I Corrupted The Good Male Protagonist

The next day, I shouted loudly as soon as I woke up.

Im all better!

Dont lie.

Irina looked at me with doubtful eyes. I insisted.

I really am!

You have no color at all. Youd better not leave the bedroom today.

I was astonished.

Irina, youre starting to sound like Adele now!

Come on, lie down. Ill sing you a lullaby.

In the end, I have no choice but to comply. The only momentary freedom I had was when I have to go to the bathroom. I lived on the bed all day. I was bored to death, but no one came to visit me.

Whats this? Is Adele not coming today?

Tired of looking at the clock every five minutes, I finally took a nap. I slept, then I slept again. I thought I slept well for twelve hours.

And the next day I insisted again.

Irina! Im definitely all better now!

Yes yes, you look much better.

Irina, who had dark circles under her eyes and was as pale as me, responded with empty eyes. I should tell Irina to have a break.

Then Ill go outside now.

Irina got up from peeling fruit.

Ill change my clothes, please wait a moment.

I tilted my head.

You will come with me?

Of course. I cant let you go alone. Ill get the guards prepared.

I can go with the other maid, right? Irina gets some sleep.

Ill feel more relieved if I go.

There was no room for negotiation. I nibbled the fruit that Irina peeled in a pretty shape.

Not going out with Adele makes the procedure difficult.

I wore a cape and went out with Irina. The guards followed at a moderate distance.

We moved out of the private land and into the shops.

Looking hard around, Irina looked up at the sky full of floating clouds and muttered.

Theres a lot of clouds. It may rain in the evening.

I asked, keeping an eye on a completely different place from Irina.

Irina, do you want me to buy you a parfait?

youre the one who actually wants to eat it, dont you?

Yeah.

Irina looked displeased.

Milady, Im just a maid. You dont have to mind me.

I shrugged my shoulders.

But I probably wont live long, so I want to be as nice to the people I like as possible.

If my life was about 50 years away, I might have learned deeply about the etiquette and formality of a noble family, but now its nothing else to do anyway. I decided not to care.

Irina gritted her teeth.

What are you talking about? Youll be immortal!

At that time, a small stone may fell on my foot.

Huh?

a stone?

Irina and I turned our heads at the same time. A boy was staring at us.

Im sorry. I threw it by mistake while I was fooling around.

I clenched my fist without realizing it. I remember that face. It was a boy whom I met on the day I went to see the sky lantern.

I heard you helped Martins grandmother move home. My grandfather is having a hard time moving, could you help him as well?

I remember him asking Adele for something ridiculous and that time when he talked back to him with a voice filled with sarcasm.

And what if we dont? Youre not going to threaten us, weak commoners with your powers right?

I opened my mouth.

You probably wont listen to me, but not all the nobles are like Adele.

The boy lowered his eyes.

Please forgive me just once.

He may look servile and sorry right now, but I knew he was laughing at me inside. I realized for sure. These people didnt deserve Adeles favor. And Adele shouldnt get hurt because of these people.

Im the only one who can bully Adele!

I called Irina.

Lets go.

I lost my appetite, so I decided to just go back.

Then something came up to my mind.

I have to go see Adele.

This time, I didnt have a chance to ask for Irinas permission. Irina noticed it, too.

Ill have the carriage ready.

Please make it as quick as you can. Adele might run away if he finds out Im going.

It was good that I recovered my energy yesterday. At least it wasnt likely that Ill fall. For now.

As soon as I got on the carriage, I ordered the horseman to drive at the fastest speed. The horseman followed faithfully.

Duke Magnus Residence was within a stones throw*.

(t/n: it means its near.)

I poked my head out of the carriage when we stopped for a moment in front of the huge main gate. I was going to tell the gatekeeper I was a friend of Adeles.

Hello.

However, the gatekeepers opened the gate just by looking at the family crest on the carriage.

Its Count Sinclairs carriage! Let them in now!

Whats with this hospitality?

Although Anastasia had visited the Dukes mansion along with the Count several times before, that was already a long time ago,

They didnt even check whos in the carriage. What? Is this proof that our parents are close to each other?

I thought of Duke Magnus and Anastacias father.

In the novel, those two men spoke informally, verbally, and without hesitation, or even violence.

I got off the carriage in bewilderment. As I was trying to enjoy the brilliant sunshine pouring over my head, I heard Adeles voice as sweet as the blue weather.

Anastasia? Why did you come all the way here when you were supposed to be at your bedroom?

Hes fast. The carriage door hadnt even closed yet. I stared at Adele, who seemed to have run down the window and not by the stairs.

Im here to see you.

Adele, who I hadnt met in two days, enchanted my eyes.

His fair face seemed to glow. His red pupils are peeking under his sparkling golden eyelashes.

