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Chapter 33:
The Duke Who Let Things Slip and the Husband Who Noticed
December 26, 2020
I had accepted the request to become Kai’s teacher far too easily. I had taught him more diligently than anyone else, as if it were my own responsibility. During training, I had pushed him harshly, yet occasionally gave him a strange look. And finally, I had even revealed the secrets of the Knight family… Surely, Duke Shufen had some connection to Kai, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t pinpoint it exactly. Of course, I knew the duke wouldn’t reveal it willingly, and just as I expected, he didn’t.
“Madam, you seduced me and now you withdraw—it’s disappointing.”
His signature melancholic eyes were enhanced with perfect acting, making him truly look like someone genuinely hurt. If it had been someone else, they would have been completely fooled by this. Perhaps sensing that the situation was unfavorable, Duke Shufen politely bowed after speaking.
“Shall I take my leave then?”
“Now… you mean?”
Even in this moment, he twisted his gaze with a playful smirk.
“It seems you want to spend more time with me. How thrilling.”
It was his usual joke, yet his expression carried an unusual seriousness. I instinctively took a step back.
“Is this really the time for jokes?”
The duke’s expression twisted slightly, showing tension. He had probably been trying to lighten the mood, but had I overreacted?
‘If I apologize now, he might misunderstand me again. What should I do?’
Just as I hesitated to speak, Duke Shufen opened his mouth again, this time with a serious look.
“This is no joke.”
“…?”
He said he was thrilled to be with me, and it wasn’t a joke? His confession came so naturally that I couldn’t even find words to argue. Before I could choose my words, he added:
“I am always serious.”
Watching his unwavering expression, it became clear—he wasn’t joking. But him… liking me? Why? Shufen had occasionally given half-confessions, but I had always dismissed them as his peculiar rhetoric. And now, all of it was genuine?
“Of course, I’m not saying we should do anything about it now.”
Loving someone who has a husband is not love—it’s an affair. Especially with Macaron, the so-called monster prince… There was no rational reason for Duke Shufen to take such risks just to like me. Of course, love doesn’t need a reason, but Shufen wasn’t the type to impulsively act against everything, even things he shouldn’t do. If he were, he wouldn’t have risen to the position of Luna Guildmaster. The Shufen I knew was meticulous and strategic. So why me…? Could it be that Shufen had known from the start that this marriage was a contract?
“Your joke is excessive.”
Thinking back, I couldn’t completely deny that I had given him reasons to misinterpret. Before feelings for Macaron arose, there were moments when I had been unintentionally comforted by Shufen, and I had laughed at his jokes. If those counted as openings, then maybe I had given him one. Ambiguity depends entirely on interpretation. That’s why it was right to cut off any opening sharply. Leaving no room for feelings that could never be returned was the best consideration for the other person.
“Let’s stop joking now.”
“Please do not dismiss my feelings as a joke.”
His expression was more serious than I had ever seen. In his trembling eyes, I thought I saw the bitterness and loneliness I had glimpsed last evening. I wanted to stop, yet the sudden flood of emotions left me dizzy.
“…I will wait.”
Shufen bowed politely and returned to his usual self. With a playful expression, he touched his fingers to his forehead and added a strange remark:
“I will see you in three months.”
Three months? That would be when the contract marriage ended…
‘So he even knew it was a contract marriage?’
So all the irrational actions he had taken toward me in the mansion now made sense. But understanding didn’t mean acceptance. My mind was a jumble from the unexpected events. Even after returning to my room, thoughts lingered. Late at night, lying in bed, I couldn’t sleep as Shufen’s words replayed in my mind. Tossing and turning, dawn eventually came.
The next day, tea time with Macaron proceeded as usual.
Though I had many questions about Duke Shufen, it wasn’t urgent. Besides, Macaron, unaware of anything, was in a bright mood for the first time in a while, and I didn’t want to ruin that. Talking about Kai’s victory, the tears of joy, the swollen Coral, and Kai flying across the party hall, I didn’t notice my tea cooling. Yet, inevitably, the topic circled back to Duke Shufen. As he was the main contributor to Kai’s victory, it was natural. But once again, Macaron revealed his distrust of Shufen.
