TCBCVF 102

~Chapter 102~

I couldn’t answer honestly.

With my clumsy way of speaking, I might say something that could be misunderstood.

‘Hmm.’

Instead of replying, I leaned slightly against the Duke.

At that moment, he stiffened his shoulders as if tense,

“Ahem.”

and gave a short cough, turning his gaze to the rain pouring outside the cave.

Peaceful silence settled in.

“……”

“……”

Shwaa—.

Only the sound of rain covering the forest filled the air.

We sat side by side, both watching the raindrops shatter into white splashes.

Even though the rain was loud, strangely, it felt quiet.

Something about sitting close and sharing warmth like this…

…it felt as if the Duke and I were the only two people left in the world.

“Come to think of it, back when the previous Duke and Duchess were still alive…”

I kept my eyes on the rain and spoke quietly.

“You and Eva must have played outside a lot?”

I could imagine Lady Eva enjoying adventures, but the Duke… not so much.

He gave a faint smile.

“Yes, you could say that.”

“You must have been close since you were young.”

At that, the Duke looked openly displeased.

“Close? Eva and I?”

Well, now I was sure they really were siblings.

I gave an awkward smile, and he relaxed, shrugging his shoulders.

“But I do feel a little sorry for Eva.”

“Why is that?”

“After our parents died, I think I neglected her in many ways.”

A faint shadow crossed his handsome face.

“Honestly, right after inheriting the title, I had no time to think. I had to keep the family afloat somehow.”

“Ah…”

I grew solemn.

He continued in a deliberately lighter tone.

“Well, it wasn’t all bad. Many of the vassals helped.”

But then his voice lowered.

“Of course, things weren’t always easy…”

“Hmm?”

I looked at his profile.

“The Marquis of Evans suggested something.”

His tone sharpened.

“That until I became an adult, they would look after us siblings and manage the family in my place.”

My jaw dropped.

So they wanted to swallow up the Ducal house?!

He gave a wry smile.

“Perhaps it was meant kindly, but I didn’t like the idea.”

“I see… so that happened.”

It was my first time hearing such a personal story from him.

I straightened my posture, listening carefully.

“Eva was only six then, so she must have been lonely.”

“Your Grace.”

“I wish I could have filled our parents’ place better, but I think I fell short.”

His blue eyes sank deeply.

“And before I knew it, she had become sharp and lonely.”

He looked at me quietly, then smiled.

“Which is why I’m truly grateful to you, my lady.”

“Me? I haven’t done much.”

“Not much? That’s not true.”

He shook his head, smiling warmly.

“Since you’ve been with her, Eva has become much brighter.”

“I’ve told you before, it’s the same for me…”

“Then let’s just say you and Eva have been good influences on each other.”

He shrugged lightly.

I fell silent. Something in his words caught my attention.

‘A child.’

He said he felt guilty for not taking care of his younger sister properly.

‘But…’

After a moment’s hesitation, I spoke carefully.

“Pardon me, but… how old were you then?”

He looked confused but answered honestly.

“I was ten.”

“Then why do you keep calling Eva the only child?”

“…What?”

His expression faltered.

“Six or ten, both are still children.”

“L–Lady Ansie?”

“At that time, you were also still young.”

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

“You were a child who deserved to be protected too.”

“…That’s…”

“On the contrary, inheriting the Dukedom at that age and running and developing it is incredible.”

I frowned slightly.

“Aren’t you being too hard on yourself?”

Seriously. Just succeeding the title at ten and making the family flourish was amazing.

“Eva doesn’t resent you at all.”

“…”

He stared at me silently.

“She’s always worried about you instead.”

At that, the Duke suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

“Haha!”

What? Did I say something funny?

After laughing for a while, he wiped the tears from his eyes.

“With you being so kind, I can’t help opening up.”

Then he teased me lightly… for some reason?!

“Eh?”

Flustered, I nearly jumped.

“Come to think of it, you thanked me for the Gregory matter too.”

His voice turned serious.

“But to be precise, I was glad I could help you.”

“Glad?”

“Yes. I didn’t want you involved with Gregory. No, more accurately—”

He clenched his fist, veins standing out.

“…I was displeased.”

His blue eyes chilled.

“I know I have no right, since you’re just Eva’s friend, but…”

“Your Grace.”

“When I thought you might marry another man, I truly…”

He bit down on his words, jaw tightening.

And then—

“Oh my, what’s going on here?!”

A lively voice interrupted.

Lady Eva peeked in with an umbrella.

“I came to look for you since you weren’t coming back.”

Her eyes curved mischievously.

“You two… aren’t you being a bit too cozy?”

“Ha, honestly…”

The Duke let out a deep sigh and narrowed his eyes at her.

“You’re late, Eva.”

“Late? I came to rescue you!”

She glared at him, but he ignored her and glanced at me.

“Let’s go. It’s chilly.”

“…Alright.”

The heavy atmosphere from before vanished as if it had never been.

And somehow…

‘I feel disappointed.’

Then I caught myself.

‘What am I even thinking?’

Eva walked up to me with quick steps.

“Lari, why are you standing there spacing out?”

She handed me an umbrella.

“Here, take this.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I quickly opened it.

Pop!

The sound was crisp.

Eva stayed close beside me, chatting.

“Honestly, if not for me, you’d have been stranded in the mountains. You know that, right?”

“Of course. You’ve been a big help.”

I answered calmly, tilting the umbrella to hide my face.

It was lucky I had it.

Otherwise—

‘He might have seen how red my face is.’

I glanced at the Duke walking ahead.

How could he look so calm… when my heart was still pounding like this?