TPWSM 79

Chapter 79

“I didn’t know.”

The face of the Grand Duke, wavering before my eyes, must not have been a dream but reality.

Just as I once cared for him when he was drugged, perhaps this was his way of returning the favor.

If he really cared for me for an entire week, his body must have taken quite a toll.

At that moment, a knock came, and the door opened. The Grand Duke entered, carrying a tray with medicine and water.

When he saw that I was awake, he rushed toward me.

“Are you feeling any better?”

His large hand pressed gently against my forehead.

“…I think so.”

The Grand Duke sat down at my bedside and helped me sit up. Then, he brought the medicine bowl to my lips.

If I drank this and slept well, I felt I might finally be able to get up again.

“I’m sorry. If I had gone up to the rooftop a little earlier, this wouldn’t have happened.”

The Grand Duke seemed to blame himself, as though he believed I had fallen ill because of him.

“What are you saying? If you hadn’t covered me with your umbrella, I’d have been far worse than this.”

I scolded him once and then drank the medicine.

After setting the bowl down, the Grand Duke gently caressed my cheek.

“I’m truly glad you’re awake again.”

He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

Catarina looked at him with scorn and gave a dry laugh. To her eyes, the Grand Duke’s kindness must have looked like nothing but hypocrisy.

“I thought you’d never wake up again.”

“You say such scary things so casually, don’t you?”

“Do I look casual to you?”

Looking closely, his face did seem a bit pale. The skin that had always been smooth like porcelain now looked a little rough.

Even so, he was still as handsome as a finely sculpted statue.

Soon, the day would come when I would see his younger sister with my own eyes.

I smiled at him, but in my heart, I thought:

‘I’ll tell you tonight. That your younger sister is on her way.’

Which way would the scales of truth tip?

More than ever, I wanted to believe in the Grand Duke.

***

I returned to the pawnshop after a long while. Thanks to Catarina handling business in my absence, we weren’t overwhelmed with customers.

I left around three in the morning.

As I stepped out of the tavern with light steps, there he was again—standing by the door in the same position as always, waiting for me.

I was so happy that I skipped a greeting and simply waved my hand.

[When you meet your younger sister, what’s the first thing you want to do with her?]

The Grand Duke hesitated before answering.

[Take her somewhere safe.]

…That’s it?

I dropped my hands, dumbfounded, and stared at him.

[Don’t you want to take her out for something delicious, or show her around the city of Blansk?]

[Not at all.]

His response was firm.

Honestly, I couldn’t understand it.

Maybe it’s because I grew up as an only child, but if I had a precious younger sister—one who had just returned to me safe and sound from danger—I’d gladly spend all my time with her.

He wanted to protect her, yes, but where was the affection?

[Why not?]

I hurried after him, signing quickly with my hands.

[Because watching from a distance is what’s best for the child.]

[What do you mean “watching from a distance”? You’ve gone through all this trouble to rescue her, and you don’t even want to show your face?]

[As long as she’s safe, that’s enough. By the way… was the rescue mission successful?]

That was why he came to the pawnshop every day.

He had been anxiously waiting for updates, but since I hadn’t come out, he had been worried inside.

During the day, he had to stay by his sick wife’s side. He must never have had a moment’s peace.

[Yes. They’re sailing back from Pardon Island. Your younger sister is completely unharmed.]

What mattered most right now was reassuring him.

The Grand Duke paused, exhaling a long, deep breath.

Only then did he seem to relax.

Handing me the oil lamp, he began signing again.

[I want to repay this debt with proper interest. Why don’t you ever bring it up?]

[Because I’m not going to take interest. Helping people doesn’t need interest.]

It’s not like I run a pawnshop to get rich.

[If I want my pledged jewelry back, I’ll have to pay. As soon as I can free up funds, I’ll—]

[I told you, it’s fine.]

I wanted to keep his wedding jewelry.

No matter how much money he offered, I wouldn’t return it—

—not until Davit Mihailov, Grand Duke, revealed all of his true feelings to me.

Not until he laid bare both his emotions and his desires.

[Pawnshop Madam, who are you really? Why do you do this charity work? Do you pour all your tavern profits into helping others? Or do you secretly run a mercenary company?]

[Don’t speak so carelessly about my business. I do this because I can afford to.]

At my words, the Grand Duke burst into laughter.

“Hahaha.”

I scowled and dropped my hands, pouting. What on earth was so funny?

Well, maybe it was just that the news of his sister’s safety finally allowed him to laugh.

[Thank you.]

He pressed the side of his right hand against the back of his left hand twice—a gesture of thanks in sign language.

Even with his face covered, the joy in his movement was unmistakable.

This—this was why I ran a pawnshop, even though it bled money.

Because of reactions like this.

That moment when someone’s wish came true, when their joy overflowed. Faces brimming with happiness.

Something I could never elicit under the name of Lady Alisa Rasantia.

…Now I understood.

I wanted to bring happiness to others.

Even if my name never shone. Even if I hid in the shadows while others stood in the light.