“Hasn’t it come time for Duke Shufen to leave?”
Planning to send off the very person who secured Kai’s victory right after the event? And Macaron… he still didn’t know Shufen had already left? How strained must their relationship be…
“He… left yesterday.”
“Without saying goodbye?”
His surprised expression showed he truly knew nothing.
“He said he would visit separately later.”
“He could have told me directly, but instead he needed to go through you… and in the middle of the night.”
Macaron smiled, but his expression hidden behind the cup carried a sharpness. Usually, Macaron might have shown jealousy and pounded a cushion, but not today. The situation with Shufen’s confession had actually happened. Perhaps recalling Shufen’s words yesterday, Macaron’s expression stiffened, and I felt his gaze. In regards to my expression, Macaron was incredibly perceptive.
“Could it be… that Duke Shufen confessed?”
Had he learned telepathy? Lately, it seemed like he could read minds. Startled, I pretended to sip tea, bowing my face. I tried to act calm, but my hands trembled, and I set the cup down. I calmed my breathing, trying to control my emotions… yet my words came out jumbled:
“Co… confession?”
I raised my head, forcing a small smile. Macaron’s lips curled subtly. Had I been caught again…?
“Why are you so surprised?”
“….”
What is he really thinking? Could he know? My expression had given me away again? Those red eyes seemed to pierce through me, and he continued:
“It seems you really received a confession.”
I was shocked. I exhaled, trying to redirect the conversation, but Macaron looked at me with an unusual expression.
“You’ve been unusually quiet today.”
“I’m naturally a quiet person, aren’t I?”
I tried my best not to let my trembling show, but he stared at me like a predator. What now? He even downed his tea in one gulp.
“Could it be… that you’re sad to see Duke Shufen leave?”
Ah, I relaxed slightly, worried he might bring up the confession again. Considering how bad Macaron’s relationship with Shufen was, if he learned about yesterday’s confession… they might end up clashing.
“Since you have nothing to say, you must really be sad.”
Finally catching my breath, I saw Macaron clearly. He was openly jealous. Earlier, he had been embarrassed and couldn’t speak properly, but now, thinking about it, I had nothing to be ashamed of. Acting normal would avoid unnecessary suspicion. So, acting normal meant:
“I am sad.”
I wished Kai’s training could continue, but he left too soon. That was why I felt sad. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. I just wanted to see Macaron’s jealousy. Lifting my head, I saw Macaron set his cup down with a grip as if holding a fist. His large hands made the tiny cup look fragile. His signature red eyes carried intensity. If I thought that intensity looked cute, I’d be insane. Even if not cute, it looked endearing to me. He reacted sensitively whenever it involved Shufen… and today, his face flushed red as if a button had been pressed.
“You seem to have grown close to Duke Shufen.”
“Is that not allowed?”
He had just ground his teeth… Seeing this amused me, so I stared at him silently. Macaron’s face flushed like a strawberry macaron. Teasing him slightly, his anger toward Shufen seemed to spike to the sky. Just as he was about to blow up, I subtly intervened with a neutralizing remark:
“But it’s only between Your Highness and me.”
Yet his face remained red. Was his anger still simmering? Seeing his blank gaze, I finally asked:
“Do you know?”
“…?”
“Madam sometimes says things as if it’s nothing.”
“Did I make a mistake?”
“A big one. You often unknowingly ignite my feelings.”
“…!”
Even Macaron, embarrassed by his own words, kept drinking tea to cool himself. That’s tea, not alcohol! Set it down, Macaron. Eventually, after finishing his tea, he returned, claiming he would reignite his feelings later. That’s when we began the second round. I considered a truce, but now that the topic had come up, it was best to settle it.
“Why did Your Highness grow distant from Duke Shufen?”
Macaron frowned as if annoyed that the topic once again circled back to Shufen. I wasn’t trying to upset him—just wanted to see his jealousy. Or was it too late for that, given all I’ve done to him so far? Anyway, I had been curious about this since Shufen entered. During academy days, they were famous as inseparable friends… How did their relationship become so strained? Macaron pondered for a while, then began to tell me a story I had never heard before.
