Chapter 17
“There’s no way this is okay.”
“Because it goes against propriety?”
I seriously wondered if the man standing in front of me was really Adel. Stiff as a board, I asked,
“Let me ask you one thing. Are you certain the method you’re talking about would work?”
“That, I cannot say.”
A shallow sigh escaped him.
Adel was acting this extreme because he felt guilty—there was no doubt about it. Even though I kept telling him there was no need for him to feel sorry, he refused to accept it.
Relaxing my expression, I looked up at him quietly.
“Adel, you don’t have to blame yourself. Me getting sick isn’t your fault. It’s just something that was bound to happen to me. So please don’t say things you don’t even mean.”
Adel pressed his lips together, clearly dissatisfied. I tried to persuade him.
“I like spending time with you. I’m happy just being together, even if we do nothing. But if you keep feeling this burden, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Am I a burden to you?”
“What you’re saying makes it sound as though you’re putting your feelings above your own life.”
There was a faint note of sarcasm in his voice.
“Does it?”
“I don’t know. To be honest, everyone I’ve met so far has asked something of me, big or small. Even if they didn’t, they carried the prejudice that I would always act properly. Of course, that’s partly intentional on my part… but you’re different, Anastasia. I don’t know what you’re thinking.”
For this moment alone, I resented the Duke. Adel seemed trapped by the compulsion that he always had to be a good child, no matter the situation.
“What I want is for you to have fun with me.”
“Is that truly all?”
Adel looked unconvinced, so I hammered it in again.
“That’s all.”
“I can’t accept that. If you used me, you might find a way to live. Since it’s your life on the line, wouldn’t it be natural to act selfishly? Are you worried about the aftermath? I’ll take care of that myself.”
The more I listened, the more ridiculous it became. I finally exploded.
“You idiot! Do you think I’m insane enough to stain your hands with blood?!”
Unable to hold back, I grabbed Adel by the collar.
“If you say something that terrifying one more time, I’ll ban you from entering the count’s estate. Got it?”
I could feel the florist staring at us, but I ignored him. I glared at Adel as if I were really about to hit him.
“Adel. Answer me.”
“But—”
“Hey.”
“…Understood.”
What a stubborn blockhead. I released his collar and muttered,
“Do you think I have to ask something of you for you to feel at ease?”
Adel hesitated, unable to answer. I narrowed my eyes.
“Be honest. Are you worried about me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want me to live a long life?”
He nodded again and again.
Damn it—why does that make him look cute again? I must be losing my mind.
“Adel, can you lower your head a bit?”
Though he looked full of complaints, Adel did as I asked.
I stood on my tiptoes and lightly kissed his cheek. There was a soft peck.
Leaning closer to the wide-eyed Adel, I whispered,
“Thank you. But I really am okay. I wasn’t sure before, but now that you’re by my side, I’m not scared at all. I’m only worried that Ash Cloud might spit on my coffin.”
Right. That bastard existed.
“You never know what might happen. Who knows? The viscount might die before you do.”
As if he’d decided to go all the way crooked, Adel said something chilling. I laughed it off.
“That’d be something to see.”
Just as we were about to leave the street before drawing more attention, Adel carefully wrapped his hand around my arm.
“Anastasia.”
“Yeah, Adel?”
Thinking he had more to say, I looked at him. Adel smiled faintly.
“You might end up regretting meeting me.”
He didn’t give me time to reply.
“But I’ll treat you well enough to make up for it, so please don’t hate me too much.”
Adel’s eyes gleamed coldly. This time, I was sure I hadn’t imagined it.
The awkward walk was coming to an end. If I’d known it would turn out like this, I shouldn’t have grabbed him by the collar.
Adel was only worried about me—if I’d handled it gently, things would’ve been fine. Maybe I’d overreacted.
I sneaked glances at Adel, feeling awkward. What did he think of me? A friend with a terminal illness? But that alone didn’t quite explain it.
Adel took care of me with genuine devotion.
Of course, he was kind to everyone—but still, I felt like he treated me a little differently. It made me hopeful, greedy even.
Was I imagining things? Was I being too full of myself?
Before I knew it, following Adel’s lead, we arrived at the count’s estate. He stopped and spoke gently.
“Anastasia, could you come to the duke’s estate tomorrow? My father says he has a gift he wants to give you.”
I was horrified.
“Again?”
I’d already locked away the teacup I received last time because it felt too precious to use!
“If it’s all right, I’ll come pick you up.”
Adel smiled—a dangerously charming smile. It was blinding! Was this what Sister Lynette felt?!
“…O-Okay.”
I nodded without thinking, and Adel bid me farewell.
“Rest well, then.”
How could a goodbye be so plain? Other noblemen even kissed the back of a lady’s hand.
Come to think of it, Adel’s reaction when I kissed his cheek had been subtle. He’d widened his eyes in surprise—but that was it.
