🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 10
After seeing Su’s swordsmanship with his own eyes and watching me immediately admit defeat without making excuses, Duke Casiar let out a quiet laugh.
He politely covered his mouth, but I could hear him laughing perfectly well, so it made no difference to me.
The more I think about it, the more embarrassed I get.
I covered my face with one hand.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t hide my bright red ears.
Where on earth does Su get that kind of strength from with such a slender body?
So this is why people say you shouldn’t judge someone by appearances.
I felt like I had finally learned the true meaning of that saying.
“I’m relieved. It seems Su has earned your approval.”
“Please stop laughing, Duke. I’m already embarrassed enough without your help.”
I cautiously glanced toward Su.
This is completely my fault.
I needed to apologize.
“I’m sorry, Su. I judged you too quickly after only seeing one side of you. I’ll reflect on my mistake.”
Even saying I was sorry didn’t feel like enough.
He must be upset too, right?
Gathering my courage, I looked up at Su.
“It’s alright, My Lady. It was my own negligence for allowing you to see me completely off guard.”
It seemed Su believed that letting me see him asleep had failed to earn my trust.
Maybe it’s better if he keeps thinking that.
“No, it’s still my fault. I’ll be more careful from now on. Please take good care of me as my guard, Su.”
At my words, Su lowered his sword, knelt before me, and gently kissed the back of my hand.
A knight kissing the back of their master’s hand was the formal gesture used to swear eternal loyalty.
Even though I knew what it meant…
Actually experiencing it felt strangely different.
Is it because Su is just too much of a beautiful boy?
If that was the reason…
Then it made sense.
“Su, that’s enough ceremony.”
Just as I was beginning to feel like some kind of princess, Duke Casiar interrupted the moment.
“From this hour onward, I shall serve as My Lady’s escort.”
After standing, Su stared silently at my hand for a moment before disappearing through the same window he’d entered from.
“But… this is the second floor! Is that really okay?”
Startled, I rushed to the window and looked outside.
But Su was already nowhere to be seen.
“He’ll be fine. Su isn’t an ordinary knight.”
Judging from Duke Casiar’s reaction, the sight seemed completely normal to him.
If he’s not an ordinary knight… then what is he?
I had countless questions, but instead of asking Duke Casiar, I decided I’d ask Su directly.
After all, he was my bodyguard now.
I’d be seeing him much more often.
“Are you planning to return to the Marquis’ estate now?”
As I closed the window, Duke Casiar spoke.
“Yes. If I don’t go back now, I have a feeling I may never be allowed to come to the ducal estate again.”
The image of Mother, which I’d almost forgotten, suddenly surfaced in my mind.
Ever since I was little, she’d been incredibly strict about curfews.
Even when I attended parties, I always had to leave early.
If I came home even a little late…
I’d experience the full force of Mother’s “special touch.”
“How amusing. It would be troublesome for me as well if you were forbidden from coming here. I’ll have a carriage prepared immediately.”
Amusing?
It seemed Duke Casiar thought I was joking.
If he’d ever experienced Mother’s terrifying “special touch” even once…
He definitely wouldn’t find it funny.
As I wondered how I could lessen the severity of Mother’s punishment, I suddenly remembered something.
“Ah! I almost forgot. I have something to return to you.”
I handed Duke Casiar back the ribbon I’d borrowed to tie my hair.
If there’s one thing I’m confident in, it’s tying ribbons!
After years of wrapping gifts at the cosmetics store where I’d worked, I could confidently say no one tied prettier ribbons than I did.
With practiced hands, I wrapped the ribbon neatly around Duke Casiar’s shirt and tied it into a perfect bow.
Perfect, as expected!
The ribbon sat flawlessly, with perfect symmetry.
“Well? Do you like it?”
Feeling quite pleased with myself, I looked at Duke Casiar expectantly, hoping for a compliment.
“It’s not bad.”
Unfortunately…
His reaction was rather lukewarm.
Come on… what a letdown.
“Have you ever seen a more perfect ribbon than this? Saying it’s ‘not bad’ means your standards are way too high.”
Expecting praise from Duke Casiar had been my mistake.
As I turned away with a pout, I faintly caught his quiet voice behind me.
“When I say it’s not bad… that’s practically the same as saying I like it.”
“Duke? What did you just say?”
I perked up immediately and turned around.
“I said it’s not bad.”
“Not that. What did you say after that?”
Even though I pressed him relentlessly, he merely shrugged before casually walking past me.
If you like it, just say you like it.
The Duke really is terrible at expressing himself.
Come to think of it…
That was the first time he’d ever complimented something I’d done.
That doesn’t feel so bad.
Quietly mimicking his words to myself, I smiled.
This once…
I decided to be generous enough to understand Duke Casiar.
The moment I arrived back at the Marquis’ estate…
I screamed.
“Aah! That hurts!”
I was currently experiencing Mother’s “special touch” across my back.
“You’re not even married yet, and you dare spend the night away from home?”
Mother was absolutely furious over my first night away.
“I told you, nothing like what you’re imagining happened! I just slept! That’s all!”
Rubbing my aching back, I made a pitiful face.
Mother looked at me with concern.
“That’s your business, so I have no intention of interfering. But you should at least let us know beforehand so we won’t worry. If Duke Casiar hadn’t contacted us personally, do you know how worried we would have been?”
