Chapter : 22
Lexianâs lips parted slightly.
“Aristocratic young ladies’ hair is probably always soft.”
No, what he had actually meant to say was that her hair felt enchanting, but he flinched.
What was this inexplicable emotion he was feeling?
“Is there anything else you want to know about my hair?”
Her voice, tinged with laughter, made Lexian release her hair. He wanted to touch it more, but…
“By the way, Duke, why havenât you answered me about why you’re asking me to be your partner?”
“You have no romantic interest in me, do you?”
Lexian found this unfamiliar side of himself unsettling and could not accept it.
The sudden slip of the name “Rocia” had not been intentional. Since the day Rocia had collapsed at the Duke’s residence, he had unknowingly muttered her name while trying to understand his emotions.
Thus, he spoke as though cutting off his own feelings.
Although the heartbreaking sound of “Lex” calling him still lingered in his ears, he ignored it. He pretended not to hear it and deceived himself.
Rociaâs crimson eyes, however, stared at him without a trace of a smile.
“You’re sharp.”
“Itâs not about being sharp. Actually, I have something I’m curious about too.”
Ah, as expected, this woman didnât have even a speck of emotion for him.
It had been his own decision to cut away the uneasy feelings first, but it was him who got hurt by Rociaâs cold attitude.
Feeling like a stranger to himself, Lexian decided to change the subject.
“I know the Crown Prince is a sensitive person, but he seems especially irritable around you.”
Though he tried to point out the Crown Princeâs rudeness casually, Lexian couldnât help but be surprised.
The Crown Prince was indeed hot-tempered, but he wasnât a person who lacked manners.
“Has something happened to make you two grow apart?”
“No.”
Rocia calmly shook her head.
“Whatever I do, he will always find me irritating.”
That was strange.
Did the Crown Prince hate her for no reason?
But with Rocia, who had her lips sealed like she wore a thick mask, Lexian couldnât bring himself to ask any more.
Scene Transition
Duke Ricianserâs sharpness was something to admire.
The Crown Prince wasnât exactly known for his good temperament, but he could still maintain some level of decorum. He wasnât an idiot.
Still, whenever the villainess “Rocia Levian” and the female protagonist “Merina Ekel” were involved, it was as if someone had instructed the Crown Prince to act with extra anger.
No matter how kind I was to the Crown Prince or how friendly I was to Merina, the fact didnât change.
I had tried to eliminate the Crown Prince by killing him, but of course, like the male protagonist, he survived poisoning and a stab to the heart by an assassin.
âNext time, when there’s an appropriate opportunity, I will ask you to be my partner. No, Iâm planning a small party soon; please attend.â
Even though I tried to push him away, this man stubbornly persisted, just like he had done so many times before.
If I canât cut him off perfectly, itâs better to be tied to him like family. This was a fact proven through previous encounters.
Yes, not as a lover, but like family.
The word âfamilyâ made my chest feel cold, but I ignored it.
“I understand. And since youâve become my older brother, may I give you a gift as a younger sister?”
“If it’s from you, I would gladly accept.”
“You can look forward to it. Iâll give you something that suits you well.”
Soon we reached the Marquisâ residence, and Duke Ricianser helped me down from the carriage.
“Since youâre like a sister to me, can I call you by your name?”
If you call me by my name, I wonât be able to bear it.
But that too, I must accept.
“Yes, you may.”
Do you know?
By the fact that you can call me by my name, I was unknowingly smiling.
“Then, take care, Duke.”
“Letâs not be formal with each other anymore. Donât call me ‘Duke’ either.”
“Then what should I call you?”
“…Lex. Or you can call me Lexian.”
The man who had shown no interest when I asked him to dance now asked me to use a nickname.
He too seemed unsure why he was doing this.
I think I know the reason, but I wasnât going to tell him.
âThat title is too much for me. Would it be okay if I called you Lexian?â
“Thatâs fine.”
