22 - Not Your Son, But Your Father
Chapter 22
We helped each other get ready while chatting non-stop, and time flew by. We immediately got into the carriage and headed to Marquess Morgana's residence.
My parents greeted us with their usual attitude and attire. However, they clearly seemed uncomfortable with Edith, who was questionable whether she was even human.
Their expressions stiffened due to the unique aura emanating from Edith, but they tried their best not to show it and led us to the dining room.
Dinner was very quiet. We were careful not to let the silverware clink against each other in accordance with noble etiquette, but even the faint sounds were audible.
At this rate, I'm going to get indigestion.
I looked at Edith, who was sitting next to me, and he smiled.
"My lady, you have to eat a balanced diet to live a long life."
Why is this guy giving me sweet potatoes?
"Would you like to try this as well?"
If you give me onions, we're sleeping in separate rooms from today. I glared coldly at Edith and warned him with my lips.
Perhaps because Edith spoke first, my father also opened his mouth.
"You're leaving on the weekend?"
"Yes, Father."
As soon as I nodded, my mother also spoke.
"The Elaine family's young lady keeps looking for you."
For my mother, who usually doesn't care much about my relationships, to say that, it seemed like Monica had swept through the Marquess's residence while I was at the Grand Duke's residence.
I subtly piled the sweet potatoes and onions that Edith gave me on the edge of my plate and replied.
"I'll try to appease her."
"Be kind to her. She seems to like you a lot."
"...Why didn't I feel that?"
In the novel, Monica Elaine was Gilbert Calakis's mistress. She also constantly chipped away at Maybia's self-esteem.
Of course, I'm not Maybia Morgana from the novel, but I always felt uneasy when dealing with her.
Monica must have felt that too.
While I was thinking about Monica, dinner ended without incident.
As we were about to leave, my father said to Edith.
"Grand Duke, please take good care of Maybia. We have not been swayed by the rumors surrounding you and have supported Maybia's choice. I trust that you will cherish my daughter in a way that is not unworthy of the years you have lived."
Edith seemed to think for a moment at the meaningful words, then answered, excluding the unnecessary parts.
"I will not disappoint Eve."
That was a little unexpected. Not my parents, but that he wouldn't disappoint me.
* * *
On the way back in the carriage, I rested my chin on my hand and stared intently at Edith.
I don't know whose husband he is, but he's so handsome.
My gaze rolled down along his very desirable nose.
"Edith."
When I called him warmly, Edith replied with a face trying to suppress a smile.
"Yes, my lady."
"Why haven't you gotten married all this time?"
Edith had lived a long time. Although it wasn't clearly stated in the novel, I estimated that he was over 500 years old. Edith had said that he had met the first head of the Calakis family.
The Calakis Grand Ducal family was established around that time. But the fact that he hadn't gotten married or had any children made me tilt my head.
It's not like he's only good-looking on the outside like Gilbert.
Objectively speaking, my husband is amazing, right?
He should be very popular, right?
Whether he knew what I was thinking or not, Edith smiled.
"I was going to marry my lady."
"You're lying without even batting an eye."
I chuckled and fiddled with the braid that Edith had done for me. Sera had struggled with it at first because I had so much hair, but he had tied it so beautifully that even my parents didn't find it strange. Of course, you can't get this kind of result with just one or two tries.
Edith smiled softly, following my lead. Even though we hadn't spent much time together, I had seen him smile so often that I felt familiar with him.
He never smiled in the novel.
That's right. There was no description of him smiling.
Suddenly, my mood sank.
In Esmeralda's Crescent Moon, the Calakis Grand Duke was always expressionless. The only remnants of emotion he occasionally showed were negative ones like contempt or displeasure.
Why was that?
Why was Edith holed up in his room throughout the novel, not smiling or enjoying anything?
My lips opened on their own.
"Edith, is this your real personality?"
"Hmm?"
I clearly took in Edith Calakis.
He still had a smile on his face.
"The thoughtful, kind, and smiling you right now, that's the real you, isn't it?"
Edith raised his eyebrows and replied in a tone of honor.
"You're the only one who would rate me so highly."
See?
He's such an expressive person, but he wasn't at all in the novel.
I wondered what the reason could have been.
