Chapter 121

Chapter 121

After buying the bracelet, Hereis and I stopped at a café for dessert. The cake and pie we ordered arrived at the table not long after. The strawberry on top of the cake was sugar-coated, gleaming with a glossy shine. I clasped my hands in admiration as I gazed at it.

“Wow, looks delicious!”

“Right? They said it’s a new item, and it really is pretty.”

Hereis picked up a fork and knife as she replied. She grabbed the biggest strawberry from the top of the cake and handed it to me.

“Laura. You eat this.”

“Hey… Hereis…”

I accepted the strawberry, my eyes glistening with emotion as I looked at her. She let out a small, slightly embarrassed laugh.

“Now that I think about it, you really love strawberries, don’t you?”

“Uh-huh. I do. Thanks, Hereis. Hey, did I ever tell you I consider you my best friend?”

“What’s with all this crazy flattery over one strawberry? Just eat it.”

When I showered her with exaggerated praise, she scolded me with a look of disbelief. I popped the strawberry into my mouth right away. The sweet juice burst across my tongue. I was floating on perfect bliss.

Meanwhile, Hereis kept stealing glances at the gift box I’d set on the table. But then she’d check my expression and quickly look away. She wasn’t adding any remarks. Her lips twitched with curiosity, but she seemed determined not to pry into my personal affairs.

Hmm. It’s okay to ask, though…

Watching her, I figured it was better for me to speak first. Hereis looked like she had a lot on her mind, but I was genuinely fine. And I really wanted to tell her that.

“Hereis. It’s okay. If I’ve fallen this hard for the Duke and don’t take a shot, I know I’ll regret it forever. It might become something I carry in my heart for the rest of my life.”

It wasn’t that I was brimming with confidence, but I had the guts to face it head-on. And right now, that was enough.

“Yeah. I see.”

Hereis gave a small nod at my words. Then she slowly sliced into her pie and added, her voice trailing.

“Sorry if I made you feel awkward… and I hope it works out.”

“Mm. Thanks.”

Her words landed well. A flush of embarrassment crept up on me as I brought my fork to the cake. Hereis started on her dessert too, the clink of utensils filling the quiet.

“The marquis’s succession ceremony is soon, isn’t it?”

And that’s when it happened. A voice rang out from somewhere inside the shop. Cake still in my mouth, I paused to eavesdrop.

“Isn’t that a bit rushed? I thought His Majesty only gave permission not long ago.”

“The Marquis wants to pass on the title quickly. I think he must have been deeply hurt.”

“Well… that’s understandable.”

“Exactly. Honestly, weren’t they like the picture-perfect married couple? Who would’ve guessed they’d suddenly file for divorce? Maybe it was festering underneath all that polish.”

I’d never understand where people dug up these gossip pieces. So the gist was that some marquis house had been through a divorce, leading the father to hand over the title to his son. Truly, the lives of high nobles were nothing but trouble — seeing how a personal matter like divorce became public fodder. Maybe the ‘polish on the outside’ was just a shield against wagging tongues.

‘But which house is passing on the succession? It’s not one I know, is it?’

The thought flickered across my mind, not born from any deliberate reasoning. Just the mention of a marquis’s peerage conjured the marquis house I knew. But Benat Karsen — he couldn’t be the subject of this rumor. His parents seemed glued at the hip, almost disgustingly close.

“I’m hearing about the marquis house here too.”

Hereis, who’d also been listening in, murmured like she was talking to herself. Looked like this wasn’t exactly breaking news to her. I shot her a puzzled look.

“Huh? You’ve heard this story somewhere else?”

“I work at the Imperial Castle, remember? I catch wind of most rumors that come out of there. My younger sister mentioned it too… Apparently, House Karsen went to see His Majesty the Emperor not long ago — all about the succession rights.”

Wait — House Karsen? So the young marquis really is inheriting the title?! *My mind went blank.*

A dazed feeling washed over me. So that meant that seemingly close married couple had split up? My thoughts flashed back to the memory of meeting the young marquis — the whole chain of events. His expression back then had been anything but pleasant. And the Duke had said something had happened to him.

“Good grief. So he must have been going through hell with his parents’ situation… and he still came to see me that day to break things off?” I whispered, pieces clicking into place.

“Ah… yes. You didn’t know, Laura. The Young Marquis mentioned he knew you so I assumed you were aware…” Hereis added, her tone fading as she saw my reaction.

My eyes went wide, and I stood frozen as if turned to stone. Hereis quickly appended her words, and I forced a slow nod in return.

“Right. I honestly had no idea.”

* * *

By the time I returned to Covertshalden, the sun had long since surrendered to dusk. My mind was a tangled mess, and talking with Hereis had only eaten away the hours. I hurried my steps, desperate to retreat to my room.

But as I passed the study, a sliver of light bled through the crack beneath the door. That workaholic duke was still at it, apparently.

