DYBAR - Chapter 25 A Man Who Makes You Look Forward To It
Do Your Best And Regret It
"Your Highness, I have something to tell you for a moment."
After dinner, it was time to have tea with the Grand Duke in the drawing room. A knight with gray hair approached with a stern expression and spoke.
Baron Howard Interfield.
I had seen him in the Noble Encyclopedia, but this was my first time seeing him face to face this close. I saw him briefly at the last banquet. I didn't know much about Baron Interfield. Being a vassal of the Grand Duke's family, he was given the title of Baron a few years ago, and like the Grand Duke, he played a leading role in winning this war.
I lowered my head as I looked at his handsome, thick-lined face. He also bowed to me. I thought it would happen right away, but the Grand Duke looked at me with an embarrassed and sorry expression on his face.
"Sorry... Is it okay for a moment?"
"Yes, Sure. Please come back quickly."
I answered as if it were obvious. As the Princess, I was also overwhelmed with work even before the meal was over. This was even more so when carrying out the duties of the Crown Princess and the tasks assigned by the Princess at the same time.
So I had a rough idea of how much busier it would be in a position like the Grand Duke.
However, despite my consideration, the Grand Duke had a strange expression. I tilted my head.
"You seem busy. Don't you need to go quickly?"
"... Yes. I'm busy. Haha."
If the Grand Duke's voice sounded listless, was it my mistake?
The Grand Duke, who was getting up from his seat, looked back at me.
"Really. You haven't taken the medicine yet."
Yikes. I naturally avoided the Grand Duke's gaze. The sound of languid laughter tickled my ears.
"I will bring the medicine soon."
"..."
"You sure?"
It was a question he desperately wanted to hear an answer to. When I didn't answer him, I felt staring eyes on me. I shouldn't look. I knew best how many times I felt embarrassed when my eyes met his.
But, how are you looking at me?
Curiosity overcame shame. When that brief impulse made me raise my head, it pursed my lips for a moment. Why does that man look at me like the spring sunlight?
What did I say? The red eyes in his sweetly curved eyes looked at me affectionately.
The Grand Duke emphasized once again.
"You definitely have to eat it. If you don't eat it, I will come right away."
"... Yes."
As if satisfied with my small answer, the Grand Duke grinned and left the drawing room. I lowered my head. My fingertips on the hem of my dress, which I had not paid attention to, slowly turned red. The sound of my irregular heartbeat seemed to ring in my ears.
It's really strange. I quietly muttered into my mouth. I decided to take my time and think about the expectations I had for the Grand Duke, so what was the reason for my excitement? When I couldn't tell whether this unfamiliar yet familiar feeling was good or bad, I heard a knocking sound from outside.
"Yes."
The person who came in at the same time as my answer was the brown-haired Lord Winster Calter.
Ah. The lace. knight's uniform with lace naturally came to my mind. A cheerful face that could not have known that fact smiled at .e
"Hey, My lady. I came to the market for medicine."
"Ah. Sir Calter. Please take care of me."
Of course, I knew Hannah would come, so I didn't know the knight would come. Especially if it is Sir Calter, a knight close to the Grand Duke.
I was embarrassed and answered stiffly. Although I had seen him bursting into laughter the last time, it was the first time they had been alone together like this. Despite the odd job of taking medicine, Winster smiled as if he was happy about it.
"Please speak comfortably, Lady. It was difficult to come here, but if you are uncomfortable, there will be no chance next time."
"A chance?"
Even though I asked without thinking, I wondered if I had asked for no reason. But Winster seemed to like it and began to tell his story.
"Yes. As you know, there are people in the Grand Duke's residence who would like to say a word to you."
“To me?”
"Sure. We all tried to look good for you at the restaurant that day."
"If it's that day..."
"Yes. The day I laughed and ran around the Grand Duke's residence all day,"
Winster raised his eyebrows. His miserable face was so funny that I laughed a little without realizing it and then regretted it. We're not even close yet, but he probably won't like it if I smile at him. But there was no need to worry, and Winster smiled cheerfully.
"You've always been a person who smiles like this."
I opened my eyes wide. It was my first time hearing that I smiled easily. I carefully touched the corner of my mouth. The corners of my mouth were really turned up. It was awkward for me to smile comfortably like this, but it was nice. Even without checking, I could feel my eyes drooping loosely.
