You! Don’t Press that Button! - Chap 52

The servant’s body trembled at the softly muttered voice. The person before him now was no different from a dead man. Someone who couldn’t even earn money anywhere without someone backing him, yet still clinging to the pride of once having been a noble.

Asdion, who had been quietly observing this pathetic display, took out a handkerchief from his pocket and rubbed his hands. Then, throwing it on the ground, he crouched down.

“Don’t feel bad. I’ll soon send you to a better place than this.”

At Asdion’s voice coming from above, the curled-up servant could only nod his head obediently. Asdion, looking down at him, smiled faintly. While the lack of discernment was truly pathetic, it made him all the more useful.

Though he disliked his master taking interest in other things, when he could be of help, the joy he felt was twice as much as this unpleasant feeling. The only happiness was when Asmil bestowed attention and rewards upon him.

It was incredibly irritating that his interest had turned to a bird tribe member, but it would soon fade anyway. He just needed to assist as usual from the sidelines and use this guy until then.

🐤

In the dimly lit room, bright moonlight peeked through the gaps in the curtains. Only faint breathing could be heard in the quiet bedroom. As the peaceful silence continued, a loud gasping sound suddenly broke through.

The green-haired occupant, who had been sleeping quietly on the bed, shook his head back and forth with his eyes closed, as if having a troubled dream. He slightly furrowed his brow and exhaled hot breaths. Beneath his closed eyelids, his eyeballs could be seen moving rapidly.

After a short while, he opened his eyes wide and abruptly sat up. The sound of his pounding heart echoed in his ears. He placed the hand that had been gripping the bedsheet near his heart. Thump. Thump. His heart was beating so forcefully it felt like it might burst through his ribcage.

“…Karhan?”

Liras mulled over the images that had played in his mind. He thought it might have been something that happened in the past, but no matter how he tried, he couldn’t recall ever seeing those scenes before. Yet why did it feel so vivid, as if he had experienced it firsthand? There was no way a dragon created by God could have memories he didn’t remember.

Moreover, unfamiliar figures frequently appeared in the images that had flashed through his mind. An ordinary human with black hair and brown eyes. If he wasn’t mistaken, in the dream he had called that man…

“Doel.”

He had called him by the name Doel. That man was by Karhan’s side. The sight of the two looking happy together gave him an inexplicable feeling, as if something sharp was piercing his chest. He frowned at the vividness of the pain. It was just a dream, yet the emotions were muddling his mind.

What exactly had he seen?

It seemed like a future that had not yet happened, that might never happen. He leaned his stiffly raised upper body against the headboard and exhaled calmly. He closed his eyes and tried to calm his mind. He felt that if he didn’t control these inexplicable intense emotions, he might lose himself.

He raised his hand to push back his sweat-soaked hair. Long strands clung to his cheeks, but he paid no mind. With his eyes still closed, he felt along the side table. Starting from the corner, he carefully searched until he found his glasses.

He lightly lifted them and put them on his face. When he opened his eyes, the clear view of the room pulled Liras back to reality. Only then did Liras manage to erase the precarious atmosphere, letting out a sigh mixed with relief and excitement.

Staring blankly at the wallpaper, Liras murmured softly.

“I suppose I should check it out once.”

🐤

After Asmil left, only Karhan and I remained in the spacious room. In the quiet room, I tugged at the innocent hem of my jacket, crumpling it. Because of the events that had passed like a storm in an instant, I stood dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

Karhan, who had been looking at the door, turned around and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry.”

“Okay…”

Though I answered reluctantly, it was impossible not to worry. It seemed like an ordinary person could be handled with his abilities, but the opponent was Asmil, who couldn’t be taken lightly. The fact that he appeared unfazed even in front of Karhan made him truly villainous, like in the novel. Although the story had almost faded from my mind now, this incident further ingrained the fact that Asmil was a bad person.

I swallowed a small sigh. I tried to reassure myself that it would be okay. After all, this was inside a novel, and once the story ended, I could safely get out. Everything would end if the main character’s love interest, Doel, and the protagonist, Karhan, got together well. I just had to endure the pain until death. Forcing a smile on my lips, I looked up at Karhan.

“I’m fine. You just need to work hard, Karhan!”

Work hard at romance, that is. That’s how I can safely get out. I quietly swallowed the latter part. Karhan, unaware of my thoughts, slightly furrowed his brows and pulled down the corners of his mouth. His cold silver-gray eyes were filled with pity. He must think I’m pretending to be strong.

