Chapter 71
Striking When Guarded (5)
“‘A–a daughter-in-law… Who exactly…?’”
Noel, dumbfounded, was addressed by the otherwise quiet Marquis Klaus.
“I think the same as your mother.”
“I agree too, brother. Miss Wyers seems suitable.”
“No, everyone… what exactly are you talking about?”
Noel shouted in disbelief.
“Are you saying Lucy and Ho should… marry?”
“Oh my. Is Lucy her nickname? What a cute name. Isn’t that right, Gerion?”
“Yes, madam. It’s easy to say and has a friendly feel.”
“Hehe. Indeed. Such lovely children.”
“Sometimes a bond can bloom from just a name.”
Noel shivered as he watched his parents continue their conversation with smiles and laughter. He couldn’t understand a single word of what they were talking about. It felt as if he had been completely cut off from the world around him.
Breaking through Noel’s delusion, the Marchioness turned to him.
“Why are you silent? Were you thinking about that child, unable to help yourself?”
“No! Who would I be thinking about?!”
“Elluciana… that child. After the Count family fell into such hardship, she must have endured a lot. Yet she still fulfills her duties admirably. She’s quite remarkable for a noble girl.”
“That’s right, madam. Considering she does not shy away from unpleasant tasks to save a fallen family, she seems very determined.”
“She’s a very well-mannered and lovely child.”
“…How could you possibly know such things.”
Noel’s face contorted in exasperation as the endless praise seemed never to end.
‘Wait, is Lucy’s real name Elluciana? No… now is not the time to be pondering that.’
The Marchioness’s laughter finally quieted down.
“So, when do you think would be a good time for the ceremony? I’d like to hurry for the child’s sake. What do you think?”
“If we leave it to him, it’ll take ages, madam.”
“Indeed. Then we’ll take care of the preparations ourselves.”
“You are wise, madam.”
Noel struggled to control his rising agitation. He couldn’t even begin to imagine where this baseless conversation was leading. He only knew one thing: it couldn’t end like this. Not like this.
In a firm tone, Noel interjected.
“This is a misunderstanding.”
“Huh?”
“What do you mean?”
“A misunderstanding, brother?”
Wiping his feverish forehead, Noel continued, trying to calm himself.
“Lucy and I are not like that. To be clear, we are friends. Yes, friends. I only just learned that Lucy is a noble.”
“Oh.”
“I see.”
“Hmm. That must have been quite a shock.”
His family seemed satisfied and quieted down. Though their quick acceptance made him suspicious, Noel felt some relief and continued.
“So please retract such statements. If Lucy were to find out, it would be uncomfortable for her.”
“Oh my.”
“Hmm.”
“That’s understandable.”
Finally, even Yeriel seemed to agree.
Meanwhile, concern lingered on the faces of the Marquis and Marchioness. The Marchioness approached Noel and offered him some comforting words.
“You’ve been through a lot, Noel. I understand completely. One-sided feelings are always tough. But now that you know the child’s status, brace yourself.”
Marquis Klaus, seated in the best seat, nodded and added:
“If you try, there’s nothing you can’t achieve. I once nearly died venturing alone into a dangerous cave to win your mother’s heart. A man must have that kind of courage.”
The Marchioness rolled her eyes and blushed at Klaus’s words.
“So don’t give up. Keep striving. If it doesn’t work ten times, try twenty, thirty, until it does. As long as you don’t give up, you’ll find a way, my son.”
Watching Klaus burn with determination, Noel gaped.
“I’ll support you too, brother. Keep at it.”
Wait… now Yeriel too?
Seeing his family’s steadfast support, Noel felt completely overwhelmed. How could they know enough to link Lucy and him like this?
Noel recalled Duke Sestain’s words and held the back of his neck.
“I have never spared those who coveted what was mine.”
After explaining everything to his family, Noel finally cleared up the misunderstanding about his relationship with Elluciana. He still doubted whether he had communicated it properly, as the more he explained, the more awkward it felt.
“So, you came here to find out about Duke Sestain?”
“Yes, father.”
Marquis Klaus, sitting in the best seat, rested his elbow on the arm of the sofa, wearing a meaningful smile. With the Marchioness and Yeriel having left, the office was empty except for the two of them.
“Is it because that child works as an aide in the Duke’s household?”
“…An aide?”
“You didn’t know?”
“I thought she was hired as a maid. How did you find out?”
“She’s the child my son is interested in. How could I not know?”
“Ha…”
Noel frowned.
“I already told you, we’re not like that.”
“I already said so too. I apologized for the misunderstanding.”
“Then why do you keep saying things that could cause misunderstanding?”
“I was just stating the facts. You seem overly sensitive.”
“Father…”
“You weren’t curious about the current Duke? Why are you picking at words?”
Noel reluctantly answered, looking at Klaus, who was deliberately dodging the question.
“…Do you have information about the Duke?”
“Of course.”
Klaus answered confidently, leaning back into the sofa, his eyes shining with interest.
“But tell me, Noel. Why are you suddenly asking about Duke Sestain? Not about that child? Could it be… jealousy?”
“That’s—”
Noel abruptly pressed his lips together. Klaus’s sparkling eyes were filled with not just mischief but expectation.
“…There was such a situation.”
“Ha! Hahaha! Son, why so embarrassed? It’s natural for a butterfly to be drawn to a beautiful flower. Even look at your mother—”
“It’s not like that!”
“Ahem. If it’s not, then it’s not. Why make a fuss?”
“Father!”
“Alright, alright. I’ll give you all the information you want about Duke Sestain. Do as you please.”
Noel shook his head, pressing his throbbing temple, and stood from the sofa.
“I’ll be going now. Send the materials to my room.”
“Very well. But when will that child—”
“Don’t expect to ever bring her home.”
“That boy… he’s so cold, cutting things off so neatly even though he claims she’s just a friend. When he begged in front of the girl who rejected him…”
“I–I never begged anyone!”
Noel’s face turned bright red. He had known there were always people lurking nearby, but he hadn’t realized that one of them was a spy placed by Marquis Klaus.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Hehe. Yes, go quickly. To win a woman’s heart, you’ll be very busy from now on. Hahaha!”
Clenching his teeth, Noel left the office. Though he thought the misunderstanding had been cleared, he felt like he had only poured more fuel on the fire.
“Ha… This is insane. I’m already busy worrying about Camilla, and now I have to explain myself for this ridiculous misunderstanding…”
From behind the closed door came Klaus’s resounding laughter, making Noel’s head throb.
Exhaling softly, Noel murmured:
“This time, there wasn’t even the usual invitation.”
Camilla’s unusual reaction only made Noel more anxious. He couldn’t stay still. Perhaps she had already noticed the nature of his relationship with Elluciana. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come to the ‘Fragrant Garden’ in the commoner district to order flowers.
Clicking his tongue, Noel’s purple eyes darkened.
“I guess I’ll have to go see Lucy myself.”
He needed her help to quietly enter the Count Eragost’s estate.
Noel glanced out the window. The sky, which had glowed yellow and red, had now plunged into darkness. He needed to reach the Fragrant Garden where she likely was before it got any later.
“Your Highness, I’ll take two days off.”
The carriage from the Duke Sestain’s household stopped in front of the Fragrant Garden. Elluciana hurried inside.
It had been ten days since she visited the Angel’s House.
The time was too tight to complete the Count Eragost’s order within the deadline.
“I wanted to handle it without taking leave, if possible…”
The order volume was too much to handle alone.
“Born busy in both past and present lives, huh… sigh.”
Elluciana chuckled lightly, waving to the woman inside the store.
