Don’t Be Holy! - Chapter 132

Perhaps this was like when he was three, fascinated by something mysterious, determined to uncover its cause and conclusion.

Duke Andreas decided to step back for now, deliberately thinking this way. There would be plenty of opportunities to drive her out later. If he could prove that the woman was using Rubel as a shield to gain various benefits and commit misdeeds, like the nanny had, Rubel would drive her out himself.

Duke Andreas knew well that to bend someone with an unyielding personality like Rubel’s to his will, the only way was to make him come around on his own.

“Stubborn child. Do as you please.”

With those words, Duke Andreas went upstairs. The gathered servants, uneasy about the unsettling turn of events, dispersed one by one at the butler and housekeeper’s direction, until only Rubel and Eir remained in the hall.

Eir watched Rubel’s rigid back cautiously. Rubel bowed to the departing head of the household’s back, and only when his shadow disappeared did he turn around.

“Come here.”

“No matter how I think about it, you seem to be making a mistake.”

At that, he strode over and grabbed her hand. His touch was gentle but firm.

“That’s because you underestimate me. I am more than capable of protecting you.”

For the first time in her life, Eir saw a grand noble’s house unfold before her eyes. Luxurious silk wallpaper, statues, and large vases filled with flowers throughout the house.

But amidst all these eye-catching things, Eir only watched Rubel’s profile. His eyes stubbornly looking straight ahead.

Why was he going this far?

Of course, she couldn’t understand him, but she couldn’t help the rising curiosity.

“I’m not underestimating you, but you’re already giving up something because of me.”

“What have I given up?”

“Didn’t you waste the opportunity the Duke promised to grant you anything because of me?”

She knew how precious an opportunity with the word “anything” in it was. It was a kind of blank check. With the unpredictability of life, wasting such an opportunity like this?

To Eir, it seemed like a truly foolish choice.

But Rubel let out a cynical laugh and looked at her as if that wasn’t why his expression had been sour.

“That was just for show.”

“What?”

“When saying difficult things to parents, one should add such touches. Bringing a witch home—though I’m not blaming you—but anyway, having brought a witch, I should at least pretend to sacrifice something.”

“So there was no such promise?”

“There was.”

Huh?

Eir’s face showed confusion as she blankly followed him. So there was such a promise, and he did use it, but why was that just for show?

Does that mean he could ask for it again by appealing to them? That promise? The great Rubel Shinote?

Rubel glanced briefly at Eir, who was absentmindedly climbing the stairs, and smiled briefly.

At first, he had been irritated whenever Eir acted foolishly like this, but now it made him smile. He wondered what joy there would be in life without this woman.

“What I mean is,” he began again in a kind tone.

“What use would I have for such a promise? Would I ask to have Magnus killed? Or to hand over the family to me? There would never be any such use for it, and if there’s no use, it’s as good as nonexistent from the start.”

But to Eir, there seemed to be plenty of ways to use it besides those absurd examples.

She opened her mouth and said as if frustrated:

“Why wouldn’t there be a use? If you were in danger…….”

Rubel interrupted her mid-sentence, neutralizing her argument.

“He’s my father, so he would naturally save me.”

“What if it’s a danger that came about because you wronged your father?”

“That wouldn’t happen, but if it did, wouldn’t that be an issue to resolve on my own rather than through such means? The point is, I used it because it was appropriate. There’s no need for you to feel indebted anywhere.”

Arrogant man.

Eir chewed her lips and only released his hand after climbing the last step. He turned to look at her as if wondering why she had done that.

“Just put me in the Central Temple prison.”