Chapter 28 – Farewell

I sipped my tea and tried to rationalize why Kyle’s mind and feelings were so unpredictable. Part of the reason was certainly because of his dragon curse, but I was still curious if there were any other explanations for his aberrant behavior.

As I thought about Kyle, I started to wonder more about him. Come to think of it, what did Kyle usually do during the day, anyway? Did he even go outside?

Kyle had strolled through the garden with me during our last walk, but he only did that because Jean had forced him to accompany me.

As far as I knew, he rarely left the mansion except to attend the occasional meeting. Unless absolutely necessary, he also rarely participated in any events or social gatherings. Knowing this, I deduced that Kyle was essentially someone who avoided going outside.

He’s always stuck inside this house. Is that why his skin is so pale?

Ironically, despite his skin’s ghastly pallor, he was in excellent shape. Perhaps his toned body was just this novel character’s natural effect, or did he secretly work out?

Random thoughts went through my mind.

Maybe his reluctance to go outside is because he doesn’t like being in a crowd, so he developed such a rough personality as a result? Also, he clearly has a vitamin D deficiency, because he barely goes out. I have to help him fix that and make sure he gets the proper amount of sunlight that he needs.

“Archduke,” I began, “would you like to have a cup of tea with me in the garden tomorrow?”

I knew that it was a useless suggestion, but I didn’t care. He was definitely going to refute my offer and argue with me.

“Why should I have tea in the garden with you?”

As expected. I would have been sad if he didn’t reply like that.

“I thought that maybe we could go outside and experience the sunlight together.”

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that? You should know that it’s not only plants that need sunlight, but humans also need it to make several factors important for our health. Didn’t you know that a healthy mind comes from a healthy body?”

Kyle didn’t answer me even though I was just saying nonsense. He regarded me with the same, cool expression he always wore.

However, I was already aware that I wasn’t going to succeed in convincing him on my first attempt, so I continued trying to persuade him.

“The weather is nice these days, but soon the flowers will wilt and wither away. So let’s go out and drink tea before all the flowers are gone, okay?”

I thought he would snap back at me with a biting remark, but Kyle unexpectedly kept his mouth shut.

His expression seems better than before. I shouldn’t miss this opportunity.

“I will tell Jean about this,” I warned.

“I don’t need Jean’s permission,” his tone was unamused.

“Jean will allow it even if you do ask.”

“… I’ll decide the time.”

“Of course.”

I won. Internally, I cheered to myself because I easily managed to dominate the flow of the conversation this time.

Kyle looked like he wanted to nitpick something, but I turned my attention back to the plate of snacks and pretended that I was busy enjoying the taste of all the goodies the maid had brought.

To my surprise, Kyle didn’t say anything more and the conversation was left as it was.

We fell back into a comfortable rhythm and I quietly continued to read my book while enjoying the refreshments. Kyle also went back to his paperwork.

I can only say goodbye to you from my heart.

The silence between us felt strangely calm and not at all unpleasant. For some reason, I didn’t want to say goodbye to him. Somehow, I just felt like I would regret it if I did.

But isn’t it just a fact that every farewell will be sad?

I decided that I would let this feeling naturally pass me by. This is just part of the normal process of getting to know each other, I told myself.

I willed myself to do my best to endure it for the next four days.

****
Warm sunshine bathed the garden as a few clouds floated overhead in the otherwise clear, blue sky. The time was 3:00 P.M., and I had come to meet Kyle for tea.

A spread of many elegant and delectable desserts had been laid out on the table before me. Accompanying the food was a variety of aromatic teas.

I calmly took a sip of my beverage and noted that it was the same rose tea I had enjoyed while in Kyle’s office. Maybe it was because of all the rose bushes blooming around me, but I felt that the pleasing scent of the tea was stronger than yesterday.

We did not converse with one another, but sharing such a lovely and peaceful afternoon was worth more than any conversation we could have had.

At that moment, my heart clenched with regret at the reminder that I would soon be leaving this world.

“Why do you keep glancing at me?” Kyle was the first to break the silence. “Is there something on my face?”

Hmm, I guess I was the only one who thought that our pleasant and quiet afternoon was more valuable than talking.

I suppose I was unconsciously staring at him, also.

Glossy black hair, glittering golden eyes, and an impeccably handsome face that could have belonged to a statue… He looked so breathtakingly graceful even while doing something so commonplace as holding a teacup. My eyes could not stop being drawn to the man in front of me.