Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Lady Bandark let out a short, “Hmm.”

“Doesn’t it sound a bit like a girl’s name? When you read it in Krentis, it’s Elize too.”

Then she looked up at the madam and asked her.

“I couldn’t help it. I felt like I had to do it this way…”

I understood the meaning behind those words. There was a superstition that if you gave a child a name opposite to their gender, they would live a long life. I’d heard the duke was frail when he was young—it seemed that had worried the madam enough to take such a step.

“If she takes after you, she’ll grow up healthy and beautiful.”

“I hope so.”

“She will. Then every year on her birthday, I’ll be able to visit with a gift in hand. And every year will bring joy like that.”

Lady Bandark murmured in a voice that seemed to sink. There was a strained hope mixed in her tone.

* * *

Luka stood beyond the rectangular door. The lady gestured for him to come over. He strode forward and stopped before her.

“Luka.”

“Yes, young lady.”

“What do you think? Do you think I’ll manage to live well at Bandark?”

“Bandark is a fine house, isn’t it? What could be wrong with it?”

“That doesn’t mean much to me. I… I’d even be fine throwing everything I’ve been given and running away. As long as my people are by my side…”

She stared into Luka’s eyes as she spoke. The words carried a heavy undercurrent, as if she was trying to draw something out of him. Something like, “Then will you come with me?”…

“Young lady. Don’t say you’d throw everything away. A rare jewel rolled through the mud is just a stone to trip over. Some things gain their worth from where they belong.”

“…….”

“That’s right! It’s the same as that painting you bought. It’s valuable because you own it, because it hangs here. If our head cook had gotten it, he’d have just tossed it out.”

What is he on about?

Luka’s words struck me as almost absurd. And I began to see how warped his love really was. In his memories, the feeling I’d sensed toward her was a thrilling flutter—but that was only by his own measure.

Blink.

The instant I shut my eyes and opened them again, my mind snapped back to the room with the pond. Madame Vandark stood watching me, her face bleached white. Water was still streaming from every opening on her face.

“……I couldn’t help it. It was so stupid, but once I came to love him, there was no turning back.”

She said it, then toppled backward and sank into the pond. I hurried after her and peered into the water. But she had already vanished from sight.

* * *

‘The Empire’s been running some kind of welfare program lately……. Thanks to that, I’ve got more work than ever.’

I was sitting properly at my desk, scanning the documents. Then, out of nowhere, I lifted my head and looked at the Duke’s profile. The smooth line from his brow to his lips was, by anyone’s measure, truly beautiful.

Beautiful…….

‘But that doesn’t mean His Grace became my sanctuary. What is it, then? I just can’t understand Luka’s feelings……. Is it because I’m not empathizing enough?’

When you thought about it, even though I could feel the ghosts’ emotions when I read their memories, it never fully reached me. When I was very young, I’d dive into their recollections so completely I’d practically become them—but since becoming an adult, I’d grown more cautious about that.

“……Is there something you want to say?”

The Duke turned to look at me and asked. I must have been staring at him without realizing it while lost in thought. I started, then relaxed my narrowed brow.

“No……. I was just thinking that feelings are never simple……. Love is really difficult.”

“……Laura. You see, the portrait…… it’s just a formality.”

But then the Duke suddenly started talking about something else. And since it had to be about the portrait, my heart sank at once. It made me think of the beautiful woman in the painting.

Yes. That’s a problem too!

“Why are you telling me that, Your Grace? It’s possible that marriage proposals might come in, right? The woman in the painting was a real beauty—and since you’re handsome yourself, you two would suit each other.”

The words came out sharper than I intended—a barbed edge even I couldn’t follow. Inside, I was already slapping myself for being so emotional, but there was no taking back what I’d let slip.

“Laura.”

“No, no—that’s not what I meant to say. I’m sorry.”

Heat flooded my face. I didn’t want to be this prickly over every little thing, but my body wouldn’t get with the program.

“Laura.”

“D-don’t call me.”

“……Laura.”

He rose from his seat and came toward me. I wanted to bolt, but my legs just wouldn’t move. So I ducked my head, hoping to dodge his gaze.

“If it’s jealousy, isn’t it narrow-minded of me to be glad? But honestly, I hope that’s what it is.”

