Seemingly pleased by that, Matthew pressed a kiss to his lips. The kiss was so light and ticklish that Riu felt a flutter in his toes.
“Just go… you’ll be late.”
Riu pushed Matthew away slightly, looking embarrassed. Only then did he slowly vanish from sight.
“Finally alone.”
Riu had waited so long for this moment. He rushed to the window and watched until Matthew had completely disappeared.
It had been a very long time since he had seen someone off from the same house. It was something he hadn’t been able to do once since his mother passed away, and Riu felt his heart swell simply from the act.
“Why am I like this…?”
He felt a sudden void in his chest, as if he had grown unexpectedly attached. However, he soon slapped his cheeks and approached the door. “Is something the matter?”
Sensing a presence, Mason opened the door and entered. A startled Riu hid his surprised expression and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Ah… I just wanted to take a walk in the garden.”
“I shall accompany you.”
“I suppose I can’t go alone, can I?”
“My apologies. I have been ordered to provide close escort.”
As expected. At the news that he could never go out without accompaniment, Riu let out a long sigh and smiled faintly.
“Yes, I understand. Then, would you accompany me?”
“Yes.”
At Riu’s words, Mason handed him the shoes he had prepared in advance. Riu put them on and followed him. At first, he had the impression that Mason was a fairly soft and gentle person, but now he felt stiff, almost clinical.
“I’m sorry, but could we walk with a bit more distance? I find it burdensome having someone walk so close.”
The distance was so close it was practically constant surveillance. Every time Riu took a step, Mason took one as well, keeping the gap narrow. At this rate, he wouldn’t be able to thoroughly examine the interior of the garden.
This was a hard-won opportunity. Unable to let it slip away easily, Riu appealed to him with a desperate look in his eyes.
“Just a little bit would be fine. I came out because I felt suffocated…”
Seeing Riu trail off, Mason hesitated for a moment. However, he soon let out a small sigh and nodded.
“Understood. I will walk a bit further back.”
Mason had always felt a sense of pity for Riu. Looking at Riu, who seemed as if he might break at any moment, Mason decided to act humanely for a while.
Though it wasn’t much, the distance Mason retreated was sufficient for Riu. It was enough distance to look around while pretending to take a stroll.
“The weather is lovely.”
To the awkward remark, Mason replied with a quiet, “Yes.” Riu stole a glance toward the guards and counted them. There were six at the entrance alone. Including those on rotation, there were likely over twenty. For a villa, it was a significant amount of manpower, and a small seed of doubt grew in Riu’s mind.
No matter how high the rank of Matthew’s count family, employing this many knights was no easy feat. He felt a lingering sense of unease, but he quickly shook it off. For now, investigating the large villa was overwhelming enough.
At that moment, Riu shuddered in surprise as a bird landed on his shoulder. Once he realized the bird was Domi, he expressed his delight.
“Domi?”
When he questioned with his eyes why the bird was here, Domi fluttered its wings as if understanding his intent. It seemed Domi was a carrier pigeon sent by Matthew.
“By any chance, is this bird the one Matthew keeps?” Riu asked Mason.
“Yes, that is correct.”
After confirming it verbally, Riu let out a hollow laugh.
“Domi, it’s good to see you.”
Greeting Domi once more, Riu rubbed the bird’s beak with his finger. Feeling the touch, Domi fluttered away again.
“…Is it going back to Matthew?”
“I am not sure.”
Seeing Mason avoid unnecessary conversation, Riu nodded. It seemed building a friendship with Mason would be a difficult task. Just as he felt his chance of escape slipping away, Riu saw a carriage entering from afar.
“That carriage… what kind of carriage is it?”
“It is a carriage for transporting food. Since more supplies are needed than expected, they often bring them in this manner.”
“That’s unusual. Bringing food in a carriage.”
“I believe it is to prevent the quality from deteriorating due to the strong sunlight.”
Only then did Riu nod with a short “Ah…”
Indeed, that carriage was the only means of transport moving in and out of the estate. That meant the only way he could escape this place was through that carriage.
With a meaningful look in his eyes, Riu walked toward where the carriage was entering.
“If you go that way, you will find the passage leading to the kitchen.”
