I Taught You Carefully, So Why Are You Obsessed?

“What are you suddenly talking about?” 

Kyle asked, bewildered. His red eyes blinked rapidly, as if he couldn’t quite understand why I was asking out of the blue.

“Last time we visited the imperial capital, Her Majesty the Emperor played a mischievous prank on us with that magic.”

“Ah, you mean transformation magic. Yes, I can do that. But why do you ask?”

“Why else would I ask? I want you to use that magic on the Duke and me tomorrow, that’s why I’m asking.”

“…All of a sudden?”

Kyle, who had been staring at me suspiciously, seemed to calm down once he realized it was me asking, not Ian. 

He nodded, now more composed.

“Well… if it’s not His Grace but you asking, I suppose you have a good reason. You wouldn’t be asking me to play the role of a clean-up crew….”

Mumbling to himself, he added, 

“Do you have a specific appearance in mind? Transformation magic usually requires a model, but since you’re asking just before heading to Marisen, I assume you don’t intend to impersonate anyone?”

“That’s right. I’d prefer a completely new person.”

“Then I’ll tailor it as best I can. Please describe what you have in mind.”

I nodded and thought for a moment. “Hmm… let’s see… someone who looks immature… a nouveau riche?”

“Pardon?”

Kyle didn’t even try to hide his astonishment. I offered a friendly explanation.

“You know what I mean. Someone who seems utterly lacking in manners, acts recklessly, and is arrogant and brash.”

“A princess?”

“Watch it, that’s treason.”

Kyle cleared his throat and looked away when I spoke in a mock-serious tone.

“But really, what sort of plan are you cooking up to ask for something like this? I trust you, Your Grace, but….”

“If you say that with a face like you’re about to die from anxiety, it’s not convincing.”

I raised an eyebrow as I spoke, and Kyle averted his gaze awkwardly.

“And just so you know, this isn’t just for me. It applies to the Duke as well.”

Kyle flinched, visibly startled.

“…Your Grace.”

“Yes?”

“Do you… hold some kind of grudge against me?”

His crimson eyes darted around in confusion as he stared at me.

“Is this about the incident with Duke Roger? Maybe you’re still upset about that, and now you want to use His Grace’s hands to get rid of me?”

“As if.”

I answered calmly, and Kyle shuddered, rubbing his arms as if chilled.

“If I cast such ridiculous magic, I’m sure His Grace wouldn’t let me off easily.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes.”

Kyle nodded so fervently it looked like his head might fall off. I hummed thoughtfully, resting my chin on my hand.

“But still… what can you do?”

“Excuse me?”

“Endure it.”

It’s not my problem.

“If you have the guts to serve your masters, you should’ve anticipated this much.”

Kyle’s face fell apart in despair.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

Morning came quickly. Vivi entered my room early to help me get ready, chatting away.

“But Madam, where are you going this time? You’re only taking the master and Kyle with you, no other servants… and you’re not even using a carriage.”

“Are you upset I’m not taking you?”

“No! What are you saying? How could I be upset about something like that?”

Despite her vehement denial, the way she kept glancing at me made it clear she felt a little disappointed. Well, I have taken her with me everywhere lately.

“I have my reasons. I’ll be back soon. It’s not like I’m going to run away.”

At my casual remark, Vivi flinched.

“Run away? Madam, come on. His Grace is going with you, after all….”

“Exactly.”

There was something else I had learned over the past few days. 

A year ago, when Eloise tried to step down as duchess and leave, not only did society gossip about it, but even the staff of the duchy, except for Ian, seemed to know.

‘The fact that Ian remains oblivious is quite remarkable.’

Of course, the staff were apparently trying their hardest to pretend they didn’t know, so it seemed difficult to dig any deeper into the matter. 

Narrowing my eyes, I subtly glanced at Vivi before turning my gaze to the mirror in front of me.

“Anyway, don’t be too upset, Vivi.”

“I’m not upset, really! But if this outing is a secret romantic getaway for the two of you, maybe ‘run away’ is the right word….”

