"Well… um…"
Penelope struggled to find words, her mind spinning.
What does he even an by that?
Her lips parted awkwardly before pressing shut again. At that mont, a deep, resonant voice echoed in her mory.
"Penelope, you underestimate yourself far too much. You’re far more charming than you think. And, of course, quite adorable too."
Penelope’s eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively flying to cover her mouth.
‘Wait… why is Rianel’s voice saying that in my head? Did he actually say this to ?!’
She could vaguely recall having a conversation with Rianel at the ball, but the specifics had escaped her. Now, they were flooding back all at once.
‘Does this an the Grand Duke of Lahinsel actually has feelings for ?’
Her heart raced as she fought to regain composure.
‘Quick, think of sothing—anything—to change the subject!’
"Uh, I heard the Durek Railway that Her Majesty invested in will pass through Halo. It seems like it might connect with Pellar's route. Do we need to discuss anything about that?"
"We’ll need to review it in detail with the adjutants," Rianel replied, his gaze fixed on her. Then, with an unhurried calmness, he added, "You still haven’t given the mage an answer, have you? Then it’s only fair that I have my chance as well."
"…"
Penelope felt her heart plumt. The topic she had desperately tried to avoid had circled back with alarming precision.
‘Wait, is he really just saying this outright?’
Even in the original story, Rianel hadn’t made a direct confession to Elizabeth, the heroine. He had subtly tested her feelings, and when he realized she wasn’t interested, he had gracefully stepped aside.
Fans of the original had often remarked on how his understated personality reflected even in his unspoken affections.
Yet here he was, plainly stating his interest in Penelope without a shred of ambiguity.
‘I an… I kind of suspected it, but I thought it might be my imagination—or maybe he was just being nice to use .’
Clearly, she had been wrong.
"I, uh… this is just so sudden. Besides, I’m not in a position to think about romance until my territory is back on track…"
"Is that what you told Ahwin as well?"
"Well… yes," Penelope admitted, her voice faltering as she nodded.
Rianel chuckled softly and ran a hand thoughtfully along his jaw.
"Then that gives plenty of ti to wait."
Penelope’s jaw dropped. His words clearly ant he intended to wait for her decision.
Her face flushed crimson as she stamred, "But—why would soone like you even… Why ?"
"Does the reason matter?"
"Of course, it matters!" Penelope exclaid, her tone laced with desperation. She couldn’t believe he was withholding sothing so crucial. Did he expect her to lose sleep over this?
Rianel pondered briefly before answering, "You knew who I was and still spoke your mind. The more I thought about it, the more I admired that. I also appreciate your worldly pragmatism and your courage. Your kindness towards children and servants is endearing, and even your fondness for money is charming in its own way."
Penelope stared at him, torn between feeling flattered and insulted.
"That’s your reason?"
"It’s very important to ," Rianel replied with utmost seriousness.
Penelope felt a headache coming on. Pressing her hand to her forehead, she sighed.
"Fine, I understand. But for now… could you leave?"
"Of course. I’ll see you again soon," Rianel said with a polite bow before turning and striding out. His deanor was so composed that no one would have guessed he had just confessed his feelings.
As soon as the door closed, Penelope collapsed onto her bed with a silent scream, kicking at the sheets in frustration.
‘What is even happening? How did I end up in another crisis like this so suddenly?!’
She already felt overwheld by Ahwin’s confession, and now the Northern Grand Duke had joined the fray.
‘Why are these people suddenly so fixated on ? I’m the one stuck dealing with all this fallout!’
Sure, both n were handso, wealthy, powerful, and influential. But what if things didn’t work out? Then what?
Penelope, with her modern, realistic mindset, didn’t believe in fairy-tale endings. Relationships didn’t always lead to happily-ever-afters.
Even marriage could fall apart over trivial reasons.
The re thought of becoming "the Tower Master’s ex" was enough to send chills down her spine. The idea of being "the Grand Duke’s ex" was even more horrifying.
‘All I’ve ended up with are two romantic prospects who are nothing but trouble!’
***
The next day.
Penelope lay in bed without moving an inch.
Despite surviving poison that was said to kill even a whale, she was now bedridden after a single confession.
‘Is this what they call a confession attack? Or maybe not?’
Penelope groaned and rolled around on the bed.
A day had passed, and she deeply regretted not rejecting Rianel’s confession on the spot.
She shouldn’t have been swept away by his words. Instead, she’d ended up buying herself ti to think it over and muddling through awkwardly.
‘Why did I double my problems? It’s already exhausting dealing with Ahwin, and now I’ve added Rianel to the mix.’
This was practically a disaster of her own making.
Taking a deep breath, Penelope resolved to shift her mindset.
‘Thinking about this will only make my head hurt. For now, I’ll put it on hold and focus on building the railway in the territory.’
If Halo were connected by a railway, the city’s developnt would accelerate rapidly. With that, she might finally find so peace of mind.
‘Love is sothing to consider when life is stable.’
Penelope nodded to herself.
Besides, for all she knew, both n might lose interest in her just as quickly as they showed it.
‘Though, sohow, I doubt it.’
At that mont, the door burst open.
Penelope nearly scread. It was Ahwin.
“W-What’s going on?”
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, not really…”
“If you’re tired, you can stay in bed. There’s no need to et with visitors.”
“Wait, who ca to see ?”
Surely, it couldn’t be Rianel?
As Penelope fidgeted nervously, Ahwin narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“Why are you so jumpy all of a sudden? Did sothing happen yesterday? I heard Rianel visited.”
“Nothing happened!”
Penelope shouted, then clamped her mouth shut in shock at her own outburst. Ahwin’s gaze turned cold, and it seed as if golden magic flickered in his eyes.
Penelope swallowed hard. Ahwin spoke again.
“If you’re well enough to shout, then get dressed and co to the drawing room. There’s soone who wants to see you.”
“Oh, okay. Got it.”
Ahwin’s attitude made it clear he was letting it slide—this ti. Penelope sighed in relief and nodded.
“I’ll be out soon. I just need to throw on a shawl.”
“And fix your hair.”
“….”
A short while later, Penelope entered the drawing room looking much more presentable.
Her eyes widened as she saw an elderly man with a head full of white hair rise to his feet with a delighted expression.
“It’s an honor to et you, Lady Penelope. My na is Olan Ivans.”
“Oh, hello?”
Penelope quickly racked her brain to recall who Olan Ivans was. His na sounded familiar for so reason.
‘Ah! Professor Olan, the author of Foundations of Magic!’
He must be the professor of magical engineering at the academy. But why was soone like him visiting Ahwin’s ho?
‘Did the two of them know each other?’
It seed vaguely familiar, as if sothing like this had been ntioned in the original story.
‘Ahwin did have an extensive network of followers, didn’t he?’
Apparently, even an academy professor like Olan was among them.
As Penelope took a seat, she glanced at Ahwin from the corner of her eye. He didn’t seem pleased with this eting, his brow faintly furrowed.
Professor Olan, observing Penelope’s complexion with concern, asked,
“I heard about the attempt to poison you by so scoundrels. Are you feeling better now?”
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