-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Gift
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“If anything, aren't you the one who missed his chance, Lord Gusto?”
Then he once again snapped at Gregor.
“D-Duke Claudius?”
“You already threw away your chance to be Lady Ansi's fiancé, did you not? So, why.”
The Duke tilted his head.
“Why are you trying to cling to Lady Ansi now?”
His ice-cold blue eyes bore down on Gregor.
“…How pathetic.”
Wow.
For a moment, I forgot the gravity of the situation and was simply in awe.
That condescending gaze, that expression of utter distaste, as if looking at an insect.
And above all, that choice of words—pathetic!
Like brother, like sister. He was just like the Duchess.
“M-My apologies!”
Gregor scrambled away.
Seriously? He acted like he was going to eat me alive.
But the moment the Duke shows up, he tucks his tail and runs?
As I stared at Gregor’s retreating back with cold eyes, the Duke spoke.
“I apologize for interrupting.”
He cleared his throat a couple of times before continuing.
“Seeing Lord Gusto spouting such nonsense was so absurd that I couldn't just stand by.”
“Not at all. Thank you so much for your help.”
I quickly shook my head.
“If it weren't for you, Your Grace, I would have been stuck with Gregor for who knows how long.”
At that, the Duke looked down at me with a concerned gaze.
“Did Lord Gusto treat you harshly in any way, my lady?”
“…”
My breathing hitched.
*The Duke is worried about me.*
It was just… still a little unfamiliar, having someone else worry about me.
“Of course not. I’m fine.”
I forced a smile.
But the Duke’s expression remained one of dissatisfaction.
“Pardon me, but from what I saw, you did not look fine at all.”
“Pardon?”
“Lord Gusto was sneering at you, was he not?”
The Duke shook his head firmly.
“Such insolent words are not something you should just accept as ‘fine.’”
“…That’s.”
“Simply tolerating another's rudeness is not always the answer. At the very least, you must not let others treat you so carelessly.”
The Duke concluded in a calm tone.
“You are not someone who deserves to be treated that way.”
“…”
Well, the thing is…
When you weren't looking, Your Grace, I may have fired back a few choice words of my own at Gregor…
But there was no need to confess to that.
*Honestly… I'm happy.*
Until now, aside from my parents, I'd never had a single person on my side.
But the Duke and Duchess were different.
To have people who considered my position first, who were concerned for me…
*I never knew it could be so empowering.*
I smiled brightly and nodded.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. I am merely stating the facts.”
The Duke politely smiled back at me.
And the moment I saw that smile,
*Oh, my word.*
I now understood, with every fiber of my being, why Serapina had fallen head over heels for the Duke.
The only problem was…
“…”
“…”
Once the topic of Gregor was over, there was nothing left for us to talk about…
Silence fell.
*What do I do about this awkward atmosphere?*
Unable to bear it, I hurriedly threw a question at the Duke.
“S-So. Are you also out here looking for the Duchess, Your Grace?”
From what I'd seen, the Duke was utterly devoted to his sister.
With his precious sister missing from the banquet hall, it was only natural that he would be looking for her.
The Duke, however, looked a bit taken aback.
“Ah, well.”
He seemed to hesitate for a moment before his eyes crinkled into a gentle smile.
“That's right. I came out to find Eva.”
…Didn't he seem a little flustered just now?
Blinking blankly, I quickly made a suggestion.
“Then, would you like to look for the Duchess with me?”
“Pardon?”
“Um… I came out to find her too. I thought we might find her faster if we looked together, so…”
I rambled on, flustered.
Then.
“Pfft.”
…Did he just laugh?
I desperately replayed what I had just said in my mind.
Why is he laughing?
Did I say something funny?
No, I don't think so!
At the same time, the Duke gave a soft nod.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
I was still a bit suspicious, but he didn't seem to be in a bad mood.
I decided to just let it go.
And so, our great, late-night adventure to find the Duchess began.
Though in truth, the Duchess was half an excuse; it was more like we were taking a walk…
“So, the Duchess personally took charge of the floral arrangements for this party.”
“Evanjeline did?”
“Yes. Aren't they lovely? I think the Duchess has a real talent for this sort of thing.”
Before I knew it, I was rattling on and on, singing the Duchess’s praises…
I felt like a doting parent bragging about their child, but I couldn't help it.
Our Duchess is just that cute, lovely, and brilliant!
“She can now draft a budget without any issue, even without my help.”
“Ah, is that so?”
A flicker of interest appeared in the Duke's eyes.
I nodded proudly.
“Indeed. To be honest, I was worried she would find it unfamiliar, since this was her first time dealing with such matters. But surprisingly, she’s meticulous and has a real aptitude for it.”
“Eva, meticulous and with an aptitude for work, you say.”
The Duke gave a wry smile, as if in disbelief.
“That assessment doesn't sound at all like the Eva I know.”
“It’s true. At first, she made a few simple calculation errors, but she doesn't make those mistakes anymore. And also…”
The Duke was an excellent listener.
He didn't cut me off or interrupt, but listened attentively to my words.
I felt a lump form in my throat.
*How long has it been… since I’ve had such a comfortable conversation?*
I never thought I could talk so comfortably with anyone other than my parents and the Duchess.
“Come to think of it, Lady Ansi.”
The Duke, who had been listening to my story for a while, reached into his coat as if he had just remembered something.
“I have something for you.”
Hm?
I was a little bewildered.
“For me? Not for the Duchess?”
“Yes. This is for you, my lady.”
Nodding, the Duke held out a small, palm-sized gift box to me.
“What is this…?”
I looked up at the Duke, my eyes wide like a startled rabbit's.
He wore a rare, slightly awkward expression.
“Whenever I go away on business, Eva always insists that I bring her back a gift. So I bought this while I was getting something for her…”
A faint smile spread across the Duke’s handsome face.
“I do hope you like it.”
“…”
I accepted the gift box, flustered.
Staring blankly at the small box in my hand, I asked hesitantly.
“May, um, may I open it now?”
“Of course.”
The Duke readily nodded.
I swallowed hard and untied the silk ribbon wrapped around the gift.
And what was revealed inside the box was…
*Earrings?*
A rose quartz, the size of a thumbnail and the color of pink blossoms, held the moonlight and shone with a transparent glow.
They were a simple stud design that would sit snugly on the ear, and the delicate yet luxurious craftsmanship was particularly striking.
“…”
For a moment, I felt a lump rising in my throat.
Gregor had showered Serapina with all sorts of gifts, yet he'd never given me so much as a single handkerchief.
And here was this man, kind enough to think of his sister's friend and buy a gift for her too.
“I… I’ve never received a gift like this before.”
Unconsciously, I clutched the gift with both hands.
“How should I repay you?”
“You are already getting along so well with Evanjeline.”
The Duke's smile deepened slightly.
“That is more than enough.”
“…”
Fighting back a surge of emotion, I beamed.
“Thank you so much. I’ll treasure it.”
“I am glad to see you so happy, Lady Ansi.”
The pure white moonlight shattered above us.
That beautiful man, standing there with the moonlight in his hair, looking straight at me.
Perhaps it was the magic of the romantic moonlit night.
Or perhaps the heat of the party had yet to fade.
The moment I heard the Duke’s reply,
It was as if a feather were brushing against the deepest part of my heart, making it flutter.
…It was a very strange feeling.
