The Male Lead’s Sickly Aide is My Type - Chapter 102.2
Chapter 102.2
“Ha, just a thought. See you again.”
Ian gazed at the now-thoughtful Archen with amusement before finally departing.
A moment later, once Ian was out of sight, Lucas finally voiced his pent-up frustration.
“What a creepy guy.”
His tone was as dismissive as if spitting out chewed gum.
Archen didn’t reply, not because he disagreed with Lucas, but because he felt… strange. His mind was a whirl. How did Ian know he was a mage, let alone a powerful one? And what did he mean by asking if Carinne knew?
As Ian had surmised, Carinne was unaware of the extent of Archen’s magic or even how it functioned within him. This naturally brought to mind another fact Carinne didn’t know, a truth he would have to reveal someday yet desperately wished she would never learn.
A tightness in his chest made him gasp for breath just as Carinne’s voice called out from the lakeshore.
“Like this?”
Carinne was talking with Iris. She cupped her hand to her ear, listening intently to Iris, then repeated an unfamiliar phrase. Iris laughed, and Carinne crossed her arms, looking disgruntled for a moment before breaking into a bright, cheerful laugh.
With the blue sky above her, her laughter rang out, and she looked happier than ever. Watching her, Lucas grumbled.
“Hmph, if you ever make the Princess cry, I won’t let you get away with it.”
“.…”
Archen couldn’t speak. He stood frozen, his gaze fixed on Carinne until she caught his eye and returned to the picnic blanket, hand-in-hand with Iris.
Back at the blanket, Carinne noticed one person missing.
“Oh, he left?”
“Said he had something to do.”
Lucas answered, and Iris beamed.
“Perfect! Let’s all have a picnic together!”
“I thought you had to discuss territory issues with me.”
“Oh, right. You know, Duke, I think I can give you those acorns another time. Shall we head back to the mansion and talk about magic?”
“.…”
Lucas grumbled about her making him wait but agreed to Iris’s suggestion. Carinne and Iris said their goodbyes, promising to see each other again soon.
The Duke and Iris disappeared back the way they had come. Carinne skipped over to Archen and pulled him down onto the blanket.
“I had such a hard time learning squirrel speaking from Iris. Want to hear?”
Carinne repeated the strange sounds she had learned. Archen watched, mesmerized by the way her lips moved as she spoke. They were so lovely he could hardly look away.
“Why are you staring? Do you like me that much?” he heard her ask.
Feeling as though his secret thoughts had been laid bare, Archen couldn’t bring himself to speak but nodded in agreement.
Carinne sat in the shade of the leaves. The summer sun highlighted strands of her crimson hair, and the way it shimmered in the light was so dazzling he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
Lost in contemplation of her velvet-smooth curls, he suddenly felt her turn his face towards hers. Beneath the parted bangs, her emerald eyes, the color of fresh grass, blinked up at him.
Clear, bright eyes gazing at him with affection.
Just below one eye, an eyelash clung to her cheek. Archen reached out to brush it away but, realizing the delicate task would be difficult with his gloves on, brought his lips close to her face and gently blew.
Carinne blinked, closing one eye against the puff of air.
“Was something there?”
“All gone now.”
Archen smiled faintly.
Looking into Carinne’s eyes made him feel like he could forget all the worries in the world. She touched her cheek, then looked up at him, a thought seemingly occurring to her.
“You said you liked me that much, right? So if I told you to do something, you’d do it?”
Wondering what she meant, he waited. Carinne shifted her position, moving closer and resting her head against his shoulder, her arms wrapped around his. Like a child asking for a favor, she pleaded.
“Let’s go to bed early tonight. I sleep better when someone’s next to me.”
“.…”
Archen lowered his gaze, understanding her unspoken concern. She was trying to get him to rest.
Lately, Carinne had been fussing over him excessively. Bringing him healthy food, coming up with transparent excuses to keep him from working… He remembered Carinne handing him his broken glasses.
He’d almost told her it wasn’t necessary, that she could simply ask him to rest, and he would obey. Did she know that?
“…Alright.”
“You’re not just saying that because you feel obligated, are you?”
“No. Your wish is my command.”
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