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Chapter 35
Today as well, the lights in the Duke’s study remained on.
As if to make his displeasure known, the Duke stayed shut in his study under the excuse of work, never once showing his face.
“He must be really busy. He’s been holed up in there for days just working.”
“Well, at least thanks to that, we get to sleep over here tonight.”
At first, Rose was prickly as usual, but once she received a new book signed by Alster, her mood softened a little.
“At least he clearly knows what you like.”
“Right? He’s not as strange as the rumors say.”
“Still, I feel a bit hurt. You promised to stay by my side forever without marrying anyone, Frisia. You traitor.”
Pouting and displaying her possessiveness, Rose had Frisia rest her head on her lap, while Frisia quietly watched Lily become deeply engrossed in the new book.
“Is it good?”
“Yeah, it’s really fun. And somehow, the main character reminds me of you. I like it even more because of that.”
“What?”
“So I’m not the only one who thought that?”
Having already speed-read it once, Rose was now rereading it while stroking her sister’s hair who lay resting on her lap.
“No way.”
“It must just be a coincidence. Hardly anyone knew about the events before the marriage talks began.”
Considering the publication timing, it was highly unlikely that the novel was inspired by their story.
Watching her sisters deeply absorbed in reading again, Frisia quietly got up.
“I’ll be back after seeing Lord Benoit for a moment.”
“Okay. But come back soon!”
The duke’s maids had stayed up all night to prepare a surprise: custom pajamas for the three of them.
Wearing pale yellow pajamas embroidered with Frisia flowers, she carefully opened the Duke’s study door.
“He’s following the plan quite well.”
“If Armea says he’s useful, he probably is. Just make sure he’s trained properly so no fools ruin the mission.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
As soon as Jade stepped out after reporting, Frisia quickly caught him with sharp hands.
“Ma-Madam?!”
“Shh!”
Judging from how late he was still working, it didn’t seem like he was just making excuses.
“Why is he so busy? Did something happen?”
“Please ask His Grace directly. I don’t have the right to say.”
The Duke’s staff were kind, but not careless enough to speak lightly of their master’s affairs.
Knowing Jade wouldn’t spill anything no matter how much she pried, Frisia decided to confront the Duke directly.
Knock knock. At the sound, the Duke mistook it for Jade.
“Just in time. Regarding the bridge improvement project from Filone—… Frisia?”
“Your arm still hurts. Why are you pushing yourself like this?”
She did want her sisters to sleep over, but that didn’t mean she wanted the Duke exiled to the study.
“It’s nothing new. Your family’s waiting. Go be with them.”
His words telling her to go made her heart oddly heavy.
And so, even after returning to her room, Frisia couldn’t relax.
“It’s strange.”
“What is?”
“He really hated the idea of Rose and Lily coming.”
He had been so against it, clearly showing his dislike. But now that they were here, he was the one pushing her to enjoy the time with them. That change felt suspicious.
After hearing about his sudden change of attitude, Lily gave a simple verdict.
“He’s sulking.”
“Sulking?”
“I told you I do the same thing.”
When things didn’t go her way, she’d sulk. But when they eventually did, she’d act like nothing happened. That was Lily’s specialty.
Rose jabbed Lily in the side for shamelessly admitting it.
“Ow! That hurts!”
“Must be so proud.”
“Whatever! I’m the only one allowed to act cute with Frisia.”
Watching her sisters start bickering again, Frisia sank into thought.
Rose would offer her lap in a flash, and Lily would braid her messy hair while playing around.
Unlike the endlessly peaceful Devlang sisters, he had to cut down his own blood brothers to seize the position of head of the house.
To relatives like Madam Benoit or Rashita, Wilfred Cromford wasn’t someone to be cared for—but someone to be followed.
Remembering how he once rested with his head in her lap, Frisia felt an ache in her heart.
“I’m not a bad person, you know.”
“You’re more like a pushover. Ah—hey! Why’d you hit me?!”
“Don’t say things like that to your sister.”
Though she felt a bit wronged about being manipulated by him, she didn’t really resent it—since she got what she wanted in return.