I couldn’t help but smile back at him.

My husband, standing before me as a customer, smiling so brightly.

We might be deceiving each other, but I had still made him happy. And then—

Suddenly—

I was lifted clean off the ground, my body pulled up into the air. Startled, I nearly screamed and ruined my mute act.

Wh-what the—why was he holding me like this?!

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

The Grand Duke muttered like a prayer, holding me tightly.

This crazy man! Did he think it was okay to just scoop up another man’s wife like this?!

I struggled in his arms until he quickly set me down again. Only when my feet touched the ground did I feel relieved.

[Please, let me repay this debt somehow.]

[Forget interest. Hand over the jewelry instead. You rescued your sister from a forced marriage—surely you can part with a bracelet and necklace.]

I tried suggesting a trade: his sister for the jewelry.

The smile vanished from his eyes at once.

[That’s impossible.]

Wasn’t he taking this a bit too seriously?

[Why not?]

[Because it’s wedding jewelry.]

So that’s what it was.

[I knew it was valuable, but I didn’t realize it was wedding jewelry. How could you pawn something like that? If your wife knew, she’d be heartbroken.]

His face stiffened visibly.

I could almost see through the cloth covering his features.

When he’d first handed it over, I had been upset too. So I twisted the knife, pressing harder on his guilt.

[That’s why I want to get it back quickly. It’s just an excuse, but I had nothing else worth pawning.]

[Yes, of course.]

I nodded absently.

[My wife was sick.]

[Was she? Then you did something even crueler to someone who was already unwell.]

The Grand Duke lowered his head. Clearly, my words hit him hard.

[She was near death.]

[And yet she seems perfectly alive now.]

I tried to lighten it with a joke, but he wouldn’t let me.

[Everyone who tries to love me ends up unhappy.]

What was he talking about? I studied his profile, waiting.

He went on, speaking aloud to himself.

“My mother was unhappy. My sister nearly became unhappy. And that woman… she too will be unhappy by my side.”

Why was he so sure of that?

Yes, fine—I wasn’t exactly happy. Having much from birth hadn’t made life any easier.

But that didn’t mean I was unhappy.

Davit Mihailov. If you knew I could hear, how shocked would you be?

[No.]

I shook my head firmly.

The Grand Duke was completely wrong.

There were countless people who found comfort simply because he lived and breathed.

[What do you mean, no?]

[Your sister will be happy. When she reunites with you after so long apart, when she realizes that you’ve always been protecting her as her strong brother—she’ll be happy.]

He stopped walking and just watched my hands.

[If she’s truly your blood, or even if she’s just someone you love like family—hold her when you see her.]

[I’m sorry to her, and to you, but I won’t meet her. Just make sure she’s taken to the house I’ve prepared.]

He added desperately:

[Madam, this is my last request.]

***

“I’m back, Lady Alisa.”

When I unlocked the pawnshop door and entered, someone was already inside.

I had expected Vera to arrive tonight, so I came in earlier than usual. But I hadn’t expected her to already be here waiting.

[What the—? How did you get in?]

After re-locking the door, I signed my question.

Vera could understand sign language. It was essential for communicating with the temporary matriarch of House Rasantia.

“Would it be much of a secret organization if I left traces when breaking in?”

Vera pulled back her hood. Her shaved head had grown back a little, leaving soft tufts that made her look like a chestnut. Honestly, it was cute.

[So. Did you bring the girl?]

“Ah… there’s a bit of a problem.”

She scratched the back of her head.

[What problem? What happened to the child?]

“No, no.”

[Then what?]

“…Somehow, I ended up bringing one more person.”

[Who?]

At my question, Vera yanked up the sack she’d been carrying upside down.

Out tumbled a middle-aged woman, around her mid-forties, her arms and legs tightly bound with rope. Her bloodshot eyes glared furiously at me.

Vera ripped the gag from her mouth.

“Do you even know who you’ve dared to kidnap?! In the name of Archangel Mihailov, you will be struck down by heaven’s wrath!”

The woman spat curses at us, and I studied her face closely. Strangely familiar. Where had I seen her before?

“Ugh, noisy.”

Vera shoved the gag back in. The woman muffled protests through it.

Then Vera pulled the cover off the second sack.

Out came a young girl. She had long, platinum-blond hair, almost silver. Even bound, she sat with a proud posture, her aura radiating dignity.

“She doesn’t speak, so I didn’t bother gagging her.”

[How could you bind her like a criminal?]

“I was afraid she’d run.”

The girl’s head was lowered, but Vera tilted up her chin.

The child finally looked at me.

Tears welled in her young eyes. Considering she’d been kidnapped far from home without knowing a thing, it was understandable. But—wait.

Her eyes were violet.

Strange. I knew I had seen her before. This woman too, and this girl as well. They both existed vividly in my memory…

“You are…”

Though I was supposed to keep using sign language, words slipped out of my mouth.

The girl had changed much, but she was a face I could never forget.