Chapter 23

Quack!

‘Why?’

“Today’s outfit is perfect as it is. You don’t need the bracelet.”  

Quack.  

‘You never cared about that before, you always put it on me.’  

Kiaros stubbornly held on, so Letina snatched the heart bracelet from his beak.  

As soon as she put it back in the jewelry box, Kiaros flew over and grabbed it again.  

When he was human, he worried about being disliked, but as Liri, he got a bit bolder.  

“…I said I’m not putting it on you.”  

When Letina tried to take the bracelet, he dodged.  

After being stubborn once more, she silently bit his hand.  

“Let’s not go for a walk today.”  

Then she left Liri and started to leave the room.  

‘What?’  

Bang!  

Kiaros, struck by a bolt of lightning, broke out in a cold sweat.  

‘Getting cocky as Liri, I went too far again.’  

He’d upset Letina.  

‘Idiot!’  

Kiaros wanted to smack his own head with his wings.  

He decided to use his last resort.  

The triple cuteness combo!  

A selection of Letina’s favorites.  

Of course, Letina thought he was cute just looking at her with clear eyes or waddling around, but she doted on him even more when he acted cute.  

Kiaros blocked the door so Letina couldn’t leave.  

‘Let’s go for a walk, okay?’  

He flew up first, and Letina, startled, caught him.  

Now, it was time to begin.

Rubbing his beak against her hand!

Flapping his wings and quacking!

Wiggling his tail feathers and sticking out his behind!

‘How’s that!’  

Kiaros looked up at Letina, triumphant.  

“……”  

Normally, she’d have hugged him and gushed over his cuteness by now.  

‘Huh?’  

Letina stared at him for a long time, then took off his scarf, shoes, and hat. She put them down on the floor.  

“Rest.”  

She left him on the cold floor and walked away.  

Bang!  

Kiaros suffered a second shock.  

‘Am I really Liri right now?’

He hurriedly checked his body.  

‘…I’m Liri, but I got rejected.’  

This was an emergency.  

Had things really reached the point of no return?  

Kiaros wanted to chase after Letina and kneel if he had to.  

But if he failed as Liri and then begged, she might lose even more affection for him…  

Scared, Kiaros couldn’t do anything.

***

“I’m here!”  

“Oh, welcome.”  

It was the weekend, and Mielle came to visit Kiaros and Letina’s house.  

It was an old promise made at the villa.  

Mielle hugged Letina with a bright smile, but ignored Kiaros and went inside.  

While drinking tea in the drawing room, she tilted her head at the couple’s noticeably changed atmosphere.  

“So… why do you two seem so gloomy?”  

The couple flinched.  

“I don’t care about Kiaros, but Letina, why does your face look so pale? Are you feeling unwell? If you need to rest, just say so. I could have come another day.”

“No, I’m healthy. I’m glad you came, Mielle.”  

“Really?”  

“Yes.”  

“Then why…”  

Mielle took a breath and glared at Kiaros.  

“Don’t tell me… is this jerk Kiaros causing trouble?”  

Mielle clenched her fist and trembled.  

“No….”  

Unlike before, Letina hesitated, and Mielle was convinced.  

But it didn’t seem like she’d open up even if asked again. So she stayed quiet until Kiaros went to the bathroom, then asked once more.  

“Are you really okay? Your face still looks bad.”  

“……”  

Letina parted her lips and spoke.  

“I don’t know what Kiaros feels.”  

No, she knew, but didn’t want to admit it.  

Either way, she regretted saying it. Even if she told someone, it probably wasn’t a good idea to tell Kiaros’s sister.  

Wouldn’t it spread to the family?  

‘Everyone thinks we got married because we love each other.’  

Even if they cared about her, knowing the truth would just be awkward.  

She didn’t plan to tell her own parents or brother either. They’d definitely make a fuss. Letina didn’t want to make things worse.  

It was best not to complain to anyone and to control her own feelings as soon as possible, but she’d slipped up.  

“Sorry. Please forget what I just said.”  

“Hmm…”  

Mielle raised her eyebrows.  

“I didn’t think you’d doubt that.”  

“…What?”  

Letina blinked.  

“I found something interesting.”  

Mielle giggled as she crunched on a cookie.  

“Ever since you moved out after getting married, Kiaros’s room has been empty. A few days ago, I politely went in for a look and found a box in a hidden desk drawer.”  

Instead of scolding her for entering without permission, Letina was interested in the secret drawer.  

“A hidden desk drawer?”  

“Yes.”  

“How did you find it?”  

“Well, I’m good at finding things.”  

Mielle winked.  

“So, what on earth was he hiding, and why did he leave it here? I happily opened the locked box.”  

“A locked box? How…”  

“I’m pretty skilled.”  

Suddenly, Mielle clicked her tongue, as if she didn’t like what she was saying.  

“Ah, but it feels like I’m making excuses for him, which I don’t like. Still, since you’re having a hard time, Letina…”

She shrugged and asked,  

“Anyway, are you free next weekend?”  

“Ah… yes.”  

“If possible, could you come to the Gatiel residence alone, without Kiaros knowing?”  

She seemed to want to show what was kept in the box.  

‘Why?’  

And was it okay for her to look at Kiaros’s things without permission?  

Letina hesitated.  

“Letina, you said you don’t know how Kiaros feels. I want to help you. I can’t stand seeing you suffer, so please come. Okay? I’m begging you.”  

What could it be, that she was so insistent? Letina was even more confused.  

But she couldn’t resist Mielle’s sparkling eyes and nodded.

***

A week passed, and Letina headed to the Gatiel Marquis mansion.  

She told Kiaros she was going out with friends and left the house alone.  

“Welcome.”  

“It’s been a while.”  

The Marquis Gatiel and the Marchioness were also at the mansion. Letina greeted them, but Mielle grabbed her arm.  

“Letina, come this way.”  

“Mielle, don’t bother Letina too much.”  

“I’m not!”  

Excited, she led Letina up the stairs. When they reached the third floor, Mielle glanced down the hallway and grabbed the doorknob, entering the room.