Chapter 62
After a while, we left Arvel’s workshop.
When Denok offered to help, Arvel grew so restless that he eventually asked for a written document of the promise.
Only after receiving a signed contract directly from Denok did his face finally relax with relief.
“This is really… like a dream…”
He even threw himself into Denok’s arms, eyes shining pitifully like pink cotton candy — which made Denok’s expression stiffen harder than ever.
Leaving behind that minor incident, we climbed back into the carriage and headed for the mansion.
I didn’t think he’d actually agree to help on the spot, though.
I had been thinking of recruiting Arvel, but I wasn’t sure how to approach him. I’d just come to see how things stood — and yet everything had fallen into place far quicker than I’d expected.
As expected, he’s the kind of man who steps up when it comes to his own domain’s affairs.
I turned my head with a faintly satisfied smile.
Denok was sitting beside me — the seat across from us was piled high with the papers Arvel had handed over.
The research materials were so extensive that even the luggage compartment couldn’t fit them all; we had no choice but to stack them on the seat.
As I tilted my head slightly, our eyes met.
But somehow… his gaze felt sharper than usual.
Then, out of nowhere, Denok spoke.
“Do you like that kind of person?”
“…Pardon?”
I blinked, not understanding. His brows furrowed slightly.
“That kind of person — pitiful, fragile… that sort.”
“That’s not liking, exactly. Anyone would feel compassion for someone in that state.”
“Compassion, huh.”
I still didn’t understand what he was getting at, so I just nodded vaguely.
He looked as if he had a lot more to say but then closed his mouth and turned away instead.
Why does he look upset?
I didn’t know the reason, but it bothered me enough that I deliberately brightened my tone.
“Anyway, you were really amazing earlier.”
His gaze returned to me.
“You realized right away how important that research was and offered to help on the spot. I’m sure he felt so relieved — it’s not every day the Grand Duke Luciano personally offers assistance.”
He replied quietly, “He seemed to have talent.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Getting your acknowledgment — that’s no small thing. I really hope his research succeeds…”
“It will. Something like that, I could solve myself with a little thought.”
“Really?!”
Wait, was he saying he already had an idea?
I beamed at him before I even realized it.
But just as he was speaking smoothly, he suddenly stopped.
“…?”
A short silence, and then he nodded slightly.
“Yes. That much, I could easily handle after a bit of thought.”
“Wow… that’s a relief. That’s just like you, Denok.”
I chuckled softly and rested my chin by the window.
The passing scenery had grown familiar.
In the distance, faint specks of light flickered — I could recognize now that they were from Markana.
“I’m glad we decided to leave home after all.”
I had come to know a world I’d never seen before.
I’d met people I’d never dreamed of facing.
My world was expanding — and it melted sweetly inside me.
Denok’s gaze lingered on me for a long time.
After that day, several days passed with Denok holed up in the library, his expression shadowed.
Edith, seeing that, made a point not to go near the library — deciding it was better not to disturb him.
Thus, quiet days went by — peaceful, uneventful, with no one intruding upon anyone else.
But there was one person who didn’t appreciate that peace at all.
“Tsk—!”
As she walked down the corridor, Melissa suddenly stopped at the strange sound that came from nearby.
Her arms were full with a large bouquet of peonies — the mistress’s favorite — so she couldn’t see well in front of her.
No… it came from the side.
Melissa swallowed hard.
Lately, there’d been an odd rumor among the maids — that if you walked alone down the third-floor hallway, you could hear footsteps following you.
Could it be…?
Her face drained of color.
“…”
I didn’t hear anything, she told herself and started walking quickly again — but just then,
“Ah, seriously, you can’t even read a signal properly.”
“…!”
A hand shot out of nowhere, grabbing her arm — and before she could react, she was yanked into a half-open door.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Too startled to even process what was happening, Melissa let out a reflexive scream.
“Eek—mmph!!”
A large hand clamped over her mouth, silencing her.
Eyes wide with fear, she flailed — until a familiar voice hissed,
“Shh, calm down! It’s me, Gerald!”
Sir Gerald…?
Melissa stopped struggling and slowly looked up.
Staring down at her with a troubled expression were Gerald’s crimson eyes.
“Feeling calmer now? Sorry for startling you…”
Blinking back tears, Melissa nodded weakly.
Only then did his hand drop away from her face.
“W–why on earth did you just—drag me in like that?! Like you’re kidnapping someone!”
As her panic ebbed, anger rose in its place.
There were limits to jokes — and this went far past them.
Fuming, Melissa glared sharply at him.
Gerald scratched his neck, bowing apologetically.
“Sorry, sorry — but I really didn’t have time to explain.”
“In that much of a hurry? For what?”
He cracked the door open, peeked down the hall, then closed it again after confirming no one was there.
Then, lowering his voice, he asked seriously,
“Melissa, what do you think of Her Grace, the Grand Duchess?”
Melissa blinked.
“Her Ladyship? She’s wonderful, of course. Why would you ask something like that?”
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Wait… you’re not plotting something against her, are you?”
If he was—
Melissa clenched her small fists tightly, full of resolve to defend her mistress no matter what.
Gerald flinched, raising both hands in defense.
“Whoa, whoa, no! Nothing like that! I actually think you could help me with my plan.”
“Plan?”
Her eyes widened.
Gerald leaned closer, covering his mouth to whisper.
“Well… haven’t you noticed something strange between the Duke and Duchess lately?”
“Strange? What do you mean?”
“Exactly that. Both of them — the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess. They hardly talk anymore.”
“That’s…”
Melissa’s eyes wavered.
Come to think of it, he wasn’t wrong.
Before Head Maid Rachel left, the two of them had been inseparable.
They’d always been together — sometimes even blushing at each other.
But lately… His Grace has been locked in the library, and Her Ladyship just works nonstop.
Maybe it was just that their workloads had increased — the new aides were constantly rushing around, after all.
Then suddenly—
Melissa’s eyes widened as a shocking realization struck her.
The two of them… haven’t had any physical affection lately!
