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 22
Heliosphere dropped his gaze to Fleck’s trembling body, which shook more from a chill than from the girl’s greeting.
“Are you cold?”
Without waiting for an answer, he pulled a cloak out of his spatial storage magic and draped it over Fleck.
It was a knight’s ceremonial cloak, navy blue, and Fleck panicked.
“T-this isn’t right—”
But before Fleck could say so, Heliosphere turned toward the girl, cutting him off.
“Good morning, Lady Cheka. What is it?”
The girl, who had been wide-eyed at Heliosphere’s sudden gesture, smiled despite her confusion.
“Um, I was hoping you could help us again with an experiment on a new prototype.”
She’s cute, Fleck thought as he looked at her again.
She wore the academy uniform, and her casual greeting showed that she was a fellow student. She had a pretty face, intelligent eyes, and over her shoulders hung the robe that marked her as part of the Department of Technology.
And in her words, Fleck caught a ray of hope.
She specialized in magical device development.
Another experiment with a prototype.
That meant she might be able to suppress—or even cure—his special constitution.
And surely, she must be in love with Heliosphere.
Because when her eyes slid to Fleck standing close at his side, there was hesitation in them.
Obvious, simple affection.
She must be someone capable of deep love.
Her happiness with him.
That, Fleck could bless.
Yes, that was the path.
At least, he told himself so—yet his chest ached, and his fingers found the ring on his chest, stroking it without thinking.
“Is that the matter? I’m sorry, but ask someone else to be your test subject.”
“Eh? But, um, your mana capacity is the highest, Lord Nuno…”
“From today onward, Fleck Torino, with his magic-absorbing constitution, will remain at my side. You will not get the results you want.”
“Wha—F-Fleck… Torino Fleck? What? Why are you here?”
“…And what business of yours is it, that Fleck is here?”
As Heliosphere spoke with Lady Cheka, selfish Fleck felt jealousy stir.
He wanted him to talk only to him.
Childishly, he clutched the cloak tight.
Still in love.
No—because he loved him, he wished him happiness.
Fleck had no place, no reason, to intrude on their conversation. But the air itself grew tense, and a chill crawled down his spine.
Because the temperature had really dropped.
“…Weren’t you… already exiled…?”
The girl’s voice was small, barely a whisper.
Fleck didn’t catch every word, but it was clear—she couldn’t believe that Fleck Torino was standing here at all.
And because of that slip of honesty, the air grew even colder.
The world froze, biting and harsh.
Yet the arm holding him, the hand supporting him, the body close against his—remained warm.