Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 86

Episode 86

People tried to pull Nelly’s hand away from her face, but they released her when they saw her tired face and heard her light applause.

Nelly, breathing with relief, looked briefly at Hadiger and then turned her body towards Leonel. She spotted Arette as well.

When Leonel followed Nelly’s gaze and turned his head, Arette was still standing there, expressionless.

“Your Grace, is there anything you’d like to command?”

“There’s nothing.”

Even though the conversation had ended, Arette stood there seemingly oblivious to the situation. Levance and Faust, who had returned in the meantime, each grabbed one of his arms.

“Then, Your Grace, we shall take our leave.”

“Have a pleasant time.”

Arette was led away, his face expressionless. In the midst of this, he didn’t forget to make a gesture of greeting to Nelly.

Nelly bowed her head in response and then took her seat next to Leonel.

“What were you talking about?”

“They said I’m deeply in love with you.”

“W-What?!”

Nelly, who had jumped up while remaining seated, ran her fingers through her hair and blinked her eyes repeatedly.

“That’s what Faust said, right? Anyway, he’s good at teasing people. The other day, he asked me if Leonel and I were in a relationship. He just asks anyone he meets about it.”

Nelly’s confusion was endearing. Leonel traced her face with his gaze and, feeling thirsty, reached out his hand.

He used his sleeve to gently wipe her sweaty forehead and whispered.

“What they said wasn’t wrong.”

“What?”

It wasn’t clear if she didn’t hear him or if she was asking out of surprise, but that wasn’t important. Leonel got up from his seat and reached out his hand to Nelly.

“Shall we head back now?”

“So soon?”

“It seems like you’re quite tired.”

“Well, aren’t we going to float the lanterns onto the river? It’s the most important ritual!”

In this festival, people floated lanterns onto the river to send off the troubles symbolized by the lanterns with written wishes on them, and to make wishes as well. 

Even Nelly, who had never participated in the festival before, used to enjoy watching the lanterns floating outside the window of the mansion.

She’s indeed a bit tired, but she wants to float a lantern.

‘I wanted to participate this time…’

Nelly pouted, but Leonel didn’t say anything more. Instead, he bent down and took her hand.

Nelly stood beside him, unsure if she should turn around to go back or go and see the lanterns being floated on the river. Her eyes kept moving between the castle and the river, clearly in a dilemma.

Quietly following him, they entered the closed-off western tower through the castle gate, but her steps came to a sudden halt.

Before her, a staircase stretched out like a dried snail’s shell.

She looked ahead blankly and spoke, her voice weak.

“Leonel. I’m tired.”

“I know.”

He had no intention of asking her to climb the stairs after she had danced herself out and had removed her corset. But he had something he wanted to show her.

Leonel gently lifted Nelly and, before she could protest, he quickly climbed the stairs.

“Ah!”

With the sudden increase in altitude, Nelly screamed. She stretched her body and closed her eyes tightly, clutching Leonel’s neck.

She couldn’t struggle. If Leonel’s foot slipped, both of them would surely be badly injured.

The thought alone was dizzying.

“Nelly, if you hold me so tight, I won’t be able to breathe.” 

Leonel said in a calm voice as he continued up the stairs. After climbing a flight and reaching a flat area, Nelly slapped Leonel’s arm.

“Then put me down!”

“You said you were tired.”

“No! I’m perfectly fine! I can even sprint at full speed!”

Nelly protested with a flushed face.

Leonel couldn’t hide his amusement. When he burst into laughter, Nelly’s gaze became defiant.

“Don’t you believe me?”

“I believe you.”

Nelly opened her eyes wide and blinked several times.

Leonel restrained his desire to kiss her eyelids right then and there. He gently put her down to avoid revealing his impulse.

“I guess you can sprint. About five steps.”

With a fresh expression, Nelly looked at Leonel and climbed the stairs energetically. Exactly when her foot landed on the tenth step, she turned around triumphantly.

