Chapter 15
“Hey, um… you don’t suddenly want to get married or anything, right? I mean, it’s not like you fell in love at first sight or… no, guess not…”
My brave question trailed off toward the end, fading into a whisper.
He narrowed his eyes and asked back,
“What you said on the train—wasn’t it a joke? Besides, I’m not even the Grand Duke.”
Yeah… I had made it sound like a joke.
But how could I explain that while he wasn’t the current Grand Duke, he would be one in the near future, and that he’d fall for Larisa?
I fumbled, unable to give a proper answer.
Then, Fabian’s gaze toward me slowly turned colder.
Before I knew it, the oppressive atmosphere from when I first saw him in the dining room returned.
—Is she really trying to sell off her little sister to the Grand Duke? Not just a bad joke?
Ah. I heard it.
I heard his inner thoughts.
I was crushed.
After everything we’d been through today—changing trains and carriages together—I hadn’t once heard Fabian’s inner voice until now.
A voice filled with contempt for me.
“Is three years really that long…?”
A sigh escaped me.
Was he completely unaffected by Larisa because I came three years too early?
“Maybe I should’ve raised Larisa for three years, fed and clothed her well, and then brought her here.”
But it was too late for regrets.
I had already heard the painful cry of Larisa’s inner thoughts. And after that, there was no way I could’ve just left her in that basement.
“Well, since it’s come to this… I’ll take care of her for the next three years.”
It’s fine. I don’t know anyone in this world anyway. Instead of living alone and struggling to adapt, taking care of an adorable little sister doesn’t sound so bad.
That’s how I comforted myself.
As long as I can stay away from Igor and Villain, I’ll be fine.
I brought a whole stash of jewels, after all.
Money can solve just about anything.
“But where should I go now?”
I was pondering where to run after leaving the Grand Duke’s estate when Fabian quietly spoke.
“Your leg is injured, isn’t it? I’ll prepare a room for you. Stay there for a few days before leaving.”
“…What?”
What’s with this guy acting all nice all of a sudden? And how did he even know about my leg?
“I just don’t want to see someone I helped escape get caught and dragged back.”
Fabian looked at me with a slight frown.
Ah, even frowning, a handsome man is still attractive.
If only his words were as sweet as his face.
“Considering every word out of your father’s mouth is a lie, he’s clearly a very suspicious person. You should stay here a bit longer until he gives up the chase. Then you can leave.”
That was quite a generous offer, especially from someone who just mentally called me despicable.
“How did you know he was lying?”
“You can just tell by looking.”
He replied confidently, then glanced briefly at Larisa.
He clicked his tongue.
His expression softened a little.
It was a look of pity.
“…Oh?”
Pity could turn into affection, couldn’t it?
A small spark of hope lit up in my chest.
But that hope didn’t last long.
—Poor child, to have such a strange older sister.
“…”
…Okay, yeah, I guess it’s weird for a total stranger to show up, point to a girl, and say she’s your future wife.
But it’s not me who’s weird—it’s just that you haven’t read the original fairy tale!
Perhaps sensing my stare, Fabian turned to look at me sharply.
He spoke with a stern expression.
“I didn’t fall in love at first sight or anything. Once your leg is healed, take Miss Larisa and leave immediately.”
Hmph. We’ll see about that.
The real battle starts while I’m staying at the Grand Duke’s estate.
“Let’s see if you fall for Larisa or not.”
We were given a luxurious dinner, two rooms connected by a door, a bathtub, and even clean clothes.
Even though we had separate bedrooms, Larisa didn’t seem to want to sleep alone. So after changing into my pajamas, I decided to sleep in her room.
Still, we’re not that close… it didn’t feel right to share a bed.
So I let Larisa take the bed and laid out a blanket and pillow on the sofa for myself.
“You had a tough day, Larisa. I was worried we’d end up sleeping outside, but I’m so glad we get to rest in a comfy bed instead. Don’t you think?”
“…”
Of course, Larisa didn’t answer, but I still whispered a soft “Good night” and closed my eyes.
My body was tired, but sleep didn’t come easily.
I kept thinking about the Grand Duke I briefly met earlier.
“He’ll probably pass on the title within three years, right?”
It might be within three years, or exactly at the end of those three years, or even as soon as tomorrow.
The key point was that in three years, Arno—no, Fabian—would be the Grand Duke.
What was going to happen to the current Grand Duke?
“It’s probably old age…”
Even though I had just met him today and he was an elderly man, knowing someone’s remaining lifespan like that felt… unsettling.
“…It’s kind of sad.”
Not like there’s anything I could do about it.
I squeezed my eyes shut and forced myself to sleep.
I don’t know how long I had been asleep when I was woken by a noise outside.
There were hurried footsteps running back and forth, and the entire mansion was in a frenzy.
“What’s going on?”
Rubbing my eyes, I approached the door.
Then, from somewhere farther away, a voice called out faintly:
“The Grand Duke is gravely ill! Quickly, fetch the court physician!”
The Grand Duke? The one who was in the wheelchair?
“But he seemed perfectly fine just earlier…”
Any drowsiness I had vanished completely.
