GTMDHW | Chapter 73

~chapter 73~ 

“Duke, are you okay?”

Leah looked at Johann, puzzled, as he had suddenly stopped walking.

“Your face is really red—do you have a fever or something?”

“…A fever.”

He barely got the words out before Leah gently placed the back of her hand on his forehead.

His already hot face flushed even more.

“…You’re burning up!”

He could feel her hand so clearly on his skin.

His mouth was going dry.

‘She has no idea how crazy she’s making me right now.’

“Why are you suddenly running a fever?”

Leah moved even closer.

“…”

Just the fact that her soft hand was touching him left Johann frozen—unable to move or speak.

Like he was paralyzed.

He clenched his fists.

Even his fingers felt tingly.

“I think you should take the carriage now.”

Leah pulled her hand back and waved at the coachman.

“…I’m fine.”

He barely managed to grab her hand.

“Huh?”

“…It’s just temporary.”

His voice cracked enough for anyone to hear.

Leah frowned with concern.

“Doesn’t seem so temporary to me. Your hand is burning too.”

Damn it—of course it’s hot.

‘…I just realized something huge.’

That I… that I love you.

“I’ll be fine in a little bit.”

He wiped his face with his rough hand.

“The carriage’s here, just get in and rest for a bit.”

Leah looked at him with concern and gently guided him to the carriage.

“…Okay.”

Even while feeling like this, he liked the worried way she looked at him.

Once Johann and Leah got into the carriage, the coachman picked up speed.

“You should get checked by a healing mage once we’re back.”

“It’s not that serious.”

“Still…”

“Alright, alright—I’ll get checked.”

He said it just to ease her worry.

As nice as her worried face was, it couldn’t compare to when she smiled.

“Just rest for now until we get there.”

Leah turned her head to look out the window as she spoke.

A fresh breeze blew through, gently tossing her hair.

That sight both warmed Johann’s heart and calmed it.

He didn’t know exactly when he’d fallen for her, but he was sure of one thing now:

He was completely, hopelessly in love with her.

‘…Leah.’

Her name lingered on his lips, but he couldn’t say it.

He’d never said it aloud—it had always felt awkward.

And now, he wanted to say it so badly.

If I called her “Leah”… what kind of face would she make?

Would she react normally? Or would she be surprised?

…Or maybe she’d hate it.

After all, I’m the man who forgot her and left.

Even if she didn’t show it, she might not like it.

As that thought hit him, the heat in his face started to fade.

On top of that, I treated her coldly when she came to see me… the chances are even higher.

He sighed quietly to himself.

‘…Why was I so cold back then?’

I didn’t need to be super kind, but I didn’t have to be such a jerk either.

But now it was too late to regret it.

“Are you feeling better now?”

Leah turned her head to him and asked, seeing that the color had returned to his face.

“…Seems like it.”

“That’s a relief.”

She let out a small sigh and smiled gently.

‘If she’s still worried about me… maybe it’s not that bad.’

No—maybe she’s just worried because of Raphaella.

If I’m sick, it wouldn’t be good for Raphaella either.

While he was lost in his thoughts, the carriage arrived at the duke’s estate.

Johann reached out his hand to escort Leah out of the carriage.

But just as she was about to take it, she hesitated.

“Why aren’t you—”

Johann looked at her, confused.

She was staring at something with clear discomfort.

“Duke Blumhardt! What the hell is this? How could you do this to me?!”

It was Patrizia, her voice sharp and shrill.

“…Sigh.”

Johann let out a deep breath.

She had come out of the front entrance and was walking toward them.

In that time, Johann had helped Leah step out of the carriage.

“I’m your fiancée! How could you go around with her like this?!”

As she got closer, Patrizia looked Leah up and down like she was something disgusting.

Johann frowned and moved Leah behind him, shielding her.

“…Greetings to Your Highness, the noble light of the heavens. I don’t recall hearing you were visiting—may I ask what brings you here?”

“Is that really important right now? I just caught my fiancé cheating on me!”

She shouted, eyebrows raised.

“Whatever misunderstanding you have, we just happened to run into each other and came back together.”

