“The lawsuit… is less than two months away now… Isn’t it?”
“……”
“Shall we get married quickly? Yes? if you want we can conduct a formal wedding later.”
The guy who had been having a normal conversation just moments ago suddenly started saying something crazy like that, which sent chills down my spine.
“Don’t speak nonsense.”
“But… I’m really worried about you, that’s why.”
“Haa.…”
How can the person who’s supposedly worried about me be the one putting me in a situation to worry about? Seriously, what kind of crazy person is this?
“I won’t marry you or anyone else for the rest of my life. How many times do I have to say this?”
“There’s no solution. Are you saying you’re going to marry that perverted count instead?”
“……”
“You better marry me, Clara. We can get engaged first.”
I hesitated for a moment. Wondering if I should tell him about Ludger and reveal the truth that I was about to get engaged.
But I hadn’t even signed a formal contract with him yet, and it hadn’t been made public.
No matter how angry I was with Gustav, I couldn’t say anything about something I hadn’t agreed on with Ludger.
I wanted to blurt out that it was none of his concern and tried to ignore him.
But the moment I turned around, a sharp knock rang out from somewhere.
“…..Who is it?”
“I came to look for Captain Clara. May I come in?”
I gasped for a moment, instantly recognizing the owner of the soft, beautiful voice.
Gustav allowed him to enter with a frown. Soon after, Ludger slowly appeared inside the medical room.
Dressed in a dark green and gray outfit, Ludger was, as always, a complete vision of elegance. Though, now was not the time to lose my composure over his appearance.
“I heard you were seriously injured yesterday. Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes. Thanks to your concern, I’m fine.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Then I think I’ll take Captain Clara with me. It looks like the work-related discussions are over, considering you’re having a private conversation.”
I couldn’t help but hold back the urge to squeeze my eyes shut.
It seemed he heard all that childish banter about marrying Gustav.
Seriously, I always end up in these situations because of this bastard..…
“…..Yes, that’s fine. However, I don’t think it’s very praiseworthy to listen to personal conversations and then make your own judgments.”
Gustav had the audacity to act condescending towards the Young Duke. Though it was bold of Ludger to eavesdrop on a private conversation and then assume that business was concluded.
Ludger responded with a cold smile.
“Well, it’s more of a lack of attention on your part, Sir Gustav, for having private conversations in a public place like this.”
“…..Yes. I will be careful in the future. But even if you overheard it, isn’t it only right to avoid causing any harm?”
“Why is that?”
“Well… I’m staying here and discussing something with Captain Clara. It has nothing to do with you, Your Highness.”
Just as I was about to feel offended by their wordings, Ludger firmly replied.
“What if it has something to do with me?”
“……Yes?”
“Sir Gustav is trying to flirt with my prospective fiancée… It seems like a very serious matter to me that I must intervene.”
I was momentarily startled and looked up at Ludger.
His expression was stone-cold, as if he were openly wary of Gustav.
“Your prospective… fiancée?”
“Yes.”
Ludger naturally took my hand. I was pulled along by his grip, a mix of surprise and embarrassment washing over me.
“I didn’t intend to burden Captain Clara with an early engagement…. but given the circumstances, I think we should hurry up and get engaged.”
“……”
“So I can’t just sit by and watch you talk nonsense about marriage and all that to my fiancée.”
Gustav’s face was completely contorted. He usually managed his expressions well, but it seemed like he had forgotten that, as his face was a mess of anger and frustration.
“…. Captain Clara Weyburn, is that true?”
There was a look of earnestness in his eyes, as if he wanted me to deny what Ludger was saying.
But I had no intention of denying it.
“It’s true.”
“What……!”
“So, from now on, don’t bother people with nonsense. It’s annoying.”
In an instant, a series of emotions flooded on Gustav’s face. Condemnation, denial, anger.
“Let’s go, Your Highness. The work here is finished.”
“Yeah, let’s depart.”
I pretended not to notice Gustav’s burning gaze as I walked out of the medical room with Ludger.
“…..You will regret it.”
An ominous voice rang out from behind, but that was none of my concern.
* * *
As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I quickly pulled my hand away from Ludger’s. After all, this was a workplace, and it would be troublesome if any private contact caught the attention of others.
