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Chapter 44
“Why do you wear only that ribbon every day, my lady?”
Sir Julio appeared in my study without any prior notice and asked me.
Lately, I’ve been tying my hair only with the silver-gray ribbon that the Grand Duke gave me. Apparently, that caught his attention as well.
“It’s my choice.”
“Hehehe.”
“Don’t laugh lecherously. If you have something to say, just say it.”
This man barged in without any business to discuss and is now picking a quarrel.
He’s probably bored because I assigned him under the Grand Duke. The Duke is currently learning about donations from Treasurer Moreno.
“So it seems the light pink ribbon isn’t to your taste, my lady.”
“Light pink ribbon?”
I put down my quill and looked up at him. How is anyone supposed to understand what he’s talking about?
Seeing my reaction, Sir Julio wiped the smile off his face.
“…The Grand Duke bought the light pink ribbon first. Did you not receive it?”
“No. I’ve never seen it.”
“Ahaha. I suppose he plans to give it later. If he gave everything at once, it wouldn’t be fun, would it? Gifts are supposed to be received gradually to maintain interest and significance. I apologize for revealing this prematurely.”
Sir Julio scratched the back of his head, forming a comical frown.
So he didn’t know the Duke bought a light pink ribbon.
That night, the Grand Duke held only a silver-gray ribbon by the window. Hmm… did he really buy the light pink one for me?
Even as a girl, I never wore light pink clothes or accessories. I had known very early on that the color didn’t suit me.
Anyone with even a little sense of aesthetics wouldn’t hand me a light pink ribbon.
Sir Julio still stands silently in front of my desk. Since he hasn’t left, he must have something more to say.
“You know, my lady, although the Grand Duke seems outwardly cold, he is really warm-hearted and romantic.”
“…What are you talking about now?”
“He was concerned about your hangover. To think he worries about a heavy drinker like you—it’s really admirable, isn’t it?”
“Sebastian, I also have limits. Yesterday I drank enough to blackout, so his concern is warranted.”
“Ah, I didn’t realize you drank that much.”
Sir Julio cleared his throat awkwardly.
Mikel and I had finished four bottles of whiskey between us, and I drank far more. I don’t even know why I drank so much. Perhaps I was unconsciously nervous. After all, I had just come out of a banquet filled with people who despise me. Even though I thought I had grown accustomed to the resentful stares of my subjects, it’s still not exactly comfortable.
“Anyway, personally, I have high expectations for the Grand Duke. He seems to truly understand the charm of an older woman like you.”
“So that’s why you came in. To brag about me again? If you don’t have anything new to say, leave. I’m busy.”
“No! I genuinely came here with good intentions, hoping things go well for the two of you!”
“You’re already married. How could anything go better now?”
Sir Julio stared at me, looking completely dazed.
After a while of rolling his eyes nervously, he added cautiously,
“…You’re not considering an heir?”
Heir.
Ah, yes, the heir.
As the sole heir of the Lasantia Ducal family, this is an immensely serious matter.
But no matter how much I think about it, I feel guilty.
“The Duke is still… too young.”
It seems he doesn’t see me as a woman first, before being a wife.
He doesn’t even consider me someone close, so what can I do.
There are many reasons—nationality, age difference, the length of time we’ve known each other.
We discussed considering the issue of heirs during the honeymoon, but I don’t hold high expectations.
Of course, in the distant future, I want to see him have an heir. After all, I even got a relic that can identify the bloodline of the Dvorca royal family.
But to immediately demand a relationship based on marital obligations… he still seems too pure, like a blank slate.
The main reason is that the Duke doesn’t desire me.
“Don’t you usually like younger men?”
“On what basis do you say that?”
“I remember your former fiancé, Viscount Serenos, was a couple of years younger than you. The last man you showed interest in was also in that younger age range.”
“…Who was the last man I showed interest in?”
I genuinely don’t know. I haven’t paid attention to any man recently, except for fending off a few who came all the way to Blansk trying to flirt with me.
“Lieutenant Robin Montano. The handsome blond officer I had under me when I was a regiment commander.”
“Hah, you’re talking about old news. That was over five years ago. And though he was younger, he wasn’t a mere child when I was an adult.”
Two-three years younger is not the same as eight years younger. When I debuted in society at eighteen, the Grand Duke was just ten.
Physically, he appears a full-grown man, but still…
“Why speak so regretfully? A man at twenty-one is fully mature—”
Knock, knock, knock.
Sir Julio’s words were cut off by an untimely knock. A rare and welcome interruption.
“Who is it outside?”
“Moreno, Lady Alisa. May I come in?”