“The Duke contacted you?”
That was news to me.
“Yes. He sent a messenger bird saying you’d accidentally fallen asleep, so we shouldn’t worry.”
He must have been in terrible condition himself.
When did he even find time to contact the Marquis’ estate?
Suddenly, Fanny’s words came back to me.
Duke Casiar is endlessly thoughtful toward the people precious to him.
Wait…
Then why am I the one getting punished?
There wasn’t even anything to worry about.
“Then why did I get hit? He already contacted you.”
“If His Grace hadn’t contacted us, would you have thought to do it yourself? We both know the answer.”
It was frustrating…
But she wasn’t wrong.
I had absolutely no comeback.
How unfair.
I’m convinced every mother in the world can read minds.
Otherwise…
How could they always know exactly what their children would do?
As I stood there pouting, Lily came running into the mansion.
“My Lady! A gift has arrived from Duke Casiar’s estate!”
“A gift?”
Duke Casiar hadn’t mentioned anything about sending me one.
Where did this suddenly come from?
“My goodness… what is all this?”
Mother and I stepped outside.
Waiting there was a magnificent golden carriage sent by Duke Casiar, along with piles upon piles of dresses, jewelry, furniture, and countless other gifts.
The Duke really went all out showing off his wealth.
If he was going to send gifts…
Couldn’t he at least have sent an amount that would actually fit inside our mansion?
Even if we somehow managed to move everything indoors…
The people would have to live on top of the furniture.
“His Grace Duke Casiar Kisen instructed me to deliver this letter to the Marquis and Marchioness.”
Father accepted the letter and unfolded it.
“I think your mother should read this rather than me.”
Chuckling heartily, Father handed the letter to Mother.
“What does it say?”
I quietly peeked over Mother’s shoulder to read it.
To the Esteemed Marquis and Marchioness,
I sincerely apologize for failing to return your precious daughter home on time before our wedding ceremony has even taken place.
I know these gifts are far from enough to ease the worry I have caused you, but I had no better way to express my regret.
I do have one humble request.
Please do not scold Riel too harshly.
The next time I visit the Marquis’ estate, I will gladly accept punishment in her place as well.
I only ask that the two of you kindly understand us with your generous hearts.
— Casiar Kisen
“Riel… you’ve truly found yourself a wonderful husband.”
Mother looked deeply moved after reading Duke Casiar’s letter.
Honestly…
Even I hadn’t expected the Duke to go this far for my sake.
Yet I couldn’t simply be happy.
Because Duke Casiar wasn’t really my husband.
Everything…
Including that letter…
Was nothing more than an act to reassure my parents.
I knew that better than anyone.
And it certainly was a good thing that he was thoughtful enough to prevent my parents from worrying.
Then why…
Why did I feel so lonely?
“By the way, Riel.”
“Yes?”
“What exactly did you tell Duke Casiar about me… that the first thing he asks is for me not to scold you?”
…It’s cold.
I could feel Mother’s icy stare piercing into me.
Sensing danger, I grabbed my skirt with both hands, preparing to run.
“U-Um… I’m a little tired, so I’ll head inside first! Good night, Mother!”
“Riel!”
For quite some time afterward…
The Marquis’ estate echoed with the sounds of Mother chasing after me.
After Riel left…
Silence returned to Duke Casiar’s estate.
As usual, Kisen worked late into the night before returning to his room.
Just as he reached to untie the ribbon around his neck while changing clothes…
His hand stopped.
Looking into the mirror, Kisen quietly examined the ribbon Riel had tied for him.
“It is… remarkably well made.”
Her hands were warm when she tied it.
He remembered Riel’s fingers brushing against his neck.
It had been a very long time since he’d felt another person’s warmth.
A faint smile appeared on Kisen’s face as he recalled the lively Riel, whose mere presence filled every room with noise.
Out of habit, his hand reached toward the bottle of sleeping medicine.
But once again…
He didn’t pick it up.
Instead, Riel’s words filled his mind.
“No more sleeping medicine until I come back. If I survive returning to the Marquis’ estate, I’ll come to the ducal estate again tomorrow. Until then, try falling asleep naturally.”
The only reason I keep thinking about Riel… is because she talks too much.
She had also told him that if he couldn’t sleep…
He should drink chamomile tea.
Why am I remembering every little thing she said?
After convincing himself he’d figured out why she kept appearing in his thoughts, Kisen reached toward the ribbon.
A short while later…
Now dressed in his robe, he stood holding the ribbon Riel had tied.
Exactly as she had tied it.
Without disturbing its original shape.
Why did I go through so much trouble just for this?
Recalling how carefully he’d removed it from around his neck without ruining the bow, Kisen let out a quiet sigh.
That woman has clearly infected me with something.
Thinking back on the unusually lively day at the ducal estate…
Kisen slowly closed his eyes.
She said chamomile tea helps people fall asleep.
If I can’t sleep… I’ll ask Fanny to prepare some.
Deciding to humor Riel’s suggestion just this once, Kisen resolved to try falling asleep naturally.
Not that he expected it to work.
With that final thought…
Kisen quietly drifted into the darkness.
Still carefully holding the ribbon Riel had tied for him in his hand.
