Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 68

Episode 68

The atmosphere inside the carriage was quite different from when they were heading towards the capital.

Unlike Nelly, who tried her best not to look at Leonel, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

His gaze lingered on her tousled hair for a moment before shifting to her cheeks. When he recalled how soft they had felt, Leonel’s fingertips tingled.

He restrained the urge to touch.

Instead, he occasionally blinked his eyes heavily and looked at her dry lips.

Unable to endure his persistent gaze, Nelly nervously touched her flushed ear and asked, fidgeting.

“Do you have something to say?”

There was nothing to say. He was just watching, unable to take his eyes off her.

Leonel, staring at the green irises that seemed relatively deep due to the shadow, slowly replied.

“No.”

Nelly looked at her book again, literally just looking at it. Leonel was about to say that he had been looking at the same page for 4 hours but held his tongue.

It was because he realized it was about 4 hours since he started just watching Nelly sitting there.

As soon as he became aware of it, Leonel tried to focus his gaze elsewhere. But not long after, it returned to her.

Every time the carriage jolted, Nelly furrowed her brows as if her body was aching. A small fist thumped her waist.

It was a pitiful sight. He was about to suggest she apply some muscle pain ointment when the carriage stopped.

“Your Grace, we have arrived.”

Nelly’s expression brightened instantly. It was clear she wanted to jump out of the carriage right away.

‘I must have been staring too much.’

Leonel sat quietly and reflected on his actions, which was rare for him. Nelly seized the opportunity and quickly got off the carriage.

“Your Grace, I’ll go in first so you can freshen up.”

“It seems you’ve forgotten that we live together.”

He muttered disapprovingly to Nelly who was wanting to run away, but his tone changed after the words left his mouth. The gazes of the people unloading the luggage were suddenly fixed on the two of them.

Nelly had so much to say that she froze, her lips sealed as if she were a person who couldn’t speak at all. Leonel lightly placed his hand on her back and walked towards the mansion. Nelly stumbled as she moved, seemingly dazed.

“Together… What, what…”

She kept murmuring ‘what’ repeatedly, like a broken cogwheel.

Then Leonel’s laughter brought her back to her senses. She glanced at him, wondering if he was making fun of her, but his blushing cheeks and pursed lips, it was unfortunately not making fun of her.

‘Rather…’

“The way you say it, it sounds like we’re cohabitating!”

Her voice, now lowered, interrupted Leonel’s dangerous thoughts. He stopped his playful musings and smiled lightly.

“Not entirely wrong.”

It was quite amusing to see her looking at him in astonishment. He had to bite his lip to stop laughter from bursting out.

He walked into the foyer with the butler’s greeting. When he looked back, Nelly was still standing in the same spot with the same expression.

“It seems your back still hurts. Make sure to apply muscle pain ointment before resting.”

As the word ‘muscle pain’ reached her, along with the aftermath of cohabitation, Nelly’s face turned red again.

* * *

What on earth is going on all of a sudden? He’s been laughing and joking around lately, but it wasn’t to this extent. Is he going crazy because he’s been sleeping so well lately? 

My heart, still pounding, was hit with my fist. 

Mary, who was carrying the luggage and coming in, blinked her eyes widely when she saw me.

“Where does it hurt?”

“No, it’s just my heart… It’s beating too loudly.”

“Miss Nelly, could it be…?”

Mary put down the baggage and approached with an expectant look. I nodded as I met her eyes.

“That’s right. I think I got angry with Leonel because of a joke that went too far.”

The eyes that had sparkled with anticipation suddenly turned cold. It was a gaze like someone looking at a person digging the ground with a spade.

Mary tapped her chest as if she had been startled. She took a deep breath and was about to turn away, but suddenly she turned her head towards me.

“Miss Nelly, did you just address the Duke by his name?”

I used to call him by his name when I was angry. …Did I only do that in front of the Duke? It seemed that way. I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Well, now that I’ve got permission, there’s nothing to hesitate about!

I nodded obediently, and Mary’s expression subtly changed. She smiled rarely and organized the luggage.

I stayed seated a bit longer, and only after my heartbeats returned to normal did I help Mary. The clothes I wore last night were caught in my hand. The hem was a bit dirty probably because I sat on the floor for a long time.

Come to think of it, my wrist doesn’t hurt. I thought it would be bruised after being held for so long, but it’s surprising.

‘It’s a bit sore, but it’s manageable.’

As I turned my wrist, an awkward memory slipped in. The firmness I had gripped with my palm… 

‘Stop it! Stop thinking, Nelly Pepper!’

I wrapped my head and lightly tapped my cheeks, trying to shake off serious thoughts. My cheeks were still warm, and my heart was thumping. But it was not excitement.

It wasn’t a romantic affair, and getting excited from the mere touch of a muscle is just too weird! Especially when the other person is Leonel! Absolutely not.

‘This is just a surprise. Yeah, that’s it.’