“Is that so? That’s a relief. I’ve wanted to express my gratitude for the delicious meals lately.”
To avoid revealing his ulterior motive, Riu handled the situation calmly with a soft smile.
As he approached the kitchen, he saw two servants and a chef unloading supplies from the carriage. Judging by the appearance of the carriage and the driver, they seemed to be high-ranking staff serving a very high noble.
“What brings you here?”
The chef, spotting Riu, hurried to pay his respects. There was no need to be this humble. Feeling equally humbled, Riu greeted him cautiously.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to see you because I’m grateful for the delicious food every day.”
At Riu’s words, the chef’s expression shifted subtly.
Honestly, Riu knew his words were contradictory. Since arriving here, he had barely eaten and had sent most of the food back. However, the chef smiled tactfully.
“Thank you. I will continue to strive to create the finest meals.”
“They are already wonderful. What ingredients do you have?”
“I was told you like tomatoes, so we tend to bring mostly tomato-based items.”
At the chef’s words, Riu murmured, “I see…” while peering inside the carriage. It was a space not too cramped for a person to hide in.
“Speaking of tomatoes, I suddenly crave some. Could you send some up to me?”
At the mention of wanting to eat, the chef rolled up his sleeves with enthusiasm. Judging by the sparkle in his eyes, he seemed very pleased by the request.
“Did you have a good time?”
“Yes. You said you went to the garden; you look like you’re in a good mood.”
Seeing Riu more energetic than usual, Matthew’s eyes narrowed slightly. Wondering if he had looked too happy, Riu gave a bashful smile.
“It’s been a while since I felt this kind of freedom…”
As Riu mumbled, Matthew let out a light laugh. From his expression, it seemed he was willing to let him go again.
“Oh, right. I met Domi earlier.”
“Did you?”
“Domi is the pigeon you sent, right?”
“I wondered when you’d notice. You finally did.”
Loosening his cravat carelessly, Matthew lightly ruffled Riu’s hair.
“So, what is it you want to say?”
“Huh?”
“Your expression tells me there’s something on your mind.”
Riu looked startled, as if caught. He felt that lately, Matthew was perceiving far too much about him.
“Actually… I want to eat watermelon.”
“Watermelon?”
Matthew tilted his head in question at the out-of-season summer fruit. However, he soon smiled as if Riu were cute and unfastened the cufflinks on his sleeves.
“It’s surprising that you’re asking for something to eat. I’ll order them to prepare it immediately.”
Seeing that things were proceeding according to plan, Riu gave a bright smile. He intended to ask Matthew for different foods every day in this manner. That way, the carriage would enter the villa daily.
In a situation where he didn’t know when Matthew might leave, this was the only way. With only one chance to escape, Riu’s eyes gleamed as he thought of that moment.
“Come here.”
Having changed into comfortable clothes, Matthew reached out his hand. Out of habit, Riu approached and perched on his lap.
“Was it uncomfortable since it’s been a while since you wore these clothes?”
“No… I want to keep dressing like this from now on.”
“Then do so.”
“Eh?”
Riu asked with wide eyes at the unexpected answer. He looked so surprised his eyes seemed ready to pop out.
“I’m glad you seem to be adjusting little by little. I hope you have a face as lively as this tomorrow, too.”
“…Matthew.”
“Should I just stop time? I’m so happy in these moments with you.”
Riu laughed, telling him not to say such things even as a joke, but Matthew’s eyes were quite serious. Not only that, he was completely misinterpreting Riu’s feelings.
A wave of guilt washed over him, but Riu didn’t correct him. The moment Matthew lowered his guard was his only fleeting opportunity.
“Yes, I like it too.”
Of course, he had to act happy until he could leave this place. Riu gave a bright smile with a pure gaze.
After that day, Matthew did not leave the villa. He handled all urgent business there and spent his time with Riu.
“Aren’t you tired?”
Riu, who had just woken up, asked him. He wondered when the man ever slept. Looking at Matthew’s exceptionally high stamina, Riu threw on some clothes and stood up.
“You’re awake?”
“Yes. You seem to have a lot of work today.”
“These are things I couldn’t process until now. It’ll be over soon, so just rest for a while.”
“Okay.”
For it to be “over soon,” there was a considerable amount of paperwork. Riu was curious why a successor had so much work, but he turned his gaze toward the window.
