Chapter – 26
“What else is left?”
“Ah… I’m sorry to say this, but it’s becoming difficult for us to keep suppressing this matter on our side. I believe you’ll need to consider that as well.”
Mikael, unconsciously gripping the back of his neck, glanced nervously at the Duke.
“The informant has already been talking about it at various drinking gatherings, and it seems they even tried to sell the information to several other newspapers besides this one. At this rate, it may eventually break out properly.”
“I suppose it will. There are plenty of fools obsessed with that woman as it is.”
“……”
The Duke let out a faint sneer, as if he had expected as much. Ever since Evangelin entered high society, there had not been a single day when her name failed to appear in the papers. At first, she seemed quite troubled by it, but before long she appeared to have grown accustomed, trying to act indifferent.
Still, those had all been praise and favorable articles about her.
If a scandal were to erupt at a time like this, even Evangelin would struggle to remain so composed. She must already be exhausted—physically and emotionally. Perhaps tears would well up in those beautiful eyes, or her pink irises would cloud over with shock.
The thought irritated him immensely.
And yet… perhaps that might be better.
Truthfully, he found himself wanting to see it at least once.
Anything would be preferable to that serene gaze with which she had asked him to break off their engagement.
“I’ll meet with the newspaper proprietors and warn them in advance. If it’s Your Grace’s command, they’ll even pretend to die for you.”
“There’s no need.”
“Then the Lady’s name will start circulating again—”
“It won’t last long anyway. Better to throw out something bigger.”
When it came to handling the press, he was a step ahead. Evangelin had only begun drawing society’s attention two years ago. Decarno had been under it since the day he was born. After decades of tiresome experience, he knew one thing well: gossip was not buried by money or persuasion, but by bigger gossip.
“For instance, my wedding would suffice.”
“……Pardon?”
At the unexpected suggestion, Mikael raised his voice before he could stop himself. He quickly clapped a hand over his mouth, but his shock did not vanish.
“Y-Your Grace’s marriage? If you decide something like that so suddenly—”
“It was already decided. It was only postponed because of my mother’s funeral.”
“Even so, why would you suddenly move it forward—”
“Do I need to explain that to you?”
Decarno lifted his ash-gray gaze calmly, and the coldness in it was sharp. Unable to hide his displeasure, he stared at Mikael, who immediately bowed his head. He wondered if he should apologize again, but by then the Duke had already returned to the usual expression Mikael had grown used to over the past few days.
“You’re going to resume work already? You should rest a bit longer.”
“I’ll finish this first.”
“Then I’ll have a meal prepared. Ah, and I’ve moved all of Your Grace’s belongings from the traveling carriage. Everything else has been returned to its original place, but the raw gemstone you brought from Thunberg—what shall we do with it?”
“……”
The Duke’s pen paused mid-stroke.
Now that he thought about it, there had been such a thing. He had carried it himself for two days straight, yet now he could barely recall what it looked like.
“Shall I place it in the display case? Or, if you intend it as a gift, I could have it wrapped separately—”
“Throw it away.”
“……”
“It’s of no use anymore.”
Before the hesitant Mikael, the Duke’s pen began moving again. Though his handwriting had grown rougher, his intent was clear.
Their marriage had already been decided.
With or without that trivial gemstone, nothing would change.
At most, he would simply miss seeing her smiling as she accepted it.
◇ ◆ ◇
The Duchess’s seat is not mine.
Once she accepted that fact, Evangelin felt strangely at ease. Having made up her mind, there was no longer any reason to tread carefully. Returning to the annex where she had been staying, she began packing her belongings one by one.
After taking out several dresses, she opened the drawer inside her vanity. The jewels inside shimmered so brightly they almost hurt her eyes. She took them out carefully, one by one. As her fingertips traced their cold surfaces, she absentmindedly glanced around the room.
“Evangelin, this will be where you live from now on. Do you like it?”
