Exasperation unexpectedly ca out of . I felt my forehead crumpled while pressing down on my temples with my fingers.
Quite so ti had passed from that day in the garden.
My daily routine went back to normal, but there were two differences.
Firstly, Kyle ca back to the room every night.
The funny thing was, I would never see him in person.
‘But oddly enough, he leaves a trail.’
For example, small traces could be found; the placent in a certain object’s position or a blanket that was not on the sofa previously. I saw a lot of signs of Kyle coming and going.
‘… I don’t want to play hide-and-seek.’
Secondly, I don’t know for sure, but I decided to move on.
“Hyaaa…”
The afternoon hours were going slower than usual as I was looking at the docunts concerning the Romani Duchy. The docunt included the Archduke’s profit, his budget managent and the Knights’ and employees’ salaries.
Yes, I was buried in work now and it was all thanks to Jean.
“ – As I’ve been with you for so ti now, I’ve noticed that you’re capable enough to do it right away on your own. If you don’t mind, I’d like you to take over the main duties of the Great Duchy. What do you think?”
He added that he would help both materially and ntally if I encountered any difficulties along the way. It wasn’t forced on , rely an invitation to contribute. Jean was recomnding .
However, it was also true that I could not refuse Jean’s desperate eyes. Eventually, I asked him.
“ – Can you set up a separate office for ?”
“ – Yes, of course! Your Highness.”
In the montum of Jean’s drive, he built the office from the inside out in a short ti. Thanks to him, I had a lot of work to do, but I didn’t resent him. It was a natural step for him to encourage to show my ability.
I just sigh a little bit because of the workload. No… I sighted a lot.
‘But I’m happy to have a separate office.’
Apart from him, Jean’s attitude was quite surprising. In this era, offices were not built for won. The typical room, which was given to won, was the best room for embroidery and crafts. It was quite exceptional to have an office built for .
It was an uncomfortable truth, but I could not say anything about the world I created a long ti ago.
I thought he would wonder about giving an office or even disagree with if I asked for a separate place.
‘It is very pleasant to be accepted.’
In addition, the construction of the office must have been reported to Kyle separately. Then how did he take this case?
It was easy to guess.
‘If you saw that the office was built up and didn’t do anything, you wouldn’t have been very against it.’
This was also a novelty.
I piled up the various thoughts going through my mind and put them on the side, then quickly processed the docunts in front of . Sohow, it was a refreshing experience to be able to check the financial status of the Great Duchy with my own eyes.
‘I’ll try to experience it again in my life when I’m back in my world.’
Honestly, I thought I was mistaken at first. I could not believe it. I thought so of the money was misplaced in the profits of the Grand Duchy. I almost fainted when I found out that the numbers were accurate.
Rubbing my eyes again, while yawning. I stretched my body.
“Sigh.”
My body was so stiff from sitting at the desk in the sa position for so long while looking into the various docunts that needed my attention.
I unconsciously looked at the calendar once again.
It was tomorrow. The deadline I gave to Sejan. I didn’t want to worry if it failed, but this was my best option.
‘Let’s go get so tea to get my nerves under control.’
At the sa mont I went to lift the teacup…
Knock knock.
Soone was at the door.
“Your Highness, it’s Jean. Could I disturb you for a mont?”
“Of course. Co on in.”
Jean sneaked through the door and smiled as soon as he saw . He was smiling too hard, to the point of being suspicious.
‘Should I ask him what got him to smile like this?’
“Jean, is sothing good going on?”
“Of course, ma’am, I am myself, but I have good news for you.”
Why so ominous if it was a good thing for ?
After Jean’s ‘good news’ hit the mark. I asked back as if I were checking.
“What…? What?”
After blinking for what felt like the thousand tis in a couple of seconds, I kept looking at the ornate golden key in front of and the docunts that Jean handed .
Uh, well, I an…
“This golden key is the right to use the jewel room which contains all of the Great Duchy jewelry, right…?”
“Yes, this docunt also says that the Rose Garden is completely left to you. Actually, it would be better to say that it was given to you.”
Jean was naturally speaking as if everything he said was making sense. In the anti, I kept alternating between blinking in stupor and staring at through the docunts.
The docunt clearly said that the rose garden was recognized as Riddel Spencer’s private property. It was plainly Kyle’s handwriting.