It wasn’t a full sprint, and the effort to catch her breath was visible. Nevertheless, her appearance was cute, and Leonel nodded in agreement as if conceding.

He quickly climbed the rest of the stairs to match Nelly’s pace.

“But why did we suddenly come to the tower?” 

“I have something to show you.”

“…It’s not a ghost, is it?” 

Leonel recalled the excuses he had made to bring Nelly to the tower in the first place. His face briefly showed a mischievous expression, but when he saw Nelly looking around with a pale face, he dropped the playfulness.

“It’s not a ghost, and you’ll see when we get up there.”

Nelly nodded curiously and continued to walk.

She didn’t reach the top in one go. Leonel frequently paused, waiting for Nelly to catch her breath, and then continued the ascent slowly.

As soon as they stepped onto the final step, a small exclamation escaped from her lips.

“Wow…”

Nelly, still catching her breath, almost ran to the terrace and grabbed the railing.

Over a slow-moving, wide river, hundreds of lanterns flowed, and orange lanterns drifted in the sky like the movement of stars.

The Milky Way made of orange stars seemed to fill the sky and the earth.

Nelly was captivated by the beautiful sight she had never seen before.

Leonel approached her.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes!”

Nelly turned her head with a bright smile. Her chestnut hair swayed gently in the breeze. Even though the lantern’s orange glow invaded her surroundings, her eyes didn’t lose their natural color.

At that moment when their eyes met, Leonel realized that he couldn’t hide this impulse any longer. He gazed at Nelly for a while before leaning toward her.

“While preparing for the festival, I suddenly thought I should bring you here.”

“Why?” 

“Because you’re beautiful.”

He leaned in and kissed her, slow enough that she could avoid it if she wanted to.

Leonel pulled away for a moment and studied Nelly’s expression, just to make sure the red that colored her cheeks wasn’t from anticipation or the lantern, and then he moved closer again.

When their lips were about to touch, she closed her eyes. It was clear consent.

Her red irises flickered like flames. His strong arms coiled around Nelly’s waist, pulling her closer.

Leonel tilted his head, capturing Nelly’s lower lip.

Slowly but persistently, he explored Nelly’s lips. Her slender waist arched backward, and his large hand moved up her back, supporting her neck firmly.

Nelly tilted her head in response to the sensation of fabric brushing against her skin. Leonel stayed close, deepening the kiss as if to reassure her that he wouldn’t let go.

Only after Leonel had swallowed every gasp of breath Nelly let out did he finally break the kiss.

“I like you, Nelly.”

It was a simple yet profound confession.

* * *

Huffing to replenish the breath stolen by Leonel, I recalled what he had just said.

‘Leonel likes me?’

Still dizzy with warm joy, I looked at Leonel in a daze. It felt like he was standing beneath thousands of stars.

His appearance was unrealistically beautiful.

“…Is this a dream?”

Murmuring absentmindedly, Leonel chuckled softly and cupped my cheek.

I couldn’t refuse him as he approached.

He nibbled painfully on my bottom lip. It felt as if my head was spinning from the sensation.

A pleasant shiver ran down my spine. Unconsciously, I held onto his clothing tightly.

“Is it still like a dream?”

“Ah…!”

A sigh burst out. It wasn’t a dream. As soon as I acknowledged it, my heart pounded so hard it hurt.

In truth, I had been on edge ever since I came out to the village. It was my first time watching the festival, so I was always excited.

But my body pressed against his, our intertwined hands, and the gaze he directed at me all felt softer and clearer than usual.

When I couldn’t refuse Leonel, I realized that I like him. But…

“Leonel.”

The voice calling him trembled sadly.

His hand fell away from my cheek. My heart still raced, but I took a step back. I tried to put more distance between us, but he grabbed my hand.

“You don’t have to answer right now.”

“I…”

I like him. Recognizing it, I felt how deep this feeling was. I want him. To express this feeling with just the word “like” feels insufficient. The word “love” would pale in comparison. 

