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Chapter 10
“I don’t know why.”
Ray fell into thought.
Perhaps it was because the eyes of the woman who claimed she didn’t have long to live were overflowing with life. That strange contradiction kept drawing his attention.
“Then I guess we’re destined for each other.”
When she had said that with a bright smile, Ray had felt his heart tighten.
It was an emotion he had never experienced before.
For a brief moment, he had even been left speechless.
“Very well. Then how about this?”
While Ray was lost in thought, the knight suddenly spoke.
“What if you simply refuse to marry anyone?”
It wasn’t much of a solution, but there weren’t many alternatives.
“He’s right,” the butler agreed with a nod.
“His Majesty tells Your Grace to get married every time he sees you. Perhaps this time you simply took one of his usual jokes too seriously…”
But Ray shook his head.
“No. This time was different.”
“He even invoked an imperial decree. That means he was serious.”
Although the emperor had spoken casually, he rarely used the words imperial decree.
That alone was enough for Ray to understand.
It hadn’t been a joke.
“B-But Your Grace will soon be returning to your territory,” the butler said hopefully. “If you remain there for a while, perhaps His Majesty will simply forget about it.”
“Too many people have already witnessed everything.”
Ray gestured toward the mountain of papers covering his desk.
Every single one was a marriage proposal from one of the Empire’s most prestigious noble families.
Could he really stir up this much commotion…
…and then simply disappear back to his duchy?
Even if time healed many things, this scandal wouldn’t disappear so easily.
“If I marry, all of this will naturally settle down.”
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before speaking again.
“For now, politely decline every proposal we’ve received.”
“All… all of them?”
“Yes. Every single one.”
“And don’t accept any more.”
The butler swallowed hard as he looked at the mountain of proposals.
Simply returning them would be terribly rude.
Proper etiquette demanded that each rejection include a carefully written reply.
There goes my night’s sleep…
To answer every letter, every servant in the mansion would likely be working until dawn.
Even so, the butler’s expression brightened.
He might collapse from exhaustion tomorrow morning, but hearing the words “every single one” was satisfying enough.
Only—
“I’ll take these away, then…”
“Ah. Not that one.”
“…!”
The butler’s shoulders slumped.
Just as he’d expected.
Ray had pulled out exactly one sheet of paper.
One marriage proposal.
But that wasn’t all.
“And don’t receive any visitors tomorrow.”
“…Excuse me?”
For a moment, the butler wondered if he’d misheard.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I said don’t let any more guests into the mansion.”
“Then… what about the young ladies who are scheduled to visit tomorrow?”
“Send them away.”
“Somehow.”
The word somehow made the butler’s vision darken.
By now, news of the Duke’s marriage search had undoubtedly spread throughout the capital.
Dozens of ladies had already been turned away today alone.
Tomorrow won’t be any fewer…
Worse still, these were the noble daughters of Argen society.
In a culture where women rarely proposed first, anyone bold enough to appear at the Duke’s door possessed an exceptionally strong personality.
The thought of facing all of them at once made the butler want to wave a white flag.
Haaa…
Completely unaware of his suffering, his master leisurely reread the single proposal he’d kept.
Seeing the Duke unusually interested in something made the butler uneasy.
I have a very bad feeling about this…
It felt as though something enormous was about to happen.
* * *
“Mmm…”
Stretching lazily, Bella slowly sat up.
Then immediately collapsed back down.
Her legs trembled so badly they refused to support her.
“Well… I was standing for a very long time yesterday.”
She patted her aching legs and sighed deeply.
The exhaustion had been so overwhelming that she’d fallen asleep without even eating dinner.
Today was the fourth—and final—day of the festival.
To Bella, that meant one last holiday.
No one would bother her today, no matter what she did.
She intended to enjoy every moment of it.
She ate a late breakfast and spent the morning reading a book she’d been wanting to finish.
At some point she drifted off into a nap.
When she woke again, it was already early evening.
“Are you going to the festival again today, Miss?”
Roxy asked as she came upstairs to help Bella get dressed.
“Of course.”
“It’s the last day.”
As soon as Bella nodded, Roxy hurried out and returned carrying a simple but elegant dress.
“Is that one Cecile’s too?”
“Yes.”
“She never wore it even once, so I secretly hid it away for a day like this.”
“Hehe.”
Roxy’s mischievous grin reminded Bella of a tiny little devil.
Not a frightening one—
A cute devil.
“Still, I’m surprised.”
“I never imagined you’d willingly attend a crowded festival.”
“I have to hear someone’s answer.”
“…Answer?”
“There’s… something I need to know.”
Bella answered curtly before sighing.
Yes.
There was an answer she desperately needed.
I stayed home all day just in case…
What if the Duke had sent someone?
