MSOW l CH 05

Chapter 5

Seeing him smile so kindly, I realized rumors really can’t be trusted.

Also, the cup in front of the Grand Duke looked exactly like sparkling water. So the rumor that the war hero drinks enemy blood must be false, too.

Phew, what a relief.

I’d even heard a scary rumor that he drinks the blood of naughty children—but that must be false as well, right?

While I was feeling relieved, the Grand Duke asked:

“I’m glad the food suited your taste.”

“Right. She ate well. Bell, did you like the food?”

“Y-Yes!”

My voice shook by itself, and my words came out a little funny.

Sister raised an eyebrow at me.

Eek!

I hunched my shoulders. The Grand Duke spoke again.

“Since you’re full, shall we talk now?”

“Talk?”

I widened my eyes at him, and his red eyes looked straight back at me.

Gasp—was the “interview” not over?

His look made my full, sleepy tummy tense up again.

I straightened my posture and tightened my eyes and mouth, staring back at him.

This wasn’t very maid-like at all.

It was my first time doing something like this, so I was nervous, but I couldn’t relax.

We held a silent staring match for a while.

“Hm.”

That little sound of disapproval made me flinch. I climbed down from the chair.

“Milady?” the head lady-in-waiting called, surprised, but I pretended not to hear.

I’d apologize later for ignoring her—after I passed the interview.

“What should I do! doing! from now on?” I asked, putting lots of force into each word so my pronunciation wouldn’t slip.

The Grand Duke rolled the water cup in his big hand.

His hands were so large the cup disappeared inside them, and it looked like it might shatter if he squeezed. I couldn’t help glancing nervously.

“It seems…”

I perked up.

As his lips parted, I tightened my grip on my skirt and bowed my head to the floor like a proper maid.

“…Veronica will need a lot of explanations.”

I rolled my eyes up. Explanations? About what?

About the engagement with Sister? Or was he saying he couldn’t fully accept me as a “young lady” yet?

A shadow stretched beside me.

I peeked up and saw the bright hem of Sister’s dress.

Then—stroke, stroke—her soft hand patted my head.

“Sister?”

When I looked up, she was smiling—like a flower blooming, as always.

“Go play outside.”

My eyes went round.

“R-really? What about the explanations?”

“You can hear them slowly later.”

She looked at the Grand Duke then, with eyes that seemed to say, Just try telling her no.

While I hesitated, the head lady-in-waiting held out her hand.

“Shall we take a walk in the gardens, Miss Veronica? While we’re at it, I’ll show you around the Grand Duke’s castle.”

I took her hand; it was warm.

Before leaving, I grabbed my skirt and bowed to Sister and the Grand Duke.

“Please explain later, Your Grace! I’ll study hard!”

I added the bravest shout I could.

***

The confusing lunch ended. As soon as Veronica left with Dolce, Kallia stood up as if she’d been waiting.

Bang!

“Don’t tell the child anything.”

Hands flat on the table, Kallia stared at Noctis.

He met her bright blue eyes—eyes blazing like the hottest flame. In them he saw love and guilt toward Veronica, and wariness toward himself.

After a moment, Noctis nodded slowly.

“What you fear won’t happen. I only meant to give her a gift she’d like.”

“We don’t want gifts. It’s shameless to say this, but Your Grace only needs to guarantee Bell’s safety and my residence. That was our engagement condition, remember?”

He’d thought it would be a simple matter.

Her next words had an edge.

“And your condition was to keep the duchy’s affairs secret. Honestly, it feels like I’m getting the worse end.”

Noctis stood, calm as ever.

Kallia looked up at his much higher face with a faintly resentful gaze.

He offered his arm to escort her as if nothing had happened.

And Kallia, as if she hadn’t just slammed the table, laid her hand on his arm with perfect grace.

As they left the dining room, she asked,

“So when does the procession of priestesses—or should I say, your ‘bride-to-be’—arrive?”

Even at the sudden question, Noctis didn’t waver, guiding her smoothly.

So this much doesn’t rattle him, huh?

Kallia glanced at him, eyes softening, secretly pleased—coming to him had been the right choice.

“Please sit.”

In his office, Noctis gestured to the sofa.

Kallia sat without fuss and watched a maid bring in a tray and pour tea.

Her gaze left the clear, amber-red tea to fix on Noctis.

He took several documents from the desk and handed them to her.

“I drafted a contract based on last night’s discussion. Please read and tell me any changes you want.”

“If you insist.”

Reclining slightly, Kallia read carefully.

It began, ‘This engagement will be dissolved after two years.’ Short and to the point—just what was needed.

Of course: their terms were all about safety—first, second, and third.

Kallia held out her hand, naturally.

Her fingers were long and straight—elegant, befitting the “flower of society.”

Looking at that refined hand, it was hard to believe this was the person who’d blown off the castle gate.

“….”

She took the pen he offered, smiling slightly.

Then, in a flowing hand, she signed at the bottom.

Noctis’s eyes widened for a second, then returned to normal.

“Anything to change?”

“The terms favor me so much I’d rather keep them as is.”

Satisfied, she passed the pen back.

Their fingers brushed for a moment.

Noctis signed beside her name. They each took a copy.

Holding her copy, Kallia smiled.

“Then I’ll be in your care, fiancé.”

“Call me Noctis.”

“All right. Noctis.”

Unlike Veronica, Kallia never refused—Noctis felt a quiet relief.

“As for the priestess procession, don’t worry. Even if they come, they won’t threaten your safety.”

He repeated what the contract already said. Kallia finally lifted her teacup with an easier face.

After a sip, she paused, puzzled.

“But isn’t it risky to draft a contract without your aide?”

“If you mean my aide…”

Crash!

Before he finished, a loud thud came from the bookcase.

Kallia’s hand moved toward where a sword would be; Noctis stopped her.

“It’s fine. He must have been napping there.”

“…Your aide sleeps on the job?”

Her lips parted in disbelief.

The rose-tinted mouth and gently raised corners were so captivating that Noctis forgot to make excuses for his aide.

***

“Dolce. I’m sorry I pretended not to hear when you called me earlier…”

Hand in hand with Dolce, I trudged along, mumbling.