Evil Dragon Chapter 53: Wanting to Kiss You

Chapter 53: Wanting to Kiss You

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Aika

 

Lin Nuo originally thought that going to Clement’s estate would be a day trip, but Rennes mentioned staying for a while. Thus, on the second day, three large carriages set out together. Lin Nuo and Rennes naturally rode in the first carriage, while the steward, two chefs, and two servants rode in the second. As for the third carriage, it was filled with various luggage carefully packed by the steward.

Lin Nuo was very curious about why Rennes wanted to take him to Clement’s estate. Did it have any connection to his lessons or studies? Rennes calmly stated, “I just want Your Highness to see where I was born.”

Oh… That answer left Lin Nuo even more puzzled. Clement’s mansion was not in the city but was about a two-hour carriage ride away. By the time the carriage left the city, it was nearly noon.

Although it was in the outskirts, being in the middle of a carnival, there were still quite a few people out for a day trip. Some were leisurely lounging in hammocks hung on trees, while others were picnicking in small groups under the shade. Some were playing by the river with their children, and a few were sitting and playing bridge with laughter.

Overall, it was a lively scene. The coachman took some effort, driving along a small path quite a distance until they found a relatively quiet spot near the River Yuesha. They parked amidst the bushes. The steward quickly laid out picnic mats and meticulously arranged exquisite meals. Not a single dish was out of order. Watching this scene, Lin Nuo recalled the last time he sat under a tree eating dry bread and couldn’t help but marvel at the reliability of Clement’s steward.

Perhaps the steward had been informed by Rennes or someone else that Lin Nuo couldn’t drink alcohol. In every meal at Rennes’s home, no alcoholic beverages or after-dinner drinks were served. Even dishes like “red wine braised oxtails” never appeared.

This picnic was no exception. Even the desserts were completely alcohol-free little cakes. After finishing the dessert and sipping fragrant, hot red tea while staring absent-mindedly at the shimmering river surface, Lin Nuo heard the “coo coo” sound.

To others, it might sound like ordinary pigeon calls, but Lin Nuo understood. This was Martin, the pigeon spirit, calling “Young Master, Young Master.”

Huh? Did they see me with the knight and want to approach, something urgent, perhaps?

The pigeon spirits cooed louder, “Young Master, Young Master, we have results from what you asked us to investigate last time.”

Ah yes, Lin Nuo had asked them to find out the connection between the golden bell and the dragon clan, why he was so fascinated by that bell. Additionally, he had also asked them to check who from the dragon clan had come to “treat” Lin Nuo back then and if there was any relationship with the overly familiar Archbishop Eugene.

Both of these questions were quite important to Lin Nuo, hence why the pigeons had come risking danger. Even though Lin Nuo knew that the people around couldn’t understand the pigeons’ calls, he didn’t want them to blurt out the results. What if he had more questions for them? Should he let Rennes and the steward watch him speaking to a bunch of pigeons?

So Lin Nuo decided to find an excuse to spend some time alone with the pigeon spirits.

Just as he was pondering how to do it, Rennes spoke first, “Oh, it’s those chubby pigeons again.”

Lin Nuo’s heart skipped a beat. Could this person remember the appearance of every pigeon? To humans, don’t all pigeons look the same?

Rennes looked at the pigeons and handed Lin Nuo two small round bread rolls, saying, “Perhaps they’re hungry watching us have our picnic.”

Lin Nuo quickly took the bread rolls and followed up, “Yes, I’ll go feed the pigeons!”

After saying that, he waved the bread rolls and ran along the riverbank for a stretch, then squatted down, tearing the bread into small pieces. Originally, he just wanted to pretend to feed the pigeons, but unexpectedly, these pigeon spirits flew over genuinely and started pecking at the bread.

While eating, they also kept exclaiming, “Mmm, delicious, their bread is so fragrant.”

Lin Nuo: Hey, you guys, with so little sense, wouldn’t someone easily catch you and turn you into pigeon soup?

When there were no more crumbs left, Lin Nuo asked in a low voice, “What did you find out?”

