The reason Feril had been asleep for 50 years was because of a contract he had made with the royal family. And the one who broke that contract was none other than Idette. That was the seed of his obsession with her.
Looking back on it now, Idette was truly fearless. Who could have known what Feril would do once he awoke?
Well, not that I’m one to talk.
Recalling Feril’s character from the original work made me fear the future ahead.
‘…At this rate, I might really die.’
Walking down the corridor with a gloomy expression, I lightly tapped my cheeks as if to snap out of it. Then, forcing a smile, I flung open the dining room door wide.
“Grandfather!”
Hearing my voice, Grandfather beamed brightly. But in just one day, he looked noticeably thinner.
My heart ached, but I tried not to show it as I approached. Grandfather reached out his hand to me as if familiar with the gesture.
“I heard from Allen. You went to the Return Ceremony, didn’t you? You look much brighter.”
“The atmosphere in the capital was so lively, I loved it!”
“Did you meet Leon?”
“Ah, Leon is—”
*Squeak.*
Just then, the dining room door opened and Cedric walked in, right on time for dinner. He greeted Grandfather briefly and then sat down.
Grandfather paused, gently stroking my head.
“So, my granddaughter. What were you about to say? Did you meet Leon?”
“No, I haven’t met him yet. There were too many people…”
I trailed off and glanced at Cedric. Fortunately, he seemed not to have heard me, his expression calm.
Cedric and Leonhart.
I knew they were friends, but they’d had a big argument a few years ago. Grandfather clicked his tongue, saying grown men shouldn’t fight, but Cedric didn’t seem to care at all.
“You must have been very disappointed.”
“Not at all! Not one bit!”
Worried about Cedric’s reaction, I quickly shook my head.
But Grandfather, seeming to understand my feelings, laughed heartily. I laughed along, but soon stopped when I saw his exhausted face.
Cedric, who had been watching him closely, cautiously spoke up.
“…Wouldn’t it be better for you to eat in your room while resting?”
“You brat! I’m still healthy, don’t treat me like an invalid already!”
“Seeing you shout like that, I suppose you’re still fine.”
Cedric smiled faintly.
Seeing his rare smile, I froze for a moment, dazed.
Grandfather, watching us, clicked his tongue.
“Oh my, you two are so awkward. If I’m to close my eyes in peace—”
“What are you saying? You have to see me get married and see your great-grandchildren too!”
Startled, I cried out loudly. Grandfather looked at me with a surprised expression.
“Have you already thought that far ahead with Ricardo?”
“…Pardon?”
“Even though you used to fight often, it seems you’ve grown quite close.”
Um, that’s not it…
Unable to answer, I just rolled my eyes. Then Grandfather grasped my hand firmly.
And his calm voice filled the dining room.
“…Bianca. Do you know what the most important thing is in life?”
I cautiously shook my head.
Grandfather continued softly.
“Having lived a long time, I’ve come to realize that what ultimately moves a person is their conviction. Only by upholding that conviction can one achieve true happiness and walk the path they desire.”
Happiness.
That was something Grandfather often said to Cedric and me.
But the happiness Grandfather thought of was a little different from what I thought of.
Because we had lived in different worlds.
For Grandfather, who had witnessed the horrors of war firsthand, the most important conviction was ‘survival.’ And the power to protect oneself.
And Grandfather believed that the House of Hessen was the means to protect me.
“The only position that can secure you a firm place in high society is the Duchess of Hessen. Once you attain that position, you can live without a single worry for the rest of your life.”
“…That’s true.”
His grip on my hand tightened.
Normally, I should have smiled and agreed.
But strangely, my lips wouldn’t move.
Logically, Grandfather was right. Even if I married Ricardo, I could live without his love. I could enjoy his status, his fame, and his wealth to my heart’s content.
But that…
That wasn’t what I truly wanted.
And then it happened.
“*Cough!*”
Suddenly, Grandfather started coughing.
The strength left the hand holding mine, and a cold sensation fell onto the back of my hand.
As the coughing worsened, Grandfather quickly covered his mouth with a napkin.
“Grandfather…!”
In that instant, vivid red blood spread across the white napkin.
“Atticus!”
Cedric quickly rose and called for the butler.
“I’m fine!”
“What do you mean, fine! Go upstairs!”
Cedric raised his voice.
It was unlike him.
“You fools! Do you think I’m about to die?”
Grandfather said so, but Cedric supported him until the end.
“Grandfather…”
“Bianca, stay in the dining room.”
Cedric spoke as if I would be in the way.
I instinctively reached out my hand, but I couldn’t reach Grandfather.
*Bang!—*
Staring at the tightly closed dining room door, my legs gave way and I sank onto my chair.
…How much time did Grandfather have left?
My anxious hands fidgeted with my keys.
Even as the maids cleared away the cold food and prepared new dishes.
“Bianca.”
After quite some time had passed, Cedric came back into the dining room.
Only then did I snap out of my thoughts and turn my head.
“How is Grandfather?”
“He’s asleep.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. He’s a strong person.”
Cedric sighed softly and turned his gaze to the steaming food.
“Have you eaten?”
“…Not yet.”
“Eat.”
Leaving those words, Cedric plopped down onto a chair.
*Clatter.*
Amidst the sound of cutlery clinking, Cedric quietly opened his mouth.
“…Do you still like the Duke?”
“*Cough!*”
Caught off guard by the sudden change of topic, I inhaled water and choked.
“Why, why would you think that…?”
“You used to follow the Duke around all the time.”
“That was a long time ago!”
Oops, I shouldn’t have said that.
Of course, Cedric would say that.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Now I…”
“Then why don’t you tell Grandfather the truth?”
The truth?
Did he mean that I should tell him I no longer liked Ricardo and wanted to break off the engagement?
Cedric sighed softly.
“Grandfather is from an older generation. In those days, the honor of House Hessen was sky-high. Even if Roygin isn’t what it used to be, it’s still a distinguished noble family.”
“…”
“As the daughter of a marquis, it wouldn’t be hard for you to find a better match.”
…Was this really something Cedric would say?
As I stared at him with a bewildered expression, Cedric’s eyes narrowed.
“Though I doubt you, as unladylike as you are, could find anyone better than Ricardo.”
Ah, right.
That was the Cedric I knew.
“Thank you for your kind advice. But the engagement is Grandfather’s wish, so I plan to maintain it a while longer.”
“Is your time so worthless? You, of all people, should know better than anyone that wasted time never returns.”
I smiled bitterly.
“My time isn’t as precious as Grandfather’s.”
At my words, Cedric fell silent for a moment.
“…When Grandfather’s health improves, I’ll tell him myself. He’s already struggling, and I don’t want to burden him with more worries.”
I took a sip of water.
“Besides, this involves the late Duke as well.”
This engagement was made because of a promise between Grandfather and the late Duke.
It was the reason why Ricardo and I couldn’t break off the engagement even if we wanted to.
That was why Ricardo wasn’t actively pushing to break it off either.
Silence fell over the dining room once more.
The incident occurred the next day.
“My Lady! Something terrible has happened! The Duke is coming to the marquis’s residence this afternoon!”
“…What?”
“The Duke! The Duke!”
Emily exaggerated the shape of her mouth, emphasizing again who was coming.
Understanding the situation, I immediately fired off questions.
“Why? Did I do something wrong? Who’s coming with him? Is he coming alone? Why on earth…?”
“His Lordship said the Duke has an appointment with you, my Lady.”
…Since when?
