Chapter 16 – 16
“It may be hard to believe, but it is true. I myself do not know when, where, or how he arrived. He was simply a presence whose residence in the mansion was taken for granted, so I never thought to ask the previous generation.”
“Ah….”
“I merely speculate that he is not an ordinary tiger. After all, a normal tiger could not live that long.”
It was an obvious fact that Kisha was a somewhat special tiger, but no one had bothered to investigate it. In a family where premature death due to a curse was a recurring cycle, a tiger that lived a bit longer than usual was not particularly wondrous.
“I see. That’s why you call him the second master.”
“Correct. In effect, Kisha has guarded the Dukedom longer than anyone else.”
Euro nodded, but at the same time, a question occurred to him. No matter how distracted one was by pain, [stolen content]seeing a creature that lived so long right before one’s eyes would naturally spark curiosity about how it was possible.
If a way to live longer could be found through Kisha, wouldn’t it be worth searching for the reason at least once? Ultimately, Euro could not suppress his curiosity and asked.
“Did your great-grandfather bring Kisha here knowing that Kisha lives a long time?”
“Probably not. There is no explanation regarding the process of bringing Kisha here, but he left a will detailing how Kisha should be cared for after his death. Within it, he even wrote down the method for Kisha’s future funeral.”
“Since he lives a long time, he would eventually die unless he were an immortal being, so perhaps that’s why?”
“That may be so, but if he had brought him here with a focus on longevity, that information would certainly have remained in the will. However, all that is written is nothing more than that fellow’s preference for certain types of meat.”
If that were the case, it meant that Melione’s great-grandfather had brought Kisha here without knowing he would live this long.
“Furthermore, that will has a rather poignant side to it. The majority of the will consisted of worries for Kisha, who would be left alone after his passing.”
“He must have cherished him very much.”
“Is this not a place where everything one loves dies off? In the midst of that, an animal that did not die first and stayed by his side until the end must have been quite endearing to him.”
In the Spioren Dukedom, there wasn’t a single couple bound by love. The condition for marriage was to continue the lineage, and the price was always money.
Even such partners would be swept away by the curse and die quickly or go mad before they even had a chance to fall in love, and the children born with great difficulty resented the parents who sired them.
Thus, the end for any being born with the blood of Spioren was always solitude.
“…That’s a sad story.”
Feeling strangely sorrowful, Euro set down his utensils and pressed his lips tight. It was true that the first Duke had committed a sin, but he wondered if he had done something so wrong that his descendants had to suffer to this extent.
A curse that killed off every partner joined to those descendants simply because a promise was broken was far too cruel.
The fact that a dragon was deceived by a human—who was little more than a [unauthorized copy]tiny creature to them—might be galling, but unauthorized copysurely that couldn’t be [Read on Read BL Novels]a reason to recklessly take human lives.
“Oh dear, I suppose this wasn’t a topic suitable for mealtime.”
“No, it’s not that. I asked a pointless question… I’m worried you didn’t eat much because of me.”
At Euro’s words, Melione shook his head with an indifferent expression.
“I am not one to enjoy meals anyway. This is merely one of the daily schedules I keep out of obligation.”
“Still, you must eat well. I’m sure everyone prepared this food with great effort, worrying about your health, Your Excellency.”
Every lunch, a spread that perfectly fit the phrase ‘the table legs are breaking’ was repeated.
It was excessive for a meal meant for only two people, Euro and Melione. Considering the variety, taste, and quantity, the amount of sincerity poured into it was palpable.
“If you feel that way, it would be better if Your Highness ate a bit more. Everyone will be happy to see someone who actually enjoys the food after such a long time.”
“But I’m eating far too well every single meal.”
Euro gave a bashful smile. The problem was that he really was eating too well. Marrying Melione was essentially the same as becoming terminally ill, yet he ate as if he were someone completely ignorant of such a thing.
It was because he had a way to avoid death, but he thought that from a certain perspective, he must look like a very carefree person.
And that wasn’t wrong. A positive personality was Euro’s strength. He was naturally somewhat simple and tended not to assume failure in advance.
Even if the possibility of his plan failing were high, Euro would continue to eat and sleep well, just as he was now. As they say, a ghost who died after eating well has a healthy complexion.
If Euro had been the type to worry a lot and fear failure, he would never have earned the nickname ‘Survival Perfect Attendance Failed Idol.’