Winster, who was looking at that scene, swallowed a strange feeling. It was only half true that she had had a hard time. There were many people who were jealous that he had come by order of the Grand Duke, but after coming like this, he felt that it was a good thing he had come.
She is the daughter of Duke Madeleine, the leader of the Emperor's faction, and the younger sister of Jade Madeleine, a hot-headed thinker. It was hard to believe that Olivia Madeleine, who had a strong prejudice against her as well as her reputation for being slutty, was actually such a petite little girl. The fairy-like girl, with no trace of venom in her, looked at Winster for a moment.
"Then can I ask you something?"
"Yes! Of course!"
Winster pounded his chest. There were only a handful of things that Winster didn't know about the Grand Duke and his Lady.
"That..."
I hesitated a little. A curiosity that could not be hidden appeared on her small face.
"Do you like lace uniforms?"
"Evil!!"
A sweet laugh escaped through the open window of the living room. Unlike the AGrand Duke, who was listening happily in the next room, Howard, standing next to him, looked dumbfounded.
"Do you really have to do this?"
Deliberately leave the room and have Winster be friendly to the Young Lady. Even thinking about it again, it was an incomprehensible operation. But the Grand Duke nodded and smiled slowly.
"Then. Now is your chance."
The girl who said she had nowhere to go became the only destination he could think of. He wished the Young Lady had more affection for the Grand Duke's residence.
So that people can take this place for granted as their home. That was the result the Grand Duke hoped for. Howard sighed inwardly as he looked at the Grand Duke smiling brightly as if he was in a good mood.
If it was Winster who had developed a crush on the Young Lady since the last outburst, it would be fine, but he thought it was still a long way to gain the favor of the other knights in Vikander Territory.
Howard's head hurt as he thought of the knights who had a strong antipathy towards the Emperor. In the eyes of those who were disgusted with the Emperor, the Duke of Madeleine, the head of the imperial faction, was also the same as the Emperor. What if she is the daughter of such a Duke?
They were not the kind of people who would obey meekly because they were the lord's ladies. Howard spoke carefully.
"I am embarrassed to tell you, but there are many people in the Vikander territory that even the Duke of Madeleine hates. Of course, we will block it in advance, but the Young Lady may get hurt."
"I hate it too."
"Yes?"
"The Duke. I don't like him either."
Howard could not understand what the Grand Duke was saying. Meanwhile, the Grand Duke shrugged his shoulders and stood up.
"And you can't hate her."
"Of course, I think so too."
"Especially Dian. The sponsor who sent us turkey meat during the war praised us, saying that it would make our hearts feel good."
What if you were a sponsor who sent turkey meat during the war?
Howard's eyes widened. The Grand Duke narrowed one eye.
"Keep it to yourself. Even if you start without knowing anything, you will still captivate Dian."
"If... If you only have preconceptions without knowing anything, then..."
Howard trailed off without realizing it. If Vikander's knights, including Dian Szelin, a knight with a fiery temper rivaling that of Jade Madeleine, show hostility. It was when Howard's expressionless face became slightly distorted as his family was going through the worst.
The Grand Duke glanced back at Howard. A feeling of intimidation that no one dared to follow weighed on Howard. Howard instinctively straightened his body. His beautiful face smiled leisurely.
"Even if it were, it wouldn't change anything."
"..."
"She will be my wife, and my knights will assist My Lady just as they assist me."
Only then did Howard's spine feel a chill. How dare. He dared to try to cut down his lord's Young Lady. And that too in front of his master who wanted to do anything for her.
"...I'm Sorry. I made a mistake."
Howard bowed his head politely. The sharp air that dominated the space slowly cleared away.
The Grand Duke sighed slowly. Even though the feeling of intimidation had already subsided, the sigh pressed painfully on Howard's shoulder.
"... Be more careful what you say in front of the Lady."
"Now I'm finally trying to say what I want to say without paying attention."
***
"I will go to see the Emperor as soon. Of course, if it's okay with you."
I nodded my head slightly as the Grand Duke added. I was determined to go again sometime. But I had something to do before that.