To calm down, I repeatedly swept my chest.

“Where should I put this?”

Mary brought an elegantly decorated box. It contained a green diamond necklace.

As soon as I saw it, I remembered the touch of the hand that used to put on the necklace. I shook my head, dispelling the non-existent sensation, and weakly requested.

“Anywhere, please. Somewhere out of sight. Deep in the closet, at the bottom of a drawer, someplace like that.”

“Okay.”

I didn’t know how time was passing. I mechanically organized my belongings, washed up, and lay down. My back hurt, so I took out some ointment. Leonel came to mind again.

‘This is insane, really.’

After scolding my beating heart without permission, I applied the medicine and lay on the bed.

Thankfully, when I woke up after a good sleep, I was fine.

‘Yeah. That’s right.’

It seems like I had an arrhythmia probably because I was too tired. Or maybe I drank too much black tea to stay awake.

I let out a sigh of relief and went downstairs to have breakfast. 

As always, Leonel was already seated.

“You’re here.”

“Yes.”

Alright. Just a usual greeting. I let out a sigh of relief and took my seat.

Now, quietly eat breakfast and then head to work, and it’ll be perfect…

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

My shoulders and back tensed automatically. Please. Don’t be nervous. Don’t let your heart race. …But if my heart doesn’t beat, I’ll die. 

Let’s just make it beat moderately. Sensibly. Moderately.

I intentionally ate the beef stew while letting my mind wander. As soon as I put it in my mouth, the meat melted away.

I widened my eyes and took another bite of the beef. As I turned my head absentmindedly, I met red eyes and a gaze.

“Hmph, hugfh!”

I barely stopped myself from choking on the meat and took a sip of water.

“You eat well. Do you like beef?”

“I like tender meat.”

“I see.”

Awkward. It’s so awkward I could die! I stared at my heart, which was preparing to beat without any tact.

“I’ll be going to work! Please work hard too, Duke.”

Leonel’s left eyebrow twitched. 

What’s going on? What didn’t he like? Did he not like that I enjoy tender meat?

Anyway, escaping is the priority.

I gave a quick bow and hurriedly left without looking back. Then, I ran straight to the stable where Guadang was.

“Guadang!”

It seemed that he was glad to see me after a long time, so he trotted towards me quickly. I hugged Guadang tightly.

Maybe because of the running, the thumping sound was loud. It felt like I had brought my heart close to my ear.

“Guadang, this can’t go on like this.”

I said it with determination, but Guadang seemed indifferent and lightly nudged my thigh with his snout. It seemed to mean, ‘Be fast and ride. You’re like a cold donkey.’

‘Since it’s come to this, let’s go to work a bit earlier.’

As I got on top, Guadang moved his steps rhythmically. 

Just as we were about to enter the garden, I saw Leonel at the entrance to the garden, heading towards the front door.

As soon as I decided to take a different path, he noticed me. Guadang stopped his steps for some reason. Then he walked towards Leonel.

No, not there. We should go to the office!

“Nelly.”

“Haha. Duke, it seems you’re out for a walk.”

“Hmm…”

Leonel, who stood nearby, tilted his head and looked at me.

“Name.”

As he bent down, his entrancing face came closer.

“I gave you permission, so why don’t you call me that?”

I stared blankly for a moment, then traced his distinct eyes with my gaze. As I did, my gaze moved down his cheek and reached his lips.

In an instant, I snapped back to my senses.

Now that I think about it, the distance was excessively close. I forgot that I was sitting on top of Guadang and unknowingly moved my upper body backward.

Leonel caught my body falling backward. I stood my upper body back up, but his hand on my back didn’t disappear.

“Your cheeks are red.”

“It’s from running earlier.”

“So, the name?”

“I’ll call you… Leonel.”

Please let go of my waist since I’ll call you. I pleaded silently, looking at my toes.

Suddenly, there was pressure on Leonel’s arm. Startled, I lifted my head and saw a slightly furrowed brow.

What? I did what he asked, why is he making that expression?

No, he’d rather have this expression. I looked straight at him, not backing down. He smiled lightly and lightly brushed my cheek with the back of his hand as if in an eye-catching contest.

“It seems like you have a fever, so don’t overdo it.”

His voice was lower than usual, making my neck tingle. I pulled my face back and nodded, and Leonel turned and walked back into the castle.

I stared blankly at his back and covered my face with both hands.

Now I get it. I don’t know what his intention is, but Leonel is playing some kind of beauty game with me!

‘I should leave the castle.’

Ever since Frer returned as the ranch keeper, my cabin had been empty all the time. However, I continued to stay in the castle.

I couldn’t leave the castle, considering that the servants did all the household chores and I didn’t have to pay for meals.

Thinking of selling it, I entrusted the cabin to the broker. However, perhaps because there were no migrants, or maybe because the house was small and isolated, there were no takers or even those willing to rent.

‘A week ago, I felt sorry for it, but now I’m grateful.’