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Chapter 59
“Hey! Why are you blocking the middle of the road?!”
The angry shout of a coachman pulled me back to reality.
Without realizing it, I had been standing in the center of the road for a long time, not knowing what to do.
I turned my horse around and went back to the Diern ducal residence, holding onto a small hope that maybe Kail had not been in that procession.
“Lady Riez! Welcome.”
The butler of the ducal house looked slightly surprised to see me so early without notice, but he quickly greeted me calmly.
“Mr. Butler… Kail, where is Kail?”
I skipped all greetings and asked about Kail right away. The butler’s gray eyebrows curved downward.
“…He just left. He will be staying in the Diern territory for a while… Were you not informed?”
At his careful question, the little hope I had slipped away from my hands.
“No. I was informed. I was, but…”
As I muttered awkwardly, the butler gestured toward the inside.
“Are you alright? Please, come in first.”
“…Thank you.”
Because of Selphius and Kail’s departure, the ducal residence was busy and unsettled.
“Lady Riez.”
The Duchess and Darius, who had been talking among the servants, noticed me and walked over.
“Your Grace… Darius.”
Seeing how neatly dressed they were made me realize how rude I must look, rushing in like this. I had even come out in a hurry, so my appearance was messy.
“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly this early without sending word.”
As I quickly fixed my clothes and apologized, Darius asked,
“I wondered if you would come to see Kail off. I asked him, but he firmly said you wouldn’t. Did something happen?”
“That’s…”
“Darius, why don’t you talk in the drawing room? Please prepare some warm tea.”
Seeing me hesitate, not knowing where to begin, the Duchess gently suggested it.
Darius nodded and led me to the drawing room.
We sat across from each other on the sofa by the table.
After the butler brought herbal tea and left us alone, Darius carefully asked,
“Did you not finish saying goodbye to Kail yesterday?”
At this point, I decided I should tell Darius everything and ask for help.
“…Actually, we had a serious argument yesterday when we parted.”
“How did that happen?”
“I begged him not to go to the duchy. I asked him not to leave.”
Darius’ eyes widened slightly, but he did not interrupt. He quietly waited for me to continue.
“It’s not just because we won’t see each other often… I was afraid that if he stayed there, he would change into someone I don’t know… someone cold.”
“I see.”
“Doesn’t that sound strange?”
“No. I understand. The North is a place that can make people feel that way.”
“Then… don’t you think I was selfish?”
“Not at all. It’s because you care about Kail that much. Because you like him a lot.”
Darius closed his eyes and smiled softly.
It was not entirely for Kail alone… but still.
I explained why I had come in such a hurry today.
“We ended things badly after that fight. This morning, I felt sorry, so I came to apologize and see him off… but we just missed each other. Kail was really angry…”
“Hm. It’s not something to be that angry about. He’ll calm down soon.”
“It was much worse than you imagine…”
As I added gloomily, Darius walked to a drawer and took something out.
“We have this, don’t we?”
He smiled and showed me a sheet of letter paper.
…Right. I could clear up the misunderstanding and apologize through a letter.
I had wanted to see his face and talk properly, but I had no choice.
“Yes. I’ll write him a letter.”
Darius sat down again, resting his chin on his hand, chuckling softly.
“As I said before, I envy Kail. Having a friend who steps forward for him like this.”
“…That’s not true.”
After denying it shyly, something suddenly made me curious.
Did Darius know why Kail had gone there?
“Darius. Do you know why Kail went to the Diern Duchy?”
“…To train properly under Father, in a harsher environment.”
His answer showed he roughly understood Kail’s true intention, and my heart felt heavy.
“…You will inherit the Diern family, right?”
“Yes.”
“For sure?”
“Yes.”
His answers came without hesitation.
“What if Kail also wants that position?”
I carefully asked about the dark possibility he must have already thought about.
“…”
Instead of answering, Darius gave a faint smile. His silence was the answer.
Even though I had expected it, it still hurt like a final blow.
Darius would not step back either.
If neither of them gave in… then sooner or later, a clash would be unavoidable.
Then what if the successor competition happened earlier than in the original story?
If they were destined to oppose each other anyway, it would be better to decide the winner through a fair match, not a situation of killing each other.
Before Duke Selphius left behind that terrible will.
I did not know if I had the ability to change the timeline like that. But now, instead of trying to make the two brothers close again, I would aim for this.
If Kail lost the competition, I did not know how he would change. That was unknown territory.
And even if I could not stop him from falling for the female lead, Adele, maybe I could at least prevent them from growing close.
I had to reduce his resentment toward Darius.
My whole body felt heavy, as if something was clinging to me. Still, I stood up as if nothing was wrong.
“I should go home now. I left without telling Father or my brother. I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
As I bowed slightly, Darius stood as well and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Please come often, Lady Riez. Kail isn’t here, but… spend time with Mother and me too.”
“I will.”
I forced a small smile and left.
The words Kail isn’t here felt lonely, but aside from that, it was a warm and welcome offer.
After all, my original plan to win over the Duchess and all my other schemes had been so I could freely come and see Darius.
After returning to the Brante estate, I immediately picked up a quill.
I would apologize and confess about yesterday’s strange behavior.
I could not say I knew the future… Should I say I saw it in a dream?
It would still sound unnatural, but I could not think of another excuse.
After organizing my thoughts, I began writing.
To Kail, who must be angry with me.
Kail. It’s me, Riez.
I rushed to the Diern ducal house early this morning to see you off, but it seems we just missed each other.
I wanted to apologize in person. I’m sorry.
You must have been upset because I forced you yesterday, right?
You were probably confused by my selfish behavior.
I’m truly sorry. Please forgive me.
But there is one thing I really want to correct.
I have never wished for you not to become the successor because I love Darius. I swear it on everything.
You asked me to give you a reason you could accept. The truth is… I kept having dreams where you changed into someone very frightening after going to the Diern Duchy. More than once.
They felt so real that I thought they might become reality. That’s why I didn’t want you to go.
Holding you back just because of a nightmare sounds childish and ridiculous. I was too embarrassed to say it properly.
But now I’ve decided to trust you and support you.
The person in that dream isn’t the real you.
It’s just my needless worry. Just my imagination.
The Kail I know is warm-hearted and kinder than anyone.
I’ll trust you and wait for you. Come back stronger and more impressive!
I heard the Diern Duchy is winter for half the year. Be careful not to catch a cold and take good care of your health.
I’ll end here.
— Your eternal friend, Riez.
P.S. I finally found the pig doll. I named it Bokdeongi. Thank you. I’ll always keep it by my bed.
After reading the finished letter, I let out a satisfied breath.
This should clear up the misunderstanding. It should calm his anger.
Believing that, I sent the letter to the ducal castle in the Diern territory.
Not knowing that no reply would ever come.
