Chapter 51
“No, if I take it back, my position will be…”
“All I need is the paperwork. I don’t need anything else.”
Herman was seemingly in tears. Still, he could not hang on any longer and had no choice but to present the papers.
The document already had the Emperor’s signature on it. As I signed next to it, the signature illuminated for a moment presumably, there was some magical device on the paper. It must have been a magical contract that could not be forged.
‘…Did I really have a diamond mine in front of me?’
Even though I was very confused on the inside, I felt like I wanted to jump up and down as if I had hit the lottery. I struggled to keep my dignity and manage my facial expressions. However, the hand holding the skirt trembled as I was trying to control my emotions. It was a thrill of joy.
‘I should have a toast with Dimitri. I’ll need to call Sasha and Coco, too. I’m rich now.’
Finally, Herman put one of the two papers back in his pocket and got up as though he was being kicked out. When I rose up with him, Dimitri, who had no intention of seeing Herman off, whispered to me, puzzled.
“You don’t have to go.”
“I didn’t want to see Count Heres off. I just wanted to check on the hounds for the last time.”
I was going to say bye to Cadis. For a few days after I exchanged names with him, we were still close enough to chat, at least a little.
‘It’d be better to see him off at least for the last time.’
Besides, it seemed to be a person-to-person courtesy.
As I left, Dimitri followed, dragging his feet as though he had no choice. At the entrance, three hounds were already waiting for Herman, bound in shackles.
“If you miss me, feel free to contact me anytime, Ro… No, Duchess. Because my heart will always think of you as a good friend.”
Perhaps, he remembered my words to be polite. He greeted me with courtesy—even at the last greeting.
I nodded my head to greet him and turned towards Cadis.
Cadis, who had turned into a dog, was gazing up at me. As always, especially today, his brown eyes were filled with grief. He reflexively wagged his tail when our eyes met and then whined as if it was a pity that we were parting.
I glanced at Herman, who was getting into the carriage, and whispered softly to him.
“I wish you good health.”
“Again… Will we see each other again?”
His voice was sad, which surprised me a little.
Since Herman was looking this way, I glanced away from Cadis for a moment so as not to create any strange suspicion for him. Then, while he was not looking at us, I smiled softly at Cadis.
“We’ll meet again someday.”
Although the relationship with the Emperor was broken off because of me, Dimitri was still a servant of the Emperor, and one day, we would have to go to the Imperial Palace. Therefore, there would be times when I would pass by him again.
I watched as Herman’s knights steered the hounds wildly and led them into the carriage of dog cages.
‘It makes me sad to see him being dragged like that.’
I did not realize that I had become so close with Cadis. Without realizing it, I blankly looked at him before shifting my gaze to Herman. Since he was already staring at me with a strange gaze, I met eyes with him. I flinched and trembled as if I had committed a sin.
His eyes narrowed.
“Come to think of it…”
He suddenly looked up at the sky. At that moment, thin raindrops unexpectedly fell.
“I heard that a storm is coming. However, if I leave like this, I’ll be tied up in an unfamiliar city before I even get to the Imperial Palace.”
He smiled brightly.
“Besides, it seems that the Duchess also regrets parting ways with the hounds. Could we tie them up for just one day until the rain stops?”
I swallowed dry saliva.
It was because he had seen Rowaine, who had been helping and enjoying mistreating shapeshifters, friendly greeting with Cadis…
Dimitri could not refuse because Herman had formally requested that he wanted to escape the storm for a while at the Blois mansion. Still, it was against etiquette to kick out guests who came as the Emperor’s representative in inclement weather.
The dignity of the nobility came from splendor and complicated manners.
The nobles’ adherence to etiquettes that were too cumbersome for commoners to follow and did not understand at first glance was a sophisticated ploy aimed at differentiating between classes. In other words, they were people who made an implicit promise to justify their superior status by observing nonsensical etiquette.
However, it raised the dignity of the nobility and, at the same time, became a fetter that bound themselves.
‘…Just as even Duke Dimitri couldn’t be ignored when it comes to communicating etiquette.’
