Don't Pick That Flower (2 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 14
The once-quiet Esper Castle grew bustling as it prepared to receive unwelcome guests. Especially the guards, who had been greatly reinforced.
“…….”
After lunch, Irene was on her way to the library when she saw fully armored knights passing by the window and looked down at them. Judging by their attire, they seemed ready not just for guard duty but for war itself.
Irene was well aware that relations between the Temple and the Esper family were poor.
More precisely, the Temple had been spreading all sorts of malicious rumors—that members of the Esper bloodline consorted with demons, delighted in murder—and using these to oppress them.
Thus, she understood why Carlos disliked and distrusted the Temple, but was full armor truly necessary?
If the priests sent by the Temple saw this, they might mistakenly think the Esper family wished to wage war against them.
“Why are you like this, Miss?”
Jessie, who had been walking ahead, asked, and Irene shook her head.
“It’s nothing.”
That man must have his reasons for doing things this way. Though worried, Irene thought it wasn’t her place to interfere, being completely unfamiliar with such matters, and headed once more toward the library.
Upon arriving at the library, Jessie asked,
“You’ll stay here until evening again today, right?”
“I suppose so.”
“Then, may I step out for a bit? I have something I need to do.”
It had been an excuse before, but this time it was genuine. Jessie was busy too, due to the impending arrival of the uninvited guests.
“Of course. Go ahead.”
“I’ll be back soon. You mustn’t go anywhere before I return.”
After earnestly repeating her warning, Jessie left.
Irene entered the library and naturally sat down on the sofa. On the sofa table lay the book she’d been reading yesterday, neatly placed.
[To My Beloved]It was a romance novel.
After hearing Carlos say she needed to pretend to be in love with him, Irene had searched for romance novels and other books about love.
Because she’d never been in love herself. Because she didn’t know how to act.
Because only someone who had both loved and been loved could truly understand love.
If she acted clumsily, she wouldn’t be able to deceive the priests, nor clear herself of the false accusation of being a witch—so Irene did her utmost to study what love truly was.
Though she’d started studying precisely to understand it, the more she learned, the more lost she felt.
Loving someone was simply too difficult. Moreover, everyone expressed love in their own unique way.
“I should express it actively, right?”
She needed to make it clear to the priests that she liked Carlos.
But if she were too forward, it might seem artificial—so she ought to strike a careful balance between intensity and restraint…
“This is too hard.”
What was that man planning to do?
Irene suddenly grew curious about Carlos’s plan. She even wanted to observe and follow his lead.
“Should I ask him when we meet tonight?”
But what if asking made things awkward?
Knock knock—the light tapping roused Irene from her thoughts.
“Come in.”
Thinking it was Jessie, she was surprised when the door opened to reveal Dewey.
“My lord is calling for you.”
…Ah, not Dewey—Dus.
They looked so alike that at first glance, they were indistinguishable.
“Let’s go.”
His tone was polite, yet his gaze toward Irene was icy—tinged with irritation and contempt.
Why was this man so…
“You dislike me, don’t you?”
Oops—she’d meant to keep that thought to herself.
Unintentionally blurting it out, Irene covered her mouth with her hand and glanced nervously at Dus.
Fortunately, his expression remained unchanged. His annoyed glare stayed exactly as it was.
“Let’s go.”
After saying that, Dus turned and left the library first. Perfectly ignored, Irene flushed at the ears and hurried after him.
*
After walking for a while, Dus stopped at a room at the far end of the fourth-floor west corridor.
This place… was His Serene Highness the Grand Duke’s bedroom.
Recalling what Jessie had once told her, Irene stared in slight surprise at the door adorned with elaborate patterns.
Dus gave her a quick glance before knocking.
“My lord. I’ve brought her.”
“Enter.”
Creaking open the door, Dus gestured for her to come in.
Though reluctant to enter another person’s—especially an unrelated man’s—bedroom, Irene had no choice but to step inside.
Inside, she saw Carlos lounging comfortably on the sofa, with Dewey standing rigidly behind him.
Dewey’s friendly expression toward Irene hardened the moment he noticed Dus entering behind her.
An odd, heavy atmosphere flowed between the two.
Caught in the middle, Irene looked back and forth between Dewey and Dus, bewildered. They were twins, yet their relationship didn’t seem good.
“Have you studied a bit?”
At Carlos’s question, Irene finally turned to look at him.
“Jessie mentioned you’ve been diligently reading romance novels.”
Jessie had told him that too? Irene gave an awkward smile.
“I’m studying hard.”
“Love isn’t something you can learn just by studying.”
“…….”
“Still, it’s better than doing nothing.”
Carlos replied indifferently and flicked his fingers—a signal for her to come closer.
As Irene cautiously approached, Carlos suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him.
“Aah!”
A short cry escaped her lips. She found herself sitting on his lap, her mouth agape in shock.
“Wha—what…?”
“When the priests arrive, we might have to do even more than this.”
Even more than this? Her golden eyes widened as wild imaginings flashed through her mind.
“So, to get used to it, let’s start practicing now.”
“N-no need to practice so… eep!”
Irene stiffened, letting out a strange sound as Carlos’s hand touched her waist.
