For the first ti in a while, I twisted my hair up with pearl pins and wore a sky-blue dress that complented my dark navy hair. The air outside was more refreshing than I had expected, and the sunlight was warm. Staying indoors for so long had made
unaware of the weather.
It had been a while since I last rode in a carriage. The ride was smooth, probably because it was a carriage sent by the imperial family. I rested my chin on my hand and gazed out at the scenery.
I saw people walking and talking, going about their ordinary days. It was pleasant to see smiles blooming on the faces of those conversing with each other.
Yet, I couldn’t picture myself among them.
Perhaps if I rested at ho a little longer, I might feel like joining them.
Yes, I still needed so stability.
When I arrived at the palace, I blinked at the grandeur that I hadn’t seen in a while.
Though the Etvar estate is quite large, the palace was truly opulent. I think it reflects Emperor Kies's taste.
I walked down the hallway and was led to the dining room.
Reluctantly, as if I were doing a task I didn't want to, I stepped in slowly. There, seated at the long dining table, was Ryan.
I bowed my head politely. Ryan nodded back at .
The room was filled with silence, with not a single word exchanged.
'This is more comfortable, actually.'
Only the maids and attendants serving us appeared uneasy.
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"For the first ti, it seems like we agree."
I thought the sa.
I was actually surprised that Ryan hadn’t started shouting at
about Reshuan.
Could it be that Reshuan didn’t tell him anything?
That, in itself, was astonishing.
"I have no intention of getting engaged or married to you. For , there is only Reshuan."
I expected as much. I nodded.
"Yes, I kno—"
I was about to reply casually when the door to the dining room opened. Although it was behind , I didn’t bother to turn my head.
It was probably just a servant bringing in the al.
As I was about to speak again, I heard a voice I hadn't anticipated.
"Marceau."
Startled, I froze for a mont before shaking my head.
"Marceau."
But as if to refute my thoughts, a warm voice called my na again.
...But how is Darcy here? The imperial palace isn’t a place just anyone can enter.
Moreover, he said he was leaving.
"Sorry, I took longer than expected because I was preparing to see you after so long. Still, I'm glad I made it in ti."
Before I turned my head, Darcy’s hand covered my eyes. He spoke sharply.
"What are you doing talking to a guy like him? He's ear-rotting."
...While his blatant words were refreshing, I was seriously worried about Darcy’s future.
Even so, Ryan is the Crown Prince.
I pressed down on the fingers covering my eyes to signal to Darcy.
But Darcy continued undeterred.
"I’ve especially covered your eyes. Consider looking at
later to refresh them. After all, I’m better looking."
"Who are you? Get out of here—"
Ryan’s angry voice made
nervous. He wouldn’t let soone who insulted him go unpunished.
'I have to step in.'
I was about to speak when Darcy's voice ca first.
"Your brother."
...What?
This was an unexpected turn of events.
I didn’t think he was just an extra, but could that be true? He never appeared in the book....
I struggled to remove Darcy’s hand, but his grip was far stronger than I had anticipated.
I heard a low chuckle from Darcy, and the pressure on his hand lessened. When I pushed, his hand slid away, and my vision cleared.
I turned my head and finally saw Darcy.
In his uniform with his hair neatly tied up, his face was radiant. His transparent eyes, dark eyebrows, and composed deanor exuded a grace unlike before.
...He truly looked like a different person.
The mont our eyes t, Darcy’s eyes softened. His gaze at
ford a gentle curve.
A mont later, Darcy squinted at Ryan, folding his arms and regarding him with a cocky look. His attitude was entirely different from how he was with .
"Call
'brother.'"
Ryan stared at Darcy as if he were mad.
Darcy shrugged and turned back to .
"I couldn't just leave knowing that trash might beco your husband."
"You're completely insane."
Ryan muttered in disbelief, but Darcy acted as if Ryan didn’t exist.
His unwavering gaze on
was so intense it was almost burdenso.
The way he looked at
was distinctly different from before. It was as if he were expressing his feelings freely, like the last ti we t.
'Why is that?'
I was bewildered by the change in Darcy’s deanor when he spoke up.
"Marceau, I've thought hard about this, but I couldn’t figure it out. I realized I had to ask you directly."
Still confused, I asked him.
"...What?"
Darcy replied seriously.
"Do you prefer informal speech or formal speech? Or a mix of both? Do you like strong intonations?"
...What’s the purpose of this question?
Resting his chin in thought, Darcy continued.
