Chapter 80
Gerald didn’t miss the subtle flicker in Denok’s eyes.
Confident that his words had hit their mark, he inwardly rejoiced and drove his point home with one final statement.
“Your Highness, listen closely to this.”
After all, it was advice that could be truly valuable.
“Your lady is such a striking beauty. I’m sure there’s no shortage of men trying to approach her.”
At those words, Denok’s eyes sharpened.
He had struck a nerve.
“…I suppose that’s true.”
Outwardly, they were a married couple, but surprisingly, there were still those bold enough to approach her.
Gerald’s expression faltered slightly at the tense air, and to lighten the mood, he cleared his throat and continued in a playful tone.
“Ah, even in the Duke’s mansion, the lady’s popularity keeps growing day by day… It’s such a shame it’s only a contractual relationship.”
Denok pressed his lips together, saying nothing.
In response, Gerald exaggerated his sigh even further.
“Ahhh… I’d be devastated if you left. Could Your Highness perhaps be persuaded to keep her?”
“…Enough.”
With that, Denok effectively silenced Gerald.
Yet, seeing Denok’s furrowed brow as he seemed to ponder something, Gerald swallowed a laugh.
Lately, Denok had been acting strangely.
Whenever I felt someone watching me, I would turn around—and he would always be looking at me.
But the moment our eyes met, he would snap his head away as if nothing had happened.
Was he… teasing me? Denok?
I thought it impossible, yet I couldn’t understand it, so I even asked him directly if he had something to say.
He only shook his head.
Then, for a while, I wouldn’t feel his gaze… until it started again.
Already on edge from Prince Siren’s remarks, this behavior had become quite irritating.
Eventually, I went to Gerald to ask for advice.
After all, he knew Denok better than anyone.
But Gerald’s reaction to my story was peculiar.
He stretched his mouth into a long line, furrowed his brow, and finally let out a deep sigh.
I even heard a small murmur of, “I knew it…”
‘Does he know something?’
I pressed him again.
“You have something to tell me, don’t you?”
“Hmm, well…”
Gerald wore a thoughtful expression, then suddenly his eyes sparkled as he spoke.
“A few days ago, on the way back from Markana, he went around a large lake and stared at it for quite some time. Perhaps he wanted to go there with you?”
“A lake?”
Suddenly?
“Yes. I think he was worried you might feel cooped up, staying at the mansion all the time.”
Just for that simple reason?
Finally, Denok’s puzzling behavior started to make sense.
‘He was worried about me…’
Come to think of it, I only ever left the mansion for work. Never just to rest.
And Denok had been concerned about that.
I felt both grateful and embarrassed.
“You were right, asking Gerald. I’ll talk to His Highness as well.”
I smiled as I left his room, and I thought I heard another deep sigh as the door closed behind me.
That evening.
As Denok entered the room as usual, I went straight to the point.
“About watching me all this time…”
“…!”
Denok’s shoulders stiffened. His slow, deliberate turn was stiff, like an ungreased door hinge.
I lifted the corners of my mouth gently.
“You wanted me to rest, right? Gerald told me.”
“…Gerald told you?”
He asked in a slightly displeased tone.
Of course. He was kind, but not the type to express himself much.
He didn’t like that I had heard it from someone else before he had the courage to say it himself.
‘But having him watch me all the time was overwhelming.’
“I’d like to go to the lake with you too. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever really rested properly.”
I smiled at him, grateful, and Denok nodded stiffly.
“Yes, I wanted to go to the lake with you.”
“It must have been beautiful… enough that you wanted to go with me.”
He still said nothing, nodding silently once more.
I tilted my head in curiosity.
“Then why didn’t you tell me earlier? When I asked before, you said you had nothing to say.”
“That…”
Denok hesitated, then answered softly.
“I thought you might not like it, my lady.”
His cautious nature hit me anew.
“Still, thank you. I appreciate your concern.”
A shy smile escaped me.
After that, we prepared for bed as usual. Thanks to that, I didn’t see the expression on Denok’s face.
“…Wow!”
The lake before us was breathtakingly beautiful.
Sunlight glittered on the water’s surface.
Though the heat made sweat trickle down my neck, a cool breeze refreshed me.
Even the rippling waves swayed beautifully.
I closed my eyes slowly and inhaled the crisp air deeply.
A moment later, Melissa, who had arrived late after packing the carriage, gasped behind me.
I opened my eyes and looked at Denok.
I couldn’t help but smile.
“Thank you for showing me such a beautiful place.”
For some reason, Denok glanced at Gerald, then replied to me.
“You must be tired from preparing for the banquet. I thought you needed a break.”
Finally, the picnic began.
Melissa spread a mat by the lake, laying out snacks prepared at the Duke’s mansion—sandwiches, fresh bread, and fruit slices.
For the first time, we talked about trivial things rather than work.
Melissa and Gerald had become unexpectedly close, and whenever they bickered, I couldn’t hold back laughter.
Even Denok, who was usually calm and proper with me, acted a little rough toward Gerald at times, which made me widen my eyes in surprise.
Toward the end of the meal, Melissa pointed to a small boat moored by the lake.
“There’s a boat over there. Would you like to try it, my lady?”
“How strange… a boat in a place like this.”
“The local villagers must use it.”
Gerald quickly chimed in.
I agreed and suggested they join me, but they both refused.
Then they pointed to Denok, who had been quietly standing aside.
“You’ll need someone to row. Why not take His Highness?”
“Take His Highness?”
Surprisingly, Denok immediately stood.
He held out his hand to help me up and walked toward the boat naturally.
Behind us, Melissa and Gerald waved.
“Have fun!”
‘Hmm.’
I took Denok’s hand and stepped onto the boat. I wobbled slightly, but he held my hand firmly, helping me regain my balance.
Once I sat, Denok got in opposite me.
As he began to row, the boat glided smoothly across the water.
It was peaceful.
The sound of the water and the distant birdsong blended harmoniously.
My mind, clogged from the banquet, felt light as if all the knots had been untangled.
I dipped my hand into the water.
The current slipping through my fingers tickled, and I let out a small laugh.
“You know… I’ve loved water since I was a child.”
Perhaps my blood naturally longed for the sea.
“Whenever I passed a lake or river as a child, I’d feel like jumping in.”
Of course, I never did.
Because of Rachel’s sharp gaze and the ever-present idea of ‘proper conduct.’
Feeling lighter, I shared stories I’d always kept inside.
Then Denok asked me quietly.
“Was there anything else you liked?”
