DBOFS 21

Chapter 21

‘Yes, it’s a fake.’

The blue eyes staring straight into his, not avoiding his gaze for even a moment. The sparkling eyes of the young guide held no fear.

It was refreshing.

And that slight sense of novelty turned into intrigue—because of the boldness to wager a bet with him.

When he’d said he’d tear her mouth apart, it wasn’t a joke.

If she dared pull such a stunt in front of him—even if she was Harris’s weakness—he wouldn’t stand for it.

Besides, 10 billion marks was not a small amount.

It was more than the half-year budget of a small kingdom. However, for Godwin of the steel industry, it was not an unaffordable amount.

‘Especially if it’s the ancient relic, Tear of the Black Mermaid.’

Of course, he didn’t intend to pay that amount immediately.

He planned to detain Duros first, then verify things slowly. He’d only pay 10 billion marks if he decided it was worth it.

Still, it was difficult even for him to immediately prove whether it was a fake or not.

‘How did that guide know it was fake?’

That thought flashed through his mind, but something else was more important.

Why had the guide told him?

Harris was one thing, but this guide didn’t seem to have any fond feelings for him either.

In fact, after this treatment, she’d likely harbor even more resentment.

Naturally so. That’s exactly what he’d intended.

And yet, she stepped forward…

“First, tell me what you want.”

There must be a reason.

The former Duke Godwin gave a slight nod. At his gesture to speak, Jade slowly opened her mouth.

“I would like…”

Of course, listening was one thing. Actually fulfilling the wish of a guide was another.

That’s the nature of powerful people granting favors to the weak.

They might fulfill it if they feel like it, but if not, they can overturn everything at any time.

So the weak must be cautious when making a wish—especially if they lack the power to enforce it.

Even though she was Harris’s guide, and not completely powerless, he had no intention of granting her every wish.

“I want Your Grace to recognize Lord Harris as your direct and beloved grandson.”

Until she said that.

“What… What did you say?”

“Did she just say…?”

The room froze. Even Harris, who hadn’t expected it, sprang to his feet.

But as if detached from all the reactions around her, Jade grinned and said:

“I’ll tell you the rest of the story if you keep your promise!”

Ha… The former duke let out a hollow laugh.

He had lost.

✦ ✦ ✦

“Wow—this room is amazing!”

I gasped.

Everything in the bedroom was luxurious and beautiful, but what caught my eye the most was the huge window.

Through the wide-open window, I could see the lush, green forest—what a view!

“This is the best room in the East Wing. Only the most esteemed direct bloodline members are allowed to use it,” said the servant guiding me with a smile.

The main estate of the Godwin family, where the former duke resided, was divided into five wings.

The South Wing was for receiving outsiders.

The Central Wing was for official business.

On either side of the Central Wing were the West and East Wings.

The West Wing housed the collateral branches of the family or guests, while the East Wing was for direct descendants and heirs.

‘And the North Wing, the last one, is the domain of the head of the house. The East Wing is closest to the North Wing.’

In other words, that old man had recognized Harris as his direct and legitimate grandson.

It was a situation that should’ve made me laugh with joy…

“Would the young master like help with a bath—?”

“Get your filthy hands off and leave.”

…Apparently, Harris didn’t feel the same.

The servants who had stayed behind to assist hurriedly scattered, frightened by Harris’s fierce aura.

“You.”

Click.

Once all the servants had left and the door closed, Harris slowly turned to look at me.

“What were you thinking?”

Harris is… really angry.

“…I simply asked for the rightful recognition you deserve.”

Jade spoke slowly.

Yet Harris waited until everyone was gone to confront her.

Even though he was furious to the point of exploding, he held back until they were alone.

“I’m sorry.”

Ah, I’m weak to this kind of thing. Jade immediately bowed her head.

“For acting without consulting you—”

“Don’t change the subject, Jade. I know exactly what you said.”

Harris’s fingers lifted Jade’s chin.

“I asked why you did it.”

“Because it was originally yours, Harris. You deserve to have it back—”

“Whether I get it back or not has nothing to do with you.”

“How can it not? I—”

“I told you not to change the subject!”

Harris finally snapped and shouted.

“You could’ve died back there if it weren’t for me. Do you get that?”

