Chapter 24
Perhaps Abel’s unblinking stare was making him uncomfortable, or perhaps Felix simply disliked being looked at by Abel. In any case, Felix took a step back as he answered.
So that was where he’d seen them before. They must have been to the Pope’s taste.
Abel once again looked Felix over from head to toe. Whatever Felix made of that scrutiny, he spoke with a smiling face.
“Didn’t you tell me yourself? That I shouldn’t dare defy His Eminence.”
That wasn’t what Abel had meant, but seeing the deliberately mocking curve of Felix’s eyes, he decided to let it slide for now.
What Felix was wearing was not what mattered at the moment.
“Felix, are you really going to come with me?”
Even though Abel had never told Felix not to come, he had expected him to take the lack of a direct order as an opportunity to rebel, if only for today.
Yet Felix, dressed so beautifully and splendidly, showed no sign of doing so.
Thinking it might be uncomfortable for Felix to bring it up first, Abel decided to ask instead. Felix answered with a bright smile.
“Do I even have a choice in the matter?”
“I’m not completely devoid of common sense.”
Even knowing everything about Felix’s family circumstances, Abel was not heartless enough to drag him there against his will.
“That’s surprising.”
Apparently, Felix did not believe him in the slightest.
“If you don’t want to come, you don’t have to.”
To be honest, it made no difference to Abel whether Felix accompanied him or not. He had only intended to leave Felix behind because he knew Felix disliked being the center of attention.
“Since I’ve already gone to such lengths dressing up, I might as well come along.”
But for someone who had always refused to step into the spotlight, Felix’s sudden change in attitude seemed suspicious.
“Did Gregory tell you that you had to attend or something?”
Abel asked out of concern, only to be met with criticism once again.
“Lord Abel, you’re the only one who ever forces me to do anything.”
What exactly had he forced him to do now? As far as Abel was concerned, he had given Felix as much freedom as possible. If he gave him any more, he would either never see so much as a strand of Felix’s hair again, or Felix would end up in danger.
However, there didn’t seem to be enough time to explain all of that, so Abel repeated himself.
“I’m saying you really don’t have to come.”
But Felix appeared to have already made up his mind.
“No. I need to know what on earth you’ve been saying.”
And it seemed that his reason stemmed from a fundamental distrust of Abel.
Felix stared at him as though watching a stray spark that could fly off in any direction at any moment.
“You say those sorts of things even when I’m there. I’m deeply concerned about what you might be saying when I’m not around.”
‘So he intends to keep an eye on me?’
Felix truly knew nothing. Whenever they were together, Abel actually paid far more attention to what he said and did than usual in an effort to make a good impression on him.
“I haven’t said anything particularly strange.”
Even when Abel grumbled in wounded protest, Felix ignored him with a clear don’t be ridiculous expression.
It seemed he really would have to take Felix with him.
‘Won’t he regret this later?’
Once Felix came along, there would be no turning back.
Still, since Felix seemed completely determined, asking any further would only waste time. Instead, Abel scraped together the last remnants of his consideration.
“What would you like me to do when it comes to your parents?”
Since he had unintentionally put Felix in a position where he would have to face his infamous family, Abel wanted to avoid doing anything Felix might dislike if at all possible.
Just as he resolved to do his best, Felix replied with a bright, refreshing smile.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
When Abel echoed the word, Felix added firmly:
“Treat them as you would complete strangers who have nothing to do with me.”
Hmm. That doesn’t sound particularly wise either.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.”
If that was what Felix wanted, then…
And just as Abel had expected, fewer than five sentences after meeting the Duke and Duchess, Felix’s expression had turned icy.
“The way you’re looking at my man displeases me. Look elsewhere.”
Weren’t you the one who told me to treat them as though they weren’t your family?
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