“You’re crazy.”
No, this was an action that could not even be described as crazy.
As I stepped back in disgust, the Duke of Lucien clutched his chest with a sad expression on his face as if he were about to burst into tears at any moment.
“I mustered up the courage to confess, but you are being too cruel. I am hurt.”
“That’s good. Since you’re hurt, please disappear from my sight.”
Even though I kindly pointed out the direction in which he should disappear, the Duke of Lucien did not move at all.
Rather, he laughed as if he found it amusing that I was doing this.
Truly, he was a man who did not want to associate with the Emperor in any other way.
I never had anything to do with him in my previous life, so why am I getting involved with him in this life?
Even though my actions have completely changed compared to my previous lives, I don't think I've given Duke Lucien any reason to get involved.
“Is Duke Leopold originally such a cold-hearted person?”
“Is Duke Lucien really that shameless? How can you say something like that when he knows I have a fiance?”
“Even married people are desperately confessing their love to the opposite sex, so what’s the big deal about getting engaged?”
What on earth could possibly be going on in your head to think like that?
"Ha."
As I looked up in astonishment, Duke Lucien put his hand on my cheek and smiled shyly.
“It’s so embarrassing when you look at me with such passionate eyes.”
“...”
“I’m joking, so don’t be serious.”
Why am I not taking your word for it when you say such things?
“But do you have any intention of marrying His Highness the 4th Prince?”
“You ask such an obvious question. I wouldn’t have gotten engaged to Perdes if I had no intention of getting married.”
“I don’t know. You may have chosen the Fourth Prince because you didn’t want to marry the Second Prince, or because you wanted to go against His Majesty the Emperor’s will.”
“... !”
I looked around in surprise at the remark that was so open to misunderstanding.
Fortunately, no one was passing by.
While feeling relieved at that fact, I was also angry and clenched my fists, glaring fiercely at the Duke of Lucien.
“Is this your revenge for me not accepting the Duke’s confession?”
“No way. I was just saying what I thought.”
“I don’t know why you would think such an absurd thing, but no.”
“It seems that His Highness the Fourth Prince truly likes Duke Leopold.”
It was something I already knew, but hearing it from the Duke of Lucien's own lips felt strange.
I wondered if Perdes had shown his feelings enough for the Duke of Lucien to notice.
It wasn't a welcome interest anyway.
I was about to tell him to stop paying any more attention, but the Duke of Lucien asked first.
“What about Duke Leopold?”
The eyes that contained my image sparkled meaningfully.
It was like the look in the eyes of a child holding a fun toy in front of him.
“Do you feel the same way about His Highness the Fourth Prince?”
“...Am I obligated to answer that question?”
“No. But if you don’t answer, I might start having strange fantasies.”
“I think I should answer that.”
“Well, that’s true.”
This guy is really shameless.
I was more tired than when I had a fight with the Crown Prince at the meeting, so I pressed my eyes tightly and waved my hands.
“Alright. If I continue talking to the Duke, I’ll really go crazy, so let’s stop here.”
“Then how about marrying me?”
What the heck is this nonsense?
“Why should I marry the Duke of Lucien?”
“I said this because it seemed like you didn’t want to marry His Highness the Fourth Prince.”
"No."
Yeah. It's not that I didn't want to get married.
Rather, if I look at just one person named Perdes, I thought it would be okay to get married.
“Oh no. I got rejected again.”
The Duke of Lucien's eyes closed sadly.
“I’ve already been rejected twice. It leaves a deep scar on my tender heart.”
The Duke of Lucien's heart is soft. It was nonsense that would make even a passing dog frown.
“You’re not sincere anyway.”
Duke Lucien, who was performing a strange show while clutching his chest, stopped.
“It’s not like I really like you, nor do I have any intention of marrying you.”
The corners of his lips, which had playfully curled up, fell back into place. The hand that had been clutching his chest also went down.
“But I find it extremely unpleasant that you keep joking around with such strange words.”
“...”
“I ask you politely, so please stop here.”
I wonder if my request was answered.
