Chapter 28
Thanks to Ethan restarting the play that had already ended, I was drawn into his touch with a startled expression.
As if that weren’t enough, Ethan’s firm grip around my waist left me completely trapped in his hold.
By the time I came to my senses, I was looking up at him from beneath.
Ethan’s gaze, looking down at me, was full of mischief.
“Are you upset?”
“…Pardon?”
Wait, did he just say…?
Forgetting that I was supposed to act like a loving couple, I stared up at Ethan with a shocked expression.
Thankfully, I had slightly turned my head, so the old man couldn’t see my face—a small blessing.
Ethan leaned in closer and lifted the corners of his mouth in a confident smile.
“How can I make my lovely fiancée feel better? Hmm, Eunice?”
“…”
“Tell me, Eunice. If I can make your heart feel at ease, I’ll do anything.”
“…Ugh.”
I let out a low groan, and Ethan smiled slyly, leaning close to whisper in my ear.
“You should relax your expression, right? We’re such a kind and affectionate couple, after all.”
“Ha. Really, you…”
Ethan spoke in a voice so unnervingly gentle it gave me chills.
I didn’t ignore him. Instead, I leaned slightly toward him, meeting his gaze.
“Could you stop this damned fiancée act already?”
I sharpened my voice and warned him sincerely.
Ethan burst into a clear, bright laugh and whispered lightly into my ear.
“Ah, sorry. Your improvisation was so good that I just had to play along a bit.”
“…I learned by watching someone else do it.”
“Really? Your teacher must be impressive. Make sure you keep learning well.”
“Alright, now can you at least move that harmful face of yours?”
My heart ached.
As I let out another low groan, Ethan finally withdrew his face, though he didn’t release his hold on my waist, so I was still pulled along wherever he moved.
Ethan, seemingly forgetting the flustered antics from moments ago, boldly faced the old man.
“Ah, apologies. My beloved fiancée threw a tantrum… ugh.”
When Ethan started rambling again, I didn’t hesitate to jab his side.
Caught off guard, he let out a low groan and squinted at me, glancing slyly.
“…Not bad.”
“See, that’s my skill.”
We were exchanging glances when laughter interrupted us, and we both turned toward the sound.
The old man watching us laughed heartily, even though I had dared to poke Clovis himself.
“You make a fine pair. In my entire life, I’ve never seen anyone handle my master so freely.”
“…Master?”
I paused, taken aback by the old man’s unusual choice of words.
Catching the moment, he looked at me and let out a soft exclamation.
“Oh, I should have introduced myself sooner.”
Lowering his voice politely, the old man spoke to me, and Ethan finally released me from his hold as if waiting for this moment.
I stood there, staring blankly at the old man.
It was only when he slightly bowed his head that I regained composure.
“Nice to meet you. I am Bern, the butler of the Clovis household. It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Eunice Servita.”
“Ah, hello! I’m… Eunice Servita of the Servita family.”
Compared to Bern’s formal greeting, mine was clumsy and awkward, but he merely smiled calmly, as if understanding my embarrassment.
Seeing his gentle smile eased some of my anxiety from Ethan, and I smiled faintly at Bern.
“Nice to meet you too, Bern. Please, just call me Eunice…”
“That wouldn’t be proper.”
“Yes, you’re right. I suppose that’s… right?”
Wait a moment. This feels like déjà vu.
I glanced at Ethan with slightly trembling eyes. He smirked, as if expecting this reaction.
“I can smell… Ethan’s madness from Bern?”
Confirming my suspicion, Bern spoke to me.
“You are now a proper prospective Duchess, so how could I possibly address you so casually?”
“Oh, I’m not quite there yet…”
“Ha ha, there’s no need to be embarrassed. There’s nothing I don’t know about the two of you.”
…Wait? That’s even scarier.
I looked at Bern with a slightly frightened expression, but he merely laughed warmly, unconcerned.
“I handled the engagement papers. I personally escorted my master to you when he ran to you.”
“…Ah?”
So, he didn’t try to stop Ethan; he waved his handkerchief and sent him off.
Even without Bern saying it, I could clearly picture the scene.
My head spun slightly, and I touched my forehead.
“…Seems like he resembles his master a bit. No, quite a lot.”
As I looked up with a stunned expression, Ethan leaned in with a teasing smile.
“Sorry. Even I have a hard time dealing with the butler.”
“…So that was why he rushed the engagement.”
I thought only a madman like Ethan would push for marriage, but here came someone even stronger.
“…I’ll make sure Bern is on my side, no matter what.”
