You! Don’t Press that Button! - Chap 64

Although there had been a small commotion at the mansion, Karhan rose to see off his long-time benefactor. Liras quickly extended his hand to stop him.

“Don’t get up. I’ll just go by myself. Let’s see each other again later. You too, little bird back there.”

Seol, who was still hiding behind Karhan’s back, flinched. After staying with his face pressed against Karhan’s back for a moment, he slowly poked his head out, exuding discomfort with his entire body. He cautiously raised his eyes to observe Liras. He looked like a small herbivore in front of a massive carnivore. Liras, taking in Seol’s appearance, spoke:

“Next time, it would be good to continue our unfinished conversation. Or, we could talk about you.”

Liras left behind words full of questions that Karhan couldn’t understand and turned around. As he slowly walked to grab the doorknob, he paused. Wiggling his fingers as if thinking about something, he turned his head to look at Karhan.

“I recommend visiting the Tree of Life. There’s a fruit that ripens at a specific time each year, and now seems to be just right.”

With those final words and a slight smile, he left the room without hesitation.

Liras, who had quickly left the mansion, got into the carriage waiting at the main gate. He quietly closed his eyes and tried to compose his turbulent mind. Although he had managed to hide it well in the office, his heart was actually in turmoil with all sorts of emotions. Especially when facing Karhan. He couldn’t understand why everything felt so complicated.

During his stay at the mansion for a few days, he had gathered information about Karhan and the apprentice knight named Doel. Unlike in his dream, the two had no particular connection. They had merely met in a village and became knights. No one thought of them as lovers. Only one, the little bird, was different.

The silver-haired child had started by saying he wasn’t sure, but his expression showed certainty, as if it was set in stone. His eyes seemed to say it would be strange if it wasn’t true. It was as if that child also knew about the dream Liras had.

So when he casually mentioned the content of the dream, the reaction was unsettling. Although he couldn’t get an exact answer due to Karhan’s sudden interruption, the way the child tightly shut his mouth without saying anything was suspicious. There was something hidden about this bird who appeared in the dream experiencing another side of this world.

It was frustrating. He wanted to know. Since having the dream, his heart had easily become impatient, and something deep within his chest kept urging him to seize what he wanted. Fortunately, his reason, which still held a significant place, restrained his actions.

He sighed deeply. Ignoring the part of his mind that whispered ominously not to tell them even now, he had mentioned the Tree of Life. Of course, it might not be effective, but he wanted to give them even a small possibility. Asmil certainly didn’t seem like he would give his blood.

The Tree of Life in the Elven Forest was the first plant to take root in this land when the world was created. All of nature in the world spread from that tree. The Tree of Life was full of mana, which helped cultivate the world stably. Although not certain, the fruit that grew there had some possibility.

He hadn’t explained in detail why he told them to go, but the sharp-witted Karhan would understand. After all, he hadn’t spent over 400 years just as a child.

🐤

After Liras left, the office became quiet. It was originally quiet, but now it was filled with a particularly strange silence. I slowly crept out from behind Karhan and sat back on the sofa with my knees up.

Did I overreact? He did scare me a little then, but he didn’t directly harm me…As I thought this and buried my face in my knees, I heard Karhan’s low voice.

“If you ever feel scared again, you can always come behind me.”

“Huh?”

“You came behind me because you were scared of Lord Liras, right? If something like that happens again, you can always hide.”

Isn’t he going to scold me for being disrespectful? As I peeked out with just my eyes, giving him a questioning look, Karhan’s stern lips curved into a gentle smile.

“Lord Liras’s actions last time were threatening enough to you. Your reaction was justified, so don’t feel sorry about it.”

Somehow, it felt like he was saying this for my sake, and a smile naturally appeared on my face.

After that brief but intense time passed, peaceful days followed. The Karhan who had treated me like a complete stranger had disappeared. As if trying to wash away all the sorrow that had built up in my heart, he was treating me much more kindly than before.

Bored, I went to play in the office, but not wanting to disturb Karhan, I quietly stayed on the sofa. Unlike me, Karhan had important things to do, so I, a jobless creature, quietly looked at picture books. Maybe I should try learning to write while I’m at it.

