Ch#60
I plastered on a smile while flicking my gaze toward the Grand Duke, urging him silently to peer out the window.
“…….”
He caught my strained look, and sadness tugged at the edges of his eyes.
“You seem exhausted right now.”
Why on earth did he appear so utterly dejected?
“I’m not tired.”
But honestly—glance outside already!
It was utterly black out there. Why head to the lake when we wouldn’t catch sight of a single thing?
“I only meant… you might be weary. Didn’t you mention a packed day tomorrow?”
“I’m perfectly fine. In fact, I was craving some fresh air.”
The Grand Duke moistened his parched lips with a nervous flick of his tongue.
He seemed genuinely anxious, and I couldn’t bear to turn him down.
“……Shall we head out, then?”
Clouds shrouded the sky tonight, dimming the moonlight—we’d barely make out anything.
“The spot’s been off-limits for ages, so it could be a tad unkempt…”
His face brightened as he hastened to add, “I’ll dispatch someone to spruce it up immediately. It’ll take scarcely an hour.”
“No rush.”
He must have been terribly restless these days.
Perhaps it was a stroke of fortune that Cecilia had left early?
She’d been buzzing with enthusiasm over nailing the ideal recipe for an al fresco tea.
Instead, here I sat, embarking on an impromptu nighttime jaunt.
***
Under an hour later, the Grand Duke and I climbed into the carriage together.
It marked our first time sharing one.
With him seated opposite, the spacious vehicle shrank to intimate proportions.
How could anyone possess such endlessly long legs?
Each jolt of the carriage brought his bent knees perilously close to mine.
Perhaps it was the inky landscape rushing past the window.
Or the gentle, amber glow bathing the interior.
Why did his eyes gleam with such captivating sparkle this evening?
Whenever our gazes locked, a flutter stirred deep in my chest.
“You look… utterly stunning tonight.”
His deep timbre shattered the quiet.
The tips of his ears blazed crimson, as though he’d summoned every ounce of nerve to voice it.
“Oh my, thank you.”
I offered a tender smile.
Truth be told, I wore the very dress from my orphanage visit earlier—too indolent to switch.
The children had yanked at it relentlessly, leaving the hem in disarray.
Our Grand Duke had mastered the art of flattery, it seemed.
A quiet swell of pride bloomed within me as I replied,
“You cut a striking figure yourself this evening, Grand Duke.”
He caught his lower lip between his teeth.
“Th-thank you.”
What was behind that timid, drowsy stare?
His frame loomed like a mountain, yet he radiated such endearing shyness.
“It’s… owing to the attire you selected for me…”
His ears deepened to scarlet.
He wasn’t mistaken.
A simple shirt, yet he transformed it into something exquisite.
“I hope no one mistakes the hour.”
“Hm?”
“Your face shines so radiantly. What if folks assume it’s daytime and venture out?”
“P-please, enough…”
His neck flushed now too, fists balled at his sides.
How could I resist teasing him when he was this adorable?
With his fringe draping half across his eyes and the carriage’s glow caressing his features—he seemed almost ethereal.
My cheeks ached from grinning by the time we reached the lake’s gateway.
Ahem.
Squaring his shoulders as if resolved to lead, the Grand Duke spoke gravely,
“I’d prefer to proceed on foot from here. Does that suit you?”
“Absolutely.”
He extended a hand to assist my descent, a faint tremor in his grasp.
“Thank you, Grand Duke.”
A towering iron gate sealed off the lake.
The pair of guards swung it wide at the sight of him.
“Let’s proceed.”
We took our first steps—
Huh?
Somehow, my hand had woven seamlessly with his.
When had we begun holding hands this way?
His broad fingers slipped tenderly between mine, encircling them.
That solid clasp felt anything but unwelcome.
It must have happened as he aided my step down…
Before I could dwell on it, he strode forward, drawing me along with our palms joined.
“Wow!”
All self-consciousness about our linked hands evaporated at the sight before us.
Majestic ancient trees flanked the broad trail on either side.
Though night should have cloaked everything in darkness, the path shimmered with brilliance.