‘Oh, my God.’
The Rose Garden was a historic garden passed down by the Romani Duchy’s heir. It had been in the Great Duchy’s hand from generation to generation.
‘And you’re going to hand it over so easily?’
Bewildering, I almost dismissed the docunt.
Jean, who saw my baffled expression, added an explanation. “The master said he wanted to give it to you. He said no one is more suitable for roses than her Highness.”
Lies were slipping with ease from Jean’s mouth. When I smiled at him with suspicion, Jean admitted his slip of tongue.
“… Of course, he didn’t say this exactly, but sothing similar.”
I was going to ask him what he ant, but Jean continued on a different subject. “And how different the master has been these days! He’s been smiling when he looks at you.”
At that mont, I almost reprimanded him, but decided to let it go for now. Except for the smile, it really did happen.
Kyle has beco remarkably docile these days.
Why the hell? No way.
‘Is the curse weakening?’
It was a vague thought, but it wouldn’t be absurd. I’ve been changing the original storyline as I please. It wouldn’t be strange if the story was distorted to so extent.
“Okay, Jean, then I’ll take it. Thank you for bringing it over.”
I accepted Jean’s hand, agonizing over the possibilities, is it possible for the curse to fade? I couldn’t say. My personality type was not one to give up and lay low. I would find out what happened with the curse.
Distinctively, the rose garden was especially a great opportunity to prepare a money fund.
‘Oh… is it too calculating?’
Well, at this ti, I didn’t an to do a big business with it anyway. It was just a small profit opportunity.
Money aside, the curse was worrying at the mont. I was concerned about the changes that occurred. I could not stay still. How should we check if the curse is really getting weaker?
Dozens of questions were going through my mind while putting the key and docunts in the drawer.
Then, I looked at Jean’s face and laid the paved stones to my questions.
“Hey, um, Jean, I have a question.”
“Your Highness, you can ask anything.”
Jean, who was back to his normal self, answered with a calm expression. Although it was a clear indication that the question I was trying to ask would be awkward to listen to.
When I got the silent permission, I asked again. “That… about the Archduke’s curse, is there any way to solve it?”
“Unfortunately, not at this point.”
It was an imdiate answer without any hesitation.
To think they all thought there was absolutely no way for them to solve Kyle’s curse, I felt miserable. Recalling the basic settings of the original work I created, I knew it was my fault.
But my questions were not over yet.
I decided to dig a little deeper into the core for confirmation.
“But shouldn’t we try to solve the curse? Maybe the Archduke was wrong, and it could be solved.”
It could have been a sensitive remark. It was no different than telling a close confidant of the Archduke that he might die.
“…”
“…”
Silence followed. Fortunately, the atmosphere wasn’t soured by my questions. On the contrary, Jean seed a little surprised.
When it cos to Kyle’s curse, he would usually only make one-dinsional remarks to diminish the situation. The statent that the curse could not be solved, and that the curse would not kill Kyle.
‘In that situation, you must have felt sothing unusual when I questioned the curse so deeply.’
Jean lowered his eyes and looked down at again to see if I was trying to say sothing else.
“Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you very much for your kindness, but you don’t have to worry.”
“Why?”
“The curse is not one to take the life of the cursed one but rather freezes others. ”
“…”
“This evidence lies with the most prestigious wizards, proud believers of this continent and even the High Priestess of the Arcane, which is said to have the greatest geologist in the empire.”
Jean persuaded with a self-confident face without floundering despite my firm expression and silence.
It seed to be sowhere convincing.
As if there was only one correct answer, he seed to have been brainwashed.
‘At this rate, I don’t think any words will work.’
I had no choice but to nod slightly and continued. “I see, Jean, on a different note, please make sure to get plenty of rest and to check your health often.”
“… okay, Madam.”
It left a lingering impression on the conversation, but it was the best I could do for now.
***
How much ti passed since Jean left?
Suddenly, I looked out the window and noticed darkness covering the landscape. I must have been too absorbed in my docunt.
I wasn’t sure how ti went differently when I worked, but I felt a sense of stability, so I continued.
‘As expected, people have to work and live.’
I’ve had so much fun until now, but it wouldn’t be good to overdo it. I organized my desk and decided to head back to my room.