Since Karhan knew that Asmil had come to the social gathering, he asked if I wanted to return to the mansion. I hesitated a bit but shook my head. Although I hated and disliked Asmil, I couldn’t let someone like him ruin my first social debut.

“I want to stay and enjoy more.”

Even if I racked my brains now, an immediate solution wouldn’t appear. Either I had to obtain Asmil’s blood, or Karhan and Doel had to get together and end the story.

Since it wasn’t something that could be resolved right away and would only cause stress, it was better to put it aside for now. With the jacket still draped over my shoulders, I returned to my bird form.

As my body suddenly shrank, the large clothes covered me. I raised my head high in the darkened surroundings and shook my body. Then, soft light seeped in through the gaps in the clothes.

Pattering my feet, I searched for an exit and came out to find Karhan picking up the fallen jacket and putting it on. Watching this, I flapped my wings vigorously and perched on Karhan’s broad shoulder.

Turning my head, I saw his handsome face. He was impeccably good-looking, without a single flaw. I thought that with this face, few people would be able to resist if he made a move on them. Doel would probably be the same. Satisfied with this thought, I nodded my head.

Seemingly unaware that I was staring intently at his face, Karhan neatly buttoned up his jacket and left the room. As we walked down the long corridor, I could feel the gazes of passing servants. They stole quick glances at Karhan, as if trying not to be caught staring.

There were various types of gazes fixed on his body. Admiration, envy, lust… Lust?

“Pyak pyak!”

No, no! Don’t lust after Karhan. Thinking that I needed to filter out these impure gazes, I spread my wings wide and took on a threatening posture. As I puffed up my body vigilantly on Karhan’s shoulder, the lewd glances somewhat decreased.

As I worked hard to protect him, a low chuckle came from beside me. He must be grateful for my help. I felt that I needed to protect him diligently while Doel wasn’t around. Karhan, you’re quite naive in this aspect, aren’t you?

Like a warrior heading to battle, I deflected countless gazes with my wings as we returned to the social hall. However, even after passing through the thick doors and entering, the stares fixed on us remained. No, if anything, even more gazes were now focused on us.

Karhan quietly moved to lean against the wall next to the terrace. Then he slightly crossed his outstretched legs.

Feeling an intense gaze from afar, I raised my head and narrowed my eyes to see that annoying platinum blonde head. The sight of him holding a clear wine glass in one hand and grinning made me sick.

After glaring at Asmil with furious eyes, I quickly turned my head away. I could almost hear the sound of his mockery in my ears.

As Karhan and I stood against the wall, enjoying a leisurely moment, the sound of clicking heels approached. I, who had been observing the people, turned my gaze to find the source of the sound. It was a woman with yellow hair beautifully permed and pulled up high. Her large hat adorned with flower decorations and an off-shoulder dress boldly revealing her shoulder line caught the eye.

The woman held a fan in one hand, covering her mouth. Above the fan, her coy eyes slowly opened as she carefully met our gaze. Karhan straightened up from his leaning posture as the woman approached.

“Hello, Your Grace Duke Barthes.”

The woman greeted, slightly lifting her long skirt. As the fan covering her face lowered, her white face and flushed cheeks came into view. I narrowed my eyes as I looked at the woman. Judging by her unnaturally wavering pupils, there was a high probability she harbored impure thoughts towards Karhan.

“It’s been a while, Amy.”

“I’m honored that you remember me, Your Grace. I hope you’ve been well all this time?”

The woman’s eyes curved prettily. As Amy asked various questions, Karhan answered them neatly. At a glance, it seemed like they were carrying on a good conversation, but Karhan never initiated any questions himself, so the conversation was prone to breaking off.

Despite Karhan’s brusque attitude, the woman tried to keep the conversation going. I sent a stern look to the woman who was showing such keen interest. It was a warning that I wouldn’t forgive any foolish actions.

Whenever our eyes met, I kicked vigorously from atop Karhan’s shoulder. As I stomped down on Karhan’s shoulder with force, the woman’s gaze trembled slightly. After looking at me like this several times, she finally gave up and left.

Pretty sister, this one’s not available anyway. He’s going to be with a man, you know.

Just as I was feeling relieved watching the woman’s retreating back, numerous people, regardless of gender, started approaching slyly as if to challenge us. Though tired, I stood firm like a knight from a fairy tale, protecting Karhan.

As people conversed with Karhan and then glanced at me like before, I warned them not to show interest in Karhan by flashing my eyes sharply. People who received this terrifying warning all left with trembling voices at the end.

Fortunately, I was able to successfully protect the potential couple that held my lifeline. Karhan, now alone, gently tickled my beak.

It was the moment when the best pet in this social gathering would be determined.