24.

“Why are you so composed?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I mean… the kiss!”

A flustered Lucian even stuttered occasionally. But Elze still wore a nonchalant expression.

“Is that considered a kiss? To be precise, it was for administering the antidote, so unavoidable physical contact…”

Elze, who was explaining methodically, suddenly narrowed her eyes slightly.

“More importantly, Lord, your face is really red.”

In the blink of an eye, Elze closed the gap between them.

Lucian instinctively tensed.

“Wait, what…”

Her outstretched hand unexpectedly touched Lucian’s forehead.

With her slender and elegant hand covering his forehead, Lucian froze stiff.

A faint scent, almost like a rose fragrance, tickled his nose.

“It’s strange; there’s no fever.”

Elze mumbled, tilting her head.

“Could it be that giving you the antidote took too long? Still, after this much time has passed, you should have detoxified…”

Then she closely examined Lucian’s face.

“Do you feel uncomfortable or in pain somewhere?”

“…No.”

Lucian replied in a somewhat hoarse voice. Technically, he was feeling uncomfortable.

His skin seemed to be on fire every time Elze’s gaze landed on him, and his abdomen felt heavy.

The honey-colored irises stared at Lucian with concern.

“You don’t seem okay.”

“I said I’m okay.”

Lucian replied to Elze rather sternly.

Elze neatly took a step back.

“Understood. But if you ever feel uncomfortable later, please do let me know.”

Lucian couldn’t help but be slightly irritated by her attitude. “Why is she so composed?”

He didn’t like how he was constantly thinking about Elze. “I must be a fool.”

Lucian chewed on the tender flesh inside his mouth.

“Oh, and about the kiss.”

Elze happened to add matter-of-factly.

“It wasn’t done with any sexual intent, but if you found it unpleasant, I apologize.”

Lucian furrowed his brow. Above Elze’s unchanging eyes was a slightly perplexed expression.

She seemed unable to fathom why Lucian was so irritable today. It was a look that said she couldn’t even begin to guess the reason.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Lucian spoke.

“I didn’t find it unpleasant, so… well…”

Lucian hesitated for a moment but finally sighed. “You don’t have to apologize.”

“Oh…”

“You apologize too often.”

An awkward silence settled between them.

There was something deep inside him that felt like a tickling feather.

In the end, unable to suppress his unease, Lucian spoke up again.

“So, what about my snack?”

Elze’s eyes widened, and she replied.

“I haven’t forgotten.”

“…What did you buy?”

“It’s cherry pie. It’s from a famous shop in the capital, so I hope it suits your taste.”

“Give it to me.”

Elze stared at Lucian sternly as though he were a child throwing a tantrum.

“Once you’ve finished your meal.”

Lucian made a displeased expression but obediently picked up his cutlery.

The breakfast Elze had prepared was a light meal consisting of only simple dishes, without any additional items. So it was fairly edible.

When Lucian took a final bite of his salad, he glanced at Elze. She placed the pie in front of him.

The pie was filled with cherries soaked in sugar, releasing a sweet aroma.

Lucian couldn’t help but make an odd expression. He didn’t particularly like sweet foods.

Nevertheless, Lucian took the fork and cut a large piece of pie. When he put it in his mouth, the sweetness instantly spread.

“It’s sweet.”

Lucian furrowed his brow.

Elze reached for the pie plate in a hurry.

“If it doesn’t suit your taste, I can get you another dessert…”

The next moment, there was a loud clatter as the plate and utensils collided. Lucian had abruptly put the plate down.

“Enough, just leave it.”

“But if it doesn’t suit your taste…”

Lucian interrupted

“I said it’s fine.”

He didn’t like the way Elze was so nonchalant about it.

After nearly finishing a cup of tea, Lucian’s stomach began to settle a bit. He looked at Elze with a sidelong glance and began speaking after setting down his teacup.

“By the way, about yesterday… There are many things to thank you for. For stopping Victor’s actions, and…”

The moist feeling of lips barely remembered resurfaced briefly, and Lucian, his ears turning crimson, murmured,

“…for giving me the antidote.”

“Well, I am your personal student.”

Elze responded naturally.

“So I have an obligation to ensure your safety and…”

“And?”

“Besides, you and I… we’re comrades in trying to escape from this boarding school, right?”

Elze added with a faint smile.

“Comrades in trying to escape from the boarding school.”

Lucian contemplated those words.

She had said that as long as she knew the secret of Lucian being imprisoned in this boarding school, it would be pointless for her to escape. If Elze tried to escape, from that moment on, the Offenhiere Viscount would relentlessly pursue her and ultimately silence her, perhaps by killing her.

So, the only way she could be safe was…

“If I manage to escape safely and reveal the fact that I was imprisoned in this dreadful boarding school, using Caleidh’s power to protect that woman.”

Lucian glanced at Elze for a moment.

“The only reason I exist is to protect that woman.”

At that moment, Elze collected the food tray and dishes, indicating her intention to leave.

“Since you’ve finished your meal, I’ll take my leave.”

“Already?”

Lucian, who reflexively asked, clenched his teeth.

It was as if… Elze didn’t want to leave so soon.

Whether that was fortunate or unfortunate, it seemed she hadn’t noticed Lucian’s strange reactions.

With her usual indifferent expression, she nodded her head.

“Yes, your physical condition doesn’t seem too bad. I don’t think it’s necessary for me to stay by your side.”

Elze made a clear boundary.

Lucian felt his mood slightly deflating.

Although Victor had tormented him so much yesterday, it wasn’t necessary to treat him so indifferently now.

However, at that moment, Elze expressed concern with an anxious comment.

“As I mentioned earlier, if you feel even the slightest discomfort, please let me know. Alright?”

Lucian was momentarily stunned by his own response.

Just because she uttered that one sentence, his frozen heart seemed to thaw.

“Alright.”

Then, Elze stared at Lucian in complete surprise.

Her gaze seemed to imply, “Why is she acting so obedient all of a sudden?”

“Jeez.”

Lucian felt his mouth dry up.

But it was too late to back out now.

He decided to carry on the charade.

“See you later, Lady Lépherian.”

Elze silently bit her lip and studied Lucian from head to toe, as if trying to fathom the reason behind his actions.

“Come to think of it, you seem to have changed the way you address me.”

Considering the situation, it made sense.

Lucian typically called her “you,” “that woman,” or “miss.” So he shrugged casually and replied, “I thought it would be a good idea to show some basic courtesy to someone who might become a potential collaborator.”

He added with a sneer.

“Of course, I haven’t fully decided yet to cooperate with ‘Lady.’”

“Oh… Yes.”

Elze forced a hesitant smile but nodded her head.