‘Let’s see. The wedding is in about a month, and the place is the largest Arcane Temple on the continent.’
But there was sothing strange here. Sothing that stood out. The budget for the wedding was not accurate.
To be exact, that part was blank.
‘Why? Are you not the one who is supposed to set a limit?’
This is a bit much. I didn’t really understand the Archduke’s decision. While I kept thinking about it, I covered the papers, knowing very well that I would stay up all night going through them.
I got up and walked to the door.
At this point, I would typically have called for the maids, however, since I started working late at night, I didn’t want to keep them waiting, so I dismissed them earlier. The knights are on patrol anyway.
When I opened the door, I heard a little squeaking sound.
Perhaps being alone at night was playing tricks on ; the noises seed to be louder. It was not pitch-black thanks to the lights in the corridor, but I still felt the need to hurry to my room.
“…!”
I was so surprised that I couldn’t even scream at the huge silhouette in front of …
Then I realized.
I called his na after identifying his white gloved hand that gently wrapped around my arm to prevent from falling.
“What, Archduke? Since when have you been here?”
I could now distinguish Kyle’s silhouette perfectly.
After releasing my arm, he leaned back against the wall right next to my office, crossed arm.
Then, he made a subtle expression for a mont and opened his mouth.
“What is it? Why are you so surprised?”
“… Why am I surprised? Wouldn’t you be surprised if soone’s shadow were waiting for you in the middle of the night?”
Kyle’s expression, which seed to say ‘you, surprised, that can’t be true’ was written all over him.
Co to think of it, this man would not be surprised if a dragon appeared in the middle of the night… Because he is a dragon himself.
“Hmmm. Why are you here at this hour Archduke?”
I turned away at Kyle’s sneering gaze.
Kyle answered imdiately, waiting for the exact question I just asked. “Why are you not coming into the room?”
The problem was back to this question.
To interpret Kyle’s profound dragon language, it would an; she was not in the room late at night, so I have to co here myself.
‘If soone were to see us, they might think I’ve broken my promise to him.’
I had a rather absurd look on my face.
“Because I have been working. You are no better; the last few days without even showing your nose.”
“I ca into the room.”
“It’s not valid because I didn’t witness it.”
“… I said you didn’t have to work.”
Oh! Look at him changing the subject as soon as he’s at a disadvantage. I didn’t want to hear that from him, but I decided to indulge him and answer his last question.
“I like to work. I want to do it. I think it’s fun and rewarding. It feels like my world is expanding.”
“…”
“I guess working is my preference over playing.”
When I saw Kyle, who quickly opened his mouth, a smirk ca out. I felt like I could read Kyle’s thoughts again ‘you don’t have to work, what a unique person’.
“If you’re having a hard ti, it doesn’t matter if you quit halfway.”
aning, I could throw it away. I recited with a slightly bragging face at the sweet words I heard.
“Do you think I will quit halfway?”
“No. I don’t think so. I think you’re going to stick to your work.”
I didn’t like the expression ‘stick’, but it was accurate in this situation. If I said I would do it, I didn’t intend to throw it halfway through without any thought, like it was not my responsibility.
To begin with, Kyle seed to know my tendencies but sohow, I think he was trying to encourage . This was quite a humane remark coming from him.
And…
“Tell if you have any difficulties with your work. I’ll help you as much as possible.” The voice, which ca after a brief silence, contained more humane words.
I took a mont to absorb all of Kyle’s sudden confidence.
“Those are very strong words. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank .”
Afterall, he had to end with a snippy comnt. Nevertheless, my heart was moved, and I murmured quietly.
“Then I will be in your care.”
After finishing our conversation in the corridor, we headed slowly down the hall of the night in the thick silence.
Naturally going toward the bedroom.
***
The next day.
Questions have been blooming in my head since the morning.
So, um… I fell asleep with Kyle last night after a long ti.
How should I say this? It sounds very strange to hear that we slept together. It wasn’t exactly wrong since we used the sa bed. Of course, Kyle didn’t co over to my side. Kyle wasn’t even there when dawn broke.
I got ready to go out as usual and arrived at the office after finishing breakfast.
‘… why is Kyle in my office.’
Kyle sat with his long legs crossed on the sofa I had arranged to entertain occasional guests.
