Episode 30
As they sat in silence, the quiet between them became noticeable.
Ebony glanced at Diego beside her and decided to mention the weather—an easy topic to start a conversation.
“It’s just starting to be autumn here. It’s different from the duke’s territory, where winter comes right after summer, right?”
“Evgenia does get winter a bit earlier, especially in the north. It looked like it might snow soon in the duke’s land.”
“Wow, snow?”
Growing up in the warmest part of the Prined Empire, Ebony rarely saw snow. The last time was three years ago, and even then, it didn’t stick to the ground.
“If I go to the duke’s land, I’ll get to see snow often! I heard people even make garden decorations shaped like people out of snow!”
Diego chuckled at her excitement.
“You shouldn’t get your hopes up too much, Lady Ebony.”
“Huh?”
“When there’s heavy snowfall, you’ll have to stay inside and rest quietly.”
“…Why?”
Just as Ebony turned to him, feeling a little unfairly treated, the sun, which had been hidden behind the clouds, peeked out.
A warm ray of light hit her eyes, making her squint.
Noticing the small change, Diego lifted his hand and shaded her forehead with his palm. Thanks to the shade, the frown on her face softened.
“You’re not even used to the sun you see every day. How will you handle an unfamiliar heavy snowfall?”
“…….”
“You’ll probably catch a cold and be stuck in bed.”
His cool hand lingered on her forehead, though she should have started feeling the chill by now. But oddly, it felt warm.
‘Is this his way of being considerate?’
Ebony glanced up at his large hand blocking the sunlight.
It wasn’t uncomfortable or painful, as if he was carefully controlling the pressure.
When the sun hid behind the clouds again, Diego quietly withdrew his hand.
He didn’t even make a big deal out of what he had done.
“I didn’t expect Your Grace to go this far.”
Diego looked at her silently as if asking, What do you mean?
“The acting. You’re practicing for it today, aren’t you?”
“I’m a bit of a perfectionist.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t like being bad at things.” Diego shrugged.
“But for someone who suggested this first, you seem stiff.”
“Huh?”
“You always tense up and make it obvious you’re uncomfortable.”
He reached over and tucked her hair behind her ear.
His well-sculpted face came into her widened view, making her heart react on its own. Even someone as inexperienced as Ebony couldn’t help but be drawn to something dazzling.
“Like now.”
“Ah…”
She couldn’t help it.
Not only was she unfamiliar with such closeness, but the fact that her first experience of it was with Diego made it impossible to stay calm.
But she couldn’t afford to fall behind in their “practice” when she was the one who suggested it in the first place.
“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best too. Just as much as you are, Your Grace.”
Seeing Ebony clench her fists in determination, Diego shook his head slightly.
“First, let’s get rid of that stiff title.”
“Title?”
“Say my name.”
“Huh?”
“Diego Magnus.”
Ebony, wide-eyed, saw Diego nod slightly, urging her without words.
“But how could I dare call Your Grace by—”
“Diego.”
“…….”
“Not ‘Your Grace.’ Just ‘Diego.’”
His sharp eyes held sincerity as he corrected her.
Ebony licked her dry lips, swallowed, and finally spoke.
“D-Di… Diego-nim.”
She cautiously glanced at him, but despite hearing his name, Diego’s expression seemed dissatisfied. His eyes deepened as if displeased.
“Di-Diego…?”
This time, she dropped the honorifics.
Finally, his posture relaxed. It meant he was satisfied.
“You’ll have to keep practicing until it feels natural.”
“…Huh?”
“If calling my name is difficult, it doesn’t even feel like we’re friends, let alone a couple.”
“But we can practice that later—”
“That’s exactly why we should practice now.”
There was no way out.
So, Ebony took a deep breath, looked straight at Diego, and raised her voice.
“Diego—”
“…….”
“Diego, Diego. Is that good enough?”
Saying it twice made it easier. At first, it felt like breaking some unspoken rule, but she was already getting used to it.
“Good. From now on, always call me by my name.”
“Ah, okay…”
Ebony nodded, then looked at him expectantly.
Now, it was his turn to say her name.
“And what about you, Diego-nim?”
“What?”
“You’re not going to say my name?”
She snuck in the honorific again, but he didn’t correct her this time.
“I’d do it just fine whenever.”
“Still. It should be fair.”
“You don’t like losing, do you?”
Diego shook his head slightly, his lips curling up just a little. If he hated losing that much, how had he endured until now?
Still, it seemed like he would have to say her name to end this little standoff.
But just before he spoke, he hesitated for a split second. An awkward silence followed.
‘…Wait, does he not know my name?’
The thought crossed Ebony’s mind.
He had always called her “Lady” or “Young Miss.” Could it be that he never actually learned her name?
Just as she was about to introduce herself, Diego finally spoke.
“Ebony Dominique.”
“……”
“Ebony.”
His deep voice wrapped around her ears, carrying a strong, steady tone. It was a voice that could make someone forget time itself.
Ebony blinked as she replayed the sound in her mind.
‘Did my name always sound this nice?’
For some reason, a strange ticklish feeling stirred in her chest.
Ding, ding—
The clock tower rang, signaling the hour.
Diego stood up.
Ebony, still dazed, watched his perfectly sculpted figure.
“I’m leaving now, Ebony.”
He reached out his hand, the movement so natural.
“Ah, y-yes!”
She grabbed his calloused hand, feeling surprisingly accustomed to it.
That evening, Ebony was resting in her room when the door suddenly swung open.
Irene, in her nightgown, walked in waving.
She sat next to Ebony, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
“I heard you met His Grace today?”
“Yeah, we were reviewing business matters.”
“What kind of business?”
“Charity work. He said my skills could help the northern region, so—”
“Okay, that’s enough. No need to brag.”
Irene waved her hand dismissively.
“But did he mention me?”
“We were too busy talking about work…”
“Ugh, you should’ve brought me up if he didn’t!”
Irene stomped her foot in frustration.
“I wanted to, but I couldn’t just bring up someone he has no connection to.”
“No connection? We’re pen pals!”
“Did he reply to your letters?”
“Yes! I sent him one, and he wrote back! That means I must have caught his attention!”
Irene flipped her hair dramatically, crossing her arms with confidence.
“But then… what about Sir Atric?”
“Huh?”
“It doesn’t seem like you only respect His Grace.”
Irene looked momentarily flustered.
“…I already broke up with Philip long ago! How could I stay with a man who hurt my little sister?”
That was a lie.
Ebony had heard from Amy that Irene had recently met Philip in the flower garden.
She suppressed a smirk.
“You’re not still upset about that, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Good! We wouldn’t let a man ruin our sisterhood.”
Irene smiled sweetly, wrapping an arm around Ebony’s shoulders.
“So, help me get closer to His Grace, okay?”
“Of course. He is your first love, after all.”
Ebony lowered her head, hiding the expression on her face.
Irene didn’t even give her the chance to feel guilty.
