~Chapter 18~
“You…!”
Leonard trembled with rage, roughly unbuttoning his shirt.
“You crazy bastard.”
He tore off the ripped button and threw it to the floor, cursing as he left the drawing room.
“Just make sure you keep those curses in check. At least mid-level ones.”
Then he glared at Damien.
“If you don’t, your wife won’t be around much longer.”
Bang.
As Leonard slammed the door shut, only Damien remained in the room.
“……”
Trying not to show it, Damien silently pressed against his bleeding wound, clutching his swirling, chaotic thoughts.
* * *
“I barely got to see her. That’s a shame.”
After finishing his talk with Leonard, Damien walked back into the garden where the terrace was.
I had been waiting inside, but the head butler called me to the garden to see Leonard off formally.
“No worries, I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.”
I replied with a polite business smile.
“Haha, I look forward to it.”
Leonard walked toward a massive tree in the garden’s corner.
Drawing a large circle with his finger, light burst forth.
Within the glowing space, a different scenery appeared.
‘That’s… the Imperial Palace.’
So it was a portal to the palace.
That’s how he arrived without anyone noticing.
“Surprised? Portals aren’t common, so that’s natural.”
Leonard chuckled brightly, turning to me.
“You can come through here anytime as well.”
“Oh… I see.”
“I grant you permission. Visit the palace whenever you wish.”
His eyes curved like crescent moons.
“The Grand Duke is so uptight, isn’t he? You’ll get bored staying here forever.”
He casually belittled Damien with that bright smile.
Anyone could see he had ulterior motives for inviting me to the palace.
Even if he truly meant the invitation, it was obvious visiting would only bring me discomfort.
“Your Highness.”
“Hm?”
I looked him straight in the eye and spoke clearly.
“I like it here.”
Not just because it was filled with curses and ghosts I adored.
This was the only place that accepted me.
“I will continue living here.”
Silence fell.
In the awkward quiet, I glanced at Damien to see his eyes widen slightly in surprise.
“…Ha.”
Leonard let out a short laugh.
It was hard to tell if it was genuine or mocking.
“How admirable, so confident.”
With that, he waved his cloak and offered a final farewell.
“Then, until next time. Goodbye.”
His body disappeared into the portal, and the light dissolved as if it had never been there.
“Let’s go back inside.”
Damien was the first to break the silence.
“Yes.”
We entered the mansion through the terrace without a word.
Damien walked ahead through the dim hallway, and I followed behind.
“…I’m sorry. I didn’t want our date to end like this.”
He spoke first as we walked.
I moved quickly to walk beside him.
Damien paused briefly, matching my pace as I walked by his side.
“You don’t need to apologize. It seemed like an unexpected situation.”
“Still, I’m responsible.”
“But I had fun. Seeing the spirit butterflies made me really happy.”
“Haha.”
Damien chuckled softly, a faint smile crossing his lips.
“I’m glad. Hearing you say you like it here… it meant a lot to me.”
“Of course, I meant it.”
“I’m truly happy.”
Damien closed his eyes as he spoke.
“I’ve always wanted to hear someone say that, just once.”
He looked genuinely happy.
“Hey, Ruby.”
“Yes?”
“What I said earlier in front of the spirit butterflies.”
My heart sank.
“It wasn’t an illusion. I don’t know why you thought it was, but I meant every word.”
I stopped walking.
His words replayed in my mind.
‘I was first.’
Suddenly, my face grew hot, and relief flooded my chest.
‘So it was real.’
I hadn’t realized just how much I had hoped it was truly Damien who said it.
‘Strange… why did I want it to be real so badly?’
I must have been disappointed thinking it might have been an illusion.
“…I’m glad it was real.”
Damien smiled softly.
“So don’t doubt it was an illusion. It makes me sad.”
“Sorry… I’ve always wanted someone to say things like that to me, but it’s my first time hearing them…”
“We both need to get used to this, don’t we?”
“Yes, we do.”
We chatted quietly as we walked.
Damien suggested we move to the library to continue talking.
“By the way, there’s something I’ve been wondering.”
“Yes?”
“Everything ended fine with the prince, right?”
“…Yes.”
Damien showed no particular reaction.
But his answer was slightly delayed, which bothered me.
‘He must be hiding something…’
Still, I couldn’t pry deeper.
I hadn’t been here long enough to question sensitive matters between the ducal family and the royals.
‘I hope it was nothing serious…’
As I looked at Damien with worry, he seemed to read my mind and added,
“Really, it was nothing. We probably won’t encounter him again.”
“…That would be nice.”
I truly meant it.
Meeting the prince had left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“I felt like the royal family didn’t like me much.”
Damien looked down at the floor silently.
“Is that true?”
Finally, he nodded.
“I can’t deny it. But I’ve made arrangements to keep you unaffected.”
He leaned forward, meeting my gaze directly.
“It may not sound reliable, but I’ve taken temporary measures. They won’t touch you.”
As I listened to his words intently—
“Eventually, even they will have to accept you…”
I caught a strange scent in the air.
Distracted, his voice faded in and out.
“Ru…by?”
My instincts screamed.
This wasn’t just suspicion.
Cold dread rushed through me. I shot up from my seat.
I stood up so quickly the chair toppled over with a crash.
“Ruby?”
Without answering, I marched straight towards Damien.
“Ruby, is something wrong—”
Screech—
Without a word, I swiftly removed his outer coat and vest.
“W-wait, Ruby!!”
I unbuttoned his shirt to reveal his shoulder.
