DYBAR - Chapter 28 < Now, I think I'm going to have a family >

DYBAR - Chapter  28 < Now, I Think I'm Going To Have A Family >

Do Your Best And Regret It

"But Princess, His Royal Highness said he would stop by Tiase Palace even if it's late."

Baroness Sophron said with a puzzled face when I said I was going back, I looked at the sky for a moment. My conversation with the Princess took longer than expected and he was still late. 

Baroness Sophron avoided my gaze as if he could see her dim-witted son-in-law.

"Because it's late in the evening, I will contact you again next time."

Due to my firm words, the Baroness did not offer any further advice. Instead, she just bowed her head and saw me off. 

I held out my hand as if it were natural for the Grand Duke in front of the carriage. I soon got used to this escort. As I got into the carriage, the Grand Duke sat in front of me with a quick movement. The door closed and the carriage set off. Familiar scenes passed by outside the window.

"How was the sponsorship?" 

"It was a nice place, just like the Lady said. Do you think it would be a shame not to see it more?"

"Me too."

I smiled slightly and looked outside. I knew that today was my last day with my palace, so I braced myself. I felt strangely relieved that I had to come once more. When can I come to see Leopold again? 

I, who had been counting the days, felt staring and turned to face the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke was looking at the envelope in my hand with curious eyes. The Grand Duke pouted as I waved the envelope slightly with a playful expression on my face.

"It looks like you brought something interesting with you?"

"Yes. Is this a sign of victory?" 

I deliberately raised my sassy cheeks. Although my dowry was insufficient, I still had an asset that I liked. And it seemed like the Grand Duke would be pleased with my victory, regardless of its usefulness. 

"Isn't it amazing?"

It was such a sweet and fuzzy feeling to have my expectations come true, to have my expectations met. I smiled brightly without even realizing it as I spoke sincerely praising myself.

 The Grand Duke, seeing that smile, was speechless for a moment. I did not see that the tips of the Grand Duke's ears, hidden by his hair, were turning red.

"... s there anything left for me who cheered hard from behind?" 

"Jmm. Well. Your Highness, you have everything, don't you?"

I looked at the Grand Duke as if he were pondering. Even if I offered the jewel as a gift, the Grand Duke first rejected it. Now I couldn't afford to buy expensive gifts. The Grand Duke would know this well. 

I, who was looking at the Grand Duke with my narrowed eyes searchingly, seemed to realize something about him and my eyes grew wide and irritated. I hugged my envelope tightly before the Grand Duke could even grin.

"Even so, this can't be done."

I couldn't show you this abandoned mine yet. I couldn't even properly plan what to do with that desolate abandoned mine. It is too dry for people to live in, and it is not marketable as a tourist resource. It seemed like it would take quite some time to come up with a good idea. 

I spoke sincerely, but the Grand Duke blinked blankly. Eyelashes slowly shaded his face. 

Did I speak too sharply? 

Just as I was reflecting on my words, the Grand Duke burst into laughter.

"ha ha ha. Could it be that I take away your victory?"

I felt a little embarrassed when I saw his eyes languidly smiling. I muttered softly to myself. Or is he not? 

The Grand Duke rested his elbows on his knees with a big smile on his face. Then he leaned towards .e and rested his chin.

"I want to wish for something other than material things." 

My face brightened. If it wasn't for material things, I didn't know if I could do it.

"Just say the word."

"Could you call me a little more friendly?"

"Yes?"

"That's right. They say our original relationship is evident in our words, but you still treat me difficult when you see me, and keep a distance by always calling me by my name."

It seemed like he was complaining, but he ended up complaining. I chuckled. The Grand Duke did not miss the opportunity and leaned a little closer towards me.

"So. Would you like to call me sometime?"

"..."

"You sure don't know my name, right?"

"Is that possible? From that day on, I came to know Your Highness's name very well."

"It is an honor to reveal my name. This is Edwin Lowell Vikander."

A name that was said to me with playful eyes. Edwin Lowell Vikander. I muttered the Grand Dukee's name without realizing it and then made a mistake. 

The quick-witted man in front of me was already smiling.

"I beg your pardon? It's hard to hear if you speak so softly."

He tells a blatant lie with a face that he has already heard everything about. Calling his name is such a big deal. I shrugged my shoulders as if it was no big deal. And once again I tried to speak but was silenced.

"Why don't you call me?" 

"... I called you earlier."

"I didn't hear it?"

The Grand Duke opened his eyes wide and tilted his head as if he had never done that before. He wouldn't be a big deal. Is it really that nerve-wracking to just call one name?

