Chapter 39. Deep in the Bones

Asarim wrapped his arm around his side. The pain was getting worse.

Fighting Theo hand-to-hand had been reckless.

“That’s unfair, isn’t it? Your body’s so ridiculously big, like a bear.”

“And you’re as wicked as a snake.”

Just as tension was mounting between the two,

A creaking sound of a door opening came from outside the terrace window.

Both Theo and Asarim turned their gaze towards the terrace.

They saw Yuelina emerging from the attic door with Maelyn.

She was walking slowly towards them while wearing a red dress.

She looked adorable, mumbling and chattering about something with Maelyn.

The red, luscious rose drew closer to Theo.

Theo momentarily forgot how to breathe at Yuelina’s enchanting appearance.

“Theo!”

Just then, Yuelina came inside and stood before Theo.

Pushing back her white, luxuriant hair that cascaded down, Yuelina looked somewhat serious.

Theo quickly gathered his wits and met Yuelina’s eyes.

“Yuna, did you sleep well?”

“What should we do? They say the tower stairs are broken. Why would they be broken?”

He found her deeply furrowed brows utterly adorable.

Like a crow-tit carrying a rose in its beak, chirping a song.

Theo rubbed his face to hide his rising smile.

“I heard. Seems there was an accident while trying to renovate the room on the first floor.”

“Ha!”

Asarim, who had been listening from behind, let out a mocking laugh.

This was the same Theo who had pretended not to know about the broken stairs just moments ago.

Theo continued speaking, unbothered by Asarim’s incredulous face.

“The tower’s structure isn’t compromised, so repairs should suffice. Don’t worry.”

“I’m sorry… This must have happened because I said I wanted to decorate the room on the first floor.”

Theo shook his head vigorously.

“Not at all.”

“No, I shouldn’t have meddled…”

“If anyone’s at fault, it’s me. I didn’t check thoroughly enough.”

“Still…”

“It’ll be inconvenient, but please use my room to go out from now on. I’ll have it fixed as quickly as possible.”

At Theo’s gentle voice, Yuelina finally nodded.

Asarim crossed his arms and pouted. This whole situation was just absurd.

Maelyn was equally perplexed.

The stairs had been fine when Maelyn went to Yuelina’s room.

Moreover, Raye, who managed the tower, had gone to the training ground and said she’d be back this afternoon.

So who had tried to renovate the first floor room without the Grand Duchess’s permission?

No one even mentioned it to Yuelina!

Maelyn noticed many holes in Theo’s story but decided not to show it.

Somehow, she felt Theo’s sharp gaze would pierce her if she raised any questions.

“Yuna.”

“When did you arrive, Asarim?”

“Well, I tried to go to your room, but the stairs were broken, you see?”

Asarim said while staring pointedly at Theo.

“Did you sleep well, Asarim? Were you comfortable?”

“I sleep well anywhere. How about you? I wanted to see your room too.”

Theo turned his head away, pretending not to notice Asarim’s glare.

Meanwhile, Yuelina tilted her head in confusion.

It was strange how Asarim kept staring at Theo.

Had they become friends?

Since Asarim liked hunting like Theo and was heir to leading warriors, they might have found common ground.

Yuelina smiled brightly at Asarim.

“Asarim. Were you two talking?”

“…Huh?”

“I thought you and Theo would have a lot in common! I’m glad!”

Both Asarim and Theo’s eyes widened at Yuelina’s expectant voice.

They both looked uncomfortable, as if they’d heard something they shouldn’t have.

But neither could deny it to Yuelina.

“Well, we did talk. Deep in the bones, you might say.”

Asarim grumbled while pouting.

Yuelina thought Asarim was being sarcastic because he was embarrassed.

“Come on, what did you talk about? Hunting? Or swordsmanship? Tell me too!”

She playfully poked Asarim’s side.

“Kuhak–!”

Asarim clutched his side and bit his lip.

The spot Yuelina had pressed was exactly where Theo had hit him.

Theo covered his mouth to keep himself from laughing.

But Asarim caught sight of Theo’s eyes curving deeply in amusement.

“Asarim? What’s wrong! Are you hurt?”

Yuelina asked in alarm, turning to Asarim.

Asarim wiped his cold sweat and barely managed to straighten up.

“Ah, it’s nothing. Just a bit stiff from morning stretches.”

“How hard did you push yourself?”

Yuelina blinked with a worried expression.

Standing beside Yuelina, Theo addressed Asarim.

“Right. You don’t look well, go rest.”

“Yes, you should rest like Theo says.”

Asarim could see right through Theo’s intentions. He shook his head vigorously and smiled brightly.

“I’m really fine! Just scratched by a branch, that’s all!”

“Looks less like a scratch and more like you got your side pierced by a branch.”

At Theo’s sarcastic voice, a vein popped on Asarim’s forehead.

The two men glared at each other silently again.

Watching them, Yuelina heaved a deep sigh.

“If you’re going to keep this up, I’m leaving.”

“Huh? Where?”

“Where are you going?”

Both men asked simultaneously, looking at Yuelina.

Maelyn, watching this scene, deeply missed Raye’s presence.

To Maelyn, both men were abnormally tall and well-built.

It was quite amusing to see such men growling at each other in front of Yuelina.

“I’m going to tend the garden with Maelyn today.”

“As I said, you can have the servants do such things.”

“I want to do it myself. For exercise too. Umm…”

Yuelina rubbed her chin while looking at Theo and Asarim.

“Then would you two like to help us, for exercise?”

“Ex…ercise…?”

Right now, both Asarim and Theo were sick of exercise.

Their muscles from the morning’s activity hadn’t even settled back in place yet.

“Sure. Let’s go.”

Asarim clicked his tongue watching Theo answer nonchalantly.

“I want to go too!”

But in the end, Asarim also decided to follow Yuelina.

* * *

The garden behind the tower was filled with weeds and flowers blooming haphazardly here and there.

To Theo, it was just a garden since flowers were blooming and grass was growing.

The same went for Asarim.

Though it looked sparse compared to the fields in the village, it deserved to be called a garden since it had grass and flowers.

“It definitely needs organizing, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”

“Right? I think we should transplant this flower over there.”

“It would be nice to put a table there after clearing that space!”

“Yes, it would be good for teatime too, wouldn’t it?”

Maelyn and Yuelina started discussing how to organize everything while pointing here and there.

Theo and Asarim stood blankly behind them, waiting for their conversation to end.

“Your Highness the Grand Duchess!”

Just then, Raye came running from the training ground, carrying two axes.

She’s usually in maid’s attire, but today she was wearing training clothes.

Yuelina clasped her hands together, seeing Raye in training clothes.

“Raye! You look amazing today!”

“R-really?”

“Yes! I always thought you had a good figure, but you look even more amazing in training clothes.”

Yuelina sincerely admired and praised Raye’s outfit.

Theo glanced at Raye with crossed arms.

Raye in training clothes looked no different from the usual Raye.

Training clothes suited Theo himself quite well too. If he’d known, he should have worn training clothes.

“But why are Your Highness and… your friend here?”

Raye didn’t hide her displeasure while looking at Asarim.

Raye had also witnessed this morning’s sparring match. Asarim was quite fast and skilled.

He was a stronger opponent than expected, having attacked her lord twice with a wooden sword.

But Raye had heard from Ulysse that Theo had suffered internal injuries.

Apart from acknowledging his strength, it was natural to dislike Asarim for hurting her lord.

Asarim noticed Raye’s expression and grinned.

“The clothes suit you well.”

At his smile, Raye whipped her head away.

Damn.

It was a handsome smile.