I Don’t Want the Obsession of a Twisted Archduke

‘What, private affair?’

Geppel’s eyes curled for a moment, then quickly subsided.

‘That’s all it takes for a dragon with no blood, no tears.’

Geppel had never experienced anything like this since the first time Kyle had been cursed.

Geppel thought there was no need to be offended.

“Anyway, as soon as Riddel wakes up, I’ll greet you separately…”

“No, you don’t have to.”

For some reason, this time Kyle cut Geppel off without even listening to him.

In response, Geppel opened his mouth in a momentum to say that he wouldn’t back down.

“You don’t need to… What the hell are you talking about? It’s only natural to greet her properly since she has been a great help.”

“Why should my wife meet you separately?”

What? Was it that way?

‘As expected, Riddel Spencer has no luck with men.’

Geppel shook his head and replied.

“Kyle Romani. Why don’t you just stop being so jealous? It’s the worst thing to be a husband who restrains his wife.”

“Jealousy or restraint? What are you talking about? I’ve never done anything like that.”

‘What the hell are you talking about? He’s… It was obviously a scene of jealousy and restraint. No way, that guy. That one. You don’t even realize how you feel?’

No, maybe Kyle was just acting out of a strong possessive dragon’s instincts. Though thinking, Geppel put more weight on the former. It was awkward to dismiss it as just instinct, because Kyle’s actions against Riddel often showed a human side. Geppel still had vivid memories of the Demons War, memories of Kyle, being warmer than anyone else, more indulgent.

‘If Kyle hadn’t been cursed, he would have been a hero praised for generations to generations.’

The expectation, this future that no one suspected was shattered. It was a pity, to the extent that Geppel came to hate the imperial crowd and the Imperial Palace. When he was praised as a hero, he was reluctant to do so openly, thinking it was unlucky since Kyle had been cursed. It was not so good for them to praise themselves now since time changed them as well.

‘Because humans change their mind to the flick of a coin.’

That’s what Geppel thought, criticizing the Empire’s human race while clicking his tongue.

Kyle opened his mouth with a grim face.

‘What? Why do you have that look?’

Geppel was a little nervous, but what Kyle said next made him look as if the words literally put him under a spell.

“Well, if it’s what Riddel wants, I’ll allow you to talk for about five minutes.”

“Okay, five minutes… Wait, what?

“Oh, and from now on, try not to call my wife by her name. It is very unpleasant to hear you call my wife’s name so casually.”

Kyle emphasized it twice. She was his wife.

‘What are you talking about? Isn’t it jealousy?’

Geppel was baffled by Kyle’s action. The gentleness and warmth of what Kyle once was disappeared instead, replaced by the terrorized look he showed the Empire for years, leaving Geppel wondering when he became such a mess, not being able to control his emotions.

Kyle, who read Geppel’s bewildered expression, said.

“Looking at your face, I think you understand, why don’t you go out now? I don’t like that there’s another man in the room where my wife is supposed to rest peacefully.”

“Ah! Yes, I will go!”

‘Well, that crazy, petty, vicious dragon!’

Eventually Geppel grumbled loudly and walked out of the room. Kyle thought, looking at the place where Geppel had left, he didn’t understand the point of Geppel Luna’s anger. He only thought of him as a picky piece of work anyway.

When the situation was over, each other was considering the other crazy. Crazy, like they were when it was a competition for the 1st place in the Empire; to be at the top.

Kyle had also very disturbing questions about Geppel’s comments earlier. Jealousy? Restraint? He didn’t know what that meant.

“I wouldn’t do anything personal…”

“…hmm.”

Kyle stopped thinking and looked at Riddel silently at the sound that came wondering if she was sleep talking.

“Mom… Dad…”

Kyle realized she was looking for her parents again. He suddenly recalled his work with Viscount Spencer.

“ - There's not much to make this rebellious girl obey, but you can beat her until she begs of you to stop.”

Kyle’s expression was one of revulsion from the blooming of his memories.

He didn’t understand why Riddel wanted to see such person; this piece of crap, didn’t understand the memories she could share with a sorry guy like that. Memories of Glühwein or something, full of strange terms that are hard to understand. Of course, there were some oddities.

