🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 40
Edith’s eyes narrowed, as if she were carefully reading Rachel’s intentions.
“Fine.”
Her voice was steady, without a trace of hesitation, and she nodded.
“If it’s necessary, then yes.”
That evening, I quietly knocked on Denok’s study door.
When a calm voice of permission came from beyond, I slowly opened it. Denok, seated at his desk, looked up at me.
I couldn’t deny there was a faint prickle of guilt. But hadn’t he told me before?
If anything came up, I should tell him without hesitation.
Closing the door behind me, I walked slowly until I stood before his desk.
“What is it?”
“Well… I might have a rather strange request.”
His brow lifted slightly. I let out a sigh, almost like an exhale of resignation.
“In front of Rachel… I’d like you to act as though you love me.”
After hearing my explanation in full, he was silent for a moment before nodding.
“I understand the situation.”
“…Do you think you can do it?”
He set his pen down on the desk and met my eyes. There was something—perhaps the faintest warmth—in his gaze.
“If that’s what you want.”
From that day forward, the two of us grew closer—not emotionally, but in a purely physical sense.
When we strolled through the gardens, he was always beside me. My form of address shifted from “Your Highness” to simply “Denok.”
Whenever he returned from estate affairs, the first thing he did was ask where I was. Sometimes, even before changing out of his formal attire, he would look for me.
The maids blushed whenever they saw us, as if watching their master and mistress share tender moments was a small joy in their day.
Of course, to us, it was nothing but thorough acting.
Noticing a figure in the distance, I subtly leaned into Denok’s arm, tilting my head with a faint smile.
“Rachel’s watching.”
“Does she seem convinced?”
“She looks doubtful. This won’t be settled in just a day or two.”
“I see. In that case…”
His gaze dipped ever so slightly. Though his eyes were the same as always, there was that faint, almost imperceptible warmth again.
“Would it be acceptable if I held your hand?”
“…What?”
“We are acting, aren’t we?”
Ah, of course. Startled, I didn’t pull away when he reached for my hand.
His palm was warm and careful, his fingers threading gently through mine. That heat seeping between our fingers felt strangely unfamiliar… yet also oddly familiar.
“Rachel’s coming.”
At his words, I smiled instinctively, keeping my eyes fixed on him rather than glancing sideways.
Then, unexpectedly, he leaned toward me.
…Huh?
I thought he would stop at a certain distance. Instead, his face kept moving closer, until his breath grazed my skin.
The closer he came, the louder the pounding in my ears became, as though my heartbeat had moved up into my throat. I found myself holding my breath.
And then—his shadow finally enveloped me completely.
“…”
“…She’s gone.”
From a distance close enough for our lips to almost touch, his murmur was barely audible. Slowly, he leaned back.
The moment the view of the garden returned, I exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
“Yes. She must have fallen for it this time.”
It was all still just acting. Nothing more.
“I can’t believe it.”
Rachel bit at her nails, eyes fixed darkly on the desk before her.
On it lay a neatly arranged sheet of parchment and a black quill—her regular report to the Duke of Sertia.
If the Duke knew Edith had gained such an ability… or that the Grand Duke had fallen in love with her…
He would be pleased, no doubt. He often said that love was the finest weapon for destroying a person.
If he believed she had the Grand Duke in her grasp, he would take great delight in it.
…And yet.
Her fingers hesitated over the parchment. Despite every piece of the puzzle seemingly fitting into place, something felt… wrong.
There was a sense she had missed something vital—an unease she couldn’t shake.
Their gazes, their expressions… they seemed convincing enough.
But—
That worthless woman… suddenly with some special ability?
Even more than her mother?
Rachel could not bring herself to believe it.
She remembered the scene in the garden: the two of them kissing in plain sight, as though oblivious to anyone watching.
The memory turned her vision red with fury.
How dare they. Displaying their happiness in front of her, as if mocking her. As if she were beneath them—while she had neither the Duke’s favor nor her husband’s love.
Rachel ground her teeth.
No. There’s no way that’s real.
It had to be some trick.
Her suspicion only deepened, twisting tighter and tighter.
If I can uncover her little scheme and tell the Duke… then he’ll look at me again. Maybe he’ll even reward me… hold me in his arms again.
So—
“Not until I see it with my own eyes… will I ever believe it.”
From early morning, the mansion was alive with activity.
In the drawing room, every trace of dust was swept away. Fresh bedding was placed in each guest room.
This was all in preparation for the arrival of the candidates for the aide position—and their spouses—who had been invited to the Grand Duke’s residence.
Setting aside the conversation from the night before, I returned to my duties, moving quickly through the preparations.
“Open the windows first and pull the curtains wide. We want the sunlight—it’ll make the room feel more welcoming.”
After giving the maids these simple instructions, I followed the path guests would take, heading toward the drawing room.
Denok was already seated at the table, organizing the candidates’ files.
When I knocked, he looked up at me.
“All the guest rooms are ready.”
“Thank you for your work.”
I smiled briefly in response before glancing at the papers before him.
Each file was neatly arranged, the candidates’ qualifications written in precise, elegant handwriting.
Although we had discussed this selection process together, in truth, I had merely offered a few suggestions—the preparation was almost entirely his doing.
Somehow… I feel proud.
Reaching out cautiously, I picked up the first sheet.
Let’s have a little look, shall we?
With a faint flutter of anticipation, I began to read the first candidate’s background.
To my surprise, the information was… fascinating.
