Was he talking to me just now? A guilty conscience made me quickly hold Rose and raise a finger to my lips. “Shh.” For a second, Kiers looked as if he realized his slip, but I was probably mistaken. Recognizing an “oops” on someone wearing a mask would take an even stranger person than him.
“…Lady Elijah, on another note, are you truly content to let the ceremony proceed like this?”
“Pardon?”
“You asked for it to be kept modest, so we are making arrangements accordingly, but if you wish, we can change it even now.”
Stepping in with the gentle grace befitting an elder, Count Hellas brought up the upcoming wedding. He wore a worried expression, wondering if a once-in-a-lifetime wedding should really be held this simply, but then again, no one knows whether a wedding will happen once, twice, or three times.
To put it bluntly, even wildly successful dessert shops go bankrupt overnight; a small fry like me has no idea when she might be blown away. While I had to go through with being married to him, I couldn't throw a wedding grander than the one Cecil would have when she showed up later.
And above all else.
“…”
Before I knew it, my gaze lingered on Kiers’s black mask.
Didn't they say this man despised showing his face? Knowing that, I had no desire to blow things out of proportion. Everyone has things they want to hide. Just like I hated showing how destitute Rose and I looked moments ago…
Wait, why do I keep understanding this man? In my position, who am I to worry about anyone else! My already unsettled feelings tangled into an even deeper knot. I picked up my water goblet to soothe my parched throat, but a now-familiar voice called to me.
“…Elijah, are you already done with your meal?”
“Ah, yes, Your Grace.”
“You hardly seem to have eaten.”
Kiers cast a sharp gaze over my plate. I had intended to eat, but looking after Rose left me with no time to take proper bites.
To think I, of all people, left food on a plate. I would repent for that later; first, I needed to wrap up this conversation. Only then could I bring up what I had prepared.
“I'm fine. Besides, the ceremony is merely a formality. I heard there will be a separate reception to introduce me to the people here, so then…”
“…Finish your meal first.”
“No, I'm full. Watching our Rose eat makes me full on its own.”
“…”
Why does he keep cutting me off? I needed to steer things naturally toward the contract, but ever since his eyes landed on my plate, they hadn't budged. A soft, resigned sigh escaped his lips.
“Count, it seems the lady has something to say.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The moment Kiers finished speaking, the count excused himself. His few closest aides also sprang up at his word.
When the count finally looked down at Rose, I hesitated a moment before setting my little sister off my lap. Just like yesterday, this wasn't a conversation meant for a child's ears.
“Rose, could you wait outside for just a moment?”
“Huh? By myself?”
‘I'm scared alone.’ Rose's eyes wavered with fright. Given what happened yesterday, her anxiety was understandable, but the eyes of the count and the knights were already brimming with excitement.
Little one, even if you wanted to be alone, you wouldn't be allowed to.
“Count, would you mind looking after her?”
“O-Of course!”
Overjoyed at having been chosen, the count approached and extended his hand with forced composure. Rose, having seen him a few times now, held his hand and peered up at him, causing the corners of the count's mouth to quiver like a stormy sea. Meanwhile, the other knights’ shoulders slumped in obvious disappointment.
“Then please, take your time speaking together. Shall we, my lady?”
Shoulders squared with more pride than ever thanks to his personal joy, the count marched off looking like a triumphant general. I watched until the knights, crowding around little Rose, bustled out of the room, turning back only after the sound of footsteps died away.
“…”
Ugh, this is awkward.
Naturally, with last night's dream creeping into my head, the nape of my neck flared hot. Even if I had just over-immersed myself in the novel's descriptions, getting caught would be utterly humiliating. Unable to bear his penetrating red eyes, I looked down.
“Your Grace, regarding yesterday, I have something to say…”
“So do I.”
“…Excuse me?”
My heart skipped a beat whenever he so much as parted his lips now. After dropping that ticking time bomb yesterday, what more did he have to say? Looking around, an unexpected realization hit me: it was dim, quiet, and I was left alone with that man.
“…Y-Your Grace.”
I swallowed hard as he strode toward me. Surely he wasn't planning on doing something right here? Unable to fathom his thoughts, I went rigid with tension.
“Elijah.”
