RTPM 3

Chapter – 3

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the engagement, so I thought I’d drop by since the ship is docked and just see your face—but I didn’t expect you’d be this cold.”

“I thought you came to request military supplies.”

“You haven’t even approved anything yet, and you say that…”

Even under Dekarno’s icy gaze, he responded with a cheeky smile. Every time a naval ship docked at the port, it was his duty to report to the Upper Council. Some resented having to bow so deeply to a duke who was no longer even a soldier, but Phylon was not one of them. He knew his friend was bolder and more thorough than any career soldier.

“So, does this mean I finally get to see the future duchess this time?”

“…Why do you want to know?”

Dekarno’s voice sharpened slightly. Phylon raised an eyebrow at the faintly displeased look, sensing a reaction.

“What’s this? So the rumor was true?”

“What rumor?”

“That you’re so infatuated with Lady O’Hara that she can hardly step outside.”

“……”

Dekarno said nothing in response to Phylon’s teasing, arms crossed over his chest. Phylon shrugged as if giving up, though he would have had fun provoking him if Dekarno had shown anger.

“Well, I wouldn’t believe it about anyone else, but you? People say you’ve gone crazy over Lady O’Hara’s beauty and that you’re getting married—no way I’d ever believe it. You don’t have a heart that works that way.”

“Get to the point.”

“Just… want to see her face.”

Phylon shamelessly dragged his chair close and rested his chin on his hands in front of Dekarno. A barely perceptible crease appeared between the duke’s perfectly straight brows, but Phylon didn’t give up.

“How long has it been since I’ve come here? Once this leave is over, I might not be back for years. I’m your friend, after all—I need to see the bride-to-be’s face.”

“She’s busy.”

“Eh, if I’d known, I’d have gone with my sister to the banquet and seen her in person. It’s her birthday today—she must be all dressed up beautifully.”

“…What?”

“Isn’t it the lady’s birthday? Today.”

For the first time, Dekarno’s ash-colored eyes flickered, and Phylon’s own widened. Could it be…? Watching his friend’s reaction, he clicked his tongue.

“You seriously didn’t know? The birthday of the woman who’s going to be your wife?”

“…Move.”

Dekarno brushed him off irritably, but for some reason the frown on his face didn’t fade. Mikael, sensing his master’s mood, stepped forward cautiously.

“I apologize, Your Grace. I assumed the lady had informed you.”

“……”

“It’s late, but I will prepare a proper gift immediately.”

With so many events in the household, arranging an appropriate gift fell to his aide. With Dekarno’s silent consent, Mikael hurried out of the room. Left alone with Phylon, Dekarno’s demeanor became even more informal.

“If you stay this indifferent, one day you’re going to get into serious trouble.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know how terrifying women can be when they get angry? Even my sister once smiled sweetly until the last moment before divorcing her husband, and then suddenly threw him out. Just because it’s Lady O’Hara doesn’t mean it won’t happen… uh?”

Phylon, knocking on the desk with enthusiasm, slowed mid-sentence as he noticed someone standing in the doorway. He parted his lips in awe.

“Wow…”

A purely instinctive exclamation escaped him. No introduction was needed—her absolute beauty made words unnecessary.

How she had come here, where only men were present, he didn’t know, but the rumor that Duke Teze had locked up his bride-to-be at home was clearly false. With the sharp click of her heels on the black marble, Evangeline lowered the hood of her silver fox-fur cape.

“…We need to talk.”

◇ ◆ ◇

“How did you even get here?”

After sending Phylon out, Dekarno faced her. Even in the relatively safe capital of Bellice, Roark, it was unusually late for a woman to be out alone. The duke frowned, recalling her day’s activities.

“I thought you’d be enjoying the party right now.”

“Party?”

“Isn’t it your birthday?”

Her deadpan reply didn’t match the tension in her expression. Evangeline, trying to maintain composure, swept her hair back with a bitter laugh.

“You knew?”

“…That.”

“Still, that’s not important right now.”

She braced herself on the table, biting her lip as if trying to stay calm. Misreading her expression, Dekarno also stood.

“If you came here out of anger—”

“Anger? No.”

“……”

“Forget it. Since when do we bother with such things?”

It was half true, half false. A few months ago, she had organized a grand celebration for the duke’s birthday, seeing it as her duty while staying in his household.

But this was different.

She had never given birthdays much importance, and even on such a day, she had wanted to spend it at ease. Talking with him about birthdays now felt utterly pointless. It was absurd, yet somehow comforting, as if nothing had happened.

“Yes, I came to tell you something.”

“I’m busy now. The meeting will resume soon.”

Dekarno glanced toward the door. Most of the nobles had likely returned by now.

“Go back to the mansion. Once the meeting ends—”

“I won’t be able to go back.”

“……”

“I know if the budget meeting is held at the start of the month, I won’t be home for days.”

Evangeline forced herself to hold her head high. If she didn’t, she might collapse embarrassingly. It wouldn’t faze him, but that wasn’t the issue now.

“Please, just give me a little time. It’s urgent.”

“You should have contacted me beforehand and made an appointment.”

“Haah.”

Dekarno checked the time, narrowing his eyes. She sighed. He wasn’t being deliberately cruel—he simply scheduled every moment of his life, leaving no breathing room. She knew this well, but right now, it was almost unbearable.

“Then talk after the meeting. Stay in the side room with Mikael—”

“My father has gone missing.”

“……”

Dekarno’s hand froze as he reached for the bell to summon Mikael. He turned to her, confused, but her hollow smile continued.

“Shall I first tell you the news that we’ve gone bankrupt?”

“…Explain in detail.”

“From what I’ve heard: during a storm near the Leeman Sea, my father disappeared, and all our property sank with the ship. I need your help.”

Having summarized the catastrophic situation as best she could, Evangeline’s strength drained from her eyes. Speaking it aloud made it real. That she felt even a slight relief that the merciless man wasn’t throwing her out—well, maybe she had reached the end of what she could endure.

“I heard the news in the middle of the banquet, so I came to understand the situation…”

“Go back.”

“…Your Grace.”

“The banquet, you said.”

The duke’s ash-gray eyes sharpened, and Evangeline’s mouth fell open in disbelief. A banquet? Had he even heard her properly?

She swallowed hard, but there was no need to ask again. As always, the perfect Duke Teze simply fulfilled his role.

“Since you rushed out like this, people will probably start talking soon. If things escalate here, there’s no way to contain it.”

“…It’s fine. I’ve endured as much as I could before coming.”

“Then endure a little longer.”

“….”

Dekarno’s hand moved toward her. Instinctively, she pulled back. Flinching slightly, he narrowed his eyes, but disregarding it, he placed the hood of the cape over her head himself. Slowly, firmly. The way he tightened the ribbon at her neck was frighteningly precise.

“That’s what you need to do right now.”