Chapter : 19
Father laughed heartily as he watched Duke Casiar sit steadfastly before him.
I had said I wanted to sleep, so I expected to be put to bed, but instead, the Duke insisted on talking to Father.
I felt as if I had eaten a hundred sweet potatoes—my chest tight with discomfort—while Father suddenly clutched his stomach and laughed.
To me, both men were utterly incomprehensible.
“I understand now.”
Only after tears welled up did Father’s laughter subside. He wiped the corners of his eyes with his hand and turned toward Duke Casiar.
“So your serious expression wasn’t from fatigue—it was jealousy.”
Jealous? The Duke?
Where exactly did he feel jealous?
I carefully recalled Duke Casiar’s reactions.
He had indeed been persistent in asking about the knight I had been close to since I was young.
Though I still kept in touch with him, all the Duke had seen were photos of us when I was seven.
Moreover, there were five knights in the photos, and the Duke didn’t even know which one I was referring to.
Duke Casiar wasn’t the sentimental type to feel jealous over someone he didn’t even know, especially a childhood acquaintance of his contracted wife.
In the original story, Duke Casiar never had excessive feelings for the heroine either. From beginning to end, he remained a principled villain pursuing his own gain.
“What do you mean, that I am jealous?”
As expected, Duke Casiar didn’t understand Father’s words.
“Of course, he is someone to be concerned about. By the time he joined the knights, he had become a reliable and well-built young man. Even as an adult, he looked out for Riel in particular.”
“Father, you know they’ve known each other since childhood—practically like siblings. Above all, the Duke has a generous heart and respects personal privacy.”
I framed it in a way to make it clear that Duke Casiar had absolutely no interest in my personal relationships.
“He respects the privacy of his wife, but if someone has special feelings for her, that changes things.”
Hey, Duke Casiar. What’s with this? Do you really not want to sleep?
I shot the Duke a sharp look, annoyed at how he complicated things, but he ignored me completely.
“Above all, if he is someone the Marquis is keeping an eye on, I should know as well. So please tell me—who is this knight?”
For a moment, I actually wondered if Duke Casiar might really be feeling jealous.
It was almost easy to forget, since the Duke’s actions outside the original story had been so subtle.
In the original, Duke Casiar meticulously investigated everyone in the heroine Milter’s life, including her closest aides.
His reason for probing into Milter’s acquaintances was simple: to use them as leverage to threaten her.
Later, when there were no suitable hostages left, he even threatened Milter using the milk delivery boy who brought her milk every morning.
So the reason he kept asking about the knight close to me was also to use him as leverage, should I refuse to comply.
A meticulous fellow.
Buying me steak to coax me, or stopping by the Marquis’s residence asking to be put to sleep—was that all part of his plan?
“The knight’s name is…”
“Oh my, this little puppy picture still exists! I haven’t seen him since that day… I wonder if he’s doing well… Father, do you remember?”
Before Father could utter the name, I pointed to a photo in the album.
“Ah, you mean the puppy who fell into the pit and injured his leg.”
Fortunately, Father shifted his gaze to the photo without suspicion. Crisis averted.
I could feel Duke Casiar’s sharp gaze on my skin.
He must be frustrated at not getting what he wanted. But I couldn’t just let him threaten my loved ones.
I looked at him with innocent eyes, pretending to know nothing, just like he often did.
The Duke sighed deeply, clearly exasperated.
Seeing that, I felt a quiet satisfaction—at least I had protected my people from him.
“But why is Riel in this photo covered in scratches?”
I thought he had lost interest in the album without his purpose, but Duke Casiar focused on the photo I pointed to.
“She went in to rescue the puppy from the pit herself, with that small body. The pit was quite deep for Riel, so she came out scratched. It was terrifying.”
Father clutched his chest as if the memory were vivid even now.
“If a child that young went into the pit herself, there must not have been anyone around to help.”
“There were plenty of people, but the puppy was hurt and had been left in the pit for so long it was filthy. Nobody wanted to touch it.”
Duke Casiar’s eyes darkened with a lonely, autumn-leaf-like expression as he listened.
“Riel is naturally affectionate, so she couldn’t pass by a puppy in danger. I worry even now that her warm and impartial heart might one day put this child in danger.”
