You! Don’t Press that Button! - Chap 108

Before returning to the mansion, Doel and I stopped at a small village to rest. My leg, strained from maintaining balance while riding, kept throbbing with pain, so I had no choice but to sit on a soft bed.

After tossing off my robe, I took out the envelope I had carefully hidden in my chest. Cautiously unfolding the letter inside, I saw dazzling, cursive-like characters written on it.

“Hmm…”

Oh no. I just realized I can’t read this world’s writing. As I furrowed my brow and squinted at this major obstacle, Doel asked in a concerned voice:

“What’s wrong? Is something not going well?”

He picked up my robe and draped it over a chair before sitting next to me. The bed creaked in protest, tilting to one side. Not bothering to resist, I gently rested my head on Doel’s shoulder and placed the letter in my trembling hands.

“Oh my… I’m so tired that the letters won’t come into focus! This is terrible…”

Then I clutched my head with both hands and collapsed onto the bed. Pretending to be exhausted, I closed my eyes and curled up into a ball, giving a Hollywood-worthy performance. Surely this level of acting would be convincing? I raised the corners of my mouth hidden behind my hands in a triumphant smile.

But no matter how long I waited, there was no particular reaction from Doel.

What’s going on? Was my acting too realistic and he’s shocked? I peeked through my fingers at Doel, only to find him covering his face with both hands, trembling slightly. His ears, visible through his night-black hair, were bright red.

He… he saw through me.

Overwhelmed by sudden embarrassment, I cleared my throat and sat up. At my movement, Doel glanced at me briefly before shrugging his shoulders and closing his eyes, as if trying to compose himself.

Just laugh it off already.

Geez. Making a living is really tough. I let out a small sigh and picked up the letter that had fallen to the floor, holding it out to Doel. Still red from suppressing his laughter, Doel took the fluttering paper from me.

“Read it to me.”

My tone came out sulky from embarrassment. Realizing this might make me seem childish, I quickly turned my head away. Doel’s large palm gently pressed down on the crown of my head, rocking it side to side with a gentle force.

“Since you’re tired, shall I read it for you?”

“…Yeah.”

Answering slowly out of awkwardness, I heard a breath tinged with laughter above my head. The hand that had been rocking my head gently pinched my ear before letting go. When I touched my ear where Doel’s fingers had brushed, it felt warm.

Fortunately, Doel didn’t drag things out any longer and slowly read Lyras’s letter. Listening intently with my ears perked up, I learned the shocking fact that Karhan doesn’t celebrate his birthday.

Apparently, many nobles send expensive gifts to gain Karhan’s favor, but he returns them all or donates them to poor neighborhoods.

I wonder if he won’t accept mine either… Since we’re out, I’d like to buy something for him. I’ve always been on the receiving end with Karhan. After carefully tucking away the letter Doel handed back to me, I stood up. Though my legs were stiff, they were good enough to look around the village.

“I’m going out for a bit. Want to come along?”

“Now? Is your knee okay?”

“Oh, it’s fine…”

Doel swallowed as he closely examined my legs. After a moment’s consideration, he turned his back to me and sat down.

“I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”

“Ah, no! It’s not that bad. I’m fine!”

I shook my head in refusal, but Doel didn’t get up. Instead, he wiggled his outstretched hands, urging me to get on. After staring at his broad back for a moment, I reluctantly shuffled over and placed my hands on his wide shoulders.

My memories of piggyback rides with my parents before we separated in my childhood were hazy. With awkward movements, I grabbed his shoulders and lowered myself, and Doel wrapped his strong arms around my thighs to support me.

“You’re going to buy a gift for His Grace, aren’t you?”

“Yeah.”

Being carried like a child made me feel embarrassed again. I mumbled my response, moving my lips aimlessly. Pressed close as if hiding my face, the feeling of Doel’s back muscles against my chest was warm but strange.

Perhaps thinking I was embarrassed, Doel spoke in an amused tone:

“This is nothing. During knight training, we practice with huge boulders, you know.”

He said nonchalantly while patting my bottom with the hand supporting me. Hey, this guy! My eyebrows twitched at being treated completely like a child.

As we left the inn, I saw the quiet streets. Being an ordinary day, there weren’t many people out and about.

The straight road stretched out, refreshingly empty. The embarrassment of a grown man being carried piggyback by another adult male had faded, replaced by excitement carried on the cool breeze.

