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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Connection
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At that moment.
‘Ah.’
I caught my breath.
The intimidating presence I'd felt when I first met the Duke was nowhere to be found.
With his bright smile, the Duke simply looked his age.
Watching that innocent expression…
‘Why… why is this happening?’
Something deep in my chest kept fluttering.
A moment later.
The Duke gently changed the subject.
“By the way, how did you find the salon today?”
“Ah.”
Grateful for his consideration in clearing the awkward air, I smiled brightly.
“It was truly wonderful.”
I meant it.
Serapina might have wanted to come to the salon to make an impression on the influential figures.
But having attended, I found the quality of the art itself was outstanding. It was more than worth seeing, even without the influential guests.
“Did you select all the artists participating in this salon, Your Grace?”
“It would be difficult to say I selected them from start to finish, but I did conduct the final review.”
…He certainly is diligent.
I blinked.
Honestly, someone of the Duke's stature could have left all the work to his subordinates.
But he checked each one himself?
“Well, may I ask about your selection criteria?”
“I tried to give opportunities to as many different classes as possible. However, I excluded nobles, who already have relatively more chances…”
And so, the Duke and I continued our conversation on the balcony.
It was quite a pleasant time.
“Speaking of which, I hear the art collection of the Duchy of Claudius is also magnificent.”
“Are you interested? We have a few pieces in the townhouse as well, though it's a humble collection.”
Ah, that?
I smiled, my eyes curving into crescents.
“Her Grace said she would show me the art in the annex later. I'm really looking forward to it.”
“Oh my, it seems Eva has claimed the opportunity to accompany you first. What a shame.”
The Duke replied playfully.
“If the chance ever arises, I will personally show you the art displayed in the duchy's main estate.”
“…”
Even though it was just a polite remark.
For a moment, I felt my heart stir.
“Y-Your Grace.”
Not wanting to reveal my sudden restlessness, I deliberately changed the subject.
“Why are you still awake at this hour?”
“Ah, I had some work to finish.”
That made sense.
I thought to myself, understanding.
Dietrich von Claudius.
Despite inheriting the ducal title at a young age, he had built Claudius into a powerful domain without a single setback…
A lord renowned as one of the finest in the history of the Claudius dukes.
However.
‘It must have been just as difficult.’
The vast Claudius territory, its people, and all the associated businesses.
All of it rested on the Duke's shoulders.
In other words, the Duke alone was responsible for the lives of countless people.
“Still, please don't push yourself too late.”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
“Your health is the most important thing.”
“…”
The Duke seemed to pause for a moment, then fixed his gaze on me.
If the blue eyes staring at me felt strangely warm…
Was it just my imagination?
“You should also get to bed before it's too late, Lady Ansi.”
The Duke gave me a gentle smile.
“Please continue to take good care of Eva.”
* * *
After that.
I returned to the bedroom.
Quietly closing the door behind me, I shook my head to myself.
‘I can really see… why Serapina fell in love with the Duke.’
Handsome, polite, wealthy, and of high status.
That alone would have made him perfect, but on top of it all, he was incredibly pleasant to talk to.
What should I call it? He was like the perfect prince straight out of a fairy tale.
But.
‘Forget about it.’
I shrugged and walked further into the room.
‘He belongs to Serapina anyway, doesn't he?’
The Duke was simply being polite to his sister's friend.
That means there's no reason for me to be needlessly conscious of him.
Rather than wasting mental energy on such pointless things…
‘I need to strengthen my relationship with the Duchess even more.’
My eyes shone with determination.
I was still just her temporary friend.
She was being quite kind to me now, but there's a clear difference between a 'temporary friend' and an 'official friend.'
I have to somehow get an official friendship contract signed.
“…Mmph.”
Just then, the Duchess mumbled in her sleep.
Glancing up, I saw the Duchess, dead to the world.
“Honestly, you've kicked off the blankets again.”
I let out a soft sigh and carefully tucked the blanket around her.
Then I lay down beside her.
Soon, drowsiness washed over me.
* * *
Dietrich sat back down at his desk.
He put on the silver-rimmed glasses he had set aside and picked up a document.
But his blue eyes merely slid over the lines of text, taking nothing in.
He simply couldn't focus on his work.
The name of the person who kept shattering his concentration was…
“Lalitt Ansi.”
Dietrich murmured softly.
The lady who had recently been spending time with his sister.
It was true that he'd grown somewhat curious about Lalitt, as she was someone his prickly Evanjeline had actually allowed by her side.
What surprised Dietrich, however, was…
‘Truly unexpected.’
…the fact that Lalitt had directly refuted a casual comment he'd made.
“Well, I can imagine how much of a nuisance she must be to you.”
To that, Lalitt had firmly shaken her head.
“I don't find Her Grace a nuisance at all. Because…”
Even with a tense expression, Lalitt had stated her opinion clearly.
Her voice, trembling slightly.
Her delicate fingers, clutching the hem of her dress.
But what Dietrich had noted most was.
‘…The matter concerning Lady Lopes must be something of a sore spot for Lady Ansi.’
She was a friend of his only sister; it was impossible that he hadn't gathered basic information about her.
And so, he had learned of Lalitt's reputation in society…
‘Lady Lopes's handmaiden.’
Serapina Lopes.
Dietrich knew the name.
Along with Evanjeline, who was known as the rose of society, she was the lady called the lily.
However, Dietrich remembered his sister's complaints about Serapina.
“I mean, how can you call someone a friend and treat them like a handmaiden? What kind of friend is that?”
A bizarre, one-sided relationship where Lalitt sacrificed for Serapina.
As long as the reputation of 'Serapina's handmaiden' secretly followed Lalitt.
It must have been incredibly difficult for her to bring up the topic of Serapina herself…
“Everyone else refused to associate with me, but Her Grace was the only one who accepted me as a friend.”
“To me, at least, Her Grace is a very good person.”
…And yet, hadn't Lalitt defended Evanjeline, even at the cost of exposing her own painful past?
That image of her was incredibly striking.
‘Come to think of it, she said she was going to tour the annex with Eva tomorrow.’
Dietrich, lost in thought for a moment, soon gave a light nod.
‘She's finally become a friend to Eva… a small gift should be fine.’
Before they parted.
Lady Ansi's final words echoed in his ears.
“Still, please don't push yourself too late.”
“Your health is the most important thing.”
And Dietrich decided he would gladly follow that advice.
Click.
The lamp went out.
Darkness fell upon the study.
