two steps back and squinted warily.

"You're not trying to increase the number of times we see each other turn from 'friends to lovers', are you?"

Really, just how many times do I have to tell him...

That man held the books as a shield, further increasing the distance between us.

I was exaggerating my lodgings' condition, but it was unfair for him to act this way.

"Sir Ute, this might not be the right thing to say given the situation, but..."

"You're not confessing, are you? Absolutely don't."

"You need to stop reading so many romance novels."

Yes, Ute Velvet needed to stop reading so many romances.

'If anyone's reading them, it should be me.'

During my short break, I analyzed the genre 'romance' as I flipped through pages.

"How far have you read?"

"The male lead grabbed the female lead's wrist and threatened her."

"Where is that exactly..."

The doctor, who had bestowed me a corner of his office, smiled awkwardly.

"Is there anything you don't understand?"

"I don't understand why the female lead feels guilty when the male lead single-handedly destroyed her country."

"That's because—"

Ute stood right beside me and explained everything step by step.

'Long story short, he said we needed to cure the Madam's illness and make the master obsessed with her.'

The illness was the doctor's responsibility.

In other words, I had to deepen the bond between the two—or at least the Count's feelings.

"The Madam stays in the mansion, and the Count is always out working. When do I get to work?"

It was a soliloquy, but the man's lips curled confidently.

"There's a perfect event coming up."

His sharp fingernail pointed towards a spot on the calendar.

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