Martin flapped his wings and said, “Young Master, we couldn’t find anyone from the dragon clan, so we still don’t know who came to treat you back then. But about the golden bell, we asked many goblins from different places and finally got some information. This golden bell was crafted over a thousand years ago. The gold used to cast this bell came from a gold mine near the Crystal Town. The Clement family managed the collection of these gold mines in those days! It’s said that they gave part of the gold mined to the church to cast the big bell, and the rest they kept for themselves. As for the gold they kept, whether they made it into golden utensils, coins, or something else, we don’t know.”

Clement was responsible for collecting the gold mines back then? The gold mined was used to make a bell, and the rest… the Clement family kept it for themselves? Lin Nuo’s fingers unconsciously touched the pocket watch he always carried. He didn’t know how much gold coin Rennes used to forge this pocket watch. Every time he touched it, he could feel the continuous flow of magic inside, showing no signs of weakening.

Right from the beginning, Rennes mentioned that they had a lot of these gold coins… So perhaps it was the gold mine itself that held magic? And this gold mine was partly used to cast the golden bell and partly made into gold coins? Did his attraction to the golden bell or gold coins root from the magic within the gold mine? But what did that represent or imply?

Lin Nuo scratched his head, unable to comprehend why the “children’s literature” setting had such intricate designs. Or did revealing these designs have something to do with unlocking hidden routes?

Just as Lin Nuo was puzzled, Rennes walked over, looked at the pigeons circling around Lin Nuo, reached out, grabbed one, and stroked its feathers, asking Lin Nuo, “What’s wrong? Your eyebrows are furrowed again.”

Seeing Rennes stroking the pigeon, Lin Nuo’s brows furrowed even more, his forehead almost crumpling together. “It’s nothing—just, Sir…”

Rennes continued to pat the pigeon’s small head, raising his eyebrows, “Hmm?”

At this point, the pigeon caught by Rennes was almost crying, its claws pointing upward, wings stiff, desperately looking at Lin Nuo. “Help, help… so, so scary…”

“Sir,” Lin Nuo glanced at his mouth, “please don’t touch these pigeons.”

Rennes chuckled, “Alright.”

After speaking, he tossed the pigeon into the air, releasing it. The other nearby pigeons quickly flew away as if escaping for their lives. Then Rennes crouched down, patted Lin Nuo’s head, and with a smile on his lips, said, “No cats, no touching pigeons, no keeping other pets, just you. Can I?”

What kind of words were these? I didn’t stop you from touching other animals because of that! It’s because I’m worried you’d scare the pigeon spirits into a faint! Unfortunately, Lin Nuo couldn’t say the real reason, so he blushed and managed to force out a sentence, “Sir, touching any other animals has nothing to do with me.”

Rennes didn’t argue further, just smiled faintly and asked Lin Nuo to prepare to return to the carriage.

Lin Nuo glanced at Rennes, whose eyes were filled with amusement, thinking, Why is he so happy when I stop him from touching the pigeons? Hmm, a knight’s mind is really hard to fathom. No wonder I can’t figure out what his true wish is.

The carriage moved smoothly, after about an hour, the carriage left the gravel road on the outskirts of Faro City and turned onto a country road. Lin Nuo curiously peeked out again:

Vast fields of wheat stretched endlessly, the green stalks swaying gently in the breeze, creating waves of grain. In the distance, by a small river, a large water wheel connected to a mill turned slowly under the flow of water. Scattered across the fields were groups of farmers, most of them resting in the shade, chatting and laughing, seeming content.

On the road embankment, several seven or eight-year-old children, with rosy faces and sturdy builds, clad in shorts, skirts, or loose clothing, played and laughed.

Lin Nuo gazed at this refreshing scene and couldn’t help but remark, “It looks like the farmers here lead a good life.”

Beside him, Rennes replied, “Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. This is already part of the Clement estate.”

Lin Nuo exclaimed, “Ah, is your family estate just ahead?”

Indeed, on both sides of the road, there were continuous cottages, white-bricked and black-stoned, appearing clean but somewhat plain.

Rennes chuckled, “No, it’s still an hour away.”

In his mind, Lin Nuo sighed again: The Clement family’s estate was incredibly vast, surprisingly sprawling just outside the capital!

