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~Chapter 43~
Astia felt her heart drop, leaving her unable to do anything. Diego’s words clearly echoed in her ears.
‘Ruby is Duke Diego Selion.’
For a moment, Astia’s mind went blank. The time that had passed since Ruby disappeared flashed through her mind. How empty and difficult that time had been. Because the last time she saw Ruby, he was weak and limp, her worry and longing for him had only grown. Even after escaping a short lifespan and beginning her public life, she couldn’t forget Ruby.
But then, someone named “Ruby” made a reservation at Ramos Café, and then she met Diego at Bluea Boutique. The existence of Ruby, whom she had tried to forget, slowly began to be revealed, and the secret full of questions was finally solved.
She should have been happy, but instead, a corner of her heart ached. The truth she finally faced was too confusing for her to handle all at once.
“Lady?”
Astia’s body went limp, and she stumbled. Diego caught her, his expression full of worry.
Why did she only find out now?
She didn’t know why he had turned into a rabbit, but she wanted to learn more about him. Even though it was shocking, he was still ‘Ruby’.
Gentle music played. Dancing slowly to the rhythm, Astia asked in a choked voice:
“Why are you only telling me the truth now?”
“I wanted to appear proudly as Duke Selion, rather than in the form of a rabbit. Did I half succeed?”
“Maybe.”
Diego smiled, satisfied, and his steps became lighter, as if he was slightly excited. Astia saw “Ruby” overlaid on his appearance. His red eyes, like Ruby’s, looked at Astia just as they always had. There was no difference.
“Duke… how did you end up as a rabbit?”
“I was cursed.”
“A curse… you mean?”
“I can’t tell you the details because it concerns my Duchy, but… I am looking for the main person who cast the curse.”
“I see…”
Astia thought over Diego’s words and remembered the news about the Selion Duchy. The new head of the Selion Duchy. Although she didn’t know the exact details, Astia guessed that there had been some power struggle within the family.
‘It wasn’t even described in detail in the original story…’
When Count Ruet was taking care of the Duke’s duties, Diego was cursed, turned into a rabbit, and found by Astia. She could infer that the hidden Diego had returned to the Duchy, and the curse had been broken for some reason, allowing him to inherit the title.
Astia couldn’t ask any more questions because of Diego’s dark expression. She believed she would have another chance to learn about Diego, even if not now.
“You will know the truth someday. I just don’t want to talk about it yet.”
“Yes, it must be difficult for you to talk to me about the Selion Duchy’s affairs.”
“That is not true.”
“…?”
“You should know, of course, but… I still have much to prepare. Once everything is finished, the Lady will understand my words.”
Astia tilted her head at Diego’s meaningful words but soon understood him. Since he had only just appeared in society, he probably hadn’t completely sorted out his family’s affairs yet.
“I don’t know what you mean, but I hope it works out well.”
“Lady…”
“Yes?”
“Never mind.”
Diego smiled faintly and moved slowly. While talking to Diego, Astia realized one thing: he wanted something and was working hard to achieve it. It seemed he was hiding something big…
Well, it’s not my business to worry about.
“More importantly, Lady. Your complexion looks good… are you still coughing these days?”
“No, I am not. I’ve been drinking Hineloti flower tea regularly.”
“…That means you aren’t completely cured.”
“That’s right.”
“Don’t worry. I will take responsibility and ensure your illness is completely healed.”
Diego gripped Astia’s hand firmly. He repeated his promise:
“The Lady is the benefactor who saved me, and the one who moved my heart.”
Astia felt an unspeakable emotion from his sincere words. Perhaps it was because Diego had changed and become so dependable since they last met. Moreover, he was saying things that made her heart pound, and she couldn’t gather her thoughts. Her face felt hot, maybe from the dancing.
“T-that’s right.”
Under his intense gaze, Astia eventually had to look away. Even when she looked straight ahead, his chest was right there, making her wonder where to look.
“Lady.”
Diego called Astia with a voice full of warmth. She knew she should look up…
“Astia.”