Two debut survival programs, one failed idol reboot competition program. Kim Euro was the one who had appeared in a total of three survival programs.
Many people said that Euro, who drifted from one survival program to another [visit our site]without proper activities or album releases, was ‘consuming his image.’
Since he would only be used in trailers for buzz and would likely fail to make the debut group again, they suggested it would be better to sign with a decent agency and debut before it was too late.
However, Euro had already had a debut that didn’t feel like a debut, and he had changed agencies several times. There were places that offered to produce a solo album, and times when he made the debut group, but every single one fell through in the end.
Ultimately, only survival programs remained. Even if he might not debut, he had to choose the path of trying first. ‘Just try everything first’ was Euro’s motto.
That had been the driving force that allowed him to hold onto his dream until now. After all, didn’t that choice eventually lead him to land a musical role?
…Though it was very regrettable that he died on that stage. However, Euro did not regret taking the role of Euro Leches. He had always vowed that if he were to die, he would die on stage.
“I feel like I’ve been living in too much luxury since coming to Silon. The food, the clothes… I’m worried because I think I’m eating too much.”
“No matter how much you eat, it won’t even be a quarter of the food expenses spent on Kisha.”
“Does he eat that much?”
“Kisha eats a great deal, perhaps because of his size.”
“Then maybe he lives long because he eats well.”
Euro smiled, his eyes sparkling toward Melione.
“So, I hope Your Excellency also eats well without skipping any meals. I want to live with Your Excellency for a long time if possible.”
Now that hunger and curiosity were resolved, all that remained was to act out the role of ‘the harmless and innocent me who has simply fallen in love.’
The only time he could meet Melione, who stayed shut inside his room, was during the short lunch hour, so he couldn’t afford to waste a single moment.
This wasn’t a dating sim, but still, wouldn’t more encounter events occur if he steadily raised the affection level? If possible, he had to develop a relationship where he could not only have lunch with him but even share a bed.
He didn’t even expect Melione to harbor romantic feelings for him. Honestly, that wasn’t what he wanted. It [stolen content]was [visit our site]enough if they developed a sense [visit our site]of loyalty or affection to the point where they could share a bed.
He could plead to spend the first night together for the sake of formality, but he couldn’t keep begging to use the same bedroom for that reason forever.
It would be sufficient if Melione allowed him to stay by his side out of a concept similar to pity rather than as a spouse. Of course, the road to that point would be extremely arduous and far from smooth.
‘A nominal couple is still a couple….’
Euro murmured inwardly and gave a beaming smile. Isn’t an arranged marriage originally a relationship where you can share a bed even without love?
Euro was exerting every effort just to reach that point. To make Melione perceive him as ‘some thoughtless, foolish kid.’ That way, even if he fussed about singing a lullaby by his side, Melione would likely just let it slide.
Overlooking the fact that affection can be more terrifying than love, Euro immersed himself in the other plans he had prepared for after lunch.
“If that is true, Your Highness will live for a very long time.”
Melione spoke in a slightly sarcastic tone, looking at Euro, who was smiling vacantly as if a screw had come loose. However, Euro didn’t [unauthorized copy]even mind and burst into laughter as if it were amusing.
“I guess so. Since I’ll live a very long time, why don’t you join me, Your Excellency?”
As he forced a smile by pulling his facial muscles tight, the corners of his mouth trembled. He felt as if he were about to get a cramp.
Meanwhile, he muttered inwardly, ‘You crazy bastard, eat a lot. That way, even if you’re gasping for air, you won’t just pass away.’
Melione watched Euro with a strange expression and then slowly rose from his seat.
“…I shall excuse myself first. Please finish your meal.”
“No, wait. Your Excellency!”
At Melione’s sudden action, Euro hurriedly called out to him. But seeing him not even look back, Euro scrambled up and grabbed Melione.
At that sight, the sound of the waiting servants gasping was heard.
Melione also instinctively hardened his expression fiercely when his wrist was suddenly grabbed. Fortunately, he was looking forward, so Euro behind him couldn’t see it.
He clenched and unclenched his fist once, then turned his head with a calm face, as if he had never frowned, to face Euro. At that, Euro started and loosened his grip on the wrist.
“I’m sorry! I had something to tell you.”
“…Go ahead.”
His voice was low, as if suppressing anger, but Euro shouted boldly with a clear face.
“Could you perhaps show me around the mansion?”
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