The Beautiful Top Being Pursued Relentlessly [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 62

The first light of dawn broke through, and the manor was still shrouded in a thin veil of mist. Pale green vines climbed the walls, their small flower buds drooping slightly, still glistening with dew.

A beautiful robin perched on the windowsill, its breast feathers like smooth, high-quality red silk. Tilting its tiny head, it peered inside with eyes as black as stars, trilling a crisp, clear song. Seeing no reaction from the Duke hidden beneath the covers, it hopped twice, light as a feather.

Almost simultaneously, there was a knock at the bedroom door, steady rhythmic and punctuated by the bird’s chirping.

“Your Grace,” John’s intrusive voice drifted through the door. “It is time for morning prayers. Have you forgotten?”

Beneath the soft duvet, Felix Cheng’s long lashes fluttered. He dragged himself out of sleep with great reluctance and let out a yawn.

“Your Grace, Young Master Gnas is already waiting for you in the front hall,” John added.

And what does that have to do with me? Felix buried his face back into the pillow, trying to drown out the noise made by the man and the bird. John waited a moment before speaking again. “Your Grace, if you wish, Young Master Gnas can perform a newly learned morning serenade for you.”

Felix forced his eyes open, staring blankly at the ceiling. God help me, that sounds like a horror story.

“Come in.”

This time, Felix called out willingly.

Seconds later, John entered with his head bowed, holding a tray high and walking with perfect stability. Everyone knew the master of the manor was a temperamental Duke; if anything displeased him, he would punish everyone severely. Even from across the room, Felix could see John’s shoulders trembling. The tea on the tray sloshed precariously, nearly spilling.

Felix was certain he had never done anything truly excessive, yet the people in the manor remained terrified of him.

“Your Grace, the servants have prepared the carriage for you and Young Master Gnas. God willing, may everything go smoothly at the cathedral.”

Felix gave him a cold, indifferent glance.

“Your Grace, this is the attire prepared for today. I hope it pleases you,” John said.

Attending morning prayers once a month was a habit of “Duke Felix Cheng.” He placed great importance on this, hoping that prayer would bring him peace and longevity. This memory was hard-wired into Felix’s brain. He pursed his lips and rose from the bed, walking toward the folded black ceremonial robes.

Creeeak. The door was pushed open just a crack. Felix followed the sound and met “Jiang Cheng’s” smiling eyes.

“Good morning, Your Grace.”

“Jiang Cheng” spoke as he slipped through the gap in the door. “My apologies for intruding, but I thought you might require my assistance.”

Felix knit his brows almost imperceptibly, noticing a pure white silk cloth draped over the tutor’s arm. It was a prayer shawl, worn by those going to worship something John had failed to prepare.

Stepping in front of him, “Jiang Cheng” took a deep breath. “May I have the honour of assisting Your Grace?”

As “Jiang Cheng” asked this, John simply stood to the side, maintaining his perfect, frozen smile. Felix’s heart suddenly beat faster. It wasn’t joy or gratitude, but an eager impatience to break the absurdity of this world.

He didn’t speak; he only gave a slight nod. He knew that no matter what he said, the others wouldn’t hear him anyway.

“It is truly my honour,” Jiang Cheng’s voice rose with clear excitement.

As “Jiang Cheng” stepped forward, Felix cooperatively raised his arms. His gaze fell directly on the tutor’s bright, beautiful eyes. Under such a gaze, “Jiang Cheng” took several more deep breaths, his cheeks puffing out.

The heavy ceremonial robe was quickly taken and draped over Felix’s shoulders. The tutor’s movements weren’t as fluid or professional as a trained servant’s, but they were exceptionally meticulous. As he fastened the cinching straps at the back, his fingertips occasionally brushed against the firm back beneath the shirt.

During these moments, “Jiang Cheng’s” breathing grew ragged, puffing against Felix’s neck. Uncomfortable, Felix shifted, inadvertently leaning closer into “Jiang Cheng’s” chest.

“Stop fidgeting,” Felix said.

He had always known this fellow had ulterior motives, but he hadn’t expected them to be exposed so quickly and shamelessly. Too much.

What “Jiang Cheng” actually heard: “Beep-beep-beep.”

“Apologies, Your Grace. I’ll be gentler.”

Felix shut his mouth and remained silent. He lowered his lashes, watching “Jiang Cheng’s” fingers straighten the silver chain on his lapel, deftly turn out the collar, and align the pinned badge. Felix found the proximity hard to endure; the other man’s breath was scorching and obvious every time it hit his face.

“Almost finished, Your Grace.”

“Jiang Cheng” didn’t dawdle. He unfolded the prayer shawl and gently covered the top of Felix’s head, pulling it into place and straightening it.

“There. All done, Your Grace.”

“Jiang Cheng” curled his lips into a smirk, looking quite proud of the Duke he had personally dressed. Felix stared at him silently for a few seconds before turning and walking out of the bedroom.