His lips, pronouncing her name gently, curved into a line. The hand around her waist moved smoothly, wrapping around her fingers. Just as her mind was about to go completely blank, the music ended.
Seizing the opportunity, Astia immediately moved away from Diego, grabbed the hem of her dress, and curtsied.
“Th-thank you so much for the honor of having the first dance with me today, and… it was a pleasure, Duke.”
“It’s a pity that the time was so short… so, if you don’t mind, perhaps on the terrace…”
Just as Diego was about to continue, a clear voice interrupted.
“Lady Astia!”
“Lady Cecilia?”
Astia turned around to see Cecilia approaching with a big smile and quick steps. Cecilia, wearing a white dress as pure as her silver hair, looked divinely beautiful. Astia’s eyes widened. She knew Cecilia would come since she had sent a letter, but she never imagined it would be at this exact moment.
‘Wait, is the first meeting between the original male and female leads happening like this…?’
By chance, the first meeting between Diego and Cecilia was brought forward. In Astia’s memory, Diego did not meet Cecilia at the banquet where he first appeared. This meant that Cecilia, who had become friends with Astia, came here—a place she wouldn’t have originally needed to come to—just to see Astia. Astia realized that the story of the original novel had somehow been twisted.
The story is already going differently from the original…
The future must have changed the moment she escaped her short lifespan. Finding and caring for Diego, who had turned into a rabbit, was a coincidence, but sure enough. The unknown consequences of the future changing made Astia anxious.
“Lady. I’m a bit late, aren’t I? You don’t look well, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for coming despite being busy at the temple.”
“No… of course, I had to come.”
Cecilia’s cheeks flushed slightly at Astia’s warm words. Her blue eyes quickly glanced at Diego, who stood like a screen, and then she whispered to Astia:
“Or are you feeling upset because of that person?”
Her low voice roughly indicated her mood. Astia shook her head, waving her hand.
“That’s not it. I just feel a little tired since this is the first time I’ve danced at a banquet.”
“…You look like you should rest.”
Cecilia supported Astia, showing a worried expression. Then she glared fiercely at Diego.
Thud, thud—
Diego approached and greeted Cecilia.
“If I’m not mistaken, you are Lady Solen? I am Diego Selion.”
“Nice to meet you, Duke. This is our first meeting, so you didn’t cause any trouble for the Lady, did you?”
“Of course not. I merely shared the honor of the first dance with the Lady.”
“…Is that so?”
Astia didn’t know what to do as the cold atmosphere continued. This wasn’t right?
‘Didn’t they fall in love at first sight in the original?!’
However, their reactions were clearly not friendly. Cecilia seemed wary, and Diego just looked down at her with an indifferent gaze.
“But what a shame. I know the Lady better, and I’ve never seen her this exhausted before.”
“I am closer to her, Lady.”
“How can you be so sure? I believe this is your first time attending a banquet.”
Cecilia countered Diego’s statement with a cold voice.
Well, she has a point.
If Ruby wasn’t Diego, Cecilia would be right. Since she was seeing Diego for the first time since Bluea Boutique, it was technically their first meeting, but…
‘Now that I know Diego is Ruby, the situation is different.’
She felt sorry for Cecilia, but since the time she spent with Diego (as Ruby) was much longer, she couldn’t really argue. Telling Cecilia the truth would shock her. Also, since Diego seemed unwilling to talk about his family affairs, Astia decided to respect his decision.
“I’m fine, Lady. Then, Duke, I’ll take my leave now.”
“…It was an honor. I hope you understand that nothing is fixed. I hope we have a chance to meet again.”
Astia felt confused by Diego’s last words. What did he mean?
Before she could ask, Diego glanced at Astia, who was standing behind Cecilia, and turned away with a step full of regret. Cecilia looked at his retreating back and pouted.
“Lady. This is my first time seeing Duke Selion… why does he seem so inconsiderate?”
“Is-is that so?”
Cecilia’s favorability toward Diego seemed to be in the negative. Something is going wrong here, isn’t it?