As dusk approached, the carriage finally turned onto a grand road paved with cobblestones and granite. Along the road, geometrically trimmed plants and neat fountains adorned the surroundings. In the distance, one could faintly see adjacent farms and orchards.

At the end of the road, nestled among lush trees, stood a castle-like mansion, topped with a tower bearing flags. The golden rays of the setting sun bathed the mansion’s beige walls, reflecting a charming golden light from its arched windows.

Dazzled by the sun’s reflection, Lin Nuo felt a bit dizzy as he stepped down from the carriage.

Standing at the entrance, Lin Nuo looked around and felt something was amiss… Until he saw the steward stepping out of the carriage and immediately some young people in uniforms rushing out of the mansion to help with the luggage. That’s when he realized what was wrong:

Usually, when the master returns from a distant trip or when royalty visits, the servants line up to welcome them. Why was there none at this mansion?

At that moment, Rennes gently placed a hand on his shoulder, saying, “I don’t like too many people around, so I’ve kept only necessary hands.”

“Oh, I see,” Lin Nuo breathed a small sigh of relief. It seemed there wouldn’t be people watching him eat or rushing to hand him towels or judging him by “etiquette.”

With the steward busy tallying items, Rennes took on the roles of guide and aide himself. Instead of leading Lin Nuo to the living room or bedroom, he guided him around the back of the mansion.

When they pushed open a gate to the backyard, a serene lake, reflecting the hues of the surrounding trees, unfolded before Lin Nuo’s eyes. A vast expanse of deep green water occasionally rippled in the breeze, blending shadows and light into various shades of green and gold. White birds gracefully flapped their wings over the water, and a few unmanned boats gently swayed at the shore, seemingly ready to merge into the boundless lake.

“This is… this is incredibly beautiful,” Lin Nuo couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Your Highness, this was my favorite lake when I was young,” Rennes explained softly, his hand on Lin Nuo’s shoulder. “I used to row or swim here. Sometimes,” Rennes pointed to the forest across, “I’d go hunting in the forest on the other side.”

Lin Nuo was captivated by the water and trees, eager to suggest rowing or fishing but feeling too childish to say it out loud.

Unexpectedly, Rennes spoke first, “Tomorrow, after I help Your Highness finish your studies, shall we come to the lake to row?”

Lin Nuo was so excited that he almost jumped, eagerly agreeing, “Yes! Yes!”

After admiring the lake and forest, Rennes led Lin Nuo back to the mansion, sharing memories of his childhood study room and the courtyard where he and Roy played hide and seek… As Lin Nuo listened, he laughed, imagining himself as a solemn little knight despite being three or five years old, tiny limbs but still behaving like a miniature adult.

He didn’t know why Rennes was telling him all this, but when he heard Rennes talk about how they were once so good at hiding during hide and seek that their parents couldn’t find them, resulting in being located by a magical circle and then scolded, he laughed until tears welled up.

At dinnertime, just as Rennes had said, apart from the steward, Lin Nuo didn’t see any other servants. Moreover, Rennes changed the dining location from a grand dining hall with a long table to a small parlor next to the bedroom. They sat face to face at a round table, enjoying various dishes.

This made Lin Nuo feel particularly at ease, and even the dinner seemed tastier. However… Lin Nuo looked at the butter-roasted oysters in front of him, a bit puzzled.

“What’s wrong?” Rennes also stopped his fork and knife.

Lin Nuo shook his head and said, “Nothing, I just noticed that all my dishes tonight have either oysters or lobsters.”

Whether it was appetizers, main courses, or grilled meats, they all had these two types of seafood. Was this a Clement family tradition? He glanced at Rennes’s plate: That’s odd, Rennes’s meal was just ordinary lamb or beef, no oysters at all.

Rennes was momentarily stunned, then pursed his lips and discreetly glanced at the steward nearby. The steward immediately bowed and said, “If Your Highness doesn’t like these dishes…”

Lin Nuo hurriedly said, “The taste is excellent. There’s nothing I dislike.”

Rennes directly said, “From tomorrow, his dishes will be the same as mine, no need to ‘worry’ so much, understood?”

The steward felt uneasy inside but nodded, saying, “Understood.”

