World's Best Protagonist [BL]

"Yes. Cancel our plans."

I sat nervously at the edge of Claude’s bed while he continued talking to someone over the phone. It must be the team, but what plans was he talking about? Did they make another plan without including me?

I frowned in dismay.

I wet my lips, ready to spill my unheard opinion on this matter, but then, just by moving my lips, I could feel the deadly fog in the air, silently threatening me that if I opened my mouth, it would seep right in my holes and kill me.

My poor, unfairly treated standpoint cried with me. Claude was facing the window, only his side profile came into my view, but I could tell he was restraining his anger just from the bulging veins in his neck, add the clenched jaw to that.

I already apologized for falling right above his head, but after telling me to stay put on his bed, he walked away and continued the call.

Since then, I’ve been quiet, obediently waiting for him to finish the call and face me. Well, I’m not really hoping to talk with him. My head was still a jumble of mess and if I tried to speak to him, I might just spew nonsense.

But sneaking out of his room guarantees my sudden death.

So, I stayed still, sitting on his bed like a good kid, while my eyes roamed every corner of his room, wondering where the furniture was. He has a pretty spacious room, but aside from the bed I was sitting on, a small side table, and a pretty standard lamp on it, there was nothing else.

It’s like a room of someone who does not intend to stay. Living without putting effort into his living space.

My hands touched the soft mattress, so I also noticed how smooth it was, as if it wasn’t used often. Does he sleep somewhere else? His lover’s bed? Or that...who was it again? That heiress woman who attacked me before.

I yawned, chasing the improper thoughts away in my head.

There is another door on the opposite side, which I assume leads to his closet and bathroom. But then, for a modern house like this, there is no balcony. Just tall window panes covered with white curtains.

As my gaze moved to the window, it couldn’t help but flicker back to the captain.

He was discussing something with a serious yet impatient look. His face was lit by the bright surroundings outside, his eyes slightly squinting due to it, and his cheeks and forehead were shining.

I wondered what his skincare routine was. He’s really good-looking even if his face scrunched like a crumpled paper.

"He’s back."

His voice became a bit louder. I was able to hear it. He was talking about me, right?

Claude turned his back to the window and met my eyes. I was almost startled after being caught staring, but I wore a nonchalant mask.

I didn’t look away, instead I waited until he finished his call. He stared back, probably assessing what was the best thing to do with me.

"No. Don’t. He needs rest. Let’s talk about this later," he added.

Once he ended the call and pocketed his phone, I immediately asked, "Can I go home now?"

I wasn’t expecting approval, but there was nothing to lose if I tried asking, right?

However, his face darkened, his eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared because of rage. Oh, now, he was mad. I was still debating whether the look on his face when I arrived was genuine or not.

Maybe it was the latter.

"What made you think I will let you go home?"

I frowned. "You’re the one who said I need rest. Or do you mean I should rest here in your room? Well, your bed’s squishy and soft, I won’t say no."

I pushed myself farther in, my legs crossed, and I sat comfortably.

Watching me invade his bed, he gave me a death stare, then, perhaps after seeing that I had no intention of getting out, he exhaled a deep breath while running his hand through his hair, extremely annoyed.

Then, he approached me. His strides were quick and in just a few seconds, he was already standing before me, his figure looming over my seated self.

My head inclined a bit to look at him. But how could someone still look handsome even when viewing him at this level? Shouldn’t I see his double chin or his boogers?

"You can lie if you want," he said.

My eyes shook, afraid that I was speaking to a clone. I was just joking, of course.

Then, after saying kind things one second, he changed the next second. He crossed his arm, veins bulging out like he was trying to grip onto something in his palms.

What? Patience? Resilience? Or Generosity~

Inside every duck~

"Now tell me everything that happened."

Here it comes. I was trying to sing a children’s song to calm my nerves but I guess it didn’t work. I knew this would happen. But how do I explain? Tell him I’m some ancient keeper of the World Tree’s internal library?

I’ve got a feeling instead of sympathy, a crispy, brittle, scowl would slap me. Then, I’ll be sent to the RDC for further testing and investigation. Or maybe in a mental asylum. I personally think the last one is much better.

Thinking I’d be put inside an observation room equipped with the most durable materials, I shuddered at the thought. I swore never to meet that obsessive four-eyed doctor again.

"Speak," Claude repeated, his tone sharp and holding a warning, pulling me away from my reverie. His face was darkened.

I sighed as I lowered my head. My neck was tired after looking up for that long.

"I’m certain you won’t believe me."

He clicked his tongue as if showing he was running out of patience. I tried to reason, "I don’t believe it either. Right now, my head is still a mess. I don’t know how to start explaining it... in a manner you can understand."

"Just talk to me."

I hesitated. He insisted, bending his body forward and putting his hands on the bed, on both my sides, enclosing me. Then, he spoke again, "I want you to trust me, Jade. Can’t you do it?"

His eyes changed. It was begging... as if he’d croak if I told him I couldn’t. I felt my stomach tightened.

I gulped. Then, looking away from his intense gaze, I started telling him the truth.

If he surrendered me to the UAO or to whoever was in charge of dealing with something like this, I should just go with the flow. If they go overboard, I can just escape.

But right now, there was just something I wanted Claude to realize as I told him everything. And...honestly, if what he does next is the opposite, I will be greatly disappointed and...sad.

After the last words left my mouth, my chest undoubtedly skipped a bit out of nervousness and anxiety about what would happen next.

"Did you tell anyone about this?"

I finally looked up. His face remained stoic and impassive. I failed to read what was on his mind, so I just shook my head. He was the first person I met after going through that.

Wait... there is someone. Noir. He knew about the library, but not about me being its guardian. I lowered my head, my hand shot up to my chin, thinking deeply whether to tell Noir the full details too.

That bastard can be annoying sometimes, but he is a reliable ally. And...why do I have a feeling I forgot something about him?

"That’s good."

Claude’s voice was louder this time. Or was it because he was closer?

I lifted my chin, and yep, he was closer. He invaded my personal space by thrusting his face inches away from me.

I swallowed. How can his senses be this sharp? I was about to tell him about Noir when he interrupted me.

"Let’s keep this a secret between us in the meantime. If the UAO finds out about this, who knows where they will take you or what they will do to you."

I gawked at him. "You believe me?"

I know my tone sounded suspicious and a bit incredulous, but I was relieved. Claude narrowed his eyes. His brows drew together and he spoke dangerously.

"Did you lie?"

I hastily shook my head.

"Then, yes. What’s not there to believe? With everything that happened, it’s not impossible for that to happen. Someone may even claim he is god and people will believe it."

My finger twitched. He was talking about my father. But I didn’t dwell too much on it. I was just glad that the trust I put in him wasn’t broken.

Also, there was something I wanted to ask him as soon as I exited the World Tree’s belly. Maybe it was the reason why my thoughts and feet brought me to him.

"Captain—"

A loud noise, something like a bomb explosion, came from outside. The windows were suddenly covered in smoke. Claude straightened himself and walked to it, then, he looked down below. His face displayed extreme irritation as he headed to the door.

"Wait, where are you going?"

I immediately stood and followed him. We went downstairs. Outside his Sanctum were our teammates, bickering with each other.

Lexie held a bomb. "Noir! You said you’ll take responsibility for this! Where the hell are you going?!"

Etienne timidly asked, "Is this really okay? Can’ we just knock on the door?"

Terrius shook his head. "Even a bomb won’t get the captain out of his Sanctum unless necessary."

I chuckled. Claude scowled, but my grin only widened. My heart swelled with unfamiliar warmth as I watched them all turn to me, their faces filled with relief and sincerity.