Chapter 89…
Cynthia muttered in a very small voice.
Tession, with his eyes closed, was truly sleeping like a pure child.
Tilting her head, she was silently watching his face when, just as she thought he had fallen completely asleep, Tession’s eyelids slowly lifted. Soon, his drowsy-looking violet eyes appeared.
“Ah!”
Afraid she might be caught peeking at him, Cynthia quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
“Cynthia, your eyelids are twitching unnaturally.”
“Oh, really.”
But it was useless. At Tession’s words, Cynthia awkwardly opened the eyes she had closed. Watching her, Tession let out a low laugh.
“Were you peeking at me?”
“Ah… me? I was just dozing lightly myself.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes… Why did you wake up? Is the position uncomfortable? Too cramped?”
Even though the sofa was large, was it still too small for two adults to lie down? Cynthia muttered as she awkwardly tried to sit up on the large sofa. Tession gently pressed her back down with one arm and smiled.
“Someone kept blowing hot air on my face while I was sleeping, so I woke up.”
“Who… Me?”
Gasp! Had he caught her imagining something naughty? Cynthia felt her face heat up as she looked at him. Tession raised the corner of his mouth and looked down at her, then suddenly moved, leaning over her.
Cynthia, trapped between his body and arms in an instant, blinked.
“D-Duke…”
“Did I say I look like a child?”
Tession asked in a playful tone.
Gasp! Had he noticed? Since when had he been awake? Cynthia shook her head, feeling embarrassed.
“Oh… I meant only your sleeping face! You were sleeping so deeply I couldn’t help myself…”
“Hmm, I’m worried that Cynthia finds me too cute.”
“Why… Wait!”
Before she could finish, Tession bent down and kissed her neck. Cynthia shrank her neck like a turtle and let out a muffled sound.
“D-Duke, wait…!”
But Tession ignored her protest, letting his lips wander over her neck, jaw, cheek, and nose, eventually reaching her forehead. Cynthia, feeling ticklish, tightly closed her eyes.
Finally, after kissing her forehead, he said,
“I’m really glad Cynthia is here when I open my eyes.”
“I-I feel the same…”
At Cynthia’s honest answer, Tession chuckled again.
“You’ll stay by my side from now on, right?”
“Of course!”
Tession, satisfied, hugged Cynthia tightly. He placed his hand on her slender waist and turned to face the firmly closed office door.
“….”
If he could, he wanted to nail the door shut and lock himself inside just to stay with Cynthia. As long as he could remain like this without being separated from her, he felt it would be worth it.
Then, Cynthia, buried in his arms, wiggled and lifted her head. Tession quickly erased the strange expression on his face and pulled his lips into a smile—the one she liked most.
“Duke, are you sure it’s okay to not work? You said you were busy.”
“It’s better to hold you like this.”
“But poor Ruth has to work instead of you.”
“Hahaha.”
Tession laughed and hugged Cynthia even tighter. After all, there was plenty of time ahead. Cynthia would remain by his side at the Romanov Duke’s residence.
“Cynthia, you’re warm and soft.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“You’ve caught me.”
He tightened his grip on the arm that held her.
The next afternoon, as Tession left in a carriage for the Bailey estate, Cynthia suddenly sat up in bed.
No matter what, she really didn’t want to hand over the Ritemper troupe to the Baileys!
She dashed out of her room to find Ruth and rushed downstairs. Perhaps there was a clever way to handle things if she consulted Ruth, who managed all the Duke’s affairs.
“Ah, here…”
Just then, she spotted Ruth entering the lobby and waved at him. But she quickly froze when she noticed someone following him.
“Huh?”
“Princess Elizabeth.”
Behind a flustered Ruth, deep red eyes were on her.
Rikaiun…?
Cynthia stared at Rikaiun waving his hand at her with a confused look. Why was he here?
“P-Princess!”
Caught off guard, she stood frozen as Ruth guided the way, his face paler than usual. Cynthia stepped back, realizing—oh right! My eye color isn’t Bailey’s!
“What a welcome greeting. We haven’t wasted our time, then?”
Before she could straighten herself or prepare mentally, Rikaiun took long strides toward her.
I wasn’t greeting you…! Cynthia quickly lowered her eyes and spoke.
“Y-Your Highness, good day. Wh-what brings you here?”
“Just passing by. I came to see the Romanov Duke, but I didn’t expect you to be here.”
Cynthia, still looking down, nodded.
“I see. Then I’ll… wish you a smooth visit.”
She tried to leave quietly for the second floor, but Rikaiun grabbed her wrist.
“Good. The Romanov Duke is out, so the Princess can entertain guests in his stead.”
“…Yes?”
“Did you drop something on the floor? Why are you bowing so low?”
Without preparation, Rikaiun leaned down and examined her face. Cynthia, startled, turned her body the opposite way.
I can’t let him see my face…!
Rikaiun, watching her twist away, asked,
“What are you doing? Playing hide-and-seek?”
“N-No…”
Hide-and-seek… really. Flustered, she awkwardly turned her head, and Rikaiun stepped back, straightening his posture.
“Looks like Miss Elizabeth doesn’t want to talk to me now. I wanted to hear your answer to what I asked last time.”
He was obviously referring to the outrageous proposal about breaking her engagement with Tession and becoming the Crown Princess.
She would have said no…!!
“I-I’m sorry. I haven’t been feeling well since morning. I’m worried I might negatively affect Your Highness.”
“You should get better soon.”
“I apologize again for the trouble.”
Still bowing, she couldn’t see his expression, but she noticed his polished shoes turning away.
Is he leaving? Thank goodness…!
“Alright then. I don’t have a hobby of bothering people who are sick.”
Lies… Rikaiun’s favorite thing was exactly bothering sick people.
“Go rest, Princess.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness.”
She hurried upstairs to escape, when a low voice spoke again.
“Ah, but if not now, there might not be another chance. I tend to be a man who talks too freely.”
“…?”
What does he mean? Confused, Cynthia froze, unable to turn her head.
His voice carried a faint sense of amusement.
“After leaving the Romanov Duke’s residence, I was planning to go to the Bailey estate.”
Hearing “Bailey estate,” her heart sank. Cynthia swallowed dryly, bracing for what he would say next.
The Bailey estate… what is he trying to say?
“I think I need to explain the unusual eye color before I go to the Bailey estate.”
“…!!”
“Well, if you don’t want to hear it, that’s fine. I’ll go to the reception room first.”
Rikaiun’s sharp footsteps grew distant. Cynthia stood in place, exhaling shakily. She was doomed…
She had noticed before at the royal banquet—Rikaiun really was incredibly perceptive. He had already noticed her changed appearance in such a short time.
That uselessly perceptive guy…
