IPAMB 21

Chapter: 21

“I regret to inform you that His Grace the Duke says he cannot grant that request at this time.”

The duke’s secretary, Silven, brought me the answer to the favor I had asked for yesterday. It was a refusal.

Why? He shouldn’t be as busy anymore…

Even when I asked for the reason, he wouldn’t tell me, and that only made me more anxious.

I lowered my head gloomily. What was I supposed to do now?

Just then, I heard someone clear their throat above me.

“Ahem, ahem. Still… if you were to ask again in a few days, you might receive a different answer.”

“In a few days?”

“Ahem. I didn’t say anything.”

Silven avoided a direct reply, repeatedly clearing his throat. But anyone could tell he was subtly giving me a hint.

My mood brightened instantly.

There must have been something urgent I didn’t know about! Well, that makes sense! He is the duke, after all!

Judging from Silven’s reaction, that “matter” would likely be finished in a few days.

“For breakfast, something soft and mild would be best. Ah, of course, I’m not suggesting you prepare anything.”

“Of course! A light breakfast with pleasant conversation is the best way to start the day! Ah, though that’s merely my personal wish!”

I giggled as I replied. The elderly Silven looked at me with a benevolent smile.

Ever since I mentioned that I wanted to dine together, Silven had been especially kind to me.

Well, he had always been kind—but now he was even more so.

The refusal wasn’t his own opinion, after all.

In fact, I wondered if perhaps Silven also hoped the duke and Cain would grow closer.

People from the North really are all good people!

A few servants had come to greet me yesterday, and they had all responded warmly.

All right, I’ve secured the meal. Next up—Cain.

I wasn’t sure whether Cain would agree, but I had to try!

I clenched my fist. The situation that had once seemed hopeless was gradually improving, and I felt motivated again.

And a few days later, I truly did get the chance to have breakfast with the duke.

“Wow, Sir Silven, you’re the best!”

“Heh heh, it was nothing.”

After praising Silven enthusiastically, I ran straight to Cain. I wanted to tell him the news as soon as possible.

If I say it looked like His Grace wanted to eat together, I can persuade him!

No matter what, I had to make this happen. Nothing could begin without a proper opportunity!

“Young Master! There’s something I want to tell you!”

But when I chattered excitedly, Cain replied simply:

“No need.”

Nothing ever goes smoothly…

My excitement quickly cooled. With a calmer mind, I started thinking things through.

Honestly, I couldn’t say I didn’t understand Cain’s reaction.

If I’d heard something like that, I would’ve been deeply hurt too.

Still, the situation wasn’t hopeless.

Cain hadn’t run away when he saw me. That meant I still had a chance.

It was a good thing I kept sneaking over to the training grounds to show my face, even when he said he wanted to be alone.

Lately, I had been crouching by the wall in the corner of the training yard, watching Cain.

“You said not to come.”

“Yes! I heard you!”

“…Then don’t.”

At first, Cain had tried to chase me away, but after seeing me return and sit down again, he eventually gave up.

We hadn’t exchanged many words, but he seemed to have grown used to my presence.

People really do need to face each other.

Having reached that conclusion once more, I spoke up.

“Still, couldn’t you reconsider just once more? His Grace also, um, seemed to really want this.”

“There’s no way His Grace would show his emotions so openly.”

…Mm, that didn’t work.

“To be honest, it’s because I really want to have breakfast with both of you. A meal together is nice, isn’t it?”

“I heard you tend to oversleep and skip breakfast.”

How did he know that?

Startled, I avoided his gaze.

St-still, having breakfast all together was something I wanted to try…

Muttering to myself, I fiddled awkwardly with the ends of my hair.

“You don’t need to try so hard.”

Cain let out a sigh as he spoke.

“Huh? Try so hard about what?”

“It means you don’t need to worry about the relationship between me and His Grace just because you happened to be there.”

I blinked, then suddenly realized.

Ah, does he think I’m walking on eggshells because I’m stuck between the two of them?

Since he didn’t know my real objective, it was only natural he’d think that way.

And to be honest, that part did bother me at least a little.

“How could I not worry after something like that happened right in front of me…?”

“I’ll handle it myself, so don’t concern yourself.”

“But thanks to you, Young Master, I was able to meet His Grace. I can’t help but care.”

“No.”

A shadow crossed Cain’s face.

“You earned that through your own ability. I did nothing. You’re the one who asked His Grace to deal with the Luminier, the one who received his answer, and the one who proved your worth and remained in the ducal estate.”

Cain turned away. Somehow, there was a trace of dejection in the boy’s back.

That’s true, but…

It wouldn’t be right to say that here.

I swallowed my words. Unlike the duke, who said whatever came to mind, I had enough sense to hold my tongue. Thankfully.

“It’s not like you didn’t help at all, Young Master. You assisted with sending the message. So I’m grateful to you.”

And I was planning to have many more reasons to be grateful in the future.

“Besides, now that we’re living in the same house, I want to get along better with you. With His Grace too.”

Cain turned around.

I nodded firmly, wearing a resolute expression. I meant it.

Even if I came here to ask for help capturing a villainous organization, how could I live drawing lines between us?

I didn’t want that. It was just my own wish—but still.

“…”

Cain stared at me with furrowed brows.

Feeling awkward, I fidgeted with my fingers.

“That’s strange…”

“Huh? What is?”

Do I have something on my face?

I wiped my cheek lightly with my sleeve. Nothing came off.

“…Why are you to me—”

Cain muttered quietly.

“What?”

It was too soft to hear.

I perked up my ears and took a step closer.

“…Nothing.”

Cain turned his head aside and took a small step back.

I really didn’t hear it…

That only made me more curious. But he never repeated himself.

Instead, after thinking for a moment, he spoke again.

“…Sigh. Anyway, I understand your intentions. Since you want it that badly, I’ll attend this meal too.”

“Really!?”

My eyes widened.

“You’re worried because I left my seat that day. So in the end, this is my responsibility.”

Yes! It worked!

I barely stopped myself from jumping up and down.

He doesn’t look thrilled about it, but that’s fine!

I couldn’t stop the broad smile spreading across my face.

“Thank you! Let’s have a nice time together!”

I’ll mediate properly and improve their relationship!

I steeled my resolve. I wouldn’t waste this hard-earned opportunity.

However, contrary to my determination, that resolve didn’t last very long.

The next morning.

Just as I had hoped, I was having breakfast with both the duke and Cain.

And I felt like I was dying.

I’m not eating through my nose right now, am I…?

Though I had finally secured this meal, the atmosphere was painfully bleak.

First of all, the seating was a problem.

Why are they sitting so far apart?

The table was already large, yet the duke and Cain sat at opposite ends. Was this some noble custom…?

Still, as long as we could talk, it would be fine!

I tried to stay positive.

But that wasn’t the only issue.

I can’t keep the conversation going!

It wasn’t that there was no conversation at all. I was working hard to talk.

But still.

“…It’s an honor to dine together!”

“Yes.”

“…”

When the duke answered, Cain said nothing.

“Young Master, you practiced swordsmanship late yesterday—aren’t you tired?”

“No.”

“…”

When Cain answered, the duke fell silent.

As a result, the atmosphere was colder than ice. Even the warm food felt as if it might freeze over.

And stuck between them, I—

Someone please save me…

How am I supposed to fix this?