Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Time flowed faster than I thought, and the investigation schedule was just one day away.
During that time, I packed the necessary luggage and practiced Healing Magic.
Of course, ever since that explosion incident(?), a supervisor had been assigned to me whenever I practiced handling magic power.
It seemed the Young Duke was taking on that role today.
Having arrived at the Duke's Mansion, he had worked non-stop, and his complexion was incredibly pale.
Would he be alright to depart in that state?
Feeling a pang of pity, I approached him, but I couldn't figure out what to say.
He looked at me with a questioning gaze, then took something from his embrace and wordlessly handed it over.
……Chocolate?
As I stared at him with a bewildered expression, he promptly offered me another piece of chocolate.
"Eating too much sweets is bad for your health. The rest is for after dinner."
Does he think I'm a child……!
My bewilderment was brief, and I extended my hand to him.
"Young Duke, your hand!"
"...Yes?"
"Extend your hand, your hand!"
He wore a stunned expression, uncharacteristic of him, then soon extended his hand.
I lightly clasped the Young Duke's hand with both of mine.
This person… is he even human?
His hand was as cold as his complexion, utterly devoid of any human warmth.
Even his hand felt as if a god had sculpted it, so delicate and elegant, like touching a finely crafted statue.
"Beth…?"
As I silently fiddled with his hand, he widened his eyes and simply stared at me.
When I casually tilted my head to look at him, I noticed his expression was quite different from usual.
Perhaps from fatigue, his always neat hair was slightly disheveled, and his relaxed facial muscles, appearing languid, seemed looser than usual.
No. Don't be swayed by his appearance…
I calmed my fluttering heart and, holding his hand, infused it with magic power.
Though I had only studied for a few days, the slightly refined magic power moved in a stable orbit and was absorbed by the Young Duke.
"How do you feel? Less tired?"
"...Yes, thank you."
Uncharacteristically, he lowered his gaze slightly and let out a low chuckle.
Normally, Healing Magic also has the effect of relaxing the recipient.
But I thought it wouldn't work on the Young Duke, who was so unlike a human…
The Young Duke's markedly different aura felt strangely unfamiliar.
"Shouldn't Bestia rest today as well? You won't be able to rest much for a while."
He sat askew in his chair, his eyes half-closed as if drowsiness was overcoming him.
"Young Duke, are you going to sleep? Please go to your room and sleep. If you sleep in a place like this, your face might get paralyzed..."
What, is he asleep? Really?
As I approached him to check his condition, he suddenly opened his eyes wide.
"I am not sleeping."
Sigh, I almost dropped my heart.
Was he just dozing off for a moment?
"Young Duke, you must be tired, please go and sleep."
"Bestia, I do not sleep."
"You don't sleep?"
I pointedly looked at the dullness around the Young Duke's eyes and expressed my doubt.
As if he knew I'd ask, the Young Duke lightly nodded and continued.
"You know that I possess a vast amount of magic power, more than others, right?"
"Yes, of course!"
The Duke had told me, but I could tell from his magic power manipulation just now.
It seemed impossible for anyone to infuse magic power into him until his magic power was full.
I wondered if anyone in the empire possessed greater magic power than him.
Honestly, with this much power, he could be called a god in the human world without any objection.
Even though I thought I had improved, my abilities were less than a fingernail compared to the Young Duke's.
"The more magic power one possesses, the higher their physical abilities become. Therefore, those with high magic power reserves do not get injured easily, and their aging is delayed."
"...You don't mean to say that you can live without sleeping?"
"Ultimately, yes... but."
He trailed off at the end of his sentence, as if contemplating something.
No matter what, could a person really live without sleeping?
I sent him a look of blatant suspicion, but he pretended not to notice.
The more I learned about the Young Duke, the more I couldn't grasp what kind of person he was.
He seemed willing to tell me everything at first, but then he would step back if I asked something he didn't want to answer.
He was clearly hiding something from me, but what was it…?
Even today, the Young Duke looked strangely youthful.
Could a person suddenly look younger just because they were relaxed…?
Of course, his appearance might seem that way depending on the mood, but I felt it wasn't the whole story.
"Ahem."
See, he even let out a suspicious cough like that!
But I decided to put my curiosity aside for now.
I judged that he wouldn't easily answer even if I asked.
And so, I continued to accumulate questions about him.
\ \ \
"Bestia, have you packed all your luggage?"
"Yep!"
From the very first day of our departure, the weather was not good.
It seemed it would rain soon, as a humid and cool air circulated.
The Young Duke checked the luggage and then adjusted the fastenings of the cloak I was wearing.
Then, looking behind me, he asked again.
"And you all?"
"Need I say more?"
"Yes! We've all packed well!"
"Yes! Master…!"
Aristelle, a maid with black hair who introduced herself as 'Mary', and…
Wait a minute, there's someone who shouldn't be included among them?
Seeing Gilbert naturally included in the investigation party, my pupils dilated.
Why is that person here…?
Gilbert's driving skills could only get worse, there was no sign of improvement.
I didn't even know how long the investigation would take, how could I ride in a death carriage pulled by him?
"...Young Duke?"
I sent a silent gaze towards the Young Duke, but.
"Is something wrong? Bestia."
He asked me with an unconcerned air, as if he had no idea what the problem was.
"Ah, no. Nothing..."
"Let's get in."
The Young Duke naturally escorted me as always.
Ah, no. Does that person genuinely rate Gilbert's driving skills highly?
\ \ \
I'm probably the only one in this world who uses the Young Duke as a sofa.
As expected.
Thanks to Gilbert's destructive driving skills, I had to stick close to the Young Duke once again.
Moreover, since it was a journey that would take several days, I had to ride in the carriage for a full half-day.
If there's one thing I can say about Gilbert, it's that his stamina is incredibly good.
He had been driving for a long time, and though it should have been tiring, he actually seemed to be in good spirits.
"Gilbert, did something good happen?"
"Actually, the place we're heading to is my hometown."
Ah, now that I think about it, I heard he was from an orphanage too.
"You must have many good memories from your hometown."
"Honestly, I have more bad memories, but my friends, like family, still live there."
"…."
"They'll probably be overjoyed to see me and think I've succeeded."
Seeing him genuinely happy, I felt a little sorry for my shock before departure.
Well, since the Young Duke offered to be my sofa, it's not that big of a deal…
He's more comfortable than most sofas, and since he doesn't sleep, he won't push me off, right?
Hmm, I feel secure. So secure…
I unconsciously patted the Young Duke's arm, which was beside me.
"...Bestia?"
"Ah, it's just nice that you're here, Young Duke."
If I had to say, there was no particular meaning behind it.
But the problem was that only I took it that way.
"Honey… doing this outside makes me embarrassed."
Again, again, with people watching, he's really putting on a show.
"Ahem, we will be leaving for a moment to look for lodging."
"L-let's go quickly…!"
"Wait a minute, it's not like that, everyone!"
Without giving me a chance to say anything, they left, leaving the Young Duke and me alone.
"...So, honey, what should we do now?"
When I turned my head to glare at him, I saw the Young Duke with a mischievous smile on his face.
This human...! He's really gotten a kick out of teasing me.
I vowed to repay him tenfold someday, grinding my teeth.
To be continued in the next chapter ▶