Actually, since Rennes refused to prepare “special items for the Prince” yesterday, the steward had been puzzled. Especially after learning that Rennes would bring Lin Nuo back to the ancestral estate, the steward was even more perplexed. As a rule, the Clement family’s ancestral estate never received outsiders, not even Heinrich. The only person who could return to the Clement family estate with the master was only the master’s partner.

Although Prince Your Highness’s status was somewhat special, in the steward’s mind, that status wasn’t the issue. Since Rennes brought Your Highness back to the ancestral estate, Prince Your Highness would undoubtedly be the master’s other half in the future. So why wouldn’t those things be “temporarily” needed…

The steward felt extremely worried. Could it be that these two hadn’t reached that level yet? How was that possible? The night before, last night, and today, both of them were clearly going to sleep in the same room, on the same bed. Why would they not need those things yet? If something happened to His Highness, it would be bad! The steward grew even more anxious. Unless… Could it be that Prince Your Highness wasn’t capable, so Sir hadn’t…

The steward, after thinking it over, found that this was the only reasonable possibility. Therefore, to ensure that Prince Your Highness was capable, he had instructed the chef to prepare many dishes that would “enhance capability.” Unexpectedly, it was refused by Sir again.

The steward was utterly baffled, unable to comprehend Sir’s actions. Well, forget it. It’s better not to worry too much and just follow Sir’s requests. The steward felt somewhat disheartened.

Every day after that, as Rennes had predicted, once they finished their studies together, Lin Nuo and Rennes would wander aimlessly around the large estate.

Sometimes, they would try fishing by the lake, but Lin Nuo often failed to catch any fish. In the end, Rennes would release the fish he caught, considering it a “draw” between them.

Other times, they would ride horses and hunt in the forest. Despite the availability of magical traps for easy prey capture, Rennes taught Lin Nuo how to use a bow and arrow. Occasionally, they would stroll around the nearby farm, attempting to help farmers pick fruits. Lin Nuo even climbed apple trees a few times, jumping from branch to branch to pick apples. Rennes quietly drew a magical circle to ensure Lin Nuo wouldn’t fall, watching him with a smile.

In the evenings, they would jump out of the tower window onto a spacious platform and gaze at the stars together. The night sky there was exceptionally beautiful, free from any human-made lights, displaying only the purest form of stars. Lin Nuo would tell Rennes stories of constellations, slightly modifying them into fairy tales. Each time, Rennes would listen attentively, supporting his chin with his hand.

Late at night, when Lin Nuo started yawning, Rennes would take his hand, and they would return to their room. Yes, they shared the same room. Because Rennes said he couldn’t sleep well alone and wanted to hold Lin Nuo for warmth. And so, day by day, they continued sleeping together.

Every morning, when Lin Nuo woke up, he would see Rennes gazing at him with eyes even more beautiful than the stars, hiding a smile.

Sometimes, Rennes would lean in and plant a gentle kiss on Lin Nuo’s forehead. When Rennes’ lips touched his forehead, Lin Nuo felt his heart melting. He even hoped that maybe Rennes would kiss other places too, but it never happened. Except for the forehead kiss, there was nothing else.

Until that day. Lin Nuo didn’t keep track of how long he stayed in the mansion. Every week, he would use a crystal to report his study progress to the king and answer the king’s questions. The king never asked when he planned to return to the palace. Until golden stars appeared on the deep green trees.

Rennes told him that the palace personnel had finally finished their investigation, and he could return to the palace. Return to the palace?

While eating strawberry pudding made by Rennes, Lin Nuo felt a sense of the dream coming to an end, and he began to feel a bit absent-minded. But there was no other way. He couldn’t stay in Clement’s mansion forever.

After finishing the last bite of the pink pudding, Lin Nuo put down the silver spoon and stared blankly at the dessert plate. Rennes said it was a pudding made with strawberries to thank him for the rice pudding he made. Rennes also mentioned trying apple pie and blueberry jelly for him in the future.

Lin Nuo told Rennes he would make a dish he had never eaten—tomato and egg stir-fry. When Rennes heard the name of the dish, his eyebrows twitched, unable to imagine what it looked like. But all those plans seemed impossible once he returned to the palace.

