Episode 132

“Duke?”

“May I come in?”

“What? Yes, please come in.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the study door opened and Lloydin entered.

“Are you done with your work?”

“Yes, I just finished. I was about to go to the bedroom, but I heard you were still in the study, so I came by. Did I interrupt anything you were doing?”

“No, not at all. I’m finished too.”

I closed the book I hadn’t read a single word of and stood up.

“What book were you reading?”

Lloydin glanced at the book on the desk and asked.

“Oh, a novel.”

Momentarily flustered, I quickly recalled the title of the book and answered.

“Was it interesting?”

“It was a bit boring. I guess that’s why I couldn’t really focus.”

I had no idea if the book was interesting or boring since I hadn’t read it at all. I just answered that way, hoping Lloydin wouldn’t ask more about the book.

“I see. Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

Fortunately, Lloydin seemed to believe me when I said the book was boring, and the questioning ended there.

Soon, we left the study together and returned to the bedroom.

“Shall we go to bed right away?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

As soon as I lay down on the bed, Lloydin pulled me into his arms.

He gently stroked my hair as I nestled deeper into his embrace, feeling a sense of comfort.

Suddenly, I felt Lloydin’s hand twitch and his body tense.

“What’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing.”

His voice seemed even lower than usual, but I thought it was just because of our position and didn’t pay much attention to it.

After that, we had our usual short conversation before bed.

“You seem very busy these days.”

“The movements of the monsters near the forest are unusual.”

“Oh, then…”

I couldn’t finish my sentence and just hugged Lloydin tightly.

Even though I didn’t complete my thought, we both knew what I was about to say.

‘He’s leaving again.’

Even though he hadn’t left yet, my heart already felt empty.

We’ve been apart several times already, but instead of getting used to it, it got harder each time we separated.

Unless the fundamental issue was resolved, it would continue to be this way.

“The subjugation team won’t leave for some time. So… don’t worry about it too much yet.”

“…Okay, I won’t.”

Even though I said that, the bitterness in my heart didn’t easily go away.

It was especially hard to shake off because of the overlapping issues with the Crown Prince.

“My dear.”

“Yes?”

“Will you continue to go to the palace?”

“Yes. I think so.”

“…I see.”

“Why do you ask?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Do you not want me to go to the palace, my dear?”

“It’s not that, but…”

Lloydin trailed off, and I immediately lifted my face from his chest, feeling puzzled.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

As I looked up at his face, Lloydin gave me a faint smile.

But there was something off about that smile. It seemed forced, like he was hiding his true feelings.

‘What is it?’

There seemed to be something bothering him.

“Is there something wrong?”

“…No, nothing.”

His response was odd, but I decided to let it go for now.

“So, is there something you want to tell me?”

“That too, there is not.”

Lloydin’s answers were twice as vague, making it clear to me that something was definitely wrong.

“My dear.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Are you feeling upset right now?”

This time, he didn’t answer.

His silence was an affirmation.

Upset? He didn’t seem that way earlier…

I looked at Lloydin, bewildered, and he let out a deep sigh.

“Sigh… I’m sorry.”

Then he suddenly apologized.

“What? Why?”

At my question, Lloydin ran a hand over his face.

“I didn’t want to show you this unsightly side of myself, but I’m finding it hard to control my emotions.”

Not understanding what he meant, I stayed silent.

Lloydin was quiet for a long time. He seemed to be trying to calm his turbulent thoughts.

“My dear.”

Finally, after a long pause, Lloydin spoke in a calm voice.

“Yes, Duke.”

“I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Did you… meet with the Crown Prince today?”

“What?”

Caught off guard by his unexpected question, I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“How did you know?”

In my confusion, I inadvertently asked.

“Is that why you were late?”

“Oh, well…”

Still taken aback, I didn’t know what to say.

As I stammered, Lloydin gently stroked my cheek and spoke.

“I’m not accusing you of anything. I just want to know if you met with the Crown Prince.”

Lloydin’s expression was filled with a complex mix of emotions, looking both troubled and resigned.

Seeing him like that, I snapped back to my senses.

‘This isn’t the time to be foolish.’

I didn’t want to see him sad or hurt over this.

So I needed to explain everything clearly.

Lowering my head slightly, I bit my lip.

Then, I lifted my head and looked at Lloydin.

“Yes, I met with the Crown Prince today.”

Lloydin remained silent, urging me to continue.

“After parting with Princess Daina at sunset, while I was in the carriage, a servant of the Crown Prince came to see me.”

“Are you saying the Crown Prince sought you out?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

There was no point in lying about the Crown Prince seeking me out. It was the truth.

But what happened next was not something I could fully reveal to Lloydin.

To explain the conversation with the Crown Prince, I would have to disclose our previous interactions.

It was too soon for that. Even though it was a huge problem, I wanted to handle it myself since it stemmed from my actions.

Especially since the Crown Prince’s intentions towards me were less than honorable, I couldn’t tell Lloydin.

So I quickly came up with a plausible lie.

“What did the Crown Prince want?”

“It was about the same issue as before with Brother Jade and Princess Daina.”

The lie I had used before flowed smoothly from my lips.

“I thought we had finished that conversation at the ball, but it seems the Crown Prince didn’t think so. He kept asking the same questions.”

I added, watching Lloydin’s expression.

“It seems the Crown Prince is very concerned about Princess Daina. He must see her as a threat to his position. And if Princess Daina and Brother Jade get closer, our family would align with her.”

“Were there any other matters discussed?”

“No, nothing else. Even though I told him I didn’t know much, he kept pressing me as if I was hiding something. That’s why I was held up for so long.”

“I see.”

“I’m sorry. I should have told you earlier.”

“It’s alright. Thank you for telling me now.”

“I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want to worry you.”

“It’s fine.”

“I’ll try not to keep anything from you in the future.”

“I appreciate that. But please know that I’m not doubting you. Do you think I’m being too overbearing?”

Lloydin’s face showed a fleeting hint of anxiety.

“No, it’s because you care and love me. I like that. So please don’t think that way.”

“My dear…”

My answer seemed to satisfy him, and a look of relief gradually spread across his face.

Seeing him like that, I smiled softly and then asked him a question.

“By the way, my dear.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“How did you know that I met with the Crown Prince?”

Before arriving at the estate, I had made sure to instruct those who accompanied me from the palace to keep silent.

‘Did someone talk?’

Unless they betrayed my trust, there was no way Lloydin could have known.

But it didn’t seem likely that Lloydin would have asked them where I had been.

So how did he know?

Unable to contain my curiosity, I looked at Lloydin, and he said something I never expected.

“I caught the scent of the Crown Prince on you, the same scent as when you met him before.”

“The scent?”

“Yes.”

Even though I had washed and changed my clothes after returning from the palace, it seemed impossible that he could still detect the scent.

But he did.

“I have a particularly keen sense of smell.”

Seeing my surprised expression, Lloydin answered with a bittersweet smile.