"If it's okay, I'll go to the imperial palace first. I think I should go see His Royal Highness the Prince and the Princess."
Aside from the letter, I had one last thing to say. I made a stern expression. The Grand Duke, who had a sharp lock in his eyes, nodded his head sullenly.
"But, You probably have something to organize, too."
The Grand Duke, who was speaking in a relaxed manner, had a childish look of disgust on his face. I smiled slightly. And I quietly opened my mouth as if reminiscing about a distant day.
"It's been a year since I was given real authority over Tiase Palace."
"Is it so?"
The Grand Duke quirked his eyebrows. He seemed to know that usually the Prince's fiancées were given real power from a much younger age.
"Yes. Of course, I worked before then, but being given real power has a different meaning. So what was it like?"
I spoke lightly on purpose. So that none of my sorrow is revealed. Fortunately, the Grand Duke didn't say anything.
".....I took care of Tiase Palace day and night. Finally, this palace is completely mine. I have that childlike possessiveness."
I laughed bitterly. I said it as if it was no big deal, but I was so moved at that time that even thinking about it again, the bridge of my nose got cold. I thanked the Empress with all my heart as she reluctantly gave me real power. I worked without complaint even though the Princess came frequently and ruined the palace and told me to pay more attention to the Princess's palace. Then, I knew that I would be recognized someday.
"Especially sponsorship. It's a place I worked really hard to decorate."
I want people to think that Leopold is pretty even just once. It was a vain expectation. I grinned, swallowing my bitter memories. The Grand Duke spoke slowly.
"... It must be a really pretty place if you decorated it."
"Don't you want to see that pretty sponsor in person?"
I said playfully. The Grand Duke did not answer but faced me. Soon, the corners of his mouth went up lazily.
"... Are you asking me out on a date?"
"To be precise, are you putting into practice the 'managing' that Your Highness mentioned?"
"That's it."
The Grand Duke smiled gracefully. I smiled without replying to his face as bright as a rose in full bloom. In fact, I wanted to show you. My palace that no one paid attention to. A space I always wanted to show off. I needed someone who would recognize my efforts. And I thought that the Grand Duke would fully recognize my efforts.
I liked this tickling excitement. The confidence that it would live up to expectations made me excited. I looked away from the Grand Duke. As if his laughter was contagious, my eyes kept widening.
***
"I meet the war hero Grand Duke Vikander, and the Princess. But why is His Highness the Grand Duke in this palace of Tiase?"
Baroness Sophron looked embarrassed. She deserved it.
Grand Duke Vikander appears with the Crown Prince's fiancée at Tiase Palace, the Crown Prince's space where male nobles cannot enter without permission. And at a time like now, when rumors were spreading that the Grand Duke had proposed to me. I smiled softly and faced the Grand Duke. A smile spread across the Grand Duke's face.
"I gave permission."
"Yes?"
"It means that I, the owner, personally allow and welcome guests."
Baroness Sophron's expression darkened at the sound of a solemn, weighty voice. At once she knew who her master was thinking of. Maria Ethel, an uninvited guest. No matter how much it was the Crown Prince's will, it was a fatal mistake for a maid who assisted the Crown Prince and managed Tiase's palace. But I pretended not to notice and ignored my words.
"... I have sent a letter to His Highness the Crown Prince in advance. He will be here soon, so please get ready."
"Yes. Then we will prepare for sponsorship."
Baroness Sophron left quickly. Amidst the glances of the courtiers, I looked back at the Grand Duke. I thought his face was a little cute as he looked around the palace with curiosity. As soon as I realized it, I quickly shook my head.
"Miss?"
The Grand Duke called me as if he were puzzled. Oops. I, who only then realized that my behavior might seem strange, spoke as if making an excuse.
"It's bees, bees...It's spring so I guess there are bees."
"It looks like that bee also has a sense of beauty."
The Grand Duke smiled sweetly. Because that smile was unfamiliar, I said something else.
"Excuse me. I planted those pink flowers."
"No wonder. I thought the writing on the sign looked familiar."
Huh? For a moment, Olivia did not understand what the Grand Duke meant. What does it mean that the writing looks familiar? But before she could ask again, a voice like a shout came from the other side.
"Princess! Her Highness the Princess is urgently looking for you!"
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