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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: The Diary Blackmail
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A few days ago, I fell into a full-blown panic. All because I'd lost my precious diary during a stroll.
And not just any diary—this was my secret one, meticulously logging every single move Akid made.
I must have dropped it from my bag while tussling with the spirits, but no matter how hard I searched, it was nowhere to be found.
I even enlisted Hanna, Vivian, and Shuri, but we couldn't spot so much as a corner of it.
Aaah, my diary filled with my blood, sweat, and tears...
Thank goodness it had a lock on it.
Only the magic key I'd bought with my secret savings could open it.
Of course, a skilled mage could probably force it open, but who would stoop to peeking into a child's diary?
I had all the info memorized anyway, but that didn't make losing the physical copy any less heartbreaking.
I'd even begged the servants to bring it straight to me if they found it, but days passed with no luck.
And then!
Why the hell is it in the Grand Duke's hands?!
I stared in horror at my cute pink diary clutched in the Grand Duke's grip.
Thankfully, the lock was still intact, so it looked like he hadn't peeked inside.
If he had, there's no way he'd be calling me 'little birdie' so fondly.
Everything about Akid was in there.
His birthday, height, weight, blood type—you name it. All the big data I'd painstakingly gathered by casually probing Asil bit by bit!
The stuff I'd collected by running around on foot myself was especially extensive.
I'd documented every last detail about Akid without missing a thing, so it might come off a bit creepy to anyone else.
I plastered on a calm smile.
"Oh, I was just looking for that. Thank you for finding it, Father."
I reached out casually to take it, but the Grand Duke whisked it behind his back.
"Hand it over."
"Finders keepers."
"It's mine."
"This whole castle is mine. I found it on my land, so now it's mine."
The Grand Duke shot back shamelessly, refusing to return it.
What else from a guy with a shattered personality!
I'd clearly underestimated him all this time. Biding his chance and even using a child to his advantage—unbelievable.
Shameless rogue!
Petty, wicked bastard!
I hurled curses in my head I wouldn't dare say aloud, and then the Grand Duke spoke.
"Just until Duke Esel leaves. Do me this favor, and I'll grant you the diary."
His magnanimous tone left me dumbfounded.
"It's mine to begin with."
I grumbled, and he shrugged.
"Not anymore."
Should I kill him?
Gnawing my lower lip, I felt a deep surge of murderous intent. I finally understood the Grand Duchess completely.
Is this what they mean by impossible to reason with?
The Grand Duke must have gotten bored with her lack of reaction and turned his arrows on me instead.
Caught in the crossfire between a dysfunctional couple, I swallowed tears and put on a resigned face.
For now, that diary couldn't stay in his hands.
Now I saw it: the dessert was bait, but the real hook was my diary.
"You have to give it back."
"Of course."
I made him swear it, and he grinned, extending his other hand for a shake.
Only after getting it in writing did I clasp his hand.
A secret deal between the Grand Duke and me was sealed.
Monitoring Duke Esel wasn't all that hard.
Compared to observing Akid, he was a piece of cake.
Duke Esel was the head of this expedition, after all, so he came and went from the Abis Mine often, leaving the castle frequently.
The Grand Duke's terms were limited to times when he was in the castle, so it didn't eat up too much of my time.
He mostly worked, read, or strolled, occasionally playing chess with the Grand Duchess.
Whenever Duke Esel met with her, I inserted myself. Partly because openly watching from the side was easiest, but mostly because the Grand Duke had ordered it.
For some reason, he seemed to hate seeing her get chummy with Duke Esel.
"So, Duke Esel won that chess match. That makes it 2-2, a tie, right?"
I chattered like I was reporting to a boss, and the Grand Duke's face grew serious.
"If it's chess, you could play with me too."
"Want me to join in?"
I offered generously, but he shook his head no.
"I know you'll throw a tantrum if you lose. Level up a bit first, then challenge me."
"We could have fun if you didn't tease me, Father."
"That's why we'd play, but you say no."
He quipped playfully, as if I'd said something ridiculous.
Akid's face made him look so sly, but I'd gotten used to it—no more anger.
I'm putting up with it for Akid.
More importantly, it was time to probe the Grand Duke's true intentions. I had a hunch about this bizarre deal's real purpose.
Monitoring Duke Esel is an excuse. He just doesn't want them alone together.
The oddly piling conditions made it a reasonable suspicion.
Originally, it was just to watch his every move.
But now, there was an addendum: always be present if he met the Grand Duchess.
Recalling their growling encounter on the garden path, the Grand Duke clearly didn't welcome Duke Esel.
The Grand Duchess, meanwhile, had expressed fondness, saying they'd been close since childhood.
Normally, I'd chalk it up to in-law squabbles, but something felt off.
Like she was oblivious, while he was grinding his gears.
He seemed to think I was an easy kid to handle because of my age, but I wasn't that naive.
When his guard was fully down, I casually tested the waters.
"Mother and Duke Esel seem awfully close."
"Close? She used to be closer to me."
Really?
My eyes widened at this bombshell. Anyone who'd lived a month in Hadellus Castle knew the ducal couple wasn't on good terms.
But they'd been close once? Surprised, I pressed him.
"Nah, doesn't seem like it. To me, she looked more comfortable with Duke Esel."
A little poke, and he stared at me blankly.
"Little birdie, you must enjoy playing observer."
Not at all. I'm swamped watching Akid—now it's double the work and annoying.
I stared innocently, and he shook his head.
"Fine. How would a child understand adult matters."
Then he slumped onto the sofa like all energy had drained from him. He really must have been close to Elena back then.
Why did they suddenly fall out?
I wasn't clueless about possible reasons. The Grand Duke's romantic history was a tangled mess.
If he'd just kept his wandering lower half in check, she might not despise him so.
Though he seemed to enjoy her reactions, so who was I to judge?
This couple's anything but normal.
I sat beside the suddenly silent Grand Duke, diligently devouring dessert while pondering their relationship in my head.
"It smells. It reeks."
Vivian sniped at my mutter while I arranged flowers.
"Well, flowers do smell."
"Not the flowers."
The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess's relationship.
I bit back the rest and focused on the flowers. Nobles were the ultimate hobby conquerors, after all.
I was indulging in all sorts of "refined" pursuits for culture's sake.
High-class hobbies on someone else's dime? Noble life was sweet.
Their dynamic feels off from the original story I know.
The original focused on Mabel's tale, so the Hadellus couple barely appeared.
When they did, they were always sniping at each other.
I'd assumed pure hatred, but the Grand Duke's vibe hinted at hidden depths.
Especially his shady behavior. Looking back, he treated Duke Esel like a romantic rival.
Duke Esel showed no interest in the Grand Duchess, but it didn't look that way to the Grand Duke.
Maybe probe Countess Aria.
She'd been Elena's lady-in-waiting since the palace days and now managed the castle maids post-marriage.
No, May, Elena's close maid, might be easier to sound out.
Deep in thought, focusing on the flowers, Vivian warned me.
"Careful, that has thorns."
"Ow!"
Tell me sooner, Vivian!
Tears pricking, I glared, and she swiftly snatched the flower, pressing my injured hand with a handkerchief.
"Knew it. I told you to be careful."
Red blood soaked the cloth. My delicate skin beaded it up quickly.
"Wait here. I'll get ointment."
Vivian left, and as I pressed the handkerchief to my hand, Akid—right on cue after training—walked by.
I'd timed my flower arranging for his route, so I waved happily.
"Akid!"
