Chapter : 9
That startled me.
I told him to meditate, so why is he staring at me like that?
“Duke, I said you’re supposed to close your eyes.”
“I was just about to.”
…Wait, did he just get caught trying to slack off?
If it’s the cunning Duke Cassiar, that’s entirely possible.
His cheeks were flushed red, maybe embarrassed for being caught idling.
No, that can’t be it.
Cassiar isn’t the type of man who would blush just because he was caught lazing around.
Then… is there another reason his face is red?
It’s cool today, so it’s not from the heat.
Could it be…
I placed my hand against Cassiar’s forehead.
His eyes flickered for a moment as he looked at me.
“Are you still unwell? Your face is red. You don’t seem to have much of a fever, but just in case—should I call the physician?”
“I’m fine. I only got a little warm from concentrating.”
Cassiar loosened the navy ribbon around his neck as if stifled,
then unfastened a button beneath it.
His thick neckline was revealed through the open collar.
…Guess he really is hot.
I was briefly distracted by his exposed neck, then quickly pulled myself together and stood up.
“I’ll go open the window.”
As I opened it, a breeze blew in, making my hair flutter.
The strands brushed against my face again and again, irritating me.
Times like this, it’s best to tie it back.
But what could I use?
Looking around, I spotted Cassiar’s navy ribbon.
Perfect.
“Duke, may I borrow your ribbon for a moment?”
“Of course.”
He handed me the ribbon from his large hand.
“Just a moment.”
I swept up my long hair, gathered it high, and secured it with the ribbon.
The thick waves of my hair were neatly tied in place.
Much better.
With that annoyance gone, I sat down across from Cassiar again, feeling refreshed.
He was watching me closely, as if seeing something fascinating.
Ah—was it rude to use his ribbon for my hair?
“My hair is long, and when the wind blows it distracts me from meditating. Forgive me, but I had to borrow your ribbon.”
“You really do keep defying my expectations.”
…Was that his way of saying I was troublesome?
But judging from his expression, he didn’t seem displeased.
“Sometimes it’s good to surprise you! I’m determined to find a way for you to sleep soundly without sedatives or relying on my powers.”
If I could manage that, there’d be no rampaging, no tragic downfall—just a perfect happy ending.
I clenched my fists and showed Cassiar my fiery determination.
“So please, put more effort into this. Don’t slack off like before. I’ll be watching you with both eyes wide open.”
“…Very well.”
He closed his eyes as if reluctantly obeying, yet a faint smile appeared at his lips.
So, Duke Cassiar could smile warmly.
Scary how dangerous personal preferences can be.
I almost felt flustered.
As he closed his eyes, I took the chance to admire his sharp features—
until suddenly he snapped his eyes open.
“How long am I supposed to just sit here with my eyes closed?”
His brows shot up in frustration, as if his time was being wasted.
Well, so much for falling asleep like this.
I had a sinking feeling. Clearly, this method wasn’t going to work.
Meditation with him is this difficult?
I’d worked up such a sweat that I had to bathe again.
Drying my wet hair with a towel, I glanced around.
This… is supposed to be my room?
Cassiar told me to treat it as mine, but compared to the marquess’s estate, this lavish and elegant décor felt overwhelming.
Why is the wardrobe so huge?
It looks twice the size of the one back home.
Curious, I quietly opened it.
Just as Fanny had said, it was full of brand-new luxury dresses.
Easily dozens of them.
“How am I supposed to wear these without feeling guilty?”
Yet despite my words, I was already standing before the mirror in a new dress.
As expected, expensive clothes really were different.
I felt light as air in it.
So he even cared about details like this… maybe Fanny was right—Cassiar does have a delicate side.
I was still admiring the dress when I heard something hit the window.
…What was that?
Suddenly, Cassiar’s earlier warning came to mind—
that he had many unseen enemies, and that I could be in danger.
A chill ran down my spine.
I swallowed and cautiously turned toward the window—
someone was leaning against it.
An intruder?
How did they find my room?
Heart pounding, I crept closer.
But the figure outside didn’t look hostile… it was oddly familiar.
That snow-white hair—where had I seen it?
I boldly opened the window wide.
The man leaning against it tumbled inside with a roll.
His face was revealed.
