Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 60

Episode 60

Leonel picked up a raw strawberry and ate it with a face that asked what I was talking about.

“It’s sweet.”

…Alright. Everyone has different tastes.

“Anyway, I didn’t know, so responding to the invitation is a bit…”

In reality, there were people in the capital I didn’t want to meet. But Leonel was firm.

“Some inventions are accidental. Moreover, Archduke Landers sent a dress and a mask.”

“A mask?”

“We’re invited to a masquerade ball.”

A mask and a dress? Why would Lord Landers go to such lengths…?

Lost in heavy doubt, my head involuntarily tilted this way and that as I repeated the same action. Leonel, who had been staring at me as I did so, smiled lightly.

“Finish eating and come to my room.”

She hesitated for a moment while picking up a few strawberries. His tone felt strangely peculiar.

‘Why does he want me to come to his room?’

Flustered, I blinked my eyes, and Leonel added with a slight impression.

“Your dress and mask are in my room, so come and check.”

“You could send them to my room.”

“No. I’ll keep them.”

Why would he keep them when they’re mine?

Looking at him with a puzzled expression, Leonel’s eyes playfully flickered. 

Wait, playfully? As soon as I tilted my head, Leonel got up from his seat.

“It would be inconvenient if you sold them again.”

After briefly looking at me, he turned and left the dining room.

I stared blankly at Leonel’s retreating figure.

Is he joking with me right now? Was Leonel someone who would do that?

No way. He couldn’t be.

…Alright. He must have been worried that I might sell them again.

I shook off the thought and looked at my share of strawberries. I quickly picked them up to get rid of the lingering image of Leonel’s mischievous eyes.

Then, I got up from my seat.

‘If he wants me to come to his room, we should go together.’

I hesitated for a moment with a heavy heart, pursing my lips, and then shook my head.

No. I shouldn’t expect anything from Leonel. Let’s not ask for anything.

With determination, I went upstairs. When I lightly knocked on the door, it opened. 

As I entered, I saw a large box that covered the sofa table.

“Is this the dress sent by the Archduke?”

Leonel nodded, gesturing to the butler.

Upon his signal, the servants came and opened the box. Inside was a pale yellow dress.

Even without unfolding it, you could see the rich white lace adorned from the shoulders to the chest. I found myself admiring the splendid embroidery and couldn’t help but exclaim.

“It’s really beautiful, and, um… quite extravagant.”

Leonel chuckled briefly. The butler standing nearby turned his head sharply toward Leonel, then stared at him in astonishment for a while.

Leonel frowned slightly as he caught the butler’s gaze and then locked eyes with me.

“Do you have suitable jewelry?”

I shook my head, and he nodded as if he had expected that.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Is jewelry really necessary?”

“Because many people judge and ignore others based on such things.”

“I’m fine without it.”

“I’m not. I can’t let my estate manager be ignored.”

The mention of “estate manager” made my skin prickle uncomfortably. Leonel’s gaze brushed against my cheek. When I averted my eyes, a brief silence hung in the air.

Leonel changed the topic.

“Try it on.”

I nodded in agreement, knowing it needed to be tailored to fit me. 

I followed the somewhat content-looking butler into the adjacent room. The maids helped me change into the dress and adjusted it to fit perfectly. After the final touch-ups, I returned to the room where Leonel was waiting.

“So when are we leaving?”

“In a week.”

The capital wasn’t too far, so it would only take three or four days by carriage. Besides, there was no need for an estate manager to ride in a carriage as grand as the Duke’s when traveling to the capital. 

Or was there? No, there couldn’t be, right?

* * *

It was a misunderstanding. 

A week later, when I dressed comfortably to depart for the capital and went to the foyer, there stood a large and splendid carriage.

“I’ll ride in the same carriage with the servants.”

“No.”

No? What do you mean, no? There’s no room for me. Is this for real?

I gave Leonel a puzzled look, and he chuckled softly, reaching out as if to escort me.

“The guards and servants will ride on horseback.”

Ride on horseback for a journey that takes three days? I looked at our group with surprise.

There were about seven guards, but the number of servants was minimal. Only one servant to attend to Leonel and Mary. 

There was a baggage carriage at the back, but it was an incredibly modest group. It made me wonder if the Duke could travel like this.

As I watched silently, I heard Leonel’s voice.

“If you insist on riding, I won’t stop you.”

He knew I couldn’t ride a horse. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes, like a spark of playfulness.

Lately, he had been strangely friendly. Could it be because I treated his throat injury last time? My feelings were getting unnecessarily complicated.

‘I thought he said not to confuse him. But who’s the one confusing?’

Grumbling to myself, I briefly glared at him before folding my arms. Then, I used all my strength to lower his hand and entered the carriage alone, taking big strides.

Despite declining the escort, Leonel didn’t say anything. He sat in the center of the carriage when we got inside. The carriage was spacious, and I could avoid awkwardly facing each other by sitting close to the window.