Duke Lucien, who had been staring blankly at me, shrugged his shoulders.
“Oh, really. When I say this to other people, they fall for it, but it doesn’t work on the Duke, so it’s a bit tricky.”
I think it's strange that people fall for lies that are so obvious.
“Still, I truly believe that I would be willing to marry Duke Leopold.”
The corners of his mouth smoothly rose.
“If I marry you, every day will be really fun.”
“Please put that thought aside.”
Marrying the Duke of Lucien? The very thought was terrifying.
“Even if the Duke of Lucien were the only man in the world, I would never marry you.”
“Oh, really. When you say that with a serious face, it really hurts.”
“I said it with the sincere hope that you would be hurt.”
Then he won't do such strange things anymore.
It would be better if he didn't appear in front of me at all.
“So what do you really have to say? Surely you didn’t stop me from talking about such useless things, did you?”
“Of course not. This is why I captured the Duke.”
The Duke of Lucien glanced around, then took a small note out of his pocket and handed it to me.
“What is this?”
“Please check it yourself.”
What on earth is going on?
I glanced at the Duke of Lucien with suspicious eyes, then checked the note.
The note read, "Save me. I want to live. Get me out of here."
...in Chernosser’s handwriting.
Naturally, I remembered the previous note that I thought was Chernosser's will.
“This... Where did you find it?”
“It’s the Lambaya River. A commoner picked up a glass bottle floating down the river and handed it over to my aide a week ago, saying it was inside.”
Except for the date, the circumstances were exactly as the boy who brought me the note from Chernosser had said.
Is this just a coincidence?
Or is it an extension of that note?
If Chernosser, who was thought to be dead, was actually alive and well and wrote a note asking to be spared...
“Perhaps His Highness the Second Prince is still alive.”
“...”
Duke Lucien seems to be thinking the same thing as me.
Well, anyone who sees this note will probably think that way.
If Chernosser is indeed alive, he is probably currently in the basement of Duke Leopold's residence.
To be precise, it is another space where intruders who enter the basement without permission disappear.
What if Chernosser really is there?
Should I get him out?
How?
I don't know how to get there.
“You know something.”
I shook my head, awakened from my own musings by those confident words.
“I don’t know anything in particular.”
“For something like that, it’s quite disturbing.”
“That’s because I think His Highness the Second Prince might be alive, just as the Duke said. As you know, His Highness the Second Prince’s body hasn’t been found yet.”
“Yes. That’s why I was suspicious too.”
I wonder how far his suspicions extend.
Why did you show me this note?
I see you haven't told anyone else yet.
“Did you show this note to the investigator in charge of His Highness the Second Prince’s case?”
“Not yet.”
I asked just in case, but it wasn't true.
“I wanted to confirm whether this note was really written by His Highness the Second Prince before showing it to you. So, does it seem to you that His Highness the Second Prince wrote this note himself?”
“Well, I think it would be more certain to get that part evaluated by a handwriting expert rather than me.”
“If it’s a feeling, I already received it. That’s why I’m asking.”
The Duke of Lucien leaned toward me and asked in a small voice.
“How did the Duke immediately know that this note was from His Highness the Prince of Chernosser?”
“...!”
I was very embarrassed by the unexpected question, but I answered calmly as if nothing had happened.
“Of course, I knew that thanks to Duke Lucien.”
“Am I the one talking?”
“Yes. The Duke said that His Highness the Second Prince might be alive, so I thought that might be the case... Is there a problem?”
It was a moment when the improved acting skills that I had gained while spending time with Perdes were fully displayed.
Still, it seemed impossible to completely deceive him, as the Duke of Lucien looked at me with suspicious eyes.
Avoiding eye contact here would be like admitting that something was off, so I held my trembling heart tightly and met his gaze.
While we were staring at each other as if we were having a staring contest, it was Duke Lucien who turned his gaze first.
“I see. I understand.”
He nodded with an expression that showed that he understood, although his doubts still remained.
“Then if you find out anything else, please let me know.”
“Yeah.”
“And please think seriously about what I confessed.”
“...I refuse that.”