The Duke kissed the tip of my finger before leaving the Marquisâ residence in the carriage. The part where his lips brushed against mine burned.
“Lex…”
The nickname I had called him hundreds, thousands of times melted sweetly in my mouth.
Ah, but I must never call him that again.
I gathered my expression and headed into the mansion.
As soon as I arrived home, Ted, who had a grin on his face, followed me closely.
âThere have already been dozens of inquiries about the jewels.â
“You handle that. Also, prepare a menâs accessory.”
“For Duke Ricianser? Or the Crown Prince?”
“Make it the best one for Duke Ricianser… No, Iâll design it myself, so tell them to prioritize making it.”
âUnderstood.â
It seemed like Ted had truly become my secretary, delighted with the familyâs earnings as if they were his own.
“By the way, it seems like youâve been meeting with Duke Ricianser often. Should I investigate him?”
“Itâs fine.”
I know him better than you do.
Muttering this to myself, I headed for my bedroom.
Scene Transition
Duke Ricianser must have wanted to get the partner request out of the way quickly because, just a few days later, he sent an invitation.
Unfortunately, the accessories werenât finished yet, so I had to go empty-handed.
The Dukeâs residence, which I had visited not long ago, was quieter than last time.
“I seem to have arrived early.”
âNo, itâs fine.â
When I met his gaze, I could see the Duke looking at me with unreadable eyes.
“You are the only one I invited, Rocia.”
“Does that mean itâs just the two of us here?”
“I invited you to my residence because it seems like you find it uncomfortable to meet me in public.”
If that was the case, why didnât he just drop the partner request entirely? I had an idea of why he was doing this, so I simply smiled.
The place I was guided to was Duke Ricianserâs garden.
It was where I had collapsed earlier.
The table had desserts that a lady would like, and the tea was…
âYouâre making the tea yourself, Duke.â
“Didnât we agree to call me Lexian?”
“Yes, Lexian.”
As soon as I corrected myself, a smile appeared on his face. He looked as if he didnât even realize he was smiling, and I felt a strange sensation.
Even in this life, I had tried to avoid you…
But you keep coming closer to me even though you donât remember anything.
Suppressing both the bitterness and the sweetness I was feeling, I looked at the tea he had brewed.
He was someone who knew how to make tea perfectly.
“I didnât know what you liked, so I had them prepare the popular choices these days.”
“I like everything.”
I took a piece of strawberry shortcake.
âWhat kind of dessert do you like, Lexian? Iâd like to know your preferences as my older brother.â
Lexian preferred light cookies.
He didnât like sweets, but he would eat them to match my preferences.
The memory of his cheek covered in chocolate cream almost made me smile, but I restrained myself.
“I like Ă©clairs.”
Lexian, who had been watching me closely, took an elegantly decorated Ă©clair and took a bite, as if showing that his liking was genuine.
I wanted to shout at him not to, but I forced myself to hold it in.
“Got it, Iâll remember that.”
While I was smiling a social smile and focusing on my cake, an older butler came over and whispered something to Lexian. His expression turned serious, and he stood up.
âIâll be excusing myself for a moment.â
âGo ahead, take your time.â
Since it wasnât a big deal, I felt at ease to tour the garden. In fact, with him gone, I could empty the tumultuous emotions in my chest.
Now, the garden filled with flowers, including lilies, was a place I liked. The one who had planted the lilies was none other than Duke Ricianser.
âYou may not remember, but…â
And, I hope you never do.
Scene Transition
“Is this okay, Master?”
“Yes. Well done, Charles.”
There had been no urgent matter, but Charles, who had been tipped off by Lexian, approached him and whispered.
The elderly butler bowed respectfully, and Lexian walked briskly toward his study.
He pulled out the treasure box from the Ricianser familyâs safe.
His hands trembled as he opened the lid.
When he fully opened the intricately decorated box, he stared at its contents in a daze. From the twenty-five strands of black hair inside the box, a faint white light was emanating.
