Chapter 08
“…Pardon?”
I barely managed to squeeze out a word, my lips refusing to close afterward.
I stayed frozen for a long time, stiff as if I’d seen a ghost, before coming to a conclusion of my own.
‘Maybe there’s something wrong with my hearing?’
That seemed far more realistic than the duke proposing to me.
“Um, Your Grace. I think I might be having some auditory problems, so… could you please repeat that one more time?”
“Marry me.”
“…Did you just say marry?”
“Yes. I said marriage.”
…So I hadn’t misheard.
But why hadn’t I misheard?
“…Could it be that while I was unconscious or lost my memory, the meaning of marriage changed into something else—not about a man and woman becoming husband and wife, but something entirely different?”
“It hasn’t changed. It still means exactly that.”
“Then why on earth…?”
I barely managed to squeeze my voice out.
My mind felt like it was slipping into a haze.
Since he wouldn’t let me stay as a guest, nor hire me as a servant, I thought he had some other clever solution up his sleeve.
But instead…
“Marriage?”
I wondered if perhaps the duke had hit his head. I stared at him, searching for some crack in his composure.
‘How can his expression be so calm after making such an absurd suggestion?’
My suspicion only deepened.
“Are you… insane, by chance? Ah, please pretend I didn’t just say that. And don’t have me arrested for insulting nobility.”
I tapped my lips, calling it a mistake.
Honestly, anyone would blurt something like that in this situation. Surely he’d understand. I gave him a sheepish smile, only for the duke to let out a long sigh.
“Wasn’t this what you asked for?”
“What did I ask for?”
“…Nothing. Anyway, choose. Will you marry me, or will you leave?”
“There really aren’t any other options…?”
“None. If you want to stay here, the only way is to marry me.”
What kind of choices are this terrible?
‘There’s nothing worth choosing!’
I wanted to throw the question back at him: Would you rather be stabbed to death by a sword, or fall off a cliff to your death?
Rubbing my aching forehead, I glared at him.
“Are you truly okay with marrying me?”
“I don’t mind.”
“You should mind! You don’t even like me, do you? Isn’t that right?”
Without a shred of hesitation, the duke replied:
“I dislike you.”
“Then why propose! Let’s just pretend I didn’t hear that. How about hiring me as a maid instead?”
“I told you, didn’t I? There are no other options. How many times must I repeat myself?”
So this was the iron wall everyone warned about. Even nonsense became impenetrable when it came from him.
In the end, after fuming alone, I slumped in exhaustion and rubbed my face.
“…Then at least tell me the reason you want to marry.”
“You don’t need to know. Isn’t the position of duchess more than enough for someone like you?”
His brow arched as if wondering why I was making such a fuss. His eyes looked at me like I was a bothersome nuisance.
‘What a jerk. But… he’s not wrong.’
Becoming the mistress of the empire’s sole ducal family would grant wealth, power, and influence. It was also the perfect position to protect my beloved.
‘It’s more than I ever wanted… but still, I never wished for this.’
Watching the shadow deepen between his brows, I spoke.
“Marriage is important for you too, isn’t it, Your Grace?”
“Not particularly. I already have an heir.”
His voice didn’t waver in the slightest.
I suddenly remembered what I’d read—that my favorite character’s guardian never married until the day he died.
‘…So it wasn’t a lie.’
A sigh slipped out before I could stop it.
“…Please give me some time. Perhaps to you marriage is a light matter, something you can do even with someone you dislike, but to me… it’s not something I can do without knowing the reason.”
The duke unfolded his arms, tilting his head slightly. His gaze narrowed, as if looking at something incomprehensible.
“I don’t understand.”
“That makes two of us. I have no idea why you’d propose marriage, Your Grace.”
If he weren’t my beloved’s guardian, I’d already have stormed out of this room.
“Do as you please.”
“Thank you for the time.”
Maybe I could stall long enough to remain here until my beloved came of age. My mind spun with possibilities—when he interrupted my thoughts.
“But I’ll be returning to the capital in a week. Decide before then.”
* * *
Bell paused in the corridor, carrying snacks prepared for Fey.
‘Why is she coming out of there?’
Golden hair, crimson eyes. The woman who always smiled at the young master like a sunflower had just stepped out of the duke’s office.
“…”
Bell’s face sank into shadow.
She considered approaching Helen but thought instead of the young master who must be waiting eagerly for her. She resumed walking.