“Let’s depart.”

The carriage rattled slightly and began to move. Sitting in the carriage all day, staring at books or similar things, was pure torture. I was getting fidgety and uncomfortable. My rear end hurt.

Twisting my body in various directions, I glanced at Leonel. He was reading a report with the same demeanor as when we departed.

“Do you have anything to say?”

Sensing my gaze, Leonel put down the documents.

“No, just bored.”

He chuckled briefly and handed me a stack of papers.

“You won’t be bored if you work.”

I gave him an annoyed look, and Leonel burst into laughter.

The stoic expression that seemed thicker than a city wall crumbled right in front of me. My gaze went to the corners of his mouth, where his smile was more refreshing than I expected.

I sat in a daze for a while before discreetly pinching my thigh to snap out of it.

“Even if you laugh like that, I’m not going to work.”

“Regrettable.”

Leonel spoke with a nonchalant expression, showing no signs of regret.

It seemed he had no real intention of assigning me work. I leaned back against the seat, feeling relieved, but Leonel suddenly brought up a topic.

“I plan to mass-produce the fatigue recovery tonic you invented and sell it.”

The Archduke must have tried it and seen its effects, prompting him to contact me. Even if the rumor hadn’t spread yet, it would likely do so after the upcoming masquerade. With that, I could potentially make a significant amount of money.

I could also use the funds to expand the town’s size within my territory. Of course, that would mean assisting Leonel.

“What if I refuse?” 

“You don’t have the option to refuse. But as the business progresses, I’ll ensure you get your share.”

I had expected as much. He wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this. While I didn’t mind the money, I didn’t want Leonel to succeed. Was there any excuse I could use?

“But I don’t know how to manufacture the tonic.”

“The ranch keeper has already handed over the recipe and agreed to share the profits.”

When did he ask? I should have kept that from Frer. 

No, it didn’t matter. Given that few people in the estate knew how to handle tonics, he probably knew already.

Besides, the ranch keeper wouldn’t have much opportunity to make a substantial profit, so there was no reason for him to refuse.

“Do you think the fatigue recovery tonic will sell well?”

“We’ll find out once we try.”

Leonel resumed reading his documents after I agreed, and he seemed determined to proceed with the business no matter what I did. 

Well, let’s just get it over with. I could participate and try to find a way to interfere! Even if it failed, at least there would be money left, so it wouldn’t be too bad.

“Alright.”

Leonel nodded in satisfaction, and silence fell again. We continued to travel without much conversation, except for brief pauses to eat.

On the first day, we were hosted by the lord of a nearby town. The accommodations were comfortable, but being in an unfamiliar place, I woke briefly in the early morning. 

As always, light seeped from beneath Leonel’s door, making it seem like he was having trouble sleeping in the unfamiliar surroundings.

I contemplated striking up a conversation but realized I had nothing to say. Instead of sitting awkwardly, I decided to take a walk.

‘Maybe some movement will help me fall asleep?’

I briefly explored the garden and returned, finding the light still on in his room. In my semi-drowsy state, I entered my assigned room and fell asleep.

The next morning, after a morning meal, I climbed into the carriage. Leonel looked even more tired than the day before.

“You didn’t sleep again?” 

Leonel seemed like he was about to say something, half-opening his mouth before shaking his head. He closed his eyes and leaned against the seat. His forehead furrowed, and his eyebrows dipped.

I knew that expression all too well. It was the one he wore when he became sensitive. 

‘Maybe I shouldn’t start a conversation today.’

I clenched my lips shut and looked out the window or read a book.

Leonel remained silent for a long time. He didn’t seem to have fallen asleep, as his back and neck remained stiff.

‘Come to think of it, when I went to give him the tonic last time, he was leaning against the couch like that.’

Then, it occurred to me what the butler had said. Leonel had stopped monitoring other people and had trouble sleeping afterward. 

Why did he have trouble sleeping when he stopped monitoring others? Was it so shocking to be betrayed by a lover?

If that’s the case, he should just work. He looked fine when he was busy with tasks.

“Don’t worry about it.”

Leonel said abruptly as if he had sensed my gaze. Maybe I had been staring too blatantly. 

I tried to hide my embarrassment by acting nonchalantly.

“How can I not worry?” 

He was openly sulking, and even if there were a sickly donkey right in front of me, I’d still be concerned.

As I muttered to myself, our eyes suddenly met. His reddened pupils were exposed, and our gazes locked. Frustration filled my stare as I looked straight at him, and he raised his arm to cover his face. 

His lips beneath his arm were tightly sealed, then they slowly parted.

“Don’t worry about it.”

He said again, this time in a dull and flat tone, unlike his earlier sharpness.

His voice carried the weight of exhaustion, and it almost sounded like he was pleading. It was a tone I had never heard from him before, and it left me startled.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Leonel didn’t respond.