CHAPTER 49…………………………..
We slowly began to step in rhythm.
“One, two. One, two.”
The wind blew. Our hair fluttered softly in the night breeze, and our bodies felt as light as floating feathers.
The golden mana moved according to my will, and the hand I held with the Duke was warm and gentle.
Because particles of mana that hadn’t been used in the spell spilled out beyond my body, golden specks shimmered around us like snow. It felt as though we were wrapped in starlight.
“Magic really is wonderful. To think people can dance in the sky.”
When he supported my waist, I leaned back. It was a move I had failed repeatedly in the afternoon. Without the sensation of weight, it was easy as my view shifted from the ground to the sky.
The pitch-black night sky was filled with the moon and stars.
It was enchanting.
As I straightened up again, the Duke extended his left arm behind him and continued into the next movement.
“I never thought the day would come when I could fly through the sky with magic again. It feels better than I expected.”
He was smiling with a curious expression.
It wasn’t his usual polite smile that seemed like a mask, nor the crooked smile laced with mischief. As if recalling something, he gazed at me with a faint, gentle smile.
…
Somehow, this moment felt like it would remain in my memory forever.
Even after this dance ended.
Even if I left this estate a year from now.
The memory of dancing with him beneath the beautiful night sky would remain in my heart.
“Whew.”
After finishing one song, we exchanged final greetings and slowly descended from the sky.
“Be careful on your way down.”
The Duke landed first and took my hand as I stepped onto the railing. With his help, I returned to the balcony.
“How curious.”
“What is?”
He looked at the hand he was still holding, then lightly pressed a kiss to the back of it.
“Y-Your Grace?”
“This is the first time someone else’s mana hasn’t felt unpleasant. Ever since the magic circle appeared, everyone’s mana has been uncomfortable to me. I wonder why.”
At the word “magic circle,” I flinched for a moment, but I forced myself to hide my reaction.
“So there are things even you don’t know, Your Grace.”
He let out a soft chuckle. There was a hint of self-mockery in his expression.
“There are always things I don’t know. The answers I truly want—no one ever gives them before they disappear.”
He slipped a hand into his pocket and took out a small box.
“Happy birthday, Eloa.”
Rectarion gave me a brooch set with a light green gemstone that matched my hair and eyes beautifully.
It looked like a set with the starter bracelet—likely made to reduce others’ suspicion about the bracelet.
He truly was a thoughtful man.
He took the brooch and fastened it to my clothes himself.
It wasn’t a magic stone; there was no mana reaction. The pale green gem shimmered softly in the moonlight.
The brooch resembled his kindness.
I asked what I had long wanted to ask.
“Why are you so kind to me, Your Grace?”
“Am I being kind to you?”
He answered my question with another question.
Mischievous yet gentle. Handsome, yet dangerous and unreadable.
That was the Duke of Northdian to me.
“No one has ever been kind to me without expecting something in return. A single warm word cost me my inheritance, and a piece of bread took away my mother’s keepsake. But you don’t ask anything of me. I think that’s strange.”
Even if filling the Duchess’s position to keep him from becoming a traitor was the price, what he had given me already exceeded that.
And that frightened me.
I was afraid all of this might turn into a nightmare in an instant.
The Duke brushed his fingers over my cheek.
“Do you like what I’ve given you?”
Unable to withstand his gaze that seemed to see straight through me, I looked away. Instead, I became acutely aware of his gentle hand against my cheek.
Slow and tender.
I nodded slowly.
“Then call me by my name.”
“What?”
It was a request I had never expected.
“Me? Call you by your name?”
He smiled languidly. There was a faint displeasure in it.
“I’ve wanted to say this for a while, but I thought you might dislike it, so I waited. Why is that man Beric, but I—your husband—am still ‘Your Grace’?”
He gestured toward Beric, who was drunkenly performing an absurd show in the drawing room without any magic at all.
“B-But you are the Duke. I’m not even a real duchess, so how could I…”
“Shh. Others might hear.”
He pulled me closer by the waist and placed a finger against his lips. Realizing my mistake, I quickly covered my mouth.
“You said you liked my kindness. I think I can at least ask for a form of address…”
He stepped closer with a strangely alluring smile, as if tempting me. I swallowed dryly.
“Am I mistaken?”
Too close!
I squeezed my eyes shut.
In both my past and present life, I had been too busy surviving to even dream of romance. His temptation was far too dangerous.
“R-Rectarion!”
The Duke stopped mid-step.
Ah. He’s smiling.
He looked like a delighted boy. His golden hair, broken by the moonlight, swayed softly over jewel-like eyes.
