Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 81

Episode 81

The setting was a high place. 

Moreover, the steeple was quite tall, and when I climbed to the top, the view spread out beneath me.

The scenery was beautiful, but I had rarely come up here. I didn’t have the time, and most importantly,

“Phew, ugh… hoo…”

My stamina wasn’t holding up. It hurt as though my lungs would tear from climbing that thing! Still, I was glad I made the climb. There were hardly any people, so it seemed like a good place to think quietly.

I looked down, catching my breath.

The street was decorated with ribbons and flags of various colors. People were bustling around the main road. Many of them carried baskets filled with flower petals.

‘They must have gathered because the queen is coming.’

I leaned against the railing and sighed. My thoughts were jumbled. 

I couldn’t get Leonel out of my mind. If I consider the time spent together, I should know Sophie and Tom, or even Gerald, better than Leonel. We practically worked together all day in the same space.

But if someone were to ask what I knew about these three, all I could say was that they used to be knights.

‘Do I like Leonel?’

Or is it just a lingering memory because of my misfortune? It seems more likely. No, not more likely, it’s the case. It had to be that way.

‘I can’t like Leonel. It’s not allowed. He was my target for revenge. Besides, Leonel is still suffering from the betrayal.’

I can’t be in a relationship with someone like that and hide the fact that I’m trying to get back at them…….

‘But why do I keep thinking about dating?’

I don’t have to date anyone! It doesn’t matter if I like them on my own! 

Of course, I don’t like him! You never know what will happen in life…

“You’re here.”

“Eek!”

I jumped and turned around. Leonel was standing in front of the stairs.

“How did you know I was here?”

“You were visible.”

Leonel came closer to me and pointed downward. When I leaned over to look down, he grabbed my shoulders.

“It’s dangerous.”

“Oh, yes.”

I tried not to turn my head and looked down. Even the large tree next to the bench seemed tiny from this height.

“Could you see me from up there?”

“Contin-“

I paused, feeling something, and met eyes with Leonel, tilting my head.

“Now you see me.”

I reflexively tried to turn my head, but Leonel gently tilted my chin up with his fingertips and fixed it toward him.

He stared into my eyes for a while, then turned away.

“Let’s go down.”

Only then did Leonel’s hand, which had been on my shoulder, let go. I lightly brushed my shoulder as I descended. Despite the narrow stairs, Leonel stuck close beside me. I tried to adjust my speed to maintain some distance, but he ghosted alongside me, matching my pace.

“Did you come up here to say something?”

“Not really.”

“Do you have something to ask?”

“Not really that either.”

“Then why…?”

“Do we need a reason between us?”

Between us. It was a phrase often used by Hadiger or Frer, but it sounded strange coming from Leonel’s mouth.

Even if I muttered to myself that I didn’t like Leonel, my heart continued to beat rapidly.

I thumped my chest just below the collarbone with my fist, scolding my heart, and as soon as I set foot on the first floor, I went outside. 

Breathing in the cool air made me feel a little more at ease.

‘Now Leonel will go on his way. He’s probably busy.’

With a peaceful mind, I headed towards the garden, but Leonel continued to follow. I turned my head, wondering if it was because I hadn’t greeted him, and our eyes met once again.

“You’re not going to your study?”

Leonel nodded.

“You’re not following me, are you?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to.”

I had no words. He wanted to go to his own home by himself, so what could I say?

I glanced at him and tried to step aside, but Leonel wrapped his arm around my shoulder again. I jumped involuntarily, but Leonel’s hand remained.

I was worried that my heartbeat might reach his palm.

I tried to pull away, but Leonel leaned towards me.

“Nelly, have I done something wrong to you?”

“No.”

“Then why do you try to run away whenever we meet?”

“That’s… I mean…”

“That’s?”

“You keep calling my name!”

Leonel stopped in his tracks. Even with his head lowered, I could feel his gaze. 

My cheeks turned red.

It wasn’t because I was excited. It was because it was embarrassing to bring it up.

He’s been calling me by my first name all along, but in reality, there was no reason for Leonel to use that term with me. It wasn’t his personality.

“When did you start to notice?”

Words that overturned my thoughts gently brushed my ear. His bright red pupils were filled with playfulness.

I tried to tell him not to tease, but he pulled my shoulder toward him.

“So, does it have any effect?”

I half-nestled against him and lifted my head. We were so close that our breaths touched. His red eyes looked like torches. It felt like if I got too close, the heat would transfer to my body and soul.

No, maybe it had already transferred.

So that’s why I couldn’t push his face away even as it drew nearer. My heart raced to the point where breathing became difficult.

I tightly closed my eyes, and from a distance, I heard a voice calling for him.

“Your Grace! Where are you?”

I jolted in surprise, pushed Leonel away, and opened my eyes.

He obediently moved aside, turning his head in the direction of the voice. I saw his left eyebrow twitch slightly.

Soon, Levance appeared on the path through the garden.

“Here you are. We’ve been searching for you and the Lady. There’s a message saying the Queen has left Dames. It seems you should start getting ready.”

Leonel looked at Levance with a cold gaze. Levance asked with a puzzled expression why he was doing that, but Leonel didn’t answer and turned his body towards me.

“Tomorrow at 7. Don’t forget.”

With that, he walked away, leaving Levance behind. 

Levance, who looked puzzled, watched Leonel’s back for a moment and then stood by my side.

“Mary is looking for you too, Nelly. Shall we go together?”

“Yes.”

We walked side by side, and Levance started a conversation in his usual relaxed manner.

“Have you been to harvest festivals in other places?”

