TCBCVF 124

~Chapter 124~

The Duke continued without even blinking.

“Rather, I think of you too often.”

“……”

“That’s the problem.”

His voice was calm, as if stating a simple fact.

For a moment, my mind went completely blank.

“Uh, should I… apologize for that…?”

“Of course not.”

His smile deepened.

“Lady Ansie is my exception.”

“M-my lord…”

“After meeting you, I realized something.”

The Duke spoke in a serious voice, as though he had discovered something incredible.

“Having an exception… it’s truly thrilling and special.”

Ahhh, no. This is bad.

At this rate, I might die of a heart attack!

Flustered, I quickly pressed both hands over his mouth.

“….”

His eyes instantly darkened.

And then—

Chup.

His lips brushed against my palms.

I froze on the spot.

But he didn’t stop there.

Instead, he kept kissing my palms again and again, staring into my eyes all the while.

Each kiss burned into me like a brand.

‘Ah…’

It was only on my palms, yet my breath grew unsteady, my stomach heated, and my toes curled helplessly.

I stood stiff, staring blankly at his eyes.

After what felt like an eternity—

‘Kyaa!’

I came back to my senses, screaming inwardly, and snatched my hands away.

Was he always this… shameless?!

“T-thank you for thinking of me so much.”

I mumbled, face red.

“But words and actions like that are embarrassing, so at least… please restrain yourself when Eva or others are around…”

“In that case.”

The Duke’s arm suddenly wrapped around my waist.

“Ah—!”

In an instant, he pulled me close.

His low voice brushed my ear.

“Does that mean… it’s fine if I do more now?”

“H-huh?!”

“Eva isn’t here at the moment.”

Ahhh…!

It felt like I’d dug my own grave. I struggled wordlessly, and the Duke chuckled before letting me go.

“Anyway, I also prepared a gift.”

His tone was light and casual.

I couldn’t help but feel my waist strangely empty where his arm had been.

Wait—empty? Why am I thinking like that?!

I forced myself to focus and asked:

“A gift?”

“Yes.”

He bent down and picked up a particularly large, long box from under the fir tree.

It was big enough to fill my arms and more.

“Please, open it.”

I did as he said and lifted the lid.

“…This is?”

My eyes went wide.

It was a luxurious cream-colored shawl.

When I touched it with my fingertips, it felt thick yet soft, wrapping smoothly around my hand.

“From what I’ve seen, Lady Ansie seems to get cold easily.”

“Ah…”

It was true.

Maybe because I grew up in the warm southern lands, I was especially sensitive to the cold.

But I never thought he’d notice even that…

“So I tried to prepare something with that in mind.”

He lifted the shawl and gently draped it over my shoulders.

The soft, fluffy fabric was wonderfully comfortable, like wearing a layer of warm air.

“If I had known I would receive such a meaningful gift from you, I would have looked for something even better.”

He fastened the front of the shawl carefully, his face showing a hint of regret.

“What do you mean by that?”

I gave him a playful glare.

The shawl was so nice, I felt I could touch it all day without getting bored.

“I really love it.”

I spoke with genuine sincerity.

“Thank you, my lord.”

At those words, his expression stiffened slightly.

‘Huh?’

I tilted my head in confusion. His face looked so serious, as if he were a warrior about to face the world’s greatest trial.

Then—

“If you don’t mind…”

He looked at me with a determined gaze.

“May I ask for just one more gift?”

“Of course. If it’s something I can do for you, I’ll gladly.”

I nodded without hesitation.

Then—

“…Your voice, saying my name.”

His lips moved quietly, his face blushing red for the first time.

“Instead of calling me ‘Duke’… I want you to call me by my name.”

“Your name?”

My eyes widened.

After all, using someone’s name was something reserved only for family, close friends, or lovers.

And then I realized—

‘Ah, that’s right.’

We were lovers.

So of course—

‘I’m allowed to call him by name.’

Up until now, I thought of him as just the male lead, while I was a minor extra.

But now… I had redefined our relationship.

I had broken free from the original story.

And I finally felt it sink in.

The Duke, with a rare shy look, muttered in protest.

“How long will you keep calling me ‘Duke’?”

“….”

I stared blankly at him.

After a pause, he lowered his eyes and grumbled softly.

“You call Eva by her nickname, don’t you…?”

That was the last straw.

I couldn’t hold it back anymore.

All the love I felt for him, the freedom of stepping outside the original story—everything overflowed.

“Dietrich.”

I called his name. His blue eyes widened slightly.

After looking at me for a long moment, he nodded gently.

“Yes.”

“Then, from now on…”

I swallowed hard and added firmly:

“Please call me Lari.”

Just one sentence. Yet—

The Duke’s face lit up with pure happiness, as though he had gained the whole world.

“Of course, Lari.”

Lari.

My name, rolling off his tongue, sounded unbearably sweet.

And then—

“Good morning!”

Eva strode into the living room cheerfully.

When she saw us standing together, she clicked her tongue.

“Ugh, seriously.”

With her hands on her hips, she scolded us.

“Even if today is Saint Laila’s holiday, enough with the mushy stuff already.”

The Duke calmly replied without flinching.

“Saint Laila’s holiday is for lovers, don’t you know?”

“It’s for family too!”

Eva retorted hotly.

The Duke gave her a pitying look.

“Eva, if you’re jealous, go find yourself a lover.”

“What?!”

Eva gaped at him in disbelief, but he remained unfazed.

“Truly, the world looks different. To have someone you love—it’s the greatest happiness in life…”

“Argh, enough already!”

Stomping her feet in frustration, Eva suddenly froze, her eyes widening.

“Oh? Lari, that shawl…”

She came closer and examined it carefully, her sharp eyes scanning every detail.

“Isn’t that from Gavani’s new winter collection?!”

“R-really?”

“Of course! Madame Gavani herself chose the fabric, cut it, and finished it by hand. Only two pieces have been released so far—and I reserved the third one…”

Her jaw dropped again.

“Wow, I can’t believe he gave you something like this. I didn’t think my brother had this much sense.”

At the same time, Eva gave the Duke a sly, devilish grin from the corner of her eye.