Chapter 85
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
Mikhail managed to finally shake off Leah, who was sobbing and clutching her ankle in pain.
“Oh, what should I do? I think I’ve sprained my ankle.”
His patience was really being tested.
Yet, it didn’t seem like she was lying. Mikhail bent down to slightly lift her skirt, revealing a slightly swollen ankle. Even a gentle touch elicited a whimper from Leah.
“Call a knight.”
“But, Duke!”
She hurriedly grabbed Mikhail’s clothes.
“Please don’t leave me alone. I don’t want to be by myself in a strange place.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks, staining her white dress with dirt from the grass where she had fallen.
“Please, take me with you…, yes?”
Leah pleaded, holding on as if she wouldn’t let go. Left with no choice, he lifted her in his arms.
Leah naturally wrapped her hands around his neck.
“Thank you.”
Surprisingly unfazed by being hoisted up so high, she just stared into his face.
“I’m sorry for being so rude. It’s my fault for causing trouble.”
“It’s good you realize that.”
“….Do I owe you anything for this?”
“You don’t owe me anything, so there’s no need to repay.”
“But you’re carrying me back to the mansion. You know, this is actually the first time I’ve been carried by someone… Hehe.”
She laughed, her eyes reddened but sparkling with unasked-for happiness. He coldly ignored her gaze.
“Still laughing after being scolded?”
“Duke, do you find me unattractive? Everyone always says I’m pretty… What about my figure? Oh, maybe you don’t like it too much… But there’s nothing I can do about it. I was born this way, there’s no way to reduce it.”
“Lady Chevron.”
“Yes, please speak.”
Once again, she smiled brightly while blinking at him.
Annoyingly cheerful. She seemed always to be glowing, as if darkness had never once touched her life.
Unlike someone, she was bright and showed a friendly interest. She was the kind of woman anyone would be fond of.
Yet, why did that someone bother him even now?
He was annoyed in many ways.
“Please just shut your mouth.”
* * *
Emilia answered without hesitation.
“I’m not curious.”
But her response didn’t matter to Adrian.
He grabbed her hand and promptly came downstairs, then requested a tour of the mansion’s garden.
No one here could refuse the king. She had no choice but to follow.
“If you understand that I am unwell and cannot walk much.”
“Of course. I shall be most grateful for your guidance, Madam.”
Emilia wondered why he suddenly wanted to see the garden. It felt like something unfavorable was about to happen to her.
She planned to go halfway and then return to her room under the pretext of feeling unwell.
Holding onto the stair railing, she descended slowly. Adrian offered his hand, but she did not take it.
“I’m fine on my own.”
“You don’t seem fine at all.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I can manage on my own. How could I possibly tarnish Your Majesty’s hand?”
“If it becomes too hard, hold on to me.”
“……”
Emilia stubbornly persisted. Holding onto the railing, she continued down the stairs.
The stress caused her vision to darken and then lighten repeatedly.
‘I can’t fall here. It would be troublesome.’
With the Duke not around, she couldn’t afford any more unexpected situations.
It wouldn’t be great to be alone with Adrian, but it was surely better than falling ill.
“Ah!”
Emilia felt herself wobble for a moment and gripped the railing tightly.
Only after reaching the bottom of the stairs did she breathe a sigh of relief.
“See, I told you to take my hand.”
Without giving her a chance to refuse, Adrian quickly grabbed her hand and linked arms with her.
Then, they slowly walked across the spacious lobby he adapted his pace to hers, a meticulous care she never wanted.
As they were about to step past the lobby and outside through the mansion’s entrance, her steps halted abruptly.
It was as if her feet were glued to the floor.
‘…Duke Heinrich.’
He was walking towards the mansion, holding a woman in his arms. The woman clung around his neck. With a face as cute as a rabbit’s, the lady chattered non-stop to him.
Though she couldn’t make out what was being said, laughter seemed to never leave the woman’s face.
‘…Laughing?’
What could be so amusing? What could possibly bring about such laughter?
Emilia felt as though something was pressing down on her chest.
What did it matter to her if he was frolicking with another woman?
It should have been a relief to her. It meant she could escape his attention, even if just a little. But why did this make her feel so… vile?
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