No, this was an action that could not even be described as crazy.
As I stepped back in disgust, the Duke of Lucien clutched his chest with a sad expression on his face as if he were about to burst into tears at any moment.
“I mustered up the courage to confess, but you are being too cruel. I am hurt.”
“That’s good. Since you’re hurt, please disappear from my sight.”
Even though I kindly pointed out the direction in which he should disappear, the Duke of Lucien did not move at all.
Rather, he laughed as if he found it amusing that I was doing this.
Truly, he was a man who did not want to associate with the Emperor in any other way.
I never had anything to do with him in my previous life, so why am I getting involved with him in this life?
Even though my actions have completely changed compared to my previous lives, I don't think I've given Duke Lucien any reason to get involved.
“Is Duke Leopold originally such a cold-hearted person?”
“Is Duke Lucien really that shameless? How can you say something like that when he knows I have a fiance?”
“Even married people are desperately confessing their love to the opposite sex, so what’s the big deal about getting engaged?”
What on earth could possibly be going on in your head to think like that?
"Ha."
As I looked up in astonishment, Duke Lucien put his hand on my cheek and smiled shyly.
“It’s so embarrassing when you look at me with such passionate eyes.”
“...”
“I’m joking, so don’t be serious.”
Why am I not taking your word for it when you say such things?
“But do you have any intention of marrying His Highness the 4th Prince?”
“You ask such an obvious question. I wouldn’t have gotten engaged to Perdes if I had no intention of getting married.”
“I don’t know. You may have chosen the Fourth Prince because you didn’t want to marry the Second Prince, or because you wanted to go against His Majesty the Emperor’s will.”
“... !”
I looked around in surprise at the remark that was so open to misunderstanding.
Fortunately, no one was passing by.
While feeling relieved at that fact, I was also angry and clenched my fists, glaring fiercely at the Duke of Lucien.
“Is this your revenge for me not accepting the Duke’s confession?”
“No way. I was just saying what I thought.”
“I don’t know why you would think such an absurd thing, but no.”
“It seems that His Highness the Fourth Prince truly likes Duke Leopold.”
It was something I already knew, but hearing it from the Duke of Lucien's own lips felt strange.
I wondered if Perdes had shown his feelings enough for the Duke of Lucien to notice.
It wasn't a welcome interest anyway.
I was about to tell him to stop paying any more attention, but the Duke of Lucien asked first.
“What about Duke Leopold?”
The eyes that contained my image sparkled meaningfully.
It was like the look in the eyes of a child holding a fun toy in front of him.
“Do you feel the same way about His Highness the Fourth Prince?”
“...Am I obligated to answer that question?”
“No. But if you don’t answer, I might start having strange fantasies.”
“I think I should answer that.”
“Well, that’s true.”
This guy is really shameless.
I was more tired than when I had a fight with the Crown Prince at the meeting, so I pressed my eyes tightly and waved my hands.
“Alright. If I continue talking to the Duke, I’ll really go crazy, so let’s stop here.”
“Then how about marrying me?”
What the heck is this nonsense?
“Why should I marry the Duke of Lucien?”
“I said this because it seemed like you didn’t want to marry His Highness the Fourth Prince.”
"No."
Yeah. It's not that I didn't want to get married.
Rather, if I look at just one person named Perdes, I thought it would be okay to get married.
“Oh no. I got rejected again.”
The Duke of Lucien's eyes closed sadly.
“I’ve already been rejected twice. It leaves a deep scar on my tender heart.”
The Duke of Lucien's heart is soft. It was nonsense that would make even a passing dog frown.
“You’re not sincere anyway.”
Duke Lucien, who was performing a strange show while clutching his chest, stopped.
“It’s not like I really like you, nor do I have any intention of marrying you.”
The corners of his lips, which had playfully curled up, fell back into place. The hand that had been clutching his chest also went down.
“But I find it extremely unpleasant that you keep joking around with such strange words.”
“...”
“I ask you politely, so please stop here.”
I wonder if my request was answered.
Duke Lucien, who had been staring blankly at me, shrugged his shoulders.
