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Chapter 24
“There’s no need.”
The Grand Duke, long legs covering the distance in an instant, slid his hand between the books I was about to close and stopped me.
Then, taking one of the books, he skimmed the title and set it down on the table.
“‘Celeste and the Dragon’s Oath’? An unexpected choice of reading.”
“Just… it caught my eye…”
“Seems like I interrupted you?”
Obviously.
I made a reluctant face instead of answering, and the Grand Duke suddenly chuckled.
I was startled as if I’d seen something I shouldn’t.
That guy’s laughing again?
From the very first meeting, he hadn’t exactly disliked me intensely.
I had assumed the same went both ways, so I thought it best not to get involved…
At first, I thought it was just mockery.
Usually, it was followed by sneers or criticism I didn’t want to hear.
But gradually, those moments became more frequent, and the poison in his smile seemed to fade.
Just like now.
But that only made my spine tingle.
I heard people die when they start doing things they normally wouldn’t…
Thump, thump, thump.
Could it be that the Grand Duke has a death date that no one knows about?
What kind of novel is this?
Lost in my own confusion, the Grand Duke spoke casually.
“It’s a place that’s been neglected anyway. Just read it or something.”
“Oh… really?”
“You look skeptical.”
“I just find it strange that you’re cooperating for once. You followed me all the way to the festival before.”
“That was settled as a newlyweds’ escapade, wasn’t it?”
“We’d have to actually be married for that to count, Your Highness.”
“You… really never give up a single word, do you?”
The Grand Duke spoke as if he was somewhat weary of me.
And he was right.
I tended to become childish in front of him.
I admit it, but…
Could my attitude even be contagious?
Strangely, I absolutely did not want to lose to him.
Whatever it was.
Suppressing the urge to overreact, I forced a smile and spoke carefully.
“So… what brings Your Highness here?”
“Why would I come to the library? Is that even a question?”
“…You came to read in a library that’s been abandoned for over ten years?”
“Of course.”
With casual ease, the Grand Duke started reading the book I had been holding.
It didn’t seem like a situation meant for us to read together.
What on earth is his scheme?
Time passed inevitably.
I picked up another book to keep pace.
But black letters were just letters, and white paper was just paper.
Nothing registered.
Then, the still calm Grand Duke spoke quietly.
His gaze remained fixed on the book.
“I heard you were unwell.”
“Oh… yes. That’s right.”
Why was he asking about my well-being all of a sudden?
Still suspicious, I hurriedly added,
“I wasn’t lying about being sick. Really! I was close to death, I swear.”
“…I didn’t think you were lying.”
“Well… maybe you could have doubted me. Just clearing up any misunderstandings.”
“Actually, you just caused more misunderstandings.”
“Too bad…”
I replied indifferently, then paused.
What? Somehow, this conversation was surprisingly… a playful back-and-forth?
A silly exchange with the Grand Duke?
Absolutely not—I wasn’t interested, not even slightly.
Honestly, I had nothing more to say.
Then, the Grand Duke’s eyes narrowed as he returned to reading.
A few seconds of silence passed before he suddenly spoke.
“I’ll ask directly.”
His low voice cut through the air slowly, heavily.
“Who was the man you met at the festival?”
“Huh?”
Startled, I lifted my head.
If he meant the man from the festival… could he be talking about Ternox?
Before I could even hesitate, the Grand Duke’s sharp voice continued.
“Y-you don’t know…?”
“You wouldn’t say you don’t know, right?”
“….”
“Do not underestimate the guards of the Grand Duke’s castle. I’ve already received reports that he was seen with you.”
What? Already? Who the hell?
Talk about fast rumors!
But something was strange.
That dragon had a phenomenal skill—Invisibility Magic.
Not a single member of the Kanada Maid Squad, who were closest to me, knew Ternox existed.
Yet someone claimed to have seen him at the Grand Duke’s castle? Impossible.
Could it be… I’ve been under 24-hour surveillance?
Before my thoughts could spiral, the Grand Duke pressed further.
“Reveal the identity of that man.”
Ugh… what should I say?
Perhaps reading my hesitation, the Grand Duke’s expression grew subtly fierce.
“Someone reported him to me as your secret lover…”
What? That’s ridiculous!
“He’s a dragon!”
I cut him off immediately, speaking the truth without hesitation.
Like a hawk swooping down.
“…What?”
Surprised, the Grand Duke’s gaze snapped to me like a magnet.
There was… shock mixed with something else in his expression.
“Are you serious?”
I nodded proudly.
“A secret lover? What secret lover? Please. How could I lure another man past the famously strict Grand Duke’s castle guards? I didn’t even come here on my own feet to begin with.”
“Then how did you meet him?”
“I was digging a little garden in front of my house and found a strange silver cup. I tried to throw it away at first… but it kept leading me somewhere… and to a man claiming he was a dragon. It wasn’t a lie—he really used magic! He even teleported!”
I recounted everything straightforwardly.
Whether he believed it or not was his problem.
Would it even make sense to lie here?
And what? What do I have to do with a lizard? Ridiculous.
I don’t need to hide his identity just to avoid misunderstandings. Telling this won’t harm the dragon anyway.
After all, he’s lived hundreds of years.
What harm could come from a mere human finding out?
Normally, in a novel, this is where the heroine would deny knowing, misunderstandings would pile up, and the male lead would regret it.
I’m not the previous heroine, and I don’t want to be!
No need to stack misunderstandings meticulously.
It’d be bad to get entangled before even figuring out what kind of story this is.
Plus, the Grand Duke clinging to me desperately? No thanks.
I watched the Grand Duke’s thoughtful face.
The beautiful man’s gaze was full of confusion.
His vivid teal eyes were fixed on the empty space behind me, somehow striking a pose like a model in a photo shoot.
“Ugh…”
Just looking at that face makes it feel like a dramatic story…
No! Stop! What am I thinking?!
I shook my head violently to dismiss the absurd thought.
No matter how important looks are, imagining that face as a regretful male lead? Madness.
He’s the Grand Duke with a dreadful mouth!
I mustn’t forget that.
He only says unpleasant things, and I can’t let my guard down just because his face is dazzling.
I reaffirmed my vigilance.
Then, the hesitant princess… no, the Grand Duke spoke.
“Tell me in detail.”
“Excuse me? About what?”
“About the dragon.”
The Grand Duke looked very serious.
I tried to sound casual, with a hint of sarcasm.
“Oh, you believe me?”
“Do you think I’m lying?”
“No, really. I just thought it was surprising that you’re taking this seriously, after always questioning me.”
“Ha… René Blanche. Do you think I’m joking?”
His voice had turned sharply cold, and I felt my stomach drop, worried I had gone too far.
“…My lady!”
Suddenly, voices came from outside the library, accompanied by what sounded like multiple footsteps.
Were they coming here? Both the voices and footsteps grew louder and clearer.
“…My lady, Your Highness absolutely cannot—”
“Too late! You think I can’t go…?”
“But… it’s really serious…”
What now?
Before I could make sense of it, the door suddenly burst open.
“Xenos!”
And at the forefront was… my maid.
“Oh! Th-that, um, uh… what’s your name again?”
Ah, why can I only think of ‘Peacock’?
