Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 64

Episode 64

“Come to think of it, I wasn’t able to meet Lord Landers.”

“I saw him briefly earlier. He seemed to be looking for you.”

I had hoped he would just extend the invitation and forget about it. But now I regretted it. Even so, if I just exchanged a brief greeting and returned to my room…

“As he left the hall, he asked us to attend the tea party with him tomorrow.”

It seemed that Lord Landers had already left the ballroom. Furthermore, he had invited me to the tea party.

‘No! I want to go back to the estate now.’

If only I could lie on the floor and beg to be sent home, I would. I clenched my lips and swallowed a sigh, but I heard Leonel’s laughter.

“So, if I just show my face and then leave, will your expression lighten up a bit?”

“What’s wrong with my expression?”

I might not know my expression, but I could certainly tell from his voice. It sounded so gloomy that it would make me feel depressed just by listening.

“You’re like a squirrel who lost its acorn.”

“Why is your metaphor always…”

“Always?”

“Never mind.”

“So, do you mind if I just show my face and then leave?”

“No! I mean, that’s fine. Please, do that.”

Leonel nodded his head.

The first song had finally ended.

It was only now that I realized I hadn’t stepped on Leonel’s feet at all. I sighed briefly, and then the prince, as if waiting for this moment, approached and extended his hand.

“Now that the prior agreement is over, may I have the second dance?”

I could grant it, but I didn’t want to. Maybe I should just pretend to faint?

As I contemplated this, I felt the fabric of my dress being stepped on. I wobbled as the force pulled me down, and Leonel quickly wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“Sorry, but as you can see, my partner is feeling a bit weak. We should save the second dance for another time.”

Well done, Leonel! I silently cheered for him. I wanted to get away from the clingy prince and the nobles who were gossiping about us.

Should I pretend to be in pain and lean on him? No, that would just be bad acting and lead to laughter.

Instead, I relaxed my body completely. Leonel supported me effortlessly.

The prince’s eyes were on me.

“That seems like a good idea.”

As the prince finished speaking, Leonel abruptly turned his body. I leaned on him and left the ballroom, and when the music faded into the distance, I let out a sigh of relief. I removed my mask and looked at Leonel.

He had also taken off his mask, his movements tinged with irritation as he undid the straps.

“Are you angry?”

“No.”

Well, he looked angry. It seemed to be because of the prince, objectively speaking. Although Leonel had initiated the dispute, it was common for anyone to get angry just from encountering certain people.

I wondered if the prince was one of those people for Leonel. In any case, before unnecessary sparks flew, I decided to head back to my room. I quickened my pace, and as I walked, I could see my room in the distance.

‘Good. Just a little more, and I can rest.’

I tried to walk past Leonel, who had stopped, but his voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Nelly.”

“Yes?”

“What did you talk about with Prince Adelhardt?”

He asked, and by opening the door to my room, Leonel made it clear that he expected me to answer.

‘I thought I could finally rest for a bit.’

With tears in my eyes, I followed Leonel into the room. He was already sitting on the couch, legs crossed. His raised left eyebrow and tightly closed lips seemed to reflect his mood.

Based on years of experience, I knew that telling the truth now would be better.

‘I’d better not lie. Getting caught could lead to a set of investigations, interrogations, and suspicions that I’d have to endure for a while.’

I sat down in front of Leonel for now.

“What did you talk about with Prince Adelhardt…?” 

I began to explain the conversation I had with him in as much detail as possible, leaving out the parts related to Leonel. This was an omission, not a lie. Whenever words like debt or temptation came up, Leonel’s face contorted, but thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice the omitted parts.

“So, he said he fell in love with me at first sight when I refused…”

Before I could finish my sentence, Leonel crumpled the mask he was holding in his hand like a piece of paper. His fiercely red eyes turned toward the mask before returning to me.

“Go on.”

I continued my story slowly, but my thoughts were in turmoil. Why is he getting angry? Where exactly did I make him angry? I thought I handled it pretty well, to be honest. I rolled my eyes, continuing to describe the invitation, dress, and mask.

“So, when I thanked him, he suggested that we meet seriously.”

“So? Are you planning to meet him?”

His expression and tone were calm, but his gaze was ominous. The mask in his hand was now unrecognizable.

“No! Why are you saying that?”

The mask fell from Leonel’s hand. His eyebrows, which had been raised in anger, had now returned to their normal position.

He lightly brushed his hand and placed it on his knee.

“Why not? Isn’t being a prince’s consort a decent proposition? Moreover, if he marries you, you will become the Crown Princess.”

Why is Leonel reacting like this? It was clear to anyone what the prince’s motives were. He was either trying to restrain Leonel or, for similar reasons, to use me. Everyone could see that, so why was Leonel thinking about me marrying the prince…?

