Chapter 40
“……Duke?”
Turning toward the familiar voice, Evlyen Leella saw Frezen Decart standing there, having arrived at some unknown time.
He had said he would continue talking with Artemene, hadn’t he?
“Ah. Thank you.”
Luckily, he supported her waist, preventing her from falling.
Evlyen regained her strength and balanced herself.
The conversation must have ended faster than she expected.
Should she ask what they talked about? Probably not. No one would tell her anyway.
She glanced at Frezen subtly, trying to read his expression.
“Um, Duke, your expression just now… what was that?”
Frezen’s expression left Evlyen confused.
She couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
Judging by his slightly puckered expression, had they argued? No, the corners of his lips were up… maybe he was pleased?
“Y-You’re not angry, are you?”
It was impossible to tell from his expression what kind of conversation had taken place.
Then his next words were even more surprising.
“No, it’s a happy expression.”
This expression? It looked like he’d draw a sword at anyone bothering him.
Frezen furrows his brow when he’s happy, apparently.
“Seeing you happy means your conversation went smoothly. That’s a relief. I was worried you two might have fought.”
“Don’t worry too much, I can handle it. Even if arm wrestling is tough.”
“……That’s not what I meant. And you shouldn’t win, not against Aunt!”
“……”
Frezen merely stared at her instead of replying.
The look seemed to ask why, so Evlyen ignored it lightly and walked ahead.
“So you really plan to help Aunt? Even after being harsh to you and Mela?”
Frezen, quietly following, asked after a short distance.
“I know. But I can’t just leave someone in trouble.”
“Hmm, even if they were harsh to me, if their nature is good… People get sharp when under pressure, so Aunt probably didn’t mean it, I guess.”
“……”
Of course, she couldn’t be certain.
Was Artemene’s nature truly good or evil? Who could fully understand someone’s nature?
Unfortunately, Evlyen did not have such a talent.
But she could see something: the eyes.
“They say eyes are the window to the soul. When she first scolded and pushed me away, Aunt had no malice.”
“Then?”
“She just looked very anxious and exhausted. That’s all. Oh! Of course, I’ll get an apology for pushing Mela. Even if she doesn’t seem it, Mela must have been hurt.”
“Really?”
Frezen, quietly listening, had the corner of his mouth twitch upward.
“Why… are you smiling?”
“Just… you two seem alike. You act brave outwardly but still get hurt.”
“W-What…….”
Evlyen had somewhat expected him to say she resembled Mela, but his next words caught her off guard.
Frezen must have thought she looked like that.
Flustered, she pursed her lips.
“Eyes are the window to the soul. I can see everything. Your eyes are really clear.”
“……”
As he said that and suddenly moved his face closer, Evlyen was startled and held her breath.
“And they’re so transparent, I can almost tell what you’re thinking.”
Frezen held her gaze steadily.
It was a trivial remark, yet it made her heart pound and tingle with embarrassment.
“Heh! ……So transparent it’s embarrassing, my apologies.”
“Let’s go.”
Feeling flustered, she brusquely replied and hurried ahead.
Luckily it was night; otherwise, he would have seen her flushed face.
“……Ah, kyaah!”
She barely had time to walk ahead in quick steps before Frezen caught up, widening his stride to match hers.
“W-What are you doing!?”
Suddenly, he grabbed her and lifted her into his arms.
The sensation of floating made her heart tighten.
“P-Please put me down, Duke. What if anyone sees……!”
Why is he like this? Carried like a princess, she struggled desperately with her legs.
“Is that so? Then I have no choice.”
Frezen, unusually, released some strength, letting her body tilt downward.
“Ah, kyaah! W-Wait……!”
She clutched his neck tightly, sticking to him like a cicada on a tree. Seeing this, Frezen strengthened his hold to support her firmly.
“You did that on purpose to tease me!”
What followed was silence and embarrassment. She couldn’t lift her head out of shame.
Evlyen was sure he did it deliberately. She would cling to his neck if she didn’t want to fall!
“Exactly, on purpose.”
Annoyed and puffing, Frezen smiled wryly.
“Hah, really unlucky……”
“You were about to say I’m unlucky, weren’t you?”
“……”
“I told you, you’re so transparent I can see everything you’re thinking.”
“Ah.”
She gave up speaking. Being with him made her feel childish.
“Are you angry, Evlyen?”
“Hah. I’m not angry! Now put me down! I can walk just fine on my own!”
“I saw your legs weaken earlier. Your steps weren’t good. So just hold my neck tightly, don’t overexert yourself and fall. I’ll take you to your bedroom.”
“……”
“What’s the use of having a strong husband if not for times like this.”
Frezen had been quietly observing her.
Indeed, it was cold, and her body was stiff, making walking difficult.
“……Then, just for today.”
It was humiliating to be carried, but better than risking collapse by walking.
“Honored, indeed.”
Her protest quieted as night deepened. She clung to his neck, holding him tightly, while her heart reacted first. His body was warm, making her heart race.
With each step, his breath spread warmth. His embrace was strangely comforting, and her eyelids grew heavy.
She shouldn’t sleep like this……, but her eyes felt too heavy no matter how she tried to stay awake.
Was it always this quiet on the way to the estate? Glancing around slowly, there was no one else.
Then Frezen spoke.
“Evlyen, you said I should wait until you apologized to Aunt directly.”
His calm, even voice wrapped around her ears, making her body feel drowsy.
“Ah, yes…… that’s right.”
Why was he asking again? Was he testing if she changed her mind?
Frezen’s expression remained unreadable. Evlyen wondered what to answer, but her body felt ready to collapse into sleep.
“I’ll stay back, always. But like now……”
Like now? Frezen looked at her and said something.
“By your side… and Mela’s…”
But she fell asleep before hearing the rest.
Finally, a gentle laugh brushed her ears, and her fading consciousness fully slipped away.
“Good night, Madam.”
***
After they left, Artemene’s estate remained in a gloomy silence for a while.
“Artemene! Are you all right? You overexerted yourself today. You should go to bed……”
Grimora ran over, concern in her eyes.
Artemene leaned crookedly on the sofa, saying nothing.
What he was thinking seemed intense, radiating tension around him.
Grimora cautiously spoke again.
“The Count seems to dislike me, maybe because of what happened with Mela. I really want to do well, but it’s upsetting.”
“……”
“But what exactly did you talk about to look so displeased, Artemene?”
She seemed curious about what the three had discussed while dismissing her.
“Artemene?”
She continued massaging his tense calf as usual.
“……Grimora. Can I really trust you?”
Artemene finally looked up at Grimora.
His gaze was icy, making her body freeze. His voice was stern enough to send shivers down her spine.
What did Evlyen tell him?
Grimora, overwhelmed by anxiety, bit her lip. She smiled brightly and replied.
“Of course, Artemene. Have I ever disappointed you?”
“Yes, that’s right. Nanny, you are certainly trustworthy.”
He spoke, recalling something, clicking his tongue angrily.
“In contrast, the Count Leella is utterly hopeless. A couple daring to deceive me together? Despicable!”
Hearing that, Grimora sensed the conversation had not ended well.
And inwardly thought: Indeed, just an ordinary woman, as Uncle said.
