|| Next Placeholder

T/N: Today Id like to thank my Cookie Donor May Ann! Thanks a ton for the sweets

Also, italics will be used solely for emphasis purposes for this chapter!

Hey Gilles. Do you think that Liz-san is capable of differentiating between herself and others? I ponder aloud as we walk down a long, unpopulated corridor.

Who knows? he says noncommittally, not even bothering to look up from his book.

Hey now. Cant you at least pretend that youre paying a bit of attention to me.? Its dangerous to read while walking anyway. So closing the book while were still moving shouldnt be that unreasonable, right? What an un-cute little boy.

Im about to give him a piece of my mind when suddenly I find my feet lifting off the ground.

Huh?

Without my noticing, a sturdy arm had encircled my waist and lifted me into the air. Just how strong is he to be able to lift me so easily with only one arm!?

You really are tiny, a silky sweet voice murmurs from behind my head. Hes so close that I can feel his breath on my neck as he speaks. I wish he wouldnt whisper into my ear like that!

Although I cant see his face, I have a very good view of his wide, well-muscled back.

Please put me down, I say, miffed.

But then wont you just run away?

Ahh, like I said! Dont talk from behind me like this. Your breath tickles!

After these last two years, Duke-Samas sex appeal is just too overwhelming to deal with now. Back when we first met, it was still at the level of a slightly boyish charm. cant we just go back to that?

Gilles, Ill be borrowing Alicia for a bit.

Sure. Go ahead.

Gilles! To think that youd betray me like this! Youve seriously lost all hints of cuteness since Ive been gone!

And wont at least spare me a glance now? Now that Im being bodily stolen away!? Shouldnt my safety at least be more important to you than that book?

Or does he just trust Duke-Sama that much..?

Since Ive gotten Gilless consent, lets go.

Go where!?

As soon as he spoke, Duke-Sama started walking towards one of the classrooms just off to the side of the hallway. He didnt answer me as he opened the door and carried me in.

I try to object but my voice wont come out, Im so astounded by how ridiculously pushy and overbearing hes being. He didnt used to be like this.. Cant I just return him and get the old version back? The sheer amount of mental, emotional, and physical strength I use up whenever dealing with Duke-Sama nowadays is no joke.

Once the two of us are safely inside, the door shut behind us, he graciously lets me down. He then stations himself in front of the only door and proceeds to casually lean against it, his arms crossed over his chest.

Grr. What makes him think he can go around acting so high-and-mighty?

After a quick survey of the room, I note that its almost completely empty. Theres a single desk, four chairs, and thats it. I really cant imagine what he could have brought me here to do.

I look at him questioningly, but he just returns my gaze. Im the first to break the silence.

What do you want? I ask him, my voice sounding a bit more defensive than I would have liked. I shoot him a light glare for good measure, to show I mean business.

Nothing. Rather, arent you the one with something to say to me?

Huh?

You seemed like you had something you wanted to talk to me about yesterday, Duke-Sama says coolly while gazing at me as if he can see right through me.

No way. How did he know.? I thought I had been doing a decent job of maintaining an impassive expression yesterday!

So? You have my undivided attention.

Uhh.. I have quite a few things that Id like to ask you actually.

Oh? Sounds interesting.

As I hesitate, a merciless, teasing smirk spreads across Duke-Samas face.

..Urgh, this man is really. so frustrating!

A small sigh escapes my lips.

For now, where should I start? Id like to ask about Grandpa Will, but I should probably do that when Gilless around too. and Ive already seen where his priorities lie for now. He chose his book over me. Nope, its probably best not to try and get in between him and his precious book at the moment.

Hm, then the next thing Im most curious about is how he killed those people who were going around badmouthing me. In the end, I have no idea what really became of them. Did Henry-Oniisama actually see Duke-Sama killing them?

Umm..

I didnt kill anyone, Duke-Sama says before I can even formulate the question. As he speaks, his eyes look seriously into mine, all traces of his rakish smile from before gone.

..Is he wearing a pair of contact lenses that give him the power to pick my brain or something? How did he know thats what I wanted to ask!?

Wait, did he just say that he didnt kill anyone?

My eyebrows shoot up and my eye goes wide as I stare at him.

|| Next Placeholder

T/N: This chapter was tiny. so why did it feel so hard?? Lol. Im still not good at transitioning between Alicias thoughts and other descriptions it seems. The whole chapter just felt so choppy while I was editing T-T Oh well. At least the chapter was cute XD Sorry to all you Duke haters out there. I think youll be in for a bumpy ride for the next few chapters

NOTE: Im going to stop mentioning italics every chapter. From now on, Im only going to mention them when an honorific relevant chapter appears. If there is no note at the top, then its safe to assume italics are only for emphasis!