Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 63

Episode 63

I should probably just walk away.

“Do you know who I am?”

“Yes.”

How can he tell when I’m covering my face?

I forced a smile, briefly made eye contact, and turned in a different direction. However, the man persisted.

“You rejected my invitation so coldly, but you’re here at the masquerade ball. It’s disappointing.”

“I think you must be mistaken about someone else.”

Unfortunately, I had never outright rejected an invitation. Moreover, I didn’t usually receive invitations from anyone.

The latter part stung a bit, but it was the truth.

So, maybe he laughed earlier just because he mistook me for someone else.

Thinking that I should understand with a generous heart, I stopped and faced him. Laughter was mixed in the man’s voice.

“I haven’t mistaken you for someone else.”

“I haven’t been invited.”

“I thought it was a memorable first encounter, but you’ve completely forgotten.”

A memorable first encounter? I tilted my head, and the man took a step closer.

“I once chased after my purse.”

“You must be truly mistaken. I never resorted to theft even during my hard times.”

“It’s not a mistake. I looked at your face closely, and there’s no way it could be a mistake.”

“…Then, tell me who I am.”

“Then please give me your ear for a moment.”

The man came closer. As I stepped back, on guard, the man stopped.

Since the surroundings are noisy, he could speak softly nearby or move toward the wall. Is it really necessary to whisper?

When I squinted and looked at him, the man suddenly burst into laughter.

“It seems like you’ve even caught a case of paranoia by being by his side.”

The word “paranoia” triggered a memory of Leonel.

Leonel, the purse, the invitation?

The three words clicked together like pieces of a puzzle. With that, the only person who had invited me, which I had completely forgotten until a moment ago, came to mind.

‘Prince Adelhardt?’

I opened my mouth but quickly shut it. It would be considered impolite to reveal one’s identity at the masquerade ball.

Instead, I expressed my objection as politely as possible.

“That was my purse. It was even my entire fortune.”

“Now you remember.”

How could I think of the prince just because he mentioned our first encounter as memorable? 

I was wearing a mask now, and back then, I had my face hidden under a hood. I had heard his voice, but it was just a few words. Moreover, his tone was different; it wasn’t this polite back then. 

I grumbled to myself, but the prince suddenly spoke again.

“Do you remember that I saved you from danger?”

“Oh! Yes. At that time, I was too flustered to express my gratitude. Thank you for your help.”

“You owe me a debt.”

Seriously? It’s our first proper conversation, and he wants to bring up a debt just like that. I felt like it might become bothersome if we delved into this, rather than expressing gratitude.

“It doesn’t feel like a debt to me, especially since you were threatening my purse.”

“Isn’t life more important than money?”

His playful tone was irritating. But he was right, and I couldn’t argue with that.

“You’re right. Life is more important.”

“Then, would you do me a favor?”

“What kind of favor?”

“It’s not difficult.”

The decision is up to me. As I stared at him intently, he spoke up.

“I’d like to have a cup of tea and a chat with you, just the two of us. Is that too much to ask?”

It wasn’t difficult. However, since he had threatened my purse, I planned to only agree to about half of it.

“How about a drink instead of tea?”

There was a brief silence. The prince chuckled so softly that it was almost inaudible. Despite the mask, his discomfort was palpable. He had laughed heartily earlier; something must not have suited his taste.

I should just accept the prince’s request, have half a drink, and leave if I don’t like it.

But when I was about to suggest having tea instead, the prince approached.

“You’re more proactive than I thought. Very well.”

His tone was sweet, but there was no warmth in his voice. I gestured for him to follow.

As I led the way to the terrace, I grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing server carrying a tray.

I pushed the terrace door open with my foot, as the curtain wasn’t drawn. The prince tilted his head but held the door for me.

As soon as we entered, I offered him a glass of champagne.

“Here’s the drink.”

The prince accepted the champagne with a surprised expression.

Since he was wearing a mask, I couldn’t see his expression. But there must be a reason he wants to see me alone.

Considering that Leonel and he didn’t seem to get along, I should not get involved.

I downed the champagne in one go.

“One drink and that’s it! I’ve settled the debt, so I’ll be on my way. Thank you once again for your help.”

And before the prince could stop me, I tried to make a swift exit from the terrace.

“Hahaha!”

A loud laugh erupted from behind me. Startled, I turned around, and the prince quickly reached out to close the curtain and block the door. I was left with no choice but to face the prince.

Prince Adelhardt took a step back, still chuckling.

“I thought you were trying to tempt me into having a drink.”

“No.”

Oops. I sounded too serious. I belatedly tried to curl up the corners of my mouth a bit, but it still felt awkward to me.

“In that case, I’ll be going.”