Finding it amusing, Carlos laughed aloud.
“If you freeze up at something this minor, do you really think you can stay calm and composed when the priests arrive without practice?”
“…….”
Irene couldn’t confidently answer “yes,” so she simply closed her mouth.
Meanwhile, the point of contact between them kept drawing her attention, making her eyes drift downward. When she subtly shifted her hips, a hot breath brushed over her head.
“If you keep moving like that, it’ll be troublesome.”
What was troublesome? Puzzled, Irene turned to look at him—and Carlos chuckled, as if amused.
“You’re naive.”
Who? Was he calling her naive?
“I’m not naive. I’m an adult.”
“I know.”
Though he didn’t seem to believe it, Carlos released his grip on her waist.
Seizing the chance, Irene quickly jumped up from his lap.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Dus, who’d been standing by it, stepped out.
“My lord.”
When Dus returned, his expression was grave.
“The pigeons have just entered the territory.”
There was good reason for his seriousness—Dewey’s expression darkened as well.
“They’ve arrived already?”
In contrast, Carlos smiled cheerfully—though his eyes remained cold.
“Dewey. Welcome them grandly. Also, double-check what I instructed earlier.”
“Understood.”
“Dus, you keep watch to ensure they don’t act recklessly.”
“As you command.”
After the twins left, Irene tried to follow—but Carlos held her back.
“From today, your bedroom will be here.”
“Huh?”
So, did that mean she’d sleep here from now on?
In the same bed as him?
Her eyes instinctively drifted toward the bed. Unlike her own, which was adorned with lace canopies and lavish decorations, Carlos’s bed was simple yet far larger—easily accommodating several grown men.
True, that wasn’t the issue—the problem was sharing a bed with him.
Her eyes widened as she stared fixedly at the bed.
Of course, she knew Carlos didn’t mean anything improper by it. Everything was for clearing her false accusation.
She understood that… yet she still felt uneasy. Did it really have to go this far?
‘Should I say something?’
But would he even listen? He’d probably scold her for talking nonsense.
Just like others always had.
“If you have something to say, don’t hesitate—just say it.”
Carlos’s added words tipped her wavering heart in one direction.
“I don’t think we really need to share a bedroom. Lovers don’t necessarily have to sleep together…”
Nervous, Irene tightly gripped her damp skirt as she voiced her opinion.
“Of course, it would make us look like lovers… but it might seem too staged, and the priests could find it suspicious.”
“I see.”
Carlos paused briefly, then nodded indifferently.
“Fine. We’ll do as you say.”
Goodness—my opinion actually got through.
“Then I should prepare to greet the pigeons. You’ll meet them soon too, so go get ready. Jessie will come for you.”
“Yes.”
After bowing to Carlos and stepping outside, Irene stood before the closed bedroom door, her hand pressed to her chest. An unfamiliar sensation, stronger than any she’d felt in her life, swelled within her.
“Maybe… he’s not as bad as I thought.”
Again, she’d accidentally spoken her thoughts aloud and quickly covered her mouth.
Glancing quickly around to confirm no one was nearby, she hurried back toward her room.
*
Not long after, a report came in that the group of priests had entered Esper Castle.
Though preparations were already complete, Carlos didn’t immediately go to greet them. Instead, he leisurely sipped his tea.
Only when the rising steam had vanished and even the warmed teapot had cooled did he finally rise from the sofa.
Dewey followed behind Carlos as he headed toward the audience chamber where the priests waited.
“I checked—it doesn’t seem related to him.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
Then this matter must be the Temple’s unilateral action.
Though their behavior seemed so absurd that he’d assumed that scoundrel was involved—it appeared he’d been mistaken.
“Still, keep watching just in case.”
“Understood.”
Their conversation ended just as they reached the audience chamber. As Carlos entered, the waiting priests all turned to look at him.
Worn out from their long journey, fatigue was clearly etched on their faces—and resentment, too, for having been left waiting by Carlos for hours.
Carlos ignored their stares completely and sat down in the seat of honor. The middle-aged man leading the priestly delegation bowed respectfully.
“Your Serene Highness Grand Duke Carlos Duen Esper, I am Trope, a faithful servant of the Divine and of Paradigma. I offer you my humble greetings.”
Priests, once ordained, belonged solely to the Temple and thus bore no family names.
Carlos acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod and slouched casually into his seat—clearly not a welcoming posture by any standard.
New priests meeting Carlos for the first time would have been offended by his attitude, but not Trope. Calm and accustomed, he continued evenly.
“Though our visit is sudden, we thank you for personally welcoming us. May the Divine’s blessing…”
“Enough.”
Carlos flicked his hand, signaling he had no interest in hearing empty formalities.
“What’s the matter?”
“…….”
This time, Trope hesitated briefly, clearly displeased, before bowing again to answer.
“The reason for our visit concerns the witch currently under your protection, Your Serene Highness.”
Unlike his flat, toneless voice, Trope’s eyes burned with resolve as he lifted his head.
“By principle, witches are to be burned immediately upon discovery. Therefore, we humbly request that you surrender the witch into our custody.”
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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