Even though Dimitri was very annoyed, Herman excitedly looked around the guest room and unpacked.
“Dimitri, are you okay?”
I asked as I peered into his eyes like a sinner. This was because Dimitri, who usually sent all guests to the annex, had to give Erman a guest room in the main building because of Coco and Sasha, who were now living in the annex.
Having walked back and forth in front of the window in exasperation, he turned to me and spoke firmly.
“You can’t put that brazen bastard and those brats in one place. I don’t know what kind of adverse impact it might have.”
Those words made me feel grateful, and it was reasonable.
‘Besides, the fact we wouldn’t know where Coco and Sasha are going to go also contributes to the reason we can’t send him there.’
If they get caught up in a quarrel, it could give Herman a reason to stay here for a long time.
Dimitri ground his teeth.
“If we can’t send him to the stables, we can’t help it.”
I just smiled awkwardly as I actually watched him with my own eyes, making the butler ask Herman if he could stay in the stable…
The butler, who went to Herman and politely delivered Dimitri’s words, was now helping Herman as he calmly unpacked his belongings in the guest room after saying that he could not sleep there because he was sensitive and had trouble sleeping.
…Well, perhaps the most daring was Dimitri, who empowered the stable to guests.
Dimitri, who had a dissatisfied look, called the commander of the knights and ordered him.
“Place knights on every floor to ensure that Count Heres’ every move is carefully monitored. If he ever shows any signs of doing some foolish tricks on the Duchess or any other cat brats, break his wrist and call me… No, just beheaded him.”
I glanced at Viscount Hyle Bilph at the tremendous command.
The Viscount only closed his eyes as if he understood it and nodded his head. It was as if he was saying, ‘The commander of the knights will act wisely, so please do not worry.’
Judging by the look on the commander’s face, he had a calm expression as though he was familiar with such a command. Seeing that, I cautiously left the office in order to let Dimitri calm down a little and be comfortable.
Viscount Hyle Bilph, who followed me, smiled broadly and opened his mouth.
“His Excellency isn’t always like that.”
He seemed to want to defend Dimitri to me.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Even if he was sensitive at times, it wasn’t to this extent. Perhaps, it’s because he has something to protect.”
“….?”
“Madam Rowaine, Coco, and Sasha… His Grace is very sensitive to matters directly related to the safety of the three of you.”
…Is that so?
‘I have the healing powers he needs, so even that, hearing that it was Coco and Sasha too, was surprising.’
Did he not patiently endure and accept those children because of me?
However, if you think about it, he was quite generous in being patient. Coco and Sasha, who were initially kicked out of the annex, were now enjoying the main building to their heart’s content. They were even having dinner with Dimitri.
‘…Sometimes he seems very unfriendly, and at other times, he seems like a person with a lot of affection.’
I was grateful for the kindness of Viscount t for taking care of me and telling me this. So, in return, I gave him a story he might like.
“It seems that Dimitri is unable to concentrate on his work these days because of me. I know Viscount Hyle Bilph is struggling. If Count Heres leaves with the hounds, Dimitri will also have some peace of mind, so I’ll also take this opportunity and tell him to separate the office.”
The Viscount, who had sharp eyes and a fierce impression, now seemed to have sparkles shining brightly from his eyes. It really did not match his image at all.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. So, until then, please endure even if it is difficult.”
We exchanged favors and kind words like that before coming down the stairs in a friendly way. At that moment, I ran into Herman who was coming up the stairs.
“Ah, Duchess.”
Herman, who held two wine glasses in one of his hands and a bottle of wine in the other, rejoiced. He smiled brightly as he brushed his hair and swept the dazzling blonde hair that ran down his forehead.
“I was just looking for someone to drink with. This is good.”
Of course, I was going to reject him.
However, before I could utter a word of refusal, he opened his mouth with a sorrowful face.
“You don’t know how depressed I am to have been rejected by everyone I met on the way. The sweet and gentle Duchess wouldn’t turn me down, would she?”
“No. I’m going to have to say no, too.”
“….!”
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