"What else is left?"
"Oh... I'm sorry, but this is an issue that we can't stop forever, so I think you have to think about that as well."
Holding his neck, Michael glanced at the Duke.
"The informant has already been talking at various drinking parties, and it seems that he was trying to sell information to various newspapers besides this. I don't know if it will explode properly someday."
"I suppose so. They are the ones who hang on to her."
"..."
The Duke sneered at him, saying that he had expected it. Since entering the social world, there has not been a day that has gone by that Evangeline's story has not been published in the newspaper. At first, she seemed to be in a lot of trouble, but before he knew it, she seemed to be trying to be dumb as if she had adapted.
However, it was only praise and a favorable article for her.
If a scandal breaks out at a time like this, it will be difficult for Evangeline to be so casual. She must be physically exhausted as well as mentally exhausted, so she may have tears in her beautiful eyes or her pink eyes dyed with shock.
It would be very unpleasant for him, but maybe it would be better, he thought. To be honest, he wanted to see it at least once.
Rather than that quiet look that asked her to break up.
"I will meet with the owners of the newspaper and warn them in advance. If it's your order, they'll pretend to die."
"You don't have to."
"Then the lady will be on her lips again..."
"It can't last long. I'd rather throw something bigger at her."
When it came to dealing with the media, he was one of the best. While Evangeline began to attract the attention of the social world two years ago, Deccarno was born at birth. For decades, he had experienced that the only thing that could cover the gossip was not money and appeasement, but bigger gossip.
"It would be okay to have my own wedding, for example."
"...What?"
At his unexpected suggestion, Michael made a loud noise without realizing it. He gasped and covered his mouth in hindsight, but that didn't mean the surprise went anywhere.
"Your Excellency's marriage! What if you decide that so suddenly..."
"It was already decided. It was just postponed because of my mother's funeral."
"So why are you suddenly pulling it..."
"Do I have to explain that?"
Deccarno's gray gaze was preceded by his calm lifting. Michael quickly bowed his head to him, who did not hide his displeasure. He thought he should apologize again, but the Duke had already regained his usual self that he had been tired of for a few days.
"Are you going to start working again? Please rest a little longer."
"That's it."
"Then I'll ask you to have a meal. Oh, and I moved all your belongings from the traveling wagon. I put everything else where it was, but what should I do with the rough stones you brought back from Tunberg..."
"..."
The Duke paused for a moment. Come to think of it, there was such a thing. It took him two days to carry it in his hand, but hr couldn't remember how it looked.
"Shall we put it in the display case? If you are going to give it as a gift, I separately..."
"Throw it away."
"..."
"It's no longer useful."
In front of Michael, the Duke's quill began to move again. Even though his handwriting was rougher, his meaning was clear.
Anyway, their marriage was decided. Whether you have a gem or not, it will never change.
At most. It's just that you don't see her smiling and agreeing.
***
The Duchess is not in her place.
Once she accepted this fact herself, Evangeline felt strangely at ease. Now that she has made up her mind, there is no reason to look at it anymore. After returning to the annex where she was staying, she began to organize her belongings one by one.
Evangeline pulled out a few clothes and opened a drawer in the back of the dresser. She checked the jewels that sparkled so much that her eyes hurt, and she took them out one by one. She brushed the cold touch with her fingertips and looked around the room.
"Evangeline, this is where you should stay. Do you like it?"
Two years ago, when shr first followed the Duchess into this room, she still had the same feeling. She thought she had lived quite luxuriously, but it was nothing compared to this place.
The interior, furniture, and even the smallest props reached the peak of splendor. There was a sense of separation from the Duchess, who was full of dignity from head to toe. The Duchess of the previous generation, realizing the meaning of her gaze in surprise, smiled lightly.
"Nope. This is not my preference. However, it is the tradition and duty of the Duchess of Theses to pass on the annex as it is to the next generation."
That meant that this room had been like that from the beginning. She was disappointed that she couldn't change the room as she wanted, and that the Duchess's authority was smaller than she thought, but now that she thinks about it, she's glad she did.
Evangeline returned it to the next owner as it is.
"..."
With a silent grin, she put the jewels back in their place and stood up. Maybe that's why they say that fate is predetermined. She stared at the room that had not changed at all from two years ago and went outside. It wasn't just the annex that she had to give back, as it was.
"Rex!"
"Woof!!"
As soon as the glass greenhouse was lit, Rex rushed into her arms. Perhaps because her physical strength had not yet fully recovered, Evangeline kicked her buttocks backwards and immediately burst out laughing. Now that the next Duchess has no dignity to protect, she may be fine for a day. And in all of the things in the annex, no one gave her a heart as deeply as Rex.
"You are always full of energy. How much longer will you grow?"
"Woof!"
"No matter how dignified a puppy is, Rex, you're descended from an ancient dog of the North."
Half joking, half serious, she went out for a walk and brushed Rex's long fur from his head to his back. The shiny silver fur looks like the moonlight pouring down. She has been raising him since hr was born according to the will of the previous Duchess, so she can't tell how she feels now.
"...Rex. You have to be strong, okay?"
"Hee-ing."
As if he understood what was being said, Rex quickly responded to her muffled voice. It may be natural that he is a direct descendant of a mythical dog who was actually the king of all animals. But she didn't want Rex to know her feelings today.
"Hah, how nice it would be if I could take you with me."
Evangeline knows it's ridiculous. For her, parting with Rex was more difficult than the Duke's sum of everything. Even though she knew that she would be taken care of with the utmost care, she felt like she had to leave it alone.
"...This is how it ended up in the end."
Her hand brushed Rex's fur and stopped somewhere in the middle. He was the only one who comforted her when her father's work happened. After holding it well, Evangeline hugged Rex's neck tightly.
"My baby."
Even if he were just a normal dog, he would try to force himself to take her somehow, but Rex had a different pedigree. They said that since he is the king of dogs, he does not know when and how his hidden power will be revealed. Even if he was just a legend to laugh at, he was nothing more than a symbol of the Duchess of the previous Theses, so he was no match for her.
"I'll miss you, Rex."
"...-ee-ying."
"Forget me. Sooner, that's all you..."
She was barely swallowing her tears and suddenly looked up at the sudden presence. Evangeline looked up at the figure standing at the end of the walkway and finally stood up. She didn't know how long the silence that she couldn't even feel her breathing had been there.
"You're so desperate."
"..."
"Keep going. I won't disturb you."
Deccarno's voice filled with his arms crossed. Evangeline, who had never encountered him like this, bit her lip in embarrassment, but she changed her mind. After all, they had to meet again at least once.
"Are you here now?"
"..."
As she smiled softly, Deccarno's brow wrinkled even more. Evangeline, who had forcibly let Rex go, whined for a hug, approached him.
"I was waiting for you to come."
"You waited for me?"
"Of course. If you're ready at any time, talk about the rest of the story...Are you drunk?"
She was about to finish her story by walking slowly, but she was stopped by the scent of alcohol. He had to deal with a lot of people, and he didn't drink for a day or two, but he had never been so drunk.
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