-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Night on the Pael River
-----------------------------------------------------------------
All the way to the Pael River, Elena and Damian kept bickering.
Their exchange had somehow grown even more vicious, so I slowly averted my gaze.
'They're really hopeless, aren't they?'
Good lord, there wasn't the slightest sign of them getting along.
I shook my head emphatically, only to lock eyes with Akid.
How long had he been watching?
His pale blue-gray eyes seemed to scrutinize me intently. When I didn't look away, he gave a small bow of his head and pressed his lower lip tight.
Having unwittingly won the staring contest, I felt a bit dazed—right up until the carriage arrived at the Pael River.
"Wow."
I let out a gasp of admiration at the Pael River's nightscape. Just as Elena had said, the river at night was breathtaking.
With colorful lights installed along the banks, it looked like a symphony of hues was playing out over the water.
The lights rippled across the surface like spilled paint, quite beautiful. Every time the waves lapped, it felt like spirits in vibrant garments were dancing.
While I stood entranced, the other three extended their hands to me all at once from aboard the boat.
"Roena, over here."
Akid spoke first.
"Careful not to trip, dear."
The Grand Duchess reached out further.
"Here, grab this hand and hop on."
Not to be outdone, the Grand Duke thrust his hand even farther forward. It suddenly felt like a competition had broken out, leaving me momentarily frozen.
But Akid wasn't left out of my choice. Without hesitation, I took his hand and hopped lightly onto the boat.
Then, from beside me, the Grand Duke muttered a vicious joke: "What a shame. I could've pushed you in."
'Why is he like this? What did I do wrong?'
As I shot the Grand Duke a glare, Elena fixed him with a fierce stare of her own.
Her eyes practically screamed, 'Should I push you in first?'—which was scary in its own right.
After all that fuss, we were finally all aboard, and the magic engine began whirring as the boat set off. Being nighttime, nothing reflected on the river's surface.
I gazed quietly at the pitch-black water, like staring into pure darkness, when I sensed someone beside me.
A moment later, Akid gently pressed my shoulders back and said,
"Don't lean too close. It's dangerous at night."
"Oh."
Startled by the firm grip on my shoulders, I turned to find him closer than expected.
He flinched, as if he hadn't anticipated me turning, but didn't pull away.
The lights played across his face in a kaleidoscope of colors.
I couldn't tell if the faint tremor in his blue-gray eyes came from the water, the rocking boat, or something else.
Beyond Akid, I could see Damian's back. Elena and Damian sat at opposite ends of the boat, turned away from each other.
Akid's eyes soon calmed. He smiled softly and called my name.
"Roena."
As if to offer his hand, he murmured so only I could hear,
"Not scared now?"
I'll start looking scared right away.
I shuddered dramatically and took his hand.
"Kinda scary."
"I figured."
Akid's eyes curved into gentle crescents as he intertwined our fingers. The warmth from our clasped hands started heating me up.
As I fanned myself and looked away, my eyes met Elena's.
She eyed me and Akid sharply, as if she'd witnessed something bizarre.
At some point, Damian had turned around and said to her,
"Are you scared too, madam?"
He even magnanimously rose as if to move toward her. But it didn't last.
"You should be scared of me. Sit back down before I push you in."
At Elena's murder threat, Damian shuddered and plopped back down.
"Ahem!"
The Grand Duke cleared his throat awkwardly, shifting in his seat pathetically.
Elena snorted derisively and turned away. It was a boat ride where you couldn't let your guard down for a second.
After the outing, I mustered my courage and went to see the Grand Duke. There was an issue I needed to settle with him.
"When are you giving back my diary?"
At my question, he blinked before replying nonchalantly,
"Ah, that. Where did I put it?"
"Pardon?"
"In the study...? No, the bedroom maybe. Hmm."
This man!
Taking someone else's belonging and not even knowing where he stashed it. Had I ever seen such irresponsibility?
As I gaped wordlessly, he tapped his cheek with a finger, toying with my patience.
I'd suspected something when he hadn't returned it sooner, and now it seemed he was dodging. Furious, I stepped closer and said,
"Give it back. You promised."
"I did. But, little bird..."
The Grand Duke leaned forward from his chair's backrest toward me.
A flicker of curiosity gleamed in his blue-gray eyes. Sensing something off, I stepped back, but he asked,
"What exactly did you write in there? You even used a magic lock."
"It's just a diary."
"A mere diary with such an expensive lock?"
He scoffed as if it were absurd. Cold sweat trickled down my spine.
'He wouldn't have tried to open it, would he?'
I forced calm and brazened it out.
"Can't I? A little luxury shouldn't hurt."
"Well, fair enough."
His momentum deflated as he leaned back. Then came the galling remark.
"Go find it."
"......"
"Find it, and it's yours."
He grinned teasingly, making my head boil over. Unable to hold back, I snapped,
"Liar."
"That's hardly a flaw."
Father-in-law or not, I wanted to slug him. How could he play such mean pranks on a child?
After several back-and-forths, he burst out laughing. Then he had Asil hand over my diary.
"I was just about to return it anyway."
You could've done it sooner.
As I glared and reached for it, he drawled with a lazy smile,
"But, little bird. Why did you note down Akid's routes?"
"!!"
Thud.
The diary slipped from my hand. And so did my heart.
Asil picked it up and offered it back, but I stood rigid. The Grand Duke chuckled, propping his chin.
"I didn't believe the talk of you changing, but the diary proves it."
"......"
"Never expected you'd track Akid's every move so diligently. Gave me a shock."
"......H-how."
I snatched the diary from Asil, clutching it to my chest as I stammered. My eyes must have been shaking like an earthquake.
He replied casually,
"The lock was flimsy. I tinkered with it, so no one else can open it now."
You already did.
"Diary thief."
At my indignant accusation, he flinched—as if he hadn't expected tears.
"I only checked if the lock worked. Can't have someone peeking."
That someone was you.
I chewed my lower lip, half-listening to his excuses.
This is why they say never trust a black-haired Grand Duke.
I gave Hadellus Grand Duke the lowest score possible without a second thought.
"I hate you!"
I yelled, making the Grand Duke and Asil widen their eyes. Ignoring them, I bolted from his room.
'I'll get you for this!'
Sharpening my blade of revenge, I headed straight for the Grand Duchess's room.
"Oh... mmpf!"
I'd just flung open the door to confess the spying he'd ordered when the Grand Duke—who'd followed unnoticed—scooped me up and clamped a hand over my mouth.
He hustled me away lest the Grand Duchess hear, muttering,
"Sorry. My bad."
"Mmph! (Let go! I'm telling her right now!)"
"Calm down."
"Mmph! (Do I look calm?! You con artist!)"
I kicked and twisted in refusal, making him groan. As I writhed defiantly, he shouted,
"Portrait!"
"...?"
"I'll give you the portrait of Akid you drew before marrying here."
At "Akid's portrait," I froze and stared at him. Seeing me bite, he cautiously released my mouth.
"You're not giving me the one in the hallway, are you?"
I visit it every morning to pay respects.
Unconvinced, I eyed him warily. He said,
"No, a different one by another artist, different angle. Not hung in the hall, but high quality."
He'd probably commissioned several artists and picked one for the hall.
I deliberately dragged it out, prompting his rambling,
"I'll give you all of them if you want. Just don't tell the Grand Duchess. Cool off a bit."
"Deal."
I flashed a grin as if never angry, offering my pinky.
"Hand it over now."
No more excuses.
Catching my distrustful glare, he hooked his pinky with mine and led me to the warehouse storing the portraits.
