ARC 1: The Abandoned Lover’s Salvation (2) Chapter 2: Let’s Be Affectionate, Affectionate, Affectionate!

Lumiere finally got every bit of Eclaire's memories the moment he lied down in bed. He cursed the system all the way back to the mansion and when he saw the elder maid who faked being worried about his condition, he switched from cursing the system to cursing the nanny in his heart. After hours of cursing, he finally got tired and ended up lying on the bed. Only then did the system has the guts to speak.

[Host, rest assured. This really is an F-Class world. Host can manage if you really try your best.]

Lumiere just clicks his tongue, feeling betrayed, "How am I able to manage huh?! I'm already in the brink of failing this world! If I abandon this world, I will spend thirty years in your cold room! If I fail, who knows how difficult the penalty world is!" If this is just an F-Class world, then how can I handle the rest of the worlds?!

[Why don't you formulate a strategy first, dear host?] The system talked as lovely as possible, even softening its facial expression. Lumiere cannot help but be moved. It seems like he likes cute things and his system's mini robot appearance is actually really cute.

"Even if you ask me, what can I do now?" he wondered.

[Isn't the luck clover the host's lover? Then why doesn't the host try to show his romantic side by showing some skin?] The system shamelessly told him to try and sell his body, it might work.

Lumiere felt chills when he realized what his system suggested, especially with such an innocent face. But then again, the system is but a strand of data, only imitating emotions through data processing, so he actually hadn't had enough feelings about such things.

"T-That's a bit—" I mean, I don't even know if I am gay…

Just when Lumiere ponder his own sexuality, an idea popped up in his mind, and he felt that it might work. His originally troubled face lit up, his eyes bright and a wide smile escaped his lips. He sat and grabbed the system with his palms and showered it with kisses.

"You're great! I love you!" he said out loud before standing up, grabbing his robe in a hurry and ran to the bathroom.

Meanwhile, the system: [O////O]??

Lumiere removed all of his clothes and turned on the shower using ice cold water. He shivered and felt that his bones are growing ice. Nevertheless, he continued. While showering, he looked at himself in the huge mirror. Eclaire actually has a good white skin and a petite body with long legs. Because of the cold water, his skin turn whiter and his rosy lips turn paler to blue. He has sky blue eyes and light blonde curly hair. The very definition of a pretty boy, indeed.

No matter how Lumiere look at it, Eclaire looks like an angel. Such a lovely boy, how can he be so pitiful? Lumiere can only sigh and focused on showering. When he really couldn't hold it anymore and felt like he'll faint, he stopped and carefully wiped his almost numb body and made sure that his hair is dry.

He lied down in bed and soon after, he collapsed.

*****

Augustine finally arrived at home with his brows furrowed. The partnership he spent months carefully planning has been ruined in a single night. Not only that, his good reputation is also beginning to crumble. If he lost his reputation and position, how can he even take care of his suffocating lover who knows nothing but trouble?

Removing his coat and tie, he sighed once again. His butler can do nothing but console him and asked leniency for Eclaire. Augustine actually didn't know when it started. His lover suddenly turned very jealous in every way, as if he wasn't trustworthy enough after more than a year and a half.

At first, he's glad that his lover is actually eating vinegar because of him, but he didn't realize it would be to this extent. In the end, he can only reprimand him through words, cannot even bear to hit him. Why? That's his lover right there! How could he do such a terrible thing?

Maybe because he was too shocked, stressed and stimulated that he poured a glass of water to his darling. But at the same time, he was relieved that he could do that, else how can he manage him in the future?

"Where is he?" he asked coldly.

"The little master is already resting." The butler answered honestly.

He looked at the time, 11:30 pm. He looked at the butler, "Already?"

These days, Eclaire always wait for him to burst out, shouting and hitting him. But now, he actually got tired of it?

"Yes. After going home, little master refused to eat and went straight to bed."

After hearing that, Augustine finished changing first and dined all by himself. Just as he was about to retire, he still thought of Eclaire, and with a heavy heart, decided to visit his room.