I thought for a moment and exclaimed softly. Now that I think about it, I didn't even know I was like this because I was never allowed to use his name like this. 

Suddenly, I remembered Maria Ethel, who had called Leopold's name without hesitation the other day. If I call him by name, I will now have a truly close relationship with the Grand Duke. 

A strange feeling swept through my heart. I faced the Grand Duke for a moment. His red eyes, sparkling like fiery rubies, looked at me, full of anticipation.

"We are going to get married anyway."

"Yes. It's only natural to call people by their first names in marriage."

"Because it might look more awkward if you don't."

The little face that bothered to make excuses came to mind more and more. If I touch it, it will explode. 

The Grand Duke held my hands together with strength. Je barely managed to create an atmosphere, but if he acted rashly, the Young Lady might run away like a rabbit. It's cute too. The innocent green eyes wavered slightly. The red lips were about to open slightly.

"Your Highness."

A gruff voice echoed inside the carriage. My eyes widened. My lips, which had been slowly opening, closed tightly. Barely suppressing his rising anger, the Grand Duke looked towards the driver's seat of the carriage.

"What."

The voice coming out of his teeth was heavy. He held back to be as considerate as possible to Olivia, who had bunny eyes, but it seemed like his emotions were flowing out without me even realizing it. 

Haha. 

The Grand Duke laughed awkwardly. The coachman said as if he were embarrassed. 

"There is a carriage standing in front of the Grand Duke's residence. I think you should check it out."

"Carriage?"

The Grand Duke's thoughts became even stronger as he looked out the window and vowed that I would not leave the carriage alone. I also tried to look toward the window as if she was curious. It was then that the Grand Duke drew the curtains. I blinked my eyes. What is this?

"The moonlight is too strong." 

"Yes? Suddenly?"

"Because the night is getting deeper. The night air is cold, so it would be better to close the curtains."

It was a random thing. I found the Grand Duke doing this more interesting than wondering what was out there. Before I knew it, the request to call his name was gone. I deliberately pretended to be curious about the outside world. The Grand Duke, who was holding on to the curtain and not letting go, urged his coachman to leave. It was time for the carriage to speed up again.

"Olivia!"

I was familiar with the loud voice calling my name. I unconsciously grabbed the Grand Duke's hand and lowered it. His hand went down obediently, and the curtain fluttered again, revealing the view outside the window. I muttered softly. 

“Jade...”

A man with shiny silver hair was standing in front of the strong gate of the Grand Duke's residence. Undeniably, the carriage in front of the Grand Duke's residence had Madeleine's emblem stamped on it. Jade's face was visible in the moonlight. The moment the sharp face met mine, the Grand Duke closed the curtain again.

"Just pretend you didn't see it. It's okay to just pass by."

Jade's voice was heard once again over the kind words that seemed to soothe my heart.

"Come out, Olivia."

The Grand Duke smiled sweetly at me as if it didn't matter, but I was worried about Jade outside. 

Why? Why on earth did he come to the Grand Duke's residence this late at night? 

Since he hasn't looked for me until now, I guess it's not like he came to get me. 

I swallowed my bitter smile and looked at the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke seemed to understand the meaning just by looking at me. The Grand Duke sighed softly and pouted his lips.

"Do you really want to talk to Lord Madeleine?"

"I want to kick him out so he can't come visit me in the future."

Half of it was true, and half of it had another purpose. I said calmly. It was clear what the Grand Duke was worried about.

However, it had already been a long time since I had become numb to Jade's sharp words before I could be hurt again.

"If you that's want."

The Grand Duke shrugged his shoulders. And stopped the carriage. The Grand Duke quickly got off the carriage, turned his back on Olivia, and looked at Jade with sharp eyes.

"You can't get the timing right, Vice-captain."

"I see you, Your Highness."

Despite the words as cold as frost, Jade did not feel intimidated but instead focused his gaze on me. The Grand Duke, whose face Instantly changed to a friendly one, held out his hand towards me. 

I,  holding the Grand Duke's hand, looked at Jade expressionlessly. 

At that moment, Jade felt something was wrong with her. How..... How can Olivia look at him like that? One side of his chest felt cold as if it was completely empty. This feeling was similar to the last time Olivia passed him on the last day of the victory banquet.

"I will erase Madeleine from my life."

But Jade gritted his teeth. It's probably a lie. Because he knew better how obsessed Olivia was with Madeleine. So even if she had been so harassed, she wouldn't have gone out Madeleine.