"I'm always generous when I praise someone."
"You're suddenly burning with enthusiasm. Would you tell me what you liked so much? I'll do that every day from now on."
My chest felt tight. Ignoring the creeping discomfort, I focused on Edith.
"I liked your smile. So I hope you keep smiling like that."
"......"
Edith didn't answer.
I wondered if he thought I was joking, so I said again.
"I'm not forcing you to smile. I'll make you laugh, so laugh as much as you want whenever you feel like it."
I have to take care of my husband.
* * *
Just as the carriage stopped in front of the Grand Duke's residence, Sera rushed out to find me.
"Grand Duchess!"
I stared at Sera with an expression that said, 'You're just the person I wanted to see.'
"Sera, when did you teach Edith how to braid hair?"
"Ah."
Sera took a step back without realizing it.
Edith, who had gotten out of the carriage first, escorted me and chuckled softly.
Hmph.
I took a bath, changed my clothes, and said goodbye to Edith for a while to interrogate Sera.
Anyway, everyone in the cafe knew that Sera had been kidnapped, so if he wanted to, he could eavesdrop, but I pretended not to know for Sera's peace of mind.
I went into the powder room and asked Sera when we were alone.
"Sera, weren't you scared?"
Even the nobles couldn't look Edith in the eye, so there was no way Sera would be okay.
Nevertheless, Sera desperately denied it.
"N, no, not at all, I wasn't, scared!"
"......Sera?"
Even I felt that my call was gentle.
While Sera was sniffling, she diligently helped me undress and confessed.
"Actually, I was a little, very, scared... But the knights kept cheering me on, saying it was okay, and the Grand Duke didn't come close. He was watching from the opposite corner... I only demonstrated with a wig. I don't know if he could see well because the distance was so far."
I could roughly guess what the situation was like.
By the way, perhaps because she had seen Gilbert's nonsense too much by my side, Sera's courage was gradually increasing.
"You managed to teach him until the end."
Sera smiled shyly as she tidied up the dress I had taken off.
"Ehehe, he was generous even though I dropped the comb several times and made a lot of mistakes. And, um... he asked me to keep it a secret for a while, so I couldn't confess honestly. I'm really sorry, Your Highness."
I had to take a bath, but I didn't want to undo the braid, so I fiddled with it for no reason.
"It's okay, when did you teach him?"
"This morning."
That was the time when I was fast asleep. Wait. He braided it like this after learning it for a short time? Isn't he a cheat character?
"Oh, Grand Duchess. I have something to tell you."
"Yeah?"
Sera stiffened her shoulders.
"Um, the young master's condition is a bit strange."
"Gilbert?"
"I think you should see for yourself."
Sera's eyes were clouded as if even explaining it was unpleasant.
It seemed that the reason she had rushed out earlier was because of Gilbert.
I postponed the bath for a while and put on an indoor dress.
When I went to see him, Gilbert was quietly eating ginger dishes. The tray and utensils were intact.
What kind of change of heart suddenly happened?
"Have you given up on your dream of committing patricide?"
Gilbert didn't even look at me and crunched on the ginger. He shoved the ginger dish into his mouth without any formality, and after swallowing it all, he replied in a voice that seemed mentally broken.
"Maybe."
"......"
Wow.
Who is this person?
He's not the Gilbert Calakis I know.
I turned around with a sullen face. There was only one reason why Gilbert was like this.
It must be because of what happened last night.
Callen called me a 'bitch', Edith heard it, and Gilbert was there too. Uh-huh. It's obvious.
I took the bath I had postponed and went into the bedroom, and Edith greeted me happily.
I cut off his chance to speak.
"Edith, our troublemaker first son's condition is very bad."
Edith frowned, as if there were too many things to point out in my one sentence, and asked back.
"Is that so?"
"What did you say to make him come to his senses?"
I gave him a look that said, 'Did you tear Callen to pieces in front of Gilbert?'
Edith chuckled.
"I just advised him to see reality clearly."
"Hmm."
"I really only talked to him. I mean, with Gilbert. Am I the kind of person who would lie to my lady? So please trust me and focus on more important matters now."
"Important matters like what."
Edith raised the corners of his lips.
"Are you really going to sleep in separate rooms?"
