Chapter 19
Of course, the sword had not been drawn from its leather sheath. There was no risk of injury, but any person would instinctively react the moment they recognized a blade.
“……”
However, Tenus simply stared at Selachia without a word. Not only was he not surprised, but he didn’t even blink. His expression remained utterly calm.
It was clear—this man had lost all basic instincts.
“How boring.”
Chester would’ve at least pretended to be startled.
“What if I really stab you? You’re completely defenseless. It’s not like your body is made of stone.”
Selachia grumbled as she placed her hand on Tenus’ smooth neck. Her pale fingers, tracing the imagined arc of a blade, didn’t even make it halfway across his firm throat. That was because Tenus had suddenly pulled his body back. The motion was so swift it sliced through the air.
“W-What’s wrong?”
Selachia stared blankly at the distance that had suddenly opened between them. The man who hadn’t flinched even when she thrust a sword was now recoiling from a mere touch? It was ridiculous.
“……”
Tenus, too, looked just as taken aback, as if it hadn’t been a deliberate reaction. Ironically, this was exactly the kind of response she’d been hoping for when she brought out the sword.
Yet, strangely enough, even though she’d gotten the reaction she wanted, it didn’t feel satisfying. Instead, she felt… disappointed—no, annoyed.
It didn’t feel good to be treated as less threatening than a sharpened blade.
“You haven’t given me all my things yet, right? Hurry up and hand over the rest.”
She held out her hand bluntly, resisting the strong urge to draw her sword. Unfortunately, she couldn’t storm off just yet. There were still items she needed to collect.
“The pebble, remember? I’ve treasured that since I was a child. There’s no way I left it behind when I came here.”
Selachia had brought a total of four items from Viscount Rensh’s estate.
But Tenus remained silent, keeping his distance.
“It’s about this big, shaped like a mermaid. You really haven’t seen it?”
That couldn’t be. Selachia passionately described the size and shape of the pebble, spreading her hand about a palm’s width apart. But Tenus simply touched his neck and said flatly,
“Why would you keep something so tacky? If you want a mermaid figure, just say so. I’ll have a new one made for you.”
“I don’t need anything else. That pebble can’t be replaced, not even with one carved by the Empire’s best artisan. Don’t tell me you really don’t have it? There’s no way I left it behind.”
Selachia stomped her foot anxiously, but Tenus stayed silent.
Could it be buried somewhere in a drawer?
Her gaze drifted toward the drawer from which the velvet box and dagger had come, full of longing. But soon, her view was blocked by a large obstacle—Tenus.
As if he were done with this whole matter, he pulled his chair close to the desk and subtly used his body to shield the drawer from view.
Keeping his eyes on the documents, he asked casually,
“Who gave it to you?”
“…What?”
“That pebble. Who gave it to you?”
How did he know it had been a gift? Selachia blinked, then quickly figured it out. Since she’d said the sword was a gift, it was natural to assume the pebble was too.
She took a while to collect herself, spending a little too much time before answering. As the silence stretched, Tenus looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Finally, Selachia gave him a bright, smug smile and said,
“A fairy.”
“What?”
“A fairy gave it to me. A tiny, beautiful fairy.”
Tenus’s face twisted in disgust. She had known from the way he sighed at the name of the “Day the Mermaid Grants Wishes” festival that he was completely immune to such stories.
Seeing ripples form on that stoic face had recently become her favorite pastime. It felt like a fair reward for the unpleasantness she’d just experienced. Losing the pebble still stung, but this made up for it a little.
“A fairy? Why would—”
“It’s true. I met them when I was little, by the seaside. Their hair was so clear and shimmering, it didn’t look human at all. Maybe they were a servant of the sea god? They were tiny and adorable.”
It had happened so long ago that she barely remembered their appearance. But she could never forget that transparent hair glittering in the sunlight.