“Stop saying weird things.”

“Y-yes.”

Looking downcast, Vivi tied the ribbon at the back of my dress and took a step back.

“All done, Madam.”

Then, with a worried expression, she added, “I prepared everything according to your instructions, but… do you really think this will work?”

“Why, don’t you like it?”

“No, it’s quite the opposite. You naturally exude such elegance, Madam, that even in these clothes, it’s hard to hide your beauty.”

Vivi’s face was serious. I snorted.

“Flattery.”

“I’m serious! It’s a masterpiece by Madame Zed in a different way, but it seems even she couldn’t match your beauty, Madam.”

Last night, I asked Vivi to prepare an outfit that looked like it belonged to a rich person with no fashion sense. 

And this morning, what she brought was a two-piece skirt that was the epitome of tackiness—bright yellow fabric with hot pink polka dots so garish they hurt my eyes.

Of course, this bizarre dress was none other than Madame Zed’s work. According to Vivi, after receiving the urgent request, Madame Zed had stayed up all night to make it.

“Madame Zed said she worked through the night because it was for you, Madam, but apparently, she collapsed afterward.”

“It’s not from exhaustion, is it?”

“No. This is what she asked me to deliver to you this morning.”

Vivi cleared her throat, then imitated Madame Zed by raising her eyebrows and cupping her cheeks with both hands.

“I deeply respect the Duchess… but I never want to make such trash ever again, Vivi!”

“Haha.”

Poor Madame Zed. Seeing the kind of outfit I had to wear, I kind of understood her.

Feeling a strange sense of guilt, I finished getting ready and headed downstairs. 

Instead of taking the carriage, we were planning to use Kyle’s teleportation circle to head to Marisen today.

As expected, Kyle was already waiting at the lobby entrance, dressed in his white travel robe. 

When he saw me coming down the stairs, his jaw dropped. His reaction wasn’t one of admiration but rather shock.

“D-Duchess?”

“How is it?”

“You really went all out.”

Yes, it’s otherworldly in its tackiness.

With a casual shrug, I glanced at Ian, who was adjusting his sleeves. Unlike my outrageous outfit, he was dressed more modestly than usual, similar to when we went to the night market.

As I approached and stood in front of him, he lifted his head and looked at me. His face scrunched up ever so slightly.

‘Here it is, the patented “are you out of your mind” look.’

His eyes scanned me from top to bottom, the gaze as dry as could be.

At moments like this, I had to wonder if this man was really the one who confessed to me. Ignoring his judgmental gaze, I shamelessly shrugged my shoulders.

“How do I look in this outfit?” I asked playfully.

His eyes flicked from my skirt to meet mine. After a brief pause, he finally spoke.

“Is this a situation where I’m supposed to tell a white lie, or be honest?”

His tone implied that if I had a specific intention, he’d go along with it.

‘So, even as a courtesy, he can’t give me genuine praise.’

I chuckled at how typically Ian that was. Normally, I’d have scolded him, saying a white lie was obviously in order, but today I was curious about how he’d react.

I grinned mischievously. “Can’t I have both?”

“Both?”

Ian looked at me in disbelief, as if he couldn’t figure out my intentions, but to my surprise, he nodded obediently.

“…Alright.”

“You’re surprisingly compliant.”

“I told you, I’m trying to be the man you like.”

Then why did he just give me that incredulous once-over?

Momentarily sighing at the thought that people don’t fundamentally change, I quickly broke into a smile again.

“Okay then, start with the white lie.”

“As always, you’re beautiful. Today as well.”

He replied immediately, without even a change in his expression, his tone as calm as ever.

I was the one caught off guard by that.

‘Maybe he has changed a little?’

How could he say something like that so casually?

Blinking in surprise at his unexpected comment, I finally came to my senses and shivered slightly. For some reason, my ears felt warm.

“Ahem. And the honest opinion?”

He tilted his head slightly. His answer came even faster this time.

“I love you, not because I’ve lost my eyesight.”

…There it is.

♧♧♧

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