DBOFS 54

Chapter 54

“Y-You could’ve at least said something!”

My face was burning. This was mortifying.

I mean, I’m gorgeous—wouldn’t even Harris stare in awe and go, “Wow”? I was actually deluded enough to think that!

This is straight-up public humiliation…

As I swallowed back tears, Harris let out a quiet laugh.

“You’ve already shown me so many things—it’s nothing new.”

…So you’re basically saying I should stop pretending to have any shame around you. Great.

To be fair, I really had shown Harris all kinds of ridiculous sides of myself.

But still! If you knew I was going to end up this embarrassed, why didn’t you say something?!

You could’ve warned me if you got here early! You jerk! I only made a fool of myself out of boredom while waiting for you!

“You looked like you were enjoying it a little too much, though.”

“…”

I couldn’t deny it. Honestly, I had been having fun.

My face is just too entertaining in the mirror—it’s a thrill, really. I love it~!

Still, how is this guy reading my mind so perfectly?

He’s not actually reading my thoughts right now… right?

“Your expressions are so obvious, I can read you like a book.”

“…Stop reading!”

“Nope.”

That low, deep voice wrapped around my waist as he whispered in my ear.

“Try not to be readable, Jade.”

“….”

Damn it. My face was starting to heat up again—for a totally different reason this time.

I took a deep breath and tried to act casual as I glanced sidelong at Harris.

He looked even more dazzling than usual today.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and ridiculously handsome—enough to make anyone’s mouth go slack. And now, dressed so sharply in formal wear? He was positively blinding.

Broad chest, slim waist, narrow hips, and those long legs…

The tailored suit accentuated everything, even the curve of his hips—it was a national treasure.

That dark-as-night hair, his absurdly beautiful face that looked like God carved it on His best day, and those smoldering eyes oozing decadence…

God… just looking at him is pure eye-candy bliss.

No wonder I can’t stop simping.

He was always unfairly good-looking, but cleaned up like this? It was lethal. My eyeballs weren’t going blind—they were drying out from staring too long.

Who could possibly go blind from seeing him? Maybe I’d miss a blink or two, but—

“You’re drooling.”

“Gah!”

I hurriedly wiped my lips. No! I spent so much time perfecting my lip makeup!

Then I caught him looking at me and blurted out a lame excuse.

“I-I’m just hungry! That’s all!”

“Sure you are.”

He scoffed as he escorted me toward the former Duke’s office.

“You looked him up and down like you were licking him.”

“….”

I couldn’t even deny it—I just looked away. Luckily, he didn’t seem too offended.

Maybe he’s just used to me by now.

Or maybe, since that whole cart incident, the emotional distance between us had shrunk a bit.

He definitely became more lenient with me after that day.

“If I want to become the Young Duke, I’ll need more than just the old Duke’s recognition.”

He even shared things like that with me.

“Norman Godwin managed to seize the dukedom without the support of the old Duke or the vassals.”

There were two major reasons why that was possible.

First, he was the greatest arms dealer in the Ramses Empire.

The Godwin Duchy was always known for its weapons. Traditionally, they were custom-made artisan pieces—high-end gear often developed in collaboration with the Magic Tower.

But Norman Godwin changed that.

He revolutionized firearms—which weren’t popular in this magical fantasy world—and succeeded in mass-producing them in factories.

That earned him an enormous fortune.

Sure, this world still revolved around magic, mana, and other mystical energies.

But let’s face it—that kind of power was only granted to the chosen few.

Norman’s firearms raised the combat capabilities of the general population and were powerful enough to be used in large-scale warfare.

Then, he presented those weapons to the Emperor. That was the second reason he was granted the dukedom.

That’s also how he managed to marry a royal princess.

The Ramses Empire only had one legitimate princess, deeply cherished by the former Emperor. There’s no way a mere Young Duke’s little brother would’ve been allowed to marry her otherwise.

So, Norman Godwin’s power came from the imperial family and his own efforts.

The former Duke, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. His power stemmed from the traditional Godwin faction.

Inherited estates, vassals—including branch families—and the Council of Elders. Assets passed down through generations. Things like tradition and honor…

That was the problem. His power base was too spread out.

