Chapter 10
Irene, who had been staring at the teacup in response to Baron Rios’s question, slowly raised her head. She still didn’t dare to reach for the cup.
This wasn’t school, and there was no food for her.
Only then did Irene slowly blink her eyes. What did “real” mean? Was it her top graduation? Or was it refusing the suggestion from the personal doctor?
“Rescue… sister.”
Irene’s brow furrowed slightly at the unfamiliar title. Leticia, forcing a smile, trembled as she spoke.
“Father is asking if it’s true.”
“It’s true that I passed the medical exam at the top of my class. And it’s true that I turned down the Grand Duke’s personal doctor offer.”
In the end, Irene answered both questions, hoping one of them was the answer he wanted.
Divoa looked at her with a smirk, but Irene didn’t meet his gaze.
Leticia quickly bit her lower lip and released it in private. A moment later, she covered it with a gentle mask and spoke again.
From between Leticia’s teeth, a voice Irene had never heard before flowed out.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke. There must be a reason why my sister turned down your offer. Please understand with a generous heart.”
“A reason?”
Divoa raised an eyebrow and turned his head to her. He knew what Leticia was thinking.
Or rather, it was hard not to know. He had lived in the royal family all his life. He had dealt with situations like this countless times.
Yet, he didn’t act like he knew, because he was curious about what Leticia would say. How entertaining would the clever baroness’s daughter make him?
“Actually, my sister…”
Leticia, looking troubled as though it was hard for her to speak, added quietly,
“She’s a little different from ordinary people.”
“How is she different?”
When Divoa showed interest, Leticia’s lips quivered slightly.
She was so awkward.
Divoa, feigning curiosity, gazed at Leticia.
“It’s hard to explain in words, but…”
Leticia trailed off and glanced at the baroness. The Baroness, sensing her intention, quickly added to the explanation.
“Irene has trouble getting along with people. She’s tried so hard since she was young, but she could never fix her sharp personality. That’s why she never debuted in high society until now. It’s quite embarrassing.”
The baroness dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. Divoa, seeing her dry eyes, turned to Irene.
Despite hearing harsh criticism right in front of her, Irene didn’t change her expression. She looked like a doll.
No, she seemed to accept their words as if they were true.
Suddenly, Divoa’s mood twisted. He didn’t know why. He just felt irritated. Even though he had arranged this meeting, he regretted coming.
Irene was calm even in front of his status and power. So, he thought of using her family.
If her family could change her mind, why not use them?
Divoa was much colder and more indifferent than the public image of him. He had no qualms about using others to get what he wanted.
He just knew how to make it look like he didn’t. With a kind and gentle facade, he appeared as the generous and loving Grand Duke of Cassis.
So, today wasn’t anything new. He had manipulated people far more cleverly than this.
But why did he feel so uncomfortable? Everything was going according to his plan, yet something felt off.
Ignoring Javier’s gaze, Divoa gave the baroness a warm, practiced smile.
“Baroness Rios.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please, go ahead.”
The Baroness nodded respectfully. Divoa spoke firmly, his tone far from his usual soft demeanor.
“What I need is not a socialite, but a skilled doctor.”
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t want a lady who’s afraid her expensive dress will get dirty. I need a doctor who won’t mind getting their hands bloodied to stitch up me or my soldiers’ torn guts. If Irene can save my dying soldiers, I don’t care about her personality.”
“…Yes.”
The baroness avoided his gaze, her face slightly sour. Leticia alternated her gaze between their dresses, her lips pressed tightly together.
Divoa, unaware of the tension, smiled brightly.
“Besides, I’m already in the middle of a garden full of flowers. Surrounded by many beautiful ones. Wanting more would be excessive, wouldn’t it?”
In an instant, Leticia’s face stiffened. She understood what he meant by “garden.”
Once, at a banquet in the capital, she had waited for three hours just to greet Divoa. He was surrounded by people, half of whom were beautiful women.
Leticia was just one of them, and when she finally met him, he didn’t even remember her.
Leticia clenched her teeth to swallow the rising emotions. She forced herself to stay calm.
“…”
Meanwhile, Irene looked at Divoa seriously. But it was like looking at a peeled potato—nothing special. Still, for a moment, he seemed more like a sweet potato.
Any personality would be fine.
Right now, this is enough.
That was the first time Irene had heard such words. The baroness had always disliked her, and Leticia called her a troublemaker or hopeless.
Lucas didn’t openly torment her but treated her like an invisible ghost. She hadn’t spoken to him in ages. And Baron Rios was indifferent to her.
Irene’s situation at medical school was the same. People always said she had issues.
Irene agreed. What was easy for others was always hard for her.
For example, talking to people, eating together, and laughing at silly jokes.
Yet, Divoa said he needed her. As a doctor who could save lives.
At that moment, Divoa slowly turned his head, and their eyes met again. He smiled, narrowing his eyes.
Like a sweet potato, not a potato.
“…”
“…”
Potatoes are from the nightshade family, while sweet potatoes are from the morning glory family. They look similar but are entirely different plants.
Irene would secretly take two scoops of sweet potato when it was served. On potato days, she’d give it up, but sweet potatoes felt like a fair treat for her.
Her heart raced, but no one scolded her. So, she savored her sweet potatoes with a relieved expression.
That’s why the Grand Duke couldn’t be a sweet potato. He was the complete opposite of Irene.
Irene slowly turned her head back down to her teacup. The tea, untouched, had already cooled.
Bang.
The door closed behind her. The maid gave her a grumpy look, and no one from her family came out to see her off.
It was fine. Irene didn’t particularly care. She wasn’t hurt. She just felt foolish for bringing her bag, thinking she might sleep over.
Surely, you don’t really intend to become the Grand Duke’s personal doctor, do you? He doesn’t know you’re a hopeless troublemaker. If he knew what you were really like, he’d be disappointed. Don’t even think about becoming his personal doctor. That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard all year.
But unlike her words, Leticia didn’t laugh. Her cold stare pierced Irene like an ice pick.
“It’s okay.”
Irene muttered to herself as if it would really make everything okay.
Lifting her heavy bag, Irene turned and stepped forward, fastening the collar of her coat tightly.
Though there was a hint of spring, the wind that brushed against her cheek was still cold. She had a lot to do today. It seemed best to hurry.
And then, at that moment.
“Irene.”
A familiar voice came from behind. Irene stopped and turned her head. But the path was empty.
Her gaze shifted slightly to the side. A luxurious carriage was parked on the road, and Divoa ’s face was peering out of the window.
For a brief moment, Irene’s eyes held a trace of confusion. Why was Divoa still here, even though he left before her?
“I’ll take you to the medical school.”
“It’s alright.”
Irene immediately shook her head. She knew there was no such thing as a free favor.
When the jellyfish had given up its sweet potatoes, it meant they wanted her to dissect a corpse in exchange. When Elegance called her sister, it meant she wanted Irene to cover for a broken plate.
Irene resumed walking quickly.
“It’s cold, but it’s perfect weather for a walk, isn’t it?”