I let out a bitter laugh, and Leonel touched his forehead.

“Aren’t you interested?”

“Not at all.”

Leonel looked at me intensely, as if trying to gauge my sincerity, and then he chuckled softly. I just couldn’t figure out why he was angry and why he suddenly calmed down. I thought I had a pretty good handle on his psychological changes, rolling around by his side.

“So why did you get so angry?” 

“I didn’t get angry.” 

I pointed to the object that had once been the mask with my finger. It was now a crumpled piece of black, thick paper screaming in agony as it rolled on the floor.

He looked at me closely, as if trying to gauge my true feelings, then smiled wryly.

“I don’t know. I just felt a bit annoyed.”

Annoyed enough to do this?

“But I really can’t figure out why.”

Leonel leaned back on the sofa, gazing at the ruined mask. Then he mumbled as if repeating the same phrase to himself.

“I don’t know why.”

* * *

‘I thought there wouldn’t be that many people at the tea party.’

Seven rectangular tables could easily accommodate ten people each. Even most of the tables were already full.

The royal family’s tea party is indeed grand in scale.

I stood there in a daze while Leonel walked over to the most splendid table at the front. His name was written on the seat next to the honored spot. My name tag was on the seat next to his.

I sat down and looked around.

“I can’t see the prince’s name.”

“Is that disappointing?”

I turned my head sharply to look at him. When our eyes met, Leonel let out a small laugh. It seemed like he was joking rather than genuinely asking. If he had asked seriously, I would have given him a disdainful look, but it was just a jest.

“I checked in advance. He said he’s busy and can’t attend.”

“Oh, I see.”

I replied indifferently because I wasn’t particularly interested. Leonel had a satisfied smile as if he knew something good. Then he furrowed his brow shortly after.

I don’t know what’s been on his mind since yesterday.

Judging by his shifting expressions and gaze, it seems like he’s thinking about something.

‘…It’s probably not because of me, so it doesn’t matter!’

Leaving Leonel lost in thought, I looked around. Some people were waving fans, looking in my direction, or exchanging glances. Fortunately, I didn’t see anyone I hoped to avoid.

Once, I encountered the woman who had rejected me when I left my uncle’s house and came up to the capital city. I had imagined countless times what it would be like to meet her, but when it happened, I was rendered speechless. As we stood there in silence, she pretended not to recognize me and walked past.

I had abandoned a good job opportunity and fled the capital city at that moment.

‘I thought a noble like her husband would be invited to a tea party in the capital. Could it be that she came here for a brief visit and coincidentally bumped into me?’

If that were the case, I had needlessly given up a good job opportunity. I thought I could endure it, but when I remembered her cold rejection, my heart ached.

I tried to push the memories away by running my hand through my hair. 

As I frowned, Leonel pushed a glass of water toward me. When I took the warm glass in my hand, I felt a little better.

“Are you not feeling well?”

“No, I’m fine.”

I replied, turning my head. His face looked a bit tired.

“Did you have trouble sleeping again?”

“I thought I might sleep better if I read a book and fell asleep… “

What a reason to borrow a book. I smiled faintly, and he followed suit.

“Maybe it was the carriage ride that made you sleep well? The steady motion of it, it’s almost like being in a cradle.”

He gazed at me with sleepy eyes, different from his usual expression. I felt oddly uneasy and averted my gaze to the glass in front of me.

“When we go back, make sure to get some rest.”

“…I will.”

The response came a beat late.

As our conversation lapsed into silence, a lady sitting across from us initiated a conversation.

“Your Grace, it seems you have a good rapport with your steward.”

Leonel simply nodded without saying anything. Just when the atmosphere was about to become awkward, a gentle voice chimed in.

“That’s right. They seem so comfortable with each other that it feels like they’re close.”

Dozens of people stood up and bowed, inclining their heads and bending their waists.

I was no exception. After a brief greeting and raising my head, I made eye contact with a middle-aged man with a kind face.

“Are you Nelly Pepper?”

“Yes. It’s an honor to meet you, Your Excellency.”

“The fatigue recovery tonic worked well. It was quite effective. Thanks to it, we were able to entertain the envoys without any problems.”

“I’m glad to hear that it was helpful.”

“I proposed a business venture to Leonel, and it might be a good opportunity for you too.”

A business proposal from Archduke Lander’s perspective?! Suddenly, my opinion of him plummeted. However, I maintained a polite smile and nodded respectfully.

Archduke Lander nodded in satisfaction and took his seat. He gestured to the people standing around him. Everyone else sat down, but Leonel remained standing.

I, too, stood up without thinking.

“Well, then, we will take our leave.”