"Maybe I won’t know until I hear it? Listen, Marceau. I missed you. Is this too awkward...?"
His elegant tone was natural as if it had always been his way of speaking.
I was caught up in confusion and barely managed to ask.
"How did you even get here? You said you were leaving."
At my question, Darcy blinked, as if he had forgotten he hadn’t ntioned it yet.
"I ca to see you."
With a playful smile, Darcy quickly closed the distance between us and whispered in my ear.
"I didn’t expect you to look so pretty today."
His breath landed softly against my ear like a feather.
My face flushed bright red.
Calm down. This isn’t the problem right now. I needed to seriously consider Darcy’s cri of disrespecting the royal family.
Is Ryan really Darcy’s brother?
...Or did Darcy eat sothing bad? Or was he brainwashed sowhere?
But he wouldn’t have been brainwashed, would he? Is that even possible in the first place?
...What if he was brainwashed by the mages here while trying to escape? That’s terrifying.
My mind was racing with worst-case scenarios.
I should ask him first. With a trembling voice, I looked at Darcy and asked.
"Darcy, you weren’t brainwashed or anything, right? No, if you were brainwashed, you wouldn’t just say you were."
I was more concerned about his current state than his earlier complint. He was the first person I truly opened up to after being in Marceau’s body. He was soone I cherished enough to reminisce about the ti we spent together.
Darcy remained silent, staring blankly at . My worries piled up like a mountain. Could I help him?
"Darcy, I have plenty of money, so let’s see our doctor first."
"I knew you wouldn’t believe
easily, but... this reaction exceeds my expectations."
Darcy muttered, observing . He gazed at
intently with narrowed eyes, then shrugged.
"Marceau, please answer my question first. What kind of speech do you like?"
A preferred way of speaking? I had never considered such a thing before.
He seed like he wouldn’t let it go without an answer, so I decided to answer quickly and then figure out a way to help him.
"I don’t have a preferred way of speaking."
"Does my way of speaking bother you?"
...Why is he asking this? He’s been speaking informally since the beginning.
I nodded, feeling puzzled.
"No. It suits you."
"It suits ? Is that a good thing...?"
Darcy made a peculiar expression. Even the slight furrow of his brow looked as if it belonged in a magazine.
I knew he was handso, but today he seed even more striking. Was it because he was more dressed up and polished?
"Darcy, let’s get treatnt—"
"Not yet. There’s still one very important thing left to say."
As I spoke in concern, Darcy shook his head with a serious expression.
This ti, it seed like he was about to ask sothing genuinely crucial, so I nodded.
"Don’t get engaged to that guy."
"...What?"
When I dumbly asked again, Darcy lowered his gaze slightly.
"I’ll help you find happiness."
His eyelashes fluttered. eting my eyes, Darcy whispered in a languid voice.
"You saved ."
I was about to ask what he ant when I noticed a cold blade against Darcy’s neck.
Oh no, I’d completely forgotten about Ryan standing there! I had co to the palace for a different reason!
But Darcy didn’t seem to care at all.
Instead, he turned his head to face Ryan as if the blade didn’t exist, crossing his arms and grumbling nonchalantly.
"Brother, where did you learn this kind of rudeness, interrupting an important conversation?"
Ryan responded with a cold expression.
"You ignored my presence entirely, and you call that etiquette? It’s a grave offense to speak of kinship before the Crown Prince. Stand up."
"Alright."
Darcy stood up obediently, giving
a sweet smile.
"Enjoy the dinner here, Marceau. I’ll leave."
"...Where are you going?"
In response to Ryan's question, Darcy widened his eyes as if shocked.
"Would you have Marceau co out? My goodness, how thoughtless. Since she’s at the palace, let her enjoy a proper al."
His face, speaking as if lanting, reminded
of the first ti we t.
Darcy gestured towards the door.
"Shall we step out?"
His audacity to tell the Crown Prince to leave was remarkable.
Ryan, with a scowl, stood with his sword still at Darcy’s throat. It seed he wouldn’t heed Darcy’s words.
I felt the sa. Who knew what threats Ryan might make if they went outside?
"Have your conversation here. Stay."
I couldn’t let him die. It would be disadvantageous for Darcy to have a private talk with Ryan.
Darcy blinked at my words and whispered with a face blooming like a bright flower.
"I like hearing that. Say it once more."
This isn’t the ti for jokes.
I was dumbfounded, and Darcy burst into hearty laughter.
His actions, mismatched with the situation, strangely suited him.
"Say it."
Even with the blade still at his neck, he remained eerily calm.
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