Chapter 85: CH 84

Chapter 84

Translator: Yonnee

RP: Haebaragi_syk

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Realizing this fact all too late, Ethan swept a hand over his eyes. Then, he stared blankly at one corner of the table with disbelief fully painting his gaze.

“What… What have I done in the meantime?”

Just what in the world had he been doing thus far, wasting his short but precious time with her?

“Why’re you asking? You did nothing, and you know it.”

“I believe humans call it ‘shoveling without much success’.”

Ethan looked up at the two dragonfolk beings, who had been babbling nonsense loudly since earlier. Then, Benedict threw out one astute question as though he’d been waiting for the right time.

“Want us to help you?”

As Benedict’s gaze met with Ethan’s, a peculiarly languid smile tugged up on his lips. The younger man’s black eyes were shaking turbulently as though there was a storm brewing within him.

If Ethan had been his usual clever and fearsome self, he would have seen through that sly grin at once. And he wouldn’t have missed the twitching corner of the older man’s mouth, who was pressing down on the urge to laugh.

Unfortunately, Ethan was not of the right mind at the moment.

“…How will you help?”

In the end, he gave in and asked Benedict for advice like so, as if he was walking straight into a snake’s wide open mouth.

Benedict rubbed his chin for a moment, thinking about what kind of sweet words a devil might whisper.

As dragonfolk beings who had lived for more than a thousand years, the development of Ethan’s first love was a welcome and enjoyable spectacle to both Benedict and Enoch. How ever could they miss this great opportunity?

Benedict continued to rub his chin thoughtfully as though troubled, then murmured quietly.

“Hm… As you are right now, Reina probably thinks that you hate her.”

“She must be getting impatient while thinking that she couldn’t get through to you all this time.”

Was it because their voices seemed to brim with insight? Ethan was convinced. At the same time as these two said those words, Ethan recalled what Reina murmured under her breath at the library.

He had secretly visited her a few days ago because he was getting antsy.

“It’s nicer to stay at the library though, I guess.”

Ethan stared blankly into the air, eyes wide open.

“Is that… what she meant?”

His trembling eyes contained a storm of everything but rationality.

“Indeed. Didn’t you say you drew the line between you two? To keep private and public matters separate.”

“Towards the person you hold feelings for, wow.”

“Any ordinary human woman would be hurt by such words, to the point that she might not even bring herself to face you at all.”

The more these two dragonfolk beings continued their banter, the more Ethan’s expression darkened.

“Tsk, tsk. You might be better off giving up.”

“There’s no hope at all.”

As though lightning had struck right at him, Ethan’s mouth gaped open.

Riotous laughter was about to burst through their lips at the sight of him, but both Benedict and Enoch did not laugh at this point. Doing so would only put a halt to this fun spectacle that they’re seeing for the first time in a long while, so how could they pass this up?

“First love is always painful after all. Just wait for your next love.”

However, Ethan answered back through clenched teeth.

“That’s impossible.”

He had finally decided to accept the love he had for her completely, but he was being told that he should give up before it even started?

No. Besides that, he knew for a fact that the ‘next love’ that Benedict mentioned would never exist in his life.

Right. This was an emotion that was brought to life by Reina and Reina alone. It was something that only she could create.

How could he just give up on that?

Ethan gnashed his teeth. There was a desperate expression on his face.

“That is absolutely impossible.”

At this, Benedict paused for a moment before he opened his lips to speak once more.

“Hmm. It’s not like there’s no way.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s a bit, well… It might be too difficult for you, Ethan.”

“I’m alright with anything.”

“What I’m about to say is something that you’ve never done in your life before though… Will you even be able to pull it off properly?”

“You are well aware that there’s nothing I can’t do.”

Ethan was feeling terribly impatient, so he answered immediately and sharply.

“That sounds so annoying to hear. But it’s true nonetheless, I admit,” Benedict quipped.

“Hmm… But it’s going to be very embarrassing,” Enoch warned.

“You are also very well aware that my face is thick.”

“That’s true too, yep.”

“But it will still be difficult even if your face is thick.”

One after another, Benedict and Enoch dithered with the matter at hand, saying this and that instead of delivering the solution Ethan wanted to hear.

In the end, Ethan could no longer stand it. He glared at both of them as though he’d kill them right then and there.

“Just look at that nasty glare. Now I don’t want to tell you.”

“…What do you mean, nasty, sir? It’s only because I’ve got a little dust caught in my eyes.”

Seeing Ethan uncharacteristically doubling back on his actions, Benedict burst into laughter once again.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke. Please stop laughing and tell me what it is. Now.”

After Ethan spoke with a great deal of irritation, Benedict raised one finger and beckoned for the young man to come closer.

A serious look was on Ethan’s face as he leaned forward over the tea table, where cups and refreshments had been prepared for them.

Opening his thick lips, Benedict whispered quietly as though he was telling a very important secret.

“This is a secret that’s been handed down from generation to generation.”

Gulp—

Ethan waited skittishly for Benedict to continue. It was at this moment that Enoch, who had been silent thus far, intervened.

“That one will work too well, Benedict. I believe you must tell him a method that would be a little less effective.”

It’s going to work too well? Then, were they saying that it’s not just good, but really good?

Like a ghost, Ethan’s instincts latched onto this at once, and his eyes sparkled brightly.

“I’m fine with that! Even if it works too well, I’m still a beginner so I might not be able to bring out its full potential anyway! So please tell me only the methods that would be very effective!”

Dragonfolk #2 nodded in agreement.

“Then, let me tell you.”

“Yes please.”

The tension in the air was palpable.

“Approach Reina first. Then, when you’re all alone, tell her this.”

Benedict was completely and utterly serious as he made eye contact with Ethan.

“’Why do you always wear t-shirts?’ Ask that to her.”

T-shirts? Wasn’t that a type of garment that commoners preferred to wear?

It was too out of the blue, and Ethan couldn’t help but frown.

Even so, Benedict gave him a knowing smile and continued anyway.

“Then, Reina will reply with, ‘Oh, what kind of t-shirt? I only wear dresses.’ And at this, you should say—”

Dragonfolk #2 looked over to his side and let dragonfolk #1 say the next line.

And so, dragonfolk #1 put on an exceedingly serious expression as though he was in a state meeting.

“No, you do always wear a t-shirt. My sweetie.”

“My pretty.”

“My cutie.”

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