Chapter 65 …
“Ugh. Forget it. The old men just don’t get it.”
The retainers watched helplessly as Dioana huffed and left, unable to understand her sudden departure. Soon, they turned their attention back to the problematic black dress Daphne had worn.
“No matter how I look at it, that dress is completely inappropriate for the occasion. It’s far too flashy, far too revealing—fit only for a social party. Goodness, who in their right mind would wear black on a day so full of blossoms and sunshine?”
“I have a feeling this date’s going to be ruined too,” one muttered.
“Ruined? Isn’t that a bit harsh? The Archduke wouldn’t mind if the dress was a little extravagant, would he?”
“Well, if the Archduke doesn’t mind, then surely Crown Prince Lucius will! Judging by how Daphne wore the outfit that Dioana picked, perhaps she isn’t all that interested in Crown Prince Lucius after all?”
The older retainers shook their heads, muttering that this date was likely “doomed” in common parlance.
But among them, there was one who couldn’t hide his pleased smile: Sir Russell.
‘Dioana, you did very well,’ he thought, tugging at his mustache as he praised her silently.
Meanwhile, Dioana had been bustling about the previous night to fulfill a request Daphne had made.
“No, miss! Even so, you can’t stay in your pajamas! You haven’t even wiped the sleep from your eyes yet! Didn’t you just watch the Archduke depart after he coughed?”
“Ah! I really don’t have time for this!”
“No, you must. Come this way. Wash quickly and change.”
Before she could protest, a burly maid caught her on the way and forced her to wash. Only after washing her face, tying her hair, and changing her clothes was Dioana released.
Not long after, there was a knock at the door. When she opened it, Puppy stood there, looking unusually lethargic but forcing a smile.
“I was going to come pick you up first today, but Ann wouldn’t let me,” he said.
“You don’t need to trouble yourself, Dioana. I’ll come greet you every day.”
“Hmph, it’s not a trouble…”
“Then come pick me up next time.”
“P-Okay.”
Dioana pouted slightly. She had really planned to go herself today, but the morning didn’t start off as planned. Still, she took Puppy’s hand, and they headed down to the dining hall.
Even though Daphne had left early, the servants’ duties continued as usual. The table was, as always, laden with a tempting array of dishes.
But…
“Why, Puppy? Doesn’t it taste good?”
“No, no… it’s not that….”
Today, Puppy, who usually ate well, was picking at his food.
Strange. There was no way it tasted bad.
Dioana sampled the dishes several times herself and encouraged him. “This is good. Puppy, try some!” she said, placing portions in front of him.
Each time, Puppy thanked her but barely touched the food before setting his fork down. When she looked at him curiously, he smiled awkwardly.
“It feels so empty without the Archduke, doesn’t it?”
“Uncle will come tonight anyway. Dio blocked him from going out. Don’t worry, Puppy!”
It seemed Puppy felt slightly forlorn without seeing Daphne. Dioana restrained her smile, teasing him lightly.
“But, Puppy… empty? Even if you like Auntie, how can you feel empty with me right here? I’d be upset!”
She crossed her arms and looked away, pretending to pout. Puppy flustered and started to explain that it wasn’t like that. Seeing him panicked rather than staring blankly at the air was far more lively, so Dioana seized the moment.
“Then I won’t be upset. Puppy, promise me.”
“Eh? What promise?”
“No lies to Dio.”
“Lies?”
“Yes. From now on, only tell Dio the truth. No lies, understand?”
Puppy, still not fully grasping her meaning, nodded. Dioana then asked:
“Did you tell your worries to the Worry Doll last night?”
“Yes.”
“Are you keeping it with you now?”
“Yes.”
He pulled out the small Worry Doll from his pocket. Dioana placed her hand over his, pretending to pray—not to any particular deity.
“Please, Worry Doll, eat up all of Puppy’s worries.”
She acted as if the doll itself had sacred power.
With eyes tightly shut in mock prayer, she slowly opened them and met Puppy’s gaze. His large, round, rabbit-like eyes curved like a crescent moon.
“After Auntie makes a wish to the Worry Doll, the doll eats it up, and your worries disappear. Now that we’ve made the wish, how do you feel? Better?”
Puppy stared silently, unsure what to say, his clear eyes showing genuine gratitude and a trace of guilt.
Since receiving the Worry Doll yesterday, he hadn’t been able to sleep that night. Closing his eyes only brought back past memories, crashing over him like massive waves.
The curses, scornful words, and hateful stares of countless people had wrapped around him like long seaweeds under the ocean, choking him.
He hadn’t slept deeply in years, either from fear that something might die without him noticing or from old anxieties that lingered even as he grew up.
His insomnia had persisted from long ago until fairly recently. If he didn’t sleep, his mind filled with worries—mostly about things that hadn’t happened, often imagining the worst possible outcomes.
There was no way to resolve them, no way to stop thinking about them—except to grow too tired and drift into a light sleep unconsciously.
Thus, he hadn’t expected much from the Worry Doll.
Puppy slowly held the doll under the moonlight.
“Will this really eat my worries?”
Judging from its crude sewing, it seemed Daphne had made it herself, despite lacking skill. Out of respect for Dioana’s innocence and gratitude for the gift, he clutched it and half-jokingly muttered his greatest worry or wish:
“I just want to stop worrying and sleep deeply… sleep without fear.”
He sighed, thinking it foolish, but held the doll tight and flopped onto the bed.
And surprisingly, he fell asleep.
For the first time in a long while, without incessant worries, he slept deeply through the night.
When he awoke, the lark’s song was clear, and bright sunlight poured in through the window.
Blinking rapidly, he tried to understand the situation. His body felt fresh, light, and refreshed, almost like he had died and gone to heaven.
But he quickly realized he wasn’t in heaven—the ceiling was unmistakably that of Steren Castle, in his new room.
He sat up, astonished.
‘Did I really fall asleep? As soon as I lay down?’
He hadn’t even pulled the blanket over or used a pillow, yet he had slept soundly. He stared at the Worry Doll in his hand, wondering:
‘Does this really work…?’
As he hurried to change, Daphne’s maids caught him.
“Oh, Puppy! You’re up? The Archduke has already left.”
“…Left? Where?”
“Eh? Didn’t he tell you? Today’s the first date with Crown Prince Lucius.”
Another maid tugged at her colleague’s sleeve, signaling her not to say more.
“Ah, right. Let’s go do our duties.”
“Y-Yes. Let’s hurry.”
Seeing Puppy’s expression, the maids assumed he had suffered heartbreak and hurriedly left.
Indeed, Puppy’s mood wasn’t good. Despite his refreshed body from deep sleep, his heart felt as heavy as a boulder.
‘I was so arrogant and rude yesterday… he must be angry with me.’
Even if he wasn’t angry, he surely would have been flabbergasted.
No matter what, she shouldn’t have treated Daphne that way.
