Chapter 139

“Sorry for coming so suddenly.”

Koi gave a bright smile with a face full of fatigue.

“I thought I’d stop by on my way back from France. I won’t stay long.”

Ashley just looked at his son without saying anything. He actually had a lot to say, but he kept his mouth shut. Koi had repeatedly warned him and given him instructions until right before coming here.

“Even if this is the last time, let’s just trust Grayson one more time, let’s just encourage him.”

He couldn’t ignore his earnest plea. Even though he thought it was futile, he might have been secretly hoping for it too.

“I’m glad I could see your face, you’re doing well. Has anything happened in the meantime?”

“No, nothing. …Would you like some tea?”

The last words felt reluctant. Ashley paused at that fact. He had harshly taught him to speak and act according to the situation, so his son had always said and done the prescribed words and actions. But what was this strange feeling? If he had been taught correctly, Grayson should have smiled cheerfully and offered.

But the grinning face was exactly the same as the son he had seen. Leaving the confused Ashley behind, Koi shook his head.

“No, I’m leaving soon. I brought gifts for you and Dane…”

“Gifts?”

At Grayson’s question, Koi nodded and took one of the two boxes Ashley was holding and handed it to his son.

“This is for you. Open it when you’re alone.”

Then he peered behind Grayson and asked.

“Where’s Dane? Hasn’t he come yet?”

“Ah…”

Again.

Ashley could now be sure. His son looked reluctant.

…What’s going on?

Feeling a slight shock, he looked on, when suddenly a sharp whistle sounded. When everyone looked up at the same time, they saw a man leaning against the stair railing.

“Dane.”

When Koi called his name happily, Dane, who had made a circle with his thumb and forefinger and whistled, waved his hand with his usual indifferent face. And before anyone could stop him, Koi ran up the stairs and greeted him.

“It’s been a while, how have you been? I missed you!”

Ashley and Grayson looked up at Koi hugging Dane tightly and Dane patting Koi’s back with unpleasant faces.

It can’t be helped. Ashley thought. Koi had been incredibly fond of Dane from the first time he met him. Even to the point of making secrets from him.

So far, the only secrets Koi had kept from Ashley were birthday presents or similar events. They were all related to Ashley, so they were revealed in just a day or two, or they were just trivial secrets of friends that didn’t need to be known. So he didn’t feel particularly offended or curious, but this time it was different.

He was very upset at the time, but soon he found out why.

Koi had confessed in the past that he felt a connection as soon as he met an Angel. Judging from that, the reason why he treats Dane Striker so casually was ultimately one thing.

Trait.

Ashley came to a cold conclusion. It made sense that way. So he was going to leave it alone even though he didn’t like it…

Suddenly, Grayson moved. He was puzzled to see his son rushing up the stairs three or four steps at a time. He followed his movements, and he saw him reaching Dane and Koi in an instant and forcibly inserting himself between them.

“I’ll prepare some tea, so why don’t you go to my room? Papa too!”

The last words were clearly added forcibly. Ashley was surprised once again. Goodness, he couldn’t believe it. His son was jealous.

“Ash!”

Ashley, who had been staring blankly, came to his senses at the sound of his name being called. Koi was waving his hand, telling him to come up quickly. Only then did he return to reality and walk up the stairs. Koi came down a few steps and took the gifts Ashley was holding and handed them to Dane.

“It’s a gift. I hope you like it.”

“Well, thank you.”

Dane’s answer was lukewarm, but Koi still couldn’t hide his delight. Grayson, who looked at them alternately, quickly spoke.

“Then you two, let’s go to my room. It’s this way. Dane, good night. See you tomorrow!”

Grayson quickly added his greetings and started walking ahead. Dane stared at the departing family with an expressionless face, then took the gift Koi gave him and sauntered to his room.

Even as he headed to the room following his son’s guidance, Ashley still felt dazed. What am I seeing right now?

They sat side by side at the tea table in his room until Grayson returned with the tea. Koi asked Ashley, who was lost in thought, organizing what he had seen and felt in his head.

