Chapter 60

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Translator: Vine

Chapter: 60

Chapter Title: A Stolen Kiss

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Thud! Thud!

I pressed my forehead against the window, huffing and puffing. What was supposed to be just a quick peek had turned into outright gawking, all because of Archid.

'Look at that shy little expression!'

The moment I caught Archid sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck, I was overwhelmed by emotion and had no choice but to bash my head against the glass.

'Definitely worth coming to watch. I thought I'd hold back this time... but hold back? How could anyone?'

I'd already been warned several times by Count Harrington. So when our eyes met, I felt a stab of guilt.

But what was I supposed to do? I felt like I'd die if I didn't see him. It's basically saving a life, right?

My skin was definitely getting thicker by the day. The only one who could put a stop to my fangirling was Archid himself.

In the meantime, Archid emerged with his things packed and called out to me.

"Roena."

Snapping back to reality, I flashed an awkward smile. What on earth must he think when he sees me like this?

As long as he didn't assume I was deliberately disrupting his lesson, I'd count my blessings.

"Sorry. I was just passing by on my way to the study and thought I'd take a quick look."

Archid's lips curved into a faint smile at my excuse.

"That wasn't quick, though. I knew you were there from the beginning."

"Huh, really?"

I thought I'd been so stealthy!

I cringed at the realization that my sneaking skills were utterly pathetic. Should've practiced more.

Seeing how flustered I was, Archid gave me a reassuring eye smile, as if to say it was no big deal. I fiddled with my hair and mumbled awkwardly.

"Count Harrington must've given you an earful again. For me interrupting the lesson."

"It's fine. He didn't say much."

"Really?"

No way.

The Count Harrington I knew would've launched into a full lecture. This was odd.

Count Harrington had been a vassal elder since the previous family head's time. After retiring due to his age, he'd only advised from afar—until Archid's unique constitution prompted his recall.

It was Elena's idea that the Count, well-versed in magical studies, would be a huge help to Archid.

Thankfully, he'd accepted readily, and the lessons had been progressing smoothly. Well, aside from me, the resident troublemaker.

I pictured the Count's stern, gruff voice and shot him a doubtful look. Archid continued.

"He seems more detached about it now."

"That's a relief, but..."

Fair enough. Since I never listened anyway, maybe it was better for him to just give up.

If they were going to block me from seeing Archid, they might as well hand me a vial of poison!

I chanted the rather extreme slogan inwardly while clenching my fist out of sight.

Just then, Count Harrington stepped out of the room. His expression made it clear he was far from pleased. Frowning, he called to me.

"Young Grand Duchess."

"Hello, Count Harrington."

I bowed politely, and he stroked his white beard.

"I did tell you that disrupting lessons is a problem."

"I was on my way to the study and just..."

"This is quite a ways from your study."

"Oh, is it? Seemed close to me."

I tried to play it off, but the Count wasn't having it.

"If you're going to make excuses, at least use some creativity. The study one is far too obvious."

As expected of the seasoned Count Harrington—he was completely inured to my flimsy alibis. To a man so serious about lessons, I was nothing but a nuisance.

With no mercy in sight, I racked my brain for a counter.

Sneaking peeks at my man—if that was a crime, I was already guilty of high treason.

But it was my fault, so I had no real defense. I folded with grace, clasping my hands together and putting on my best innocent face.

"I'll be more careful next time. Sorry, Count Harrington."

But the Count was a tough opponent.

"No, that won't do. Next time, we'll put up curtains."

"What?!"

"With disruptions like this, we have no choice. We'll have to block it physically."

He was utterly resolute, showing no signs of backing down. His bolt-from-the-blue declaration left me utterly deflated.

Fine. I had been overdoing it.

I knew my own guilt, so I couldn't muster any real rebuttal.

I could only swallow my tears, reflecting on my foolish past and lamenting that I wouldn't get to watch Archid during his lessons anymore—until Archid stepped in.

"We don't really need curtains, do we?"

"Young Grand Duke?"

"I'll try to focus more. So please don't scold my wife too harshly."

Archid...

I gazed at him with utter adoration. Harrington, on the other hand, looked thrown off.