I was moved—not just by the praise, but by the way Father valued me.
It might be something Duke Casiar could never relate to.
“Riel certainly can’t ignore someone in need. Even when she herself has given up, she will put all her effort into finishing the task.”
I didn’t expect Duke Casiar to add anything to this.
He seemed to empathize naturally enough, even if it was just an act.
I recalled how he had tried every method to get me to sleep at the Casiar residence, even if none worked.
“I think that recklessness is Riel’s most lovable trait.”
Lovable…
I’d heard similar words before, but this felt different. It seemed genuine—as if he really found me lovable. I almost got flustered.
Leaning on the sofa, I glanced at Duke Casiar out of the corner of my eye.
This man was born in the wrong era.
With that face, tall figure, and this level of acting skill, he could have been a legendary actor in history.
“After talking with you today, I feel reassured. I can sense how much you care for our Riel.”
Without meaning to, Duke Casiar seemed to have earned points with Father. His gaze softened as he closed the album.
“Time has flown while we chatted. The Marquis and Marchioness should rest, so I’ll take my leave.”
Indeed, it was nearly dawn. My excited Father had clung to the Duke, preventing him from leaving, completely ruining the plan to put him to bed.
“Oh, Duke, it’s too late to go now. The dark surroundings make traveling by carriage dangerous. Why not stay at the Marquis’s residence tonight?”
Mother stopped him as he tried to leave.
“Please do. The guest room is empty, and if it’s alright with you, I can lend you my clothes.”
Following Mother, Father also encouraged the Duke to stay.
Duke Casiar glanced at me, as if asking for my opinion.
Given that he stayed up the previous night, he must be exhausted. Traveling back to his residence in that state would be risky.
Since the guest room was available, it posed no trouble to me. In fact, having him stay removed potential danger, so I felt relieved.
“Alright. Your parents are worried, so just stay here tonight, Duke.”
I gently took his arm and led him inside, appearing concerned.
That should have looked convincingly like a couple. I peeked at my parents—thankfully, they were watching warmly. Perfect. My acting was flawless.
“If that is your wish, I shall not refuse.”
Duke Casiar looked at me warmly, then back at my parents.
“Since the Marquis and Marchioness are so considerate, I will stay at your residence tonight.”
“Well decided. Duke, I’ll give you comfortable clothes. Come this way.”
Father was overjoyed at the Duke’s decision to stay. His guard gone, he draped an arm around the Duke’s shoulder as they entered the dressing room.
To a stranger, it might seem they were father and son. Fortunately, the Duke didn’t mind.
As I prepared to go upstairs to sleep, I saw Mother whispering something secretly to Lili.
“Mother, what are you talking about with Lili? Don’t just whisper—tell me too.”
As I approached, they looked visibly flustered.
“We were just discussing breakfast for tomorrow.”
It didn’t look that simple.
“Don’t worry about it—go upstairs and wash! Here, take this and make sure to use it.”
She handed me a precious fragrance, emphasizing its rarity.
“Use it. How valuable it is! Now go—quickly!”
Before I could ask more, she pushed me upstairs.
“Alright, alright, I’m going.”
Though their behavior was suspicious, I was too tired from Duke Casiar’s antics to dwell on it, so I returned to my room.
“What happened downstairs? The guest room seemed noisy.”
After my bath, I went downstairs feeling lighter.
Duke Casiar, too, appeared freshly bathed, his hair still damp.
He seemed to be wearing Father’s clothes. Did the pajamas always look so… provocative?
Through the slightly open front, his deep collarbone was visible.
His broad chest—what did that have to do with me?
Still, I decided to enjoy the view.
“Oh my! What should I do!”
Distracted by the Duke, I heard Mother scream from the guest room.
Everyone in the sitting room rushed toward the sound.
“Mother, what’s wrong?”
I thought it might be a thief, but both Mother and Lili were unharmed.
“I… forgot I had stored some unused items in the guest room.”
“The guest room was empty yesterday…”
Yet now, all three guest rooms were mysteriously filled with unidentifiable items.
“What should we do? No prepared rooms remain. The Duke has no proper place to sleep… There’s no choice.”
Mother, looking troubled, turned to me with a meaningful smile.
“Riel and the Duke will have to share a room.”
