I jumped up and reached out to Luciano.
âCome on, letâs go.â
Luciano looked at my hand and he took my hand.
A hand slightly larger than mine gripped tightly as if to confirm its existence.
âWhere?â
âTo the kitchen. Iâll make you something delicious.â
Luciano followed me obediently.
We arrived at the kitchen and I started cooking right away.
âCan I help you?â
âIt will be over soon, so sit down.â
Today, I refused Lucianoâs help.
I didnât need any help because I would grill the meat.
I grilled the steak and quickly placed it in front of Luciano with some vegetables.
âHere, eat it.â
Luciano just stared at the steak.
âWhy arenât you eating? You have to eat well because itâs been a while since youâve trained.â
Lucianoâs red eyes caught me.
âYouâre not going to eat?â
I was going to eat dinner at home, but I couldnât help because he asked me like that.
Just in case it wasnât enough, I brought some more steak and sat across from him.
He took a fork and a knife, then Luciano cut a piece and put it in his mouth.
His mouth stopped chewing.
âItâs delicious.â
A satisfactory answer was returned.
It was true because I saw Lucianoâs stiff expression unravel.
âItâs worth making it.â
I laughed happily and ate a small slice.
Whoever grilled it, it tasted the best.
âItâs so good!â
Right?
As if asking for consent, Luciano gave me a slight nod.
âHow was your training today?â
I deliberately acted as usual.
Luciano flinched and replied bluntly.
âThere was no problem.â
I think youâre saying thereâs a problem.
âSurely, have you been fighting since day one?â
Luciano narrowed his brows when I cast a suspicious look.
âThere was no problem.â
âAre you sure?â
âIâm sure.â
Lucianoâs attitude was calm.
If something happened between the two of them, there should be a more definite reaction.
He had some complaints, but was it moderately tolerable?
âItâs surprising that there really wasnât a big conflict with Cale.â
To be honest, I was worried that the two of them might have a big fight today.
I expected that there would be friction in the beginning because Luciano is not a person who accepts people easily.
So I suggested that I be with him during training, but unexpectedly, it was Luciano who turned it down and not Cale.
Just looking at it will make me bored.
âIs swordsmanship worth learning?â
âYes.â
âYou must have worked hard today. Eat a lot.â
I cut the meat off my plate and put it on Lucianoâs plate.
He chewed the meat silently.
He pretended to be fine, but he didnât seem to like it as he used to.
âBut donât force yourself to eat.â
Because Harrison wouldnât make you feel better.
âI eat it because itâs delicious.â
He didnât seem very comfortable, but Luciano didnât seem to want to show it.
So I waited silently for him to finish his meal.
I was sorry that I could only do this for him.
* * *
âMother!â
As soon as I returned from the palace, I found my mother.
âDid you have a good time?â
âYes!â
âIâm glad you had a good time. But youâre getting home late these days. Please come earlier.â
Come to think of it, I often come in late because I have a lot of work to do these days.
âYes!â
I answered vigorously and dug into my motherâs arms.
My mother looked surprised for a moment but then she hugged me.
âWhy does Aesvin answer so calmly and act like a baby?â
My mother was saying that it was not bad.
Rather, she was excited as if she liked it.
I hugged my mother tighter.
My mind was complicated the whole time as I returned from the imperial palace after feeding Luciano dinner.
I felt sorry for Luciano.
I was there to help, but my strength was too weak.
The bad things that Luciano suffered did not diminish.
It was disturbing her that he still had the ordeal left.
At the same time, I felt how blessed it was to have parents who deeply loved me.
Itâs reassuring to have someone who pours out all their affections.
âLuciano has no one to comfort him like thisâ¦.â
âBaby, did something happen?â
My motherâs voice became cautious as if she had sensed something in my attitude.
I responded quickly as I didnât want to cause any concern.
âNo, everythingâs fine.â
âThen, why is Aesvin like this today?â
Saying so, my motherâs hand tapped my back.
âAre you bothered by something?â
âNo, itâs because I like it.â
The warm body temperature and motherâs body scent gave off a subtle feeling, making my mind drowsy.
âItâs because I also like mother.â
Then my mother laughed softly.
âDo you like your mom that much?â
For some reason, my mother seemed to feel better.
Then since she was in a good mood, I should make it feel better.
âOf course. I really like you.â
A girlish smile broke out on my motherâs face.