Not an assassin at all, but Cassiar’s…
It was Su, the man who had supported him when he coughed blood.
But why was he at my window?
Had he been attacked?
“…Hey. You’re alive, right?”
Thankfully, he didn’t seem injured.
To wake him up, I poked his pale cheek lightly with my finger.
His steady breathing brushed against my skin.
“Don’t tell me you’re asleep too?”
At this rate, I could reasonably suspect everyone here had some kind of condition where they fell asleep the moment they saw me.
While debating what to do, my eyes fell on Su’s snowy hair.
It looked so fluffy, like the fur of a white puppy I once saw.
It must feel nice to touch…
Before I realized it, my hand was already stroking his hair.
So soft. Like cotton candy.
Lost in the plush sensation, I didn’t notice his eyes opening.
And naturally, his gaze fell on me, who was caught red-handed touching his hair.
So embarrassing.
But instead of pushing me away, Su simply lay there, quietly watching me.
Like a puppy wagging its tail under its master’s hand.
In the end, I was the one who withdrew first.
“You were asleep leaning on the window. When I opened it, you fell in.”
He seemed to understand and nodded, standing up.
But even then, his eyes lingered on the hand that had touched his hair.
“…Why were you sleeping there?”
“The Duke ordered me to guard my lady.”
“Cassiar did?”
This was news to me.
When had he arranged for me to have a guard?
Or was it really a watchdog to keep me from running?
“May I enter?”
…Speak of the devil.
Just then, Cassiar knocked.
When I let him in, I asked, “Duke, you assigned me a guard?”
“I see you’ve already met.”
His gaze flicked to Su, then back to me.
“As I said before, now that you’re the duchess-to-be, you’ll face danger. To prepare for that, Su will guard you.”
I glanced at Su, who still looked half-asleep.
He hardly seemed strong enough to guard anyone.
With that slender, doll-like frame, it felt more like I should be guarding him.
And honestly, the thought of someone constantly hovering nearby was uncomfortable.
“Duke, I don’t need a guard. It would bother me to have someone following me everywhere.”
“You needn’t worry. Su will guard you from a distance that won’t inconvenience you. Unless an incident arises, it’ll be no different from being alone.”
Now that I thought about it—he had appeared out of nowhere when Cassiar coughed blood.
“But isn’t Su your guard? If you assign him to me, who protects you?”
“…Are you worried about me?”
Cassiar smiled faintly, as if the idea was absurd.
I had forgotten for a moment—
he was the greatest hidden villain in the entire world.
Unless he injured himself during a rampage, no one could touch him.
Yes, I was worrying for nothing.
Still, I wasn’t some fragile extra who needed protection.
“Just as you can protect yourself, Duke, I’m perfectly capable of defending myself too.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
He responded politely, but it was obvious he didn’t believe me at all.
That stung my pride.
If that’s how he wanted it, I had no choice but to show him.
“Su, may I borrow your sword for a moment?”
He nodded and handed it over.
—What the? Why is this so heavy?
Su had lifted it one-handed without any change in expression, so I assumed it was light. But I could barely hold it with both hands.
“Do you want to quit now?”
Cassiar had noticed my surprise immediately. Of course he did.
But no, I wasn’t about to back down.
“Duke, prepare an apple. I’ll prove it to you.”
I wasn’t some master, but after years of practice, I was good enough to spar with ordinary people.
“Fanny, bring an apple.”
At his order, Fanny hurried to fetch one.
“Now then—what are you planning to do with this?”
He handed it to me.
“Don’t be shocked.”
I tossed the apple into the air and swung.
The blade cut cleanly, splitting it in two.
“Well? What do you think?”
“Marvelous, my lady!”
Fanny clapped and cheered.
Even Cassiar looked a little surprised.
See? I’m not just some helpless girl!
Just then, Su picked up the halved apple.
Oh-ho, are you challenging me?
Fine, let’s see you try.
It’s much harder to cut a halved apple—the smaller surface makes it tricky.
It had taken me steady training just to slice one cleanly.
I handed him the sword with half doubt.
Su, still drowsy-looking, tossed the halved apple up—
In a flash, the pieces were evenly sliced into multiple perfect chunks.
I turned to Cassiar with a grave face.
“…He’s skilled at preparing fruit too. A very capable knight indeed. Approved.”
