Possessing The Obsessive Maniac’s Cotton Doll

“Sniff…”

Yul sniffed his nose and looked back and forth between the footcuffs and Mikael’s face.

“It’s only for when I’m not here. I’ll release you when I get back.”

Yul’s eyes sharpened at the shameless words that didn’t even contain the slightest feeling of apologetic. Of course, regardless of Yul, Mikael was clearly pleased.

“Be good. I’ll take you outside when I get back later.”

“… Really?”

“You like to look outside.”

Just a moment ago, while repeating the sound like a family, the corners of his mouth quickly curled up without a backbone at his words.

Am I being tamed like this? This is what they call push and pull.

Yul felt a bit embarrassed by himself for being so simple, but he was already thinking about what to do after going out.

“It’s still the festival period, so there will be things to see when we go out. Maybe Yuri will like it. You said that.”

“What?”

“Life is about finding what you like.”

“…”

“I’ll help you find as many as possible.”

“… ”

“So I’ll fill it up. With what you like.”

When he said that, Mikael’s voice was so kind that it was hard to believe that he was a maniac who put footcuffs on him. Because of this, Yul felt double emotions. He had to resent and curse him, but he couldn’t get angry when he said that he would fill his life with things he liked.

“Mikael is a real bully. Do only one thing, it confuses people.”

“Be more confused. So you’ll be shaken. Then pretend like you can’t win and like me.”

Yul was unable to say anything at the sudden confession that was not a confession. It was against the law for him to come in and say embarrassing words without even blinking. It made his heart startle. He was so surprised that his heart even jumped.

“Just like how I felt for you.”

Even the last words he added flew into Yul’s heart.

The pounding and trembling heart seemed to be abnormal. Either he came really freaked out, or just insane. It was definitely one of the two.

Because his heart wouldn’t be fluttering about that.

***

The atmosphere in the office he stopped by to take care of the overdue work was very strange. Mikael felt something unusual about Levi and Caleb’s expressions, which were different from usual. He didn’t feel good about something.

“What is going on?”

“Archduke…”

“Speak.”

In response to Caleb’s trembling voice, Mikael replied firmly. He didn’t know what was going on, but it wouldn’t be a good thing if they had this kind of look.

“There are rumors going around in the salon. That the Archduke has a black magic doll…”

When he heard the word “rumor”, he expected it to some extent. If it was a rumor that Caleb and Levi were being so anxious about, it wouldn’t be of a moderate level.

If it was simply a scandalous rumor, the two of them wouldn’t have even told him in the first place. Because they knew better than anyone that he didn’t dwell on such trivial things.

However, if it was a rumor related to black magic, it was bound to be different. In the Empire, it was black magic that was treated as a more serious crime than treason. To the point where even Andrei could prevent treason, but not black magic.

Was it that woman named Marina? But she didn’t look that bold. If she’s not that woman then who the hell…

Well, there are so many places that rumors can be spread anywhere.

“I see.”

Mikael thought about the source of the rumors and then answered calmly. It was because there were so many corners to look at, it was difficult to pinpoint where exactly.

“What do you mean ‘I see’!”

Then Caleb raised his voice. He seemed to be angry at Mikael’s seemingly calm reaction, as he put Mikael before anyone else.

“It’s black magic, black magic! Of course I know it’s a false rumor. And that Yuri is not a doll afflicted with black magic. I know he’s not like that because I’ve met him. However, it can be deadly just by being rumored to be involved with black magic. Besides, people will really believe the rumors if Yuri gets caught as a doll. If so…”

“Calm down, Caleb. It hasn’t happened yet.”

Caleb poured words out quickly, agitatedly in an uncharacteristic manner. Mikael tried to calm him down, but that actually irritated Caleb.

“If you worry after coming to your senses, it will be too late!”

“Caleb is right. This is dangerous. It is not an issue that can be simply overlooked. Don’t you know that black magic can be investigated just because of some rumors?”

Levi was also indifferent and cold in everything, but his voice was uncharacteristically high-pitched.

Mikael was grateful for the two people’s concerns, but as usual he was worried about Yuri.

“Watch what you say so that Yuri doesn’t know about this. He will be worried.”

“Archduke, is that important now? And Yuri should be worried too. This is something Yuri should worry about too!”

“Very important. It couldn’t be more important to me. So, never let Yuri find out.”

Mikael’s voice was colder than before.

He didn’t want Yuri to know about this rumor and worry about it. Yuri, who had looked at him with a worried expression for a long time after hearing Andrei’s words before, remained intact in his memory.

He had a sullen reaction even then, but if he found out that there were actually rumors related to black magic, he would definitely blame himself for it. He didn’t want to see that.

“Of course, I have no intention of staying still. So don’t worry about it, either.”

“But by what means…”

“It’s for me to decide what to do, not you, Caleb.”

Mikael sternly cut Caleb off. Of course, he wasn’t at ease either. It was because he knew that even Caleb and Levi, who were under him, could be in danger because of him.

That’s why he couldn’t stay still. He had to somehow resolve this situation.

Mikael gritted his molars. His eyes flashed like burning flames.

""

***

“Right, Lucky. Yes, that’s it! Oh, my baby, well done! Well done!”

[Bii! Bii!]

When Mikael returned from quelling the commotion in his office, Yuri was playing fishing with Lucky.

When Mikael saw his brightly smiling face, his complicated mind seemed to be getting better.

“Is Mikael here? Look at this, hurry. Lucky’s showing interest in me. He must like me more!”

From Mikael’s point of view, Lucky was simply interested in the rod he was waving, but Yuri seemed genuinely happy so he decided not to say anything.

[Biii!]

“Hick, it’s broken again.”

Lucky wiggled its butt and then ran at the toy on the fishing pole. The force of his forepaws pressing down on the prey was so strong that the fishing rod snapped and broke.

Yuri seemed to have made a few more toys, so he threw away the broken fishing rod and took out a new one.

“Look at our genius Lucky. So good at hunting.”

""

Yuri boasted proudly of Lucky like a real child. Mikael let out a smirk at the cheeks that went up proudly.

“Because it’s a dragon.”

“Uh huh, not all dragons are good at hunting, right? Lucky is amazing.”

“I guess you’ve seen other dragons.”

“Tsk, don’t nitpick.”

Yul narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. Even that figure looked cute, so Mikael had no choice but to approach him.

“What, what is it? Why are you coming?”

“I want to hug you.”

“Oh, no. Don’t say things like that casually.”

Yuri, who had been suspiciously looking at the approaching Mikael, looked at Mikael with startled eyes. Suddenly, Yuri’s cheeks were stained red.

“Why, are you embarrassed?”

“Then wouldn’t you be embarrassed?”

“Then be embarrassed. Then you just have to pretend you can’t win and like me.”

“Well, at the end of every word, you keep saying that…”

Yuri grumbled as if complaining with a reddened face, probably really embarrassed.

Mikael looked at Yuri’s face like that and quietly held him in his arms. A small body came into one arms. His body heat melted into his arms.

Mikael casually buried his nose in the nape of his neck. His sweet scent tickled the tip of his nose pleasantly. Yuri was embarrassed and didn’t know what to do, and wiggled his body a little while being hugged by him. Even that small movement made Mikael happy.