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 5
One day, when Fleck went to visit Heliosphere’s mansion, the first thing he said upon seeing her was that he wanted to see the horses.
For nobles, who usually traveled by carriage, horses were the closest of animals. For the children of those nobles, the sight of a horse’s great size was enough to inspire both awe and admiration.
However, Fleck had been forbidden by his family from approaching horses. It was certain he would wander around them without a hint of caution. That was why Fleck asked Heliosphere instead.
Fleck had come to realize something. If he asked sweetly, Heliosphere would usually grant his wishes.
It was as sweet as honey, with a cruel sort of addictiveness, and it made Fleck completely absorbed.
If he said he wanted to touch her hair, she let him. If he said he wanted to hold hands forever, she did.
If he clung to her and begged her not to go home, she stayed the night. If he whined that he wanted to sleep together, she got into the bed with him. She accepted everything without displeasure and granted it all.
That was why today, Fleck had decided he would ask for even more. First, he would see the horses. Next, he would have her read him the picture book he brought. Then, he would be fed sweets. And finally, he would stay the night. He had decided he would make many, many wishes.
When Fleck said he wanted to see the horses, Heliosphere of course agreed at once. Now the two of them were walking hand in hand toward the stables.
The Duke of Nyuno’s mansion was twice as large as Fleck’s own. Naturally, the path to the stables was long. But Fleck found it great fun to walk down the path hand in hand with Heliosphere.
As his bond with Heliosphere deepened, Fleck was slowly taught by his family about the thing called an engagement. They told him again and again that Heliosphere needed him. They told him, but the explanations grew a little complicated, and he could not quite understand them.
Even so, Fleck had already come to think of Heliosphere as someone special and someone he loved dearly. When he grew up, he wanted to always stay with her. He wanted to see her smile forever. He wanted Heliosphere to be his alone! Those feelings had already sprouted within him. But he still could not put them into words. Because somehow, it felt embarrassing. Still, maybe it was almost time to say them. What did Heliosphere think, he wondered?
Fleck turned to look back. He met the eyes of Heliosphere, who was smiling gently, and his heart filled with happiness.
“Fleck, keep your eyes forward when you walk.”
“Okay!”
Lightly scolded, Fleck looked ahead and spotted a small building beyond the trees.
“Ah, there it is.”
When Heliosphere spoke, Fleck realized that must be the stables. He could no longer hold back his excitement.
He was about to break into a run when Heliosphere tightened her grip on his hand and said, “It’s dangerous if you run.”
Her firm grasp held him, and he did not want to let go. But he also wanted to run ahead and see.
Yes, that’s it! They should play tag! He wanted Heliosphere to chase after him and say, “Wait!”
“Rio!”
“We’re almost there, so let’s walk slowly.”
“Your hand, open it, open it!”
“My hand? Did it hurt you?”
Heliosphere hurriedly opened the hand she had been holding his with. Fleck felt a little lonely at the sudden freedom, but he gave Heliosphere a big smile before running off.
“Ah, wait, Fleck!”
She was chasing after him. He wanted to see that, so he looked back. Heliosphere was running. He wanted to see her like that even more.
So while he ran, Fleck turned completely backward.
“Forward, look forward, Fleck!”
Her desperate face, her outstretched hand—Fleck, still in the mood to jump with joy, kept running backward. And so, he tripped over a stone. Just like that, running backward, he fell, landing on his back against the ground.
He heard Heliosphere’s cry of anguish.
Fleck thought he heard something crack from his back and head.