Chapter 7
“How… how do you know my name?”
“You probably have an idea. Ah, don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not like someone asked me to look into you. I just suspected you might be abusing Airi.”
“Abusing her? I swear to the heavens, I’ve never done anything like that!”
“I looked into it, and it didn’t seem that way. But tell me, did Airi working like that seem normal to you?”
“……”
Margaret bit her lip under her veil, as if she had no words to defend herself.
Eventually, she opened her mouth.
“What do you want from me, Your Grace?”
“Go to the capital.”
The immediate answer made Margaret clench her fists tightly.
“Are you so displeased with me staying in Pennington?”
“I’m displeased with your dying, sick body. Go to the capital and get treatment. Airi wants that.”
Margaret was speechless, as if she hadn’t expected to hear something like that.
“…I don’t understand what Your Grace is thinking. What… do you plan to do with Airi?”
“I already told you.”
Margaret searched her memory for what Elkhiers had said—and then recalled it.
“She’ll be treated like someone very precious by my side.”
“You’re saying you truly love Airi?”
“You say that like I’m doing something terrible.”
“Isn’t that a feeling that will change soon anyway?”
“That’s a bit insulting. You can hate that pathetic man all you want, but don’t take it out on me.”
Margaret fell silent.
Elkhiers gave a crooked smile, clearly enjoying how his words hit the mark.
“Stop rotting Airi’s heart and go quietly to the capital for treatment. Whether you come back to Pennington or not—decide that after you’re fully cured.”
“…And if I say I won’t get treatment?”
“Then I’ll make sure you want to leave Pennington. You know, I have very easy ways to make that happen.”
“You wouldn’t…”
Elkhiers simply smiled—a smile that stretched the imagination in the worst possible direction.
After a long silence, Margaret asked in a trembling voice,
“Do you… truly have feelings for Airi?”
To that question, Elkhiers just smiled.
It was a twisted grin, as if the mere fact of being doubted was insulting.
* * *
The door to Grandma’s room opened about 30 minutes later.
“Well then, the talk is all done.”
The Duke personally opened the door, wearing a pleasant smile.
Just looking at his face, it seemed the conversation had gone well, but something felt unsettling.
I glanced at my grandmother lying on the bed and carefully asked,
“What did you two talk about after I left?”
“I explained just how deeply I’m into you.”
Wh—what? That convinced Grandma?
“Yes, that’s right.”
Really?
“Uh? So… what now?”
“Your grandmother has happily accepted the goodwill of her future grandson-in-law. Isn’t that right?”
Grandma’s veil fluttered slightly—because of a long sigh.
“…Airi, my dear.”
“Yes?”
I tensed as I waited for her to continue.
“When did you start seeing His Grace?”
“Uh, well…”
As I fumbled, blinking in panic, the Duke gave a subtle nod of his chin.
To me, it felt like he was saying, “Just answer however,” so I took a leap.
“Well, um, actually… I fell for him at first sight. I just quietly liked him from afar, but we happened to meet again by chance, and…”
The Duke nodded in approval, as if thoroughly satisfied with my response.
Rather than doubting my story, Grandma simply asked one question.
“So you really do like the Duke?”
I didn’t dare look in his direction. I just nodded at Grandma.
“…Yes.”
“Then that’s enough.”
Grandma gestured for me to come closer. I hesitantly stepped up to the bedside, and she firmly grabbed my hand.
“Just remember one thing. The person you must cherish the most in this world is yourself. Do you understand?”
“Of course.”
I nodded eagerly.
“I’ll make sure to live that way, if only to honor all the effort you’ve put into raising me.”
“Yes, yes… My dear girl, when did you grow up so much?”
The words she murmured made tears spring to my eyes.
Her frail frame in my arms felt so small that I couldn’t help but start sobbing. Grandma gently patted my back, soothing me.
I only realized much later that the Duke had been standing there like a scarecrow, forgotten, while I cried—but he never said a word and left quietly.
“I’ll visit again when I have time. I’ll arrange a carriage to take your grandmother to the capital, so don’t worry about that.”
“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay this kindness…”
“You don’t have to. Just follow the terms of our contract.”
No boasting, no pressure.
The Duke was truly kind.
‘Grandma must’ve been persuaded because she realized how good a person the Duke is, right?’
Before her heart changed, I’d better pack.
I got moving right away.
* * *
That evening, the Duke sent someone to inform me that the carriage had been arranged. The departure was set for two days later.
Not three, not four—two days. It was a bit sudden, but considering Grandma’s condition, the sooner the better.
That night, I invited Daisy and Dr. O’Neill, who had been caring for Grandma, to a small dinner.
“I don’t even know how to thank you, Doctor.”
“I just did my job and got paid. But who’s this sponsor of yours?”
“Ah, I don’t actually know either. They helped anonymously.”
“Anonymously…? Hmm.”
Dr. O’Neill tilted his head like it was curious, but he didn’t seem to doubt my words.
Thankfully, Daisy—who had agreed to accompany Grandma to the capital—also didn’t question the sponsor’s identity.
“Thanks for helping me out. I’ll repay you someday.”
“It’s me who should repay you. You took me in when I had nowhere else to go.”
“What are you saying? We’re already family.”
“Then you shouldn’t talk about repaying me either. It’s normal for family to take care of each other.”
“…Daisy!”
Even though I’m seven years older than her, she comforted me like an adult as I sniffled and cried.
I made a promise to Daisy and Dr. O’Neill.
“When Grandma is completely cured, let’s have another dinner together like this.”
“That sounds good. Next time, I’ll treat you.”
“Really? I’ll be looking forward to it!”
A few tears, lots of laughter, and excitement for a positive future.
That’s how our small party ended. The next day at noon…
I waved until I could no longer see the carriage carrying Grandma and Daisy past Pennington’s gates.
* * *
Only after the dust kicked up by the carriage wheels disappeared did I turn around.
As I walked back alone toward a now-empty house, a hollow feeling crept into my chest.
‘Grandma’s just gone to get treatment… Don’t be lonely.’
As I comforted myself, a shadow fell beside me.
“Did you see your grandmother off well?”
“Ah! Your Grace!”
How did he know I was here?
That question must’ve shown on my wide eyes, because the Duke smiled gently and rubbed beneath one of them with his thumb.
“Did you forget I arranged the carriage? Of course I knew the departure time.”
“Oh… right.”
I nodded, looking down.
He must’ve thought I was crying. Though his hand withdrew quickly after finding my skin dry, the warmth of his touch still lingered.
‘My face didn’t turn red, did it?’
Though it was autumn and the wind had turned cool, I fanned myself with the envelope in my hand as if it were hot. The Duke, walking in step beside me, asked,
“By the way, what’s that?”
“Oh, this? Grandma gave it to me before she left.”
Right before getting into the carriage, she handed me a thick envelope.
‘My dear… If a time ever comes when you have to leave Pennington against your will, open this then.’
I was curious what it said, but Grandma had insisted several times that I open it only if I decided to leave Pennington.
“I think she wrote something important… Maybe she felt guilty about leaving me here alone.”
“Well, she’s leaving behind her only granddaughter. Of course she’d feel that way.”
The Duke nodded and continued,
“Have you packed?”
“Excuse me? Packed what?”
“Your things—for moving into the duchy.”
“…Sorry, what?”
I blinked in confusion, and the Duke let out an “Ah” and spoke like it was nothing special.
“I forgot to explain. Remember I said I’d introduce you to my mother as my fiancée? That means you need to move into the duchy and start bridal training.”
…That was definitely not “nothing special”!