"I'll stay away. If something happens, scream right away."

The Grand Duke, who gave Jade a cold gaze until the end, retreated. The way he takes care of Olivia as if she were their own family. Jade, who was glaring at the Grand Duke, suddenly felt confused. Like her family. This universal modifier felt unfamiliar. If you are a family member, you must protect them. 

So what does Olivia in front of him mean to himself? Jade didn't think anymore. Instead, he burst into anger to vent out his pent-up frustration.

"What on earth are you doing here?"

"You're erasing Madeleine. All you have to do is say nonsense and disappear? "

When he saw Olivia, I felt a strange sense of relief. Maybe that's why he couldn't quite remember what he was trying to say. 

Your sister, her name is Ethella. She said she needed to see you. She tried to come here, but she got arrested. Your maid is crying next to Ethella. So please come home.

These simple words never left the tip of his tongue. It was then that Olivia slowly raised her head.

The ledger that manages the estate is in the second drawer on her left. It will still be difficult for Ethella to look at the ledger. Talk with the butler and Baron Derek. Items managed are different depending on the date. 

"Send this by letter."

Olivia was talking about something else now. Did she think that if she revealed how much work she had done in the household, it would at least absolve her of this situation? Jade cut Olivia off by ruffling his hair.

"That's enough. What are you talking about now?" 

"It's a handover."

It was an extremely dry voice. Jade blinked his eyes and looked at Olivia. She was different from the usual Olivia. Therefore...

"I told you. I'm not going to Madeleine anymore. Don't laugh. So, I will clearly communicate this now to avoid any problems in the future."

Olivia always smiled even if she never said a kind word to him.

"Are you crazy?"

Jade reflexively grabbed Olivia's shoulder.

Ah. 

Olivia frowned. This was also strange. Olivia was not the type of child to show pain like this. She has always been a strong girl. He was a strong child who accepted everything even when he was grumpy. 

Before he knew it, the strength in his hands was gone. Olivia took advantage of that gap and took two steps behind. Her green eyes looked at Jade with appropriate caution.

Nonsense. Jade was confused. Jade has always lived in anger. From the moment he heard that his mother died because of Olivia, whom he thought was his sister, a great fire was always burning in his heart.

So he went to war. He went there hoping to get rid of his distracting thoughts, but there were so many kids who looked like Olivia. The illegitimate sons of a nobleman who floated down to the battlefield hoping to make a contribution in the war and return home to become part of the family. 

These guys know that they have been abandoned and cynically try to make a profit and grab a small fortune. Jade always saw Olivia in them. 

However, that wasn't the Olivia he knew. Olivia was the kind of girl who always smiled like an idiot and looked at him as if she was hoping for something.

"I've persevered and persevered until now, and that's it."

"At most?"

A delicate voice overshadowed Jade's words. Jade lifted his head.

"Sir Madeleine."

"Don't call me that! You also Madelaine!"

You are also Madeleine. This short word did not go out like a thorn in his neck. Jade reflexively looked at Olivia. Olivia's face didn't show the resignation she always pretended like nothing was wrong.

"I'm not persistent and tenacious."

The moment Jade met Olivia's green eyes, he was speechless. Those eyes that always looked for something were empty. He felt like he had glimpsed something.

"I just did the best I could for my family," 

Family. Jade's face turned pale. He felt like he had to say something, but his mouth wouldn't fall. Olivia quietly looked at the carriage.

"You will see it someday."

"..."

"Someday, you will recognize my efforts."

"..."

"You will be by my side someday."

All the words pierced Jade like daggers. His lungs hurt with every breath he took. It was a strange feeling. 

Jade clenched his fists hard. Olivia, who was staring blankly at the carriage, smiled slowly.

"Someday, I will accept you as family." 

His mouth didn't drop. He thinks this is his last chance. All Jade could do was bite the inside of his mouth hard. At the end of a laugh that threatened to break, Olivia shrugged her shoulders.

"However, Now there is no need for that."

"..."

"Now, I feel like I'm going to have a family."

A calm vitality spread over the dry voice. But before he could check her expression, Olivia turned around. She then approached the main gate of the Grand Duke's residence. The door that had been closed like an iron fortress opened wide towards Olivia. 

The moment the Grand Duke approached Olivia, Jade stumbled as if his legs had lost strength. The sight before his eyes seemed distant. Nonsense. He was more concerned about Olivia going in there than about the ridiculous appearance he was making. 

At the same time, Olivia's voice lingered in his head like a spell.

"However, now there is no need for that."

He felt like he couldn't breathe.

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