The Sickly Grand Duke is Obsessed with Me

pression of her intention not to talk anymore.
Nevertheless, there was no change in Astein’s expression.
Rather, it seemed like he was scolding her for complaining about why she was working hard with his arms folded casually.

‘Ugh, that brat is colder than Siberian ice water.’

Elusiana lifted the cold teacup and swallowed it coolly.

‘Okay.
What do I expect from him? I’m an idiot who expected something from him.’

Elusiana shook her head and lowered her gaze under her feet.
A cute little creature that had been going back and forth under her feet clung to her ankle as soon as it caught her gaze.

“Oh my, our cutie Soda.”

“Meow.”

Elusiana lifted Soda with her skillful hand.

Soda was a stray cat that Trisha had found in the corner of the garden a few days ago.
Its fluffy milky fur stood out so much that she gave the name ‘Soda’ in particular.

“Our Soda, are you bored?”

“Meow.”

Elusiana rubbed her nose against Soda’s nose.
Then Soda fluttered and wagged its tail gracefully.

“As expected, our Soda is the only one who understands my heart.”

Elusiana, barely holding onto the corners of her droopy lips, placed Soda on her lap.
At that time, Astein, who had been quiet for a while, finally opened his mouth.

“Elusiana.”

“Yes?”

Elusiana, who was distracted by Soda, answered without sincerity.
But, of course, she didn’t get any answer.
She, who was tapping Soda’s butt, lifted her head.

“Why? Just tell me.”

“…”

“Hey!”

Elusiana, who frowned, glared at him with a look, ‘Are you kidding me?’.
But Astein remained still with a mysterious expression on his face.
No, for some reason, he seemed to be staring at Soda.

“What? Do you have something to say to Soda?”

“…”

“Huu- Stop it.
Don’t say anything.
I will pretend I didn’t hear you.”

‘He was pleasing to my eyes to some extent.
But I can’t stand it any longer if he ignores me like this.’

She was not a saint.
Normally, it was something she would have just let go of.
Because her personality was originally like that.
But it didn’t work out well today.
Perhaps the anger that had accumulated so far had reached her throat.
It wasn’t enough just to turn her head, so she turned her body completely.

‘Eish, I don’t know either.
I don’t care how it comes to an end.
Do you think you’re the only one who has a temper? I have a temper too!’

It was at that moment.
Soda, sitting still on her lap, levitated in an instant.

“Meeeoooww!”

The screams of Soda rang through her ears.
Startled, Elusiana got up from her seat, screaming at him.

“Astein! What are you doing!”

Elusiana was shocked to see Astein, who was already near her.
But the main problem now was that Soda was held by Astein’s hand at the back of its neck.

“Give me back Soda, Astein.”

“Give back?”

“What?”

The cat in Astein’s hand struggled like crazy.
Every time, its neck was trembling precariously as if choked.
Seeing that, Elusiana’s heart sank.

The cat in Astain’s hand struggled frantically.
Every time, it shook dangerously as if it was strangled.

“Meow… Meeooow.”

“P-Put it down for now.
Soda is going to die at this rate!”

Elusiana stretched out her arms to snatch Soda away somehow.
However, she couldn’t even touch the tip of its fur, no matter what she did.

‘He’s shorter than me, so why can’t I reach him?’

Elusiana, who stamped her feet, gritted her teeth and shouted, “What’s your grudge with me! If you have any complaints, tell me.
If there’s something you don’t like, take it out on me.
Why are you bothering the innocent Soda?”

“You—”

Astein, who raised one corner of his lips slanted, asked as she met his abyss-like gaze.

“Why did you come to me?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden? It doesn’t matter now!”

“It’s important.”

“…what?”

Elusiana was so dumbfounded.
Soda’s breath was about to stop right now, but what was this ridiculous question?

“Astein!”

“Answer me.”

A red color that was deeper and more vivid than blood.
Those red eyes filled with flames fluttered intensely as if to capture her gaze.
Astein, who took a step closer, whispered softly, “is it to see me? If not—”

Astein’s gaze slowly turned to Soda.

“Maybe for another reason.”

It was just then.
Soda, who was struggling, suddenly swung his front paw.

“Meeeoooww!”

Astein clicked his tongue and avoided it lightly.
Frowning at the displeasure, he squeezed Soda’s neck tightly.

“Meow.
Meoow.
Mew.”

“Soda! Soda!”

 

* * *

 

Surprised, Elusiana clung to Astein’s arm.
Tears were forming in the corners of her eyes as she screamed.
Astein looked at her with incomprehensible eyes.

‘Why are you weeping for an animal?’

As soon as Astein paused, Elusiana snatched Soda.

“Soda!”

“Meoowww.”

Soda, who was barely saved, roared with joy.

Elusiana glared at Astein while holding Soda she had stolen from his arms.