Chapter 13
“We’re all friends!”
After some thought, Rubelia finally said it.
“So, the Duke of Karsiel, the Lady of Persinnen, we’re all friends now.”
“Ah…”
Hasedian’s face showed deep emotion. Aria’s reaction wasn’t much different.
“Then, goodbye to both of you…”
Feeling like she had wrapped things up, Rubelia tried to send them off. But they weren’t the type to leave so easily.
“Then why don’t you call me by my name?”
Hasedian looked at her seriously.
“Because you’re special!”
Rubelia replied confidently, without hesitation.
It wasn’t wrong. In her life, she had never met anyone like Hasedian or Aria.
Hasedian’s eyes widened. He seemed so moved and surprised he might cry.
“I-I!”
Aria jumped in urgently.
“Of course, Lady Persinnen too.”
Both were equally special—no one was superior.
“Lady…!”
Aria’s eyes glistened. Her usually clear and bright eyes were now even more radiant.
“Lady, what is it that you wish for?”
“Indeed, Lady Stein, is there something you desire?”
If she wanted, Aria and Hasedian seemed ready to give her the entire empire.
‘I guess I should be glad they’re at least asking first.’
At least they wouldn’t bring dangerous things to her like last time.
“That’s for later. I’ll think about it carefully.”
She could use it as an excuse to get help when she really needed it. Rubelia decided that was the best plan.
“So, goodbye.”
She quickly gave the incomplete farewell and slipped back inside the Marquis house.
Seeing how much they still wanted to say, she briefly wondered if she had been too cold—but shook her head.
If she didn’t act now, they would pester her all day.
The next day.
Rubelia wanted to talk with Zerden and also investigate the guest who visited the Grand Duke’s house yesterday. Today, she planned to stay only briefly.
But before leaving, she had to face her father’s hurt expression.
He looked at her with a sadness as if he might cry at any moment.
“Father?”
“Child, where are you going again?”
“Uh… just out…”
If she told him she was going to the Grand Duke’s house, he would undoubtedly freak out. Rubelia didn’t want her father to feel as if she were walking into danger.
“…I see. You’re grown now, child.”
Her formal 18th birthday was coming soon. Normally, people of that age began marriage talks.
It wouldn’t be strange if she had someone in her heart.
Though Rubelia kept it secret, her father knew from Hasedian that she visited the Grand Duke’s house almost daily.
But hadn’t he said she would remain single?
He had felt so relieved, so happy—yet now, it seemed not.
And it was Zerden, the Grand Duke.
A man who would treat her like a goddess, yet Rubelia might have to marry someone indifferent and cold.
Her father knew well how emotionally distant Zerden could be with women.
If Rubelia married him, could she really be happy? Or might she suffer quietly, shedding secret tears over his coldness?
Even if Zerden was powerless against her charm, being loved didn’t guarantee a happy marriage.
Her father wished she would marry someone kind and considerate.
“Father?”
“But isn’t it too early for marriage?”
“Eh?” Rubelia’s face reflected confusion at the sudden topic.
“Child, not the Grand Duke.”
“Suddenly?”
She didn’t understand why he assumed she would marry the Grand Duke.
“Child, I know you visit the Grand Duke’s house every day.”
“Ah.”
Now Rubelia understood.
“Father.”
“Yes, child.”
Her father looked at her with tender, almost pleading eyes.
“Zerden and I are just friends.”
Rubelia said firmly.
“Child, there is no such thing as just friends between a man and a woman.”
Being “friends” is often only a preliminary stage before becoming lovers. And with a man like the Grand Duke, he wouldn’t be satisfied with merely friendship.
Rubelia had charm enough to win over even those who had disliked her, like Aria and Hasedian.
“No, that’s not necessarily true.”
“Child, there’s no man who could remain just a friend with you, especially not with you, Rubelia.”
“That’s definitely not true.”
Rubelia shivered, imagining Aria and Hasedian watching over her shoulder.
“Child, I absolutely support your desire to remain single.”
“….”
“So, if you really want to marry, how about in 100 or 500 years?”
“Are you telling me to live alone and die like that?”
Rubelia gave her father a look of disbelief.
“Don’t worry. You’ll inherit the title, and the Marquis house has plenty of wealth.”
“Of course…”
With money, living alone would be no problem, she thought, making her expression ambiguous.
“And the heir?”
“Why must it be bloodline? You can appoint a distant relative.”
Rubelia was momentarily speechless. Could a title really be passed so casually?
“I’ll keep that in mind for now.”
If she said she wanted to marry now, she would hear hours of reasons against it.
“Yes, all men in the world are wolves.”
Her father spoke with worry.
“…Yes.” Rubelia nodded carefully.
At the Hesirkan Grand Duke’s house, Zerden was working in his office.
The butler informed him that a letter from the Dukes had arrived. Zerden read it, showing a look of disbelief.
Although the letter was long-winded, its meaning was simple:
‘I’m Rubelia’s special friend. You’re just a friend, right?’
Zerden doubted whether the Duke of Karsiel had really sent it.
The Karsiel Duke he knew was normally so cold. Though the last meeting had already disproved that assumption.
Next, he read the letter from the Persinnen Duke’s house.
“Are they crazy?”
Zerden’s reaction after reading both letters.
He had expected some urgent matter, but it was not. The letters were basically identical in meaning, just worded differently.
“How strange.”
He murmured. The two people who had disliked Rubelia the most had suddenly turned to her—so drastically.
It was somewhat understandable. Rubelia had a strange charm. She seemed light and bright, yet she could touch weaknesses as if she knew one’s heart.
“…I want to see her.”
Even the thought made him smile, unable to believe his own feelings.
Rubelia proudly stopped in front of the Grand Duke’s house. By now, her visits were familiar, and no one found it odd.
The butler, in particular, welcomed her warmly.
“Is Zerden very busy?”
“If it’s a visit from the Lady, the master will welcome you gladly.”
Rubelia was the first woman to visit the Grand Duke’s house in his time there, and Zerden had shown such care only to her.
“I’ll guide you immediately.”
The butler said, noticing she had business with Zerden.
“Thank you.”
Rubelia followed the butler to Zerden’s office.
The butler knocked to announce her. No response came.
“He must be very busy.”
“I’ll take you to the reception room first.”
“No, wait.”
A cold, uneasy feeling made Rubelia frown. It was clearly a warning.
“Sorry, Zerden.”
It would have been rude to enter without permission, but she couldn’t ignore the warning. This was for Zerden’s sake.
The butler stepped aside, assuming she had a reason.
Inside, Rubelia frowned. Zerden had fallen asleep while working, sweating and writhing as if in a terrible nightmare. His face was pale.
“Zerden!”
Feeling she couldn’t leave him like that, she rushed to wake him, but he didn’t respond.
“Zerden, Zerden!”
Seeing no effect, she considered other methods.
‘They say hitting is best to wake someone…’
She raised her hand but hesitated.
‘No… I can’t hit him.’
Instead, she approached his ear and shouted loudly:
“Zerden!”
This time, it worked. He suddenly opened his eyes.
But at that moment, Rubelia felt a chilling, strange sensation. She met his gaze and froze.
“…Zerden?”
Though awake, his eyes were unfocused and cold, like someone with no emotion.
Rubelia waved her hands before him, trying to get his attention.
Then, suddenly, Zerden reached out and grabbed her hand.
