Chapter 7
“Don’t force yourself to smile.”
He didn’t want to see that kind of fake smile. And yet, Felix continued to beam, ever so politely, like nothing was wrong.
‘Does he just not want to answer me?’
Maybe this was how he expressed anger — by smiling so perfectly it felt like a slap. And the more Abel considered it, the more even that artificial smile struck him as beautiful.
Following the upward curve of Felix’s lips, Abel mirrored it slowly, deliberately.
“Adorable.”
He still preferred people who expressed their anger openly, but this sort of petulant elegance was charming in its own way.
Really, how had he not noticed Felix sooner? It wasn’t until Felix had followed him out of the temple after his disgrace that Abel had even registered his presence. Before that, Felix had always lingered at the back of the group, barely noticeable.
But then again, Abel hadn’t remembered the names or faces of the people standing at the front either.
‘So it’s my fault, isn’t it?’
With that rare conclusion came an equally rare impulse: to apologize first.
“Yes, I was wrong.”
Of course, the problem remained that he still had no idea what he’d done wrong, but that could be solved. He could just ask.
“I just don’t know exactly why you’re so upset. Will you tell me?”
Abel looked at Felix’s icy blue eyes with a smile.
“……”
The forced smile Felix had been holding onto vanished from his lips in an instant. Abel welcomed the sharp gaze that now scanned his face with quiet delight.
‘What do I look like right now?’
He didn’t know. He had never paid much attention to his appearance, usually just wearing whatever the temple attendants dressed him in.
Still, in front of someone he loved, he wanted to look good if possible…
“Why are you smiling like that?”
He was the one who asked the question first, but… well, since he loved him, he’d let it go.
“Because I like you.”
“Are you really being sincere right now?”
“I’m always sincere.”
He had never really lived the kind of life where he lied about things like this. But if Felix didn’t believe him, then it wouldn’t be so bad to keep saying it until he did.
“I love you.”
But no sooner had the confession left his lips than Felix’s gaze turned fierce.
“Please stop.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to hear it.”
“Hmm. Are you embarrassed?”
The look Felix gave him, one of pure disbelief, made it clear that Abel’s guess had missed the mark.
“Not that, huh? Then why?”
“Have you always asked this many questions?”
“Maybe I have. I just have a lot I want to know about you.”
Haah. Felix let out a deep sigh and lowered his gaze, looking tired. Watching his expression, Abel asked another question.
“But I really am curious. Why does getting insulted behind your back upset you so much? Not even to your face, just behind your back.”
When Felix didn’t respond, Abel added a reason why he needed an answer.
“If I don’t know why you were upset, I might make the same mistake again.”
At that, Felix finally raised his eyes to meet Abel’s. It seemed that reason struck a chord.
“Assuming your question is sincere, I’ll answer honestly.”
Gone was the fake smile, gone was the animosity. Felix, face now expressionless, finally spoke.
“What upsets me is hearing that you love me.”
That’s what it’s about? Abel, who had never cared whether others liked or disliked him, was briefly taken aback.
“I have no intention of accepting your feelings.”
“That’s why you’re angry? Because you don’t feel the same?”
At Abel’s direct question, Felix widened his eyes. Then, as if making up his mind, he replied.
“Yes, I don’t like you, Abel.”
Abel calmly spoke as he stared intently into Felix’s blue eyes swirling with negative emotions.
“Thank you for answering. But Felix, I already knew you disliked me.”
Felix’s blue eyes trembled dreadfully.
“Therefore, I also know you never had any intention of accepting my feelings.”
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