How the Male Lead Cures the Time-Limited Young Lady - Chapter 7.5

As she examined the communication stone in confusion, Noel spoke again.

“…Wasn’t it you who used it?”

To his question, Yvette slowly nodded.

“I must have touched it by mistake without realizing it. I’m sorry if I startled you.”

Noel looked at her with a deflated expression.

“So, nothing serious happened then.”

“Well, something did happen, but…”

Yvette paused mid-sentence.

‘…Wait a minute. Don’t tell me he didn’t hear anything from Philia?’

Yvette looked up at Noel with wide eyes.

“Noel, did you not receive any contact from Philia?”

“Philia? You mean your maid?”

“Yes. Just in case, I asked Philia to contact you.”

“Well. I didn’t receive any separate contact.”

“Is that so?

That’s strange. I definitely asked Philia.

As Yvette muttered to herself,

Noel let out a long sigh and spoke again.

“…Seeing as you’re talking about your maid first, it seems you’re not seriously injured.”

“Yes. I’m fine except for a few scratches.”

Yvette answered reflexively before pausing.

It was because Noel’s expression hardened terribly upon hearing her words.

“Scratches? Where are you scratched?”

“…Uh, well…”

Yvette blinked rapidly in confusion.

‘What should I say?’

Viscount Magnus lifted me in the air with magic, and this guy named Kervel dropped me to the floor?

Even to her, it sounded like a ridiculous answer.

‘How should I explain this?’

She couldn’t tell him that Kervel had appeared pretending to be him. To do so, she would have to explain Kervel’s existence.

In the end, Yvette had no choice but to vaguely cover up her injury.

“Actually, I saw someone who looked similar to Baron Larishi earlier. So I ran away as soon as I saw him and fell.”

“…You saw someone similar to Baron Larishi?”

“Yes. I was so surprised that I must have used the communication stone without realizing it.”

Yvette lied with the most pitiful expression she could muster.

She felt a little guilty, but it was the only way to hide Kervel’s existence.

Fortunately, Noel seemed to believe her words.

“Did you see where that person went?”

“I’m not sure. I was in such a hurry to run away…”

As Yvette shook her head dejectedly, Noel let out a small sigh.

Then he reached out and gently cupped Yvette’s cheek.

“As long as you’re not hurt, it’s fine.”

His voice, whispering those words, was much lower than usual. So Yvette found herself looking up involuntarily.

As their eyes met, Noel was the first to avert his gaze.

His lips, which usually carried a hint of a smile, were uncharacteristically set in a hard line.

Instinctively sensing something was off, Yvette spoke up.

“Did something happen?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Noel easily denied it, brushing back his fallen hair with one hand.

His tone was light, but there was a faint crease between his brows.

“No, there’s definitely something.”

Yvette furrowed her brow as well and brought her hand to Noel’s forehead.

As her touch landed, Noel’s gaze wavered slightly.

“You don’t seem to have a fever… Don’t tell me you ran here all the way from the Duke’s residence?”

Yvette half-jokingly asked.

It would take well over an hour to walk from the Duke’s residence to the city center.

So unless he was crazy, there’s no way Noel would have run here himself.

However, once again, her expectations were off the mark.

“What if I say I did run here?”

Noel, who had now grasped Yvette’s wrist, muttered in a low voice.

Surprised by his unexpectedly serious response, Yvette curled her hand.

“You didn’t really run here, did you? In this cold weather?”

“When my fiancée might be in danger, isn’t that the least I could do?”

Noel murmured lightly as he brought Yvette’s hand to his lips.

Then he slowly kissed the back of her hand.

“…I’m glad you’re safe.”

His soft baritone voice held not even a hint of playfulness.

At this, Yvette froze, not knowing how to react.

‘Why is he acting like this?’

He was always so playful usually.

Today, Noel’s words and actions felt unusually heavy.

‘Is it because I used the communication stone?’

It was originally given to use in times of real danger, so it was a situation worth being alarmed about…

But she didn’t expect him to be this relieved.

“I’m sorry if I scared you. It wasn’t intentional.”

Yvette bowed her head, feeling even more guilty.

If it weren’t for Kervel, she might have honestly told him about Viscount Magnus.

But in a situation involving Kervel, she couldn’t bring herself to speak up.

“As long as you’re not hurt, that’s all that matters.”

Noel smiled slightly and offered her his arm.

“I’ll take you home, so hold on.”

“…I can walk on my own, you know?”

“Still, just in case, hold on.”

Although Yvette resisted weakly, Noel showed no signs of backing down.

In the end, she had no choice but to accept Noel’s support as they headed towards the carriage.

Her mind was in turmoil the entire time they walked together.

*** 

“…Master, huh.”

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Kervel, who had been confronting Viscount Magnus, let out a snicker.

Unlike his upturned lips, his eyes were cold.

“I don’t remember having a disciple like you.”

“Don’t you remember me?”

Viscount Magnus asked quietly.

His golden eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion.

“Is there any reason I should remember you?”

When Kervel asked with an indifferent face, Viscount Magnus’s lips twisted slightly.

But that was only for a moment.

Quickly composing his expression, Viscount Magnus muttered as if to himself.

“Whether it’s 10 years later or now, you still treat me with the same disregard.”

It was then.

Kervel, who had been quietly listening to his words, frowned.

“…Did you just say 10 years later?”

He asked in a noticeably lower voice.

As if expecting this reaction, a faint smile appeared on Viscount Magnus’s lips.

“Oh my. Did I say that? I’m not sure.”

Viscount Magnus shrugged lightly, feigning ignorance.

Confidence overflowed from his face, unobscured by any mask.

Kervel met his gaze and let out a weak laugh.

A sharp glint appeared in his blood-red eyes.

“…You, you remember the future.”

It wasn’t a question, but a certainty.

Instead of answering his words, Viscount Magnus wore a deep smile.

Taking this as an affirmation, Kervel tilted his head.

“It seems you have a lot to say to me. Shall we change locations first, and then have a leisurely chat?”

“Let’s do that.”

As Viscount Magnus nodded, Kervel snapped his fingers.

Soon, a familiar darkness engulfed the two of them.

***

A few days later.

Yvette, who had been preparing to receive guests since early morning, stood in front of the mirror.

As she slowly turned around once, the hem of her deep navy dress swirled with a soft rustle.

“How do I look, Philia? Is there anything strange?”

“Strange? How could there be! There’s no one as beautiful as you, Count.”

Philia, who had been watching her intently, shook her head vigorously.

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes. No beauty could surpass you, Count.”

“Well, that’s a relief then.”

Yvette chuckled as she peered into the mirror.

The dress she wore today was also made by Berry.

The deep navy fabric was so soft it wouldn’t cause any issues even if it touched bare skin.

As it was a dress for indoor wear, the design was simple without any cumbersome decorations.

With her hair braided into a single plait, she exuded an elegant atmosphere.

‘I have to admit, I do look pretty.’

Yvette gazed at her reflection in the mirror.