AHEIAID Chapter 24: My Feelings for You
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Morning.
The biological clock imprinted in his body was more precise than any timepiece. Just a second before the butler knocked on the door, long, thick eyelashes fluttered open from deep-set eyes. Light filtered through those golden "feathers," reflecting in his gold-green irises as if liquid was flowing inside them.
The daze lasted only a moment before clarity returned.
Lucian entered with the servants, smiling when he saw his master was already awake. “Today is your day off, sir. The only event on your schedule is the banquet in the evening, so you could sleep a little longer, Lord Heine.”
“No need.” Garius sat up, his voice husky from sleep.
His long golden curls, smooth and winding, slid from his pointed ears, cascading down his neck, pooling in the hollow of his collarbone. His cold, sharp profile tilted downward, half-lidded eyes instinctively landing on the small human curled up by his legs, still fast asleep.
“Keep your voice down. Joey’s still sleeping.”
“Understood, my lord.” Lucian smiled and signaled a servant to bring his master's clothes. “The weather is nice today. Perhaps you could take little Joey to the estate’s lawn for a bit? He’s always staring at those two unicorns.”
“Mhm.”
Garius didn’t look up. His gaze remained fixed on the peaceful, sleeping face in front of him. A cold hand brushed against a flushed, warm cheek, fingertips stroking along the temple and into soft curls. He absentmindedly kneaded those fluffy little ringlets, over and over.
The tension in his face, tight from waking up, visibly eased.
A good day always starts with petting.
Lucian, observing his master’s actions, shook his head helplessly. My lord, you just said not to wake little Joey, but at this rate, he’s going to wake up anyway.
And sure enough, before Lucian could even remind him, the little human under the blankets stirred.
Lucian: See? Told you so.
He turned to signal another servant to prepare the small one’s clothes.
"Haaah~"
Still groggy from sleep, Joey felt an itch on his scalp and face. He yawned and opened his eyes—only to find Garius pulling at his curls again.
Your hair is way better than mine. Why do you always have to play with mine…? Joey grumbled internally. He was too lazy to get mad about it at this point.
Knowing that the more Garius touched him, the more that damn favorability score would rise, Joey quickly shoved away the cool hand on his head. Wrapping himself in the blanket, he sat up with a messy bird’s nest of hair, yawning as he mumbled in Ottoman's language:
“Mornin’… ha~ Garius, Lucian.”
“Good morning, little Joey.” Lucian teased with a smile. “We have your favorite milk pudding and fruit pie for breakfast today, so you better get up quickly—otherwise, my lord will eat them all.”
“Fruit pie?! I’m up, I’m up!”
The moment he heard about food, Joey’s sleepy dog eyes instantly lit up!
He bolted out of the blankets, obediently sitting on the edge of the bed with his hands on his knees, waiting for the servants to dress him.
His face was still imprinted with pillow marks, his legs dangled off the bed, and his big, happy grin made his excitement painfully obvious. Even without understanding his language, it was clear as day he was saying: “I’m super well-behaved! Please give me two extra pieces!”
Even the well-trained servants couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
The only person who didn’t smile—was Garius.
When Joey had pushed his hand away earlier, his brows furrowed slightly.
And now, after both of them were dressed, Garius crouched down, gently cupping Joey’s face—leaning in to place a kiss on those soft, plush lips that he had grown to love.
But Joey suddenly clamped his hands over his mouth.
“Joey?”
Garius' expression darkened.
“Uh…”
Joey didn't dare meet his gaze. In a flash, he ducked under Garius' arm and sprinted out of the room, shouting "Fruit pie! Fruit pie!" as if he was just too excited about breakfast.
…But who was he trying to fool?
Lucian noticed the chilling coldness that immediately settled over his master’s expression. Though confused, he still attempted to reassure him:
“Perhaps humans also go through a rebellious phase, my lord.”
Garius didn’t reply.
Ever since two days ago, his little pet had started rejecting his touch.
But why?
Why was Joey avoiding him?
He couldn't understand.
From the moment they met, to when he officially took him in, their interactions had always been filled with sweet dependency, trust, and warmth.
Even the tamest pet would show its fangs sometimes—but Joey never did.
His little human was soft, sweet, and obedient—like a piece of marshmallow.
Every little triumphant expression of his made Garius subconsciously smile along with him.
And ever since that day when the little thing fought through his fear to return to his side after the attack—
Heine’s towering, impenetrable walls cracked open, just a little, for this tiny visitor.
Day by day, they had grown closer.
He had never once scolded or punished Joey, and Joey had always accompanied him loyally.
It was perfect.
So perfect that Garius couldn't comprehend—
Why was Joey suddenly pulling away?
Garius had already gotten used to it.
Used to the fact that Joey’s every emotion revolved around him.
Used to the fact that he was Joey’s entire world.
Used to being his master—and receiving all of Joey’s attention and affection.
And now, for the first time—he had been rejected.
The crushing disappointment sank deep into his chest.
Had he lost Joey’s favor?
