Chapter 38
Rafaella had no intention of dealing with Annie until she returned to the imperial palace. At most, what could a child like Annie do? Eavesdrop on conversations, or—at worst—slip poison into something. That much, Rafaella could easily avoid.
Besides, even if she disposed of Annie, another spy would simply take her place. In that case, it was better to pretend not to notice and keep Annie close.
Hmph. It’s not because I feel sorry for her. Absolutely not.
Firmly denying it even to herself, Rafaella downed the rest of her tea in one gulp. Annie smiled in satisfaction once again.
“Well done. You should be nice and warm now, so please get some good rest.”
“Mm. I guess so.”
Annie helped Rafaella lie down and carefully tucked the blanket up to her shoulders. She was attentive, almost like a family member caring for a loved one. That strange tenderness, coming from someone who was clearly a spy, made Rafaella’s feelings complicated.
Perry settled into a corner of Rafaella’s pillow and quickly fell asleep, wrapped snugly in the blanket Annie had made just for him. Rafaella forced her eyes shut as well. If she pretended to sleep, Annie would leave the room.
In the quiet space, only Perry’s soft, steady breathing could be heard.
After a while, Annie lifted her heels and carefully slipped out of the room. Rafaella subtly tensed her body, preparing to get up again.
But before the door fully closed, voices drifted in.
“Oh! Duke, you’re already here?”
“How is Her Highness doing?”
“Oh my goodness, while I stepped away to fetch some tea, she went out onto the terrace. Still, once I warmed her up with some hot tea, she fell asleep right away.”
“…The sea breeze must be cold. I should summon the physician again.”
“Shall I bring them now?”
“Hmm… no. Call them once she wakes up.”
“Yes, understood.”
After Annie bowed and hurried away, her footsteps faded into the distance. Rafaella assumed William had just been passing by on business, and that the door would close soon.
Creeeak—thud.
As expected, the door shut.
Just as Rafaella was about to open her eyes, the sound of footsteps echoed inside the room, making her flinch and squeeze her eyes shut again.
The footsteps stopped beside her bed. Then came the rustle of fabric as someone sat down on a chair.
“…Hoo.”
William let out a deep sigh.
Rafaella knew well how guilty he felt about her injury. She had explained countless times that it wasn’t his fault, but his stubborn nature refused to accept it.
He had been the same when apologizing to Count Sester over the bandits who had infiltrated the territory disguised as refugees.
Even though Count Sester said it was fine since Rosalie had returned safely, William formally documented his apology and pledged continued support to the Sester territory. For the next ten years, the Klimt ducal house would bear the costs of wall repairs and guard maintenance.
Count Sester protested that it was excessive, but in the end, he couldn’t overcome the momentum of a high-ranking, obstinate duke. Perhaps the count, regretful over the goods stolen by the bandits, accepted it reluctantly.
When Rafaella asked why he went that far, William replied:
“As a duke, I must demonstrate full accountability for my mistakes. Only then will other nobles follow that example.”
It was a very William answer.
After his sigh, the silence stretched on, making Rafaella feel stifled with curiosity. She was drenched in cold sweat from holding herself still, afraid even a twitch might give her away.
“Kh—.”
Then she heard a sound as if he were suppressing a laugh.
William spoke in a gentler tone than usual.
“I know you’re not asleep.”
Rafaella stiffened but kept her eyes closed, pretending. William continued.
“If that’s the case, please continue pretending to sleep.”
There was a soft rustling, and then something dropped lightly onto her blanket.
“Even though Your Highness has refused many times, I will continue offering it just as many times. Please accept this necklace.”
Rafaella recognized at once that it was William’s defensive artifact. She shot up, eyes wide open.
“Why are you giving this to me?!”
“This, too, is atonement and an apology for my mistake.”
“I heard from Mark that it’s a Klimt family heirloom. You can’t just give that away!”
“I can. I am the head of the house.”
“I don’t want it. It’s burdensome.”
“Based on what I know of Your Highness, I fear you’ll continue putting yourself in danger.”
“I know you’re worried because I got hurt, but I’ve told you over and over—it wasn’t your fault.”
“And I’ve told you just as many times—it was.”
“No! I was the one who charged in recklessly. How is that your fault?”
“It is my duty to guide and protect Your Highness on the proper path.”