Well, okay, that’s actually normal.

Unless you’re the male lead in a romance fantasy novel, even heads of noble houses can’t usually wield unchecked authority.

Norman Godwin was an anomaly.

Yes, he was a depraved scumbag who betrayed his own family, but results-wise, he clawed his way up to Duke with his own hands.

That’s why he was able to snatch away Harris’s right of succession and exile him from the family.

Of course, if the imperial family had stepped in, the situation might’ve changed…

After all, Harris’s biological mother was a legitimate princess and half-siblings with the current Emperor. And they had a good relationship.

But even when Harris lost everything and was banished, the imperial family said nothing.

Highly suspicious. Especially considering that the current Emperor ascended partly thanks to the support of that same princess.

In Divine Prophecy, the royal family of the Ramses Empire was roughly outlined.

The former Emperor and his first wife, Empress Wednesday, had no children. Eventually, one of his illegitimate sons was registered as her own and crowned Crown Prince.

But when Empress Wednesday passed away, a younger, beautiful consort named Floella entered the palace and gave birth to Princess Eleas—earning the Emperor’s deep affection.

Even though she was a girl, her legitimacy far surpassed that of the Crown Prince, and Floella’s family—the House of Rayer—was one of the empire’s top three.

With the Emperor showering his one and only legitimate daughter with love, the Crown Prince’s faction naturally faced a crisis.

Even though Floella herself had no interest in the throne, and her family made no moves…

“My brother will become Emperor.”

That small declaration from the young princess came at the height of the conflict.

“Your brother?”

The former Emperor, amused, asked his tiny daughter.

“Yes. He’ll succeed you and become the great ruler of Ramses.”

“How can you be so sure?”

In that tense atmosphere, the little princess smiled with mysterious ruby-red eyes.

“Because I can see the future.”

“Hahaha! So my darling princess is a prophet, too?”

Whether it was thanks to her prophecy or the Emperor’s laughter, the conflict between Floella and the Crown Prince’s faction began to ease.

That’s when Eleas began being called a prophet.

As she grew, she never withdrew her prophecy, and the Crown Prince, now powerful in his own right, adored his noble little sister.

But now she’s completely abandoned the son she bore with her life?

Even if their relationship was just for show, it would’ve made sense to support Harris, for appearances if nothing else.

Even if she didn’t care for sibling bonds, helping Harris take over the Godwin Duchy would’ve benefited her.

And yet she dumped him… and somehow Norman got away with it?

Whatever tricks he pulled, Norman Godwin pulled it off. That man lives like there’s no tomorrow.

But our former Duke isn’t like that.

Madmen have the freedom of madness—but sane people have responsibilities.

Like most noble houses, the former Duke couldn’t ignore the influence of his vassals or the elders. He also needed society’s acknowledgment of tradition and honor.

Meaning, if the elders and vassals raise objections to Harris, things could get messy.

Still, he had the final say. Surely it wouldn’t go that badly…

“…Let’s go.”

The former Duke finally exited his office, having kept us waiting, but his expression was grim.

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

“You don’t look well. Did you eat something bad?”

Harris and I asked in concern, and the Duke soon composed himself.

“That damn brat. Hard to believe he shares my blood.”

Still, his face grew darker the closer we got to the banquet hall.

Ugh. This really might not go smoothly…

I had contingency plans, but whether they’d work…

“Don’t worry too much.”

“Huh?”

Startled, I blinked up at Harris. He had leaned in close, whispering near my ear.

“I won’t let anything happen. No need to be so tense.”

“….”

His warm breath brushed my ear.

It felt like a gentle kiss on the rim of my ear—and for a moment, I lost my grip on reality.

“If it comes down to it, I’ll step in.”

Snap. My mind came back fast. That—was exactly what I was most worried about.

“You’re making that funny face again.”

Harris smiled, eyes creasing.

He was more dazzling than the lights pouring from the entrance of the banquet hall.

And just like that, I forgot all my nerves and walked in beside him.

“Presenting His Grace, the former Duke of Godwin, Young Duke Harris Godwin, and his Guide!”