I kept in touch with Lethias even right before I returned, but Benya had been completely silent for the past two years.
I had heard that he was extremely busy, so I thought so, but on the other hand, there were times when I felt uneasy.
It was a useless thought, but I wonder if he started to feel uncomfortable with me, maybe my existence was an obstacle for him to completely erase his memory of that time...
“Would you like to go if you are not tired? It’s quite an ambitious work, but I want you to see it.”
“Can I? It's not even finished yet. Can you just reveal it like this?”
As I stared at him, half of Lethias’s face reddened, then he suddenly angrily shouted out of the blue.
“No, that guy Benya always rejects me! It’s a topic that has not yet been decided on!”
That's right. Not only your height but also your voice has become so great, my Duke. It seems that a lot has changed over the years.
“It doesn't matter! Whatever happens, it's always up to him! Then if it failed then it will all be up to me but when it succeeded then it’s because of him alone!”
No, why is the story going like that again? Ha, it feels like the emotion I felt a while ago is suddenly shattered. Anyway, with that ill temper.
“Just push through. After all, Oppa is the head, aren’t you?”
I knew roughly what rumors were circulating in the world. What is being said about them, and about the vicious rumors surrounding Serpente lately…
Rumors of royal family involvement, rumors of involvement with underground families...
There were also rumors that the current duke was just a puppet head. That he is just his younger brother’s puppet. No wonder…
Talking about people whom you can't even speak about in front of those people. I swallowed a bitter smile and patted the hot-tempered duke on the back.
“I guess you two still fight often these days. Anyway, you two are still acting the same.”
Then, Lethias smiled again as if he had never done that before. His white, dapper teeth glistened in the setting sun.
"Let's go. You came too, so this time I'm going to give you a hard talking to.”
"Wow… How many rooms does it have in total?"
"Three hundred and seventeen. Now, I can't even remember how it all looked."
It was easy to understand. The building stands majestically in the area between Central Station and the Python Bank branch.
With a red brick base, the gable and small pagoda exterior exude a luxurious palace-like feel.
Everything was splendid: the windows with round curves, the spire reaching high into the sky, the ridge, the balustrade, and the mural decorations.
Moreover, there's a huge fountain adorning the garden, who would have imagined it was once an abandoned museum that no one visited?
Lethias observes my reaction with a satisfied expression as I admire the building's exterior. It's truly something to brag about. He must be very proud.
"Isn't it cool?"
"…Yes. It's even more amazing than I thought."
"But when you go inside, you might be disappointed. The outside is mostly finished, but the inside isn't quite there yet."
"The construction has just finished, so that's understandable."
Despite Lethias's warning about potential disappointment, the interior of the hotel was equally impressive.
An incredibly long and wide corridor stretched out endlessly, with concrete floors, granite columns, arched stairwells, crystal revolving doors, and hydraulic lifts, all designed with innovation and luxury in mind.
Wow, money really works wonders. Show me the money, a triumph of civilization, a victory...!
"Here you are, Duke."
"Good evening. Where's Benya?"
"He went somewhere for a while, but he'll be back soon."
Ugh, that arrogant jerk. It's been so difficult for us to meet again after 7 years. By the way, is that man one of those in charge? He looks kind of similar to the guy I met at the port earlier...
"Who is he?"
I asked as we both got on the lift together. Lethias replied with a shrug.
"He's supervising the construction."
"Oh, he's unexpectedly impressive."
"Ahaha, 'unexpectedly,' he might be offended to hear that."
"Because I didn't see him that way."
As I playfully threw those words, the guy who had been smiling with pride suddenly looked down. Then he evasively asked back.
"Then, how did you see him?"
Anyway, you're not very good at hiding things, our eldest young master. It's obvious that there's something else you're trying to hide, but I wonder if you're afraid I'll be scared?
"Well… Anyway, where are we going now?"
"To the rooftop. Just to show you around while we wait for him."