Knock, knock.
No sooner had she rapped than the door swung open.
“Helen! …Oh. It’s you, Nanny Bell.”
The golden eyes that had sparkled with expectation dimmed instantly.
Bell noticed the flicker of disappointment cross his face. The tray in her hands trembled ever so slightly.
“…Young Master, pardon me. I brought some refreshments.”
“Yay, snacks! Is Helen in the room now? I wanna eat them with her!”
…Again, Helen.
Bell called out to stop Fey as he started toward the door.
“Young Master.”
“Mm?”
“What is it you like so much about Lady Helen?”
Fey’s face blossomed into a sunny smile. Without a moment’s hesitation, he answered:
“Because she’s Helen!”
That was reason enough for him. He added nothing more.
Bell frowned, unable to understand such blind affection.
“Then does that mean…?”
Does that mean you like Helen more than me, who has cared for you since you were a baby?
Bell bit the inside of her cheek.
But when the sunlight streaming through the window caught his golden eyes, she found herself unable to voice the question.
‘Why am I asking something so pointless…’
She ignored the discomfort crawling up the back of her neck and turned away.
“…It’s nothing. Let’s go to Lady Helen’s room.”
“Okay!”
Fey gazed quietly at Bell’s back as she led the way.
Behind her stretched a long, dark shadow.
* * *
I blankly shoved a cookie into my mouth.
Back in my room, I was trying to cool my overheated mind when my beloved came to visit.
“I came to eat snacks together!”
I was a fangirl incapable of refusing my beloved’s invitations.
But my mind was still in chaos, and I couldn’t taste the freshly baked cookies at all.
I didn’t know if I was eating dessert or shoving dirt in my mouth.
“Helen, did something happen?”
My beloved gulped down orange juice and asked.
“…No. Nothing happened.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Good! You looked upset, so I thought something was wrong.”
Truthfully, a lot had happened.
But I couldn’t worry him.
Forcing away my concerns, I smiled brightly.
Just then, the nanny who had been silently observing us spoke up.
“Lady Helen. I happened to see you leaving the master’s office earlier. May I ask what business you had with him?”
“I had something to discuss with His Grace.”
“…I see.”
For a fleeting moment, her brown eyes glinted with something dark.
‘Huh?’
I blinked, and in that instant, Bell was gently wiping Fey’s mouth, looking as usual.
Tilting my head, I wondered if I had imagined it.
‘Maybe I’m just seeing things. I’m so out of it I can’t even taste cookies.’
I slapped my cheeks lightly, then downed the iced orange juice.
“So, Helen, you said your talk with Uncle went well?”
“Huh? …Oh. Yeah, it went well.”
Did it really?
Well, at least I wasn’t kicked out. I’d bought myself time.
“That’s good! If Uncle ever makes you cry, tell me! I’m your guardian, so I’ll punish him instead!”
“Of course, my little guardian.”
“Hehe. Promise!”
He grinned wide enough to show his molars, lifting a cookie in triumph.
Chomp! In it went. His cheeks puffed out like a hamster nibbling on sunflower seeds.
‘The ultimate healing sight.’
All my inner turmoil melted away before my adorable beloved.
See? Being a fan really is good for your health.
As I happily watched him, he suddenly whined:
“Aw. The cookies are all gone. Hmph.”
“No more for today, Young Master,” Bell said firmly.
“Can’t I have just a teeny tiny bit more?”
“Too many sweets are bad for you.”
Fey’s lips jutted out in a pout.
Ah! Time for me to step in as his ally.
“Bell, did you know Fey read a storybook all by himself yesterday?”
“That’s right! I read it out loud really clearly!”
Bell looked between us. When her eyes landed on me, the wrinkles around her mouth deepened, as if saying ‘You’re not helping at all.’
‘Sorry, Bell. But a few more cookies won’t hurt him. He’s still growing, after all!’
In the end, she sighed heavily and stood up.
“Very well. But only a little more.”
“Yay! Bell’s the best!”
When she left, Fey and I were alone.
He finished his orange juice, fiddling with the empty cup. His short, chubby fingers tapped hesitantly.
“Helen… you said your talk with Uncle went well, right?”
“Mm-hm.”
I nodded awkwardly, wondering how on earth to explain the duke’s proposal.
“Then…”
His face blossomed with excitement as he looked up at me.
“Can I call you… Aunt?”
