My Lord Chapter 20

The garden of the country house, now in summer, was full of vibrancy and splendor.  

 

As soon as I entered the garden, the fresh scent of grass and the fragrance of flowers filled the air, as if proudly showcasing the vitality of summer to the world.  

 

In the middle of the lawn, which glistened with a blue tint and exuded a moist freshness, stood large trees. Beneath them, a tea table and chairs were placed, partially shaded by the canopy of the trees.  

 

The sparkling scenery bathed in sunlight was as beautiful as a painting.  

 

The rustling sound of leaves swaying in the breeze, the dew drops perched on blooming petals, and even the little butterflies flitting freely among it all — everything harmonized perfectly.  

 

It was a place where you could simultaneously feel the liveliness and tranquility of summer — truly an ideal spot.  

 

“…It’s nice.”  

 

Sedian was so captivated by the scenery that he didn’t even realize he had muttered to himself.  

 

A natural smile spread across his face.  

 

In Sedian’s eyes were the vibrant colors of the flowers, the lushness of the grass, and the serene ripples of the pond. His smile revealed his genuine happiness.  

 

Though his skin was peeling like that of a diseased tree, and his cloudy eyes gazed upon the world with difficulty, his persistence in holding onto happiness was both heart-wrenching and heartwarming.  

 

Is this what it feels like to be a caregiver?  

 

I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.  

 

“Why are you laughing by yourself?”  

 

Sedian, as if he hadn’t just smiled himself, glared at me and asked. I shrugged and replied.  

 

“I could feel how happy you are, young master.”  

 

“And why does that make you laugh?”  

 

“Because when you’re happy, I’m happy too.”  

 

“…Really?”  

 

Sedian’s eyes curved slightly into crescent shapes as he smiled faintly.  

 

“You like me too much.”  

 

“Yes, yes, I do like you.”  

 

“……”  

 

For some reason, my response didn’t seem to sit well with Sedian. He furrowed his brows slightly, glared at me, then snorted and sat down on a chair at the tea table.  

 

I poured tea into the prepared teacup and spoke again.  

 

“The new servants haven’t had a chance to greet you yet, young master. Should I call them over now?”  

 

“I’m surprised you could even think of that.”  

 

Sedian spoke as he lifted the teacup.  

 

“I thought you saw me as a scarecrow when you replaced the servants without my permission.”  

 

Ah. That…  

 

Now that I think about it, it was a bit thoughtless.  

 

Even if it was for Sedian’s sake, this house belonged to him, and I had proceeded without consulting him.  

 

Pressing my lips together, I quietly gauged Sedian’s mood.  

 

“Should I bow my head in apology?”  

 

“I’ll let it slide this time.”  

 

“Yes, thank you.”  

 

“Forget the servants for now. Have them come later. For now, I just… want to stay like this.”  

 

After finishing his sentence, Sedian gestured lightly with his eyes for me to sit across from him.  

 

When I hesitated and pulled out a chair, he nodded. So, he did mean for me to sit.  

 

Sitting across from Sedian, I relaxed, leaning against the backrest of the chair.  

 

Was it because we had driven out the bothersome spies that had been nagging me like a toothache? Or perhaps because I had seen Sedian smile so much today?  

 

Whatever the reason, my body felt more at ease. The floral scents even seemed sweeter.  

 

For a while, we basked in the peaceful atmosphere in silence.  

 

“By the way, young master.”  

 

The mood seemed right, so I cautiously brought up a topic.  

 

“Do you happen to know anything about the Gray Company?”  

 

Sedian tilted his head slightly while holding the teacup. His expression was unreadable, which made me instinctively add an explanation.  

 

“Oh, it’s just… I’ve heard rumors here and there while being outside, so I got curious.”  

 

“It’s my uncle’s company.”  

 

For a moment, my mind froze.  

 

Uncle? Sedian’s uncle?  

 

“It’s not publicly known, of course. But I heard from my father that my uncle manages it behind the scenes. Why?”  

 

As Sedian continued, my frozen thoughts started working again.  

 

If it’s Sedian’s uncle… he must mean Philer Luciano.  

 

That guy is the head of Gray Company? Then why did he torment Sedian? Why manipulate public opinion, steal holy water, and torment Sedian in the mansion…?  

 

Ah!  

