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 32
Fleck was elated to be gifted a uniform by Heliosphere. No—he was over the moon. He had already given up on ever wearing one, so to receive it from Heliosphere of all people left him giddy with joy.
He decided to make it a family heirloom. He decided he would wear it with care. He decided he would treasure the mantle as well. And then he decided—he had to pay attention, to make sure he didn’t trip and fall. That’s why, today at least, he hadn’t stumbled once.
“…Was this the intended effect…?”
“Fleck? Is something the matter?”
Because he had been silently absorbed in his input work, his sudden mutter rang clearly through the room.
Of course Heliosphere heard it, and the ever-concerned knight came immediately to his side.
What a worrywart, Fleck thought, flustered.
“A-ahh, n-no, it’s fine, really.”
“If you say so…”
Not fully convinced, Heliosphere adjusted the mantle draped over Fleck’s knees, then returned to his own desk. Fleck pulled himself together and faced the record board again. Both sleeves deep green, his mouth tugging upward into a smile. The size fit perfectly—it really felt like he was a student here.
He nearly let out a giddy little laugh. No, he actually did.
“Fleck?”
Heliosphere was at his side again. Even though he must be busy, he still checked in with such concern.
Fleck honestly admitted, “I’m just overexcited about the uniform. Please give me a little time to get used to it.”
He expected to be scolded—You’re not a child anymore. That would have straightened both body and mind. Instead, Heliosphere’s lips melted into a gentle smile.
“I see. That’s good.”
While smiling, he patted Fleck’s head. Fleck bristled inside—So it’s officially approved that I can be this giddy, huh!? Fine, then I’ll be over the top about it! he completed all of the day’s entries without delay.
After all, he was a civil officer forged on the Eastern Demonfront.
And so that day ended with Fleck safely returning home. At last, he was able to explain everything to his family. The shameless intrusion of the self-proclaimed saintess had shocked the Torino household deeply. And to think that the First Prince—who hadn’t been with her the other day—was actually devoted to that so-called saintess…
Fleck’s family told him to ignore her and to rely on Heliosphere for protection. What more protection can I even get at this point? he thought, but the truth was that only Heliosphere, the First Prince’s cousin, could openly stand against the royal house.
“…Come to think of it, aren’t there people in the Nuno family who don’t look kindly on me serving as his aide?”
Though he said “people,” the faces that sprang immediately to Fleck’s mind were Heliosphere’s parents and younger brother. The Nuno family was the foremost noble house of the Kamiokande Kingdom, tied by bl00d to the royals. Their eldest son was the brilliant, handsome Heliosphere.
And his former fiancée? That wretched Fleck. To keep the two together seemed nothing but a shameful blemish upon Heliosphere.
As that thought rose to Fleck’s lips, his family’s expressions tightened—some their mouths, some their brows.
“Don’t concern yourself with that.”
“And don’t ask Heliosphere about it, either.”
“Why not?”
“Fleck.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Simply devote yourself to answering what is asked of you. For now, focus on nothing else.”
Fleck had always been optimistic, ever since childhood. That outlook had colored every part of his life.
It wasn’t that he was rash, exactly, but he would often dismiss serious matters with it’ll work out somehow—and repeat his mistakes. The Torino family had long thought him ill-suited for nobility.
If they had trained him harshly, Fleck’s optimism would surely have been beaten out of him.
But they also knew—his optimism was his essence, and they loved him for it. That was why, to this day, Fleck’s fatal-yet-charming optimism still sat firmly at his core.
With that in her heart, his mother gave him her serious look and said those words. And Fleck—optimistic Fleck—thought, Well, it’s true I don’t even have the right to refuse anyway, so I may as well just focus on the work and keep my mouth shut.
“I will, Mother.”
“Do so, Fleck.”
So very easy to guide. So obedient. At his unshaken optimism, the Torino family all let out a quiet sigh of relief. Fleck wondered why everyone seemed reassured, but then his whole attention was captured by the apple compote dessert before him, and he decided—ah well, never mind.