"Oh, Duke."
"Go ahead, Your Highness."
"..."
"I was talking about His Majesty. Please honor your noble lineage and take responsibility as a saint, until then."
His eyes immediately returned to normal, and his eyes was still as if something had happened. Only then did Bellona laugh clumsily.
If she had been a little more sensible, she would have noticed the slight change in the Duke's eyes, but Bellona was blinded by him.
With the Princess continuing her story calmly, Deccarno's eyes turned to the balcony on the second floor again.
***
After the Princess's party, Evangeline and Deccarno became even more awkward. They weren't very friendly, but at least they never avoided each other. Deccarno was always polite and respectful, and Evangeline was also busy doing her job.
However, from that day on, their relationship changed subtly.
The Duke, who was still busy, had no time to look at her face, and she felt more and more stupid. She had been carrying out all kinds of schedules from opening her eyes to closing them, and in an instant, she became a person who couldn't do anything.
She couldn't go out, meet people, or even laugh out loud.
The most difficult thing to endure was her relationship with Deccarno.
When he was busy, the sadness and awkwardness that she hadn't known before made her feel intimidated. It was even more so when she learned that he would sell his island in the South to pay off her debts. I was so miserable and ashamed that I couldn't put it all into words. From that day on, Deccarno's attitude, which felt somewhat cold, also became difficult to overcome.
'I can't do this forever.'
In the end, Evangeline, who was disappointed, took courage first. When the Duke arrived at the main building just in time for breakfast, Deccarno had just finished eating and was holding a cup of coffee, and he stared at her in surprise. In the cold gaze that seemed to search into people's hearts, Evangeline opened her lips first.
"Just... I wonder if you're inside."
She knew it was a stupid thing to say, but when she saw him, her heart jumped helplessly. Still, until recently, the two of them used to eat together, so this time has become unbearably awkward.
He stared at her as if asking why she came, and she stood in front of him until the end.
"Hmm... You were there."
"Sit down."
"..."
"You didn't come here to eat."
Descarno nodded across from him, as if to ask her to sit down. As if waiting, the butler and servants brought her a portion of tea. Now that she has shunned the servants, even this kind of treatment has become uncomfortable. On the other hand, he was a person who was born to call and subdue people with a single glance.
"If you have business, tell me."
"Rather... I think you're busy these days."
What do ordinary lovers talk about at times like this?
Her sigh deepened. They might say that they would forget their faces, or that I ca me because you didn't come, or that kind of laughing joke.
But it wasn't her. If she said such a thing carelessly, Deccarno's precarious scales would be tilted even more.
That man is jealous of annoying opponents.
"...I've seen you doing well, so I'll go now."
"Evangeline."
"I'm sorry. I interrupted the meal."
Thinking about that, she hurriedly got up. Je didn't expect Evangeline to get up so quickly, so Deccarno frowned and stood up together. However, he didn't have the personality to say something kind to stay a little longer.
"I don't think that's all you have to say to me."
"Why do you think so?"
"Because you're shaking."
"Oh..."
Evangeline, who had been blinking in a daze, lowered her head. She doesn't know why she's doing this. The back of her hand, trembling slightly, is ridiculous. If the previous Duchess had seen it, she would have shaken her head.
"...I am sorry. It's not particularly painful, but I don't know why."
"Give it to me."
He grabbed her hand as she was quickly walking away. Unlike the last time he grabbed her wrist like he did in Evangeline's room, this time he literally grabbed her hand. It had been a long time since she had held hands like this, except when she was dancing, so her heart was rattling.
"It's really not a big deal..."
"That's not up to you."
Deccarno stared at the back of her hand, which he had pressed down. His eyes weren't so friendly, but strangely, her tremors decreased. Perhaps it wasn't a bad choice to come to him first, and Evangeline's breathing calmed down.
'I'm glad I came.'
The peace that greeted her after a long time made her brave once more. It may seem hollow, but it's better than going back to the days when she was frustrated for a few days. She tried to talk to him as casually as she could, as usual.
"Are you late today?"
"Hmm."
"A lot?"
"Maybe."
It was a very short conversation, but it was just like that, so she laughed even in this situation. If he had been forced to be affectionate, it would have seemed strange at that time.
This guy really wants to end up with her, same.
"Then you can have a meal."
"I suppose so."
"Oh... Then I think I'll meet some guests today."
"..."
The back of his hand stopped shaking completely, and Evangeline, who was standing across from him, smiled softly. For some reason, the man who was quick to answer didn't say anything. Perhaps because she was so used to being silent, she carefully pulled her hand out without thinking, lowering her head.
"Actually, I met some old friends at the last party. We should meet again and talk, but I think it's better to invite them for a while than to go outside for a while..."
"That's a great consideration."
"...What?"
"Does he want to come to your place?"
"..."
What is this man talking about now?
Evangeline, who looked up without knowing what he meant, gradually guessed what he meant, and the color of her eyes changed. The trembling of her hands, which had stopped for a long time, also started again. If he was angry openly, she would say it was a misunderstanding, but his smile was just cold.
"What do you mean? If you're talking about Kirion."
"How special are you, who would be a Duchess, remember the name of a naval officer so carelessly?"
"..."
"I don't know. That's why you dare to invite him to see his face in this situation."
Oh no, the situation.
Every word penetrated her heart in a very meaningful way. At this point, she can't help but realize what his intentions are. The insult made her bite her mouth so that it hurt.
"Kirion is my friend. A man or a woman, the only person who spoke to me first at the banquet that day."
"Do you really think that's pure goodwill?"
"What do you mean?"
"If you don't know that, it means you still don't know the world."
"..."
Even after going through such a thing.
The omitted words seemed to come to her by themselves. It wasn't a particularly sarcastic voice, but that made her feel even more sad. Evangeline struggled through her dry throat and bowed her head without saying anything.
"...Yes."
Deccarno's expression, which had been calm, suddenly wriggled, swaying. It seemed that something was wrong, but Evangeline's face was already as silent as a mask. He doesn't know if he changed his heart because he wasn't interested in this woman's feelings, but at least it was starkly different from the bright smile he had seen on the balcony that day.
"...I think you're right. I guess I don't know much yet."
"Evangeline."
"I think I was excited to meet an old friend. If I had a little more insight, I would have focused more on my situation."
Her pink eyes were unstable and could not stay in any one place. Deccarno tried to grab her trembling shoulder, but Evangeline took a step back and bent her knees. It was a mechanical movement, as if a mainspring were wound around her back.
"I'll do something that didn't happen. My thoughts were short."
"..."
Saying that she was sorry for interrupting the meal, and that it was natural because it was his house, was nothing short of elegant. Her steps were often light, as if they would disappear at any moment.
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