Please Leave Me Be

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾Chapter 10☽༓·*˚⁺‧͙

Licht is frozen as he listens to Arteus's bold and romantic words. He was still surprised at the actuality that Artty, a random person he met on the street, was the third capture target. Licht's eyes furrow; if Arteus is Artty, then he must still think I'm a girl.

Licht sighs, "Look, young master-"

"Artty."

Licht's head snaps up, "What?" Arteus moves closer to Licht and brushes his nape-length blue hair. "Call me Artty like you used to."

Licht frowns, "I'm afraid I-"

"Do it," Arteus's voice goes a tone lower and his eyes darken, but he still kept his smile. "Call me Artty, Licht." His palm soon rests on Licht's nape and Licht shivers in response. 

"Ahem...then A-artty," Licht pauses and looks up to the taller figure, who beams with a radiant smile. "Although I am flattered that you would find me appropriate to be a bride," Not really; "I would like to let you know that I am in fact a man myself."

Licht saw Arteus's lips falter for a second, "What are you talking about?"

"Young ma-"

"Artty."

Licht decided not to push the young duke's limit, "Artty, I-I am the only s-son of Marquess a-and Marchioness Ciel Dramon. A d-dwarf and a succubus, which explains m-my stature." Licht is frustrated by his occasional stutter, but he had to get the message thoroughly across. 

Arteus's smile finally drops, "Y-you're a boy?" He questions in bewilderment as he backs away from the boy. 

"Yes," Licht took a glance at his conflicted eyes. "I was g-going to tell you b-back then, but y-your guard interrupted us. I-I sincerely apologize." Licht bowed curtly and proceeded to carry his stuff. 

"Wait!" Arteus grads Licht's forearm. Licht sighs silently and turns to face the conflicted youth. "Yes, y-young master-"

"Artty."

Licht frowned, Why would he still want......after I already told him.....

Arteus saw Licht's confused eyes, "Just....just call me Artty like you used to......please..." He trailed off and shut his eyes tightly as if to keep his thoughts in. He was conflicted about what to do, the person he loved and wanted with him was 'Licht'. But he thought Licht was a girl; he had already planned a future together. 

He had searched the whole kingdom, but he couldn't find her. So he thought she was a commoner, he was fine with that....as long as she was with him, he didn't care. He had expected her to come to the Academy because it was a dream for every commoner; with her magic, she is sure to be labeled a genius. 

Arteus wasn't sure what went wrong; he was certain he went through the right steps to prepare for this day. But Licht turned out to be a boy.....

"Artty," Arteus's eyes snap open as he hears the endearment from the one he always dreamed of. It was bittersweet, the feeling of wanting something that wasn't what you thought it was. "I know I wasn't w-what you thought I-I am, so please, just l-let me go."

Arteus's eyes widen, but Licht wanted this over and done. More people were coming in through the gates, and he didn't want to be included in gossip on the first day. "L-look, we're b-both not attracted to men, I can tell from y-your hesitation. So j-j-just let it go. I'll be fine, I'm not interested i-in relationships anyways." Licht finished; he hasn't really been attracted to anyone before, but there's no need to tell the youth. 

"You're joking, right?" Arteus looked down at Licht with frenzied eyes, clenching his shoulder tightly. Licht winces, "Are you pretending to be a man to get into the Academy? There's no need to do that though? You can be with me freely." Arteus smiles weakly and Licht understood. He was going through denial. 

"Licht, tell me you're joking!" He raises his voice as he shook Licht. Licht looks around at the gathering crowd and rubs his forehead in frustration. "Come with me." He passed his luggage to Arteus and goes on his way to the reception, with the taller youth following soon behind. 

"Good morning. How can I help you?" The middle-aged woman looked up to see the young duke of the Erasil family. "How may I help you, young duke?"

"Ahh, my fianc...bride...friend...." He trailed off confusedly and point to the figure next to him. The receptionist turned to see a fluff of blue hair. Licht goes on his toes to make himself look taller, that way she can at least see his face. 

The receptionist gasped, What a beautiful and adorable child!

His ice-blue eyes were exceptionally exquisite on his dark skin; the contrast was immaculate. And blue hair that went a little past his nape was pulled up to a messy ponytail. His pouty and glossy chocolate lips were pulled to a cute frown. The receptionist had an urge to kidnap the child and make him hers. 

She remembered what the manager had said about a particular student, "The overall scholarship student is quite a genius. And the rumors say he's beautiful too. He's a dwarf too, so you might know him when you meet him."

"Young Marquess, what can I help you with?"

Licht falls to his heels before tip-toeing again, "My dorm."

"Oh, yes! Just a second..." She pulls out a crystal with a number and goes through some papers. "Yes, this would guide you to your room."

Licht nods in thanks and walks away wordlessly. Arteus follows behind like a faithful puppy. The crystal had a light that projected a few feet in front of them, which made it extremely easy for Licht. 

Now that he thought about it, there was a scene where the heroine got lost and met the second capture target, Eugene Vermillion. But Licht couldn't see how one could get lost with a contraption as easy as this. Though there was a possibility her crystal was sabotaged. 

"Careful!"Arteus pulled Licht towards him. Licht was so lost in his thoughts that he had almost ran into the door. "We're h-here already? That was fast."Licht places his thumb on the lock and watches as the magic lock collects and saves his fingerprint. 

Licht nods in approval, fingerprint locks will always be the safest and most affordable. 

Licht goes in and Arteus follows behind, dropping Licht's things at the side. "Now," Licht begins. He had no time to evaluate the room. "D-do you w-want to see it? Proof that I'm a b-boy, I mean."

A/N

Hey everyone, I'll be updating every Sunday but sometimes during the week when I feel like it. Also, an extra update because I felt the last one was too short. I'm so happy that people like my story. Thanks, guys!!٩(＾◡＾)۶