Thanks to Doel’s slow pace, I was able to carefully observe our surroundings. A pretty shop with a fragrant aroma caught my eye. As I blinked, captivated, Doel stopped walking.

“Want to go in?”

“Yes!”

Though it might be far too humble a gift for someone of such high rank as a duke, I couldn’t help but think this kind of present might be nice.

We leisurely explored the village, looking for Karhan’s gift. It was my first time wandering around a village since the elven forest, and it felt like visiting a theme park.

🐤

Finally, we returned to the Bartes ducal residence. As I carefully dismounted, a waiting servant took my luggage from the back of the horse and asked:

“Lord Seol, are you injured anywhere?”

“No!”

I answered energetically, but the servant looked at me with slightly suspicious eyes before lowering his gaze to my knees. I pretended nothing was wrong, lifting my heels slightly. Noticing my act, Doel’s hand came to rest on my shoulder.

“He’ll need a hot compress for his knee. It was cramping occasionally.”

“I’m fine! It hardly hurts anymore.”

I hurriedly shook my head, but the servant nodded as if to say, “I thought as much.”

“I’ll inform His Grace properly.”

What a bolt from the blue! I lowered my eyebrows and looked at the servant with the most pitiful expression I could muster, but he merely narrowed his eyes.

To think my personal servant wouldn’t take my side! Of course, Karhan is his employer, but still! My body trembled with a sense of betrayal. I turned to Doel with a reproachful look, but he just shrugged his shoulders and pretended not to know me.

In the end, I was escorted to my room with the help of the servants, and could only nod obediently at my personal servant’s order to stay put. His eyes flashed dangerously. Scary… I leaned back against the headboard and hugged a fluffy pillow.

Although we had rested along the way, the fatigue of travel had accumulated, leaving both my mind and body tired. As I tilted my head back and closed my eyes, breathing quietly, I heard someone enter. I assumed it was the servant bringing warm water and towels as promised, but the person who stood beside me didn’t say a word.

I slightly opened my eyes to see a servant of very high rank standing next to me.

“Karhan…?”

For some reason, the colorless eyes that had always seemed warm to me now exuded a cool aura, as if they had regained their original light. I gulped and steadily met his gaze. Karhan sat on the edge of the bed, his face full of unspoken words.

His expression looked both sharp and dejected, so I parted my lips slightly and said:

“I’m not really in pain.”

I tried to force a smile, no matter how awkward, but Karhan’s gloomy expression didn’t lighten. He slowly reached out towards my knee. His large hand, incongruously gentle, caressed the protruding kneecap.

“There’s a slight tremor.”

“Well… I suppose it’s because we walked for a long time…”

Karhan’s fingers rubbed my skin so carefully it almost tickled. It felt like being teased with a blade of grass, and I giggled softly. At that, Karhan finally showed a faint smile.

Karhan took out a towel soaked in hot water from the bucket he had brought in and placed it on my knee. The warm sensation penetrated my knee, easing the trembling.

“What did Asmil say?”

“Just… It seems I’ll have to visit him again later.”

“I’d appreciate it if you’d take me along next time.”

“Karhan, you don’t need to worry… Huh?”

That’s strange. I never told Karhan who I was going to see…

Finally realizing something was off, I tilted my head. How did Karhan know? Did Doel tell him behind my back? I blinked rapidly, looking at Karhan with curiosity, but he avoided my gaze, focusing intently on massaging my knee.

“You knew?”

Unable to bear the suspense any longer, I spoke up first.

“I know everything that happens in the mansion.”

“Oh my goodness.”

No wonder he knew I had come to seduce him last time when I tried to threaten him! I don’t know why I keep having so many embarrassing moments lately. I felt the tip of my nose grow hot.

As I fidgeted with my fingers, Karhan smiled faintly and said in a low voice:

“I know you’re being considerate because you think I might be tired, but I’m never tired when it comes to your affairs.”

“Still… I wanted to resolve my own issues myself.”

“Your issues are my issues too.”

“R-Really…?”

Ahem. He says such things so casually. Feeling a ticklish sensation, I clenched my hands slightly and covered my mouth. Karhan’s eyes curved into gentle crescents. His silver-gray eyes, filled with a soft light, felt warm and comforting.