IBWMD 94

~Chapter 94~

At this rate, I might end up married without even having the chance to say a word.

No, no, that can’t be.

The Grand Duke is ill right now. Perhaps he only spoke that way because he’s weakened, his heart softened by vulnerability.

Surely he’s not the sort of man who falls in love at first sight with a woman he barely knows.

It’s not as though I’m some unparalleled beauty.

I’m perfectly aware I’m nowhere near that level.

As I tried to shake off the ominous thought, Beth, as if reading my mind, quietly spoke.

“Young Lady, truthfully, I understand as well.”

“Hm?”

“I know I’ve cursed the Grand Duke countless times, but this isn’t a matter where a single maid’s approval or disapproval would change anything, is it?”

“…”

“And you’re not the sort to actually abandon the Grand Duke and run away, are you?”

That one stung a bit.

When I first arrived here, I had, however briefly, entertained that very possibility—until I remembered my father’s teachings.

“The moment you chose to come here, you must have steeled yourself already, mustn’t you?”

“Uh… well…”

“You’ve always been that kind of person, Young Lady.”

“I’m not sure what you mean by that kind of person, but Beth, really, you don’t have to worry so much—”

“You know…”

Beth sighed, sounding as unsettled as I felt.

“Still, I truly wish for you to be happy.”

A sudden warmth pricked at my chest.

It was a rare kind of comfort to have at least one person who would always take my side.

“You know that, don’t you? No matter what choice you make…”

“Yes. You’re on my side, Beth. I know.”

I felt guilty at the thought of how much I was still hiding from her, even as I was moved by her loyalty.

Beth watched my expression closely, then quickly chased away the somber mood and said brightly,

“Then let me help you with breakfast.”

“Mm. Thank you.”

Yes. For now, I just needed to eat and think.

Then my mind would start working again.

Once I had eaten, bathed, and dressed, the head maid came as scheduled to escort me.

By then, I had gathered my thoughts.

I’ll approach the topic indirectly first.

I would tell him it seemed as though there had been an intrusion at the Mate’s Tower and suggest he send someone to investigate.

Then I’ll have done my part.

While the Grand Duke dispatched an investigation party, I could focus on aiding his recovery with what little healing power I had.

That way, I won’t be tormenting a patient.

My holy power was still pitifully weak, but it remained the best cure for monster poison.

Good. I had a plan.

“Your Grace, the Grand Duchess is here,” came the announcement.

With steely resolve, I stepped into the Grand Duke’s dimly lit chambers.

“Your Grace.”

The curtains of the bed parted, revealing him seated there.

I watched the slow rise and fall of his chest, then took a seat on the stool beside his bed.

First, the healing.

I reached out with that thought when—

The dragon-head mask slowly turned toward me.

“…”

“…”

Why did I suddenly feel so tense?

The Grand Duke still wore no shirt, his sculpted torso laid bare like a work of art.

His damp pectoral muscles twitched subtly, glistening as though he had just broken a cold sweat, like those of some powerful beast.

Drip.

A bead of sweat rolled down his chest, tracing a clean line across the hollow of his sternum. My gaze followed it involuntarily.

I swallowed hard.

I forced myself to pull my eyes away.

Get a hold of yourself. You’ve done this before.

Yes. No need to be nervous.

I repeated it in my mind as I carefully placed my hand over the center of his chest.

“Haa…”

The Grand Duke let out a languid sigh.

His breath, deep and resonant through the mask, sent a shiver crawling up my spine.

Goodness, I only placed my hand on him. Anyone would think I was caressing his skin.

I shook off the thought and focused on drawing out my holy power again.

Steady…

Unlike before, there was no resistance this time.

As I channeled my power, I blinked in surprise.

Wait… this is strange.

There was far too little opposition—none at all, in fact.

With power of that magnitude, I should at least be able to sense its presence.

But it was as though it had been completely cut off, as if on purpose.

Something is off—

Thump.

