~Chapter 34~
A soft amber light glowed from the dimmed desk lamp.
Relying on that faint light, the Duke was leafing through a few documents.
Leaning back with one leg crossed, he looked like a painting. Even the silver-rimmed glasses—seemingly reserved just for paperwork—suited him perfectly.
But still…
“Um, if you’re going to read documents, why didn’t you turn on the lights…?”
My voice trembled on its own.
Had he kept the lights off just so he wouldn’t wake me up?
“No way… I’m being self-centered again, right?”
I couldn’t accept that I had been such a bother to him, so I desperately tried to convince myself otherwise.
But then—
“You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you.”
The Duke smiled softly, placing the documents down and rising from his seat.
“I just didn’t want to wake you, so don’t worry about it.”
How could I not worry?!
I barely held back the scream bubbling up inside.
Just then—
Thud.
Something heavy slipped from my shoulder and fell to the floor.
Huh?
I looked down.
There on the ground was a luxurious-looking men’s coat.
Aaaah!
I let out a silent scream and hastily picked it up.
Thankfully, the floor was spotless, so no dust seemed to have clung to it.
I glanced cautiously at the Duke, then screwed my eyes shut and asked:
“Um… Did you put this coat over me?”
I knew it was a silly hope, but I still wished the answer would be no.
I didn’t want to be the brazen woman who not only fell asleep in the library and made the Duke wait in the dark, but also wore his coat—and dropped it on the floor!
However—
“Yes, I did.”
The Duke nodded ever so gracefully.
I can’t live like this!
I squeezed my eyes shut and blurted:
“Thank you! And I’m so terribly sorry!”
“No need to apologize. If anything, I should be the one thanking you.”
He shrugged lightly.
“I heard Eva left you in charge of the retainers’ meeting today?”
Well, not exactly…
To be fair, the princess had prepared everything beforehand—she only stepped out during the meeting.
I just followed through on what she’d already arranged.
“That’s not quite right. Her Highness prepared most of it herself.”
I tried to explain sincerely, but—
“Still, she did leave in the middle, didn’t she?”
The Duke’s tone was blunt and unapologetic.
Wow, he’s sharp.
Honestly, sometimes the Duke and the princess felt like real siblings with how straightforward they were.
I quietly tested the waters with a cautious question.
“So… how was today’s meeting?”
We had worked hard preparing together, and the princess had trusted me to handle it.
I at least hoped nothing went wrong during the process…
“It was excellent.”
Fortunately, the Duke gave me a warm smile.
“What stood out were the more comfortable chairs and the enlarged font on the documents.”
“Ah…”
A strange tightness filled my chest.
Just hearing ‘excellent’ makes me this happy…
But he didn’t stop there—he even pointed out the things he liked in detail.
That meant he had paid close attention to the entire meeting.
‘He acknowledged me.’
A thrill of satisfaction and accomplishment ran down my spine.
“I should’ve considered the age of the retainers myself, but I hadn’t. Thanks to your efforts, Eva received great praise from them.”
The Duke nodded with satisfaction and added with a chuckle:
“To think her reputation would soar just by having the right friend. Eva’s pretty lucky, wouldn’t you say?”
Ouch. That was blunt.
At the same time, the Duke held out a document toward me.
“And this personnel-related file… Did you assist with this as well?”
“No, the princess wrote that herself.”
“…She did?”
His eyes were filled with skepticism.
The paperwork seemed too perfect for Evangeline to have written alone.
Wanting to protect her pride and reputation, I nodded fervently.
“It’s true. I didn’t touch it.”
After all, getting help on an assignment defeats the purpose.
The Duke’s expression softened at my firm words.
“Since you say so, I suppose Eva really did prepare this.”
“She’s grown up well.”
“…”
His voice was full of warmth.
I gazed blankly at the Duke.
He looked at the file with fond eyes before neatly stacking the papers on the desk.
“I always thought of her as my little sister in the cradle… but these days, she feels so grown-up.”
He was just an older brother who adored his sister deeply.
…And yet, this same kind, gentle man would one day abandon her because of Seraphina?
What kind of twisted plot logic is that?
I clicked my tongue mentally.
Just then, the Duke said something unexpected:
“But Lady Ansi, you never seem to take credit for yourself.”
Wait—me?! Why am I being mentioned now?
I blinked in surprise.
“With these documents, with the retainers’ meeting…”
He motioned to the desk and then looked at me directly.
“You keep insisting that Eva did everything well.”
“I just…”
“As her brother, I’m very grateful you look after her. But still…”
His serene, sky-blue eyes—so like Evangeline’s—held mine steadily.
“There’s no need to downplay yourself so much.”
“…”
“You’re a remarkable person in many ways, Lady Ansi.”
His voice, calm yet firm, left me speechless.
And in that moment, I thought—
‘This is unfair.’
A man this beautiful and perfect was looking me straight in the eye—
—and telling me that I was a remarkable person.
For the first time, I began to understand Seraphina’s heart.
How could anyone not fall for someone like him?
…But.
‘He’s Seraphina’s man.’
Seraphina.
Suddenly, the warmth disappeared, as if a cold splash of water doused me.
‘Why am I even thinking about her right now?!’
Annoyed, I cursed inwardly.
Well… at least I’m coming to my senses quickly.
The Duke was already destined to be loved by the heroine of this world.
And I had no desire to put myself through unnecessary heartbreak.
My past wounds with Seraphina and Gregory were more than enough.
Sure, he was unnaturally handsome, and it was only natural to be attracted on a biological level.
Still, I had to stay grounded.
Admiration for someone ideal and romantic attraction weren’t the same.
“Thank you for saying that. I…”
I started to reply with some polite humility—when suddenly I froze.
Huh?
The Duke had taken off his glasses and was massaging his brow.
