MLIIWTFL Chapter 166

 

 

It felt like just a brief moment, yet also like a long time had passed—then, their faces drew apart.

 

Unlike Letticia, who looked relatively calm and composed, Ezkhiel had his eyes tightly shut, his entire face flushed red, and was even holding his breath. He looked even more nervous than when he confessed his feelings.

 

It was cute in its own way, but also made Letticia a little worried—what if he really held his breath too long and passed out?

 

“Ez, how about you breathe now?”

 

“Huh?! Oh, um… ah…”

 

Startled, Ezkhiel’s eyes shot wide open, and he slightly pulled his body back toward the window.

 

Even though it was just a light kiss where only their lips barely touched, he was already like this. Letticia couldn’t help but wonder how they’d ever go further at this rate.

 

“Was that too fast? Did it make you uncomfortable?”

 

“…It’s not that, I just… I’m too embarrassed to look you in the face, Letty…”

 

As Ezkhiel bowed his head deeply, Letticia let out a soft giggle.

 

He’d probably be super embarrassed if he knew, but seeing him tremble like a baby deer made him look so adorable to her.

 

‘If I had really pushed things, his heart might’ve stopped for real.’

 

She had once considered, during a conversation with Kenneth about shock therapy, whether making a scandal or taking responsibility after jumping him might work—but now, it felt like actually trying that would’ve been a terrible idea.

 

He would quietly let her come one step closer—but if she took two or three steps all at once, he might get so startled he’d run away. That would be a problem.

 

While Letticia was having these rather laid-back thoughts, Ezkhiel was still blushing and fiddling nervously with his hands.

 

The gloom he’d shown earlier when talking about his parents was gone now, but seeing him like this made her chest feel both ticklish and strangely tight.

 

‘Ugh, I really hate awkward silences…’

 

As the silence dragged on, it was Letticia who started getting anxious instead.

 

Feeling the need to change the topic, she just said the first thing that came to mind.

 

“So, uh, Ez… when you go to work today, do you think people will bombard you with questions?”

 

“Questions?”

 

“Yeah. I mean, word must’ve already spread that we’re dating.”

 

At her comment, Ezkhiel gave a soft ‘ah’ in understanding.

 

“I’m probably not the only one starting late today, so if someone spreads it around, it could reach my whole department…”

 

He must have imagined what would happen next, because his expression turned less than cheerful. She’d heard he was well-liked—maybe things weren’t that great with his coworkers?

 

“Why? Do you have people in your department who give you a hard time?”

 

“There’s that too, but mostly I’m dreading the flood of questions. Our team’s pretty busy, so everyone tends to blow off steam by chatting—and they especially love gossip about the social scene…”

 

“I mean, social gossip is perfect for light conversation. But for someone who dislikes that stuff, weren’t you kind of oblivious about social rumors?”

 

“I don’t really like those kinds of topics, so I just let most of it go in one ear and out the other.”

 

Ezkhiel responded with a reluctant expression. Given his personality, it was clear gossip and badmouthing weren’t his thing.

 

“Then go to work today and accept all the congratulations on getting a girlfriend! And if anyone tries to mess with you, just shut them down like you did with that peacock today.”

 

“I will. Don’t worry.”

 

After confirming it once more, Ezkhiel nodded with a smile. Feeling much more reassured, Letticia leaned in and gave him a light kiss on the cheek this time.

 

Fortunately, this time he didn’t flinch or pull away—but the way his eyes widened and he froze in place showed just how far they still had to go.

 

“That one was just on the cheek. Are you embarrassed about that too?”

 

“…Letty, don’t you feel nervous?”

 

There was a subtle hint of hurt in Ezkhiel’s eyes as he looked at her.

 

Like he was wondering if he was the only one feeling awkward.

 

Instead of laughing, Letticia answered sincerely.

 

“How could I not be nervous? Of course I am.”

 

“You don’t seem like it at all…”

 

“Because I don’t like when things get awkward between us just because we’re both too shy. So I’d rather just talk through it and keep things natural.”

 

At her words, Ezkhiel’s expression dimmed a little.

 

“Sorry… I should be taking the lead more so it doesn’t end up that way…”

 

“You don’t have to push yourself. I like you best when you’re comfortable.”

 

Waltz is usually a dance where the man leads—but between Ezkhiel and Letticia, it was Letticia who often took the lead.

 

So even in their relationship, she didn’t mind being the more forward one.

