Thank You For The Confinement, Grand Duke! - Chapter 64.1
“Is there something on your mind?”
The reason I’ve been working hard to build my strength all this time? It was for this moment! At the thought, I opened my mouth to Enfrise with a serious expression.
“Can I borrow a book?”
“A book?”
He tilted his head, looking puzzled.
To be honest, asking this of him might seem strange, considering how much time I’ve spent lounging around while watching him work in his study, but that was exactly why I wanted to ask.
“Yes.”
“You can read as much as you’d like.”
“I want to borrow it. To my room.”
“Don’t you want to read it here?”
In Enfrise’s study, which used to have only one chair, I now had my own—a heavy chair, cushioned and soft. Recently, I have spent more time here than in my own room. But that meant I couldn’t find out what I wanted to know.
“There’s something I want to investigate without telling you.”
“You want to keep it a secret from me?”
Instead of looking offended, Enfrise appeared more confused. It seemed that he wasn’t angry with my bold declaration of wanting to keep a secret.
“Yes.”
“What is it that you want to find out…?”
“It’s a secret, I told you.”
Honestly. How could I explain what secret I was trying to keep when I just declared it? Sometimes, when Enfrise acted this way, I couldn’t help but feel mischievous. Yet… how could I resist his adorably clueless moments after he usually indulged my whims so patiently?
“If I say no…will you not do it?”
“Hmm.”
This situation wasn’t bad at all.
What I had wanted from the start was simple: to continue enjoying this narrow paradise while being confined here. I was sure I could achieve my goals this way.
But.
Lost in thought, I looked up at Enfrise. He was gazing at me with clear eyes, waiting for my answer. I had taken away the most important thing from him: Chaperil, something that could never be replaced. In its place, I had given him someone like me—someone nobody wanted, someone nobody expected.
Someone so different from her.
I could never return Chaperil to him, so I had to offer him something else in return. Since I had stolen his light, it felt like I needed to at least offer a small candle to ease my conscience.
To do that, I’d need to learn more about myself—and about Enfrise.
“No. If you stop me, I might end up creating even bigger secrets.”
Secrets were always eventually revealed.
Even if they’re hidden for a moment, the truth always comes out. But for me, even that fleeting moment is enough. Knowledge, once gained, can never be erased.
“…Very well. You may read as many books as you like.”
“Really? Thank you!”
I smiled brightly and immediately headed for the bookshelf. I had already written down some keywords I needed to study, so I pulled out all the books that contained those terms, stacking them one by one on my chair.
At first, Enfrise watched silently, but then his face paled.
“Are you going to read all of those?”
“Yes!”
What’s his deal?
Let’s see. One, two, three, four… I counted on my fingers until I stopped at eleven.
‘Hmm, maybe this would be enough for now?’
“I can—”
“No, no, I’ve got it. I can carry them.”
Strength is power.
Studying requires strength, too.
You couldn’t excel in studying with just a good brain. You would need the endurance to sit and focus. In Korea’s intense education system, physical stamina was the foundation. So, I definitely needed to keep up with my morning exercises.
“Chaperil, that’s too heavy.”
“No! Don’t touch! If you touch my books, I’ll ban all skinship! No more hugs!”
Enfrise looked utterly dumbfounded. His blank expression was so adorable that, before I picked up the books, I blew him a kiss after lightly pressing my lips to my hand.
“Just bear with it for a while! I’m off!”
Groaning under the unexpectedly heavy load, I hoisted the books. That’s when Enfrise called my name in a deep, steady voice.
“Chaperil.”
“Yes?”
He called but didn’t say anything.
‘Wait, is this guy trying to make my arms fall off?!’
“Enfrise! Hurry u—”
“If I wait patiently, will you reward me?”
…Oh, um, well.
Why was he looking at me with those puppy-dog eyes like he got all drenched and pitiful? It was making my heart weak. Has this guy been taking lessons somewhere? He was starting to act more and more dangerous.
Was he intentionally trying to make me lose control and pounce on him?
“Wh, what kind of reward?”
I swallowed nervously without even realizing it.
No, it wasn’t like that—I just had some saliva in my mouth. That was totally normal, right?
“….”
With a subtle movement, Enfrise stepped closer, and, for some reason, I instinctively stepped back.
Was this what they meant by a handsome man’s aura? My feet moved on their own, completely ignoring my will, and my heart was pounding so hard.
Would it burst like this…?
“Enfrise…?”
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