‘Hmm… the bracelet… should I give it to him now?’

I stopped in front of the door, weighing the thought. If I kept holding onto it, the hesitation would only fester. My head was already spinning enough — I wanted to resolve at least one problem hanging over me.

“But now that I’m actually about to go in, I’m shaking…”

Still, my feet wouldn’t move. So I pressed my forehead against the door and furrowed my brow, lost in thought.

What should I say when I hand him the bracelet? There *is* something I want to say, but…

“Duke, won’t you go out with me?”

“Duke, this is my heart. Shall we start painting our future together…?”

“Duke, I… I want to…”

No matter how I rehearsed, it was too embarrassing. My heart slammed in my chest — bang, bang — and my vision swam from the strain of it all. But I didn’t want to just turn back. Hesitation only ever dragged time out longer.

‘Alright. Let’s go in!’

I decided to muster more courage. Squeezing my eyes shut, I flung open the study door. Then I thrust the gift box high in front of me.

“D-Duke! Please accept this and—and start seeing me!” I blurted out.

“……”

“……”

But no answer came back. Worse — the study felt unnaturally quiet. So quiet that not even a breath stirred the air.

An uneasy sensation coiled in my gut. I cracked my eyes open to peek. And there, right in front of me, stood the Duke and several servants clustered together. Their eyes were fixed on me, wide with shock.

“Gah—”

Every muscle in my body locked up. My mind went blank — pure white, like a frostbitten field. I couldn’t think a single thought.

*Meow—*

Right then, a cat tumbled from the butler’s arms with a soft *thump*. As if struck by lightning, my senses snapped back. I walked calmly out of the study and quietly closed the door. Then I bolted down the corridor as fast as my legs could carry me.

*SLAM!*

“Laura!”

A moment later, the door crashed open again, and I heard the duke following behind me.

“D-Don’t follow me!” I shouted, my voice cracking.

“Wait, why are you running?” he called after me.

Why wouldn’t I be?! Did he really have to ask? Of course, because I’m mortified!

Even admitting that to myself stung with shame. So I just bolted at full speed, letting out a string of barking cries instead.

“I said don’t follow me!” I yelled over my shoulder.

“Alright, alright. Just stop. It’s dangerous.” His voice was closer now, calm but urgent.

“No! Just leave me alone. Please! Aah!” — and then, in a single instant, my foot slipped.

I tumbled, sprawling and skidding across the floor in a clumsy heap.

“Laura!” he shouted, his voice sharp with alarm.

The duke was on me in seconds. One arm looped around my shoulder, and he pulled me flush against him, steadying me before I could even process the fall.

“Laura. Are you alright? Did you get hurt?” His blue eyes scanned me, searching for any injury.

“I said nothing.”

I wasn’t hurt, but my shame had doubled. I swallowed the tears threatening to spill, biting down hard on my lower lip.

“What’s wrong? Does it hurt badly?” he pressed, concern bleeding into his tone.

“Still, I stayed silent.”

With my words cut so short, he began inspecting me with those blue eyes of his. To hide my blazing cheeks, I curled into myself and burrowed deeper into his chest, pressing my face against the fabric of his coat.

“…I’m not hurt. It’s just… the embarrassment is worse,” I murmured, my voice muffled against him.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” he said softly.

A faint laugh threaded through his voice at my ear. It hit me that he was teasing, and a petulant sulk rose in me. Before I knew it, a grumpy edge crept into my words.

“But what was all that about? Why were all those people gathered in your office? I didn’t even know! And I had something I only wanted to tell you!” I whined, the words tumbling out in a rush.

“I’m sorry. It was about the salt-price regulation — I’d summoned the parties involved. Mostly Handel’s doing, but I do step in on occasion to oversee the whole thing.” His tone was apologetic, patient.

“No, but of all days, why today…” I muttered, pouting.

“Anyway, Laura… would you look at me? I’d like to talk face to face.” His voice softened, gentle despite my petulant tone.

I lifted my head cautiously and met his gaze. A playful expression I’d never seen on him before filled my view. He let out a quiet chuckle in that state, then shifted his eyes to the gift box still clutched in my arms.

“By the way… seems like you have something for me? What you’re holding right now.” He arched an eyebrow, a knowing grin tugging at his lips.

“This?” I asked, holding it up.

“Yeah. What is it?” He tilted his head, playing innocent.

“…A bracelet…” I mumbled, heat creeping back into my cheeks.

“A bracelet?” he echoed, his tone laced with feigned surprise.

There was no way he didn’t know what a bracelet gift meant. He was just pretending ignorance, waiting for me to say it. I shoved the gift box toward him, pressing it into his hands.

“Yes. It’s… a bracelet,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“…Then will you put it on me?” he asked, his voice dropping to something intimate, teasing, and impossibly tender.

He slid the gift box toward me again. I worked my lips, then undid the wrapping and lifted out the bracelet inside.