Chapter 19
“Since the Duchess arrived, His Highness has changed a lot. He has become more humane, I suppose.”
“That sounds like it could be misunderstood.”
“But it’s true, isn’t it? He used to have no expression, just quietly working all the time…”
I rested my chin on my hand and looked at him.
“I envy His Highness. It’s nice to have someone who thinks like that.”
“You don’t need to envy.”
“I don’t really have anyone like that.”
“The Duke’s side is also your side, Duchess. So, even if the Emperor comes here, you don’t need to worry. Nothing bad will happen.”
“You take a while to get to the point.”
I smiled. For the first time, I was receiving a favor with no strings attached, and the thought that I had someone on my side made me feel strange.
“We also welcome the Duchess. So, don’t feel pressured to overdo anything for us.”
“Thank you.”
I truly meant it. It felt warm inside, like they really accepted me.
“Then, please rest. No matter what happens, we will protect the Duchess, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Well, I wasn’t worried about that, but I’ll accept your kindness.”
Aiden slightly blushed and scratched the back of his head. He seemed a little embarrassed.
“By the way, Cavendish mentioned something else about the royal family.”
“What is it?”
“Princess Isabel’s marriage has been arranged.”
“A marriage, huh? Father is quick to act.”
“The groom is the king of Narnkas. It seems like she’s being forced into it for diplomatic reasons.”
“Thanks for telling me.”
Why did she get involved in someone else’s business?
This is why meddling isn’t good.
Isabel probably avoided marrying Cedric, but in the end, this was the worst possible outcome.
Feeling uncomfortable, I thought about writing a letter to Isabel and stood up from my seat.
“I thought something felt off with how quiet everything is.”
If my father was coming, I would talk to him, but we weren’t on close terms. If he was coming to find the divine beast, he’d be too busy to have a proper conversation anyway.
“I have to send Zeno somewhere soon.”
Once I started feeling uneasy, anxiety flooded in uncontrollably.
But I couldn’t move from where I stood. In the distance, I saw a carriage cutting through the white snow, heading toward the Duke’s residence.
“Why does everything always happen all at once?”
I should have realized earlier when everything seemed too peaceful. There’s no way something this lucky would happen to me, so why did I feel relieved?
There was no one coming to find Cedric. If anyone were coming, it could only be one person.
As I thought about it, something felt off.
“…Father said he would come in a week?”
There were still about four days until the day Cedric mentioned.
If it was my father, he wouldn’t come on an unscheduled day.
Suddenly, I thought of someone. Someone I didn’t want to see and hoped would never appear again.
Isabel.
In the end, she came to meet Cedric.
As the carriage got closer, my suspicions grew stronger. The royal seal on it confirmed it.
“Whoosh!”
I quickly signaled to the birds. A hawk flew overhead and responded.
“Please buy me some time…”
The bird I called flew straight toward the oncoming carriage. It would buy me just a little time.
It was too dangerous to call the animals. Isabel might notice the changes. So, I had to use whatever little power I had to stop her.
“Hurry, hurry…”
I ran straight toward Cedric’s office. I tripped and ruined my clothes, but I got up again. There wasn’t even time to feel the pain.
‘Zeno is still at the Duke’s residence.’
If Isabel saw him, she’d immediately notice. And then, she’d realize the contract we had.
Everything would fall apart.
‘I must not let her discover my powers.’
If my abilities were exposed, I’d end up trapped in the same cage again.
The snow was deep, and my legs sank with each step. But I kept running. Today, I found myself resenting the vast Duke’s estate.
Bang.
I panted heavily, my face a mess and soaked in sweat.
I barely managed to grab the office door, still out of breath, and looked up.
Cedric and Zeno stared at me, shocked.
“Gasp… Zeno…”
I could barely catch my breath and waved my hand. Zeno lazily walked over to me.
“Moon.” (What’s wrong? Your face is all red.)
“We need to leave quickly.”
“Claire, what’s going on?”
Cedric stood up from his chair. It was no surprise he was shocked since I had barged in without knocking.
“I’ll call the guards immediately.”
“No, no. It’s not an attack, I was just running quickly…”
Cedric approached me, checking my condition. He saw my pale face and grimaced, wiping the sweat from my forehead. He then sat me on the sofa and checked my scraped knee.
“I’ll call the doctor immediately.”
“I can treat this later, it’s fine. But this isn’t the time. Zeno, now!”
Zeno, sensing something was wrong, stood on edge and took a few steps back, looking suspicious.
“Woof, woof!” (She’s here.)
Zeno quickly ran to hide under the desk.
It was clear Isabel was near. She’d probably burst in through the door any second, and to hide the divine beast under the desk, the only option was to distract her.
Even if I tried to hide its presence, she would likely sense something, so I had to make sure she focused on something else.
“Looks like an uninvited guest is arriving,” Cedric said, his gaze shifting from me to the desk.
I immediately grabbed his face and said,
“Cedric, only look at me from now on. Don’t look anywhere else. We have to deceive Isabel, so please understand.”
I pulled his face closer, and while sitting precariously on the sofa, I ended up in his arms, narrowing the distance between us.
I looked between Cedric and the closed door, then put a finger to my lips.
“Shh. Cedric, Isabel is quick to notice. We need to act convincingly.”
“…Understood.”
The situation felt ridiculous, but I had no choice. I couldn’t get Zeno out in time, so I had to hide him without being seen.
I knew Zeno had already hidden under Cedric’s desk.
“I’m good at acting,” Cedric said with a slight smile.
He fixed my messy hair and wiped the sweat from my face, then suddenly lifted me in his arms and moved me from the sofa to the desk.
He straightened my disheveled clothes.
“Isn’t this more like a game of tag than a play? You’re the one being chased, and Isabel, who’s coming, is probably the one hunting.”
“…You’re right.”
“It feels like a game. If I win this game, what will you do for me?”
“Anything! I’ll do whatever Cedric wants!”
“Don’t forget those words.”
He swept the papers off the desk with his hand and bent down.
“C-Cedric?”
“I’m trying to protect you from the ‘chaser,’ just like you said.”
It felt like he was serious.
Seeing him smile as he closed his eyes, I wrapped my hand around his neck, ignoring the tension in my chest.
Then—
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock echoed.
“Your Highness, there’s a guest.”
“Come in.”
With those words, Cedric pulled me closer, holding my waist, acting like he was about to kiss me.
The butler opened the door, and upon seeing us, he was stunned.
“I-I’m so sorry! Please come out when you’re ready!”
The butler quickly turned around, stuttering, but Cedric didn’t take his eyes off me, smiling gently.
“I told you not to disturb me when I’m in my office.”
“I didn’t see anything.”
The butler hurriedly tried to close the door.
I turned my head, smiling reassuringly as I watched the door close. It seemed Isabel was waiting downstairs.
‘Thank goodness.’
Just as I breathed a sigh of relief, the door opened again.
Through the gap, I saw the flutter of a lavish skirt. Then, a delicate hand grabbed the door, and Isabel entered, smiling brightly.
“What could be more important than the Princess visiting?”
She spoke in a cheerful voice, totally unaware, then quickly covered her mouth in surprise.
“Oh my, did I come too suddenly?”
Isabel appeared without any sign of awkwardness, her smile wide and innocent.
Without hesitation, she continued to watch me and Cedric.
At her words, Cedric narrowed his eyes and said,
“As you can see, I’m feeling a little disturbed.”
Cedric tightened his grip around my waist. His rough voice seemed to reflect his dry emotions.
