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Chapter 20
“Is this the Duke’s office?”
“It’s the private study of the previous Duke. I’ve heard he liked this place and spent most of his time here during his lifetime.”
Could there be some forbidden book here? Ellen couldn’t contain the rising curiosity.
“Is it a place we’re not allowed to enter?”
“There was no such restriction.”
“Then, let’s go in.”
Upon entering, a portrait displayed at the center of the office immediately caught her attention.
Just looking at it reminded her of Lishio; it seemed to be the previous Duke and his wife.
“They look like the Duke. And my mother was beautiful too.”
“Indeed. Both were so striking that it’s like looking at a masterpiece.”
While Dorothy was absorbed in the portrait, Ellen wheeled herself around to inspect the bookshelf behind the desk.
She scanned the titles of the books lined up on the shelves.
“There are a lot of old books from the Holy Kingdom? Those are hard to get.”
As if greeting them, Ellen gently brushed her fingertips over the books.
The rough texture, infused with the essence of time, and the faint scent of earth and wood, instantly captivated her.
“Can I borrow some of these? There’s so much I want to read.”
“Shall we ask the butler?”
“Please.”
Having looked around, she tried to leave, but the wheelchair wouldn’t move.
Looking down, she saw that the wheels were stuck.
“Dorothy, help me.”
“The floor has caved in.”
Thanks to Dorothy pushing with all her strength, Ellen was able to get free.
‘Did the floor break? It can’t be my fault…’
Ellen carefully examined the area.
But something about the square shape in the floor struck her as odd.
“Could this be a secret space? Let’s open it.”
Dorothy lifted the slightly separated floor panel.
“There’s really something here.”
Inside was a metal box.
Ellen carefully opened it. It was filled with letters.
She had no interest in other people’s letters. Was there any treasure?
As she rummaged to the bottom, her hand touched something different—it was a portrait.
A young, beautiful woman was painted on it.
“Could this be…?”
Both of their eyes widened. Though unspoken, they likely shared the same thought.
The woman in the portrait, with her cute bangs and slightly shy smile, was undeniably charming.
Judging by how carefully it had been kept in a secret spot, she must have been the previous Duke’s lover.
“Quick, put it back!”
“Yes, that’s probably best.”
Before Dorothy could take the box, a low voice echoed in the study.
“Already rummaging through the Duke’s residence?”
Like someone caught stealing, Ellen’s heart sank, and her head turned toward the sound.
Lishio was leaning casually with his arms crossed.
“We’re sorry, Duke!”
Dorothy bowed deeply. Ellen also hunched her shoulders in shame.
“I asked her to take it out.”
“You didn’t have to say it. Such a silly, lovable lady.”
Despite speaking in a harsh tone, his eyes curved into a crescent smile—more frightening than his words.
Lishio gestured for Dorothy to leave. Seeing Dorothy go, Ellen’s anxiety peaked.
“I’m sorry.”
Lishio took the portrait from her hands.
“This is a portrait I’ve seen plenty of times. What do you think?”
He turned the portrait toward her with his long fingers.
Seeing Lishio so relaxed, Ellen realized this woman likely wasn’t the previous Duke’s lover.
‘If he’s seen it that much, maybe she’s a close relative?’
She hadn’t examined it closely before, but now it felt oddly familiar.
“Who is this?”
“He used to take it out often. Maybe a first love or a mistress?”
Ah, as expected… Her head sank slightly while looking at the portrait.
Ellen’s throat felt dry; she licked her lips several times.
“I won’t enter here recklessly again.”
“There’s nowhere in this residence you can’t go. This isn’t a big deal.”
Lishio carelessly tossed the portrait back into the box. Ellen quickly closed it, watching his expression.
The heavy atmosphere made her feel suffocated.
Wanting to lighten the mood, Ellen pointed respectfully at the portraits of the previous Duke and his wife.
“Seeing their portraits, it’s clear both of them were very attractive…”
“Don’t ask about them. I don’t have good memories, and honestly, I don’t know much about them either.”
His blunt words made Ellen bite her lip.
Seeing Lishio’s cold expression, she awkwardly wheeled herself around.
The tense silence was broken by the arrival of a butler.
“Princess Carla Marcel has come to see you.”
Ellen bit her lip without realizing it.
Lishio’s ex-fiancée, Carla. Even hearing her name made Ellen feel stifled.
Ellen tried to sound nonchalant.
“I’ll return alone. You should go see her.”
“She’s a guest. Why would I leave?”
“Didn’t you say she was Princess Carla Marcel?”
“Right.”
Lishio stared at her. For a few seconds, their eyes locked in silence.
“I don’t know her…”
“Neither do I.”
“She was your fiancée.”
Lishio spoke as if he just remembered.
“Oh, that Carla.”
How could he not even remember the engagement period? Ellen narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
‘It doesn’t seem like a lie…’
If he was pretending not to know, he could’ve been a successful actor.
Noticing her suspicious gaze, Lishio smirked and playfully tapped her nose.
Looking down at her, he asked the butler,
“Has she come to see me?”
“Yes, she requested an audience with you.”
Ellen muttered under her breath, “See?”
“I’ll take you to your room first.”
Lishio picked her up in one motion.
“Huh? What about my wheelchair?”
“The butler will bring it. If I leave you here, you’ll be rummaging everywhere.”
“You said I could go anywhere…”
“You’d be like a mischievous cat, causing trouble everywhere. Can’t miss the fun sights.”
A mischievous cat? Ellen clicked her tongue and leaned gently against Lishio’s chest.
When they arrived at the room, he laid her on the bed.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
Ellen turned her head coyly.
“I’ll bring snacks next time.”
Snacks? Does he really see her as a cat? Ellen glared, slightly offended.
Lishio just smiled, oblivious to her feelings.
On his way to the reception room, Lishio suddenly stopped, thinking of Anais.
So cute when she glares.
He had done something uncharacteristic just to see that expression, and he didn’t regret it.
Visiting without prior notice wasn’t polite, so it was okay if she turned him away.
He tried to ignore it, but somehow Anais reacted.
Her finely arched eyebrows, tense eyes, green eyes shining like light, and her sharply defined, rosy lips.
“Not a single corner of her isn’t cute.”
It felt like she was pouting for him to stay nearby, and he welcomed it.
Should he tease her a bit to make her anxious? No, it’s better to hurry.
He was curious about what expression she would have when they met again.
With Anais fully in his mind, Lishio entered the reception room where Carla was waiting.
He took a seat at the main chair and scanned her.
The carefully styled glossy red hair, the dress adorned with jewels and pearls, the impossibly tight waist…
Seeing this, Lishio vaguely recalled Carla’s childhood appearance.
“Princess Carla Marcel, you may see the Duke.”
Her perfectly formal greeting made the memory even clearer.
It was an uncomfortable feeling, like facing a marionette rather than a living person.
“What is your business?”
Having ended the greeting with a nod, this was the first question Lishio asked.
Carla’s golden eyes flashed.
“I know how to nullify this unfair marriage.”
Lishio, who had been ignoring her, slowly turned his gaze toward Carla. As if anticipating the start of some dirty scheme.
“And what is that method?”
“Anais isn’t actually the eldest daughter of the Lahone family.”
She spoke as if revealing a huge secret, but Lishio had already somewhat expected this and felt bored.
“Do you mean she’s the illegitimate child of the Lahone family?”
“No, she isn’t even of Lahone blood. She might not even be a noble.”
Rather than unwelcome, this was actually good news. A commoner would be preferable to a greedy Lahone.
“And since her status was falsified, the marriage can be annulled.”
Carla’s added comment made Lishio’s mood sour.