Even though they are lovers for over two years now, he didn't do anything indecent towards Eclaire. He is always respectful. Even if Eclaire loves hugs and kisses, when he actually tried to kiss him in the lips in a very intimate manner, Eclaire got scared stiff and begged him to stop. Augustine is a very open-minded man, he is also a lot older than the 20-year-old Eclaire, already 31. That's why he felt very fortunate that he won Eclaire's parents' approval and actually captured Eclaire's heart when he started courting him when the boy is about to turn 19 in half-a-year.

But now… he is no longer certain.

Upon entering the room, it was very dark so he left the door open, a ray of light peeking through as he walks towards the bed. He sat on the side and looked at his beloved's face.

"Eclaire…" he called.

"Love…" he called once again without moving on his place, his face turns even more sorrowful.

"Baby…" he almost whispered. He reached out to fix the strands of hair that were stuck on his darling's forehead because of some sweat but when his skin touched the damp forehead, it was burning hot.

"Eclaire?" he called once again, slowly, his eyes widened in panic, "Eclaire! Love!" he shook Eclaire's body but there was no response. Feeling his lover's burning temperature and finally seeing his pale flushed face even more clearly, he felt as if his blood ran out.

Without thinking properly, he carried Eclaire into his arms and rushed outside, "Moran! Prepare the car! Hurry!"

The butler rushed out and upon seeing Eclaire's terrible condition, he thought of the nearest hospital and while preparing the car, he also informed the hospital about their arrival so they can prepare earlier.

While the butler is driving, Augustine kept on wiping Eclaire's face with his shaking hands, repeatedly kissing his forehead, calling his name with his hoarse voice while urging Moran to hurry up.

Lumiere is starting to gain his consciousness when he felt something soft that kept pressing on his forehead and on his cheeks. There also seem to be a voice full of panic, calling Eclaire's name. Before he can open his eyes, the system gave him a summary of the situation.

Lumiere felt really terrible but he didn't waste his time, upon realizing that his luck clover still cares for him even with that low favorability, he still has a chance. He even thought, 'Love, if you can kindly favor me once again, I don't mind offering you my chrysanthemum!'

So he continued his acting of 'I'm so pitiful without you so you should stay with me.'

"G-Gus…" he called out with his hoarse weak voice. It was actually too small, he felt that he couldn't speak. He just hopes that his luck clover could hear it, "Gus… G-Gus…" he called, his tears even fell because of how painful he is feeling, 'Gus love! Please I hope you can hear me!'

Augustine actually couldn't hear his first call, not until he held him in his arms tighter did he hear as small 'Gus' escaping from Eclaire's mouth. He felt even more panicked and tried to wipe his lover's back in fear that he's feeling too hot.

"D-Don't leave…" he heard him whisper, "I-I'll be good… I won't… tr-trouble any…more…"

Those words actually strummed Augustine's heartstrings. He nodded and bit his shaking lips, "En…" he answered but with hazy consciousness and closed eyes, Lumiere didn't hear nor notice so he persisted.

"I'll be really… really… good…" he continued that only made Augustine feel very bad. Blaming himself for pouring ice-cold water on Eclaire, that's why he got a high fever. What if he didn't come then? What would happen to his beloved? He couldn't even imagine it.

No, he doesn't dare imagine it.

"En, I got it." He answered but Lumiere still didn't hear and felt so bitter. Thinking he would be abandoned after causing another ruckus.

"D-Don't hate me…" he finally cried in fear, "I-I don't want to l-leave…" I don't want to leave this world only to get my ass whooped in another!

"I… I l-love… Gus…" he desperately said, "I-I'll… d-die… without Gus… I'll die!" he sobbed painfully.

Augustine froze stiff in a second before embracing his lover's frail body, "Sshh… I'm here… I'm here…" he comforted until Lumiere fainted once again.

*****

Upon waking up, Lumiere found out that he is in a hospital… alone. His eyes dimmed even more, his whole body began to tremble, his mind distressed. He felt utter despair.

Did it not work? Why?! What will happen to me now? I don't want to be punished! I'm scared! I'm scared!

He hugged himself, curved into a ball and cried silently. When he heard a single 'ding!', he felt even more terrified, he bawled, unwilling to look. Soon after, he slightly regained his rational mind, he took a deep breath to look at the screen.

FAVORABILITY LEVEL: 8% --> 60%

Lumiere stared at the screen without blinking for a long time until he felt dumb.