 

“As long as you don’t shrink back just because of what others might say, that’s enough for me.”

 

“…True. Even if it was just good manners, after getting congratulated by Sir Averil, I probably shouldn’t have looked all awkward and uncomfortable.”

 

Thinking of Alexander, Ezkhiel looked a little uneasy as he asked.

 

“But Letty, did I… maybe offend Sir Averil somehow? He kept butting in and saying something every time I tried to speak with Lady Averil…”

 

“Ah…”

 

Letticia sighed, recalling Alexander’s disgruntled expression.

 

“It’s because he didn’t like hearing you say Lady Averil’s name. That’s literally it. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Ezkhiel blinked in confusion, baffled by the ridiculous reason.

 

“He didn’t like me calling her by name? Why? Isn’t it basic courtesy to refer to her by name when I’m speaking to her, especially with both siblings present?”

 

“Well, apparently he hates it so much that he’d rather ignore even basic courtesy if it means some strange man doesn’t say his sister’s name.”

 

“Does he seriously think I’m trying to make a move on her or something? But I clearly told him I’m dating you…”

 

As someone grounded in logic, Ezkhiel couldn’t make sense of Alexander’s behavior at all.

 

Letticia, who would’ve been just as confused if she hadn’t known the original storyline, understood how he felt.

 

“He’s basically the type who thinks all men are potential thieves trying to steal his little sister. Even if you told him you’re dating me, he probably believes that once you see how ‘charming’ Lady Averil is, you’ll fall for her eventually.”

 

“That’s absurd! How could anyone think that when I’m literally in a relationship and made it public?”

 

“You know how some people think that just picking up a handkerchief for them means you’re in love with them? I think it’s kind of like that.”

 

“Honestly, that sounds more understandable than this…”

 

Ezkhiel put a hand to his forehead, as if the whole situation was giving him a headache.

 

“I knew the Duke’s family was eccentric, but if what you’re saying is true, they’re just way beyond reason… Oh, right—you mentioned Lenard was helping Lady Averil with shopping. Is that okay?”

 

Letticia had been a little concerned about that herself—but unfortunately, there wasn’t much they could do about it.

 

“She’s still not done shopping. And it kinda looks like she and Lenard are getting along better too.”

 

Ever since Ariette had answered Lenard’s question about the group dinner, she seemed to have taken quite a liking to him.

 

Honestly, if we were talking closeness, it seemed like Lenard was even more at risk of being targeted than Ezkhiel.

 

“Do you think Lenard will be okay…?”

 

“Don’t worry about him. When they meet, it’s always the three of us together.”

 

And besides, Letticia had made sure to install a soundproofing magic tool in the gazebo. Unless someone had planted a listening spell on Ariette’s body, they wouldn’t be able to hear anything she and Lenard discussed.

 

Still, despite her reassurance, Ezkhiel didn’t seem entirely relieved. Letticia gave a small chuckle and, to change the subject, gently took his hand.

 

“Speaking of those people… did they ever stop you from doing other things too?”

 

“…What?”

 

“I mean aside from stopping you from eating sweets or forcing you to drink coffee—did they forbid you from doing anything else?”

 

At her question, Ezkhiel hunched his shoulders slightly and answered quietly.

 

“When I was about nine… I once went into the kitchen… and got in huge trouble.”

 

“The kitchen? Because you wanted to smell cookies baking?”

 

“That too… but I just really wanted to watch how cookies were made. I got caught, though… and they beat me with a belt.”

 

Even though he spoke about it calmly, it was clearly a painful memory for Ezkhiel.

 

Before he could sink deeper into that memory, Letticia squeezed his hand more firmly.

 

“Then next time you visit our estate, let’s go watch the cookies being baked in the kitchen together.”

 

“At the Count Sharon’s estate?”

 

Ezkhiel looked at her, confused by the unexpected suggestion.

 

Still holding his hand tightly, Letticia smiled brightly and replied in a cheerful voice.

 

“Yep. If we ask the cook, I’m sure they’ll bake some cookies for us. You can watch as much as you want. Then we can sit down for tea, and chat about which tea pairs best with which treats.”

 

If Ezkhiel’s parents had spent his whole life denying everything he wanted to do and everything he liked—Letticia wanted to do the opposite: to accept all of it, to share in it with him, and help him regain the confidence he lost.

 

Because to Letticia, there was nothing wrong with the personality or preferences of the Ezkhiel she loved.

 

And she just wanted him to realize he could be proud of who he was—exactly as he is.