“Shall we… head to the temporary office first? We can talk slowly there.”
“Yeah, let’s do what’s convenient for you, Young Duke.”
When I returned to the office, it seemed that Lan and Billy had already left for our office, as the room was empty. I relaxed a little and began flipping through the relevant documents.
“I’m requesting confirmation from the Treasure and Relics Management Office. There hasn’t been any result regarding the demonic creatures yet, but since we’ve urgently requested an investigation from the Mage Tower, something should come up by evening. If there’s anything else you need to confirm, I’ll contact you again.”
“……”
Ludger looked at me intently as he received the documents, then opened his mouth.
“…… Okay, let’s make sure this part goes smoothly without any issues.”
“Yes, please.”
“I…….”
I could see the tension in his fingers as he held the documents. He lowered his gaze slightly and asked softly.
“…..Was I being reckless?”
“Pardon?”
“What I said to Sir Gustav.”
“Ah…….”
It perhaps could be seen as reckless depending on the situation, but it didn’t feel that way to me.
In the first place, I kept my mouth shut because I hadn’t come to an agreement with Ludger, but I, too, had been debating whether or not to bring up the engagement.
“No. I was also debating whether or not I should tell Gustav, but since I hadn’t discussed the timing of the announcement with the Young Duke… I just felt hesitant about bringing it up.”
“……”
“Honestly, it was a very annoying situation, but the Young Duke came at the right time and saved me.”
“Sir Gustav has always…. seemed to have a very personal interest in Sir Clara.”
Ludger squinted his eyes slightly. Maybe it was his mood, but he looked somewhat displeased.
“It’s not personal interest, more like just some old, tacky grudge.”
“But for something like that……”
“……?”
“It seems like he even knows about your difficulties with marriage. Like how you have to marry against your will because of your family arrangements.”
“Ah…….”
I realized what Ludger had misunderstood. Since I had never explained my bad relationship with Gustav to Ludger neither his cockroach-like secret activities, he must have thought I had shared my personal circumstances with him.
“That’s not it. I never told Gustav about it. Rather… .”
“Rather?”
“I think the one who is behind it…. is Gustav.”
Since there was no solid evidence, I explained the situation using a somewhat defensive tone.
As soon as my brother, Count Rudleman, showed up, Gustav immediately mentioned it and started making a fuss.
Of course, it was also possible that Gustav found out about it ‘by chance’, but it seemed more likely that he intentionally provoked Viscount Rudelman to stir things up.
As I continued speaking, Ludger’s expression worsened. I hastily added,
“Ah! Of course, since there’s no solid evidence, it might just be an unfounded guess… but, you know, it’s a method he has always enjoyed using.”
“…..Since when?”
“Yes. That… well… this might sound like a delusion on my part, but… it’s really true!”
Ludger leaned forward, meeting my eyes, and spoke clearly.
“Why would you think I would consider that a delusion?”
“Everyone… has thought that way… And, Your Highness, you don’t have any reason to trust me either.”
“……”
Ludger whispered with a dark expression.
“Yeah, it’s true we’re a bit suspicious of each other, and we don’t completely trust one another.”
“……”
“But at least, I trust Clara Weyburn more than Gustav Mayr. Absolutely.”
His hand slowly cupped my cheek.
“So, don’t worry. Take your time, take a deep breath.”
“Ah…….”
It was only then did I realize that I had been unconsciously holding my breath, that I might be ‘doubted’, just like before.
“I’m sorry. I’ll try to speak calmly and rationally.”
I couldn’t afford to be overly emotional, and I should be logical. When dealing with matters involving Gustav, that was always the way to approach it if I wanted to at least salvage something.
How foolish it was to know that and still be momentarily caught up in fragments of the past.
‘… But I was scared.’
I thought it would be unbearable if none other than Ludger Kassen shook his head at my words and accused me of being excessively suspicious of Gustav without any basis.
“It’s okay. Just speak freely. You don’t have to try so hard to be formal.”
“……Yes.”
“Of course, you don’t have to force yourself to explain if you don’t want to. However…”
Ludger’s light green eyes had grown the coldest I had ever seen them.
“If possible, I would like to hear what you mean by ‘Gustav Mayr has enjoyed harassing you for a long time’….”