Cold sweat broke out as that voice—arguably his greatest asset—rang out even closer. Really, right here…? No, impossible. I shook my head vigorously. An esteemed Grand Duke wouldn't do that.
Then again, I couldn't forget all the things this so-called male lead had done throughout the castle in the novel, or how abruptly he had yanked skirts aside, either.
The moment he placed a heavy hand on the table beside me, my mouth opened on its own.
“…Your Grace! Have mercy—”
“Eat.”
“What?”
“You haven't touched a thing.”
Kiers cast a piercing glare down at my plate as if that were his only remaining business. His gaze felt even more vivid up close than from across the room, leaving me to blink blankly.
You walked all the way over here just to say that? Not to sweep everything off the table and pin me down?
“…”
It was definitely a relief, but a vaguely anticlimactic one. I fidgeted with my napkin, pasting on an awkward smile. I needed to wrap up the contract terms before any more stray thoughts derailed me.
“Your Grace, as I was saying, I have something…”
“I told you. Eat your share.”
His eyes made it abundantly clear he wasn't joking. Fine, I'd do as told for now. There was a knife right in front of me, after all.
Though I picked up the knife as if compelled, my hand lacked any real strength.
“Your Grace, the wedding is tomorrow, so settling the special terms beforehand would be—”
“Consider it agreed.”
“Pardon? Wait, on whose authority?”
“I will grant it. Whatever it is.”
“…Whatever it is?”
That's not something to toss around so lightly! Seeing my incredulous expression, Kiers braced himself against the table with one hand. His black hair swayed softly with the movement. I stared straight into his revealed red eyes, but his intentions remained completely unreadable.
“Y-You'll grant anything? But you don't even know what I'll ask for…”
“Whatever you ask, the result will be the same.”
“…”
“After all, there is nothing I cannot do.”
It sounded arrogant, but coming from Kiers, it was nothing short of pure fact. His sharp chin tilted toward the plate once more. Despite his clear intent, my heart began to thump wildly.
“So you'll grant whatever it is? Truly anything? Then what is Your Grace's condition…?”
“Finish every last bite.”
“…”
“You are too thin.”
Stepping back nonchalantly, Kiers swept his gaze over my gaunt arms. Before I could formulate a response, I bit my lip as he returned to his seat and clasped his hands.
“I will summon Philip tomorrow, so you must finish your meal. I expect my condition to be honored, after all.”
“O-Of course!”
Oh my goodness, what is this? My hands were already carving the meat of their own accord. If he dared take it back after saying that with that face, he was in for a fight. Every taste bud that had been dormant flared to life.
The dusty speck of conscience left inside me twinged for a second, but if the man was offering it himself, there was no reason to stop him.
“Reeeally? Is that truly all I have to do for you?”
He gave a slight nod instead of answering. As I popped a hearty slice of perfectly seared meat into my mouth, rich juices I hadn't tasted before flooded my palate.
He wasn't a beast, he was an absolute pushover! In that case, to keep the male lead from getting played too badly, I will eat with all my might! To the utmost! For you!
Chewing thoroughly on steak I hadn't laid eyes on in years while mentally calculating my alimony was the height of luxury. The tension from realizing we were alone vanished, replaced by sheer, drunken bliss.
“Mmm.”
It's melting, completely melting. I tried desperately not to look too ecstatic. Rose, your sister is eating cotton candy right now. With every bite dissolving effortlessly on my tongue, keeping my composure proved nearly impossible. Just minutes ago, I wondered how anyone could swallow food under the gaze of such a predator, yet somehow I was already swallowing the final piece.
“…Not bad.”
Assuming a demure expression, I lifted my napkin and dabbed my lips. Compared to boiling a single donated scrap of meat for twelve hours like stone soup to feed the whole family, this was absolute heaven. Everything in sight seemed impossibly beautiful—so much so that even that beast, no, that man, was starting to look remarkably handsome.
“Your Grace, I shall take my leave now. I hope you will keep your promise.”
Pulling back my chair, I smoothed down my dress. It was a bit late to play the proper lady, but my composure was wearing paper-thin. Gathering every ounce of strength left, I curtsied gracefully and glided toward the door.
Yet the moment my back was turned, veins bulged on the back of my clenched hand. Rose! He said he'd give us the land! Or well, he basically promised it! We're rich!
