Chapter 93
At the duke’s proposal, a faint look of displeasure crossed Kalios’s face.
He had probably calculated that, with his cousin watching, Kalios wouldn’t be able to refuse so easily.
But he skillfully concealed his expression and nodded.
“Yes, if that is what you wish, Father.”
Having obtained the answer he wanted, the duke took another sip from his glass with a satisfied look.
With a premonition that the duke’s stay might last longer than expected, Kalios felt nothing but conflicted.
“Why do you keep wiping the same spot?”
At the sudden voice, I snapped out of my thoughts and turned around. It seemed Kalios had already returned to his room from the banquet.
“Oh, young master. You’re back.”
“Yeah. But… are you okay?”
Only after hearing his words did I realize I had been scrubbing the same spot with a cloth for quite some time.
“Oh, of course! I just thought something spilled on the table…”
I trailed off with an awkward smile.
“How trivial.”
Kalios passed by me and dropped into a nearby chair.
“Stop and get some rest. I’ll be going to bed soon anyway.”
Hearing the fatigue in his voice, I stopped what I was doing and cautiously studied his expression.
“How was the banquet?”
“It was fine. Aside from suddenly being entered into a hunting competition.”
“A hunting competition?”
As I approached him with narrowed eyes, Kalios spoke with a sigh.
“For some reason, Father suddenly suggested it. Said he wanted to see my skills.”
“What? But…”
He would have to take more painkillers than usual for that. Would his body really hold up?
I asked him with a worried expression.
“Will you be all right? You’ve been exercising a lot, sure, but it’s been quite a while since you last went hunting.”
“Well, I’ll have to manage somehow. It’s already been decided that I’ll participate.”
Kalios leaned back against the chair with another sigh.
Really, why did he sound so relaxed about something like this?
“But… what if the medicine wears off? You could fall off your horse. What if a wild boar comes charging and tramples you? What would you do then?”
“What?”
He let out a laugh. Was what I said that funny?
“Why are you imagining things like that? It’s fine. I’ve thought it through.”
He explained that he had deliberately chosen a forest with plenty of shade as the competition venue.
“And I plan to have a hunting outfit made that blocks as much sunlight as possible. I’m a bit worried it might restrict my movement, though.”
“Hmm…”
Even so, I couldn’t hide my displeasure.
“If you’re that determined, there’s nothing I can do. But don’t overdo it out of pride.”
From my perspective, the fact that he was participating at all already felt like he was doing his utmost.
“Are you really that worried about me?”
“Of course. Whenever I think about how you used to suffer from the side effects of the medicine, my heart still races.”
“…Then there’s something you can do for me.”
After a brief pause, as if considering something, he spoke.
“What is it?”
Kalios answered my question in a blunt tone.
“People usually give gifts to those going into hunting or battle, wishing them good fortune. Like a handkerchief or flowers.”
“Ah, like a charm for safe return?”
“Yeah, that. If you’re okay with it, give me one.”
It took me only a moment to realize what he was asking, and I clapped my hands.
Wait. Is this something a maid usually gives?
I stroked my chin and fell into thought.
Was it because I’d learned that Kalios might have feelings for me? Even a small request suddenly seemed loaded with meaning.
If I gave him a gift, wouldn’t people start looking at us strangely again?
…Still, giving a simple gift without any ulterior motive should be fine. It’ll be the last one anyway.
Having gathered my thoughts, I nodded readily.
“All right. You already have plenty of handkerchiefs, so I’ll go out this weekend and look for something. What would be appropriate…?”
I was busy considering options within the limits of my budget when—
With a creak, Kalios shifted in his seat and spoke.
“Don’t bother with that. Just come here for a moment.”
“Huh?”
I hesitated, unsure what he meant, but soon walked carefully toward him.
A moment later, when a gentle touch brushed my hair, my body stiffened.
The ribbon tied around my head loosened and slipped free, and my neatly pinned hair fell down in soft waves.
Kalios spoke in a calm voice, pretending nothing was unusual.
“Why are you overthinking it? This is enough for me.”
“What? But that’s something you gave me as a gift.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll just use it for a bit and return it.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
I let out a deep sigh.
“What kind of person gives something they’ve been using as a gift?”
At my exasperated tone, Kalios chuckled.
“It’s meant to wish for someone’s safety anyway. Something that’s been carried for a long time should be more effective.”
“That makes no sen—”
“Ah, hold on. Don’t move.”
Suddenly, Kalios’s hand began gently arranging my tousled hair.
As if it were the most important task in the world, his touch was incredibly careful.
…Seeing that, it became hard to pretend I didn’t understand his feelings anymore.
Without realizing it, heat rose to my face.
And maybe the reason my heart is beating like this…
I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again, cutting off the thought.
Then I quickly stepped back from his touch.
“…I-it tickles, young master. Anyway, you definitely said this would be enough, right?”
It struck me again that deciding to leave him now was the right choice.
With the money the duke had given me, I’d be able to start a new life anywhere.
Thinking of him being left behind without knowing anything made guilt and regret well up, though.
When he finds out I’ve left, he’ll probably be very angry, won’t he?
As I imagined the betrayal and disappointment he’d feel toward me for breaking my promise, I stared at him silently.
Kalios gave a small cough.
“Right. Okay. I’ll go to bed now.”
He turned away from me and muttered awkwardly. Then he paused, stopped in his tracks, and spoke again.
“…Thank you. I won’t forget to return this later.”
I nodded with a heavy heart.
I’m the one who’s going to leave—so why does it feel like I’m the one being abandoned?
Caught up in a tangle of thoughts, I couldn’t fall asleep for a long time that night.
In a forest owned by the ducal family near the townhouse—
Under a massive tent that looked large enough to house an entire villa, countless nobles bustled about.
“Thank you for the invitation, Your Grace! Even the weather is splendid, as if the heavens themselves are smiling upon this gathering.”
“Thank you for attending, Baron.”
All the nobles were busy greeting Duke Levanyon, the host of the event.
Of course, they didn’t forget to acknowledge Kalios standing beside him.
“Young Duke Kalios, it’s an honor to see you again! I hear your hunting skills are exceptional. I look forward to your performance today!”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best not to disappoint your expectations, Baron.”
Mikael had declined to attend, citing a prior engagement.
As a result, the role of standing beside the duke and receiving the nobles fell entirely to Kalios.
At that moment, a certain noble approached Kalios and the duke with a broad smile.
Unlike the other men dressed in hunting attire, he wore clothes as elaborate as formal banquet wear.
Behind him stood a beautiful pink-haired girl with a tense expression.
“Your Grace, thank you for inviting us.”
“Marquis Ashburn.”
The duke and the marquis greeted each other warmly, shaking hands.