Was I the only one catching feelings…?
Feeling gloomy, I entered the mansion and spotted the gardener decorating the flowers I’d ordered.
After changing into comfortable clothes and chewing on some chocolate, I asked Ilina,
“Ilina, how do you think Adel sees me?”
“A close friend who happens to be biologically female?”
Ilina was ruthless.
“Ugh!”
What is that supposed to mean?!
“He does seem to treat you specially, miss… but since he’s kind to everyone, it’s hard to say for sure.”
I couldn’t refute that. Swallowing my tears, I stuffed more chocolate into my mouth.
The next day, Adel and I headed to the Magnus ducal estate. To my surprise, the Duke himself was waiting outside. The moment I saw him, I couldn’t hide my shock.
“Gasp!”
“Welcome, Anastasia.”
The Duke was wearing glasses.
Glasses!
“Is it even legal for you to look this handsome?!”
I blurted out without thinking. The Duke laughed.
“I suppose I should wear glasses more often.”
No wonder the Duke was so confident in his looks. My heart pounded, heat rushing to my face. I seriously felt like I might get a nosebleed.
“Since you’re so amazing, Duke, it makes me curious how Adel will look when he grows up. I wish I could see adult Adel someday…”
Even as a grandfather, Adel would definitely be handsome. Absolutely.
Suddenly, the Duke closed his mouth. Adel’s face stiffened too, leaving me confused.
“What’s wrong with you two?”
Did I say something wrong? I only said I wanted to see Adel in the future…
Wait—did I just say that in a wistful tone? Like some terminally ill patient talking about an unfulfilled dream?
“Ah, don’t mind it. I was just saying it casually.”
I hurried to smooth things over.
“I’m really fine.”
But both the Duke and Adel remained frozen. I slowly stepped back.
Should I just go home like this?
“Well…”
As I fumbled, Adel let out a sigh.
“Father, you’re making Anastasia uncomfortable.”
Only then did the Duke press his brow, close his eyes briefly, and open them again.
“…You’re right. Sorry for keeping you waiting. Let’s go inside.”
I followed the Duke into an enormous room. Inside was a breathtaking sight—as if every dress in the world had been gathered there.
“Uh… what…?”
Our family was far from poor—we were actually quite wealthy—but even so, this was unbelievable.
A hundred dresses? Two hundred? Maybe even more…
Even if I emptied my entire dressing room, it wouldn’t compare. The Duke’s voice snapped me out of my panic.
“I heard there’ll be a party for underage nobles soon. I prepared some outfits you might wear.”
“How many dresses are there?”
“I bought out the entire shop, so I’m not sure.”
He said it as casually as buying ice cream.
“I’m scared of you, Your Grace.”
The dresses stretched endlessly—sorted by color, design, sleeve length, skirt length—each lavishly decorated with diamonds, rubies, peridot, and amethysts. Any single dress looked outrageously expensive.
“It wouldn’t do for you to get bored already. And I never said I bought only one shop.”
“…Pardon?”
Sir, I am not your long-lost daughter.
“There are still accessories left, aren’t there?”
The Duke was shameless and arrogant. I was speechless.
“You must truly possess wealth enough to buy a whole country. But please restrain yourself. I refuse anything more!”
Suddenly, the Duke’s expression darkened.
“I won’t deny it. But that’s exactly why it’s so strange. Artifacts from thousands of years ago, weapons said to have been wielded by the son of a god, treasures hidden beneath the imperial palace—I can obtain them all if I wish. And yet, I still haven’t found your cure. Does that make any sense?”
So he really had taken my words to heart. I replied lightly on purpose.
“Maybe it’s just that rare of a disease?”
“I don’t want to accept that explanation yet. While searching for your medicine, Will and I discovered cures for countless incurable illnesses. None worked on you—except for the new one we found this time.”
Ugh… suddenly my stomach felt…
“You mean the medicine with the green chunks floating in it?”
I said warily.
“Even that can only slow the progression of the disease.”
“I think that’s still amazing.”
“Not at all. If you knew what ingredients went into it—”
I hurriedly cut him off.
“Ah, I’d rather not know! If Adel warned me about it, it must be truly horrific!”
As I frantically denied reality, the Duke laughed and gently patted my head.
“Then let’s stop the small talk and try on some dresses. Gabriella will help you.”
“You’re not saying I have to try all of these on, are you?”
I grumbled. I had to admit it—I was comfortable around the Duke.
He treated me without reserve, armed with a shamelessness that kept me from feeling pressured or uncomfortable. He really felt like a godfather to me.
“Choose ones that are easy to move in. You’ll need to run around a bit at this party. We’ll be downstairs.”
The handsome father and son left the room. Only me, my maid, and a graceful-looking woman remained.
The woman stepped forward and greeted me.