“ - What? Thor Spencer? It’s not… My dad… Um, Kyle…”

The face of Riddel, changed as if she had never heard of Thor Spencer before, perhaps she didn’t remember correctly since she had been drunk at the moment.

Possibly, the expression blood was thicker than water was applying to the situation with Riddel. Kyle didn’t know once more, if he wanted more information he would have to go and stop by Spencer’s estate.

“… Domin.”

Kyle paused at the sound of her voice wondering what she just said. Who was Domin? Kyle thought without wandering. The fact that Riddel’s ex-fiancée’s name was Doman. Was Riddel saying it wrong? Or was it a pet name? A nickname? Kyle heard that couples often make up nicknames but couldn’t believe she was talking in her sleep and calling her ex-fiancé by a pet name.

Kyle felt burning from the bottom of his heart. It was obvious jealousy. Only he didn’t know.

***

Yesterday, I dreamed that my family was there with me after a long time. Even my younger brother was there, nagging me so hard. Thanks to his irritating way I thought I had returned to my daily life, only to wake up, leaving them in the same dream. I felt like I was dreaming of my family being there with me only when I was sick.

‘Maybe those walls I secure around myself break down when I hurt the most.’

Anyway, I had to eat a minimum in the morning since I had collapsed after using my powers.

‘Oh, my God, no…’

I almost threw the bowl away. If I had to eat this kind of tasteless food every day, I would also play hooky like Geppel. It was at that moment when I painfully, truly, understood Geppel’s feelings.

After eating as much as I could, I was going to talk to Geppel, who came after hearing that I was awake. Originally, I was going to visit Taylor because I was curious about his case, but I couldn’t go because people around me stopped me, but I was glad.

‘Hmm… Also.’

I wiggled my eyebrows like Kyle. It was annoying him.

I said I would like to talk to Geppel about Taylor, but Kyle was standing by the door, arms crossed, and staring at Geppel like a killer who had his sight on target.

Sigh. In the end, I couldn’t help but say.

“Dear Archduke, I need to talk to Geppel about Taylor, can you go outside for a minute?”

“…”

“It’s not a secret, it’s not a very important story, but I’m still not feeling well. My head is ringing because there are more than one person with me.”

I particularly emphasized secrecy and importance. It was to make him understand that there was nothing to hide. I wasn’t sure if it was an excuse at this point.

Kyle wiggled his trademark eyebrow and looked at Geppel, stressing the next two words.

“Five minutes.”

Then again, before 1 could answer anything, he shut the door and walked out.

‘Wait… I only have 5 minutes for talking?’

“…”

“…”

There was a moment of silence between me and Geppel.

“You’re so…”

“I admit I don’t have any luck with men, so you can stop talking.”

Another silence followed.

Ahem. Geppel soon coughed and explained what happened yesterday after I collapsed. To sum up, it was like this. The temple was turned upside down and Geppel was praised and now was called the god of healing.

No wonder.

‘Because his arms were cut off, and Taylor being a knight would have no other choice than retirement, so I healed his arms.’

It was also said that the person who treated Taylor’ arms was Geppel. I was the one who made this decision.

“I’ll say this again in case you get me wrong. The reason I accepted to be the one who miraculously treated Taylor was because of the previous rumors about me. It’ll end with a little annoyance because of my fame. But…”

Geppel talked after taking a tempo here.

“It’s because I’m sure you’ll be targeted by a lot of people if you’re rumored to have that kind of power.”

Geppel meant; people you can’t handle.

I laughed and said, as I expected.

“Don’t worry, I won’t make such a useless misunderstanding. On the contrary, I’m grateful that you hid my ability. Besides, this would have not been too much for Geppel.”

“No, well, this much…”

Geppel felt embarrassed at the sudden compliment. What should I say? A grown-up looked cute acting like a child. Honestly, he didn’t look like an adult. I couldn’t help it.

Perhaps Geppel will continue to be a child to me since I have met him in this form on our first meeting. Besides, the child was more impressive than the adult.