~Pearl to My Oyster~(WRIOLETTE FIC)

Chapter 21

      Neuvillette who had noticed the Duke's faint blush, frowned, pressing a gloved hand to his forehead.

"Are you feeling well, Wriothesley? Perhaps running a fever?"

"H-Hm? E-Eh? Ah no, n-nothing of the sort, just um... overheating, yeah, ehe!"

Neuvillette could see right through his lies, yet, he chose to let the Warden do as he wished. 

"Very well then."

He turned, leaving into the kitchen to go cut up some fruit.

Wriothesley couldn't believe his eyes. This little girl had his eyes, and even the little scar on her cheekbone! How, though? He hadn't had any interactions with women, and he didn't remember ever... um... dancing with Neuvillette!

However, Lucille cooed up at her, her little copies of icy blue eyes twinkling as she stared at up at him happily, and Wriothesley felt his heart melt. He cradled the little girl, pinching her cheek and patting her head.

Oh, I am going to spoil her absolutely rotten!

Wriothesley thought to himself. When he heard Neuvillette re-enter, he saw that the Chief Justice was holding a cup of rice porridge, some water, and freshly sliced Sunsettias and Bulle Fruit.

"For you, Your Grace."

The Iudex took back Lucille, and handed him the water, nodding to him. He placed the little girl down, and spooned some custard into her mouth. To their combined amusement, she took the bowl in her own little hands and starting eating by herself.

"Oh Luci, how stubborn."

Neuvillette kissed her cheek, brushing his thumb across her lips with a fond expression in his eyes, before reaching over and popping a piece of Bulle Fruit into his mouth.

Instantly, the Iudex's rosy lips curve into a rare and oh-so sweet smile as he consumes it, a pink rising to his cheeks as he covers his mouth, chewing. 

At that exact moment, did Wriothesley finally come to the realization that he dreaded...

He was in love with the Iudex of Fontaine.