I Tried to Become a Worthless Scumbag to Break Our Engagement for His Happiness, but Instead I Was Hugged, Kissed, and Sworn Eternal Love by the Ice Knight (BL) - CHAPTER 15

When he looked up, the person standing there was exactly like in his dream—a tall, beautiful man. His chest beat faster at the sight of those sky-colored eyes. A cool and noble face, truly worthy of being called the Prince of Ice. Hair like mirrored silver, clean and neatly kept. He wore the formal dress allowed only to knights, dark navy fabric embroidered with silver thread in the shape of a sword and shield.

Fleck lost his words for a moment at the sight.

“Ri—he—nyu, Duke Nyuno… th-thank you very much.”

By reflex he almost called the nickname, then the given name. He quickly swallowed it and forced a polite smile. But Heliosphere, eyes wide open, asked:

“Why are you so badly injured?”

His voice struggled to hide emotion. Fleck wondered—hadn’t his family explained it?

“I don’t think it’s that bad, since I’m still alive.”

On the battlefield, a “bad injury” meant nearly dying. So Fleck’s wound was counted as a minor one.
That was normal for him. But Heliosphere looked at him like he could not believe it, and gently touched the ruined left eye.

Strictly speaking, there is no magic that can regrow an eye. Only a high-level saint could do such a thing. But in the eastern demon lands, not even an apprentice saint was there. The medics had only managed to close the wound with desperate healing, leaving Fleck’s left eye forever shut, scarred and twisted.

For Fleck, who had grown used to it, Heliosphere’s reaction felt strange.

He helped Fleck sit, then sat himself on the sofa opposite, confirming again the reality.

“Losing an eye… you call that not a bad injury?”

Even seated, his long legs were obvious. Fleck thought he could easily get tangled and fall.
And again he thought—what a wonderful young man he was. If someone like him had been forced to have Fleck as his fiancé, how miserable it would have been. Fleck praised himself for letting the engagement be broken.

“That’s how it is at the front,” Fleck answered.

“…You were supposed to be sent as a civil officer. Your safety should have been guaranteed.”

“My safety was guaranteed, yes…?”

Heliosphere’s face twisted with an emotion he could not hide. Anger? Frustration? Fear of the battlefield? Fleck could not tell.

“…You are an excellent civil officer. From tomorrow, you will serve as my aide.”

When the words left his mouth, Fleck panicked—he really meant to hire him.

“Th-that… with all respect, I think that would be too much for me.”

“You have no right to refuse.”

“Eh, uh, but—”

Fleck knew he could not defy the Nyuno duke’s house, much less Heliosphere himself, after all the trouble he had once caused them. But being the aid of a former fiancé? Fleck could only see bad rumors spreading again, more trouble, more burden for Heliosphere.

He tried to think of words to persuade him, but—

“That’s enough. Tomorrow morning, I will send a carriage. Come to my estate.”

Saying this, Heliosphere stood and headed toward the door.

“Ah—wa-wait!”

Fleck tried to chase after him, but his foot struck the low table and this time he really fell.

“…Fleck.”

“Ah, thank you…”

Fleck thought—he had fallen. But no, Heliosphere had caught him again. This was his second clumsy mistake. Surely now Heliosphere would be fed up. Fleck waited for a scolding.

“…You’ve grown taller.”

Looking up, he saw kind sky-blue eyes. His cheeks burned red at once. How could anyone be this wonderful? No matter if they were man or woman, anyone would imagine falling in love with him, even dreaming of happiness together.

“Yeah…”

Fleck should have spoken respectfully, but instead he answered honestly, like he was twelve again.
Heliosphere smiled softly.

“Never again… I swear, I will protect you.”

It was the same vow he had spoken once long ago. And now, just as he promised, he held him tightly in his arms.

Fleck thought—this must be comfort for a man injured at the eastern front. It had to be that. Otherwise, it would make no sense. He held back his tears, his wish to cling, to beg, to cry out selfishly.

“There’s no need to see me off. …Don’t let your feet get cold.”

He gently stroked Fleck’s head, then sat him down on the sofa with care.
“Take plenty of rest. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispered, before leaving the room at last.

Fleck watched until he disappeared from sight. Then, collapsing onto the sofa, he sank down.