🌈The Scarlet Cube vol. 1💙💙

Chapter 10

***

Videgrel returned home later than he had planned.

Night had long since fallen over the city. Dinner time had passed, and the clock's hands were inexorably approaching eleven. But despite his fatigue, Videgrel felt satisfied.

Leaving his car in the driveway, Videgrel entered the house and asked the butler he encountered to fetch Ethelstan.

"The young master is resting," the butler replied with an impassive expression.

Videgrel sat down on the couch in the living room and said,

"Then disturb him."

The butler hesitated for a moment but did not argue and went upstairs.

Videgrel leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes, hoping the guy wasn't too upset about his late arrival.

Ethelstan was already getting ready for bed when he was informed that his stepfather had returned.

The man hadn't lied. He had indeed come home earlier than usual. But he was still five hours late for dinner.

"Tell him I'm sleeping," Ethelstan said to the butler, who was standing by the door, awaiting further instructions.

"Mr. Roger asked to wake you," the butler replied.

"Then tell him I won't wake up," the guy suggested, not wanting to see his stepfather, who had once again let him down.

Ethelstan wasn't exactly surprised when Videgrel didn't come home at the promised time. But secretly, he had hoped the man would keep his word. When he realized he had been mistaken, he was deeply disappointed.

"Young master, those words might cause concern..."

"I got it!" Ethelstan snapped, getting out from under the covers and pulling on his lounge pants. "Tell him I'll be down in five minutes."

Satisfied with his answer, the butler left. Ethelstan sat on the edge of the bed for a bit longer before reluctantly getting up.

Looking at himself in the mirror, he smoothed down his hair, which was sticking up in several places, then angrily tousled it again, not wanting to primp for someone he considered a liar.

When he went downstairs to the living room, the man seemed to be asleep. Leaning back against the couch, he was breathing deeply and evenly, looking quite endearing.

Ethelstan hesitated, glancing around cautiously. Seeing that there were no prying eyes in the living room, he slipped next to his stepfather, snuggling close to him.

Videgrel flinched as if he'd been struck with a whip. Ethelstan felt the man's heartbeat quicken under his palm.

"Did I scare you?" the guy asked, slyly, wrapping his arms around the man's torso to prevent him from pushing him away. "This is your punishment for deceiving me."

Videgrel smiled.

"Some dubious punishment," he chuckled, hugging the guy lightly and gently squeezing his shoulder with his fingers.

Once upon a time, Videgrel had hugged his own guardian like this, and now Ethelstan's actions seemed quite endearing to him.

"Sorry for being late," he apologized to the guy. "There was a lot to do."

Ethelstan felt his face flush with heat and glanced at the man's hand resting on his shoulder.

This was something new.

Previously, Videgrel would recoil from him like he was the plague. But now he allowed him to snuggle up without showing any displeasure.

"I wasn't waiting for you anyway," the guy lied, pressing even closer to the man, intoxicated by his scent. "Work is your top priority, obviously."