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 8

Still feeling as if he were dreaming, Fleck opened his eyes. It had been an incredible dream. A sad yet happy dream. It felt real. Because in that dream, Fleck’s feelings for Heliosphere were the same as his own.

That was why Fleck understood: the dream was probably the future waiting to come.

While recalling the dream, while chewing over that future, Fleck stared blankly at a ceiling he didn’t recognize.

“Fleck, are you hurt anywhere?”

A pair of sky-colored eyes leaned in, breaking through his haze. The mirrored silver hair was beautiful again today. That face was full of deep worry. He was only ten years old or so, Fleck thought with quiet wonder—that was why he cared so much.

“Fleck… I’ll never let go of your hand again… I will protect you.”

With that knight-like vow, his hand was taken firmly, and when Fleck thought of how he never wanted such a strong and kind person to be unhappy, his eyes welled with tears.

“Heliosphere Nuno-sama…”

“W-why… why are you calling me… like that?”

Heliosphere looked flustered. Fleck, however, decided then and there he would never call him “Rio” again. The Fleck in the dream had shown him—childhood affection always faded away.

“…Heliosphere-sama…”

Many emotions churned within Fleck, and his voice trembled. Tears spilled no matter how much he tried to stop them.

“I… until now… I was always selfish… I am very, very sorry…”

Because of the dream, Fleck had realized something. All those requests of his—those were selfishness.
Selfish wishes that never once thought of Heliosphere. Ugly, terrible selfishness. So he had to stop. Stop asking, stop being selfish. But that made him sad. Even so, he had to stop troubling Heliosphere.

He forced the apology out.

Heliosphere’s eyes went wide. Then, sorrow carved lines into his face, but slowly, gently, he smiled and wiped away Fleck’s tears. Shards of ice crystals danced in the air. Fleck’s eyes did not shine. Still, Heliosphere kept changing his unstoppable tears into crystal.

“Your selfishness is adorable. And in truth, it is not selfishness at all.”

That couldn’t be true. Even today’s selfishness, and its result, were shameful acts for a noble. He had troubled both the Nuno family and Heliosphere. He had fallen, struck his head, and lost consciousness—the family must have called for a doctor. And even now he was lying on a bed far too fine for his worth.
Surely the Torino family was already disappointed in him.

That was why, when he was told such words, Fleck sobbed. He couldn’t hold it in. Clutching the blanket, he cried and cried.

Heliosphere wiped his tears, telling him not to cry. He stroked his head. And then ordered, “Fleck has woken. Call the doctor again.”

No. No, no. It was too much. Fleck thought he couldn’t let this continue—but even so, he couldn’t refuse Heliosphere’s comfort.

And that crushed him further. Sinking deeper into despair. Until, worn out from crying, Fleck finally fell asleep.