DLBF Chapter 37

Chapter 37 – The Picture Frame

Chapter 3, Part 3.1

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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“Hey, Julian, can you show me your study today?”

The morning after breakfast, Fujimori spoke to Julian.

“Of course.”

Julian nodded calmly, likely because Fujimori had given him a heads-up the night before.

He seemed to be in slightly better spirits than the previous evening.

“If you’d like, should we have today’s lesson in the study?”

“Is that okay?”

“If Kenji doesn’t mind.”

Julian smiled as he held the dining room door open.

He had shaved cleanly this morning.

It’s strange… Fujimori thought, gazing at Julian’s profile.

Last night, he had fallen asleep while gently embracing Julian.

Julian had clung to him with long arms and Fujimori had held his head as they slept.

Maybe it was because he had already heard about the werewolf situation in advance, or because Julian hadn’t harmed him in any way, Fujimori didn’t find Julian frightening at all. On the contrary, he still thought Julian had a well-formed, handsome face.

Even after seeing Julian in his wolf form, Fujimori felt only emotions far removed from fear, such as how adorable the thick ears were, or how the slightly coarse fur felt nice to touch.

Of course, he couldn’t begin to imagine the struggles of Julian’s mother, who gave birth to him in that form, or the difficulties faced by Julian’s father, who had a strained relationship with her. Perhaps that’s why he didn’t feel fear or revulsion…

In any case, today, both of them were behaving as they always had on the surface.

As usual, Fujimori carried his bag with the study materials for their lesson, as well as his camera, notebook, measuring tape, and other investigation tools that he used when exploring the mansion.

Perhaps due to his naturally optimistic nature, Fujimori felt a thrill of excitement at the thought of not only investigating Julian’s study but also being shown the study of a novelist who writes lengthy novels.

“Excuse me,” Fujimori said as he knocked on the door. Julian opened it from the inside.

“Please, come in.”

“Well, I’ll take you up on that offer.”

Fujimori bowed slightly and peeked into the room.

In the bright morning light, it was a calm-toned room with a large collection of books.

Since it was used as a study, the walls had intricately crafted built-in bookshelves. They were like those in a foreign library, partially embedded into the wall. Half of the books were originally from the Hachigaya family. The other half seemed to be ones Julian had brought in.

Among Julian’s books, there were quite a few old leather-bound books that looked valuable at a glance. But the Hachigaya family’s collection also seemed to have quite a history.

“About half of the books that were originally placed here have been stored in another room at Herr Tanba’s request. If you’re interested, take a look over there,” Julian explained as Fujimori stopped in front of the bookshelves, saying that he couldn’t assess their value.

After asking permission, Fujimori took photos of the bookshelves, windows, and doors, and then he noticed a painting propped up on the desk.

It was a portrait that Julian had drawn of Fujimori, now already framed in gold.

“Oh, this…”

Fujimori stopped taking pictures and walked over to the painting.

Perhaps it was because of the frame. But the painting looked even more atmospheric than before.

The frame, which Julian had carved with a forest motif, was painted in gold. However, it was a subdued gold without any garishness. The paint had an antique finish, giving it a slightly worn look. The delicate brushstrokes made Fujimori briefly doubt whether it was really his portrait.

The whole piece matched the tone of the old mansion, making it look like it had been there for a long time.

“Wow…”

Julian, who heard Fujimori’s murmur, handed him the frame.

“I finished it yesterday… Here you go.”

Julian said that the paint had already dried.

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

Holding the painting to his chest, Fujimori thanked Julian. He was aware that his cheeks were slightly flushed. Feeling rather embarrassed, he stood on his tiptoes and kissed Julian on the cheek.

It wasn’t something he could show others. Kissing was normally treated as a form of greeting for foreigners. For him, it was something very private. But since they were alone here, it was fine.

After the kiss, Fujimori, still feeling a little embarrassed, noticed where the painting had been propped up and involuntarily raised his voice.

“A typewriter!!”

On the desk was a rather retro-designed typewriter. It looked like a model from about sixty years ago, Fujimori guessed, based on the types of typewriters he had seen abroad.

OLYMPIA… Wasn’t that a manufacturer from West Germany? The colour was olive. While it wasn’t old enough to be considered antique, the design was simple with minimal decoration. Yet it had a solid, stable form.

“Does it work?”

“Yes, it’s still in use. It’s durable and doesn’t break even if you carry it around.”

Fujimori smiled wryly, realising that Julian was a typewriter enthusiast. It’s a rarity in a world where people now use computers or electronic devices.

“You write your books with this?”

“Yes, I take the drafts I write in my notebook and type them out with this.”

After saying that, Julian added, “It’s a keepsake from my grandfather. He passed away when I was six. But I often watched him type letters and documents with this.”

Hearing that Julian used it as a keepsake from his grandfather, Fujimori thought that even though Julian’s grandfather passed away when he was still quite young, perhaps his childhood wasn’t completely lonely.

“Your grandfather?”

“Yes, since my parents were rarely home, he probably felt responsible. He was strict, but he taught me many things.”

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*Translator’s Note: I was kinda hoping for some kinky sex time with Julian in his ehem..other form but maybe I just read too much naughty stuff. My mind’s too dirty. I’m sorry. Don’t mind me.🫣 -K 

Next update: 2024.11.26

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