“…”

Jade’s eyes widened.

She hadn’t expected that to be the reason he was so upset.

“Did you think he was just some old man? That man is someone even Duke Godwin couldn’t defeat. And you dared challenge him?”

Harris was clearly furious.

She had put herself in danger. He couldn’t believe how reckless she’d been.

‘…He must be mistaking me for his true bonded guide.’

Jade knew well—this wasn’t genuine affection or concern.

Still…

“If not for me—”

“I still like you, Harris.”

“—you could’ve been seriously… What?”

She meant it. She really did.

‘I like him.’

Even with everything going on, I’m glad I met you.

I’m glad I got to know you.

Jade smiled softly.

It was a sudden confession, but not an embarrassing one.

‘A true fangirl is always proud of her bias.’

In contrast to Jade’s composure, Harris’s ears and neck flushed red.

“W-what the hell are you saying out of nowhere…!”

“Out of nowhere? Ah, I guess I never said it before.”

Hmm, now that I think about it, I never had a chance to tell him.

Jade nodded to herself. When I first possessed this body, Harris was in a berserk state. After that, he tried to kill and threaten me… he really had a rough start.

“I like you, Harris.”

You’re my ultimate favorite. Totally worth fangirling over. Jade gave him a serious thumbs-up with both hands.

“You’re the best!”

“S-stop talking nonsense! And quit changing the subject!”

Harris snapped, covering his flushed face with his hand.

He was flustered.

No one had ever confessed to him so casually in his entire life.

Even in his earliest memories before awakening his powers, the Godwin estate had been a gloomy place.

His birth mother, the imperial princess, had such a severe illness that even his nanny was constantly anxious about her condition.

And after his powers awakened…

Harris bit the inside of his cheek to suppress the memories he didn’t want to recall.

And now—someone likes him?

‘Is she insane?’

She’s not even his bonded guide.

Still, his racing heart from those words clearly wasn’t normal.

‘It’s not nonsense.’

But since she had changed the subject, Jade gave a little nod.

‘I didn’t expect him to believe me right away anyway.’

True love for your favorite doesn’t rely on whether they accept it or not. It exists regardless. I don’t need recognition!

“…”

Harris looked at Jade for a long moment, then slumped into a chair.

“What is it that you want?”

He had already sensed something was off about the Tear of the Black Mermaid.

But he hadn’t done anything—because he’d decided it wasn’t his concern if they collapsed or not.

“I want you to become the head of the Godwin family.”

But with Jade’s interference, that decision could no longer be ignored.

“I told you I don’t need it.”

“No, you do. If you truly want revenge—”

“Don’t decide my revenge for me!”

Jade blinked at his shout.

Harris averted his gaze, trying to suppress his anger.

“…Who are you to force that choice on me?”

But his hand gripped the armrest so tightly that veins popped.

“I already told you. I don’t choose that path.”

Crack. The solid wood armrest splintered. Harris, now calmer, continued.

“I only stayed because you collapsed. That was it. Now that we’re done here, I’ll leave immediately—”

“No.”

Jade shook her head.

“You’ve never made a choice, Harris.”

“What?”

As he looked up, Jade sat down at his feet.

“Do you know the story of The Fox and the Sour Grapes?”

Harris opened his mouth to ask why she was sitting on the floor instead of a chair but turned his head.

“…The fox that couldn’t eat the grapes.”

“Yes. The fox wanted the grapes but couldn’t reach them, so he convinced himself they were sour—he said he chose not to eat them.”

Harris immediately understood her meaning.

“But the truth is, the fox never had the choice to begin with. He just rationalized it.”

Jade was saying—

Becoming the Duke of Godwin, reclaiming the heir’s seat—it wasn’t something Harris ever had the option to choose.

“…”

Harris gritted his teeth. His head felt like it would explode with fury, but he couldn’t refute her.

He knew it too.

He simply never allowed himself to think about it. That was the only reason.

“Become the duke, Harris.”

Jade placed her hand over his.

“If you want to drag down the ones who threw you into hell, you need to stand higher than them.”

Harris knew that. It was true.

“But—”

That wasn’t the whole truth.

“Why go so far as to make me a duke? What is it that you want?”