Chapter 6. The Day of the First Snow (5)

When I returned to the garden, Sebastian was watering the flowers. Is that something a butler does? I watched him curiously, and when he noticed me, he gave a polite bow.

“Ah, Master and the Mistress—I mean, Lady Radel. What brings you here?”

Excuse me, Mr. Butler? I think you just said something wrong there? I gave Sebastian a puzzled look. But with such a proper, upright face, I didn’t know what to say. So I just answered.

“Kyle said he would show me the garden.”

“Ah, I see.”

Sebastian returned to watering the flowers. But then he seemed to remember something, turning back to address Kyle and me.

“Oh, by the way, the Duchess mentioned that she would like to have dinner with you, my lady.”

“Wow, that sounds wonderful.”

“Sounds great.”

…Wait, is that compulsory? If it’s a formal dinner the Duke himself will attend, and I’ll be stuck there feeling awkward all alone. I couldn’t possibly refuse, so I answered with tears in my eyes—ha, as if I have any way to decline the duchess’s invitation…

“I’m glad to see you’re pleased.” 

Pleased?  I shot Sebastian a distinctly chilly look. Well, they do say that if you can’t avoid something you should at least enjoy it.  Maybe I can sample some first‑rate ducal cuisine while I’m here… though I’m not sure I’ll actually be able to swallow a bite.

“In that case I’ll let you know when dinner is served.”

A painstakingly thorough butler—as long as you overlook the fact that he can’t find his way around.  I gave the diligent Sebastian a faint smile.

“Enough talk—come here.” 

Kyle tugged on the hand he was holding.  I stumbled toward him, flustered, and glanced up to see a faintly distorted expression on his face.  What’s gotten into him?

“Let’s go.” 

Still gripping my hand, he strode off, leaving me no choice but to follow.  His hold was gentle yet unyielding, and being towed along like this made his back look oddly intimidating.  Is he… angry?

But I didn’t do anything!  All I did was exchange a few words with Sebastian, and now Kyle seemed upset.  Baffled, I looked back; Sebastian silently shaped the words,

“Good luck.”

Sebastian, expressionless, clenched his fist and made a ‘you can do it’ gesture.

Somehow, his lackluster encouragement only made me feel even more drained.

Sebastian… I appreciate the cheer, but it’s really not helping…

***

The ducal manor’s garden was absolutely stunning. It was so well-maintained that the academy garden couldn’t even compare.

Was Sebastian managing all of this himself? There seemed to be a gardener, but it looked like Sebastian also tended to parts of it. He looked quite experienced earlier when he was watering the flowers.

“When did you get so close with Sebastian?”

As I strolled slowly through the garden, thinking about him, Kyle’s eerie voice suddenly rang out.

He’d been in a bad mood for a while now—was it because of Sebastian?

“We’re not that close…”

It was the truth. I’d only met Sebastian today, and honestly, we were polar opposites, so I wasn’t sure we’d ever be able to get close.

We could hold a conversation, sure, but he was kind of clumsy in unexpected ways, which threw me off sometimes.

“Ah, but he does seem like an amusing person.”

It was surprising to see a butler getting lost inside the manor.

It was just as shocking as when I found out that my head maid, Vivian, was a huge fan of romance novels.

His serious tone and expression clashed so hilariously with his clumsy moments.

I recalled Sebastian’s proper, handsome face and chuckled softly to myself.

“Don’t get too close to Sebastian.”

Kyle said, staring straight at me with his gaze suddenly turning sharp.

Huh? Did his tone just get colder than before?

From the subtle change in Kyle’s voice, I could guess why he was upset. Kyle was jealous!

“Do you like Sebastian or something?”

“What?”

Yikes, maybe not. Kyle’s expression visibly worsened. I had completely missed the mark.

The atmosphere had turned colder than the winter wind, sweeping over my whole body.

Ack, if I don’t fix this fast, I might freeze to death from the mood alone!

“What about you?”

“Huh?”

Kyle’s mouth moved quicker than I could speak. He reached out and gently touched my hair.

His movements were so skillful that I stared at him blankly.

He said he had no dating experience, but how was he so smooth with this kind of gesture?

Did he take secret lessons or something?

“Do you like Sebastian?”

What snapped me out of my silly thoughts was Kyle’s irresistibly alluring voice,

enough to make my whole body tense up.

How could a man’s voice be that seductive?

Just hearing it made my cheeks flush red.

Seeing me blush silently, Kyle clicked his tongue and turned his head toward where Sebastian was, looking annoyed.

Worried that poor Sebastian might get caught in the crossfire, I hurried to answer.

“I don’t like him.”

“Really?”

Kyle quickly turned his gaze back to me. The eyes that had been dark and low now shimmered with life.

Seems like he liked my answer, whatever the reason.

“Then what about me?”

Another question came flying at me.

It was something he’d asked before, so I thought I’d be able to answer easily.

But for some reason, the words just wouldn’t come out.