His voice dropped low, settling at my ear like a thrum. I lifted my eyes slowly and found his face right there. I swallowed hard.

“Wait a moment! Duke—please, step back.”

I couldn’t bring myself to meet his water-colored eyes. So I swung both hands, trying to push him away. But he paid me no mind — only drew closer, pressing in.

“Go… I said go away.”

“No.”

“Why, why not?”

“Because right now, I’m trying to seduce you.”

“What?”

“I’m not much with words, you know. So I figured I’d let my face do the talking. What do you think? Is it working?”

This man… so he knew he was handsome all along. Well, one look in a mirror and it’d be obvious, I suppose…

I hadn’t expected him to pull a beauty trap at a moment like this, so I was utterly thrown. But damn if it wasn’t effective! My mind went completely blank, like it had frozen over. Before my words could fail me entirely, I forced myself to focus and scrambled for something halfway decent to say.

“It’s not like I’m in love with you just because of your face, Your Grace?!”

“Is that so?”

But I got the feeling I’d chosen my words wrong. Doesn’t this just sound like I’m saying everything’s good…? And the Duke seemed to interpret it that way too—he let out a short laugh in my direction.

“Ah. No. That’s not it… I mean, the Duke is handsome, yes, but also good as a superior. Kind, pays well… and, well, this and that.”

“…That’s a relief.”

“Huh? What is…?”

“Seeing your reaction puts me at ease. Until now, I worried you might be uncomfortable instead. That was scarier than facing a dead man, honestly.”

“W-Well, that’s…”

I twisted my lips into a pout and shot the Duke a sidelong glare. Then I noticed it—a faint shadow pooling beneath his eyes. A blemish marring his perfect flower-like beauty. Before I knew it, my hand had darted out and grabbed hold of his chin.

The Duke flinched and stepped back a full pace. His ears went crimson on the spot. For someone who’d claimed to be trying to seduce me, it was a remarkably timid reaction. Right then, I felt a mean little idea take root.

“Ah. So it’s my turn, is it?”

I don’t know where the reckless boldness came from, but I grabbed his chin and pulled it toward me. His nervous response honestly pleased me. I wanted to coax more expressions out of his face.

“Your Grace, did you have trouble sleeping last night?”

I asked him lowly, studying the shadows beneath his eyes.

“……Shion. That child was being noisy. And only in front of my door, at that.”

The Duke met my gaze as he spoke. That little Shion. I’d left him yelling ‘Big brother’s so mean!’ and running off yesterday—he must have gone straight to harass the Duke. A smirk tugged at my lips as I pictured the brat hammering on the ducal doors with a nasty expression.

“Couldn’t you have told him to stop?”

“I did. He didn’t listen.”

“Then I’ll talk to him. He’s been listening to me lately.”

“Very well.”

The Duke took both my wrists as he answered. Then he looked down at me with a steadfast gaze.

“Laura.”

“Yes?”

“Shouldn’t we define this… relationship of ours? For instance…”

For instance…

I bit my lip nervously, waiting for him to finish his sentence.

“Laury! Elize!”

But just then, Shion burst through the study door. The Duke and I jerked apart from each other.

“What are you two doing?!”

The child shouted at us. The Duke let out a short sigh and rubbed his face. Then he moved closer to me again.

“……That kid shows up every time we’re about to…”

He whispered, an edge of irritation in his voice.

“Laura! Elize! I’m here!”

The door swung open again, and this time it was the young marquis.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

He rushed over to us and wedged himself in front of me.

“Laura. I was away on business in another territory, so it’s been a long time.”

As always, his face bore a faint smile. He looked thoroughly pleased—anyone could see he was genuinely glad to see me. Meanwhile, the Duke’s brow had drawn tighter.

“Oh, right. I brought you a blue rose from that region—it’s a specialty—but I left it in the carriage. I’ll bring it to you later…”

The young marquis was chattering along happily when his sentence suddenly cut off. The Duke had grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled. The young marquis slid backward, in tow of the Duke’s grip.

“Talk later, Laura.”

The duke held the young marquis in place and spoke to me.

“Yes! Please make sure you finish what you said earlier!” I replied at once.

I didn’t know exactly what he meant by ‘settling the relationship,’ but I had a guess. And if I was right, I had more than enough reason to hear him out.