In the original story, the Duke always wore a mask for generations for unknown reasons.
It was said that the silver mask, which concealed even the color of the eyes so that they could not be seen, was terrifying enough to send shivers down one's spine just by looking at it.
I also heard that he rarely shows himself in high society to begin with,
You might find it strange that the second male lead's face isn't shown, but when he takes off his mask later, Linea describes him as 'handsome.'
But whether intentional or not, there was no detailed description of his appearance until the very end.
I glanced up at Carcel.
'He is handsome.'
But is this man Duke Lakan?
In fact, the name Carcel is not the only name in the Empire.
So, logically speaking, it makes sense to think of them as people with the same name.
However, I had no intention of naively trusting the Marquis Rivandel, who was showing me this mysterious kindness, or taking it lightly.
'I need to go straight to the Information Guild and find out the information.'
With that thought in mind, I smoothly completed the contract.
Finally, I smiled and lightly shook hands with Viscountess Enisha.
"Madam, thank you so much for selling this land to me."
"Not at all. Thanks to you, I was able to help too."
As Viscountess Enisha said that, her expression became much kinder.
Her softened gaze seemed to be directed at Carcel, who was still cherishing me as if to show off, even as we shared the contract.
'It's all an act, though.'
I looked at Carcel with suspicious eyes and immediately carefully packed the contract into my bag.
The remaining 1,000 gold had to be used to develop the mine.
Just knowing that Magic Stones are appearing isn't everything; in fact, it's just the beginning.
Starting with magic stone detection and development, it is still a long way to go before we can partner with a trustworthy merchant group for distribution!
I smiled as if we were a harmonious couple until I left the Viscount's mansion, but only when I reached the carriage did I slip away.
It’s not that I disliked Carcel grabbing my shoulder.
However, the conviction that I could not trust him yet was stronger.
'But he was called Marquis Rivandel in the first place, so he can't be Duke Lakan, right?'
I asked the question carefully.
"By the way, is your name Carcel Rivandel?"
"Yes, were you curious about my name?"
Once he broke the ice with physical contact, he approached even more freely.
His red eyes, as he lowered his head to meet my gaze, were exceptionally clear.
'He doesn't seem like a bad person.'
On top of that, above all, how could the man Asha Delmore had a crush on in the past and even confessed to be Duke Lakan? She dies at Duke Lakan's hands, after all?
It was then.
He suddenly reached out and very carefully tucked my hair behind my ear.
"It has been on my mind for a while."
The low voice speaking to me like that held warmth.
I flinched in surprise and looked up at him, but I didn't dislike it.
I could feel that there was no particular intention behind Carcel's touch.
He smiled at me with an arc and asked affectionately.
"Are you going home now?"
I decided that I needed to find out more about this man.
"Would you like to have a meal together before you go?"
"..."
Carcel was silent for a moment at the suggestion. I just blinked a few times at his eyes, which seemed surprised as well as he groped in the air.
I naturally expected him to enthusiastically agree, but surprisingly, Carcel's answer came much later.
"Is today the last chance?"
"Yes?"
"I want to do it right away, but I'm worried that if I say yes, I might never get another chance."
My cheeks flushed like spring strawberries at those words, which blatantly left open the possibility of meeting again.
"No. It's, it's not like that, though."
"Is there another opportunity?"
"Yes."
I nodded.
That was because if his identity were confirmed, I would have something to propose to Carcel from that point on.
Contract marriage.
I don't know if he will agree, but I wasn't a person completely devoid of conscience either.
I'm going to figure out what he needs right now.
However, what I hadn't realized was his face brightening at just the mention of a next opportunity.
Carcel continued speaking, flashing a sensual smile at me.
"Then it doesn't matter when... Asha."
I was startled when my name was suddenly called and opened my eyes wide.
“...Asha?”
"Your name is pretty, so I wanted to call you that just once. Is that not allowed?"
No. It’s still a bit overwhelming, but somehow, hearing it in that voice, it doesn’t seem so bad.
I kept giving gaps to the man who was determined to create plausibility with his face as he crept in naturally like a snake slithering over a wall.
I couldn't help but be entranced in that moment by the languid, low whisper.
"Does Asha think my name isn't very good?"
"Ah. No, that's not the case!"
"Then can't you sing it just once? I just want to hear it once."
He asked politely, but the look in his eyes as he stared at me was sharp.
As if I had to listen.
“Ca, Carcel?”
At the name I vaguely blurted out, he contorted his right eye as if his vision had gone blurry.
“Are you okay?”
If it were me, I would act nonchalant too.
This was the first time a handsome man had so blatantly shown his romantic interest in me, so I kept getting drawn in.
"I realized for the first time that having someone call my name makes me feel this warm."
"Is there no one to call you by your name?"
"I don't have any. My mother didn't like me very much, and my father passed away when I was young. I've been living such a busy life that I hardly have any relatives who call me by my name."
I was definitely just testing the waters, but the backstory turned out to be more gloomy than I expected, so I just blinked.
'My situation is a bit similar to yours, so I do feel a bit sorry for you.'
I was about to give in a little. Because, of all things, his face was incredibly persuasive.
His face looked lonely as he smiled faintly, as if it were nothing.
I asked back that face that somehow made my heart weak.
"Ca, Carsel, then would you like to have lunch together today?"
At those words, Carcel's eyes crinkled.
He tilted his head slightly and stared at me with eyes that were impossible to read.
“Anywhere is fine.”
"I only know one restaurant. Is that okay? Is there anything you can't eat?"
“Everything was fine.”
“Then let’s go.”
Carcel led me to the carriage.
I told him the destination.
***
"Was this the restaurant Asha mentioned?"
I didn't stop him from calling my name so openly anymore.
"Do you dislike things like this?"
"Because it was unexpected, I thought Asha would go to restaurants that women would like a little more often."
"But the soup here is seriously the best for a hangover! They simmer it with the bones, so it's spicy and refreshing! If you come here the day after drinking, it really settles your stomach."
As I looked up at Carcel, who was silent as I said that, he was staring intently at me.
Oops, I asked.
"Ah, aren't you having any alcohol...?"
At the remark I added belatedly, worried that my image might look strange, Carcel opened his eyes wide for a moment, then soon smiled softly.
"No, I tend to drink well."
"But the food here is delicious even if you don't drink alcohol. And above all, the prices are affordable."
"It is an interior that seems like it should be affordable."
I laughed awkwardly at those words.
Come to think of it, I felt like I had brought the wrong person.
'I should have bought something expensive. I must have looked like a penny-pincher for no reason.'
As I walked ahead to make room for him, I firmly grasped his sleeve.
Then Carcel turned his head toward me.
“Hey, but.”
"Carcel."
"Yes, Carcel, actually... I think I was wrong."
Before I knew it, his gaze had moved from my face down to my hand, which was tightly gripping his sleeve.
“Ah! I’m sorry!”
As I said that and tried to pull my hand away, he grabbed my hand and placed it back on his sleeve.
"What do you mean by thinking wrong? You aren't saying that having a meal with me is a bad idea, are you?"
I shook my head at him for asking that.
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