~Chapter 87~
The Count held back a sneer as he followed the servant.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say the Marquis had been waiting—he was already in the reception room.
“An ally of the East comes to greet someone of high status in the Imperial Capital.”
“Please, sit here.”
The Marquis of Blansia was said to have influence nearly equal to that of the Grand Duke. His wealth, too, rivaled the Imperial family itself—the luxury of the reception room was proof enough.
And now, such a man stood up the moment they arrived, even guiding them to their seats. The Count was pleased, though slightly uneasy.
“Thank y—”
“Of course I must show this much respect. After all, you are the father of the Grand Duchess.”
‘As I thought.’
He knew a man of such stature would not treat him kindly for no reason.
But since the reason was related to Bella, the Count felt awkward.
“Well, truthfully, Your Excellency… we aren’t on the best terms with that child—”
“Do not worry. I’m not here to make unreasonable requests.”
The Marquis smiled and gestured again for them to sit.
“I know your situation. They say the Grand Duke dragged her away and keeps her confined. She has living parents—how could such a lawless thing be done?”
Hearing this, the Count’s eyes widened. Seeing the mood turn in his favor, he quickly agreed.
“Y-yes, exactly! Every day, I prayed she would return safely, but the Grand Duke always stood in the way. Even during the Founding Festival, he wouldn’t allow us to properly greet her!”
“Yes… my husband and I can hardly sleep at night, worrying what might happen to her where we cannot see.”
The Countess added, pretending to sob. But since no real tears came, she pressed her handkerchief uselessly against her eyes.
The Marquis noticed, but only smiled.
“A truly pitiful situation. Even if she’s not your blood, you raised her. If I were her parent, I too would lose sleep every night.”
But this was only his prelude.
The Marquis laced his fingers together and rested them on the table.
“It would be wonderful if Lady Rohiltern could return to your care.”
“We are grateful for your words… but how?”
“What if there is a way?”
The Marquis’s smile deepened. Sitting beneath the chandelier, the shadows on his face looked especially dark.
“Would you do it?”
The Count, cautious from experience, knew well that no one offered kindness without a price.
“…What do you want from me?”
“As the parents of the Grand Duchess, you must receive considerable wealth as gifts. Among them, surely land as well.”
The Marquis wanted the gold mine. If the Grand Duke gave it to them, they should pass it along to him. If not, then offer him equivalent wealth. It was not a difficult demand.
“Even if matters turn sour and she breaks off the marriage, it doesn’t matter. Lady Bella is an outstanding mage. Knowing someone of power and talent is worthwhile in itself.”
So: succeed, and they’d be parents of the Grand Duchess. Fail, and they’d still be parents of a mage.
The Count swallowed hard.
‘To abandon troublesome Charlotte and gain Bella—with a gold mine besides… what a bargain!’
But what of the Grand Duke?
“There’s a very simple way. After all, aren’t you her parents?”
“Hey, Grand Duchess. Been well?”
When I arrived at the research lab in the palace, Aisha was there.
During the Founding Festival, she had been away on work in the provinces, and after that, I had fallen ill. So it had been a long time since we last met.
“Did you tuck the Grand Duke safely back at the mansion?”
That was her first greeting.
“Of course His Highness is at the residence.”
“Is that so? Yet I hear rumors everywhere that he was clinging to you even outside the Lethene mansion.”
“That…”
“Not denying it? Then perhaps it wasn’t nonsense.”
Aisha laughed mischievously, leaning close to whisper:
“Is it true you two share a bed every night?”
“W-what! No!”
I panicked and stepped away, but she only grinned more.
“So that was a lie? Still… don’t you two live together? Last time I visited, you came out of the same bedroom.”
“That was just… just sleeping…”
Even though my voice trailed into a whisper, Aisha understood and burst out laughing.
“I see. And what does the Grand Duke say? Is he able to endure it?”
“Endure what?”
“You’re more innocent than I thought.”
She shook her head at the ceiling, then quickly turned back to me.
“Then what do you two even do there? It’s been months already!”
“Um… hold hands and sleep?”
“…Heavens above.”
Aisha sighed as though the matter was grave. Meanwhile, I was the one baffled.
‘Is that really something to call on God for?’
“Nothing else? No meaningful words from him? No dreamy looks?”
“Nothing like that… Recently he only seems overly concerned about my meals.”
Aisha slapped her knee.
“That’s it. He’s fattening you up before devouring you.”
“…What?”
“Well, really, what could he do with a girl all skin and bones?”
“……”
I understood what she meant. But instead of embarrassment, for some reason her words annoyed me.
Did Armians truly see me only as a ‘girl’? Why did I feel the urge to deny it?
“What about you?”
“Huh?”
“How do you feel about the Grand Duke? You wouldn’t still be there if you disliked him, right?”
“Well… I suppose not.”
“And your feelings? Just ‘not dislike’? Or… something deeper?”
‘It must be love, right?’
But since Armians’s emotions were so overwhelming, it was hard for me to say out loud that I liked him.
“If you’re uncertain, why not clarify the relationship?”
“Clarify… how?”
“Through action.”
Her smile was sly.
“Yesterday, a man and woman were strangers. Today, after a wedding, they’re husband and wife. Why? Because of the action. That’s how relationships become clear—not through thought, but through action.”
Aisha rambled on with her theories about actions and human ties. It was almost idle chatter, but her point was clear.
“So you mean… I should spend a real night with the Grand Duke?”
Pfft.
“No, no, start with something smaller. There are plenty of options.”
There really were. I quietly picked one in my heart.
“If you can’t bring yourself to try, then just ask him. If he likes you, he’ll agree.”
“He might refuse.”
“Then that means his feelings aren’t that deep.”
Easy for her to say—it wasn’t her life. But still, her logic was clear.
‘Action, huh…’
“Try it, and tell me how it goes.”
Suddenly, Aisha stood up.
“Leaving already?”
“Of course. I’m a busy woman.”
True, she probably had other matters as a Master. Still, her exit looked like someone sneaking away after trouble.
At the door, she paused.
“Oh, and don’t ever say I told you to. Understand? Promise me.”
She made me swear several times before finally leaving.
That evening.
“You’re a little late.”
I returned to the Grand Duke’s residence. Armians, who had gone out early that morning, was already back.
It seemed he had even delayed dinner to wait for me, as the butler immediately guided me to the dining hall.
“I got caught up talking… But before we eat, I have something I want to ask.”
I steeled myself before speaking.
“Are you curious about something?”
Armians smiled as he lifted his glass.
“Do you… want to kiss me?”
Clang!
The cup fell from his hand.
