~Chapter 70~
“Did Lord Peril return to the Empire first?” I asked.
Lily quietly nodded.
That didn’t make sense.
Peril might be unpredictable, even reckless at times, but he would never leave without a word—especially not when he was the one who insisted we chase after Atkins’s trail together.
“Lord Peril often falls into long sleeps,” Lily offered. “Maybe the time for that has come again.”
“But he only woke up recently…”
It seemed Lily was just as confused as I was, though she didn’t say anything else. Perhaps she had no better explanation.
After we returned from Orphen, I immediately headed to the Magic Tower—but there was no sign of Peril.
“Where is Lord Peril?” I asked.
The magician looked puzzled. “Didn’t he return from Orphen with you?”
I even checked the Sun’s Shop. He wasn’t there either.
“He really said he’d return to the Empire early?” I asked.
“Yes. He said he needed rest.”
…Something felt off.
Way too off.
“There’s a big auction coming up at the Moon’s Shop,” Lily added. “Maybe he wanted to rest before that.”
“Auction?”
Lily nodded again.
“It’s the biggest event hosted by Lord Peril himself.”
I knew about that.
But it was happening much sooner than expected.
Then again, comparing anything to the original story now was pointless.
“He always had a habit of disappearing,” Lily said gently. “Let’s just give it a bit more time.”
“…Alright.”
The words came out, but I didn’t mean them.
***
“Why don’t you just live outside the house?” Cedric snapped.
I couldn’t lift my head.
“You wanted to leave the family anyway, didn’t you?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“This time, you’re clearly in the wrong,” Grandfather added, raising his hands as if giving up on me.
…I guess I was at fault this time.
I did leave for Orphen with just a short note about going with the Magic Tower.
Still, I felt wronged.
I did tell Grandfather!
Though lately, he often forgot things…
“I let it slide a few times because you seemed stifled,” Cedric continued. “But now you run off to another kingdom for fresh air… Really?”
He even laughed in disbelief before unleashing another wave of scolding.
Was there some kind of school for nagging?
He was only getting better at it.
I started counting the tiles on the floor, mentally checking out, when Grandfather finally intervened.
“That’s enough, I think Bianca’s got the point. Right?”
“Yes, yes!”
I clung to him like he was my lifeline.
“I won’t ever disappear again without telling you properly.”
“Good, good. If you just talk to me, this old man will approve anything.”
Though he’d agreed before, it seemed he no longer remembered.
That’s okay. I’ll just keep reminding him.
It wasn’t a big deal.
I forced away the growing unease.
Knock, knock.
“Lord Bluea,” a voice called from outside. Atticus.
“Come in,” Grandfather replied.
Atticus entered quickly, his expression urgent.
“Lord Harness has arrived at the estate.”
Grandfather’s face froze. It only lasted a moment, but I caught it.
“I’ll greet him instead,” Cedric offered.
“No,” Grandfather said firmly. “He’s an old friend. I should go.”
He smiled and added, “Cedric, you probably still have things to say to Bianca.”
“G-Grandfather?!”
More nagging?!
No, please!
But Grandfather just chuckled.
Cedric grabbed my arm and headed for the door.
“No! Wait!”
I resisted, but Cedric was stronger than I expected.
Thud.
The door shut, and his eyes turned cold.
“Haha, I’m tired. I’ll be going now—”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
So much for my escape attempt.
As I was being dragged along, I tried to change the topic.
“Aren’t you busy? I’m sure you have work piling up.”
“Unlike you, I manage my responsibilities.”
“Wow. I knew you’d say that.”
I forced a laugh, but Cedric suddenly stopped walking.
I stopped too—and saw Lord Harness walking toward us.
“It’s been a while. Not since the coronation, right?” he said with a warm smile.
“Have you been well, my lord?” I bowed respectfully.
“No need for such formality between us. I still remember you two as little kids.”
His gaze moved from Cedric to me.
“Such a shame, though. I always thought you and Ricardo made a good match.”
“N-not at all. I could never compare to the Duke.”
“…May I ask why?” he asked.
There was something sharp in his gaze.
A chill ran down my spine, but I hid it.
“As I said, I’m not suitable for him. We have different personalities too.”
He didn’t look away for a second.
“…Did he say something to you?” Harness asked.
I blinked in confusion.
He smiled faintly, but my heart pounded in my chest.
“Now that I think about it,” he said softly, “he once mentioned he had feelings for someone.”
His fingers brushed his ear gently.
“If you were hurt because of that, let me apologize.”
“No need. These things happen often in high society. I’m fine.”
He gave a small smirk, then muttered,
“Still… For you to be the one asking for the breakup. That’s quite bold.”
“I was the one who wanted it. The Duke did not.”
I didn’t know why, but I felt like I had to say it.
Harness’s eyes narrowed.
“…You wanted it. But you just said you were fine.”
“I told her to do it.”
Before I could explain, Cedric spoke in a calm voice.
“I wanted to spend more time with my sister.”
What a load of nonsense!
My skin prickled. Cedric stepped on my foot to snap me out of it.
“Ow…”
“You two are as close as ever,” Harness said.
Smiling through the pain, I replied,
“It’s nice having such a family bond, isn’t it?”
“You’re lucky,” he said. “I envy the Bluea.”
“But you have a reliable Duke by your side, my lord.”
At that, Harness let out a dry laugh.
It was more of a scoff.
“Is that so? I’ve never thought that way, not once.”
‘It’s a matter of the Hessen family’s beliefs,’ Elliot once told me. ‘Or rather… Lord Harness’s personal conviction.’
“Even if it’s not what he wants, he’ll do it. Because he’s lived his whole life for it.”
His whole life… chasing something he never wanted.
I’d brushed those words aside before, but now… they clung to me.
Ricardo’s countless scars.
The only one with the power to hurt the heir of Hessen.
Pieces scattered everywhere were now falling into place.
I hid my trembling hands behind my back.
“If you ever want Ricardo again, just say the word. I’d gladly welcome someone as lovely as you into the family.”
“…Thank you.”
“Harness.”
Grandpa’s voice came from behind.
At the sound of it, Harnen turned and gave us a farewell.
“Well then, I should get going. It was good seeing you.”
“Please enjoy your time with my grandfather, my lord.”
He gave my shoulder a light pat as he walked away.
Without thinking, I clutched that spot tightly.