Unintentionally, I had a new goal.
After easily handling Bern, Ethan led me on a tour around the Clovis mansion.
Since I was still recovering from Bern’s earlier shock, I half-listened to Ethan’s explanations, mostly letting myself be dragged along by his hand.
After some time, Ethan finally offered to show me his office, leading me to a secluded room.
“…This is your office?”
“You don’t look pleased.”
“It’s not displeasure… I’m just a little surprised.”
For an office used by the head of the Clovis household, it seemed… no, quite shabby.
There wasn’t a single guard stationed outside, nor a soul in sight.
I didn’t dare ask Ethan about it, but he seemed to read my thoughts.
“It’s the only space the staff cannot enter freely, so it had to be hidden.”
“…Ah.”
I whispered softly, unable to respond further.
I followed him obediently into the office.
Click.
Ethan locked the door behind us with a cold sound.
Approaching me casually, he made no effort to hide his presence.
I pointed to the door with a slightly trembling voice.
“Wh-why did you lock it?”
It felt… intimidating.
Seeing my frightened expression, Ethan looked at me with a mock-serious face, which quickly turned into a teasing smile.
He answered, voice full of amusement.
“Did you want to reveal our little secret to the staff? Hmm, Eunice?”
“Pardon?”
“If that’s what you want, I could do it right now…”
“Ah! No, no! That’s not it! I mean…”
It’s because it feels like you have some dark thoughts.
“What do you mean?”
Ethan asked teasingly, unaware of my racing thoughts.
I couldn’t finish explaining and turned my head sharply.
As if expecting this, Ethan approached me and took my hand, guiding me to the sofa in his office.
Sitting down, I slowly surveyed the room.
The office was ordinary.
It smelled of old books and thick ink.
Documents were scattered on the desk, and worn quills lay around.
“Huh… even a madman gets work done.”
Some people are like that: they play well and work well.
So infuriating!
I snapped out of my thoughts and glanced at Ethan sitting opposite me.
He shrugged playfully.
“No one but me can enter this room.”
“Ah, I see…”
“From today on, it’s just you and me who can come in here.”
“…Ah, yes.”
As I replied, Ethan smiled faintly, as if expecting my response.
“A place no one can enter… perfect for a secret rendezvous.”
Ethan’s chillingly calm voice sounded like a warning.
Feeling slightly tense, I prepared to flee at any moment and asked him carefully.
“…That’s a bit scary. Could I run away now?”
“Do you think I’d let you?”
Ethan’s voice turned slightly sharp.
Seeing his expression as if asking the obvious, I relaxed into my seat.
“Of course not. Definitely not.”
“I like how quickly you agreed.”
“Why, thank you.”
Once again, completely caught in Ethan’s hold, I obediently sat and watched him.
He leaned comfortably on the sofa, crossing his legs as he observed me.
“You’ll mainly be at the Mage Tower, but feel free to move around the Clovis mansion as you wish.”
“If you allow it, I won’t refuse.”
I accepted his offer quickly, and he chuckled knowingly.
Watching him, I hesitated, then glanced at Ethan cautiously.
When I finally met his red gaze directly, I tried to look away.
But Ethan’s voice was faster.
“If you have questions, just ask. Don’t just sit there worrying.”
“…You won’t get mad?”
“I’m as used to your nonsense as you are to my threats, so don’t worry.”
…Is that comforting, or another threat?
I decided to just act naturally.
I wouldn’t have come this far if I were truly afraid of Ethan scolding me.
“I… I’m just curious.”
“About what?”
“Bern the butler, and the staff I glimpsed… everyone seems to follow you so easily.”
“…What?”
“I almost ran the moment I saw you.”
Just thinking about it gave me chills.
Recalling that memory, I quickly shook my head.
“Hmm? Ethan? What’s wrong?”
Ethan, who I thought would respond immediately, remained silent.
I studied his expression, curious.
Finally, he spoke in a low, heavy voice I hadn’t heard from him before.
“…They probably needed someone to rely on too.”
It was the first time I heard such a tone from Ethan.
His low voice carried a hint of sadness. I couldn’t help but look at him, puzzled.
‘I didn’t expect to see this side of Ethan.’
Not understanding the full meaning, I quietly waited for his next move.
He looked back toward me from staring into the distance and soon resumed his usual lighthearted smile.
“Tomorrow, we’ll go to the Mage Tower. For today, enjoy the tour.”
“…Thank you.”
Even as Ethan hurriedly concluded, I simply kept staring at him.
