The Male Lead’s Sickly Aide is My Type - Chapter 100.2
Chapter 100.2
“I’m fine. I’m not particularly hungry.”
Recalling the abandoned coffee cup on his desk, she understood.
“It has chopped shrimp inside.”
At the mention of shrimp, his eyes flickered. He silently took the sandwich.
“Delicious, isn’t it?”
Watching Archen eat, Carinne took a bite of her own sandwich.
The egg mayonnaise mixed with chopped shrimp was savory. Chewing thoughtfully, she leaned against Archen’s shoulder. The sun, clouds, and mountains were reflected in the rippling water of the lake.
“It’s peaceful.”
Being close to the lake and feeling connected to nature lightened her heart, but the peace didn’t last. A figure appeared on the forest path—a tall man carrying a basket, seemingly on a picnic of his own. Carinne shielded her eyes to get a better look.
“Doesn’t he look familiar?”
“….”
He did look familiar. She’d seen him frequently lately. The man, spotting Carinne and Archen, scowled and abruptly turned back the way he’d come.
‘At least he has some sense.’
But then…
“I quite like this spot!”
A cheerful voice rang out, followed by…
“Why are you doing this? Oh, Carinne!”
An innocent-looking young woman, her face radiating obliviousness, emerged from the forest.
“Sir Aide, you’re here too! Wow, it’s so nice to see you!”
Iris waved enthusiastically at Carinne before Duke Lucas appeared behind her, his expression clearly displeased.
Archen stood up at the sight of him.
“We should go somewhere else.”
“Good idea.”
Carinne quickly stuffed the rest of her sandwich into her mouth. Archen and Duke Lucas hadn’t been on good terms lately.
She recalled their recent argument over a trivial matter. Lucas had taken offense at Archen interrupting him, and Archen, uncharacteristically, had snapped back. Their encounter at the masquerade ball had been even worse. They had completely ignored each other.
Being in the same place was a recipe for disaster.
It was unfortunate for Iris, but they had to leave. Had it not been for the man who’d appeared behind Duke Lucas, Carinne would have simply bid Iris farewell and moved on, enjoying a quiet, peaceful afternoon.
Sadly, fate had other plans.
“The scenery is lovely.”
A melodious voice drifted over. Creamy hair, skin whiter than his hair, and honey-gold eyes. Standing against the backdrop of the forest, he looked like a forest sprite.
Startled, Carinne blinked, then grabbed Archen’s arm as he started to fold the blanket.
“Wait. Archen, do you see that man?”
He frowned as if he couldn’t see clearly.
Carinne whispered.
“Ian.”
“We need to separate him from Iris.”
She had warned Iris before, but there was no way to know if she’d taken it seriously. Seeing them together now, perhaps Iris had developed feelings for Ian.
‘And if they spend time together? If they have deep conversations about nature and animals?’
Iris’s fate would inch closer to the disastrous ending of the novel.
“I’m sorry, but we’ll have to continue our picnic another time.”
Archen’s expression suggested he needed an explanation, but there was no time. Iris was running towards them.
“Carinne, it’s been a while!”
“Yes, it has. Nice to see you.”
Carinne glanced at Duke Lucas and Ian behind Iris, her response perfunctory.
“What are you doing here? I mean, how did you end up on a picnic with those two?”
“It’s not a picnic. It’s about territory issues. Monsters have appeared in the territory, and I’m discussing monster extermination with the Duke. His territory and the County are adjacent.”
A memory surfaced. True to their destined pairing, Iris’s family estate and the First Duchy’s lands were neighbors.
“Why are you discussing it here?”
“Because I have to feed the squirrels acorns! The Duke said he only had time now, so we came to the forest to take care of my errands and discuss business at the same time.”
One thought immediately sprang to mind: ‘Iris has done it again.’ Carinne could picture Duke Lucas’s bewilderment at being told they had to go to the forest. He must have grumbled and protested, only to be dragged along by Iris.
It was understandable.
Discussing territorial matters in a forest was unconventional, especially while feeding squirrels.
“Carinne, we meet again.”
Carinne’s train of thought was interrupted.
Ian was approaching.
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