I checked the wall clock. The Duke’s lesson should be over.
I sent out the ever-nonsense Sir Julio, and let Treasurer Moreno in.
A frail, thin elderly man entered, his mustache unusually fine today.
“Lady Alisa, it’s good to see you.”
“How was today’s lesson? Is the Duke keeping up?”
“…He’s very attentive.”
“Attentive is good, but it sounds like there’s another issue.”
“No, no issues. He’s quite skilled with the abacus. A model student in every way.”
His words were polite, but his expression slightly displeased.
Moreno has been a loyal retainer of the Lasantia family.
Five years ago, I personally asked him to take the position of Blansk’s treasurer.
After much deliberation, he accepted and, alongside Sir Julio, played a major role in rebuilding Blansk. He knows well how much affection I’ve put into this place—it’s evident in the investments.
“Moreno, is the Duke still uncomfortable having donations issued under his name?”
“He no longer raises objections. Today, he requested increasing the amount of new tents, water, and bread distributed to refugees outside the castle. He went out early this morning to see the situation himself. The number of refugees outside the castle has increased.”
“Then increase the rations. Generously.”
As expected, the Duke is diligent. He even went out personally to inspect the situation.
From the start, he had questioned why the refugees were not allowed inside the castle.
The Duke continues to care for the people outside Blansk. Perhaps he wishes to embrace them, since they are also his subjects.
…Overall, I’m satisfied with the Duke’s human side.
He is naturally diligent and modest. To the extent that even when bathing or dressing, he doesn’t want servants attending him.
He organizes his belongings himself, arranging the wardrobe and drawers neatly like a display case. The maids in charge of his room are astonished.
Most importantly, he cares about other people’s lives. Occasionally, he goes out in plain clothes with knights to observe the daily lives of Blansk residents, without being asked.
Of course, there are aspects to work on. He has no sense of entitlement as royalty, his self-esteem is alarmingly low, and as a prince, he wasn’t raised in luxury.
“Lady Alisa, the Duke asked if we could issue identity badges to refugees. I said that would be difficult.”
“Do you think I don’t want to?”
“Ah, and the Duke is looking for someone. Hiring a detective across Levanteia might cost about 20,000 Rebles. He intends to cover it personally.”
What is this?
“The Duke is hiring a detective to find someone? In Levanteia?”
“Yes, apparently it’s some kind of benefactor.”
“…Hmm. What’s the name?”
I asked suspiciously. The Duke lived in the Yorka palace until he was sixteen, then fled to Fadon Island during the war. He shouldn’t know anyone in Levanteia.
“I’m afraid the name and surname are unknown. The person is a tall young woman with red hair. It seems they had some connection in the past. Honestly, the chance of finding her with this little information is slim.”
“If he wants to look, let him. It’s his personal matter.”
“…Lady Alisa.”
“Yes?”
“My eldest son Manuel is about to graduate from the Royal Academy.”
What a sudden announcement. Though it’s indeed a big event.
“Congratulate him for me. How much should I give as a graduation gift? I’ll approve it immediately.”
“I only wish for your congratulations. I’d like him to be assigned as assistant treasurer under me. He intends to dedicate himself to Blansk.”
Hmm. As the eldest of the Moreno family, it’s natural for him to follow his father as a treasurer… but coming to work in Blansk?
“Young men don’t usually like colonial territories. Working as a treasurer in the Lasant estate would be good for early career development. Why insist on coming here?”
“You don’t know how much Manuel admires you, Lady Alisa.”
“Haha, admiration is fine. As long as he has skill and character, it’s enough.”
“Skill and character? He’s also very handsome. Not as much as the Duke, but… keeping him close would be reassuring.”
Moreno’s eyes sparkled with passion. He clearly wants to see this through.
“As long as he works well, appearance doesn’t matter. But Moreno, your way of promoting your son is a bit odd.”
His attitude is subtly cautious toward the Duke too.
Haha, I like Moreno for that.
Older retainers often have cunning ways, but Moreno has always been transparent.
Yes, transparency is the greatest virtue in a treasurer.
“I-I don’t understand what you mean, Lady Alisa.”
“The intention is obvious. So obvious it’s almost cute.”
“Eh?”
“I have no plans for a second husband. That’s as far as this goes.”
“…Huh.”
Moreno fell silent as if he’d been caught.
“Where’s the Duke?”
“…He went to the training grounds.”
“Alright. Let’s go out then.”
Perhaps the Duke is sparring with the castle knights.
Since the memorial park incident, it seems the Duke has been diligently maintaining discipline among the knights.
Hmm, I’m curious to see what he’s doing. I should go and see him.