Ugh. He had a docunt in his hand that seed to belong to .
I was so toothless that I asked with an absurd face. “What are you doing here, Archduke?”
“Work.”
“No, why are you working here? This is my office.”
“Didn’t you say you would be in my care yesterday?
Ah! It was the source of trouble. I forgot for a mont that Kyle had his own translator in his head, and the proof of the arbitrary translator could be found in his hands. It seems Kyle accepted my remarks as a request for help.
I went to my desk with a shaless face and sat down. Honestly, it was botherso to think about the situation I found myself in. However, it was hard to stay still now.
I looked at the calendar once again, like everyday I was sitting here.
‘Why is today the day, the sa day Sejan is supposed to give his answer?’
I couldn’t help but trying to get Kyle to return to his office as soon as possible.
“If I need help with sothing, I’ll co to you right away.”
“Yes.”
“By the way, how long are you going to be here?”
“Morning.”
I didn’t care if it was just the morning.
The probability that Sejan would co to at an early hour was close to zero considering his personality.
Relieved, I re-opened the wedding docunt that I saw yesterday.
‘Well, he’s just in ti.’
I decided to solve the paperwork situation with him.
“Archduke, about the budget for our wedding. It’s not written down. How much should we set aside?”
While I was the original author, I had no knowledge of marriage’s cost in this world. Since such detailed settings were not set aside, there was no way to know how much it would cost for nobles to marry.
Actually, I was going to ask Jean about it. However, due to Kyle’s tendency, if I didn’t pursue harder for an answer, he would stay here all afternoon.
‘I think I know the answer just by looking at Kyle.’
I decided to play the player in advance with a very clear answer.
“… I noticed yesterday and ant to tell you, there’s no limit set for to the amount of the wedding.”
“That’s right.”
Yes, I’m sure you know. I’m sure there would be no limit considering the Grand Duchy’s wealth was so high.
Having nothing more to say, I silently wrote the infinite symbol in the budget and asked the next question that ca to my mind.
“Oh, and the ceremony’s location is the largest Arcane Temple. Have you been here?”
“There’s no place I haven’t been.”
I think it was my fault to ask more questions knowing very well the situation, but I continued firmly.
“I see. I’ve never been there before.”
“… Is that so?”
“Yes. I have difficulty setting the estimated amount in detail. I’d like to go survey the place in advance. If you don’t mind, would you like to co with ?”
I peeked at Kyle while asking him. He doesn’t like to go out, so would he refuse?
“Okay.” Kyle answered without a hitch.
Contrary to expectations, I was sowhat puzzled by the easy answer.
“By the way, Riddel Spencer. How long are you going to call the Archduke?”
Kyle’s dry words doubled my embarrassnt.
‘Why are you calling out on this all of a sudden?’
Contrary to , who could not mutter any words at the mont, Kyle looked at with a heavy expression.
“Why do you have that look? You and I are a couple, so we definitely need a suitable term, and the title ‘Archduke’ is too rigid, you need to call sothing else.”
“No, well, I know that…”
Since it was a hard question, I didn’t know what to say.
‘Was there a different title for him?’
I thought hard about the titles those wives would use to call their husbands.
Honey, husband, dear, baby…
‘Crazy.’
I couldn’t do that. All those nas were too mushy. Even the last one would never fit in this world.
Kyle’s serious look made the nas fade in my imagination,
He asked with equal seriousness. “Riddel Spencer. What’s my full na and title?”
Kyle urged before I could ask him why he brought it up so out of the blue.
“Go ahead and tell .”
“Uh, uh, Archduke Kyle Romani.”
“What’s my first na?”
“Archduke Kyle.”
“Tell only my na without the title.”
“Kyle. Ah…”
I exclaid with astonishnt at what I said.
Kyle’s mouth was displaying a victorious smile.
“Call that from now on.”
“What? I don’t think it’s right to call soone by their first na.”
What was that? Kyle made an incredible face and told . “There’s no need to be so polite, call Kyle.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m a very polite person, and I do believe it’s hard.”
I was refuting, but I beca stiff. I had no choice but to because of Kyle.
At this mont, it felt different. Kyle didn’t have his usual apathetic expression; he was smiling warmly. Both corners of his mouth were straight up.
And he was staring straight at .
Reviews
All reviews (0)