Did he not matter to him anymore?
Confusion, subtle anger, and an indescribable something else.
For the first time, the young "Ottoman's god" felt a rare sense of bewilderment.
He turned to his butler, his expression so unusual that Lucian blinked in surprise.
"Do I have bad breath?" Garius asked seriously.
"…"
"Lucian."
"… Uh, I swear you don’t! In every aspect, you're perfect!"
Lucian quickly snapped back to his senses. He couldn’t believe it—had he really just seen hurt and disappointment in his master’s eyes?!
Alarmed, he immediately launched into a flurry of reassurances, pouring out all the comforting words he could think of. Finally, he offered:
“Humans are just like Ottoman's children—intelligent, obedient, and innocent… but their thoughts can be erratic and unpredictable. Maybe Joey’s recent behavior is just a passing whim. Perhaps by tomorrow, everything will be back to normal! After all, little Joey likes you so much.”
Garius' expression softened at those last words: "Likes you so much."
"You make a good point."
"Of course, my lord."
As he watched his master regain his usual composure and stride toward the dining hall, Lucian quietly sighed in relief.
But at the same time, he couldn’t help but be amazed—
Had little Joey really become this important to his lord?
By the Ottoman's gods, I hope that little human warms up to him again soon! Sigh…
Meanwhile, Joey—currently biting into a fruit pie—felt extremely guilty when Garius entered the room.
He quickly avoided eye contact.
He knew his "daddy" was upset. He had rejected him multiple times, and Garius was definitely pissed.
But Joey couldn’t afford to accept his affections! Who knew what would happen once that favorability score maxed out?!
To be honest, he was starting to realize that his relationship with Garius had already deviated from its original course. It was getting weirder and weirder.
And if that favorability broke past the limit…
Joey’s face flushed.
Cough. Okay, sure, his “dad” was really handsome. (The kind of handsome that transcended gender and even dimensional barriers.)
But!
With their size difference alone, he didn’t even need to look down to know—
I’D DEFINITELY DIE!!!
And a horrible death at that.
Besides… They started out as master and pet. That kind of relationship wasn’t meant to change.
Even if it did…
Joey would never be able to complete his “marry and have kids” mission.
And if he couldn’t complete the mission, he couldn’t go home.
And if he couldn’t go home, he’d never see his parents again…
The more he thought about it, the slower he chewed his pie.
A dull ache spread through his chest.
"Joey."
"Huh?"
That familiar, gentle voice called out beside him.
Joey turned, only for his left cheek to be cupped by a warm hand.
Garius gazed at him.
Those unique, gem-like eyes—unyielding and powerful, indestructible, yet as quiet and tranquil as a snow-covered world untouched by humanity—dragged Joey into their depths.
He stared, entranced.
…Wait.
Keep your distance!
Joey snapped back to reality, guilt and reluctance twisting inside him.
He wanted to push the man’s hand away—but before he could, Garius spoke.
"If I accidentally ignored you and made you start rejecting me, I can learn to make it up to you.
If you feel like I’ve invaded your territory, I can buy another estate—one even bigger than this, and half of it will be yours.
If the food isn’t to your liking, I’ll hire better chefs.
If your bedding isn’t comfortable enough, I’ll get the finest materials.
If there’s something about me that you dislike…"
At this point, Garius’ half-lidded eyes lowered, his tone pausing for just a moment.
Then, in a soft and careful voice, he asked:
"Joey, do you hate me?"
Joey: "…………"
No. Of course not!
I don’t hate you at all. I like you so much!
But unable to say any of that, Joey turned away from his hand.
Lowering his head, he took small bites of his fruit pie, avoiding the question entirely.
The silence between them stretched.
It was a silence that felt like quiet agreement.
After a while, Joey heard a soft sigh.
Then—the sound of a chair moving back.
Garius had left.
Joey’s heart sank.
He’s mad. He doesn’t like me anymore…
Realizing this, Joey set his pie down and sniffled.
Then, he stood up from his seat.
To the approaching Lucian, Joey looked just like a lost, abandoned curly-haired puppy—one that had just been separated from its master.
With heavy steps, he walked in the opposite direction of Garius, slowly disappearing from sight.
Lucian: "…"
I was gone for just a moment. What the hell happened?!
The rest of the day passed in utter silence.
One was cold as ice, chilling his surroundings like an eternal winter.
The other was heartbroken, deliberately keeping his distance—like a castaway who had been abandoned.
Lucian could not understand.
If you both clearly care about each other…
If you both just want to be with each other…
Then what the hell are you even fighting about?!
Finally, evening arrived.
After an entire day of watching these two torture themselves, Lucian couldn’t take it anymore.
With a bright, wrinkled smile (one that held both the gentleness and authority unique to the Butler Profession), he personally delivered a set of clothes to both of them.
Then, with a strict yet affectionate tone, he declared:
"Go enjoy yourselves at the banquet."
"And don’t come back until you make up!"
T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi page, thank you🍊🍊🍊
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