Myriad tiny lights twinkled like fallen stars, nestled amid the boughs.
At the trail’s terminus, shrouded faintly in haze, sprawled the immense lake.
“Grand Duke?”
I turned to him in awe.
Hadn’t he mentioned the lake was shuttered? Why did it gleam so vividly?
“I figured visibility might be poor after dark…”
He glanced away, sheepish.
Owing to his efforts, every detail stood revealed in clarity.
It was breathtaking, truly—but…
“Grand Duke… you didn’t have the staff arrange all this, did you?”
No, surely not!
The notion of him laboring into the night merely to stage a romantic outing for the Grand Duchess sent a chill down my spine.
“Not at all. I consulted the wizard,” he assured, studying my reaction closely. “For him, it’s child’s play. So don’t fret over it.”
“Truly?” I pressed.
“They travel via magic circle regardless.”
What a relief.
I exhaled sharply.
“Were you concerned I’d overburdened the staff?” he inquired, his gaze warm.
“Well… not precisely…”
As I trailed off, the Grand Duke’s smile turned intrigued.
“I’ve never encountered anyone quite like you,” he murmured.
“Like me?” I echoed.
“Perel mentioned how everyone marvels at your kindness toward the staff. No lady of the manor has ever treated them so.”
Well, you extend kindness to all.
He appended gently, “It’s a fine trait.”
I faltered, at a loss for words.
It stemmed, no doubt, from my life spent powerless… naturally, such matters weighed on me.
But I couldn’t voice that.
“I mean… thank you,” I managed at last.
In a hushed tone, the Grand Duke traced his thumb over the back of my hand, where our fingers laced.
Unwittingly, I stiffened.
That featherlight, teasing stroke scrambled my thoughts, leaving a peculiar warmth.
Why was the Grand Duke growing so bold all of a sudden?
My mind fixated on that hand; any words I’d meant to utter vanished.
He fell silent too, and we strolled wordlessly for a stretch.
Beyond the brief woodland trail, the lake unveiled itself fully.
“…”
Words failed me as I beheld it.
The vast expanse, framed by a verdant curtain of trees, mirrored slender moonlight and stellar clusters upon its glassy face.
Each gust whispered ripples from afar, tracing endless, soothing rings.
Yet the water held an uncanny stillness.
So serene that the ceaseless chatter in my mind hushed at last.
What a tranquil haven…
I glanced at the Grand Duke. He too contemplated the lake in quiet reverence.
His keen eyes gleamed with subtle luster, deep as polished onyx.
His hand in mine radiated reassuring warmth.
That steadfast hold soothed my racing pulse.
I’m glad… this man is the Grand Duke.
The true Annette likely never glimpsed—
The Duke of Blenheim’s capacity for such tender warmth.
***
“Shall we pause here for a bit?” the Grand Duke suggested as we ambled farther along the shore.
“Oh?”
A table and pair of chairs—mirroring those in the Grand Duke’s garden—sat side by side.
Subtle illumination rendered the setup ideal for a tranquil tea.
“Did the wizard arrange this as well?”
“…Whitley prepared the tea,” he replied, drawing out my chair.
“I didn’t request it. He insisted.”
He dismissed my concern with a quick gesture, anxious I’d suspect staff overload.
But my question sprang from simple curiosity.
I let out a soft laugh.
The Grand Duke appeared faintly flustered yet served my tea personally.
“Sip it while it’s hot.”
It truly was.
The brew steamed at just the right warmth.
“The wizard must have heated it upon departure,” he noted, catching my bemused look.
I pursed my lips.
“So the wizard obeys you flawlessly… yet he’s dodged every attempt of mine to meet!”
“…Shall I summon him now?”
His expression grew earnest.
“No! This is a matter of pride!”
From my initial bid to visit the wizard’s tower, I’d rapped on his door repeatedly.
Never a response.
Letters and formal invitations followed, all ignored.
Perel confided that the Grand Duke alone in the castle could beckon the wizard at will.
It was stipulated in the wizard’s contract, evidently.
“I still don’t grasp your eagerness to see him,” the Grand Duke said, blinking with a hint of irritation.