What the—why can’t I say it proudly?

Unlike before, saying that I liked him felt harder.

I fidgeted, my lips opening slightly, and just then, I heard Kyle’s downcast voice.

“Do you not like me?”

“No! I like you a lot, so much!”

Once again, I gave in to Kyle’s pouty face.

He really knew how to use the fact that I was weak to cute things to squeeze out an answer.

I glared at Kyle fiercely.

Though my glare probably didn’t even register to him, I gave it my all.

‘Ugh, this is so embarrassing.’

In the middle of glaring at him, a wave of embarrassment suddenly washed over me, and my face grew hot.

All I did was say I liked him, and yet I was mortified.

Ugh, why is it suddenly so hot?

I looked up at the sky and tried hard to cool my face.

Whenever I was next to Kyle, it always felt like my face was going to burst from how red it got.

“What do you like about me?”

Kyle approached slowly with a pleased look on his face.

Gasp—this is just like what happened in the room earlier!

Startled, I instinctively stepped back.

Kyle’s handsome face was coming closer!

This man’s face is a weapon!

“Uh, well…”

I hesitated for an answer while continuing to back away like crazy.

To an outsider, it might’ve looked like a funny scene—but I felt like crying.

Seriously, how many times has this happened today?!

That guy—he’s totally teasing me, isn’t he?

I glanced up at Kyle’s face and saw a hint of mischief there.

‘More importantly, what should I even say?’

Honestly, I liked Kyle.

At first, I thought he was just a scary swordsmanship monster, but he turned out to be kind, gentle, cute…

Ugh, once I start thinking about what I like, there’s no end to it.

Anyway, Kyle was such a good person that I could hardly believe he was supposed to be the cold, heartless monster in the original story.

‘Especially his face. That’s the best part.’

To someone like me who loves beautiful people, Kyle was practically my ideal type.

I stared up at his sculpted, perfect face and absentmindedly blurted out,

“Because you’re handsome…”

Gasp.

Right after saying it, I quickly slapped my hand over my mouth.

Of all things, why did I have to say he’s handsome?!

The thing Kyle hated most was being told he was good-looking.

Ever since he was young, he’d been chased around by girls who only liked his face, and he hated compliments about his looks.

Did I just step on a landmine…?

“Hmmm.”

I was devastated.

He’s totally going to think I’m just another shallow girl who only cares about looks… I’m doomed.

I hung my head low, bracing myself for the moment he’d kick me out of the duchy.

But then, something unexpected happened.”

“You mean you like my face?”

Kyle grabbed my chin and quickly turned my head toward him.

His eyes curved beautifully into a smile.

Wait… isn’t this the first time I’ve seen him smile like that?

Surprised by the unfamiliar expression, I nodded. Kyle then said with satisfaction,

“Then that’s enough.”

I stared at him with my mouth slightly open.

This doesn’t make sense. I totally thought he’d be offended by what I said—but instead, he looked genuinely pleased, as if he’d just received a compliment.

Well… I did compliment him, I guess.

Ugh, whatever!

“Let’s go.”

Finally, we were actually going to explore the garden properly.

As we strolled through the garden together—now that Kyle was in a good mood—I realized something important:

The garden was as large as a botanical conservatory.

“Wow…”

I was in awe of the sheer size.

As expected of a duke’s estate…

Seeing the scale of the garden, I decided I shouldn’t tease Sebastian about his poor sense of direction anymore.

I’d probably get lost too…

What must it feel like to live in a house this big?

“If you keep going that way, it connects to the walking trail.”

“Oh, I want to check that out later!”

Kyle guided me effortlessly around the garden.

The way he treated a woman was so natural.

For someone who claimed to be hopelessly single like Alec, I couldn’t understand how Kyle could be so perfectly well-mannered.

After walking for a bit, Kyle’s younger brother, Karn, came running toward us with a bright smile.

Well, not toward us—but toward Kyle specifically.

“Brother!”

His innocent smile made him look like a total child.

It was a stark contrast to the expression he had when he looked at me earlier.

“Ugh, what the—she’s still here?”

Karn, who had dashed over to Kyle like lightning, scowled as soon as he saw me.

Haha, sorry for still being here.

I forced a smile in response to the bratty Karn’s comment.

He was still a rude little kid.

To think he disliked and distrusted me this much after meeting me for the first time today.

“Karn, Radel is an important guest. Watch your attitude.”

“…Brother?”

Kyle spoke coldly after seeing Karn’s behavior.

The arrogant and snarky Karn flinched in surprise and looked flustered.

He clearly didn’t expect his brother to scold him like that.

His eyes, which had been sharply raised just moments ago, drooped down sadly.

Whoa, it’s like a miniature version of sulky Kyle!

I stared at him, blinking rapidly at how cute he looked.

Would he get mad if I patted his head?

I clenched and unclenched my fists while staring at Karn.

“Young Master Kyle. The Duke has returned. He wishes to see you for a moment…”