“No, this is my first festival. I’ve been busy with work.”

“It seems we’re alike in that regard. But thanks to you, Nelly, I might be able to enjoy the festival this time.”

“Who are you going with?”

“Probably with Arette.”

“Will you be able to enjoy it?”

I imagined Arette and Levance dancing with stern expressions. When Levance saw my expression, he burst into laughter.

At that moment, Leonel stopped and looked back.

“Levance.”

Levance put on a composed expression and stood in place.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“You left your handkerchief on the bench. Go get it.”

“My handkerchief? Since when did you…?”

“Levance.”

“Have you started carrying it with you? You used to take such good care of it. Hahaha.”

He chuckled and took a few steps back.

“If you’re going to the residence first, I’ll find you and follow.”

Levance gestured to me and walked in the opposite direction. As I started to head back to the residence, I realized that Leonel was suddenly by my side.

“So you’re the first one to call me by name.”

It was a random remark, and I didn’t know what he meant, so I just looked at him.

Leonel silently stared at the spot where Levance had disappeared, then placed his hand on my back. I walked in sync with his pace, tilting my head.

With his red eyes fixed on me, he suddenly asked a pointed question.

“Are you close to him?”

I hadn’t thought about it. Close to him?

“We do communicate well.”

He selected his topics well and smoothly guided the conversation, making sure it didn’t awkwardly break. He was appropriately humorous without crossing boundaries. If I were to name the person I had the most conversations with, it would undoubtedly be Levance.

“We seem close in a way…”

Leonel turned back to look at me with a stern gaze. I gave him a momentary glance, then pondered.

Still, right now, Leonel felt closer than anyone. Whether I could dare say I was close to the Duke was another matter entirely!

“But still, not as close as Leonel.”

“Is that so?”

He responded lightly and entered the mansion. As I climbed the stairs to the upper floor, Mary and the butler approached.

I entered the room with Mary, and soon, a few familiar maids entered. Mary opened the wardrobe and asked.

“Have you showered this morning?”

“Yes, I showered thoroughly.”

“We need to get ready quickly, so I’m glad you did.”

Other maids came forward to assist with changing clothes. Mary murmured to herself as she looked at my wardrobe, something along the lines of “I should have dried it back then.”

Then, she finally pulled out a dress, leaving just one outfit.

As I changed into the dress and felt the hands that were dressing me up, it felt strange. The hands helped me prepare for the Harvest Festival dinner. It was as if I had returned to the day I had died. 

There were still more than two years to go before the actual date of my death, and my spine shivered with foreboding.

I shook off the ominous thoughts and closed my eyes.

“It’s done.”

As I smoothed the ruffled dress, I stepped outside. 

Leonel, who had finished preparing ahead of me, was waiting. He reached out his hand to me, and without thinking, I hesitated for a moment before placing my hand on his arm. Together, we descended the stairs.

“Nelly.”

“Yes?”

“After the Queen arrives, other nobles will also be arriving.”

“I know.”

“Be careful around my uncle.”

Devondus Altwood. The day I died, he was also present at the Harvest Festival dinner. 

An old dream came to mind, and I felt an inexplicable unease.

Although Leonel was Devondus’ nephew, aside from the color of their irises, the two had little in common. Besides, he wasn’t someone I particularly wanted to get close to.

“I understand.”

“Good.”

I walked out through the door opened by the footman and found myself standing in the front courtyard. Soon, a large, ornate carriage adorned with gold and jewels came to a halt. On its side, the royal emblem and a tall triangular flag were prominently displayed.

It was the Queen’s carriage.

As the door opened, the Duchess Etkin disembarked first. 

Behind the carriage door, a pair of golden embroidered white shoes appeared. They were exquisite white shoes adorned with golden embroidery. The only person accompanying Duchess Etkin in the carriage was the Queen herself.

The Queen was known as a ruthless ruler who executed even her people without hesitation if they failed to meet her standards. The scariest part was that I had no idea what her standards were.

‘I have to face her.’

I swallowed dryly.

Duchess Etkin extended her hand, and a gloved hand emerged from the carriage. Soon, a middle-aged woman in a white dress with a red-gold mantle appeared.

“Your Majesty.”

Leonel made a formal greeting, and I quickly bent my knees and lowered my head.

“Leonel.”

The Queen greeted him by name, and only then did we rise to our feet.

I couldn’t help but feel a tremendous sense of oppression, and I couldn’t raise my head.

I wanted to run away, but I couldn’t, could I? Still, I wanted to escape.

I glanced behind me, and the Queen asked.

“Is this Nelly Pepper?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I responded reflexively and lowered my head even further. She glanced at me briefly and then continued inside. Duchess Etkin followed behind.

As Leonel turned to leave, our eyes met. He assessed my complexion and spoke in a hushed voice.

“You look pale.”

“I guess I’m nervous.”

“You’ll be going to inspect the estate shortly. I’ll be accompanying you, so you can take it easy.”

Leonel confirmed my nod and went inside. He approached the Queen, who was standing in the hall.

“Your Majesty, the staff will be unloading the carriages. Nelly, you should return to your room.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I had worried about what to do if she touched me, but the Queen said nothing else. I greeted both the Queen and Duchess Etkin in turn and then made a brief stop in the dining room. 

The butler and Levance were busy receiving guests, so Mary was supervising the maids and footmen.

“Mary, could you double-check the wine and the kitchen’s cooking schedule? Oh, and the desserts.”

“Yes, I was just about to confirm and inform you.”

“Thank you.”

I double-checked the table settings and decorations in the dining room and then headed back to my room.