My train of thought was interrupted when the Grand Duke’s hand closed gently around my wrist.

As though to say, that’s enough.

Shhh.

I pulled my hand back in understanding, but he still held on.

Then, with quiet deliberation, he clasped my hand in his.

“…”

“…”

An odd feeling washed over me.

I had once known the warmth and strength of another man’s hand holding mine just like this.

“Your Grace, there’s something I need to tell you.”

The words spilled from my lips then.

If only to banish thoughts of Karl, I had to say what needed to be said.

“…I have become aware of several secret locations within the Grand Duchy.”

“…”

“Please don’t misunderstand—I haven’t been acting as a spy.”

“…”

“It’s just that someone I knew…”

At that point, my throat tightened.

The will to avoid the thought crumbled completely.

Karl.

Are you truly all right?

Please, tell me you’re alive, that you’re safe. I feel like I’ll go mad with worry.

I don’t believe in gods or superstitions, but I even resorted to foolishness, chasing after a dragon for your sake.

And now that dragon has thrust this bizarre burden onto me.

The truth is, I simply want to see you again.

…but ultimately, isn’t all of this my fault?

I’m terrified I may have ruined everything.

Yet despite the swirl of emotion, the words I finally spoke were calm and rational.

“More precisely… someone you know.”

“…”

“They revealed the locations to me for the sake of the Grand Duchy’s interests.”

“…”

“But the locals I was working with… they said something seemed to have happened at one of those places…”

I couldn’t exactly say I had gone there myself while under house arrest, so I danced around the truth.

But then, an unexpected question struck me.

“Who.”

“…Pardon?”

“Who told you?”

The Grand Duke paused meaningfully, then asked,

“Who revealed those places to you?”

“…”

“They are classified, after all.”

I hadn’t even said the words Mate’s Tower yet, and it felt like he already knew exactly where I meant.

A chill prickled down my spine.

Had Karl told him beforehand? Had he not kept it secret at all?

“…One of the Grand Duchy’s monster hunters.”

If Karl’s name came out, he would be punished.

I wanted to brush it off vaguely, but then—

“Which one.”

“…”

“Exactly who told you?”

Must you dig this far?

I bit back my irritation and forced myself to endure.

No, of course he would want to know.

As he said, it was a matter of state secrets. It could be a serious breach for someone to tell me without his permission.

But even so, I couldn’t betray Karl.

As I hesitated, he pressed again.

“That is not a place one would reveal lightly.”

“…”

“Nor would they reveal it to just anyone.”

The Grand Duke’s hand, still holding mine, tightened slightly.

He tilted his head slowly and asked the question that made my heart lurch.

“What was your relationship with him?”

Thud.

My heart plummeted.

It felt as though he could see straight through me.

I struggled to still its frantic pounding and forced my eyes to meet the mask where his gaze must be.

Jeremy told me not to mention Karl to the Grand Duke.

If that was Jeremy’s stance, then surely the other retainers had kept silent too. I certainly had.

Then who had told him about Karl and me…?

“Elaine.”

The Grand Duke spoke my name as if nothing were amiss.

Then he brushed the back of my hand gently, as though coaxing me to breathe.

The touch was so soft it sent shivers down my spine.

“I’m asking,” he murmured.

“What was your relationship with that monster hunter?”

What kind of relationship…?

My throat went dry, my mouth rough and parched.

I don’t want to hide it.

My heart, my feelings for Karl—I wanted them known.

But would it be right to reveal his existence now?

To admit that he was the man I loved, and that I planned to negotiate my way free the moment the Grand Duke recovered?

How could I speak of someone I hadn’t even confirmed was safe?

And could I really ask the Grand Duke?

Excuse me, dear husband, but…

The man I love is someone else. Is he still alive?

I’d have to be insane.

A wave of self-reproach crashed over me.

And then the Grand Duke sealed it with a quiet, piercing whisper.

“To you…”

“…”

“Was he someone special?”