“Do you think there’s a need to run away?”

“As you know, the Duke is very suspicious.”

“Then how about coming to a place where you can trust more?”

So that was his purpose! I had been wondering why he kept lingering, but now it all made sense.

“Why the smile? Does that mean you accept?”

“No.”

I got serious again, and the prince’s head tilted ever so slightly to the side before returning to its original position.

“Why not?”

“I have things to do.”

“Whatever it is, I’m sure I can be more helpful than Leonel.”

“No, that’s not possible.”

“You’re very resolute, aren’t you? You can’t guarantee how things will turn out in life.”

“I can guarantee it. It’s something that only Leonel can do.”

What’s the point without a target for revenge?

The conversation came to a sudden halt, and it felt like the atmosphere had dived.

I wanted to read the prince’s expression, but all I could see were his transparent sky-blue eyes. The prince looked at me intently and then poured the champagne over the garden railing. I had expected him to lift his mask and drink, so this was a bit surprising.

“How about forming a connection differently?” 

The prince approached me, leaving the champagne glass on the railing. His cold fingertips brushed my cheek as he did.

“I’ve been hiding it, but I’m quite interested in Miss Nelly.”

“Is this a joke?”

“Of course not. I fell in love at first sight.”

This guy was lying without batting an eye. His behavior was suspicious. If I got involved, it would surely lead to trouble.

I tried to shake him off quickly and make my way to Leonel, but the prince locked eyes with me and kissed the back of my hand slowly. It didn’t feel like much since it only touched my mask.

“I also requested an invitation for Miss Nelly from Archduke Landers and chose a dress and mask carefully, all because I fell in love at first sight.”

“Well… thank you.”

“If you’re thankful, how about meeting me in earnest?”

I couldn’t just casually thank him; I was too scared! I felt like my lips might curl up involuntarily, so I tightened my cheeks and cautiously pulled my hand away.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”

He looked at me intently. Even though his mask hid his face, it seemed like he was asking why I was refusing.

“You didn’t even take a sip of the drink I gave you. I’m not that naive to trust someone who won’t show their face and doesn’t drink my offered wine.”

The entrance to the terrace was covered by curtains, so no one could see his face, yet he never took off his mask.

Even if he had taken off the mask, there was no intention to socialize with him.

“Well then, excuse me.”

This time, I quickly left before the prince could stop me. I heard what sounded like a sigh from behind, but I didn’t turn around.

I was exhausted; I hadn’t had a proper rest, and I had come to the masquerade ball immediately without any relaxation. The unnecessary conversation had made me tense.

I wanted to go back as soon as possible and rest. As I blinked my eyes slowly, I felt someone standing next to me.

When I turned my head, I saw a white mask.

‘Why did he follow me even after I declined? Is this prince more persistent than I thought?’

I leaned back slightly and glared at him. But this time, he stood in front of me.

“Would you like to dance?”

His laughter was particularly loud, and it seemed to have given away his identity, as the nobles around us glanced in our direction.

Dancing with the prince at a masquerade… I had never dreamed of such a thing, even when I was seven!

I wanted to run away. I wanted to go back to my room and lie down on the incredibly soft bed.

How could I politely decline so that it would become a rumor that I had declined well? I was silently pondering when a voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Sorry, but she already has a prior agreement.”

It was Leonel. We didn’t have a close relationship either, but he was a better choice than that persistent prince. At least I could step on his toes as much as I pleased.

I could dance without stepping on anyone’s toes, but it was a rare opportunity, so I planned to step on as many as possible.

“That’s right, a prior agreement.”

“Excuse me.”

Leonel cast a glance at the prince, his eyes tinged with a hint of sarcasm and then escorted me to the dance floor.

I turned back briefly and spoke softly enough for him to hear.

“The one from earlier, he’s the prince.”

“I know.”

“But can I use informal language with him?”

Leonel chuckled lightly and placed his arm around my back. I rested my hand on his shoulder and clasped his other hand.

“I heard laughter several times.”

“He seems to laugh a lot. Looks like he enjoys life.”

“…His laughter is somewhat forced.”

Was it appropriate to describe the prince’s laughter as forced? I briefly wondered about it, but it didn’t matter. People even curse at the king when he’s not present.

Of course, I wouldn’t do that!

“I saw you last time, and it seemed like you didn’t get along.”

“Not at the moment. When we were young, the three of us used to get along well…”

Leonel’s voice was tinged with a wistful longing.

Who was the third person among them? Given the way he spoke, it seemed like he had been quite close to the prince. Why had they grown apart?

Curiosity surged within me, but I kept my lips sealed. Even if music and noise covered our conversation, it didn’t seem like an appropriate topic to bring up in a crowded place.