The Story Of Bunny And Fox

Vol 5 (Side Story 2): Chapter 4.4

"But except me, no one can make Lyle happy. Especially someone like you, who doesn't know how wrong it is to insult the lover of the person you love."

Ash mutters in a low voice. Regardless of Richard's fierce attitude, Ash doesn't back down. His lip corners go up even more.

"So let go of his hand and be gone."

At the same time as Ash's done speaking, Karlyle forces Richard's hand off. Richard slowly retreats his tightly clenched hand and staggers back. As a dominant Alpha, Richard could have stopped Ash or Karlyle if he wanted, but he seems to have come to his senses.

Ash pulls Karlyle back tight against him. Heavy silence fills up the air. Karlyle can't even hear any wind pass by. He can't let this situation go on any longer. He breaks the silence.

"Apologize, Richard. If you are a noble, no, if you are a human, you have to learn to take responsibility for your actions."

"Lyle, it's fine."

Ash gently dissuades him. He looks so tired. Karlyle's heart is breaking, but he can't forgive Richard. It's nothing if Karlyle is the one being insulted. He was a worthless man and no one cared for him until he met Ash. Ash is the purpose and direction of his life. To him, Ash is an absolute being, nothing can possibly be compared to him.

"I can't forgive him. Richard, let me be clear. Disrespect towards my fiance is disrespect towards me. If you don't apologize, I will not interact with you ever again."

"Why are you doing all this for him? Choosing him instead of me, who has known you for so long…."

Richard shuts his mouth. He bites his lips so hard that they turn white. Eventually, he shakes his head and steps back.

"That guy must be very precious to you. Since he's the one who said he'd marry you."

Richard runs his hand through his hair, his eyebrows furrow. He lets out a deep sigh, then bows his head down. He looks straight at Ash and says.

"I apologize for being rude. I won't ask for forgiveness. I did it out of jealousy."

Ash tightens his arm around Karlyle. Looking down at Richard stoically, he says after a few seconds of silence.

"Go back. This is not the place for you to be."

Richard nods and steps back. Before getting back into the car, he takes one final look at Karlyle. Karlyle only stares at him with cold eyes. Not even seeing the car start, Ash turns around first. Karlyle also follows him, silently, to the mansion.

****

Ash is quiet even after entering their house. Ash has never been silent by his side. Not knowing what to do, Karlyle nervously watches him. He can't breathe. Ash seems like a totally different person. Anxiety rises in him. Ash leaves the hallway and walks into the living room. Having been following him silently, Karlyle opens his mouth first.

"Ash, I'm sorry."

I'm very sorry. It's terrible that Ash had to hear such things about himself. In the end, Ash still had to face Richard, which Karlyle had wanted to prevent. And it's so painful that he has no way to know how much Ash has been hurt. Ash stops in front of the sofa, not looking at him. Then, finally, he speaks to Karlyle.

"Please sit down."

"....Okay."

Karlyle quietly sits down on the sofa first. He looks up at Ash, eyes full of anxiety. Their eyes finally meet. Ash sighs lightly and sits down next to Karlyle.

"I don't care what Mr. Cavendish said about me. Because it's true. I'm neither an aristocrat nor a wealthy man with a background that can support you, Lyle."