Adele said in a determined tone.

Go back. You have to take absolute rest.

No.

Ive put on a brazen face. Adeles eyes shook.

Please, Anastasia. I have no face to see you.

I missed you.

I just brilliantly and successfully shut Adeles mouth. I gave him a smile.

You thought a lot about me, didnt you?

I..

Adele was trying to say something but he stopped and chose silence instead. There was a shadow on his handsome face.

I poked Adeles arm with my finger.

Im thirsty.

Adele declared surrender.

Ill show you to the drawing-room.

The mansion was like a castle. As expected of Duke Magnus, the most influential figure supporting the empire.

Count Sinclair was also famous for his wealth. But even to me, who was staying in such a place, I cant help but feel anxious because of all the gold I could see on their wall. This place looks like itll be sparkly and bright even in the middle of the night without lights.

The ceiling painting, that seemed to be a scene from of a myth, created a grandeur, and the patterns embroidered on the pillars looks like it was made by the finest craftsman.

We ran into the maids in front of the reception room door.

It was quite amazing that they greeted us in such a polite manner when we passed by. The look from me was favorable. The gatekeepers and the dukes are kind.

Adele sat me down first and brought me water.

Heres the water.

I tucked my hair back in my ear as I took the glass. I was ready to play a new trick to ease Adeles mind.

What about black tea?

Adele started setting up a tea set in front of me, not just bringing teacups. He carefully placed the kettle, teacup, spoon, sugar, and jam container one by one.

I felt the traces of hard work on how he placed each one of them so that I could eat comfortably. Ah, I didnt expect that hell do it himself.

I was a little surprised but I deliberately put on a haughty look.

Can I please have some strawberries?

Adele smiled faintly and complied with my request.

Adele moved busily again as I started drinking tea. This time he brought some chocolates along with the strawberries placed in a silver bowl, decorated in a shape of a rose.

I brought ganache Chocolates, Anastasias favorite. In addition, I prepared milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, and almond chocolate.

Whats wrong with him? I thought he was surprised to see me. Why is so prepared?

I dont really like almonds.

As soon as I responded with a lukewarm voice, Adelle immediately took the bowl.

Ill clean it up right away.

It feels like Im never going to see Almond in front of me again. Am I mistaken?

I looked at Adele while eating strawberry dipped in chocolate one by one.

What were you doing?

I was doing a little training.

Am I interrupting?

Of course not.

Adele shook his head even before I could even finish my words. He glanced at me with eyes filled with complex feelings.

Anastasia, this might be a little rude, but youre too thin. Wouldnt it be better to go back now?

I put down my teacup and made up my sullen look.

You dont like being with me?

Adele soothed me politely.

Thats not what I meant. But when youre with me and you face trouble once again, I might do the same mistake once again.

Things seemed to have come as a great shock to Adele at that time. I stubbornly stood my place.

Then Im tired, so Ill take a little rest. Just do what you have to do.

Even if I go back now, it was obvious that Adele would still be blaming himself.

I focused on eating and ignored Adele on purpose, pretending not to care.

Adele looked at me for a moment as if he couldnt shake off his guilt.

We did not talk for a while. We just let time pass in silence. Surprisingly, it didnt feel weird or uncomfortable.

I leaned back on the sofa, and Adele constantly tried not to look at me. After a while, Adele started reading a book.

It was once a peaceful afternoon. I have to yawn so I lowered my head slightly.

I dont know how many minutes have passed since then.

Uhh.

While I was daydreaming, it suddenly came to my mind that Im currently not home, making me jump to my feet.

Ugh, did I doze off?

I hurriedly scrubbed the mouth. Thankfully, I didnt drool.

Adele, who was sitting opposite, smiled.

I was thinking of moving you to a bed but I decided not to because you might wake up.

You should have woken me up.

You slept so hard.

I wiped my mouth once again for no reason.

Adele was writing something on a paper while he was talking to me. No, it was more like drawing than writing.

Feeling curious, I went to the seat next to Adele. After seeing what he was doing, I cant help but admire Adeles work.

You knew how to draw.

This

Adele looked down at the paper with a bitter smile. I blinked my eyes.

Adele was sketching the face of a woman with wavy long hair. I was a little embarrassed because it was obvious that he really put in a lot of effort in drawing it.

Is this me?

Im sorry. I didnt mean it.

Adele blocked the paper to cover it with his hand. Then I spoke in a strict manner.

Raise my nose.

Yes?

My nose isnt that low.

Adele corrected the sketch as I spoke harshly with a blow.

Like this?

Only then did I smile.

Perfect. As expected, my beauty shines even in sketches.

Adele burst into laughter.

Yes. Anastasia is beautiful.

He smiled broadly for the first time.

My eyes!