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Chapter 85
I rose early in the morning and went to my office.
Sitting at my desk, I began to brood.
Even if the princess were to learn the secret of her birth, could I prevent her from being hurt?
Even if the truth came out, could I help her live peacefully in this world?
Now that she had come to Blansk, the princess was no longer just the little girl from the forest.
Even if the Grand Duke and the nanny tried to hide her away, there would be limits. They must know that too.
The princess was sixteen. Old enough to think for herself, and brimming with curiosity about the outside world.
The Grand Duke was the only one who could truly understand her. He too had been forced to grow up in isolation, shut inside the harem as a child. If he had any conscience at all, he couldn’t possibly force his younger sister to live the same way.
…Whatever it took, I wanted to help the princess.
I wanted to use my power and wealth to protect the little girl who had once saved my life.
But for that, the Grand Duke first needed to reveal her existence to me—soon, if possible.
Around six o’clock, someone knocked on the door. Katarina came in, carrying a heavy pile of documents.
“What’s all that?”
“Reports from the operatives who were dispatched to Fadon Island with Vera.”
I had given our family’s secret operatives two missions. One was to bring back the Grand Duke’s younger sister. The other was to uncover information surrounding her.
“…Give them here.”
Katarina dropped the reports onto my desk with a thud.
It seemed endless, but I had to read them thoroughly. I wanted to know about her too—what kind of life she had lived after the war broke out and she fled into exile.
“I skimmed through them last night. The princess’s name is Melania. When she lived in the forest, she almost never went outside. And if she ever had to step beyond the trees, she always kept her face hidden.”
Melania.
I rolled the name on my tongue.
A name that suited such a lovely child.
“She must have done it for protection. Her looks would draw too much attention otherwise.”
“Exactly. And it says Queen Elizaveta was trying to have her entered into the registry of a baron’s family on Fadon Island.”
“Why?”
“Because they were planning to marry her off to Count Bogdan. If she were introduced as a princess, the chances of rejection were high. So they needed a convenient cover.”
“That woman is insane.”
It was still hard to believe that such a person was officially my mother-in-law. Was there really no way to put her in her place, once and for all?
Still, before making any moves, there was one thing I needed to do first.
I had to persuade the Grand Duke.
If the princess wanted to know who she really was, then it was the Grand Duke who first had to tell her the secret of her birth.
And as for me as well…
I intended for the Grand Duke to tell her about me personally.
That was the only way the princess and I could meet properly again.
There were many ways to draw out the truth.
This time, I might have to try a slightly underhanded one. That was how desperate I had become.
That night, I went to the Grand Duke’s chambers—wearing a light, sheer chiffon dress that hinted at bare skin beneath.
Since it was the weekend, the pawnshop was closed, which meant he could rest properly tonight. Besides, he had successfully brought his sister here safely.
As always, his chamber door stood wide open.
I should at least make my presence known.
“You really do have a habit of leaving your door open.”
I peered inside. As expected, he was perched by the window, staring out into the night.
“…Your Grace?”
He stood and walked toward me with long, steady strides. But then, halfway across the room, he suddenly froze.
He had noticed my provocative attire. His broad shoulders stiffened, lips pressed tightly together, and his throat bobbed with a heavy swallow.
The boyish reaction was so obvious that I almost laughed.
I swayed the hem of my dress and took slow, deliberate steps toward him. Time to test if that claim—“the Grand Duke is aroused by his wife”—was true.
“I came because I need a favor.”
“What… favor?”
He cleared his throat into his fist, unable to look me straight in the eyes. So awkward. So inexperienced.
“Would you untie my hair for me? I was busy today and tied it up hastily, but the ribbon got tangled.”
I turned my back to him, showing my bare back.
The chiffon dress dipped low, exposing more than half my back. My long neck and toned shoulders would be fully visible to him now.
I nearly smirked at my own performance.
Of course I could have asked a maid to undo my hair. But I came here on purpose. Only a man this inexperienced would fall for such a clumsy little trick. I should really thank the women on Fadon Island for leaving him untouched.
