Chapter 91

“Kyle.”

“Yes?”

Lately, I’ve been having a thought.

It was about Kyle and me.

“Let’s talk. Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

Kyle and I entered the bedroom where we’ve been staying lately.

It wasn’t the kind of conversation to have in a place with people around.

And if it reached the Imperial Princess’s ears, she would surely laugh.

That’s the only reason we came in here.

“How many years have we known each other?”

“From when I was 12, so 8 years if we count by the solar calendar.”

“Right.”

I didn’t ask because I didn’t know.

I asked because I knew too well.

8 years, I think it’s an incredibly long time.

For Kyle, it’s almost half his life, and for me, about 1/3.

When I first entered Eristirol Castle, I didn’t know it would last this long.

“What was I first hired as?”

“A tutor.”

“Yes, a tutor, a personal servant, and also slightly as a bodyguard.”

Of course, I couldn’t serve as a bodyguard after a few years because I didn’t exercise, but I think I still did enough as a tutor and servant.

“I first met you when you were 12. And as your teacher.”

Some might say a tutor isn’t really a teacher, but I am Kyle’s teacher!

Obviously.

I taught him everything from etiquette to pretty much everything he needed to know.

I even taught magic and swordsmanship through other people.

“Even though we’re like this now because you suddenly confessed to me… I’m your teacher, and someone who has been helping you for years.”

I’m not saying that the things happening between Kyle and me lately are bad or that I dislike them.

“Why do you see me in a way that makes you want to kiss me or have physical contact whenever you get the chance?”

I seriously wondered if I looked like water to Kyle.

I’m a person too, so I have some self-respect.

I wondered if he thought I was someone who would easily give in with just a little push, since he kept doing strange things.

“Is that how I taught you for 8 years?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Right, you know that, so why are you acting like this? Can’t you be a little more considerate or respectful?”

“…”

It wasn’t simply a problem of the teacher-student relationship.

Even as temporary lovers, I think Kyle’s behavior was problematic.

“Even though we’re dating as a trial, honestly, you’ve been too much lately.”

“That’s…”

“I’m not finished yet.”

I’m sorry, but I have more to say.

Originally, I had so many things to say that it would be a problem, but right now I’ll only say what needs to be said immediately.

“Yesterday too! I gave you one kiss, but you suddenly kissed me again!”

I was really surprised, but I couldn’t resist at all, so I had to accept the kiss without moving.

And yesterday’s incident wasn’t the only problem.

“Whenever we’re alone, you hug me!”

“And?”

“When I’m lying in bed, you whisper in my ear, and if you don’t like something, you do that strange thing to my stomach again!”

I thought it was too much these past few days.

I’m even older than Kyle.

It feels like he’s looking down on me too much.

“Yeah!”

Kyle didn’t say anything.

Yes, Kyle must have realized that he’s been too much lately.

Since he’s a good kid, I thought he would understand if I told him to stop.

“If you understand, then control yourself now. Okay?”

“…”

“Okay…?”

“Why can’t I do those things?”

“Huh?”

“We’re lovers, so I should be able to hug you.”

“What…?”

I didn’t expect this response.

“You didn’t say you disliked it. That’s why I kept doing it.”

“…”

I didn’t say I disliked it.

I actually never said such a thing.

“…”

“Then there’s no problem.”

“But I’m older than you…”

“So what?”

“What?”

“Nobody sees you as older when we go outside anyway.”

“What does that…”

“Do you know what one of the new servants said about Sofia?”

“Uh… what did they say?”

“They asked when we were going to have Sofia the servant’s coming-of-age party.”

“What…”

Isn’t that too harsh…?

And it wasn’t even when I first came to Eristirol…

“That was 3 years ago.”

“…”

“Also, when Adela first saw Sofia, she asked me how old you were because you looked so young.”

“…”

“A person who claims to be older doesn’t have an older appearance, and loses her mind over one kiss, how could anyone see you as older?”

“…No, but still…”

I’m really older…

If we consider my past life, I’m really 100%, no, 200% older…?

“Does it make sense for someone who claims to be older than me to gasp for breath after just one kiss?”

“No, that’s because I hadn’t kissed before then…”

“It was my first time too, what kind of excuse is that?”

“No, that’s…!”

I have nothing to say.

Because it was actually true…

It was the first time for both of us, but only I was dazed.

“It can happen! Are you good at everything?!”

“Yes, I am.”

“…”

This crazy alpha male…

Where did that self-important mindset come from?

