Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 85

Episode 85

The businesses, mines, social gatherings, and military affairs keep Leonel busy and burdened. This burden will soon become a hindrance to the development of the territory.

So, for the time being, he has no choice but to leave them be.

The Queen’s orders to Leonel prioritize developing the territory to prove his worth. 

“But we do plan to develop the territory in due course.” 

“Yes.” 

The two of them stepped out and boarded the carriage.

Nelly’s face still showed signs of displeasure. There was no excitement about watching the festival.

‘I shouldn’t have brought it up.’

Leonel didn’t anticipate Nelly’s reaction to be this way. 

He wasn’t too upset about their departure from the court. He had heard the news on the battlefield, after all, having experienced the betrayal of his servant and an assassination attempt before fleeing. Therefore, he wasn’t shocked by their turning their backs on him.

Levance had dealt with his emotions on the way to the battlefield, and Arette was not the type to express his feelings.

He didn’t tell Adelhardt and Tatiasun. Even if he told them that they were cowards who were afraid of hand-to-hand combat, they probably wouldn’t have had much of a reaction.

‘It’s not a bad thing if someone else gets angry in your place.’

He smiled at Nelly with a still somewhat uneasy expression. However, as it wasn’t a pleasant topic, he tried to change the subject, but the carriage came to a halt. 

Leonel got off at the village’s entrance and handed Nelly the hood he had been holding.

“Here.”

Nelly tilted her head, then let out a small exclamation.

Leonel was a duke, a lord. It would be uncomfortable for people if he walked around with his face exposed. Not to mention that even Nelly and Leonel wouldn’t be able to enjoy the festival.

“But what if they find out?”

Nelly recalled the scene on the festival day in the streets. There were many outsiders wearing hoods. So, it would be difficult for anyone to recognize Leonel just by his hood. Still, if they got too close or engaged in conversation, they’d quickly be discovered.

Leonel stared at Nelly, who was deep in thought, with a serious expression, then chuckled. He opened the hood and draped it over Nelly’s shoulders.

“Well…”

Leonel hesitated for a moment. At least, if they had some discretion, they probably wouldn’t be noticed. He swallowed those words and put on his hood.

Nelly followed suit, crossing her arms and pressing the hood over her head.

Leonel felt a sense of disappointment as Nelly’s normally fair face was concealed by the wide fabric. He gazed at her for a moment and then reached out to hand her the hood.

“I can be the one to hide.”

Nelly, who was somewhat disappointed that her carefully styled hair was hidden under the hood, nodded playfully.

Leonel reached out and brushed away Nelly’s stray hair.

“Let’s not dwell on our previous conversation from now on.”

“Agreed.”

They walked closely, their shoulders almost touching. The colorful lanterns hanging from the trees illuminated the grand path leading to the square, casting a bright glow.

Somewhere in the distance, cheerful music and laughter could be heard continuously. Nelly’s mood started to lift once again, and she looked around with a gleam in her eyes. 

As the darkness that had clouded her face disappeared, Leonel smiled with satisfaction.

“Leonel, look over there!”

In the direction Nelly pointed, flames shot up into the air. A man, dressed unusually and making a ruckus, was juggling with flaming sticks.

Normally, this would have been a spectacle that passed by without much interest. However, with Nelly nudging him and showing enthusiasm, Leonel’s interest was piqued.

“Do you want to get a closer look?”

“Yes!”

Leonel squeezed his way through the crowd, and the residents recognized him and made way. Thanks to the rumors that had spread, there were no gasps or disruptions upon the appearance of the Duke in an unexpected place. This allowed the two of them to find a comfortable spot.

“Wow…”

Nelly was mesmerized, her eyes following the flames dancing around. On the other hand, Leonel’s gaze remained fixed on her.

Nelly’s expression changed rapidly as the flames moved in various directions. When the man put the torch in his mouth, she covered her mouth with both hands and took a step back.

Leonel made sure she didn’t collide with anyone or stumble, even with his arm wrapped around her waist.

Despite having his arm around her, Nelly didn’t seem to notice. Normally, she would have been startled, but her lack of reaction surprised Leonel. He didn’t remove his arm either.

As time passed, the distance between the two of them became even closer.

It wasn’t entirely by choice. Slowly, as if tightening a noose, the people around them closed in on Leonel and Nelly.

‘It doesn’t seem like there are more people, though.’

Leonel glanced around, but he didn’t lock eyes with anyone. He put it down to his imagination and pulled Nelly even closer to ensure that no one stepped on her.

When the man with the flamboyant attire extinguished the fire and greeted the crowd, Nelly finally turned her body towards him.

“I’ve never seen anything like that…”

Nelly started speaking but stopped suddenly. She realized that the distance was so close that their noses were almost touching.