“The sun is already setting…”
Time had passed far too quickly since he arrived here. Watching the long sunset, Riu straightened his clothes and walked toward the terrace.
The orange-tinted sky was beautiful. The colors were so pale and lovely that it was a waste to only keep them in his memory; Riu desperately wanted to paint. His fingers itched, and he silently bit his lip.
Two weeks had already passed since he had been confined here. By now, his father should have been looking for him, but according to Matthew, his father was still spending every day at the Imperial Palace due to busy affairs.
Perhaps it was for the best. He felt it was better for his father not to know than to worry.
“I should leave before he starts worrying…”
Riu let out a long sigh at the sight of Matthew, who seemed to have no intention of leaving.
Two weeks was too long. In that time, a letter from the person who offered to be his guardian could have arrived, or his father could have contacted him at any moment due to his long absence from home.
Thinking only that he had to get out of here quickly, Riu stared blankly at the sky. Then, feeling a surge of loneliness, he turned around and called his name.
“Matthew.”
As if responding to the call, he set down the documents he was reading. Emerald eyes that suited his black hair perfectly. The eyes, like jewels, curved smoothly.
“…Do you want a drink?”
He wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol, but today he craved it unusually. Fortunately, Matthew didn’t seem to mind and ordered a servant to bring a drinks table.
“What’s gotten into you, asking for a drink?”
Having tidied the documents, he stood up and walked toward the terrace. As a breeze brushed past, Riu tucked a stray lock of hair behind his ear and gave a lovely smile.
“I just felt like having a drink…”
This was the first time he had ever suggested drinking to someone first. At the sight of Riu, Matthew gazed at him intensely, his eyes smoldering. Embarrassed, Riu’s cheeks flushed red. He lowered his head as if the situation were awkward.
“I can’t help it when you’re being this seductive. It would be a waste not to drink with a face like that.”
Matthew lifted Riu’s chin, expressing his intent explicitly. As Riu turned his head in embarrassment, Matthew lifted his chin once more and kissed his cheek.
“Tell me if there’s a liquor you like. I can get you any drink in the world.”
Riu hesitated. He had never been able to drink well, nor did he like it. However, remembering that wine had tasted particularly good, Riu spoke cautiously.
“Wine…?”
“What a relief, we have the same taste,” Matthew said with a low laugh. “Shall we move locations first? I know a place with a better view than this.”
Riu nodded at Matthew’s words.
The place Matthew led him to was the rooftop with a third-floor terrace. The area was enclosed in glass to block the wind, and to the right, there was a small, cozy space decorated like a mini-garden.
“I didn’t know a place like this existed.”
Despite being here for two weeks, it was his first time seeing this spot. He found it amazing that such an environment could be maintained, as it seemed it would cost a lot of money.
“Come and sit.”
Matthew slid a chair back and signaled Riu with his eyes. Riu sat quietly in the chair Matthew had provided, his eyes darting around.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
“Yes. It’s pretty.”
“All of this will be yours in the future, so feel free to use it.”
“Huh? No. Why would I have this?”
Riu strongly refused, but Matthew paid it no mind. He seemed poised to transfer the title to Riu’s name soon.
“Accept the things I give you without burden. You are more than entitled to them.”
“…”
“If you feel burdened by this, what will you do in the future? You’ll come to know of things even more significant.”
“More significant…?”
He asked back, not understanding, but Matthew gave no explanation. He only wore a meaningful smile.
A servant set down the wine along with some fruit appetizers. At a glance, it looked like a high-priced, long-aged wine.
“You may go.”
After dismissing the servant who had stayed to assist, Matthew poured wine into Riu’s glass. With a soft trickling sound, the red liquid slowly filled the glass.
“It’s wine from Jabart. It’s at least a hundred years old.”
Riu was flustered by the expensive wine, but at Matthew’s urging, he brought the glass to his nose. The scent, which felt as if flowers had been melted into it, was as fragrant as a potion.
“The scent is so lovely…”
It was a fragrance that kept bringing a smile to his lips. Curious about the taste, Riu brought the glass to his lips and let a small amount of wine flow into his mouth.
“How is it? Isn’t it tastier than you expected?”
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