The lift stopped on the top floor, and we got off arm in arm. Once again, I was filled with admiration and wonder.
"Wow!"
Sacks of soil were stacked one after another next to the half-finished glass greenhouse, giving it the appearance of a sky lounge.
As I passed the glass fountain and approached the railing, I could see the splendid scenery of the center of the Imperial capital at a glance.
Aristocratic mansions centered around the central church towered high against the indigo sky, Lisa Square lit up with multi-colored lanterns, Avalon Police Station, Astoria Street lined with opera theaters, department stores, and specialty shops, countless carriages going in all directions, and numerous men and women strolling arm in arm.
It was a fantastic and lively landscape. Phew, this is what it's like to have an amazing view.
I used to live in such a high place, but I never knew what the view was like...
"What are you thinking about? You suddenly look gloomy. Is it worse than you expected?"
Did my expression show that much? I smiled slightly and shook my head.
"No way. It's so awesome that I was just blown away for a moment. Being right next to the station, it'll be convenient for travelers to come and go."
"Right? There's an underground channel down here, too."
"A channel?"
"It's more like a canal shopping mall, where you can buy souvenirs while riding a gondola on the waterway. In other words, you can stay, shop, and play casino at this hotel. Isn't it great?"
Who's saying he isn't a Serpente again? It was a brilliant idea for him to buy that old museum and turn it into such a fantastic hotel.
The location, with the central station and Python Bank on the left and right, is optimal for accommodation and a casino. Hmm, I wonder whose idea all of this was...
"You're thinking that there's no way such a plan came from my head right now."
"…I'm not?"
"I don't really think so."
"You seem to have such a guilty conscience, Oppa."
His sky-blue eyes, so high up, started to gaze at me. I didn't back down; instead, I met that gaze head-on. In response, he burst into laughter.
"Wow, but it's still hard to believe you're here."
"Same here. No, I can't get used to how big Oppa has become."
"Am I not having trouble getting used to your size too? I wonder where that little kid went…"
Lethias put his arm around my shoulder and mumbled softly, followed by a moment of silence.
It was as if we were simply looking at the night view side by side, but in that brief hush, we knew we were thinking the same thing.
If Estelle had been here.
If only we could have lived together and seen this scenery together.
If she were alive now...
"Duke?"
Just then, someone approached with an urgent look as the lift bell rang. It was the same construction supervisor from earlier.
"What's the matter?"
"That's…"
Although he approached hurriedly, the supervisor hesitated and looked at both of us, whispering something cautiously into Lethias's ear. And...
"What?!"
Lethias, who had been listening silently with a vexed expression, suddenly exclaimed, startling me, who was watching in confusion.
Anger and embarrassment crossed the face of the hot-tempered duke, who quickly lowered his voice.
"How are you handling it…."
"I'm sorry. We'll take care of it quietly among ourselves, so go to a safe place for now..."
"What safe place? My own hotel looks unsafe. What are you talking about now?"
"I-I'm sorry. But right now..."
Lethias was about to grab the poor guy by the neck and shake him, but fortunately, he restrained himself. Instead, he turned away, breathing heavily like an angry brown bear.
"That's enough, keep her safe. I'm just gonna…!"
"No, Duke, it's dangerous…"
"You're being too loud!"
Leaving behind that desperate command, our duke immediately entered the lift and disappeared. I didn't even have a chance to stop him.
I closed my mouth, which had been hanging open. The supervisor, frozen with a bewildered expression, also closed his mouth and looked back at me. It felt awkward.
"... Well, I'll take you to a safe place."
"What's going on?"
"It's not a big deal, so don't worry. Come this way..."
I knew I wouldn't get a detailed answer if I pressed further, so I followed the supervisor downstairs.
As soon as we reached the eighth floor, we passed many rooms and headed into a recessed alcove at the end of the hallway. Surprisingly, there was a small door there.
"Stay here quietly. It will be over soon..."
Bang!
Hello thats for the translation. But there are a few chapters that are missing can you please see to that
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