Chapter 26
“Hmm. Not Karl?”
A faint interest appeared in the old lady’s blue eyes.
But pretending it was nothing, Diana spoke in an indifferent voice.
“I already collapsed clutching the back of my neck because I didn’t even want to see that grandson of mine. And now I’m supposed to write him a letter because he’s cute or something?”
Her tone was cold, but ever since earlier, Diana hadn’t been able to keep her teaspoon still, endlessly scooping sugar into her tea.
The butler, noticing his mistress’s agitation, smiled quietly.
“Still, haven’t you always been curious about His Grace the Grand Duke’s news?”
“Well, that’s…”
Even though her grandson was stubborn enough not to blink an eye at her harshest moves, wasn’t it still a grandmother’s heart to keep watching over him in the end?
The butler, who understood Diana’s feelings completely, delivered a somewhat hopeful piece of news.
“It seems the Blanche family’s young lady is not as wicked a person as you feared. More importantly, Karl gave her quite a generous evaluation.”
“Karl did?”
At that, Diana’s eyes widened.
Karl was someone who cared for the future of House Celeste just as much as Diana did.
Well, who do you think chose him?
The previous Grand Duke, recognizing Karl’s extraordinary potential early on, had appointed him as chief butler while he was still relatively young—and it had been a successful decision.
Above all, Karl had an exceptional eye for judging people.
And at this moment, no one knew that fact better than Diana.
Still smiling, the butler continued.
“Perhaps because of that, it seems His Highness Xenos and Her Grace the Grand Duchess are getting along quite well. There are many rumors that they attended the Spring Festival together.”
Diana suddenly thought of the former Grand Duke—her husband.
A political marriage that had been closer to a contract than love.
And yet, a man who had sincerely loved and cherished her.
Their first date had also, by coincidence, been at the Spring Festival.
“……”
Diana’s emotions became complicated.
But outwardly, still wearing the calm face of a noblewoman, she let out a sharp sneer.
“This is insane. He’s been completely bewitched.”
Her words were harsh, but what lay beneath them was clearly worry for her grandson.
“I will leave the letter here for now. Please continue enjoying your tea time. If you leave it as it is, I will handle it later.”
With that, the butler left the letter behind and quietly excused himself.
Sway, sway.
A warm southern breeze brushed through, tickling Diana’s hair.
But nothing felt better.
“……”
Diana narrowed her eyes at the envelope, then abruptly turned her head away.
“Hmph. Who would be curious?”
She had no intention of keeping her grandson in her arms forever.
Since childhood, Xenos had always been fiercely independent, not a particularly affectionate child. And after losing his parents, he had acted like someone without emotions, focusing only on growing stronger.
So now, living separate lives was the right thing.
And yet… why…
“Ugh!”
Absentmindedly taking a sip of tea, Diana quickly wiped her lips.
Without realizing it, she had added far too much sugar. The tea was overly sweet, its original flavor completely gone.
“…Ridiculous.”
Staring at the cup that had turned into sugar water, Diana fell into thought.
On the dark brown surface of the tea, her grandson’s face wavered faintly.
* * *
A few days ago, my secret trip to the library without Betty ended in disaster.
The sudden clash between the Grand Duke and the maid was already exhausting enough…
But my plan to quickly run away and pretend nothing happened…
“Ma’ammmm!”
Completely failed.
Betty had been waiting at the cabin door with her arms crossed, and she caught me immediately.
“How can you cause so much trouble?! Even a seven-year-old boy would be calmer than you, ma’am!”
“Hiiing…”
That bad?
I shrank back a little, but at that moment, Betty was basically Cerberus guarding the gate…
Under that terrifying aura, I cowered completely and begged, promising I would never wander around alone again.
Honestly, I don’t even want to go anymore!
From that day on, I didn’t even step near the main house.
I do have the ability to learn, you know!
Instead, the maids who pitied me brought me several books, and I had been managing well enough with those.
