Chapter 8
“Gasp
I quickly shut my mouth and gave an awkward shrug.
“Oh dear, I’m sorry. I’m just really tired…”
My legs, my shoulders—my whole body ached. I must have overdone it yesterday.
Running like crazy for thirty minutes in Airel’s weak body would do that.
‘I’m so sleepy I could die.’
I let out a groan and slapped my cheeks lightly to stay awake.
Then the Grand Duke’s voice rang out again.
“And what kind of strange ritual is that?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
He tapped his own cheek with a finger and looked down at me.
“It’s unpleasant to watch. Refrain from it. Don’t hit your face. Yawn quietly. And stop making odd noises.”
Why are there so many rules?
For a second, I felt sulky—but I quickly smiled brightly and nodded.
“Alright. I’ll be careful.”
After all, I’m the one who needs him right now.
If he says jump, I jump. What choice do I have? Sob.
Lishid could leave at any time. So I had to stay in his good graces.
“Then, Your Grace, I’m about to get ready to go out. Do you need anything?”
I clasped my hands politely like a dutiful attendant.
“Going out?”
“Yes. I’m going to visit the doll shop I mentioned yesterday. It’s in the nearby shopping district.”
At my cheerful reply, he nodded slightly as if thinking.
Then he spoke flatly.
“When do the maids clean this room?”
“Ah, once around noon, and once in the evening…”
“And does that maid from yesterday come in here as well?”
“Jenis? Hmm, I asked her for something, so probably.”
Oh, wait. That’s not good.
“I’ll make sure no one comes in!”
“That’s unnecessary. More importantly, is there any chance the Duke or Duchess will enter?”
“That, I’m not sure…”
I gave an uncertain smile.
His questions felt strangely sharp.
I wondered if I had done something wrong, but then he smirked.
“My lady, you said yesterday that you feel anxious if I’m out of sight, did you not?”
“I did…?”
“You said you feel sad, depressed, and drained.”
“…Yes?”
What’s with him?
He told me to stop talking nonsense last night.
I tilted my head in confusion, and he lifted one corner of his lips.
“Then shall we go together?”
“…What?
I gasped loudly.
He frowned as if I were noisy.
“What is that reaction? Are you displeased?”
“N-No! I’m just so happy!”
I shook my head vigorously and clasped my hands.
My heart started pounding.
‘Why does he suddenly want to come along? He didn’t say anything like this yesterday.’
I had a bad feeling.
I wanted to keep him safely inside my room!
We haven’t built enough trust yet. He might suddenly run off. And what if someone sees him in that doll-sized body?
I needed to stop this.
“Well… I am a bit worried. What if I drop you while carrying you…”
“I am not fragile glass.”
“Even if you don’t shatter, you could still get hurt. There’s such a height difference. And what if a cat or crow snatches you away—”
“Do you truly think I cannot deal with a mere animal?”
I mean… considering your size, it’s a bit questionable…
When I squinted at him, he sighed.
“Ha.”
His red eyes swept across my bedroom.
“You may not know this, having lived comfortably in the capital. But the smallest monster I killed during this campaign was the size of your bedroom.”
Gasp.
I had forgotten the sheer power of the Grand Duke, who had defeated monsters in the West with only the Epenferion knights.
“E-Even so… I can’t just carry you in my arms, can I?”
“Then that.”
“Huh?”
I turned to where he pointed with his sword.
The pocket bag I used yesterday was sitting there.
“…You want me to put you in my pocket?”
“You had no issue stuffing me in there without permission yesterday. Why hesitate now?”
Wow. This is not good.
I was about to shake my head when—
Knock, knock.
“Airel Blandiche.”
The elegant voice of the duchess came through the door.
***
“Mother? What brings you here?”
The door creaked open after a long pause.
Standing there was Duchess Briana of Blandiche, her brows furrowed.
“Move aside. Don’t stand there like a fool blocking the way.”
She shoved Airel’s shoulder aside and walked straight in.
Stopping in the middle of the room, she looked around.
The bedroom was now filled with flashy decorations she had never seen before.
‘What is she plotting now?’
Briana narrowed her eyes.
For the past few days, rumors had circulated among the maids that “the young lady has changed.”
But Briana dismissed it as nonsense.
People don’t change overnight without reason.
However, yesterday—
Edwin, who had escorted the new saintess to the temple, reported something strange.
“I met the High Priest. He said Airel personally apologized and begged for forgiveness.”
Airel Blandiche and apology?
That combination made no sense.
The one blemish of House Blandiche was that she had never bowed her head to anyone.
Briana looked suspiciously at the girl who shared none of her blood.
“Strange. I thought I heard someone else in here.”
Airel tilted her head.
“Someone else?”
“I could have sworn I heard your voice speaking to someone outside the door.”
“Ah.”
Airel smiled as if she understood.
“I was reciting poetry.”
“This early? You?”
Briana frowned.
“The daughter of Blandiche reading a book? The maids would laugh.”
“I’ve recently taken an interest. I didn’t realize how many wonderful poetry collections were on my shelves.”
Airel’s violet eyes curved into a soft smile.
It wasn’t her usual arrogant smirk. It was gentle.
And Briana disliked that.
‘So the rumors were true?’
She clicked her tongue inwardly.
‘Perhaps she’s only pretending in front of me. A personality doesn’t change overnight. I’ll watch her for now.’
With that thought, she smiled gracefully.
“I’m pleased to hear you’ve developed an interest in books.”
She approached and took the book from Airel’s hands.
“But it’s upside down, my dear.”
Airel stiffened slightly.
Briana turned away, satisfied.
“I’ll be going now. A designer will arrive this afternoon. Be prepared.”
“A designer?”
“Yes. You’ll need a new dress for the imperial banquet.”
She paused at the door and smirked.
“You haven’t forgotten, have you, Airel? It’s the welcoming banquet for the Grand Duke of Epenferion—the one you foolishly dream of marrying.”
Crack.
At that moment, something broke somewhere in the room.
