~Chapter 88~
Jealousy
The Royster estate was even larger and more extravagant than the Astria ducal mansion.
That was to be expected, considering the historical importance of the Grand Duchy. While House Astria had only begun to rise in the ranks about twenty years ago through a marriage alliance with Alcestis, House Royster had been accumulating wealth and influence long before that.
If this is just their townhouse in Juvenile, what must their main castle be like…?
As Eleanor walked through the hallway—past beautiful paintings and elegant fireplaces where even the smallest details were elaborated—she found herself quietly admiring it all.
Eventually, they reached a big, cozy drawing room. After a short wait, a physician from House Royster arrived without delay.
The elderly doctor quickly pulled out medical supplies and approached Ernst, but for some reason, Ernst coldly rejected his help.
“Just leave the medicine. I’ll treat myself.”
“Pardon? B-but… that’s not—”
“They’re surface wounds. A bit of antiseptic and ointment will do. I don’t need someone else touching me. I don’t like unnecessary contact, so just leave it.”
Ernst’s voice was cold, and his expression was guarded.
Is he wary because the doctor belongs to another household? Eleanor blinked in surprise. Though Ernst had always been tough, he had never behaved like this in front of her.
The doctor glanced nervously between Karsian and Ernst. When Karsian made no objection, the physician placed antiseptic, ointment, clean water, and bandages on the table before quietly leaving.
As soon as he left, Ernst stood.
“Then I’ll excuse myself to quickly treat my wounds. Please wait here, my lady.”
He bowed slightly to Eleanor while hurriedly gathering the supplies.
But Eleanor gave a faint laugh as she watched him.
“And where do you think you’re going?”
“…As your humble escort, I shouldn’t be tending to personal matters in your and His Grace’s presence. If you’ll permit it, I’d like to step out and return after treating myself—”
“I don’t permit it. So don’t say something silly and sit down.”
“M-my lady!”
Eleanor firmly grabbed his wrist and pulled him down into the seat. Flustered by the sudden contact, Ernst stammered—something that almost never happened—as he sat down unwillingly.
On the opposite sofa, Karsian sat elegantly, one leg crossed over the other, silently observing everything.
Eleanor, unaware of his gaze, continued speaking.
“How do you plan to treat your face by yourself? Hold still. I’ll do it for you.”
She had grabbed his hand only to take the medicine away. Now, Eleanor held a bottle of antiseptic and a small jar of ointment.
“No, really—it’s alright. I can do it myself—”
“What, you’re suspicious of me now? You’ve been my knight for six years. I think that’s long enough to not feel awkward, don’t you? You’re not uncomfortable around me, are you?”
Ernst was left speechless. His lips parted, but no sound came out.
Uncomfortable? If there was anyone on earth who made him more uncomfortable than anyone else, it was undoubtedly his lady.
But he couldn’t say that aloud. He feared how hurt she might look if he did.
“That’s… not it.”
“Then just sit still, Sir Ernst. First, let’s clean the wound and disinfect it. I’ll be as gentle as I can, but if it hurts, let me know.”
When Eleanor softly cupped his chin in her hand, Ernst’s entire body tensed like stone.
His injuries were on his cheek and lips. Which meant…
She would be touching his lips.
This can’t happen.
His heart dropped, pounding painfully in his chest. He bit his lip.
I can’t let this happen. I must not let this happen.
The intense warning screamed in his head, tangled with a heavy sense of guilt.
He began to pull back quickly, meaning to retreat.
At least, he was going to—until his eyes met Karsian’s.
The man sitting across from him—an image of perfection. The Grand Duke of Royster, whom Ernst had always deeply respected… and the very same man is now building an affectionate relationship with his lady.
Watching Karsian silently clench his fist and gaze at him intently, Ernst began to feel a strange unease.
Karsian looked well-mannered, calm as a tamed beast, sitting with one leg crossed—but his eyes held something entirely different. Raw, untamed ferocity.
And Ernst knew exactly what that look meant.
He was all too familiar with it.
Perhaps that was why the desire he’d long held back suddenly surged forward. It was that longing, reckless and foolish, that made him stay seated in a place he should’ve gracefully stepped away from.
“Does it sting?”
“…No. I’m fine.”
Even though the disinfectant burned his wound, Ernst didn’t feel it. He was too distracted—consumed by the feeling of her soft hand gently touching his face, her eyes full of kindness.
Her violet eyes, her flawless, fair skin, the delicate curve of her nose, her graceful neck… The features he had always tried to ignore now pulled at him more than ever.