Still, she couldn’t help but feel that the part of her heart occupied by Duke Cromford had grown much larger.
“Isn’t that what love is? Missing someone when they’re not there, wondering what they’re doing.”
“You still haven’t had your first love, big sis.”
“I said shut it, you little brat!”
Watching her sisters joke around so noisily brought a warm smile to Frisia’s face, though a quiet sadness lingered.
“I should treat him better starting tomorrow.”
“No need. Just get a divorce and come back home to live with me.”
“Yeah! Then marry me instead!”
With their sense of abandonment erupting, the sisters ran wild.
Feeling like even calming them down would be exhausting today, Frisia laid in bed between them, thinking of the Duke.
The next morning, after a late breakfast, it was time for the sisters to leave the Duke’s mansion.
“I apologize for not greeting you properly yesterday, Sister-in-law. I was busy with work.”
“You’re a busy man, I understand. But I’ll keep visiting—my sister getting lonely isn’t acceptable.”
“I don’t mind at all. I can tag along to any tea party she goes to.”
“That… might be a problem.”
The Duke smiled awkwardly and brought out a well-dressed young boy.
With neatly cut light brown hair and a youthful face, the boy looked no older than ten. He bowed nervously in front of Frisia.
“I’ve taken in Count Bailey’s son as my ward. I’m quite busy lately, so I’d like to ask you to look after him, Frisia.”
Saying he trusted her based on how well she had taken care of Lily, the Duke smiled. Frisia, showing off her own success, proudly presented Lily.
“Lily’s grown up wonderfully. I’m grateful to her.”
Lily beamed at the sudden compliment, while Rose, clutching Frisia’s hand, frowned openly at the Duke.
“I heard Countess Bailey is bedridden, but why does Frisia have to take care of this boy?”
Though Frisia understood her sister’s feelings, she locked eyes with the boy, who looked incredibly uneasy.
The boy seemed overwhelmed, only glancing around before dropping his head nervously.
“Enough.”
Frisia gave her sister a look, then crouched down to meet the boy’s eyes.
“How old are you?”
“T-Twelve.”
“Your name is Luca, right? I’m Frisia Devlang Cromford. You can just call me Frisia.”
Rose still looked unconvinced, but no one knew this was also part of the Duke’s careful calculation.
“Come visit again, sis. I’ll bake brownies for you next time.”
“I’ll calm down our older sister. You go ahead inside!”
Leaving Lily to handle the rest, Frisia saw her sisters off and then turned to the Duke, holding Luca’s hand tightly.
“You said there’d be something I could help with. So it’s taking care of this boy?”
“He’ll be attending lessons most days, so it won’t be much trouble. Just make sure you never leave him behind when you go out. Keep him with you at all times.”
For a twelve-year-old, Luca was solidly built. The marks on his hands clearly came from holding weapons.
Considering this fantasy world didn’t exactly value children’s rights, Frisia realized:
“I’m not looking after him—he’s guarding me, isn’t he?”
“W-What gave it away?”
“……”
“I’m sorry!”
Still lacking awareness due to his age, Luca’s awkwardness made Frisia laugh.
“No matter how precious a noble son you are, you’re just a kid in front of me. I’m a precious daughter in my family too.”
“Um, I mean…”
Something about his timid demeanor reminded her of Lily when she first debuted in high society.
She briefly wondered if Luca might be the story’s protagonist—but the Count of Bailey was a prominent name even Frisia knew, so that seemed unlikely.
“Do you like books? I’m planning to visit the imperial library soon. Looks like my dear husband wants a strong escort.”
“I can’t read yet.”
“Really?”
“Told you—things are going to get busier from now on.”
The terribly wicked Duke who so generously gave her time turned out to be exactly as untrustworthy as she’d thought.
With his signature slyness, he wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered:
“Come to think of it, my busy work ended just yesterday.”
“So?”
“That means I won’t have to leave my wife lonely anymore. Starting tonight.”
Watching him change expressions as if on cue, Frisia was sure.
“You really are evil, you know that?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
In the midst of their strangely affectionate banter, young Luca stood in confusion, not understanding a thing.
