DSFL | Chapter 07

~Chapter 07~

The reason Peril had been asleep for fifty years was due to a contract he made with the royal family. The person who broke that contract was none other than Idette. That was the seed of the obsession he developed for her.

Thinking back now, Idette must have been quite fearless. Who knew what kind of thing Peril might do once awakened?

Well, I suppose that’s not for me to say.

Recalling the image of Peril from the original story, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of fear for the future.

‘…I’m afraid I might die like this.’

As I walked down the corridor with a gloomy expression, I snapped back to my senses and lightly tapped my cheek with my hand. Then, I forced a smile and threw open the door to the dining room.

“Grandfather!”

At the sound of my voice, Grandfather smiled brightly at me. In just a day, his cheeks had sunken in noticeably.

A pang of sadness tugged at my heart, but I forced myself to hide it as I approached him. Grandfather reached out for me, as if he were used to doing so.

“Allen told me you went to the return ceremony. Your face looks brighter now.”

“The capital’s atmosphere is so lively, it was great!”

“Did you meet Leon?”

“Oh, Leon—”

Screech.

At that moment, the dining room door opened, and Cedric walked in, just in time for dinner. He greeted Grandfather briefly before sitting down.

Grandfather stopped speaking and gently stroked my hair.

“So, my dear, what were you going to say? You met Leon?”

“Oh, no, not yet. There were too many people…”

I trailed off, secretly glancing at Cedric. Fortunately, he seemed not to have heard my words, as his expression remained calm.

Cedric and Leonhardt.

Though they were friends, I knew they had a major falling out a few years ago. Grandfather had clucked his tongue, saying grown men shouldn’t fight, but Cedric had not paid him any attention.

“Must have been a real disappointment.”

“No! Not at all!”

I hurriedly shook my head, afraid of Cedric’s reaction.

But Grandfather, as if he understood what I was feeling, laughed heartily. I joined in, but stopped short when I noticed Grandfather’s weary expression.

Cedric, who had been watching him closely, gently spoke.

“…Perhaps you should rest and have your meal in your room.”

“Hey, you rascal! I’m still in good health! Are you already treating me like a sick person?”

“From the way you’re scolding, it seems like you’re still doing fine.”

Cedric smiled faintly. I froze for a moment at the sight of his smile, one I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Grandfather, noticing us, clicked his tongue.

“My word, you two are so awkward with each other. How am I supposed to rest in peace when—”

“What do you mean by that? You’ll have to see me marry and have children as well!”

I shouted, flustered, and Grandfather looked at me with a surprised expression.

“Ricardo and you have already thought that far ahead?”

“…What?”

“You’ve fought often, but it seems you’ve gotten much closer in the meantime.”

Well, that’s not exactly the case…

I couldn’t answer and just rolled my eyes, and Grandfather firmly grasped my hand. His soothing voice filled the dining room.

“…My dear, do you know what the most important thing for a person is?”

I cautiously shook my head. Grandfather continued, speaking gently.

“After living for many years, I’ve realized it’s the belief a person holds. Only by upholding that belief can a person truly achieve happiness, and that’s what will guide them to the path they desire.”

Happiness.

This was something Grandfather had often advised both Cedric and me.

But the way Grandfather defined happiness was a bit different from mine. After all, we had lived in different worlds.

For Grandfather, who had witnessed the horrors of war, the most important belief was ‘survival,’ as well as the strength to protect oneself.

And Grandfather believed that the means to protect me was through the Duke of Hessen’s family.

“The only position that can firmly establish your place in society is as the Duchess of Hessen. That’s a position where you will never have to worry for the rest of your life.”

“…That’s true.”

The hand that held mine tightened.

I should have laughed along with Grandfather…

But for some reason, my lips wouldn’t move.

Logically speaking, Grandfather’s words were correct. Even if I married Ricardo, I could live well without his love—by using his status, fame, and money freely.

But that wasn’t…

What I truly wanted.

It was at that moment that my lips parted.

“Cough!”

Grandfather suddenly began coughing. His hand, which had been holding mine, lost its strength, and I felt a cold sensation on the back of my hand.

Grandfather quickly covered his mouth with a napkin as the coughing intensified.

“Grandfather…!”

At that moment, bright red blood began to stain the white napkin.

“Atticus!”

Cedric hastily stood up, calling for the butler.

“I’m fine!”

“It’s fine, what’s fine! Go upstairs!”

Cedric raised his voice, which was something unusual for him.

“I’m not going to die, you fools!”

Even with Grandfather’s words, Cedric still helped him.

“Grandfather…”

“Bianca, you stay in the dining room.”

Cedric spoke as if I were in the way. I reached out instinctively towards Grandfather, but my hand couldn’t touch him.

Bang—!

Staring at the tightly closed dining room door, my legs gave way, and I collapsed into my seat.

…How much time does Grandfather have left?

My anxious hands fidgeted with the keys.

Even as the maids took away the cold food and prepared new dishes.

“Bianca.”

Quite a bit of time passed, and Cedric entered the dining room.

Only then did I snap out of my thoughts and turn my head to look at him.

“How’s Grandfather?”

“He’s asleep.”

“…”

“You don’t need to worry. He’s a strong man.”

Cedric sighed softly and then turned his attention to the steaming food in front of him.

“Have you eaten?”

“…Not yet.”

“Eat.”

Cedric said this and slumped down into a chair.

Clink—.

As the sound of the tableware clattering echoed, Cedric quietly opened his mouth.

“…Do you still have feelings for the Duke?”

“Cough!”

The sudden change of topic caught me off guard and I choked.

“W-Why would you think that…?”

“You used to follow the Duke around—”

“That was in the past!”

Oops, I shouldn’t have brought that up. Of course Cedric would have answered like that.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. Now, it’s…”

“Then why don’t you tell Grandfather the truth?”

What truth?

Should I tell him that I no longer have feelings for Ricardo and want the engagement broken?

Cedric sighed again, his breath soft.

“Grandfather is from the old generation. Back then, the honor of the Hessen family was high. But now, even though Roygin is not as grand, they are still a noble family.”

“…”

“As the daughter of a Marquis, you could easily find a better match.”

…Is this really Cedric talking?

I stared at him in confusion, but his gaze narrowed.

“Though, I’m not sure if someone like you, who’s not very lady-like, could find a better match than Ricardo.”

Ah, yes. This was the Cedric I knew.

“Thank you for your words. But since it’s Grandfather’s wish for the engagement, I’ll try to maintain it a little longer.”

“Is your time really that worthless? You know better than anyone that wasted time never comes back.”

I forced a bitter smile.

“My time isn’t as valuable as Grandfather’s.”

At my words, Cedric hesitated.

“…When Grandfather improves, I’ll tell him myself. I don’t want to add unnecessary worries for him, especially when he’s already struggling.”

I took a sip of water.

“Besides, isn’t it something you need to discuss with the late Duke?”

The engagement was arranged because of the promise between Grandfather and the late Duke.

Even if Ricardo and I wanted to break the engagement, it would be pointless. That’s why Ricardo isn’t actively pushing for the cancellation either.

Silence fell once again in the dining room.

---

The incident happened the next day.

“Miss! Something big happened! The Duke is coming to the Marquis’ house in the afternoon!”

“…What did you say?”

“The Duke! The Duke!”

Emily exaggerated the shape of her mouth as she clarified who was coming.

Once I processed the situation, I began to bombard her with questions.

“Why? Did I do something wrong? Who is he coming with? Is he coming alone? Why in the world…?”

“The Marquis said that the Duke and you have an appointment.”

…When did I?