When I was human, I couldn’t go to the academies that all my classmates attended. As someone living off others, private education was impossible. So I could only look with slightly envious eyes at my cousin who complained every day about not wanting to go. Perhaps because of that, I didn’t mind when my cousin occasionally dumped academy homework on me.

There might not be academies here, but you could study as long as you had books. Maybe if I told Karhan, he might assign me a study teacher like he did with the exercise teacher. Anyway, he probably wouldn’t mind if I tried to learn something. I might not be able to run twenty laps around the training ground, but with effort, I could probably write beautifully.

Hehe, imagining myself proudly showing off my elegant writing to Karhan made me smile automatically.

As I was buried in the sofa, intently looking at the book, someone knocked on the office door. Karhan hadn’t said anyone was coming. I glanced at Karhan briefly, then turned my gaze towards the door. The door opened slightly, and the servant’s voice was heard.

“Your Grace, Young Master Arthur has arrived.”

Arthur?Karhan seemed surprised too, as he remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“Let him in.”

As if he had been listening from outside, Arthur immediately opened the door and entered. From his slightly flushed cheeks, I could tell he was more excited than usual. Arthur paused briefly when he saw me, but quickly turned his gaze to Karhan.

“Brother.”

For someone who seemed to have business, he hesitated quite a bit. His hands, stuck to his thighs, moved restlessly. What was he trying to say? Curious, I looked at Arthur with wide eyes. Arthur moistened his dry lips with his tongue and began to speak.

“Um, that animal you took to the social gathering last time, do you still have it?”

Gasp. My eyes widened so much they could have popped out at Arthur’s words. I swallowed hard and glanced at Karhan. I only moved my eyeballs quietly, trying not to let Arthur notice anything strange.

Karhan didn’t move, maintaining eye contact with Arthur as if trying to gauge his intentions. Soon, he lowered his head, casually examining some documents as he spoke.

“Why do you ask?”

“I’m planning to have a gathering with my classmates, and some friends said they wanted to see it.”

Wait, how do Arthur’s friends know about me? I straightened my back and asked.

“How do they know about that bird?”

Arthur didn’t hide his displeased expression at my sudden interruption. What, does he not even want to talk to me? My lips curved downwards. But perhaps not intending to ignore me completely, Arthur made a “hmph” sound and said:

“You might not know because you’re slow on the news, but the bird my brother brought has become famous. More importantly, why are you still at our mansion? Don’t you have a home to go to?”

Oh my, I had been famous? Arthur’s latter words didn’t even register. My heart pounded at the fact that I was a celebrity. Me, who had never been associated with the word ‘famous,’ had made a name for myself among the nobles.

Did Karhan know about this too? I wonder if I’m about to debut in the entertainment industry. Should I practice my autograph before practicing writing?

As my lips unconsciously curved upwards, Arthur’s unpleasant voice was heard. But ignoring that, I raised my chin high and hummed happily. That Arthur kid. How dare he treat a celebrity like this. I won’t give him an autograph even if he begs later.

“Brother, if you still have the bird—”

“Didn’t you receive another animal through Claude before?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. But I don’t need that one anymore…”

Arthur trailed off, averting his gaze. Don’t need it anymore? What does he think animals are? My good mood instantly plummeted. Even Karhan, who had transformed into an excellent owner because of me, stopped his pen and raised his head.

His oddly subdued eyes looked at Arthur’s face. Arthur turned his head to the side, as if uncomfortable with that gaze. Karhan’s eyebrow twitched.

“Where did you put that animal?”

“Well… I lost it.”

“You lost it?”

As Karhan asked again, Arthur’s body stiffened. I narrowed my eyes and glared at him. Did you just abandon it rather than lose it? Seemingly intimidated by my gaze, Arthur barely opened his lips and stammered:

“Yes, brother. While playing with friends—”

“Arthur Barthes.”

Karhan quietly called Arthur’s full name. His voice sounded angrier than expected, and even I, caught between the two brothers, tensed up. Arthur, receiving Karhan’s full attention, fidgeted with his clothes.

“I’ve taught you since you were young not to lie to me.”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll ask one more time. Where did you put the animal?”

Arthur weakly bit his lip. After fixing his gaze on the floor for a moment, he swallowed and opened his mouth.