In the center of the Duke’s territory stands a towering castle.
With the knights and soldiers out, a peaceful quiet has settled in.
In the castle’s courtyard, various flowers in shades of red, blue, and other colors are blooming in abundance.
Previously, money for maintaining the garden had been saved, but under Ainzich’s orders, the garden was revived. Though the garden was beginning to regain its former brilliance, an indescribable loneliness hung in the air.
Melia, a maid who had served the Baltia Duke family for a long time, was attending to duties. Normally, her mistress, Leila, would be more lively, but today she was repeatedly gazing at the eastern sky. Melia watched her with a mix of concern and exasperation.
“Miss, are you lonely because you haven’t seen the Duke?”
“Ah… was it that obvious?”
“Yes, very. You looked just like a lovesick maiden.”
Leila covered her face with her hands, her cheeks slightly flushed as she let out a soft, adorable sound.
Melia, observing this, couldn’t help but think it was a good sign. In the past, Leila had been treated as a mere political tool, and she had closed herself off. Melia had been worried about her.
But now, Leila was smiling more and seemed to be opening her heart. Melia was grateful to Ainzich for treating Leila kindly and with consideration.
Seeing this innocent reaction, Melia couldn’t resist teasing her a little.
“What is it about the Duke that you like?”
Leila hesitated, then pulled her hands away from her face and looked at Melia.
“…Can you promise not to tell Ainzich?”
Melia nodded, signaling her agreement.
Leila’s eyes clouded for a moment before she replied.
“Everything.”
“Eh?”
While Melia was a bit surprised, Leila started speaking rapidly, almost as if chanting a spell.
“First, his kindness. He draws people in and leads them forward, but he’s also a bit unreliable, which makes you want to help him. And he’s handsome, too, and his body is well-trained…”
“Miss, I understand completely now.”
Pressed by Leila’s passionate words, Melia reluctantly surrendered, even though she had initiated the conversation.
However, Melia couldn’t help but wonder.
“But, the relationship hasn’t really progressed, has it?”
“Ugh…”
Melia was concerned that Leila was holding back, and that Ainzich seemed hesitant to take the next step, though neither seemed willing to move forward.
“I think you should just push him down already.”
Melia thought to herself that they clearly liked each other—why not just get together already?
But Leila, her face red with embarrassment, immediately protested.
“Such a disgraceful thing, I couldn’t!”
Though clearly embarrassed, Melia felt that a little push to make Leila aware of the urgency might be necessary.
“But, if you keep hesitating, the Duke might end up finding a mistress, you know?”
The moment Melia spoke, she realized she had made a mistake.
Leila’s face, which had been flushed, returned to normal, but her eyes grew dark and clouded.
“In noble families, having one or two wives is normal, so I wouldn’t oppose it. But with Ainzich, I’m sure he would talk to me first. He wouldn’t keep anything a secret from me, right?”
“Ah, yes… you’re right.”
Meanwhile, somewhere else.
“Ah-choo!”
“Are you alright, my lord?”
I wonder if they’re talking about me? I rub my nose a little.
“Shall I warm you up?”
Kurt’s concern for me feels like it might mean something else, though that’s probably just my own bias.
“No, I’m fine.”
When I reject his offer, Kurt seems a bit down, looking dejected.
Lately, Kurt’s been acting a little obsessive, and it gives me a strange sense of déjà vu.
It feels like I’ve seen someone with a similar vibe before…