"Don't you get distracted every time she shows up?"

"That's just because my training isn't solid enough yet."

"You concentrate just fine otherwise."

"The lessons being so long probably doesn't help."

Archid subtly pinned the blame on the lesson length itself, leaving Harrington with a dumbfounded expression.

I was equally stunned—eyes wide—that Archid would openly throw shade at the lessons like that.

Compared to how he'd cowered before Baron Rork, this was a massive show of assertiveness.

'Aww, my baby. You tell 'em.'

I wanted to give his butt a proud pat of encouragement.

"Hoho."

Count Harrington stroked his beard and let out an enlightened chuckle.

He muttered something like, "As expected, right by the window..." but it was too vague to make out.

I shot him my most pleading look, and he grumbled as if giving in.

"If the Young Grand Duke insists, we'll hold off for now."

"Thank you."

"But if you're distracted next time, curtains go up immediately."

"Understood."

"Lessons too long? What a shame. We did our best, and yet they bored you."

"Not at all, Count. They weren't boring in the slightest."

Archid waved off the reprimand.

But it didn't seem to console the Count, who let out a pained groan and pulled a woeful face. The hurt was plain as day.

"I'll take my leave then."

"Take care, Count."

"Yes, yes. The old man knows when to make himself scarce."

With that, Count Harrington departed with graceful poise—though his sulky posture gave him away.

For a fleeting moment, I felt ant-dung-sized guilt, like I'd chased him off myself. But that was it.

The instant I looked at Archid's face, the Count was forgotten. Remembering why I'd come, I said,

"I got the gift. When did you even buy that bird?"

"Saw it while I was out over the weekend. They said it'd arrive today, and here it is already. Do you like your messenger bird?"

"Yes! I love it. It's so smart—it recognized its owner right away."

I recalled how it had glared at me. That was definitely the look of a bird sizing up its new master. Archid looked surprised.

"Already?"

"Yep. Brave little thing, too—it didn't even flinch under my stare."

It was clearly destined for greatness. In my mind, the bird's status had already soared simply because it was his gift.

Archid smiled lazily, as if pleased that his present had hit the mark.

"Glad you like it."

"Still, it feels like I only ever receive from you."

"I gave it because I wanted to."

"Even so. I want to give you something too. Any ideas?"

My eyes sparkled as I urged him to name anything. Archid blinked, then his lips twitched as if something had occurred to him.

Seeing that, I pressed again to make him comfortable.

"Come on, anything at all. I'll make it happen."

"In that case..."

Archid seemed to draw courage from my words. Then, all of a sudden, he stepped right up to me.

Before I could react, soft lips brushed my cheek and pulled away.

Mwah.

A sweet sound tickled my ear. I froze solid, staring at him. The sensation and noise felt utterly unreal.

'What just touched my cheek?'

It was too precise to be a mistake—a perfect, deliberate peck. The unfamiliar tingle lingered on my skin.

Speechless and rooted in place, I watched as Archid touched his lips shyly and murmured,

"This is enough for me."

"......"

"I've wanted to do that for a while now."

"......"

"I was jealous of those goodnight kisses."

Snap—

I swear I heard my reason snap. Hit with a second heart palpitation out of nowhere, I staggered hard. I couldn't breathe.

"Roena?"

Archid caught me, sparing me a tumble onto my rear. I clapped a hand to my chest.

My heart was pounding like mad, on the verge of bursting right out.

"M-my heart... it's gonna explode."

"What? The physician! I'll call—"

As he panicked to summon a doctor, I gently caught his hand and shook my head.

"No, just... let me stay like this a bit."

"Ah, okay."

Archid supported me patiently, even tensing his frame so I could lean on him properly.

I took deep breaths to calm my racing pulse.

How could words ever capture the joy of this day?

It was like getting repaid in spades.

Actually, no—I hadn't given him anything to begin with. Just kept receiving.

Was it okay to only take from my ultimate fave like this? The fangirl who got pure bliss from giving wanted to sob.

"I love Archid so much."

I let slip a raw confession from the depths of my soul. Little did I know I'd said it aloud.