She had grown since they met six years ago. She was no longer a child—nor was the love he held in his heart. That feeling had matured into something far deeper… far more dangerous.
“Sir Ernst.”
His green eyes flickered the moment she said his name.
“Don’t do that again… what you did earlier.”
Her fingers lightly tapped his lips, as if testing their tenderness.
“I don’t like seeing you get hurt because of me. Not like that.”
She was talking about how he let Damian hit him.
Eleanor knew Ernst had little choice—as an Astria knight, he couldn’t retaliate. But still, she couldn’t stand it. She wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt those who were hers anymore.
After gently applying ointment to all the wounds on his face, Eleanor looked up and locked eyes with him.
His forest-green gaze wavered slightly, like leaves trembling in a breeze.
She smiled brightly at him.
“Still, thank you. For protecting me.”
But Eleanor didn’t know.
She didn’t know how much her smile, her words, had complicated his heart.
How painful it was to let himself feel that fleeting desire.
And she certainly didn’t know what Karsian was feeling as he watched them—because she was too caught up in the warmth of the moment.
“…I suppose I’m done. I’ll take my leave now.”
Ernst stood up abruptly. His face was hidden beneath his bowed head, but judging from his movements, he seemed flustered.
Eleanor knew he was embarrassed easily. She didn’t press him any further, only nodded.
He left quickly, likely to wait just outside the door as always.
Now only two people remained in the spacious drawing room: Eleanor and Karsian.
“…You’re greatly trusted by your knight.”
The low voice broke the silence, and only then did Eleanor realize Karsian had been watching the entire time. The image of Damian beating Ernst had been so vivid in her mind that she had momentarily forgotten Karsian’s presence.
She felt a little embarrassed to have shown something so personal, but if it was Karsian, she didn’t mind so much.
She gave a sheepish smile and nodded.
“Sir Ernst is a good man. I’m lucky to have him.”
“Maybe. But finding someone truly worth giving loyalty to is harder than you’d think. Most knights never find a master they can devote their heart to before they die. In that sense, he’s lucky too.”
Karsian stood slowly and walked over.
“It’s fortunate that someone so determined to protect you is by your side.”
He sat casually on the spot Ernst had just vacated and gave her a faint, curved smile.
Looking at him, Eleanor suddenly thought—
Is he… not jealous?
Come to think of it, she had just touched another man’s face in front of the man who claimed to love her. Most men would’ve lost their minds at that.
But Karsian’s expression hadn’t changed at all. If anything, he looked… calm. Maybe even relieved.
Well… he’s not the jealous type, I guess.
That’s what she told herself. But still, her heart sank a little.
Then, unexpectedly—
“By the way, Eleanor.”
Karsian suddenly extended a hand toward her.
“Here. I’m injured too.”
Startled, she looked and saw a palm with split skin and blood dripping from the injury.
“Oh my goodness! Since when?!”
“I think it happened when I hit that bastard.”
Though… the wound looked too fresh. Like it had just happened. But Eleanor was too concerned to notice the inconsistency.
“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?! You should’ve— Wait, I’ll call the physician—”
She sprang to her feet, but Karsian grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled her back.
“No. I want you to treat it.”
“…What?”
“I also dislike unnecessary contact. If possible, I’d like to be treated by you.”
Is that alright? He added softly.
His deep voice was soft, almost charming, and it stopped her in her tracks.
Only then did she begin to notice what she had missed until now.
The tension in his eyebrows. The subtle stress in his posture. The low voice that had grown rougher…
This… is jealousy.
Karsian was jealous of Ernst.
“Pfft!”
A laugh burst out of her before she could stop it. Eleanor quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth, but the laughter kept spilling out.
Karsian’s dark brows furrowed slightly at the sudden reaction.
“Sorry. I just… thought of something funny.”
“…It’s fine. Whatever the reason, I like seeing you laugh.”
His calm voice pulled the smile right off her face. Instead, her cheeks flushed bright red.
Ahem. Eleanor cleared her throat awkwardly and sat back down.
“Give me your hand. I’ll treat it.”
Trying to hide her embarrassment, she dipped a fresh bandage pad in clean water. Sure, he’d probably be better off seeing a doctor—but from the look in his eyes, there was no changing his mind.
She gently wiped the blood from his palm, then carefully disinfected the wound with alcohol.
Until that point, she hadn’t been nervous at all.
She’d simply thought Karsian’s jealousy was… cute.
But the moment her ointment-coated fingers brushed against his hand, she realized—
The atmosphere between them had changed.