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

At the face asking while holding his hand affectionately, Ashley sighed and confessed honestly.

“I was replaying the words and actions Grayson made today.”

Koi looked at him with sparkling eyes.

“Right? Something’s different, isn’t it? Huh?”

Even the dull Koi noticed.

If it was like this, he couldn’t just keep suspecting. Ashley nodded willingly.

“It might be Dane Striker’s influence.”

“Anyway, it means our kid is feeling and reacting to something!”

Koi shouted, overjoyed.

“You’re going to trust Grayson now, right? Huh? Like I said, you’re going to trust him and watch over him, right?”

“…That’s why I came here.”

“Thank you, Ash.”

Koi called his name in an excited voice and added.

“Let’s go back and think slowly about what Grayson needs.”

It was when he smiled and kissed him. There was a knock, and then Grayson opened the door.

“It’s herbal tea. I thought you might be tired.”

Koi smiled brightly and greeted his son as he put down the teacups with a smile.

“Thank you, Grayson. You’re such a considerate child.”

Knowing that it was just a mechanical action learned by rote, he always said that. Even though he almost died after eating the cake his son made, Koi continued to accept the food his children gave him without hesitation. But Ashley had to check what he ate first.

This time too, it was only after Ashley drank the herbal tea and put it down that he finally brought the teacup to his lips. He felt the fatigue disappear as the warm tea spread throughout his body. He felt his lips relax naturally and put down the teacup, when suddenly something came to mind.

“Come to think of it, weren’t you using the room next door?”

When Koi asked, realizing that the room Grayson was using now had changed, Grayson grinned and replied.

“Yes, I switched with Dane. That room has a much better view.”

“You gave it up, that’s great.”

Koi exclaimed and quickly kicked Ashley’s foot under the table. Ashley opened his mouth with an expressionless face.

“You were considerate of others. Well done.”

“You gave Dane the best room, right?”

When Koi immediately chimed in, Grayson gave a bright smile. The moment Ashley blinked in surprise at his expression, which he had never seen before, Grayson said.

“Instead, I can use this connected room. Look, I can meet Dane through this window. Like Romeo and Juliet. Of course, Dane is Juliet.”

At that moment, Ashley stopped moving. The blood drained from his face in an instant, but the two didn’t notice.

Bernice was the only one who knew how much Ashley hated Romeo and Juliet. At least she understood to some extent because she was the secretary of the previous generation. She had seen firsthand what his predecessor, Dominic, had done to his ‘Juliet’.

But others didn’t know that at all. Even though it was just a coincidence, Ashley felt his heart grow cold when that name came out of Grayson’s mouth.

“Ash?”

Koi, who belatedly noticed him stiffening without saying anything, called his name in confusion. When he came to his senses, Grayson and Koi were looking at Ashley. He hurriedly composed his expression and brought the teacup to his lips. Koi, unaware of his somewhat uncomfortable reaction, spoke.

“It’s a romantic story, but Grayson, Romeo and Juliet have a sad ending. How about changing it to a couple that ends happily?”

“Hmm.”

That made sense. Grayson pondered for a moment, then snapped his fingers.

“How about Catherine and Heathcliff?”

At his son’s suggestion, Koi fell into serious thought.

“Well, I don’t think they were happy either.”

“That’s not true. Heathcliff digs up Catherine’s grave after she dies, right? It means they were lovers who were together even in death.”

There was even madness in Grayson’s shining eyes. Koi looked back at Ashley in embarrassment, but Ashley, who had already returned to his usual self, nodded.

“That makes sense. Let’s go with Catherine and Heathcliff.”

Actually, anyone was fine as long as it wasn’t Juliet. Having regained his peace, he emptied the remaining tea and spoke.

“It’s late. I should go back.”

“Ah, then I’ll say hello to Dane. I have something to talk about…”

“Do that.”

Ashley nodded at Koi’s words. In fact, he had something to say to Grayson too. After Koi left the room, Ashley was left alone with Grayson. Suddenly, a cold silence fell.