Thank You For The Confinement, Grand Duke! - Chapter 61.2

Come to think of it, if you were stuck on a boat for a month, what would people do? It was one thing to enjoy the sea and scenery, but you couldn’t just stare at the ocean for an entire month. So, well, other things to do… hmm, there wouldn’t be much else, right?

“A cruise seems a bit too soon. We’re not quite there yet.”

We’ve only just reached the kissing stage. Ahem.

“I’d also like to go see a play. Since you enjoy stories, I’m sure you’d find it entertaining.”

I’ve always wanted to experience opera or musicals live, having only seen them on video before. Would it be even more powerful in a real performance?

“I’d like to go see that too.”

“I thought you’d enjoy it.”

Enfrise closed his eyes for a moment and rested his forehead against my neck. His hair, which felt so soft when touched gently, felt strangely coarse against my neck.

There was a tickling sensation inside me.

“Enfrise?”

“I want to get you out of here quickly, but I also want to keep you here forever. If you leave and meet another man… I worry you might forget someone like me.”

Hmm.

Now, I understand why main characters often repeat the same sentiments. I can relate to that. Even if I understood something logically, there were still issues where my heart seemed to act on its own.

It might not be a perfect comparison, but it was like having my own kind of phobia.

One common phobia in novels is claustrophobia—the intense fear and anxiety felt when entering a confined space, which can make people unable to ride elevators.

If the office or home is on a lower floor, it’s no problem, but if it’s on a higher floor, commuting alone could take an incredible amount of time. Imagine telling those people, ‘Why waste time?’ or ‘Elevator accidents are rare,’ or ‘Modern safety measures are more than enough, so there’s nothing to worry about.’

Do they not know that?

Of course, they do.

There are things that can’t be overcome with knowledge alone. Some might have developed fears from personal experiences, others may have had traumatic incidents in elevators during childhood, or perhaps they harbor an inexplicable fear.

Overcoming such fears often requires more than just rational advice. It takes other forms of support—patience, encouragement, and someone who consistently offers reassurance.

“Hmm, could I ever forget Enfrise? He was my first… someone who shared such an intimate moment with me.”

As I smiled, Enfrise’s face turned red.

But honestly, I was just pretending to be tough; my lips were quivering sweetly. Enfrise’s hair brushing against my neck continues to distract me.

“We’re each other’s first lovers as well.”

“… That’s not true.”

…Huh?

“Yes?”

“No, it’s nothing… It’s not something that matters much to the current Chaperil.”

You know, Enfrise.

Did he think I’d just say, “Oh, is that so?” and let it slide…? It was strange. There was clearly a keyword for virgin men. Was there a virgin woman…?

My memory was hazy.

Could it be that Chaperil had a lover before? Then, why didn’t that man save Chaperil? Why did Enfrise save her?

…Could it be that there was a personal motive to take Chaperil away from that man?

“….”

I shot a pointed look at Enfrise.

My eyes were like laser beams, hoping for a confession, but he swiftly turned his head away. It was good that he didn’t dodge with other physical gestures or sweet words.

“Aren’t you going to tell me?”

“It’s not something you need to know.”

“Then why did you mention it?”

“….”

Enfrise’s head, which had dropped with a dull thud, weighed heavily on my shoulder. What is going on?

“I feel that deceiving you makes me petty and despicable. Chaperil, you always tell me everything, don’t you?”

Ah, no, not everything…?

I tried not to lie as much as possible, but there were lies that must never be discovered. To avoid being found out, to avoid suspicion.

I could tell the truth about everything else.

‘But I’m sorry, Enfrise. That doesn’t mean I always speak the truth…’

“Yet… I’m still a coward and can’t tell you everything.”

Why did he force such perfectionism on himself? It must be because of what others have called him—a dirty blood thief. Hearing such things could make someone start believing them.

It felt like they should be treated that way as if it were natural.

Enfrise.

Did he know what he was doing to me? He was the one who showed me the way when I was in darkness. I hoped he understood that I wasn’t just light to him… I hoped he could see that even though he was surrounded by darkness, he wasn’t darkness himself.

“I like even the cowardly Enfrise.”

“Really…?”

“I like that fear so much that I wanted you to stay and not leave. Despite that, you’re too fond of blaming only yourself and not me.”

I smiled, turned, and embraced him.

Wrapping my arms around his neck and patting his back, I thought to myself. I supposed I need to find out.

About Chaperil’s past.

And the things Enfrise wanted to hide from me.