Tenus’s face darkened further as he listened to Selachia’s dreamy recollection. His expression had grown so severe that she felt tempted to press a finger against his furrowed brows. But knowing he’d likely react like she was a bug, she just smiled even more brightly.
“Now do you understand how precious that pebble is? If you find it, you have to tell me.”
“……”
“The fairy’s pebble. Don’t forget it.”
“Stop saying ‘fairy.’”
“What else should I call a fairy if not a fairy?”
Haah. Tenus let out a deep sigh. Selachia smiled more broadly as she clutched the velvet box and dagger close to her chest.
It felt exhilarating, like she’d found a chink in this man’s armor.
* * *
A leisurely garden filled with flowers of vivid colors swaying gently in the breeze.
At the center of it, sipping tea was an almost artistic experience. Partly because her mood had improved, but mostly because Nancy’s tea-making skills had improved dramatically in just a few days.
“Nancy, this tea tastes great.”
“Really? I rushed to learn from a friend who shares my room. I’m so glad it worked! I’ll practice more and try some new blends soon!”
Nancy replied enthusiastically, twisting shyly yet confidently. The young maid was overflowing with spirit. While still far from a perfect attendant, her sincere effort made her endearing.
For someone chosen partly on a whim and partly out of resignation, Nancy was turning out to be a very satisfying choice.
“Thank you, as always.”
“Oh, no, Madam! Please don’t say thank you!”
Nancy waved her hands frantically and jumped with energy. That’s when Roberta, who had been standing nearby, suddenly spoke.
“I’m not sure if I should say this, but…”
She had been looking past Selachia the whole time and continued speaking without moving her gaze.
“Isn’t the Duke of Seydon… madly in love with you?”
Pfft. Selachia almost spat her tea in Roberta’s face.
Barely managing to swallow with sheer will, she coughed repeatedly before finally asking,
“W-What makes you think that?”
“Anyone can see it, the way he treats you despite his personality.”
The way he treats me?
Selachia groaned internally. It seemed Roberta was mistaking surveillance for affection.
“I don’t know the exact reason, but didn’t he leave the Academy because of you?”
Well, she wasn’t exactly wrong… but it wasn’t completely right either. Selachia just smiled faintly. She was too afraid of choking again to sip any more tea.
“I was honestly surprised. While the Duke was never rude at the Academy, he wasn’t easy to approach either.”
“He is a bit difficult to deal with.”
Selachia nodded in agreement, but Roberta tilted her head.
“No, not difficult at all. In fact, he was overly casual. He never acted arrogant or flaunted authority, and blended in well with everyone.”
“…Tenus?”
With that intimidating face and eyes that looked ready to devour someone?
“Though I realized it wasn’t generosity, but indifference, the third time he forgot my name.”
So that was it. Roberta gave a long, dramatic sigh.
Selachia suddenly remembered their conversation in the shopping district.
“Oh. That’s why you said it was the fourth time he’d asked your name.”
“Exactly! Isn’t that awful? I don’t think I’m that unmemorable.”
She had a point. Roberta, with her dazzling blonde hair and clear green eyes, was a striking beauty.
“Well, he treated everyone the same, so I can’t complain. It was a fair approach. He only cared about his own territory. That’s why I thought he was emotionally detached from people.”
“But seeing how he treats you, Madam, maybe not!”
Roberta laughed heartily, but now it was Selachia’s turn to look displeased. Clearly, Roberta lacked a bit of awareness. To think a couple who barely saw each other all day seemed loving was absurd.
“Really? I wouldn’t know since I didn’t know him before we married. Did the other servants say that too?”
“I wouldn’t know. I don’t talk to them much. But I’ve overheard people whispering that the Duke cherishes you greatly.”
“I see…”
Selachia gave a polite smile, raising only the corners of her lips.
Well, it wasn’t a bad thing to appear like a happy couple. Any bad rumors could cause trouble with the marriage approval. Since one had already fallen through before, it was better to be cautious.