She had secretly hoped for that.
But the entire day had passed in complete silence.
I was sure I felt something change yesterday…
She took a slow breath.
The memory of his wavering crimson eyes refused to leave her mind.
Surely the gods aren’t playing tricks on me at the last minute…
She had reached the point where she even doubted divine kindness.
Maybe I’ll see him again today.
She briefly considered returning to the Duke’s estate.
But today would surely be even more crowded with noble ladies hoping to marry him.
So instead…
She chose the festival.
It’s the final day. He’ll have to attend to greet His Majesty before leaving.
Thinking that, Bella looked into the mirror.
Roxy had carefully twisted and pinned up her hair into an elegant style.
“Wait.”
“Isn’t this a little too much?”
“Oh, come on!”
“The festival’s almost over.”
“If not now, when will you ever get to dress up like this again?”
“I suppose…”
“And besides…”
“You’re a young lady.”
“Not a servant like us.”
“I hope you never forget that you’re the only daughter of Count Eaton.”
Bella had spent so many years being treated like a servant that she’d grown used to dressing plainly.
Wearing the kind of beautiful clothes noble ladies normally wore now felt awkward.
Thirteen years…
That was how long it had taken for her identity as a noblewoman to slowly disappear.
Exactly as the foxes had intended.
Staring blankly at her reflection, Bella sighed.
“What’s the point?”
“In two days, I’ll just be sweeping dust off the stairs again.”
“Miss…”
Seeing Bella suddenly become gloomy, Roxy pouted.
Watching her reflection in the mirror made Bella feel guilty.
Roxy had only been trying to cheer her up.
Yet she’d answered so bitterly.
What could she say to make things better?
Just then—
“Oh!”
“I almost forgot.”
“I have something for you.”
Thankfully, Roxy’s cheerful mood returned almost instantly.
She pulled something wrapped carefully inside a handkerchief from her pocket.
It was a flower-shaped sugar cookie.
“Where did you get that?”
“From the kitchen.”
“There were lots left over this morning.”
Bella swallowed.
Festival sweets were something she could only taste once a year.
Thinking about it…
She hadn’t eaten any on the first day because she’d been too busy searching for the person fate had promised her.
Yesterday she’d spent nearly the entire day waiting outside the Duke’s mansion.
Ordinary commoners considered sugar cookies a luxury.
A count’s daughter should have had no trouble obtaining one.
But Bella…
…wasn’t treated like a count’s daughter.
“If Cecile finds out, she’ll throw a tantrum.”
No one knew what kind of scene she’d make.
The little fox never allowed Bella even a fleeting moment of happiness.
“Don’t worry.”
“The young miss and Madam have been out since this morning.”
“They’re out?”
No wonder the house had been so quiet.
Finally relaxing, Bella took a bite.
Crunch.
“Oh?”
“Miss, didn’t you know?”
“Know what?”
“Thanks to Duke Avalan, every noble lady in high society is in an uproar!”
“…”
“A war has broken out over the vacant position of Duchess.”
“As if Madam and Miss Cecile would just sit back and watch!”
Bella froze.
Just moments ago the cookie had tasted wonderfully sweet.
Now…
It had somehow become unbearably bitter.
“Why don’t you go too?”
Roxy’s eyes sparkled.
“Who knows?”
“Maybe His Grace will fall in love with you at first sight, and you’ll finally escape this awful place!”
She excitedly continued.
“Then you won’t have to marry that horrible viscount either!”
Bella couldn’t say a word.
Because…
She had already gone yesterday.
And she’d thought she’d done rather well.
But since no one has contacted me…
The bitterness in her mouth only deepened.
She quietly set the cookie down and rinsed her mouth with water.
Even then…
The unpleasant taste refused to disappear.
No—
It felt as though something sticky had slid down her throat and was twisting deep inside her chest.
Is this really the end?
Bella tightened her grip around the glass.
Looking at her reflection in its clear surface, she bit her lip.
Maybe…
Everything had simply been a cruel joke from the gods.
A tiny taste of sweet hope…
Only to plunge her into even greater despair.
Of course.
Someone like me was never meant to be happy.
Her thoughts spiraled further and further into darkness.
The hopeful version of herself who had stood before the Duke yesterday already felt like a stranger.
“Roxy… I think today I’ll just…”
Maybe it was better to stop chasing hope that would never be hers.
Just as she was about to give up—
“Bella!”
“Where’s Bella?!”
A furious shout echoed from downstairs.
Bella immediately snapped to attention.
She recognized the voice.
It was the little fox.
“Bella!”
“Where is that girl?!”
“Get down here this instant!”
Then came the voice of the big fox as well.
What…?
Why are they making such a fuss?
