Chapter 9
Actually, I didn’t know what the Duke of Rakan looked like.
In the original work, the Duke always wore a mask over his face for unknown reasons, generation after generation. They said the silver mask, which even concealed the color of his eyes, was terrifying just to look at—enough to send chills down your spine. I’d also heard that he barely ever showed his face in high society.
It might seem strange that the sub-male lead’s face wasn’t visible, but later, when he did take off the mask, Linea described him as “handsome.” Still, whether intentional or not, there was no detailed description of his features right up to the end.
I glanced up at Carsel.
He is handsome, though.
But was this man the Duke of Rakan?
Actually, Carsel wasn’t a name unique to just one duke in the empire. So logically, it made more sense to think it was just a coincidence—someone with the same name.
Still, I had no intention of naively trusting the Marquis of Libandel, who was showing me this unexplained goodwill, and just brushing it off.
I need to go straight to the information guild and find out.
Thinking that, I steadily proceeded with the contract.
Finally, I lightly shook hands with Viscountess Enisha and smiled.
“Madam, thank you so much for selling me this land.”
“Not at all. I benefited from it too.”
The Viscountess Enisha’s expression had become noticeably more gracious. Her gentle gaze seemed to be directed at Carsel, who was fussing over me as if to show off, even as we divided the contract papers.
It’s all an act, though.
After looking at Carsel with suspicion-filled eyes, I carefully tucked the contract into my bag. The remaining thousand gold coins would have to be used to develop the mine. Knowing that magic stones would be found there wasn’t the end—in fact, this was just the beginning. From detecting and developing the magic stones to partnering with a trustworthy trading company for distribution, there was still a long way to go!
I kept up my smiling act as we left the viscount’s residence like a loving couple, but once we reached the carriage, I subtly pulled away. It wasn’t that I disliked Carsel holding my shoulder. It was more that I had a growing certainty that I still couldn’t trust him.
But wait—he said he was the Marquis of Libandel, so he couldn’t possibly be the Duke of Rakan, right?
I carefully asked.
“By the way, is your name Carsel Libandel?”
“Yes. Were you curious about my name?”
Once he’d initiated physical contact, he now approached me even more freely. His red eyes, lowered to meet my gaze, were strikingly clear.
He doesn’t seem like a bad person.
Besides—above all—could the man Asha Delmore had once had a crush on and even confessed to really be the Duke of Rakan? She died by the Duke of Rakan’s hand!
Just then.
He suddenly reached out and, very gently, tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.
“It’s been bothering me for a while.”
His low voice, speaking to me, carried warmth. I flinched in surprise and shrank back, looking up at him—but I didn’t dislike it. I could feel that Carsel’s touch held no particular ulterior motive.
He curved his lips into a smile and asked affectionately,
“Are you heading home now?”
I made up my mind. I needed to learn more about this man.
“Would you like to have a meal together before you go?”
“……”
At my suggestion, Carsel fell silent for a moment. He seemed surprised too—his eyes wandered several times, and I just blinked a few times. I’d naturally expected him to agree enthusiastically.
Unexpectedly, his answer came after a long pause.
“Is today my last chance?”
“Pardon?”
“I want to say yes right now, but I’m worried that if I do, there might never be another opportunity.”
At his blatant attempt to leave room for another meeting, my cheeks flushed like spring strawberries.
“No, that’s—that’s not what I meant.”
“So there will be another chance?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
After all, once I confirmed his identity, there was something I’d need to propose to Carsel anyway.
A contract marriage.
I didn’t know if he’d agree, but I wasn’t completely without conscience either. I’d find out what he needed, starting now.
But what I hadn’t realized was how radiant his face became at just the words “another chance.”
Carsel gave me a sensuous smile and continued.
“Then any time is fine… Asha.”
Startled at suddenly hearing my name, I opened my eyes wide.
“Asha…?”
“Your name is beautiful. I just wanted to say it once. Is that not allowed?”
No—it was still a little overwhelming, but somehow, hearing it in that voice didn’t seem so bad.
Like a snake slithering over a wall, this man who had decided to create plausibility with his face while smoothly closing in was constantly making me let down my guard. That lazy, whispered baritone had me spellbound for a moment, and I couldn’t help but give in.
“Asha, do you think my name is unpleasant?”
“Ah—no, not at all!”
“Then won’t you call me just once? I’d like to hear it, just once.”
He asked politely, but the gaze with which he stared me down was intense. As if I had no choice but to comply.
“Ca—Carsel?”
Even at my hesitant utterance of his name, he winced his right eye, as if his vision had blurred.
“Are you alright?”
Normally, I’d have played it cool too. But this was the first time a handsome man had so openly shown romantic interest in me, and I kept getting drawn in.
“I never knew someone calling my name could feel so warm.”
“You don’t have people who call your name?”
“No. My mother never really liked me, and my father passed away when I was young. I’ve lived so busily that I barely have any close acquaintances who’d call my name.”
I’d clearly been probing, but his backstory turned out to be more somber than I’d expected. I just blinked.
His situation is a bit similar to mine, so I do feel for him.
My heart started to soften. Especially since his face was incredibly persuasive.
He laughed lightly as if it were nothing, but his expression looked lonely. For some reason, that face made me weak, and I asked back,
“Ca—Carsel. Then would you like to have lunch with me today?”
At that, Carsel’s eyes curved beautifully. He tilted his head slightly and gazed at me with an unreadable look.
“Anywhere is fine.”
“I only know one restaurant—is that okay? Are there any foods you don’t eat?”
“I eat everything well.”
“Then let’s go.”
Carsel guided me to the carriage. I called out the destination to him.
“So this is the restaurant Asha was talking about?”
I no longer stopped him from calling my name so openly.
“Do you not like places like this?”
“I’m just surprised. I thought Asha would frequent more feminine, upscale restaurants.”
“But the soup here is the best hangover cure! They boil it down with the bones—it’s spicy and refreshing! If you come the day after drinking, it really settles your stomach.”
As I said this and looked up at the silent Carsel, he was staring intently at me.
Oops—I quickly asked,
“Oh, do you not drink…?”
Worried that I’d given a strange impression of myself, I added belatedly. Carsel’s eyes widened for a moment, then he let out a small laugh.
“No, I do drink quite well.”
“But it’s delicious even without alcohol here. And more than anything, the price is reasonable.”
“It does look like a place that would be reasonably priced.”
I smiled awkwardly at that. On second thought, I realized I might have brought him to the wrong place.
I should have treated him to something expensive. Now I probably just look like a cheapskate.
I lightly grabbed the hem of his sleeve as he walked ahead, holding the door open for me. Carsel turned his head toward me.
“Um, actually—”
“Carsel.”
“Yes, Carsel. Actually… I think I might have been mistaken.”
His gaze had already dropped from my face to my hand, which was gripping his sleeve tightly.
“Oh! I’m sorry!”
I said, letting go—but he took my hand and placed it back over his sleeve.
“What exactly were you mistaken about? It’s not that having a meal with me was a bad idea, is it?”
To his question, I shook my head
