Chapter 45 – Jealousy? (2)
“Beth… Right now, the Duke is probably in his bedroom, isn’t he?”
At Mio’s question, Beth, who was tidying the dressing table, flinched.
Lately, Beth’s moods had been all over the place.
She had thought that thanks to Lavinia Vale, she could finally get rid of the thorn in her side, Mio. But it wasn’t Mio who had disappeared—it was Miss Lavinia. And on top of that, Mio, whom she had considered insignificant, turned out to be the Duke of Urcheka’s cousin.
“So there was a reason she went to the hunting competition with the Duke…”
She had been able to look down on her before, but now she couldn’t.
“She’s truly infuriating…”
Mio had perfectly concealed that she was a noble from the Duchy of Urcheka. And the thought that she had acted so friendly while asking his name made Beth’s blood boil.
“Nobles are hopeless, really.”
Her hand clenched tightly around the cloth she had grabbed from the dressing table. She disliked seeing the Duke with Mio, and now even the Grand Duke was wrapped up in her. The way he followed Mio on their daily walks reminded Beth of a large, loyal dog.
“This can’t continue.”
Without Lady Vale around, Beth had to do something with her own power. If she stayed idle, the Duke and even the Grand Duke would fall completely for Mio.
“Yes… that’s the way.”
Beth smoothed out the dry cloth and slowly turned her body, a plan forming to make the Duke dislike Mio.
“Most likely, the Duke has already finished preparing for bed.”
In truth, it was just time for him to bathe.
If anyone entered his bedroom at this time, knowing the Duke’s personality, they would certainly face harsh reproach.
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll just step out for a bit. Can you keep this from Loren?”
“Of course, Miss.”
Beth behaved with utmost politeness, and it was hard to tell if it was forced.
“Thank you.”
Mio, wearing a gown over her chemise and slippers, slowly stepped out of the bedroom.
Walking down the hallway, dissatisfaction filled her eyes.
“Even if he’s busy… this is too much lately.”
She couldn’t even remember the last time their hands had brushed. She even wanted to hear Geoffrey’s cold voice.
“The hunting competition is coming up soon… I need to do something.”
If she didn’t make contact soon, she might face being treated like a fox.
“Should I sing him a lullaby since he has insomnia?”
She was sure he would look at her strangely.
“Right… a lullaby wouldn’t suit Geoffrey anyway.”
But she had devised a few strategies, so there was no real problem. Stealthily, Mio passed down the hallway and approached the Duke’s bedroom, making her presence known.
“Duke… it’s me, Mio. I have something to tell you.”
But there was no answer from inside.
“Could he already be asleep?”
She wished Geoffrey would respond before anyone saw her there.
“If any servant sees me lurking outside Geoffrey’s bedroom, it’ll be a disaster.”
Rumors were already rampant, and this would only make things worse. Moreover, Loren seemed to believe Mio might actually marry the Duke.
“Just think how cute a baby of his would be…”
Even if it was a muttered remark, why must Mio hear it all? Just thinking about it made her cheeks burn, and steam seemed to puff from her nose.
“A baby… that’s nonsense.”
Minutes passed as she lingered, yet the Duke didn’t respond. Then, from the other end of the hall, the sound of footsteps approached. Flustered, Mio pushed open the bedroom door.
“Duke… excuse me for a moment.”
Standing with her back to the door, she squinted. She expected Geoffrey’s scolding, but the bedroom was quiet and dim. Only a single candle near his bed provided light.
“Could he already be asleep?”
Yet she knew the Duke rarely slept well at night. She had often seen him staring blankly at the stove when waking in pain. Cautiously approaching the bed, Mio widened her eyes.
“Where did he go?”
The bed showed no sign that anyone had been lying there. Perhaps Geoffrey hadn’t returned yet because of work.
“Beth must have been mistaken.”
Feeling uneasy in the empty bedroom, she turned to leave.
Then…
A small door beside the bedroom opened, filling the room with hazy smoke. Within it stood Geoffrey, wearing a black gown.
His eyes narrowed as he spotted her, and Mio let out a quiet sigh of admiration.
“…Ah.”