Leonel gazed at her blushing face with soft and warm eyes. His strong presence made Nelly feel as if she were getting warmer. Despite her embarrassment and the desire to retreat, the tightly packed crowd made it impossible.

Even if she wanted to avoid eye contact, lowering her head would make her forehead touch Leonel’s chest.

“Sh-should we go somewhere else?”

“Where to?”

Despite the noisy surroundings, Leonel’s voice stood out particularly clearly. Nelly rolled her eyes as if searching for a solution and pointed to the area with stalls lined up.

“Over there!”

Leonel turned Nelly’s body around and, as if the crowd had been waiting for it, they made way for the two.

Unintentionally, Nelly held Leonel’s hand, and they quickly escaped through the crowd.

Leonel looked down at their intertwined fingers. When he covered her soft hand with his fingers completely, he felt a sense of satisfaction, like quenching his thirst. He allowed his grip to loosen but still held Nelly’s small hand.

“It’s quite crowded.”

It was an excuse to anyone’s eyes, but Nelly, with a somewhat conflicted expression, continued to hold onto his hand rather than letting go. Instead, she moved ahead as if to indicate that she wouldn’t reveal her face.

Leonel couldn’t take his eyes off Nelly. Suddenly, he wanted to nibble on the ear that had turned pink for some reason. Then, he quickly turned his head, realizing how impulsive that thought was.

As Nelly casually looked at the things around, she eventually heard the music growing faster and asked.

“Shall we go to the square?”

“Sounds good.”

Their steps quickened again. In the square, the townspeople had gathered to dance, and occasionally, they spotted familiar faces.

People were holding hands high, spinning around merrily, then changing partners and repeating the same moves in time with the beat. Nelly had an excited look on her face and took a seat on a bench.

As Leonel sat down next to her, he asked.

“Aren’t you going to dance?”

“I’m just not in the mood to join in.”

Leonel looked at her awkward smile, then suddenly got up and pulled Nelly along without explanation.

“Huh?”

Nelly made a surprised noise as Leonel, with a mischievous grin, guided her through the crowd and pulled her away.

“Don’t get lost in the crowd all by yourself…!”

Nelly, without finishing her sentence, was swept up by the people moving in a circle, drawing her into the dance.

Leonel watched over her from a nearby spot. There was a silent rivalry taking place around Nelly. Some people changed seats to dance with her, while others slyly used their legs to usurp positions from those trying to shake hands with her.

He knew that people within the territory were possessive of Nelly’s affection, but watching it unfold made him feel strangely conflicted. Especially when Nelly danced with a man, it made him feel restless. There was no need to ponder what that emotion was.

‘Jealousy.’

He almost got up to pull Nelly out of the crowd, but when he saw her face, he returned to his seat. He watched as Nelly smiled brightly, and as the awkward stiffness gradually melted from her expression. She leaned in close to her dance partner’s ear, then broke into laughter.

Her once passive movements had transformed into rapid and lively ones.

‘I didn’t know she could make those expressions.’

Unlike people who always appeared as if they were plotting something ominous, laughing with a strange “hehehe” or smiling awkwardly, Leonel couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Are you enjoying it that much?”

If it hadn’t been for the sudden voice, he might have just continued watching Nelly for the duration of the music.

Leonel turned his head. Faust was standing behind the bench, smirking ominously.

Their eyes met, and he leaped over the bench and plopped down next to Leonel with an amused yet annoying grin. Leonel felt a mix of incredulity, embarrassment, and slight discomfort.

Without answering Faust, Leonel looked back at Nelly. This time, Levance appeared and took the seat on Leonel’s left.

“You really can’t take your eyes off her.”

“Right? You’ve fallen hard.”

Leonel sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“Both of you, get out.”

“We’re already outside.” 

Levance muttered, laughing.

Leonel turned around and found Arette standing there like a statue. When he gave him a firm order, he promptly moved to drag Faust and Levance away.

“Arette, hold on! Argh!”

“Hey, kid. I’m your senior!”

Since it was a backless bench, the two tumbled right over. Arette easily left them behind and returned to stand behind Leonel, guarding him closely.

Leonel nodded in approval with his eyes, then refocused on the performers. Among them, there was a brown-haired man who covered his eyes even though he couldn’t see. Occasionally, he turned his head toward the direction where Nelly was.

“Hadiger, you said?”

“Yes.”

“Any suspicious behavior?”

“Still none.”

“Who is he meeting?”

“Lately, he hasn’t been meeting the manager, and he rarely hangs out with the ranch keeper.”

“Hmm…”

“I’ll continue to keep an eye on him.”

“Alright. The festival will end soon, so just drive him away.”

“Yes.”

Leonel’s gaze returned to Nelly. Even though the song had not yet ended, she seemed to be out of breath, breathing heavily.