~CHAPTER 72~
“It’s proof of a naive, one-sided love.”
Lincia blinked, unable to understand.
Harbih, observing her expression, explained softly.
“Aren’t you also at the age to receive marriage proposals?”
“…….”
“I mentioned it because it bothered me, so I spoke of my engagement.”
He deliberately described the engagement as something undesirable, something to avoid.
Then, even if Lincia met a suitor, she would view him with a hint of skepticism.
In fact, he hoped she would.
It was a jealousy born of love she did not realize she held.
The returned letter was a relief.
Just as Harbih thought this, Lincia smiled shyly.
“I’m happy.”
“……”
“It’s a shame it was returned… I would have been happier if I received it then.
But I’m really glad I know now.”
Lincia lifted her head.
Her gentle, clear violet eyes gazed at Harbih.
Seeing those innocent eyes, Harbih couldn’t help but recall a rabbit he had raised long ago near a lakeside.
A small, white, soft-furred creature that, once it trusted someone, had no idea it could be harmed and only knew how to lean on others.
He had grown attached to that little warm life without realizing it, but after leaving the academy, he had never thought of the rabbit again.
Memories are like stones that block longing; if one is removed, the flood of yearning would collapse everything around.
Once swept by such longing, nothing could stop him.
“At that time, it felt as if the whole world had completely forgotten me.
Yet you remembered me…”
Once swept by longing, nothing could stop him from thinking of Lincia.
Harbih stared blankly at the woman, still carrying her gentle smile.
The sunlight that once illuminated the lakeside where the rabbit lived.
The breeze gliding freely over the sparkling surface had made him not want to return to the land he grew up on, now carried memories to the present.
The calm waves soon turned into a strong current.
Unable to bear the overwhelming tenderness sweeping over him, Harbih reached out to the woman sitting beside him.
Lincia clung to him tightly and did not try to push him away even once.
Her simplicity, unaware of self-defense, made Harbih feel breathless.
How could you live with me here? In such a harsh land, and yet you remain so girl-like.
Without wielding a blade, Lincia whispered unknowingly, making him afraid.
“May I keep this letter?”
Harbih gripped the trembling hand of the woman in his arms tightly.
“You may.”
Why is she doing this? Lincia tilted her head as she looked down at the back of his hand completely wrapped around hers.
Under the cold wind, veins stood out on his hand, grown firm from hard work.
As if suppressing something.
A low voice flowed over his shoulder at that moment.
“There is an illustrated book imported from the South.”
“……Yes?”
“I will bring it to you tomorrow, so take a look.”
Why is he suddenly saying this? Lincia thought, but nodded anyway.
Okay. Thank you.
Even though it was a simple answer, the tension in the solid body holding her did not ease.
Then more unexpected words came.
“There is also a novel. It may not interest you, but it contains illustrations as well.”
“……Did the Grand Duke’s castle really have that?”
“Yes.”
Harbih’s throat tightened.
“I will also bring sketches of the wedding portrait. If there is anything else you need, please tell me.”
“……”
“I will give you everything.”
Then please, don’t ever disappear from my sight.
He kept that thought pressed deep in his heart, not daring to voice it aloud, lest he and the woman in his arms be startled.
A slender warmth wrapped around his back at that moment.
Unaware of how fiercely desired she had become, Lincia embraced him.
Her gentle voice brushed past his ears, like the breeze from a day in the South once had.
“Thank you.”
Ah, at that moment, Harbih truly wanted to lock the doors of this room.
If they could remain like this, even freedom would feel inexpensive.
***
Even if punished for feigning illness yesterday, Harbih was firmly subdued the next day.
As Lincia had said, it was the result of receiving as much as he gave.
Since he had overeaten at lunch, skipping dinner might have eased matters, but Harbih could not do that.
“It feels unfair for me to eat alone…”
Lincia muttered this quietly while looking at the food he offered.
In the end, Harbih told her that if she took a bite, he would swallow the same.
Even if it made the tightness in his chest worse, it could not be helped.
He needed to put flesh on Lincia’s thin arms and had no time to be picky.
He felt like the dumbest person in the world at times.
Yet, the thought of fixing it did not even arise, which made him feel amused.
“This medicine is good for indigestion and headaches.”
Ethan handed him medicine, combining his usual headache medicine with a digestive aid.
Harbih gestured after receiving it.
“Go out.”
He would soon bring Alcide Aiden back.
Harbih vividly remembered the anxiety he felt the night before.
This castle was far too dangerous for Lincia.
He had always known that, but realizing it so late meant he had to act properly.
First, he would throw out the servants and their dependents who could not understand orders…
Then, a knock sounded at the door.
“Your Grace, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
But Hyu entered the study alone.
Harbih furrowed his brows.
Reading the displeasure on him, Hyu explained.
“Alcide Aiden has requested sick leave.”
“Sick leave?”
“For one week.”
“What is wrong with him?”
“……”
“If it’s not a broken ankle, he should be here immediately.”
Hyu cleared his throat softly.
“It’s a contagious fever.”
Of course, Harbih did not believe him.
Claiming a contagious illness was a common excuse used by servants who did not want to be dragged outside to face execution.
“Tell him he has five days.
If he cannot recover in that time, I will personally come and make his body comfortable.”
Hyu understood that the master’s patience had thoroughly twisted.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Just as Hyu was about to leave,
“Wait.”
“Yes?”
Harbih held him back but did not speak immediately.
Frowning as if pondering something, he let out a small sigh.
“For the time being, I want you to guard Lincia.”
“……You mean, Your Grace, the Grand Duchess’ protection?”
“Yes.”
Harbih brushed a hand across his face.
“There is no suitable knight.”
Hyu recalled the knights who had spent the entire morning training at the northern arena.
Not daring to speak such a mistake aloud, he bowed slightly.
“I will serve with all my heart.”
After asking if he had plans for lunch and receiving no answer, Harbih, alone in the study, rested his eyes on the sofa.
He was awakened by a knock at the door.