I had only called his name, yet he looked overwhelmingly pleased.
“Eloa.”
He approached again. Slowly, as if seeking permission.
A soft warmth brushed past the corner of my lips.
Ah.
My mind went blank. Then I realized—his lips had touched just beside mine. My face burned instantly.
He smiled gently and whispered warmly.
“A coming-of-age gift. Congratulations on becoming an adult.”
A kiss. But not on my lips—just a gentle peck beside them, like a bird alighting briefly.
I was utterly flustered, my heart racing wildly.
Then he took the hand I had raised to cover my mouth and pressed a light kiss to its back. I couldn’t say a word.
If I opened my mouth, my heart might leap out.
“I’ll let it pass this year, but next year I’ll give you a proper gift. So…”
He smiled, emotion thick in his expression.
“Stay by my side.”
His heated gaze deepened, as if he meant to trap me within it.
No matter how dense I might be, I couldn’t fail to understand what that look meant.
Thump, thump.
I could only stare at him as my heart pounded like something broken.
Thus, my birthday night—significant in many ways—grew deeper.
Two days later, we departed for the capital.
…
Since we left, I had been staring out the carriage window the entire time.
The Duke kept his eyes on his documents, and aside from the sound of pages turning, silence filled the carriage.
Then, from the opposite direction, Sir Bach, the commander of the ducal knights, approached.
“Your Excellency, the horses seem tired. It would be best to rest for a while.”
“Very well.”
The Duke immediately gave permission, and the carriage soon came to a halt. A small stream flowed nearby, making it a good place for both horses and people to rest.
The moment the carriage stopped, I opened the door and stepped outside.
“Ah, milady.”
Sina, who had accompanied me to the capital, approached as if she had expected this. Before walking away, I left a word toward the carriage.
“I’ll take a short walk.”
The Duke watched me for a moment, then nodded.
“Do not go too far.”
“…Yes.”
I turned at once and moved away from the carriage.
I strode forward in a near-combative manner, and Sina hurried after me. I felt a bit sorry, but escaping the carriage was urgent.
I can’t face him.
On the night of my coming-of-age birthday, the Duke had essentially confessed to me.
The Duke likes me…!
With how openly he expressed it, there was no way I could pretend not to know.
Why dance practice suddenly turned into confession time, I still didn’t understand—but I never imagined I would receive a coming-of-age kiss in this world.
And certainly not from my contract husband, the Duke of Northdian.
The unfamiliar warmth that brushed past my lips that night still seemed to linger. When I touched the corner of my mouth, I could feel my face heating up.
Since when?
Was it when he bought me the starter bracelet?
Or when we made the blood oath?
Surely not from the moment he brought me out of the Uberis estate?
No. At least not from then. He’s not the type to fall in love at first sight.
Shaking my head, I continued walking.
“Why would he do something like that right before such an important banquet and make me this unsettled…?”
I stopped, covered my face with both hands, and sank down.
Tomorrow we would enter the capital, and in a few days it would be the imperial princess’s birthday banquet. It would also be my debutante and my first appearance as the Duchess.
Above all, as he had mentioned before, Count Uberis would attend this banquet.
Who knew what the count—entangled with Beatrice—might do? I should be fully armed with etiquette and magic in preparation for an attack!
“So… stay by my side.”
The Duke’s low voice replayed in my ears.
Aaah!
While I was silently screaming to myself, Sina finally caught up and asked worriedly,
“Milady, are you all right? Are you feeling unwell anywhere…?”
“N-No. I’m fine.”
I stood up quickly, trying to hide what was surely a red face. Sina promptly held up a parasol over me.
Anyway, I’ll prepare as much as I can. Beric and Jace told me most of the tricks the count might use.
And with the Duke there, we should be able to handle anything that happens.
Though being together is the biggest problem…
I had no idea what to say to him. Counting even my past life, it was my first confession.
“Ha…”
I sighed and slumped my shoulders. Sina hesitated before asking,
“…Milady, did you perhaps argue with Master?”
“No, we didn’t fight.”
He may have confessed unilaterally, but that wasn’t a fight.
“But you keep avoiding him…”
“That’s… complicated.”
How was I supposed to say that I was completely flustered by an unexpected confession?
Me—the tragic noble lady who, in the story, accepts the Duke’s passionate courtship and becomes his duchess.
“If there’s anything troubling you, please tell me. I may not be able to use magic, but I still want to be of help to you!”
Seeing Sina grasp my hand earnestly, I almost burst into tears myself.
“Thank you, Sina.”
I really wanted someone to talk to.
