Chapter 07
Evan had already told the butler to get ready to go out, so I only needed to show up.
“Well, just because Evan’s going doesn’t mean I won’t make money.”
Honestly, it seemed easier to just follow along quietly.
Evan had locked himself away in the library, saying he had studies to do. Really, how long had it been since he arrived at the academy, and he’s already headed to the library…
“So that’s why Laria and Evan could never really become a close couple. I can’t even see his face.”
Since breakfast, I hadn’t seen him and was having a peaceful day like before. But that afternoon, 100 high-quality handkerchiefs were delivered in my name.
“These are the handkerchiefs ordered by the Duke.”
Though it said 100, each handkerchief was luxurious and had a different pattern—it looked very expensive.
“How nice would it have been if I could have received all this in cash…”
I felt a bit pressured, as if I should be vomiting blood in proportion to what I’d received… but it was still something to be thankful for.
So I decided to go thank Duke Icard personally. The handkerchiefs he had given yesterday were still clean since I hadn’t coughed up blood yet, so I brought them along to return them.
“But just giving this alone seems a little… lacking.”
I asked Lisa for a card, carefully wrote a message on it, and headed to Duke Icard.
Since he usually locked himself in his office unless something urgent came up, it was easy to find him.
Knock knock.
“Father, it’s Laria.”
I knocked on his office door and waited a moment.
“Are you busy? I wanted to say something briefly.”
“Come in.”
I heard his low voice, opened the door, and stepped inside.
Duke Icard was sitting at his desk, reviewing documents in a picture-perfect posture.
“Wow, he really looks a lot like Evan.”
Sitting straight and maintaining that intimidating expression, he looked exactly like Evan had last night.
“You must be very busy.”
“Yes.”
Duke Icard didn’t even deny it and answered right away.
“To take a day off during a busy period, I have to finish my work in advance.”
‘Where is he going? Why take a day off?’
It wasn’t really my business. He must be plotting something while faithfully fulfilling his role.
And indeed, he was extremely busy. Ever since the Duchess passed away, Duke Icard’s office was famous for its lights staying on until the early hours of the morning.
“Um, I received the handkerchiefs you sent. Thank you very much.”
I politely bowed and handed him the card along with the handkerchiefs he had given me yesterday.
“I’ll return these to you. The card is from my heart.”
“Really?”
Duke Icard opened the card right there. The content was simple—just the usual thanks for the gift and hoping we get along well.
The only unusual thing was that I had drawn a tiny doodle in the corner.
The card seemed too empty, so I tried to fill the space with some effort. When filling blank spaces, pictures are more efficient than words.
“What’s this?”
He frowned, pointing at my drawing.
“Three little beasts, is it?”
No way.
“Ah, n-no…”
I trembled and pointed with my finger.
“Father, this is Evan, this is me, and this is you. It’s the three of us getting along…”
I hoped he wasn’t upset that it was so badly drawn.
In times like this, there’s a good way to cover things up.
Cough.
“….”
Cough, cough.
I had vomited blood at lunch earlier, so there seemed to be no more left to bring up.
‘I can’t let him get suspicious.’
I couldn’t vomit blood that didn’t exist, so I held my forehead and swayed for a moment.
“I’m sorry, Father. I just felt a little dizzy.”
Then I quickly blinked my round eyes and changed the subject.
“Well, I’ll be going now…”
“What?”
“I thought you might be busy.”
As I slowly stepped back, Duke Icard’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
“Have you said everything you wanted to?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“…Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
The mood didn’t allow for another “yes.”
“Your head is dizzy—are you forgetting something?”
I thought for a moment. I had thanked him and returned the handkerchiefs. Then what was left…?
“The drawing… I’m sorry I couldn’t do it well.”
It was humiliating, but the weakest must bow to the strongest.
“I won’t draw again…”
Seeing Duke Icard’s eyebrows furrow sharply, I almost hiccupped.
“You said it was a picture of the three of you getting along.”
“…Yes.”
“You said you wanted the three of you to get along, didn’t you?”
Wasn’t this right?
I quickly rolled my eyes.
“Doesn’t this remind you of anything?”
He sighed and put down his pen.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to go on a picnic together?”
No way.
“I didn’t expect a child to contradict themselves.”
I looked at the stack of papers in front of him. Could it be… that taking a day off meant…?
“Father!”
I got it! That’s what it was!
As soon as I realized, I quickly spoke.
“I was so dizzy and nauseous that I forgot. Actually, I had one more thing to tell you.”
“Really?”
“In two days, Evan and I are going to a horse racing event.”
“I see.”
His slightly furrowed brows relaxed a little.
“I want to go with you too, Father!”
It started as a white lie, but if he caught on, it would be the end, so I gave it my all.
“I’m really looking forward to going together. Of course, if you’re busy, that’s fine, but you’ll come with us, right?”
When I clasped my hands together earnestly, he cleared his throat.
“All right.”
He picked up his pen again.
“I’m not really interested in horse racing, but since a sick child asked, I have no choice.”
“Yes, thank you!”
I laughed like I was about to burst with joy.
“Father, I’m so happy we get to go together.”
“Don’t make a fuss.”
“It’s true… cough, cough.”
This time, real blood came up.
‘Good timing.’
I hadn’t been doted on yet, so I had to make sure he noticed the urgency.
I glanced at him and coughed a bit more, but no more blood came out. My body was recovering, so the amount of blood I could bring up had decreased.
“I-I’ll be going now.”
Worried he might notice the smaller amount of blood, I quickly left the office.
That whole day, and the next day too, I didn’t see Evan. He stayed locked in the library.
Evan came in while I was asleep at night and left at dawn before I woke up. I hadn’t realized studying could be such a hobby for him.
“So, there’s not even anything to call married life.”
We couldn’t even have meals together except for breakfast. I thought maybe he liked me a little since he wanted to go to the horse racing event, but apparently not.
“Maybe he just wanted to go to the horse race and was embarrassed?”
Anyway, it wasn’t until the morning we were all leaving for the horse racing event that I finally saw Evan’s face properly.
He looked a bit pale, and as soon as we got in the carriage, he started dozing off.
“So he didn’t really want to go to the race. He probably prefers the library.”
He was impossible to read. I guess that’s why he grew up to be a person whose emotions an ordinary person couldn’t understand…
While Evan leaned against the window and napped, I vomited blood one more time.
“Good. I haven’t vomited blood in a while, so this was perfectly timed.”
It was most effective to vomit in front of the Duke.
He looked at me with those unreadable red eyes, then turned his gaze out the window.