But my conscience blocked my mouth. Before I could confess my feelings, there was something I needed to tell him.

“I have something to say.”

I spoke with a voice that could break at any moment, bowing my head in difficulty. Leonel gently lifted my chin and met my eyes. 

Anxiety clouded his beautiful face like a mist.

“It’s about the reason I became the estate manager at the Altwood Manor.”

His elegant jawline became even more pronounced as he listened.

“You don’t have to say it.”

“No, please listen. After you hear it, I’ll accept whatever decision you make.”

As soon as I mentioned the word “decision,” Leonel frowned.

The warmth I had felt from his jawline disappeared. However, our joined hands remained unchanged. Breathing deeply, I felt a faint glimmer of hope in that warmth.

“I became the estate manager for revenge.”

* * *

Around the time the parade began, Adelhardt left the square. He walked slowly toward his cabin, where he resided.

He had thought it would be less crowded during the festival, but he still felt the watchful eyes on him. Adelhardt opened the cabin door, silently cursing Leonel’s pathological suspicion once again.

He felt the watcher had left, but he couldn’t relax. 

Inside the dark house, there was someone. He closed the door and gripped the handle like it was a sword hilt. Muscles tensed as he stood there.

“What are you doing?”

A calm voice spoke. The tension suddenly eased.

“Elling. I thought you were an assassin. What are you doing sneaking around in the dark?”

“If a house with no owner has its lights on, it looks suspicious, you know.”

“Did nobody see you coming here? Seems like the surveillance is focused on me alone.”

“Your Highness’ movements have been a bit suspicious.”

“…I told you to treat me more casually. Isn’t that going a bit too far?”

Frer shrugged. Adelhardt chuckled and checked the spot where Frer was sitting. It was a spot where the light didn’t cast shadows on the curtains.

He lit the lamp and removed his eye patch.

“So, didn’t you go to the festival?”

“It seems like Your Highness had a fun time.”

“I was just admiring Nelly. She dances well, but her stamina couldn’t keep up.”

Frer nodded and yawned.

“Now that the festival is over, what are you thinking?”

“That’s true.”

Adelhardt chuckled wryly and scratched his chin.

“I’m planning to disappear soon, using the excuse that my father’s illness has worsened.”

“That’s not a good idea.”

“You said to leave when the timing was right.”

“Yeah. I originally intended to use excuses to stay a few more weeks, provoke Nelly, and get some more reactions. But it seems like I got caught.”

“Did you come face to face with the Duke Altwood?”

“No, it was Nelly.”

Frer looked surprised for a moment but then smirked, somewhat cheekily.

“You don’t just spy with anyone, do you?”

“…Right. She’s something else.”

“How did you get caught?”

“I don’t know, but she’s been looking at me suspiciously lately.”

“I know. I mean, you can’t see with your eyes, but limping was a bit much.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have limped?”

While making a wisecrack that didn’t make sense, Adelhardt shook his head. 

Seeing Leonel’s silence, it seemed that his identity had not been exposed yet. Or perhaps Nelly was keeping Hadiger’s identity a secret. 

Maybe she, too, hadn’t figured out the true identity of her mysterious friend yet. If it was just a stage of being considered suspicious, it was better for Hadiger to reveal his identity before Nelly fully realized it.

Given the level of their friendship, it was unlikely that their relationship would sour as long as he provided a reasonable explanation.

Adelhardt organized his thoughts and briefly explained to Frer.

“For that reason, I plan to reveal my identity as soon as the festival ends.”

“Will I still stay here?”

“Yes, you will.”

Frer nodded without any particular objection.

“Be careful, though, because you’re going to be watched after I’m gone.”

“No, but there’s been a lot of knights hanging around the pastures lately, and I’ve arranged guards in case they try to enter the house when I’m not around.”

“Guards? Who?”

“The bird.”