She could still vividly recall how she had felt two years ago, when she first entered this room with the late Duchess. She had thought she had lived quite luxuriously until then, but compared to this place, it was nothing.
The interior, the furniture, even the smallest ornaments—everything stood at the pinnacle of splendor. It felt strangely detached from the refined, noble elegance that the Duchess herself embodied. Sensing the meaning in her startled gaze, the late Duchess had given a light smile.
“No. This is not to my taste. However, preserving the annex as it is and passing it on to the next generation is both the tradition and the duty of the Duchess of Teje.”
In other words, the room had always been this way. She had felt faintly disappointed that even the Duchess had so little authority as to change her own quarters—but now she realized it was fortunate.
Because she could now return it exactly as it had been.
“……”
With a soundless chuckle, she returned the jewels to their places and stood up. Perhaps this was why they said fate was predetermined. After gazing for a long moment at the room that had not changed in the slightest over the past two years, she stepped outside.
It was not only the annex that she had to return as it was.
“Rex!”
“Woof! Woof!”
The moment she lit the glass greenhouse, Rex dashed toward her and leapt into her arms. Still not fully recovered in strength, Evangelin lost her balance and fell onto her bottom, soon bursting into laughter. There was no longer any need to maintain the dignity of the future Duchess—at least not for today. And among everything within the annex, there was nothing she had given her heart to more deeply than Rex.
“You’re always so full of energy. Just how much bigger are you going to grow?”
“Woof!”
“Even a dog must have dignity. You’re a descendant of the Northern ancient hounds, Rex.”
Half joking, half sincere, she stroked his fur from head to back as they walked. His sleek silver coat shimmered like moonlight. Following the late Duchess’s wishes, she had raised him from the day he was born until now. Words could not describe how she felt.
“……Rex. Be strong and live well. All right?”
“Whine.”
As if understanding her words, Rex reacted at once to the melancholy in her voice. Perhaps that was only natural, given that he was said to be a direct descendant of the legendary hound who ruled over all beasts. Still, today of all days, she wished he would not understand her heart.
“Ah… if only I could take you with me.”
She knew it was an absurd thought. More than everything within the Teje estate combined, parting from Rex was the hardest for her. Even knowing he would receive the utmost care, the thought of leaving him alone tore at her heart.
“……So it’s come to this in the end.”
Her hand, which had been brushing his fur, froze midway. He had been the only comfort to her during her father’s troubles as well. Having held back for so long, Evangelin finally choked up and wrapped her arms tightly around Rex’s neck.
“My baby.”
If he were an ordinary dog, she would have insisted on taking him somehow. But Rex’s bloodline was different. As the so-called king of dogs, no one knew when or how his hidden power might manifest. Even if it was only a legend, he was practically the symbol of the late Duchess of Teje—far beyond her authority to claim.
“I’ll miss you, Rex.”
“……Whine.”
“Forget me. As quickly as you can. That’s the only way you—”
She had just managed to swallow her tears when she suddenly sensed a presence and lifted her head.
At the end of the walking path stood a figure, indifferent and silent. Evangelin rose to her feet, looking up at him. She had no idea how long he had been there; he was so quiet she had not even heard his breathing.
“How very sentimental.”
“……”
“Go on. I won’t interrupt.”
Decarno’s voice was cold as he stood with his arms crossed. Not expecting to encounter him like this, Evangelin bit her lip awkwardly—but then steadied herself. They would have had to meet again at least once anyway.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Hah…”
When she smiled calmly, it only made the lines between Decarno’s brows deepen. After gently prying Rex off her, Evangelin stepped toward him.
“I was wondering when you might come.”
“You were waiting for me?”
“Of course. If you’re ready, we can finish what we left unfinished before… Have you been drinking?”
She had been walking slowly, intending to conclude their conversation, when the scent of alcohol reached her. It was not unusual for him to drink, given the number of people he dealt with daily—but she had never smelled it this strong before.