Johann let out another sigh as he explained.

“And I’m supposed to believe that?”

“Whether you believe it or not is up to you, but jumping to conclusions like this isn’t exactly pleasant.”

“And you think I’m the one being unreasonable?!”

Patrizia’s clenched fists were trembling.

“You should go inside now.”

Johann ignored Patrizia and whispered to Leah.

“What?”

“Quickly.”

At his urging, Leah reluctantly began to walk.

“Where do you think you’re going on your own?”

Before Patrizia could grab Leah’s wrist in anger, Johann blocked her.

“Don’t take your anger out on someone else. If you’re upset, talk to me.”

“…Florian was right.”

Patrizia muttered with teary, red eyes.

“Duke Blumhardt… Don’t tell me you actually have feelings for that commoner woman?”

“Do I have to explain that to you, Your Highness?”

Johann replied without a change in expression.

Wearing a mask in front of the princess was easy—unlike when he was with Leah.

“Judging by how you’re dodging the question, I guess it’s true. A high-ranking duke falling for some country bumpkin…”

“Your Highness, if you’re royalty, please speak like one.”

Johann frowned slightly.

“I saw you riding in a carriage with that woman. How can you expect me to be calm?”

“I don’t see why you’re so upset. It’s not like we’re married yet.”

“…What did you say?”

Patrizia bit her lip.

“An engagement can be broken at any time.”

“Duke, you’re not seriously thinking of dumping me and marrying that nobody commoner, are you?”

Her voice came out low and tense through her teeth.

Marriage? He’d only just admitted his feelings a moment ago—it wasn’t something he’d even considered yet.

But… if Leah was willing to accept him again—

“…”

Even if it was shameless, he wanted to keep living like this with her.

“Hah, looks like you forgot it’s illegal for nobles to marry commoners.”

She interpreted his silence correctly.

“That law is meaningless.”

“Maybe for small-time nobles, sure. But do you think it applies to someone like you, a duke?”

Patrizia scoffed.

“And let’s not forget, you’re engaged to me, a royal princess.”

She folded her arms and lifted her chin arrogantly.

“Sure, maybe marrying a commoner could be overlooked somehow. But breaking off an engagement with me? That’s impossible. Don’t get your hopes up. Disappointment hurts.”

With a smug smile, she leaned her face close to his.

“Dream more realistically, Duke.”

“…”

Johann didn’t respond. He held back the urge to shove her face out of his sight.

“Soon, His Majesty the Emperor will invite you to dinner. I trust you won’t behave the way you did when I invited you.”

She smirked.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

She climbed into the carriage and left the Duke’s estate.

‘No matter what, I have to break this engagement.’

Johann ran a hand through his hair in frustration as he went back into the mansion.

As soon as Patrizia arrived back at the palace, she headed straight for Florian’s quarters.

Bang.

Without knocking, she burst into the prince’s bedroom.

“You’re really something, acting like this before dinner.”

Two naked women were in bed with Florian.

“…Sister, ever heard of privacy?”

Grumbling, Florian sat up, annoyed from being woken.

“You two, get out.”

Patrizia growled in a terrifying voice, chasing the women away.

“Give me that drug you had before.”

“Drug? What drug?”

Florian leaned back lazily, grinning.

“The one you said would help with my relationship with the Duke!”

“You called it cheap and disgusting last time.”

“You think I can afford to be picky now that Duke Blumhardt is cozying up to that commoner tramp?!”

“Cozying up?”

Florian’s eyes sparkled as he sat up straighter.

“Yes! He was even looking at her like some tragic love story!”

Patrizia couldn’t hold back her fury anymore.

“And he treats me, a princess, like I’m nothing!”

“Even if he’s a duke, treating you like that is out of line.”

Florian started getting dressed.

“I’ll get him, no matter what it takes.”

A crazed glint lit up in Patrizia’s eyes.

“Even if I have to use the dirtiest tricks.”

“Here. The one thing that’ll bring down the oh-so-noble Duke Blumhardt.”

Florian handed her a small bottle of medicine.

A satisfied smile spread across her lips.