Chapter 43
“You’re here?”
Unlike me, who was flustered, Duke Calix asked calmly.
“Y-Yes! Uh, um, it looks like you’ve just come out of the bath!”
“Yeah. After washing the kids, I got hot.”
“Ahaha! I see! Well then, I’ll just head in now!”
Embarrassed, I quickly turned toward the bookshelf—but in that moment, I tripped over my own feet.
“Ahh!”
Just as I was about to fall, Duke Calix reached out toward me—but I fell faster than he could catch me.
With a loud thud, I crashed to the ground.
Ugh, how embarrassing.
My knees and palms throbbed from hitting the floor, but the shame was far worse. I had fallen all on my own, in an empty space—how ridiculous must that have looked?
“Are you okay?”
Unable to raise my head from the embarrassment, I heard Duke Calix crouch down to meet my eye level as he asked.
But as he leaned over, the top of his robe opened slightly, and his bare chest came into view—right in front of my face.
What is happening!
I could feel all the blood rush to my face. The pain from falling didn’t matter anymore. That was the least of my concerns now.
“D-Duke!”
“Hm?”
“Your chest! The robe—!”
“What? What are you saying…?”
He took a step closer.
“Don’t come any closer! This is serious!”
“What is…?”
“No! I’m going in now!”
Forgetting my pain, I scrambled to my feet and sprinted toward the bookshelf. I quickly pulled out a book, revealing the secret room, and stepped inside without looking back. I flicked the hidden switch, and the shelf swung shut behind me.
Panting heavily, I braced one hand against the wall.
I almost lost myself to those irises—no, not his eyes, I mean…! If I’d kept staring, it would’ve been so humiliating. Good thing I ran away in time.
But even now, the image of bare skin lingered in my eyes.
My face still burning, my heart pounded violently in my chest. How was I supposed to face the Duke from now on? Just thinking of his face brought the image back again.
I probably wouldn’t even be able to make eye contact.
Collapsing onto the bed, I kicked my legs into the air helplessly. I wanted to scream, but I knew the neighbors would hear, so I held it in.
Even now, I could still faintly smell the damp scent of Duke Calix at the tip of my nose.
Watching the bookshelf hastily open and close, Calix stood frozen for a moment, then snapped back to reality.
“…She’s seriously adorable.”
He couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. Who wouldn’t find Elena, scurrying away like a squirrel fleeing from a predator, absolutely charming?
‘Would she like me more if I built more muscle?’
Calix looked down at himself, deep in thought. Since returning, he hadn’t bulked up, still maintaining the appearance of someone ill. He had only modest, functional muscle.
She was so startled by just a glimpse of his upper body—he wondered how she’d react if he really built himself up. It might be amusing.
He was still pondering what kind of training he should do when—
“Ugh!”
A sharp pain shot through his head again. Another piercing headache.
The time had come for him to leave for recuperation.
‘I have to leave tomorrow.’
Calix turned his gaze once more toward the bookshelf Elena had vanished behind.
‘It’s too risky to take her with me, after all…’
He was still torn. They had already agreed she would stay behind, and yet…
He had taken precautions by having her stay in the secret room, but he still couldn’t relax. If the enemy was someone on the inside, there were plenty of other ways they could harm her—through food, or otherwise.
But he couldn’t just fire the entire staff either. Too many things got in the way.
‘If Dr. Scott really is the spy…’
Then even the memories from before the regression couldn’t be trusted.
“Sigh…”
Calix lay down on the bed, clutching his head.
He couldn’t deny there was something suspicious about Dr. Scott. But more than anything, he truly hoped Scott wasn’t involved.
Because if Scott was connected to the real culprit, then Calix would have to live with the guilt of having hired him both before and after the regression.
And if Scott was involved in Elena’s death… then Calix would have been the one who indirectly—if not directly—led her to that end. What kind of man wouldn’t be tormented by the thought of causing the death of someone he cared about?
Calix had changed many things since returning. Still, he couldn’t shake the fear that it would all end the same.
“I’ll change everything—just like I have until now.”
As if sensing his unease, the three dogs that hadn’t changed before or after the regression approached and curled up beside him.
The next day, I came out to the garden to see Duke Calix off for his recuperation.
I pretended nothing had happened to hide my embarrassment, and thankfully, he didn’t bring it up either.
Just before getting into the carriage, he handed me the leashes of the three dogs himself.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Be careful. And also, when you return, still be careful—just in case.”
“I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Still, better safe than sorry.”
“Got it. I’m really going now.”
As I waved at him, Duke Calix smiled and climbed into the carriage. Soon, the carriage carrying him rolled out of the mansion—and then, a few maids came running up to me.
“Elena!”
“Yes?”
“We’ve got something to ask you!”
“Okay, go ahead.”
“Well, um, actually… uh… You do it!”
“You promised you’d ask!”
“Ugh, anyone can ask!”
The three maids squabbled in front of me, trying to make each other speak.
“So, what’s going on…?”
“Ugh, fine, I’ll do it! Elena! Are you dating the Duke?”
“…Huh?”
First thing in the morning? What kind of question is this?
“No? I don’t think so? You really look like a couple though! You walk the dogs together all the time, go out together…”
“Yeah, totally!”
“And he even left the dogs with you while he’s away. That must mean he trusts you a lot, right?”
“You two really suit each other!”
“Wait, listen…”
“Is our mansion finally getting a touch of romance?”
“Aaah! Calling you the Duchess sounds so romantic!”
The three of them looked utterly dazzled, like they were in a dream.
“We’re not like that,” I said flatly.
“What?”
“Huhhh?!”
“No way!”
They all jumped back in shock at my calm denial.
“It’s true. I’m just an assistant to the attending physician, and he’s my employer…”
“But didn’t you go to the festival together?”
“Yeah, and lately you’ve been staying in the same room as him!”
“Well, that’s…”
There were complicated reasons behind that, but I couldn’t explain them.
“Oh! Is it one of those situations where there’s a reason, but you just can’t say it yet?”
“If so, then it is romantic!”
“Kyaaaa! So romantic!”
What exactly about this is romantic?
“I’m totally okay with serving you as the Duchess! I always wanted to get closer to you but never had the chance!”
“Me too, me too!”
“Don’t forget us when you become the Duchess!”
“We’re really not like that.”
“Then… what do you think of the Duke? As a man?”
“…Huh? Uh, well…”
What do I think of him as a man?
Well… what’s not to like? He’s handsome, kind, has great manners, a duke, rich, and…
Damn it. I’d finally forgotten, and now the memory of his bare skin came rushing back again. Ugh! Forget it!
Wait, why am I even thinking about this?
“Why are you even asking me this?”
“Because we don’t need to ask the Duke!”
“Exactly!”
“His eyes already say it all!”
The three exchanged knowing looks and grinned.
“Anyway, we’re rooting for you!”
“Totally supporting Duchess Elena!”
“Waaaaah!”
And with that, they vanished, leaving me mentally drained.
“Ugh, they wore me out…”
“Woof! (Elena!)”
“Huh? Luca? What is it?”
Now that they were gone, Luca barked.
Does he want a walk?
“Woof woof! (What do you think of our master?)”
“…Huh?”
“Woof woof woof woof! (Do you like our master?)”
“Well…”
