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 19

The Royal Academy of the Kingdom of Kamiokande stood at the edge of the capital. Because the knight school was also attached to it, the knight order resided nearby, and thanks to their presence the city was remarkably safe. For that reason, the kingdom’s laboratories and many related facilities were built around it.

Where people gathered, commerce also thrived. Even though it was called “the edge” of the capital, the transportation there was actually better than in the city center. In recent years, the place had come to be known as a true academy city.

The carriage carrying Fleck and Heliosphere arrived at the Royal Academy of Kamiokande, in the heart of that academy city. Heliosphere thanked the coachman who opened the door and stepped down.

Not wanting to be left behind, Fleck reached for his cane and lowered himself to sit briefly on the carriage floor. From there, he tried to hook his left foot onto the step and slide down.

Just then—

“Fleck!?”

Heliosphere’s voice, uncharacteristically urgent, made him freeze.

“What is it?”

“It is not a matter of ‘what is it.’ What do you think you are doing?”

Heliosphere furrowed his brows in confusion. He took Fleck’s cane away and handed it to the waiting coachman. Then, as if to make sure Fleck could not use his hands, he held onto his shoulder and hand firmly.

This way, I can’t get down, Fleck thought in dismay. And really, could he please stop with the casual touching?

Because of the injury to his right leg, Fleck walked slowly and had difficulty stepping down from heights. Going up was even worse, and he could no longer manage it easily. To get into the carriage, he had to brace his hands on the floor, hook his left foot onto the step, and twist his body upward. Coming out, he had only been trying to slide down the opposite way.

“Could it be… your leg…?”

Heliosphere’s eyes widened. His gaze shifted—first to the cane the coachman now held, then slowly to Fleck’s leg, and finally to the covered eye. His face twisted with realization.

“Um… yes. My right leg. Yes…”

Fleck’s heart sank. He had thought his family must have explained everything. But to think Heliosphere hadn’t known—that was very bad. Heliosphere must have believed that being one-eyed was no problem for a civil official. But a bad leg? Moving around became troublesome, and Fleck knew it well from experience.

Maybe he’ll tell me to go back home, Fleck thought bitterly. His grip unconsciously tightened on Heliosphere’s hand. It would be the last small cling to warmth, before it was shaken off coldly.

But instead of rejection, Heliosphere’s hand closed even tighter around his.

“Ah—”

Still holding his hand, Heliosphere lifted Fleck up with one arm. The sudden closeness made Fleck’s mind go blank, his face heating uncontrollably.

And yet, though it was only the simple act of helping him down from the carriage, Heliosphere did it with such careful gentleness, as though handling a work of art. Fleck’s feet touched the ground.