Chapter 24
“Quest! The Secret of Duke de Lebois!
If you discover the secret between the Duke’s legs, the usage period of your Status Window will be extended indefinitely!”
Are they insane? They want me to do something that dangerous?
“Are you seriously… having memory issues? From falling into the river?”
Ah, so the excuse I gave the Emperor made its way to him too.
“Yeah.”
[Clayton de Lebois]
Rank: Duke
Affection toward Gracie Fletcher Gabriella – 99%
Affection toward Francis Patella – –99%
“Don’t just make that face, say something.”
▼ Feels hurt by Princess Gracie.
“But I blindfolded you…”
“Your voice alone gives you away.”
Come on, just say it! Confess everything! Make it easy for both of us!
“Take the blindfold off.”
“No.”
“Then hold my hand.”
“No.”
“Then what can I do?”
“We’re already bathing together—what more do you want?”
The one good thing about him wearing that blindfold was that he couldn’t see me.
My jaw ached—turns out I’d been smiling nonstop.
Ugh, I really am weak to handsome men and pretty faces!
“You really don’t know what this is about?”
“…No.”
He sighed deeply and brought his hand to his waist.
“Are you crazy? What are you trying to do?”
“How else will you understand if I don’t show you?”
I let go of his hand, and it seemed like he was actually going to undo his belt. But since he couldn’t see with the blindfold, he fumbled and failed—which was my salvation.
“Don’t show me. Just tell me.”
If you show me, I might actually get a nosebleed!
If I die of blood loss, it’ll be your fault!
“If I tell you, will you grant me one wish?”
“Fine. But no breaking off the engagement, no being my partner at the victory ceremony, and no sleeping together.”
“Anything else?”
“Are you insane? No!”
“You don’t even know what it is yet.”
He was smiling, and I felt like I’d walked into a trap.
It was like being a rider whose elephant of a brain had decided to charge off on its own.
“You can listen first and decide.”
“…Alright.”
He exhaled slowly before speaking, Adam’s apple gliding sensually.
“A chastity belt.”
“…What?”
“You said yourself—you can’t trust a man who roams battlefields. So… I did what you wanted.”
“Are you insane? Why would you do that? And why would you actually listen to me? Are you mad?”
“Yeah. So keep the key safe. You’re the only one who can unlock it.”
He’s insane. Completely insane. And I don’t even know where the key is!
That wicked man rested his face on my shoulder, making my heart pound even harder. The water was already pressing on my chest, but he somehow made it worse.
Wicked man! Absolutely, shamelessly wicked!
“And send your bed slave away tonight.”
“That’s your wish? You sure have a lot of requests today.”
“It’s not a request. I just know you’ve been too kind to him lately.”
“And what does that matter to you?”
His breath tickled my shoulder. His wet hair brushed against my skin, soft and teasing. My own hair had come undone, drifting down into the water.
He sighed again, and every time his lips moved, they grazed my shoulder, making me twitch.
“In the war against the Kingdom of Deirid, the Bastian Empire won.”
“I know that much.”
“Then guess who fought in that war?”
I stared at him, realizing what he meant a moment too late.
“Oh no.”
Clayton had been there. I’d actually planned to keep by my side one of the very men responsible for turning Joshua’s homeland into a vassal state!
“You’re being nice to that slave because you want to become Empress, right?”
“…”
“You think winning over slaves will make the citizens speak well of you? Since most people in the capital own Deirid slaves themselves?”
“They were pardoned. Why call them slaves?”
“Even if they were pardoned, only the name changed. They still live as slaves under ‘contracts.’”
The image of Yang being bullied by goats flashed through my mind. Even those who were freed still lived under the same chains.
“Explain it in detail.”
“It’s simple. Before becoming a vassal of Bastian, Deirid was a vassal of Enchelos. They’ve lived as slaves longer than they’ve lived as free people. So even after Bastian pardoned them, they continued living as slaves under contract. Because earning money as a slave here means earning a lot. Bastian’s currency is worth several times Deirid’s. And Bastian enforces contract terms, so even ‘slaves’ have fixed durations.”
“So what—you’re saying since they’re voluntary slaves, I should stay away?”
His motive was obvious, but somehow, I didn’t feel bad. At least he was being honest.
“Yeah.”
I couldn’t understand why the man who’d one day turn against me was the one being the most honest now.
If only he’d lied—it would’ve been easier to keep using him without guilt.
He lifted his head, and the rippling water struck against my collarbone. I watched as he came closer, stretching out his arm.
“Win over the nobles instead. Slaves will always be slaves. Good rumors fade fast; bad ones spread faster.”
He stepped closer, and my legs came together between his knees as he rose to his feet.
“If you want to choose the nobles, then you should choose Adrian. Not me.”
“Depending on your choice, I can side with either the imperialists or the nobles.”
“If you’re planning to use your looks, don’t.”
I was trapped in his arms again, staring helplessly at that broad, sculpted chest. I had to close my eyes before I agreed to everything he wanted.
“Choose me, not Adrian Russell. Please, Gracie.”
His pleading voice brushed against my ear, dangerously seductive.
“They say I humiliated you—yet you still want to marry me?”
His blindfold slipped down as he blinked. I lifted my arm to fix it, but he caught my wrist and pulled me closer, holding both wrists gently. His face was right in front of mine.
“Even if you humiliate me again, I’ll still love you, Gracie. Do it a hundred times if you want—just choose me.”
“Ta-dah! Surprise quest!”
The voice startled me so much I nearly jumped—and so did he.
For once, I was actually glad to see a quest appear!
“Avoid Duke Clayton de Lebois’s kiss!”
▼ Reward: You can keep today’s events a secret from Duke Adrian Russell!
p.s. If you fail, the furious Adrian Russell will come for you.
Hey! You only ever give one option anyway—what kind of joke is this?!
But I didn’t even have time to think. Clayton was already moving closer. His warm breath brushed against my cheek.
I should hate this. I needed to hate this. But I couldn’t move.
“Gracie.”
I forgot to even blink as I looked at him. He smiled—so beautifully.
“Don’t avoid me. This is my wish.”
What the hell am I supposed to do with that?!
The blindfold had already fallen into the water. His blue eyes shimmered like reflected light off the waves. Every inch of him—from head to toe—was too beautiful to look away.
“Gracie.”
When he said my name, his warm breath hovered just above my lips, and my thoughts began to melt away in the heat.
Those perfectly defined muscles, broad shoulders, thick arms—
A body sculpted like a statue—
And then, Adrian Russell, blazing with fury.
“No!”
“Gracie?”
I turned my head sharply, startling him. His eyes widened in surprise.
“If you—if you kiss me, I’ll… I’ll like you! I mean, hate you! I’ll hate you!”
Damn it, my honest feelings just slipped out!
“…What?”
“I said don’t do it!”
“Why not?”
I tried to stand up, but he blocked me with his arms, caging me in. His knees pressed against my legs underwater.
“Why not?”
When I forced myself to look up, he met my eyes with a wounded expression that almost looked like he was about to cry.
“Do you really not like me anymore?”
You’ll be the one to hate me later! Don’t do this!
“If we do this, I’ll end up hating you.”
He stepped back then, turning his head away. I thought I heard a sniffle, but decided not to comfort him—it’d only make things worse.
“I’ll leave first.”
Quest Complete ×2!
▼ Reward: Duke Adrian Russell will remain unaware of today’s events!
▼ Status Window usage period extended indefinitely!
Right. To become Empress, I need Adrian, not Clayton.
Even so… for some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about Clayton’s back as he walked away.