âAre you going to sleep with your mom today after a long time?â
âYes, I like it!â
âOur Aesvin, youâre so lovely.â
My mother rubbed her cheek against mine with joy.
If it had been a kiss, I would have avoided it because I was embarrassed, but I decided to accept this level of affection.
My motherâs soft cheeks tickled my heart.
âWhat about me?â
There was a thunderous cry from behind.
Huh?
When I turned around, my father was standing with an expression full of injustice when he came.
âHas father come?â
âYouâre here?â
Since when? My father shouted again at our expression.
âWhat about me?â
He just stared at my mother and me.
âYouâre going to sleep without me?â
My father complained about why he had been left out.
Then he came closer to us and hugged my mother and me at once.
Just like my mother, he always loves me.
âThatâs too much.â
My mother burst into laughter at my fatherâs behavior.
âItâs because both of you are leaving me out.â
My father grumbled at my mother as if not to laugh.
âIf youâre so envious, try begging your daughter.â
âAesvin, your father also wants to sleep with my Aesvinâ¦.â
Why donât you let your father in? I grinned at the sight.
âDoes my father want to sleep with me?â
âOf course! Absolutely!â
Ah, if my father wanted it that much.
I grinned and held out my hands.
âIf you give me an allowance.â
At times like this, I had to smile as brightly as possible.
My father hardened as soon as I finished talking.
My mother seemed to be stiffened too, but I couldnât miss this opportunity.
Itâs a golden opportunity that came after a long time!
I grabbed the two of them and shook myself.
âI like my father who gives me pocket money the best!â
When I showed my thumbs up, both mother and father shook their heads at the same time.
âAgain and again. Aesvin of greed came out.â
My father pinched my soft cheek as if he were going to die of annoyance.
Of course, it was a hand with no strength to not hurt me.
âWill you give me some allowance?â
Letâs check it out until the end.
âYes, Iâll give it to you! Iâll give it!â
My father shouted in a voice that he couldnât stop me.
Oh yeah! Itâs an allowance!
I received all I could get this month, so I thought I wouldnât be able to get more, but I got it again!
âFather, I love you so much.â
I jumped and clung to my fatherâs neck.
It was possible because my father bent down to hug my mother and me.
âYou only love me at times like this, right?â
âYes!â
âWhat?â
Oops!
I was excited and immediately replied.
My father, who raised his voice as if he was angry, hugged me with his arms supporting my buttocks.
There was no anger on my fatherâs face.
There were only signs of ridiculousness and affectionate eyes.
âMy daughter, you will never starve no matter what happens.â
Contrary to his grumbling tone, the adults burst into laughter at my fatherâs gestures.
âAbsolutely!â
My parents hugged me tightly with an expression that they couldnât stop me.
I was stuck in the middle and received full affection.
Their warmth reminded me of the pity for Luciano again.
I should try harder to share this happiness with Luciano.
* * *
I hoped things would go well with Luciano and Harrison.
I believed that time would solve it.
âWhy do you keep coming to me when I hate you?â
But my heart became heavy when I heard Lucianoâs cold voice coming from beyond the door.
Recently, Harrison was visiting Luciano with all his might.
He persistently came here as if he believed my advice.
âPlease allow me to serve you.â
âIâm sick of it. I said I donât need it.â
Lucianoâs voice was full of disgust.
It seemed like he was even going to the extreme that he would rather not get anyoneâs help than get his help.
Apparently Harrison must be on his knees and bowing his head.
I was experiencing this situation every time I visited Luciano recently.
The original story began after this period.
The story progresses with Luciano accepting Harrison and having him as an escort knight.
The conflict between the two was not directly described.
âIâm sure Luciano and Harrison were supposed to be together.â
I felt uncomfortable witnessing this situation.
The problem was that there was no sign that it would be easily resolved.
This situation was briefly mentioned when Harrison told the original heroine about his past with Luciano.
It was very difficult to get Lucianoâs permission for the first time.
At that time, I thought it was just a part to emphasize the pity of the sub-male lead.
But when I saw it from the side, my heart was heavy.
Apparently, Harrison would have the same experience as me.
I mean, it was a year of hard work.
No, it might be worse than me.
âStill, I didnât hear him say he didnât want to see me.â
âGo back. Donât come to me again.â
I knocked because I couldnât listen to it anymore.