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Chapter : 37
The Relationship That Bothers Me (12)
The Eclipse I experienced firsthand was a man whose self-esteem was far lower than it appeared.
He was the complete opposite of me, someone who had survived solely on guts without any real foundation. That was Eclipse.
“Three times a week, huh.”
“Yes. That should be just right. What do you think, Your Grace?”
“Not bad.”
Great! I clasped my hands together and smiled brightly.
“Then let’s take one-hour walks whenever it’s convenient for you.”
“…Alright.”
Eclipse answered briefly and cleared his throat lightly.
While adjusting his posture, he had already put on his coat neatly and looked at me.
“You’ll need a coat. The morning air is quite chilly.”
“Huh?”
After finishing his words, Eclipse called Penny over and ordered her to bring my coat.
I was taken aback. Could it be… he wants me to go with him?
“Uh, should I come along too?”
At my foolish question, Eclipse responded as if it were obvious.
“Since this is the walk you suggested to me.”
With that, he sharply turned his head away from me.
“Of course we’ll go together.”
“Yes, y-yes…”
I was the one who suggested the walk, but I hadn’t meant for us to go together… just the two of us alone.
“Still, if I can get Eclipse outside, that’s fine.”
Seeing it as an innocent proposal, I nodded.
“Shall we, Your Grace?”
And so, I set out on an impromptu walk with Eclipse.
Just then, Penny, who had brought my coat, fussed over me excessively.
“Oh my! If I had known, I would have made sure you were dressed as prettily as possible! Wait a moment—let me fix this right now.”
Silvern, who had followed Eclipse as his guard, was no different.
“Your Highness is going for a walk?”
“Yes. I suggested it to him.”
“So, you’re really going? For an hour, three times a week?”
“…Is that so surprising?”
“It’s just so… unusual.”
They fussed as if they had discovered an endangered species.
“What kind of life has our prince lived until now?”
They were making a fuss just because he was going for a walk… like proud parents of a newborn taking their first successful steps.
“Wow, the weather is nice.”
Before long, we arrived at the garden. I kept a slight distance from Eclipse, trailing behind him.
As just a mere employee, I couldn’t walk side by side with him.
Following behind, I thought:
“He really is huge.”
As always, Eclipse was enormous—broad shoulders, a sturdy build, and a handsome face. Truly a complete package.
“No wonder main characters are so different.”
Even my face had some charm for a mere extra.
“Honestly, I’m fairly pretty for my level.”
But compared to Eclipse, it was clear I hadn’t put nearly as much effort into my appearance.
“Still, I have more magic than others. That’s enough to be satisfied.”
In that sense, the gods were fair—balancing my shortcomings with magic.
While I was lost in these thoughts, suddenly—
“Ah!”
I collided with something huge and fell backward.
“Ouch.”
Ah, my butt… is my tailbone broken?
“Insurance won’t cover this…”
Of course not. This is a novel, after all.
I clutched my waist, frowning, as Eclipse approached.
“Bloomhyer, are you alright?”
He looked genuinely concerned. It seemed the huge thing I had run into was… Eclipse himself.
“I was just looking around for a moment… my apologies.”
Eclipse, rarely startled, actually apologized.
“I’ve never seen him flustered like that.”
I forgot the pain and stared at him. Eclipse, flustered, looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“…Bloomhyer?”
Oops, did I stare too long?
I smiled awkwardly.
“Ah, yes! I’m fine. I was just… lost in thought for a moment.”
That “thought” was really me staring at him, but I quickly hid the truth behind my smile.
At that moment, Eclipse extended his hand toward me.
“Here, get up.”
I stared at his large hand in shock.
“Can I take it?”
A mere tutor holding the hand of the noble Duke?
But I didn’t hesitate long.
“Whatever. He’s just helping me up.”
With few eyes around, it should be fine.
I allowed him to help me to my feet. Once standing, Eclipse asked, concerned:
“Are you hurt anywhere? Any pain?”
“Hmm, my butt hurts a little… but I can manage.”
It wasn’t a serious injury—just a fall, with pain that would fade soon.
However…
“Silvern, summon the royal physician immediately.”
“Yes!”
Apparently, Eclipse wasn’t taking it lightly. Silvern disappeared at once.
“A royal physician… for just a fall?”
The Rudeir Duke household had three resident physicians. The most skilled of them attended to Eclipse and Linette.
“Bloomhyer, are you alright? Oh my, that must have hurt.”
Penny, who had been watching us from behind, approached anxiously. I shook my head with a small smile.
“No, it didn’t hurt that much. I’ll be fine after a short rest.”
“That’s a relief… Wait, stay still. There’s quite a bit of dirt on your skirt. I’ll brush it off right away.”
Penny checked me carefully, brushing the dirt from my skirt. I accepted her help and sneaked a glance at Eclipse.
When our eyes met, he cleared his throat and looked away.
“He’s acting strange… keeps avoiding eye contact.”
I tilted my head and looked away. Shortly after, the resident physician appeared and examined me.
“Fortunately, nothing serious seems wrong. Just rest a while and you’ll be fine.”
After the physician left, Eclipse, who had been silent, muttered softly:
“There should be a place nearby where you can rest…”
Then he led me somewhere. I followed closely. Eventually, we reached a gorgeous gazebo near the central fountain.
“Wow, it’s beautiful.”
White marble pillars covered in vines, a glass roof shielding the bright sun, and a small tea table underneath.
Unfamiliar with such luxury, I hesitated nervously.
“Can I sit here?”
I glanced around. In novels, nobles often enjoyed desserts and conversation in such places.
“If I piled up a bunch of Walden pastries here… I’d be so happy.”
While I indulged in my unreal daydream, Eclipse spoke.
“Sit for a moment.”
“Yes!”
I immediately sat, eagerly looking around the garden.
First, the neatly trimmed trees caught my eye. Then, colorful flowers along the walkways. They swayed gently in the breeze, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“They’re beautiful.”
From afar, a few maids pushing a trolley appeared. Though I couldn’t see clearly, it was filled with desserts.
“Are they coming this way?”
My heart thumped wildly as I swallowed nervously. And my guess was correct.
“Tea and desserts will be served.”
It was real… and the piled-up treats looked like…
“Walden pastries!”
My absolute favorite in the world, in a huge stack!
“Am I dreaming? Are all of those really Walden pastries?”
I pinched my cheek to make sure.
“Ouch.”
It hurt, so it was real. I stifled a cheer and licked my lips.
“I want to eat them immediately.”
But I couldn’t go first. I waited for Eclipse to take the first bite.
“….”
Glancing at him, he was engrossed in reading a small note. His expression was peculiar—not smiling, not frowning, not angry—just… mysterious.
What on earth could be written on that note to make him look like that?