Moonlight streamed through the large window, illuminating his face. His damp black hair, the slight blush on his wet cheeks, made his features look even more striking. Through the partially closed gown, she could see his well-toned chest, with droplets of water silently sliding down.
She had to say something, some excuse.
‘How can a man be so beautiful?’
Mio was completely captivated by Geoffrey’s appearance and could only open her mouth slightly. Seeing her standing there blankly, Geoffrey let out a deep sigh.
“Thought you’d been away for a while… so now it starts again?”
Standing before the large mirror, he began drying the remaining water from his hair. Geoffrey flicked his fingers in the mirror, smiling faintly at the hesitant Mio.
‘Is she brave… or just fearless…’
How dare she come to his bedroom at this hour? She was utterly reckless. Extremely sensitive, Geoffrey only allowed cleaning when he was absent and refused to be attended to during his baths. He hated anyone in his bedroom at night; very few could come see him then.
On tiptoe, Mio slowly approached. Geoffrey lowered his head as if ignoring her, and she reached out, grabbing a towel.
“What are you trying to do?”
He looked bewildered as she brushed her still-damp hair back.
“I… I’ll help dry you.”
Mio bounced forward, trying to dry his hair.
“I don’t require that kind of help. Go back.”
Turning away, Geoffrey tried to take the towel, but Mio held it tightly. He chuckled at the absurdity of struggling over a single towel.
“I’m asking what you’re doing.”
Gripping the towel harder, Mio rushed into his chest. Her cheek pressed against his still-warm skin, and she flinched as if burned.
“…Cough. I said I’d just dry it for you.”
Showing off her strength with the towel had led to this mess. While standing behind him, it was manageable, but being in his arms made her dizzy.
“Planning to keep this up?”
“No, it’s not like I leaned in on purpose.”
Mumbling as she clutched the towel, Geoffrey pulled her away coolly.
“Why did you come to see me? Haven’t you given up on being my fan?”
“…Hah.”
Mio shook her head at Geoffrey’s accusatory tone.
“Who’s talking here?”
It had been him who insisted on meals during the day and walked her through the garden when she resisted. Yet Geoffrey suddenly acted as if he didn’t know her. That alone was more unsettling than the presence of Alexei Urcheka.
‘Is Geoffrey going to send me away somewhere?’
She couldn’t explain the anxious feeling she had.
“Why does it sound like you’re blaming me?”
Geoffrey, taking the towel from her hands, wiped the remaining moisture while murmuring. She didn’t know why it felt like he was blaming her. Watching his back as he disappeared, saying he was busy, made her feel inexplicably lonely.
“…I don’t know.”
Mio, unable to meet his eyes, hesitated. Geoffrey lightly brushed his falling bangs upward. He carried the faint fragrance of her bathing herbs. Nothing much, yet her face heated inexplicably.
Dropping the towel to the floor, he asked,
“Then… do you like me more than the Grand Duke?”
“…Excuse me?”
‘This has to be a joke…’
Mio raised her head at the unexpected question. Geoffrey’s black eyes were serious, calm like the dark night sky. Seeing herself reflected in them made her heart race.
“Why no answer?”
Only now did she realize how close she was to him. If she spoke, her heartbeat would be audible. She stepped back, but her foot caught the fallen towel.
“…Ah.”
She almost fell. Last time, during the dance, he hadn’t caught her—but now she was trapped in his arms.
‘I can’t breathe.’
His large hands gripped her waist, while hers clutched at his gown. Their hearts pounded together, and Mio shivered to calm herself.
“I think I already heard that answer.”
Finally speaking, Geoffrey’s words made Mio try to pull away, but his hands held her firmly.
“…What do you mean?”
She couldn’t understand why Geoffrey, who disliked and was annoyed by his fans, was acting this way.
“…I guess.”
Her cheeks flushed as she stared at Geoffrey, giving his usual ambiguous answer.
“I should go now.”
Mio hurriedly freed herself, and Geoffrey released her without protest.
Before the door closed, he whispered,
“For now…”
A voice so quiet no one else could hear, the silver moonlight reflecting off his sharp jaw.