Maybe even if I hadn’t taught him anything, he would have learned well on his own and there wouldn’t be much difference from now…?

No, no matter what, that can’t be right…

“…”

I’m angry.

Both at this situation that’s not going my way, at Kyle talking back to me, and at not being able to refute him.

“Fine. Since the great Duke Kyle is good at everything!”

I’m losing my temper.

But I didn’t think of stopping.

It’s not just because he won’t give in on a single thing today.

“I’m going to talk to the Imperial Princess and sleep in a different room!”

SLAM!!

I slammed the door and left the bedroom.

I was really annoyed.

Couldn’t he give in just once?

Usually, he’s so nice and accommodating…

“Tsk.”

There was no need to share a room with Kyle anyway.

I just kept doing it because Kyle wanted to, but I would have had no problem with separate rooms.

*

“…So that’s why you came to me?”

“Yes.”

I requested a meeting with the Imperial Princess and arranged this meeting.

Fortunately, the Imperial Princess was still in the palace, so it was possible.

If she hadn’t been… would I have been sitting on a bench in the palace?

“Ha…”

“Is it not possible…?”

Then there would be no choice.

I would really have to sleep on a bench.

Unlike Eristirol where you’d freeze to death sleeping outside, in Borussia you wouldn’t catch a cold if you dressed warmly.

“Ha…”

The Imperial Princess sighed.

Is it a bit awkward for her…?

I’m sorry…

For the Imperial Princess, a guest who agreed to use one room is suddenly requesting another.

“I’m sorry. If it’s not possible, I’ll just use a bench…”

“W-wait!!”

I was about to get up from my seat.

But suddenly the Imperial Princess was startled and stopped me.

Could it be okay?

“Well… there are many rooms. I’ll let you use one.”

“Ah, thank you!”

I bowed at a 90-degree angle to express my gratitude to the Imperial Princess.

Thanks to her, I wouldn’t have to sleep on a bench.

The Imperial Princess might be a better person than I thought.

She always laughed seeing me troubled because of Kyle, but she might be a better person than I expected.

The future of the empire is indeed bright!

Long live the empire!

“Ha… why would the Young Master do such a thing again…”

That’s what I’m saying.

If Kyle had just given in on a few words, this wouldn’t have happened.

No, even if we’re temporary lovers, we’re still lovers, and isn’t it common sense for a boyfriend to give in on a few words?

This is why people who are dating for the first time shouldn’t do it.

They lack experience.

“Sigh… my fate…”

“Ahaha…”

I could only laugh awkwardly in front of the Imperial Princess as she lamented.

If it weren’t for Kyle, this situation wouldn’t have happened.

“By the way, Sofia?”

“Yes.”

“How long are you planning to continue this temporary lover, fake lover, or whatever lover thing?”

“Uh…”

We didn’t specifically set a time.

It just happened, and I thought we would naturally end it someday.

I’m not that much of a planner…

“You didn’t decide?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…”

“…”

The Imperial Princess suddenly stopped talking and sat quietly.

Did she have another thought?

“For now… go in.”

“Yes.”

After leaving the room following the Imperial Princess’s words, I arrived at a new room guided by the Imperial Princess’s attendant.

“Wow…”

Is a room for one person usually this spacious?

No, it seems the same as the room I shared with Kyle…

It just looks much bigger.

“Is it because there’s no tall person here?”

That might be it.

Kyle’s height would inevitably take up a lot of space in my field of vision.

“Couldn’t he just give in once? That man…”

Even after saying those words, I didn’t understand what I had just said for a moment.

That man.

How feminine…

“Still, he could have given in once.”

In any case, he could have given in at least once…

“Hmph.”

I lay sprawled on the bed.

Unlike when Kyle was around, there was no one around, so I could roll around, lie on my side, and it wouldn’t bother anyone!

Maybe it was wrong to share such a large room with two people in the first place?

A large room feels bigger when used alone.

“Tomorrow, the owner said I have to go because she called…”

Hmm, how should I face Kyle?

Even though we’re using separate rooms now, I’ll still have to face him tomorrow.

And I can’t just not go…

“Hmm…”

What would be the best thing to do?

The best scenario would be for Kyle to apologize.

It’s right for Kyle to apologize in the first place.

“I’m older, his teacher, and someone he’s known for years.”

Kyle is definitely in the wrong.

Anyway, that’s how it is.

Anyway, it’s all Kyle’s fault.

Trying to have physical contact with me, doing strange things to me lately, all of it.

“Hmph.”