Looking at the melancholic little prince, Rennes stood up, patted his head, and said, “Shall we go to the lake?”

Lin Nuo quickly nodded, leaving the napkin and grabbing Rennes’ hand, heading towards the lake.

Rennes got on a small boat first, then helped Lin Nuo onto it, untied the boat’s rope, and let it float on the lake. Summer had passed, and occasionally, a few leaves fell silently from the trees by the lake, gently decorating the water’s surface. As usual, Lin Nuo took off his shoes and soaked his feet in the cool lake water, staring around absentmindedly.

“The water is cold; pull your feet back,” Rennes whispered.

“Oh,” Lin Nuo obediently pulled his feet back but remained barefoot. Instead of daydreaming about the surroundings, he gazed at Rennes.

“What’s wrong?” Rennes also looked at him, with a sparkle in his eyes.

Lin Nuo moved his lips, struggling to produce coherent sounds.

“Hmm?” Rennes didn’t say anything, but why did his eyes seem to contain so many words?

“I…,” Lin Nuo managed to say one word.

Rennes held his hand, not urging him, just quietly looking at him.

“I… I want…” Lin Nuo’s mind was buzzing, and his cheeks began to blush. Despite being in the refreshing lake, he felt like he was sitting next to a volcano. What do I want? What can I get from this person? He fulfills all my wishes, stays by my side, can I trust him? But why does he accompany me? Is it because of duty? Because of my status?

Just when Lin Nuo’s thoughts were in chaos, Rennes leaned forward slightly, half-closed his eyes, and lightly kissed Lin Nuo’s lips. Like dewdrops, fleeting. Rennes held his shoulders, and Lin Nuo stared blankly at this person.

“This is what I wanted,” Rennes said. His voice was calm, steady, like the lake water, seemingly cold but holding countless tenderness and indulgence. Rennes continued. “I wanted to express my affection for Lin Nuo, so I kissed you. It’s unrelated to your identity, past, or future. It’s unrelated to any other reasons or excuses. Just because, you are you.”

Rennes’ fingers moved from Lin Nuo’s forehead, slowly tracing his hairline, his eyebrows, his nose bridge, finally stopping at his lips. “I like you, so I want to kiss you, accompany you, make you happy, make you smile all the time, keep you away from all pain and loneliness, and… I want to be one with you. Linno, in my eyes, you are an unexpected surprise,” Rennes’ eyes, like the most brilliant starry sky, were radiant and twinkling, “and you are my only, irreplaceable future. It’s okay if you don’t understand… I can…” 

Rennes wanted to say he could wait. But Lin Nuo didn’t let him finish his sentence. The prince, like a frantic little creature, timidly and expectantly pressed his lips against Rennes’s. He even tried to imitate his teacher, using a trembling tongue to timidly touch the other’s lips.

“Did I do it right?” the eager and earnest prince asked.

“Um…” Rennes suddenly felt a bit hoarse in his throat. Rennes’ voice sounded unusually sluggish. “N-No need to rush, take it slow.” 

Lin Nuo leaned in again. This time, the kiss lasted for a while. The responsible teacher and the serious student, advancing and retreating, helping each other, continuously learning. When they finally separated, Lin Nuo felt like he was a fireball. If he didn’t do something soon, he might explode.

In that dazed moment, he suddenly had a glimpse of understanding why Rennes insisted on drinking ice water and taking cold showers when he wasn’t looking. So… that’s how it is… His heart trembled, and his hands began to explore tentatively.

Rennes’s body suddenly jerked, his voice hoarse, “Your Highness?!”

Lin Nuo didn’t dare to look up or answer, his face blushing intensely, but he persistently continued.

Until Rennes grabbed his wrist, his voice hoarse, “No need…”

Perhaps when shame reaches a certain point, it becomes indifferent? Lin Nuo bit his lip, forcing out the shamefully embarrassing words with a hint of a sob, “I-I-I want… I want to… I want to… do the things you did to me… together with you…”

This time, Rennes didn’t stop him. The small boat in the middle of the lake began to sway aimlessly, spinning and drifting off who knows how far.

 

 

 

 

 

This Title is available for faster chapter releases through paid Patreon membership. Any proceeds go to keeping the website running. Check it out HERE.