“Hoo…”
His warm, flustered breath brushed the nape of my neck.
So it was true—he was drawn to me physically.
But since when? If he hadn’t insisted on acting as my bodyguard at the pawnshop, I might never have realized. He was kind and gentle to me, yes, but also curt and unexpressive.
I thought back to the last time I had stood on the rooftop in the rain. Even when I had deliberately undressed, he hadn’t faltered. He calmly helped me bathe, and the kiss he pressed to my scarred side had been reverent, almost holy.
But tonight felt very different.
Rustle. Tug.
He worked at the knot in my hair. I had tangled it on purpose, so every pull gave a sharp sting to my scalp.
“Ahh…”
The sound escaped before I could stop it—pained, but it came out far too suggestive. I swore it wasn’t intentional.
“Sorry. Just a little longer.”
His movements grew gentler.
Rustle. Tug.
“Hhhn… it hurts. Can you be softer?”
This line I did mean to deliver. I heard him take a deep, shaky breath.
“I… will try.”
He began to carefully work apart each strand, one by one.
My curls slipped free, cascading down my back, carrying the faint scent of freesia perfume.
I turned, tossing my vibrant red hair, and smiled at him with my eyes.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“…Are you going out somewhere at this hour?”
“Why?”
“Your clothes…”
He broke off, rubbing his face, unable to finish.
I perched myself on the windowsill and patted the spot beside me. He obediently came and sat down.
Leaning close, I asked, “What about my clothes?”
“…Nothing.”
“Sometimes I just feel like dressing boldly. Can’t I go out like this?”
He looked at me steadily. His face was nearly expressionless, but his eyes burned—like staring into molten iron.
“I have a request as well,” he said suddenly.
“What is it?”
Something hot gripped my wrist. His hand.
“Don’t go out.”
It worked.
“…Why not?”
He inhaled deeply, then spoke.
“Summer is ending. The night wind is cold. And… it’s dangerous.”
Typical. Always so frustrating.
“Is that the only reason?”
I brushed my fingertips against his cheek. His eyes fluttered shut, lashes trembling.
It was baiting him, really. Would he give me the answer I wanted?
He opened his eyes, gaze burning, and said softly:
“I only… want to see you like this. No one else.”
Finally. The right words. His eyes traced slowly over my body, over the dress that clung to my figure.
“That’s what I wanted to hear.”
“Then I can take this to mean… you dressed like this to come see me?”
With sudden force, he yanked me closer. I stumbled into his chest, caught in his embrace.
Our breaths mingled, eyes locked.
“…David.”
I spoke his name instead of answering. Strange on my tongue—we had always called each other Grand Duchess, Grand Duke.
His strikingly handsome face filled my vision, so close I could see the dilation of his pupils.
“Did you just call me by name?”
“Why? Does it sound too strange?”
“…No.”
The answer was brief, and then his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. Startled, I gasped, pressing a hand to his chest. Our foreheads touched.
Our lips were only half a handspan apart.
“Are you finally… seeing me as a man?” he murmured.
If I closed my eyes now, a kiss would surely follow.
But I refused to be swept away so easily.
“Maybe. If you make a little more effort.”
“…What kind of effort?”
A faint crease formed between his brows.
“When I look at men, I prefer the glamorous kind over the plain.”
“….”
“I’d like it if you wore more jewelry. As much as possible.”
I gave him my most alluring smile.
“What’s the point of letting our wedding jewels sit idle? Wear the necklaces, the bracelets, often.”
That was the real reason I’d come tonight.
“King Salesio has been staying at Yorka Palace since last week. Now that I’ve recovered, I should go pay my respects. I was thinking of leaving the day after tomorrow. I’d like you to dress accordingly—adorn yourself properly.”
The color slowly drained from his face.
“Remember? You once said you wanted to become the man I need.”
“…I remember.”
“I need a man who shines as brightly at my side as I do.”
“….”
“I want to see it. You, adorned with the jewels I chose carefully for you. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”