“Oh, really. When I say this to other people, they fall for it, but it doesn’t work on the Duke, so it’s a bit tricky.”
I think it's strange that people fall for lies that are so obvious.
“Still, I truly believe that I would be willing to marry Duke Leopold.”
The corners of his mouth smoothly rose.
“If I marry you, every day will be really fun.”
“Please put that thought aside.”
Marrying the Duke of Lucien? The very thought was terrifying.
“Even if the Duke of Lucien were the only man in the world, I would never marry you.”
“Oh, really. When you say that with a serious face, it really hurts.”
“I said it with the sincere hope that you would be hurt.”
Then he won't do such strange things anymore.
It would be better if he didn't appear in front of me at all.
“So what do you really have to say? Surely you didn’t stop me from talking about such useless things, did you?”
“Of course not. This is why I captured the Duke.”
The Duke of Lucien glanced around, then took a small note out of his pocket and handed it to me.
“What is this?”
“Please check it yourself.”
What on earth is going on?
I glanced at the Duke of Lucien with suspicious eyes, then checked the note.
The note read, "Save me. I want to live. Get me out of here."
...in Chernosser’s handwriting.
Naturally, I remembered the previous note that I thought was Chernosser's will.
“This... Where did you find it?”
“It’s the Lambaya River. A commoner picked up a glass bottle floating down the river and handed it over to my aide a week ago, saying it was inside.”
Except for the date, the circumstances were exactly as the boy who brought me the note from Chernosser had said.
Is this just a coincidence?
Or is it an extension of that note?
If Chernosser, who was thought to be dead, was actually alive and well and wrote a note asking to be spared...
“Perhaps His Highness the Second Prince is still alive.”
“...”
Duke Lucien seems to be thinking the same thing as me.
Well, anyone who sees this note will probably think that way.
If Chernosser is indeed alive, he is probably currently in the basement of Duke Leopold's residence.
To be precise, it is another space where intruders who enter the basement without permission disappear.
What if Chernosser really is there?
Should I get him out?
How?
I don't know how to get there.
“You know something.”
I shook my head, awakened from my own musings by those confident words.
“I don’t know anything in particular.”
“For something like that, it’s quite disturbing.”
“That’s because I think His Highness the Second Prince might be alive, just as the Duke said. As you know, His Highness the Second Prince’s body hasn’t been found yet.”
“Yes. That’s why I was suspicious too.”
I wonder how far his suspicions extend.
Why did you show me this note?
I see you haven't told anyone else yet.
“Did you show this note to the investigator in charge of His Highness the Second Prince’s case?”
“Not yet.”
I asked just in case, but it wasn't true.
“I wanted to confirm whether this note was really written by His Highness the Second Prince before showing it to you. So, does it seem to you that His Highness the Second Prince wrote this note himself?”
“Well, I think it would be more certain to get that part evaluated by a handwriting expert rather than me.”
“If it’s a feeling, I already received it. That’s why I’m asking.”
The Duke of Lucien leaned toward me and asked in a small voice.
“How did the Duke immediately know that this note was from His Highness the Prince of Chernosser?”
“...!”
I was very embarrassed by the unexpected question, but I answered calmly as if nothing had happened.
“Of course, I knew that thanks to Duke Lucien.”
“Am I the one talking?”
“Yes. The Duke said that His Highness the Second Prince might be alive, so I thought that might be the case... Is there a problem?”
It was a moment when the improved acting skills that I had gained while spending time with Perdes were fully displayed.
Still, it seemed impossible to completely deceive him, as the Duke of Lucien looked at me with suspicious eyes.
Avoiding eye contact here would be like admitting that something was off, so I held my trembling heart tightly and met his gaze.
While we were staring at each other as if we were having a staring contest, it was Duke Lucien who turned his gaze first.
“I see. I understand.”
He nodded with an expression that showed that he understood, although his doubts still remained.
“Then if you find out anything else, please let me know.”
“Yeah.”
“And please think seriously about what I confessed.”
“...I refuse that.”
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment