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Chapter 25
What a terrifying thought.
She shook her head vigorously. That couldn’t be true. Right now, she looked no different from a pet waiting for its owner to return.
Wishing to see them as soon as possible…
“Ugh… this is impossible!”
She raised both hands and pounded her head. Such useless thoughts. She had to forget them quickly.
Just then, someone knocked. Carly jumped up from her seat.
“Yes!”
“Milady, it’s me, Levi. Have you awakened?”
Ah… Levi?
Feeling drained, Carly told him to come in. The door opened, and Levi entered.
“Milady, a guest has arrived.”
“Huh? A guest? Leon is out, though.”
“They say it’s not a guest of His Highness the Grand Duke, but a guest of Your Grace, the Grand Duchess.”
“…Me?”
Carly was puzzled. She didn’t know anyone here. She had opened her eyes to find herself in this place and had never even stepped outside the mansion.
After thinking hard for a moment, she stopped. Levi had said the guest was for the Grand Duchess. That meant this person knew Leonhardt was married.
‘Who could it be? What do they want?’
This person would also know that Leonhardt had married a cursed bride.
After a while, Carly nodded as if she understood. Seeing this, Levi extended his hand. Carly immediately climbed onto his small hand.
“So… what kind of guest is it?”
“Ah… well… actually, I haven’t seen him myself. Haha! I was hurriedly told to fetch you, Milady…”
“I see… But I suppose it’s fine for me to go?”
“Yes. It seems the head butler told me to bring you.”
“I see… so that’s it.”
This was the first time she was meeting anyone other than the people living in the mansion. Perhaps that’s why, though she was nervous, she also felt a flutter of excitement.
The mansion was so large that it took quite a while to reach the reception room. Plus, little Levi was guiding her, which probably slowed them down.
“Oh, Milady. By the way… I think he said he was Count Reifonse, if I remember correctly.”
“Count Reifonse? Who’s that?”
Carly recalled the original novel in her mind, but no matter how she searched, there was nothing about Count Reifonse.
‘He doesn’t even seem to appear in the novel.’
He wasn’t even introduced anywhere.
“I’m not too sure either…”
After speculating about Count Reifonse, they finally reached the reception room. The head butler standing there knocked.
The door opened, and Carly peeked inside. She saw a man sitting there, drinking tea.
A man with purple hair turned his head.
“Oh… it really is a squirrel, huh?”
He muttered lightly and jumped up, causing the teacups on the table to clatter.
“Wow. I didn’t know it was real.”
He chuckled lightly, and as he approached Carly, his eyes gleamed with curiosity. Carly felt overwhelmed by his gaze.
“Milady, what should I do?”
“Uh… it’s fine. Go ahead and leave.”
“Oh! You can speak, too?”
Levi, concealing his nervousness, set Carly down on the sofa. The man’s eyes followed her every movement.
Once Levi left, Carly was alone in the reception room with a suspicious-looking man.
“Fascinating. I’d only heard about you, but seeing you in person… you’re like a delicate doll.”
“Excuse me!”
“Oh, my apologies, Grand Duchess.”
“Wouldn’t it make sense to introduce yourself first?”
“Ah, right. My name is Count Kendrick Reifonse. I’ve been friends with the Grand Duke since childhood… and, well, I suppose I’m the only friend he has.”
The way he casually referred to Leonhardt as “that guy” made Carly realize how comfortable they must be. How dare he address the Grand Duke like that!
But Kendrick didn’t care at all. He laughed heartily and leaned comfortably on the sofa.
“Um… Count Reifonse?”
“You can just call me by my name, Your Grace.”
“Then, Kendrick.”
Calling someone by their name was a piece of cake.
Carly got up from the sofa and sprinted toward the table. Her landing was perfect. Kendrick, watching her intently, clapped his hands.
“I had my doubts when Leonhardt first told me about you.”
“Oh, really?”
“Seeing you in person now, I finally believe it.”
“Count… no, Kendrick, what brings you here? I thought Leon was going to the palace.”
Kendrick leaned closer to get a better view of Carly. Feeling uncomfortable with the proximity, she took two steps back.
“Ah, I know. I came on purpose while he was away.”
“Eh…?”
Kendrick’s hand on his lap twitched. Carly tilted her head, wondering why he was acting that way.
“Your Grace, please hear me out. When I learned Leonhardt was marrying, I thought, finally, his bride would arrive, and I, too, would attend the wedding. But he told me to scram.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I was truly disappointed. I’m his only friend, after all. Naturally, I expected an old friend to be invited, but I was ignored!”
Suddenly, Kendrick began his complaint. Carly wanted to speak but couldn’t interrupt.
Seeing the conversation might go on for a while, she sat next to his teacup and nodded. Perhaps having someone to listen made Kendrick more enthusiastic.
“Do you know how many times I begged him? You don’t, do you!”
Of course she didn’t! Was he joking?
“I wanted to greet the new Grand Duchess, to be shown, to see… but Leonhardt is as cold and firm as the north wall, never permitting it.”
“….”
“He said, ‘My bride is a squirrel.’ That was the end of it. Leaving me curious and saying nothing! So I made up my mind.”
“Made up your mind… about what?”
“To visit the Grand Duke’s mansion behind Leonhardt’s back.”
“….”
“Yesterday, I learned Leonhardt was going to the palace, so I ran here at dawn.”
“Really…”
After hearing the story, Carly clapped her hands.
“You’re very dedicated to satisfying your curiosity.”
Unnecessarily so. She didn’t add that remark aloud.
“Ha! Thank you for the compliment.”
That’s not a compliment! Carly’s face crumpled.
“Normally, Leonhardt would be out hunting monsters, but he’s unusually quiet.”
Carly glanced at the plate and saw an almond cookie, sized for Kendrick.
Should she eat it or not?
Kendrick, still speaking behind her, didn’t even notice the cookie.
‘Then I suppose I can have one.’
Carly moved toward the almond cookie. She sat down in front of it, holding it with both hands.
“So… Your Grace? Are you listening to me?”
Crunch, crunch-
As Carly bit into the cookie, crumbs scattered on the table.
“Yes, yes. Continue.”
Without much attention, Carly turned her back and focused on the cookie.
Then, a shadow fell over Carly’s head.
“Haah…”
A perverted-like moan reached her ears, sending chills down her spine. She froze.
Slowly, she turned her head and looked up at the man who had moaned. His eyes sparkled as if he could do anything to her at that moment.
‘W-what…? He really is Leon’s friend?’
It felt like a snort of breath came from his nose.
‘Scary! What is this…!’
Small and fragile, Carly could do nothing. She wrapped her hands around her head and curled into a ball.
Snap-
The man’s large hand was enough to hold Carly with one hand.
The hand holding Carly slowly opened. On his left palm trembled a small, round white ball. He gently stroked it with his right hand.
“Ha ha! Why are you so scared?”
‘Huh. Nothing’s happening?’
Carly slowly lifted her head at his rough touch on her back. Kendrick grinned and raised his hand.
“You’re so cute I could die.”
“N-no…”
“No?”
“I got scared!”
Smack, smack-
Carly slammed her palm down with all her might. The more she did, the more Kendrick’s eyes sparkled, as if finding it adorable.
“Leonhardt, this little one is too cute to monopolize alone…”
“Um…”
“Phew… so cute.”
The hand that continuously petted Carly didn’t stop.
“Hey, Kendrick.”
No matter how Carly called, he didn’t listen. To stop him, she bit his finger, and he finally paused.
“Ha ha! Sorry. I can’t resist cute things.”
“No, there’s a limit! That’s too much!”
“I have two dogs in the mansion, so…”
She opened her mouth to scold him, but froze at the mention of dogs.
“Dogs…?”
“Yes. One white dog and one black dog, that’s all.”
Carly perked up at the mention of dogs. People can be bad, but dogs aren’t. She wanted to hear about the dogs.
Even while talking to Carly, Kendrick didn’t stop stroking her back and tail with his fingers. Before, he petted roughly, now more gently. Carly decided to let it be.
“I heard from Leonhardt and thought you must be adorable.”
“So… you’re someone who loves small animals.”
“What did you think I was?”
“I thought… a pervert. Your eyes sparkled like a pervert’s.”
“Ahem. Not at all.”
“Well… I guess so.”
Carly lay down completely, and he immediately started moving his hands again.
“From what I hear from Leonhardt…”
Feeling good, Carly relaxed. She nodded repeatedly.
“You helped calm his mania, right?”
“Hmm… I seem to have that ability. Didn’t know I did.”
“Thanks to you, Leonhardt’s expression has improved a lot. He used to be irritable and short-tempered.”
Kendrick honestly expressed his gratitude. Not knowing how to respond, Carly just rolled her eyes.
“Kendrick… how long have you known Leon?”
