IBWHK 21

~Chapter 21~

Finally, I could talk calmly with the duke.

First, I decided to ask what bothered me the most.

“I know this question might be rude, but… do you have trouble with women?”

Actually, I wanted to ask if he was the kind of pervert who got excited just by seeing indoor clothes, but if he really said yes, it would be a problem. So I went with a softer question.

Luckily, the duke answered with a slightly embarrassed voice.

“No, it’s not like that.”

Most ladies would change the topic here.

But I wasn’t a lady, and I still remembered how the duke had pointed out my growling stomach a few days ago.
It was also a little funny that the always-proud duke fell apart just because of one negligee.

I leaned my chin on my hand and spoke meaningfully.

“I was really surprised. I thought you’d be experienced with women, just like other nobles.”

“…What?”

“Why that face? Is something wrong?”

The duke’s expression, which had almost returned to normal, froze again.

He looked like he’d heard something ridiculous.

“I am pure in both body and heart.”

“You look like it.”

“No woman has ever touched me.”

He emphasized it again, and his serious face made me feel a little awkward.
Why did he need to say it twice?

I decided not to push further.

Even Edwin in my past life had almost been obsessed about women and relationships.

‘So he’s not a pervert, just a regular guy who’s scared of women.’

That made sense.

“Oh, I didn’t even give you anything to drink.”

“I’ll take care of it. Please sit.”

The duke stood up before I could do anything.

His little, casual kindness, which used to feel normal, now seemed strange.

Anyway, while I relaxed, he mixed some herbs and spices into wine and put it on a small stove.

Soon, the sweet smell of wine filled the room.

“You seem good at this.”

“When we’re out camping, we can’t bring servants, so I learned to do these things myself.”

“It would be better if it tastes good too.”

“My soldiers say it’s alright.”

Since soldiers were the ones saying it, I wasn’t sure if I could trust their taste.

While I was deciding if I should drink it, the duke poured the hot wine into a fancy silver cup and brought it to me.

“This is the best thing to warm up.”

“Oh, thank you…”

I looked down at the steaming cup. Then the duke spoke naturally.

“I heard you’ve been busy getting ready to meet guests.”

“There’s a lot to check, but I only have one body, so what can I do?”

“In that case, why not hire someone new? Actually, I know a few talented people who could help you. They’re all very capable.”

So this was the main reason for his visit.

It was a tempting but annoying offer.

I really needed help because I was overworked,
but I didn’t want to make anyone the duke recommended my closest aide.
No one in their right mind would keep a spy close.

‘Well, there are fools out there, but I’m not one of them.’

Now I understood his kindness.

He found my cat, accepted my sudden invitation, and even sat down for a nice talk.

Since the duke didn’t like me, it felt strange for him to be kind just because I helped with the administration.

But after this, it was clear—he wanted to plant someone close to me.

Now that I got his plan, I felt a lot better.

“I appreciate your kindness, Your Grace.”

“That’s a shame. If you change your mind, let me know anytime.”

“I will.”

I took a sip of the wine without thinking.
It tasted better than I expected, so I drank a few more sips.

The warm wine went down my throat and relaxed my body.

“Hmm, it’s actually not bad.”

It looked like this body was weak to alcohol.

After just one cup, I started to feel a little tipsy, and my cheeks turned red.

The duke quietly watched me, then slowly stood up.

“It’s late. I should get going.”

“Oh, right.”

His words helped clear my mind a little.

I carefully moved Nero, who had been sleeping on my lap, and stood up to walk the duke out.

“Thank you for finding Nero earlier—”

Before I could finish, the duke suddenly came closer.

In a flash, he pulled me into his arms.

“Are you alright?”

“…”

“You almost fell.”

Again, that strange, tense feeling.

The soft light in the room made sharp shadows on his face.

Even if the duke disliked me, it was a noble’s duty to keep the family going,
so it wouldn’t be weird if something happened on the wedding night.

In my past life, Edwin didn’t even want to touch Elysia’s hand,
but this time… he didn’t seem to hate me that much.

‘No, no, no, maybe I’m just drunk.’
Thinking about the wedding night was nonsense.

Trying to escape the heavy feeling, I tried to push him away.

But the duke didn’t move. Like a rock, he picked me up and headed for the bed.

I blinked, not knowing what to do, and he gently set me down on the soft mattress.

‘What is this atmosphere?!’

I felt like something was about to happen.

Nervous, I gripped the bedsheet tight without realizing it.

The duke saw my white knuckles and let out a small laugh.

“Don’t worry. You’re not my type.”

“…What?”

“I told you earlier— I prefer women with curves—”

“If you insult my body one more time, I won’t forgive you!”

I kicked his thigh with all my strength, but he kept smiling.

That definitely wasn’t a friendly smile.
He was making fun of me.

Feeling angry and humiliated, I glared at him. Then, in a quiet voice, he said:

“I’ll take all the nightmares. So please, have good dreams.”

He fixed his clothes perfectly, then left the room without any delay.

He stopped Mrs. Olden from coming in and closed the door.

The bedroom became quiet.

‘I’ll take all the nightmares. So you only dream good things.’
‘But then Edwin would have to have the scary dreams…’
‘It’s fine. Nightmares can’t hurt me.’

When my parents suddenly died, I knew why Edwin came all the way to my house on that rainy day.

He was worried about me.

He woke me up, cooked for me, cleaned the house after relatives had messed it up, and let Nero run around to distract me.

He helped me come back to the world.

Young Edwin was such a gentle person.

‘But then, why did you let me die in such pain? Why didn’t you stop Elysia? Was your pride as a noble really more important than our friendship?’

No matter how much I ask, I’ll never hear the answer.

Tears almost came.

“Hah.”

Walking down the empty hallway, Edwin’s face was dark.

He remembered her small hand gripping the sheet, her clear eyes looking up at him, her cheeks red from the wine—

He saw another face overlap with hers.

‘…That was dangerous.’

Edwin rubbed his face hard, trying to shake off the image.

A mistake like that could never happen again.
It would mean disaster.

Even so, tonight felt like it would be a long night.

There’s an old saying:
Thoughts that come to you at dawn are useless by morning.

With loud birds singing, I woke up, feeling embarrassed, and remembered that saying.

Last night’s sadness was gone.
The bright sunlight greeted me.

“Yawn… Nero, did you sleep well?”

“Chirp-chirp—”

Still sleepy, I reached out near my pillow.

Nero liked to sleep curled up like a seashell.
Sometimes he’d be under my arm or by my legs, but usually near my pillow.

But then, suddenly, I wondered,

‘Why am I hearing chirping instead of meowing?’

…Hmm.

A chill ran down my back.

I sat up suddenly.

There was Nero, looking bright and innocent—
with a tiny morning bird in his mouth.

When we made eye contact, Nero proudly dropped it in front of my face.

“KYAAAAAA!! NO, NO, NO—ACK!!”

Any gentle feelings from dawn disappeared right away.