And since spring had truly arrived, it was the perfect time to finally work on the vegetable garden I’d been longing for.
I wouldn’t be bored anymore.
Tomorrow, I was planning to bring in seedlings and plant them together with the maids.
But…
Why does nothing feel fun anymore?
For some reason lately, books weren’t interesting, I had no appetite, and I couldn’t sleep well.
What’s wrong with me? Is this body sick again?
I thought I’d gotten healthier…
Restlessly tossing in bed, I turned my gaze out the window.
Through the slightly open curtains, the sky was still pitch-black.
Normally, I would’ve gone to sleep the moment the sun set and slept soundly through the night.
But these past few days, I kept waking up in the middle of the night.
Just like now.
I had waited forever to fall asleep…
Only to wake up again before morning, in the deep dawn.
I woke up at such an awkward time… It’ll be hard to fall asleep again.
I lay there blankly, counting the rings in the ceiling beams.
But only for a moment.
Between the repetitive motions, stray thoughts crept in.
“Did you think I wouldn’t know you were cheating behind my back? I’m the one who belongs as Grand Duchess! You vulgar wench!”
Those furious blue eyes were still vivid in my memory.
If the Grand Duke hadn’t stopped her, something truly terrible would have happened.
Someone pouring such intense hatred toward me…
In my past life, and in this one.
I’d never come so close to having my hair grabbed before.
So it was… kind of shocking.
Even in my past life, people often told me I was clueless.
Could it be that I was clueless again this time?
That peacock maid… ugh… what was her name again? Anyway, does she hate me?
Thinking that made me feel a little bitter.
But I like peacocks…
They’re pretty and cute, and I wanted to become friends.
The more I thought about it, the more it felt like this was all the Grand Duke’s fault.
The fact that the peacock maid called him “Xenos” by name meant they must have been fairly close.
Well… the Grand Duke was cold even to her, but still…
Then was it one-sided love?!
Why! Peacock girl! What are you lacking that you’d fall for a guy like that?!
If she were my friend, I would’ve packed lunches and followed her around just to stop her.
And the most tragic part was that the one who ended up married to him… was me.
I examined the Grand Duke carefully, like a mother-in-law inspecting a potential son-in-law.
First: his looks were fine.
“Hm.”
Actually… outstanding.
“Well, calling that face merely ‘fine’ is kind of unfair.”
I’m a reasonable person!
Anyway, second: personality.
Cold. Completely self-centered. Looks down on people. Easily hurts others. Talks harshly.
“I’m taking my wife’s side. Is there a problem with that?”
“……”
Or… maybe he does speak nicely sometimes?
My face suddenly burned hot.
No! No! What am I thinking? Next!
But once my thoughts had branched out, I couldn’t stop them.
This won’t do. I should exercise and tire myself out. That way, I’ll be able to sleep again.
Throwing off the blanket, I quickly stood up, draped a cloak over myself, and stepped out into the yard.
The weather had warmed up, so it was only slightly chilly.
Maybe without realizing it, my body had adapted to the North.
The clouds must have cleared, because the moonlight was dazzling—a bright full moon.
In the well-kept front yard, only distant, mysterious bird calls echoed faintly.
I took a deep breath, as if making a solemn vow.
Alright. Starting now, 100 jumping jacks without stopping.
“Begin!”
I spread my arms wide—
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
“!”
Suddenly, I heard footsteps crushing through the bushes behind me.
At this hour, there shouldn’t be anyone around.
Startled, I turned around.
“Kyaaaah!”
There, unbelievably…
Was the Grand Duke.
With the face of a grim reaper.
“W-What are you doing?!”
I screamed at him in panic.
But no answer came.
Only then did I realize something was strange about him.
Even though the weather had warmed, the dawn air was still freezing…
Yet he looked completely disheveled, unlike anything I’d ever seen before.
What is this? Why is his chest completely exposed…?
