I Don't Know the Original, I'm Too Busy Trying to Make a Living

Chapter 56

“That’s a misunderstanding. How could I possibly dare to confront the Mage Tower Master? Opposing you would mean turning the entire Mage Tower against me, and that’s simply unthinkable.”

Ahwin scoffed lightly.

Lianel, well aware that he was spouting insincere nonsense, simply responded with a faint smile.

Ahwin narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Lianel for a moment before abruptly stepping forward. Lianel obligingly moved aside to give him room.

Just as Ahwin was about to leave, he stopped and turned slightly.

“The only reason I don’t deal with you is because making an enemy of the Grand Duke of the North would be far too troublesome. And the same goes for you, doesn’t it? It would be a hassle to make the Mage Tower your adversary.”

“I believe you’re mistaken about me.”

Ahwin muttered under his breath, “You always slip away like a snake, don’t you?”

Then, speaking aloud, Ahwin continued, “But unlike you, I’m different. If you cross the line I’ve drawn, I might just decide the hassle is worth it.”

“Of course you would.”

The Grand Duke responded smoothly. Ahwin resumed his steps without another word.

Both men thought the same thing simultaneously.

‘What an insufferable bastard.’

‘What a thunderheaded idiot.’

***

As Ahwin left the drawing room, he unexpectedly made his way back to Penelope.

Penelope, deeply engrossed in reviewing documents in her office, was startled when she looked up to find Ahwin bent over her desk, staring at her intently, mere inches from her face.

“...”

“...Hmm.”

Ahwin lowered his gaze and stroked his chin. His thick lashes cast shadows, and beneath them, his eyes shone like gemstones meticulously crafted by a god. For a moment, his expression shifted, as though a thought had suddenly struck him.

“...So that’s how it is?”

“W-What is?” Penelope stammered, flustered by his sudden observation. But Ahwin simply continued to stare at her, as if analyzing or confirming something.

When he still didn’t step back after a prolonged silence, Penelope’s gaze wavered. She began to feel as if she couldn’t breathe properly.

“Why are you staring at me so intensely?” she finally asked.

“I need to talk to you. I’d like the secretary to step out for a bit,” Ahwin replied.

Before he had even finished speaking, Lucas had already stood up. When Penelope looked at him in disbelief, Lucas gave a quick explanation.

“I need to meet with the steward anyway. Please, feel free to talk.”@@@@

With that, Lucas exited the office, almost as though fleeing.

Now alone, Penelope suppressed a sigh and asked, “What is it you want to say?”

‘So it wasn’t just curiosity after all...’ Penelope realized, her face turning redder.

She hadn’t expected him to be so forthright, or for this revelation to come so suddenly.

“I’m not ready for this! There haven’t been any signs before now!” she protested.

“These kinds of feelings take time to acknowledge. Once you do, things move quickly,” Ahwin declared with unwavering confidence. Penelope was speechless, too stunned to retort. Asking him what kind of feelings he meant would only lead to trouble.

“I’ll never let anyone interrupt me again. Not this time,” Ahwin said, his gaze cold and ominous. She could guess exactly who he was referring to.

‘So the Grand Duke pressed the wrong button.’

Though she had no idea when or how it happened, it was clear that Lianel had provoked Ahwin in some way.

Penelope instinctively slid further away from him, putting some distance between them.

Ahwin narrowed his eyes. “What’s with the reaction? Am I that unappealing to you?”

‘Oh no, he said it out loud!’

Penelope felt like the room was spinning. She had never imagined Ahwin would be so direct about his feelings.

‘He seemed so oblivious to his own emotions, but that’s not the case at all?!’

“Uh... I’ll need some time to think about it. Let’s put the answer on hold,” she stammered.

“How much time?” Ahwin asked, his bluntness as disarming as ever.

Feeling completely overwhelmed, Penelope decided the best course of action was to flee. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might explode as she abruptly stood up.

Ahwin, looking as dejected as a puppy left in the rain, asked, “At least tell me how long I need to wait.”

“Well... until the territory is fully stabilized?”

Ahwin scowled, his brows furrowing deeply. “Are you joking? If the territory collapses, does that mean we’ll never see each other again?”

“Then you’d better work hard to ensure the territory thrives,” she retorted.

“You... I thought Lianel was the fox, but the real one’s sitting right here,” Ahwin said, unable to hide his disbelief.

Penelope straightened up, her expression resolute.

“In any case, I can’t answer right now!” she declared before dashing out of the office.

***

‘I didn’t sleep a wink.’

Penelope stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror before rubbing her eyes. Dark shadows hung heavily beneath them.

Thanks to one brazen and utterly straightforward wizard, she hadn’t gotten a single moment of rest all night.

‘I mean, wasn’t he so smitten with the heroine that he practically stopped eating? How can he be this confident now?’

At first, Penelope had been flustered, then shocked, and now she was downright annoyed with Ahwin.

‘What, does he think confessing his feelings is enough? What am I supposed to do now?’

Those thoughts had plagued her all night, keeping her tossing and turning in bed.