 

Come to think of it, Philer has a dim-witted son.  

 

Could it be that he’s trying to make his son the heir of the Luciano Dukedom by tormenting Sedian? 

 

By ruining Sedian’s reputation and ousting him from the heir position?  

 

This lunatic…!  

 

Like puzzle pieces falling into place, once the thought took hold, it quickly led to the answer. But even so, it was hard to comprehend.  

 

They’re family.  

 

How could someone do that to their own family?  

 

Family is supposed to protect each other!  

 

“Rey?”  

 

Just then, Sedian called my name again, looking worried.  

 

Realizing that showing more confusion might raise suspicion, I quickly composed myself and responded casually.  

 

“Oh, I see. So, it’s a company managed directly by Philer Luciano.”  

 

“Yes.”  

 

Sedian set the teacup down and looked at me. For some reason, he seemed slightly displeased.  

 

“Why? Are you thinking of working there?”  

 

What kind of nonsense is that? I immediately shook my head in denial.  

 

“Why would I? Of course not.”  

 

“Then why ask?” 

 

“I told you, I was just curious because I’ve heard some talk.”  

 

“No, I mean, why are you curious?”  

 

Sedian, still frowning as if something displeased him, grumbled.  

 

“You’re going to keep working here anyway. I don’t see why you’re so curious about another workplace.”  

 

“……”  

 

I couldn’t help but laugh at his muttering.  

 

The anger I’d felt moments ago because of that lunatic Philer dissipated in an instant. And what filled its place was the thought that Sedian was truly adorable and endearing.  

 

“Our dear young master, you must like having me by your side. Is that why you’re worried I might go somewhere else?”  

 

And perhaps because of that, I carelessly let those words slip out. I realized too late that I’d made a mistake. The mood had been good until just now, but he’d surely start yelling again any second.  

 

“…What if I do?”  

 

But the words that followed were entirely unexpected.  

 

“If I say I do, will you stay here?”  

 

“……”  

 

Sedian, his cheeks slightly flushed, lowered his gaze and mumbled.  

 

At the sight of him, a thought immediately crossed my mind.  

 

I wanted to hug Sedian tightly.  

 

Hold it in.  

 

It was a feeling I’d often experienced in my past life—when a patient, worn out from harsh treatment and constant pain, let down their guard and reached out to me. The sense of fulfillment and emotion that came over me then.  

 

So I knew. If I reacted too strongly here, he might bolt like a startled rabbit.  

 

Besides, if I hugged him now, it would ruin the good mood that had just improved. So, I worked hard to suppress the urge that welled up inside me.  

 

And I gave a clear answer to Sedian, who seemed hesitant but appeared to be waiting for my reply.  

 

“Even if you say you don’t like me, I’ll still stay here.”  

 

“……”  

 

“Of course, it would make me happy if you said you did like me.”  

 

Sedian’s ears turned even redder. Hmm. Now I was sure. He wasn’t running a fever; he was embarrassed.  

 

Adorable…  

 

I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the urge to destroy the world out of sheer delight.  

 

Then Sedian spoke again.  

 

“You really are a strange guy.”  

 

I tilted my head quizzically.  

 

“Why state the obvious?”  

 

“You’re peculiar, for sure.”  

 

“I know that too.”  

 

“Keeping a peculiar, odd guy like you around makes me just as strange, doesn’t it?”  

 

Sedian’s sudden self-reflection amused me so much that I laughed again.  

 

“What’s wrong with being strange? It’s just being strange, that’s all.”  

 

The corners of Sedian’s lips curved upward. His dimples deepened, and his lips, which seemed unusually plump today, looked even lovelier.  

 

A sudden thought struck me.  

 

Even with the shell of a curse surrounding him, he was this beautiful. How stunning would he become once the curse was lifted?  

 

By then, he’d be an adult. He’d have more defined features and look more manly. I wondered if I’d still be able to see him then. That thought made me feel a bit regretful.  

 

“Rey.”  

 

“Yes?”  

 

He called me, but said nothing more. I tilted my head again.  

 

“Please, go on.”  

 

“Tha…”  

 

Sedian hesitated, his lips parting and closing repeatedly, before whispering softly.  

 

“…Thank you.”  

 

“Pardon?”  

 

“…I said thank you.”