Talking to a wall would have been less frustrating. Rafaella instinctively raised her fist to pound her chest.
Thud—
But William was faster, grabbing her wrist.
“Surely you’re not about to harm yourself, not when you haven’t fully recovered?”
“I’m completely fine! I healed ages ago!”
“No. Internal injuries are not so easily mended.”
“The doctor said it healed amazingly fast.”
“Your body may feel that way, but unseen wounds are still recovering. Please be careful.”
“Ugh! You’re impossible!”
Rafaella yanked her arm free and wildly swung both arms through the air, fast enough to make them whistle.
“Look how energetic I am!”
“Stop it!”
William jumped up from his chair and caught both of Rafaella’s hands. His large hands, cords of muscle visible, completely enveloped her clenched fists.
Frowning, he leaned in close.
“Please… take better care of yourself.”
Through their joined hands, Rafaella felt a pounding pulse.
She couldn’t tell whether it was his—or hers.
All she knew was that the back of her hand felt unbearably hot.
William didn’t loosen his grip until she answered.
Finally, she muttered,
“O-okay. I get it. Let go.”
“And you will wear the necklace.”
“I’ll see.”
“Please wear it.”
“I said I’ll see!”
“No. From this moment on, please keep it on you at all times.”
“Hey! You think you’re the only stubborn one? I am too!”
“I know. That’s why I’m asking this way.”
“This is asking? This is a threat!”
“It’s not a threat. This is…”
“This is what?!”
William’s blue eyes sank heavily, dark with emotion.
“This is… a plea.”
The bitterness in his gaze made Rafaella freeze, the retort she’d prepared dying on her lips.
“I beg you. Just until the relief expedition is over… please. This is a sincere wish—that you not be injured again.”
“….”
Rafaella prided herself on never losing an argument. Even now, dozens of sharp replies filled her mind.
But for some reason, faced with William’s sorrowful eyes and quiet sincerity, she couldn’t say any of them.
The hand he held felt even hotter now. Without realizing it, she turned her face away.
An awkward, uncomfortable, strangely ticklish silence fell between them.
William sighed lightly, watching Rafaella avert her gaze, and released her hands.
“…My apologies.”
He then picked up the necklace from the blanket and gently fastened it around her neck.
Her tousled hair brushed against the back of his hand. At some point, that ash-gray hair had begun to resemble starlight against the night sky—or silverware blessed by the gods.
Having achieved his goal, William finally smiled softly.
“Thank you.”
“….”
Rafaella couldn’t bring herself to reply to that sunlight-warm smile.
Three weeks after Rafaella was confined to her room to recover, the physician shook his head in disbelief.
Her recovery was unnaturally fast—so fast it shocked him. He muttered about beastlike resilience, yet his eyes sparkled at the thought of a new research subject.
Though William’s worry persisted, the doctor’s declaration of full recovery finally set Rafaella free.
She immediately headed to the castle’s bustling district with Rosalie.
They were on their way to the most famous dessert shop, to keep her promise to Perry.
“Haha! Order everything~! Get whatever you want!”
“Wow! Then Perry wants this and that and also—”
“Forget that. Let’s just order one of everything on the menu. Hahaha! I’m rich!”
Rafaella slapped a thick wallet onto the table and laughed heartily.
After claiming all of the bandits’ treasure, she now possessed wealth rivaling that of a regional lord.
“B-but, Sister… if we order that much, won’t there be leftovers?”
Rosalie tried to protest—but only half-heartedly. Her sparkling eyes were glued to the menu, and saliva pooled at the corner of her mouth.
“Rosalie! Don’t worry! Master said she’s rich now!”
“Exactly. Very rich. Hahaha!”
“Oh dear… if you keep this up, both Perry and I will pick up bad habits.”
“Wipe the drool first.”
“Snk—.”
“Perry, make sure to pack plenty to share with your friends.”
“Okay~!”
The shop, decorated entirely in pink, was already packed with women. As expected of a famous dessert café, a long line of customers waited outside.
Rafaella, who preferred alcohol to sweets, leisurely gazed out the window while Rosalie and Perry excitedly ordered.
Clean streets. Neat buildings. Calm expressions on people’s faces.
It was a truly peaceful place.
“Hmm?”
Just then, someone entered Rafaella’s field of vision.