Just a few more days, and I’ll seize this bold, rude, and wicked fellow.

“My dearest father, good morning.” “Good morning, dearest Gnas.”

Felix said the words calmly, sat far away from Gnas, and closed his eyes to rest. A few minutes later, “Jiang Cheng” squeezed into the spacious carriage as well, making up an excuse: “John was worried about the long journey and asked me to look after Your Grace.”

He didn’t wait for Felix to say a word. Gnas, however, swung his feet and said, “John really is a thoughtful butler.”

The three sat apart in silence. The carriage moved briskly along a path lined with wildflowers. Before long, the coachman began humming an ancient folk song, tugging the reins and swaying his whole body.

Felix: Endure.

The path was uneven, and the carriage jolted significantly. Gnas didn’t mind, even letting out a “giggle.” Felix found it noisy; he turned on his side, pressed his ear against the fur cushion, and kept his eyes shut tight.

“Keep it down,” “Jiang Cheng” whispered.

No one ignored him or rather, they simply chose to ignore the outsider in the carriage entirely. “Jiang Cheng” glanced at the sulking Felix. Without hesitation, he pulled back the curtain, poked his head out, and rapped his knuckles on the coachman’s head.

“Hey, can you stop the noise?”

The struck coachman continued singing happily. “Jiang Cheng” rubbed his hair in frustration. Only the Duke reacts to my words, right? No one else can hear me? Only the Duke can…

“Jiang Cheng” took a second to soothe his own ego. Just as he was about to try another way to block the noise, the coachman’s expression suddenly changed, and he yanked the reins hard.

“Whoa!”

The carriage came to a jarring halt. Not far ahead in the grass, a young boy lay sprawled in a pathetic heap. Thick books were scattered around him, along with a somewhat tattered leather cap. He struggled to crawl up, but the soft grass and slippery moss thwarted him, making him look like a clumsy tortoise.

“Kind people in the carriage, I need your help!” the boy shouted through the pain. He tried to strike a sincere, pleading pose. “If you help me, I will prepare soft, delicious berry cakes as a thank-you.”

Felix showed no reaction. Gnas, however, jumped eagerly out of the carriage and ran to the boy’s side, his face full of concern. “Oh, my God! Are you alright?”

“Kind sir, I think my leg is injured.”

“Don’t worry, we won’t leave you behind.” Gnas raised his small hand. “Coachman, please help me lift him into the carriage.”

“Yes, Young Master Gnas.”

Inside the carriage, Felix stared expressionlessly at the two “kind souls.” Could you at least ask the Manor Lord’s opinion before bringing a total stranger inside?

Two wretched fellows. He found the tutor slightly more tolerable by comparison.

“Wait, what on earth?”

In front of the screen, Jiang Yi glared at the suddenly appearing Auden, rubbing his eyes hard. “Shouldn’t he be trapped over at my small wooden hut right now?”

Protagonists and villains were naturally opposed; Jiang Yi didn’t want his Duke to get hurt.

Dear Manor Owner, congratulations on completing your acquaintance with Auden. Reward: Soft and delicious berry cakes ×3, Comfortable casual wear ×1.

“Noooo!” Jiang Yi wailed. He had been exploiting glitches for so long; he never expected Auden to seek them out. Please, Gnas and the coachman were the ones who saved him. What does that have to do with me?

Besides, this was Duke Felix Cheng’s private carriage. Would the Duke not be angry that these two “kind souls” were acting so willfully? Jiang Yi controlled his avatar to look at Felix.

Ah, he’s definitely angry.

The Duke still had his eyes closed, appearing no different than before. But looking closer, his eyelids were clamped shut too tightly, and his hands on his knees weren’t fully relaxed.

Jiang Yi didn’t care about gentlemanly etiquette; he slid the mouse, and “Jiang Cheng” moved to sit right next to Felix, pressing close.

Felix: Beep-beep-beep.

The Duke was talking to him again. Jiang Yi wasn’t sure what he was saying—he suspected it was a level restriction. Perhaps at a higher level or after spending more money, the Duke’s dialogue would be revealed.

Jiang Yi typed skillfully.

Jiang Cheng: “Your Grace, do you know what happens during morning prayers?” 

Felix: Beep-beep-beep. 

Jiang Cheng: “I’ve never set foot in a cathedral. If I make a mistake, please don’t laugh at me.”

The thick-skinned tutor “forgot” how he had entered the manor and spent all his energy trying to strike up a conversation with the Duke.

Felix: Beep-beep-beep!

Jiang Cheng: “Ah, my dear Duke, I’m so glad you agree. In my heart, you will always be the kindest person in this world.”

The “kind” Felix fell silent. Just then, there was movement at the carriage curtain. Both of them looked over in unison to see Auden’s head peeking in, his golden hair exceptionally eye-catching.

“Kind people, would you like to try the berry cakes I made myself?”

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