Chapter 3
“…So, what you just said was…”
Everyone in Pennington knew the tragic story of the Ludian Duchy. It was such a well-known tale that if you didn’t know it, people might assume you were a spy.
The eldest son, who inherited the title after the previous duke’s death, died in an accident. The second daughter was frail and never left the house. And the third son went missing.
On top of that, the divine beast that had been murdered decades ago had yet to be reborn. Rumors said the duchy was cursed.
“And because of all that, I, who was living comfortably in the capital, got dragged out here to play duke.”
The duke crossed his arms and let out a deep sigh, truly sounding regretful.
“A fourth son inheriting the title instead of the second or third—does that even make sense?”
He sounded fed up. Cautiously, I asked, “You still haven’t found your third brother?”
“No. Mother’s been searching high and low, but since there’s no trace, he must be hiding on purpose.”
His muttered voice, speculating that maybe the brother had retreated to a deserted island, held neither worry nor anger—just apathy.
“It’s kind of amazing, don’t you think? Honestly, I thought he’d come running back pretty quickly.”
How was I supposed to respond to that? I swallowed dryly and carefully said, “Maybe it just means he really loves his partner?”
“Love…”
The duke rolled the word around on his tongue like a piece of candy and looked at me.
“What do you think, citizen? Do you think you could give everything up and go into hiding for love?”
“Me? Hmm…”
I already had an answer, but I pretended to think it over. Still, it wouldn’t change anything, so I glanced at the duke and asked, “Honestly?”
“What kind of answer makes you ask for permission to be honest?”
“Well… I think I would’ve run off the moment I got the envelope of cash.”
The duke’s eyes widened, as if he hadn’t expected that answer.
“Alone?”
“Yes, alone.”
I nodded and then felt a little embarrassed.
‘Was I too honest?’
Scratching my cheek awkwardly, I added a bit more, even though he hadn’t asked.
“It’s just… I really need a lot of money right now.”
“Hmm… I see. Then, should I actually give you that envelope of cash?”
“…Excuse me?”
This time, it was my eyes that widened.
Apparently finding my expression amusing, the duke laughed.
“I told you, right? My little brother’s girlfriend supposedly got an envelope of cash. If you go in pretending to be my girlfriend and hold hands with me, maybe my mother will give you one. What do you think?”
“Uhh…”
I blinked, at a complete loss for words.
It was too outrageous to be a joke—but also too ridiculous to be taken seriously.
“El! Where are you, El?!”
Just then, a desperate voice called from behind me.
Instinctively, I turned around and saw a man scanning the rows of mostly emptied chairs.
‘Wait, isn’t that the duke’s aide?’
As if to confirm my memory, the duke clicked his tongue.
“If I stay here, he’ll find me. I’d better go.”
He stood up and gave me his signature smile one more time.
“Forget everything I just said. It was a joke.”
Before I could even respond, he gently took my hand and bowed, pressing his lips to the back of it.
“I had a lovely time today. I hope it becomes a fond memory for you too, my lady.”
The warmth left behind on the back of my hand felt too vivid. I stared at it, which was now hot as if it had been burned.
“A-ah. It was an honor to meet you,” I finally managed to say.
The duke smiled, pulled his hood up to hide his face, and turned to walk away.
He walked directly toward the aide who had been frantically calling for him. I found it strange.
‘He said he was running away before he got caught…?’
Then, I saw something astonishing.
“El! There’s a mountain of paperwork waiting! At this rate, you’ll have to sleep in the office again tonight!”
From where I stood, it looked like the aide was staring right at the duke.
But the aide just kept looking around frantically, never actually seeing him. The duke, meanwhile, strolled right past the aide, brushing his shoulder as if teasing him.
‘What the…?’
At that moment, I remembered something from before the play had started.
“Can you even see me?”
…That wasn’t a joke?
“He has to be around here somewhere… I know you’re watching me! Come out already, Du—El!”
Watching the aide search desperately for the duke, I rubbed the back of my hand with my thumb.
The warmth from his lips still lingered, thank goodness.
If it hadn’t, I might’ve seriously wondered if I’d seen a ghost tonight.
* * *
“Grandma, I’m home! Daisy! I’m back!”
At my noisy entrance, Daisy poked her head out from the kitchen.
“You’re home? How was the play?”
“It was amazing! I wish you could’ve come with me.”
Unfortunately, Daisy hated crowds.
‘That’s why I brought back a gift.’
“Tada! A cheese muffin. It’s still warm—it was freshly baked!”
“Wow! Thank you, sis!”
I was about to tell her to eat it right away when the kettle started whistling from inside the kitchen.
Daisy flinched, like she’d forgotten about it.
“I’ll go finish dinner. You should head up to the second floor.”
She went back into the kitchen, and I cleaned off the dust before heading upstairs.
Knock knock.
“Grandma, I’m here.”
I silently counted to five, then opened the door.
Grandma was struggling to sit up in bed. I hurried over to help her.
“You should’ve stayed lying down.”
“My back hurts from lying down all day.”
Even those few words sounded difficult for her. She coughed and reached for her veil.
Too tired to argue, I gently placed the veil over her face, hiding the burn scars.
“So? Did you enjoy the play?”
“Yes! It was so fun! The production was extravagant, and the costumes were gorgeous. I bet nobles wear clothes like that every day.”
Grandma’s mood instantly changed. Even through the veil, I could feel how serious she suddenly became.
“Airi, how many times do I have to tell you—”
“—Not to even turn my head in the direction of nobles? I know, I know. Enough with the nagging.”
I wasn’t planning to get involved with any nobles, but Grandma shuddered at the mere mention of them.
‘What on earth happened in her past…?’
She never told me, but I figured it had something to do with the burn scars covering her face.
“Oh, right! The apple juice man gave me some apples for you. I’ll go juice them right away—Grandma?”
Just then, Grandma, who already looked weak, hunched over and began trembling.
“Grandma—Gr-Grandma!”
Cough!
The white, translucent veil turned dark red in an instant.
I barely caught her as she collapsed, and I screamed without meaning to—her body was so cold, it shocked me.
* * *
Hearing my scream, Daisy rushed out and fetched Dr. O’Neill, who immediately checked on Grandma.
His first response was a long, heavy sigh. My heart sank.
“There’s nothing more I can do. Her body’s reached its limit.”
He shook his head and looked at Grandma with pity.
“It’s a miracle she lasted this long on medication. Vergara needs to go to the capital right away for magical treatment.”
This wasn’t the first time I’d heard about magical treatment from Dr. O’Neill.
Back when Grandma first collapsed four years ago, he told us the same thing: her illness could only be cured with magic.
But…
“How much have you saved?”
“…Two million lukes.”
Dr. O’Neill sighed again.
Two million lukes. That was all the money I’d scraped together over the years through hard work—but it still wasn’t enough to get treatment at a magical clinic.
And that… is why I needed money.
