DLBF Chapter 21

Chapter 21 – First Kiss

Chapter 2, Part 2.2

Novel Title: ルーデンドルフ公と森の獣 (Duke Ludendorff and the Beast of the Forest)

Author：かわい有美子 (Kawai Yumiko)

Illustrator: 周防佑未 (Suoh Yuumi)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 藤森賢士 (Kenji Fujimori -MC), ユリアン ルーデンドルフ (Julian Ludendorff -ML)

*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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Julian’s face, already well-proportioned, became overwhelmingly charming when he smiled. It’s such an elegant face. Fujimori found himself captivated by it for a moment before returning a somewhat awkward smile.

As someone naturally cautious, Fujimori was happy that Julian had opened up to him this much.

Sometimes, Julian would show a lonely, almost melancholic expression, which made Fujimori wonder if it was because Julian preferred solitude to the extent that he was once considered a misanthrope. Or if it was due to being away from his homeland. It would be nice if he could open up even more.

However, after only about two weeks here, it might be unreasonable to expect to become that close.

For Fujimori, living under the same roof with a stranger for such a long period was a first. But he felt closer to Julian than he had realised.

Still, it seemed a bit too bold to expect the same from Julian.

“Then I’ll take yours off, Julian.”

At Fujimori’s offer, Julian nodded and bent down.

With a significant height difference between them, Julian had to bend down quite a bit for Fujimori to reach.

Fujimori thought that it might have been easier for Julian to remove it himself as he unfastened the Tyrolean belt attached to the cowbell on Julian’s shoulder.

Julian took the two bells and returned them to the shelf in the shoe room.

“It’s gotten a little chilly. Would you like something warm to drink?”

Julian gently guided Fujimori out of the shoe room as he asked.

“What about Frau Gessner…?”

“At this hour, she’s probably already asleep. She’s very punctual.”

Julian glanced at his watch, which showed it was past eleven, and gave a mischievous smile. Indeed, Frau Gessner was known for being meticulously punctual, almost as if a clock had dressed itself in clothes and started walking around.

“So, I’ll make it.”

“You can make it?”

Fujimori widened his eyes, thinking that Julian, who seemed like a true aristocrat more inclined to writing and drawing for pleasure, would be the type to ask someone else to make tea. But Julian nodded with a smile.

“Of course, I can manage that much. Would you like a hot café au lait? We also have cocoa and herbal tea. Chamomile herbal tea isn’t a bad choice before bed.”

Fujimori recalled how Julian seemed quite familiar with herbs, possibly due to his cultural background, when he had sprained his ankle before. Julian appeared to have no aversion to herbs. In fact, he seemed quite knowledgeable about them. Perhaps it’s like how some Japanese people favour brewed medicinal teas or traditional Chinese medicine. Fujimori wondered if this was another aspect where Julian differed from his appearance, or if it was just a typical German trait.

“I’m not really good with herbal teas, so I’ll go with cocoa.”

“Got it.”

Feeling it would be rude to let Julian do all the work, Fujimori followed him into a small room that Frau Gessner usually managed.

It was a small, four-tatami mat-sized room, once called the maid’s room. Fujimori had never entered it before, except for a quick glance when the door was accidentally left open. The room contained a kettle, stove, and sink.

Back in the days of the Hachigaya family, this was where the maids would wait.

Inside the room were neatly arranged shelves of tea, groceries, a refrigerator, and an oven that appeared to be used for baking.

Naturally, there wasn’t a single speck of dust on the floor. The small pots, kettles, coffee, and jams were all meticulously arranged, making it clear that everything was kept in order.

Julian, with surprising dexterity for someone of his appearance, efficiently added cocoa and sugar to a small pot and dissolved them with some pre-boiled water.

He then added milk from the refrigerator, heating it up with a practised hand to make the cocoa.

However, instead of mugs, the cocoa was poured into large Meissen cups, filled to the brim. Whether this was luxurious or surreal, Fujimori couldn’t quite tell.

“Shall we have it in my study?”

Julian asks as he takes out a tray.

Fujimori has only been to Julian’s study once before, on the first day to greet him. He had wanted to see the many books lining the shelves. But had refrained, thinking it was a private space, just like this small room.

Since Julian had invited him so willingly, Fujimori felt there was no reason to refuse.

“Then, I’ll just wash this up real quick.”

It was the least he could do. Fujimori quickly washed the small pot in the spotless sink, which had been polished to a shine with not a single stain. As he set the pot on the wooden cutting board and dried his wet hands with a towel, he noticed Julian leaning in from just beside him. They had somehow gotten quite close without him realising it.

“…What’s the matter?” 

Just as he asked, Julian bent down and kissed him.

At first, it was a gentle kiss on the corner of his lips.

Caught off guard, Fujimori was too stunned to move. Then, Julian wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into an embrace. Their lips softly met again.

“…Julian?”

As Fujimori instinctively started to pull away in surprise, Julian stroked his hair and gently covered his lips once more.

That sweet, mysterious scent Fujimori had noticed before wafted softly into his nose.

The moment he became aware of that scent, a light, dizzying sensation washed over him.

In the haze of the moment, Julian adjusted the angle and kissed him a few more times.

It was as though Julian was carefully exploring the shape of his lips, gently nibbling on them. But with Julian being such a large man, Fujimori felt as though he was being consumed.

Even as Fujimori remained dazed, Julian’s long arms wrapped entirely around him, softly caressing him as if to envelop his whole body.

“…Huh?”

As Fujimori blinked in astonishment, Julian planted another affectionate kiss on him before stopping and picking up the tray with the cocoa.

“Shall we go?” Julian extended his arm, gently taking Fujimori’s hand.

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*Translator’s Note: Meow~~~ Our shy guy has suddenly become so bold… He even released his pheromones so brazenly. -K

Illustration 4:

Next update: 2024.11.10

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