Chapter 83
It was something I’d never heard before. Karden never showed it, so I had no idea.
“Really? The Grand Duke never mentioned anything about it.”
“That’s to be expected. The Grand Duke firmly refused, saying he didn’t need a healer. Probably because he has you, Shushu.”
“Ah…”
Olivia examined me with what seemed like admiration.
“You must possess remarkable healing powers. Originally, the Temple sent many healers every year to prevent the Grand Duke’s magical outbursts. They would stay at the northern castle for about a month to calm the Grand Duke’s magic, which was such a difficult task that they couldn’t perform any other healing activities for a while afterward. But for you to handle that role alone, it’s truly amazing.”
Olivia looked at me with eyes full of respect.
“R-really? It’s nothing special.”
Please don’t look at me with such sparkling eyes. I’m just consuming Karden’s magic. I’m not doing any healing or anything.
Olivia straightened her posture and continued speaking calmly.
“While it would be an honor to become the Grand Duke’s dedicated healer, it’s not a matter I can decide personally. It requires consultation between the Temple and the Grand Duke.”
“Y-yes, I suppose so.”
I had thought about it too simplistically. It wouldn’t be easy to change healers.
Disappointed, I hung my head. Olivia’s hand gently stroked my fur, as if to comfort me.
“I can see that you genuinely care for and worry about the Grand Duke.”
“Kaang? T-that’s…”
“You asked me because you want to protect someone precious to you, right? I think I understand that feeling. Actually, I, too, am indebted to the Grand Duke.”
“Indebted?”
I blinked in surprise. Had Karden and Olivia met before in the original story?
Olivia smiled shyly. Her eyes changed to reflect nostalgia, clearly reminiscing about the past.
“Five years ago, I went to the border region for relief work and was attacked by magical beasts. The Grand Duke dealt with the beasts and saved my life. The Grand Duke is my life’s benefactor.”
“I had no idea you had such a connection. Then, does the Grand Duke know you well?”
But why did he pretend not to recognize her when he saw her portrait? If he saved her life, he would surely remember her.
Olivia’s cheeks turned slightly pink.
“He probably doesn’t remember me. As the kingdom’s guardian sword, he must have saved countless people.”
“Hmm, the Grand Duke can be quite dense in that regard.”
I nodded vigorously.
Karden might have been so busy routinely dispatching magical beasts that he happened to save Olivia without remembering. That’s why he couldn’t recall her.
By the way, Olivia having feelings for Karden means things might work out more easily than I thought.
I felt relieved, but at the same time, there was a feeling like needles pricking a corner of my heart. I wasn’t sure why.
I wagged my tail and spoke excitedly.
“Anyway, that’s great. The Grand Duke would gladly accept if you became his healer.”
“Would he really? I hope I won’t be a burden.”
Olivia placed one hand on her cheek with a worried expression.
At that moment, the drawing room door slowly began to open.
Could it be that the mean lady had followed us here?
Olivia startled and stood up, while I quickly jumped down from the chair and stood in front of her.
I growled threateningly, baring my teeth.
Just try to touch my heroine, and I’ll bite you all!
The person who entered was none other than Karden. Dressed in a black uniform, he exuded a gallant and elegant dignity.
Olivia looked up at Karden with a start.
“That person is…”
Surprise and admiration appeared in Olivia’s blue eyes. Her long eyelashes fluttered quickly like butterfly wings.
Her small, white cheeks turned red like flower petals being dyed. I could feel her shy excitement and trembling.
Karden stopped in front of Olivia, then turned his gaze to me.
“Shushu, why did you transform into a fox? Weren’t you here to get fitted for a dress?”
“Ah, t-there’s a reason for that. Oh, let me introduce you.”
I wagged my tail vigorously and looked up toward Olivia.
As I was about to introduce her, Olivia gracefully curtseyed to Karden in a dance-like motion.
“It is an honor to meet the kingdom’s guardian sword, Your Grace, Grand Duke Helleide. I am Olivia from the House of Count Etrin.”
Karden’s gaze shifted from me to Olivia.
A slight wrinkle formed between his brows as he looked at her. It was a habit that appeared when he was thinking deeply.
“Lady Etrin, you’re a healer affiliated with the Temple, aren’t you?”
“You know me? I’m honored.”
Olivia smiled shyly, lowering her head. She looked as lovely as a forget-me-not blooming in the morning sunlight.
With the two of them standing side by side, it felt as if even the air around changed.
I stared blankly at the two of them, like a sack of barley that had been dumped there.
Oh no, this isn’t the time for me to be here. I should create an opportunity for them to talk.
“Lady Olivia, aren’t you thirsty? My throat is dry, and I’d like some tea.”
“Oh my, I’ll call an employee to bring tea. Since the Grand Duke has visited us.”
Olivia looked toward Karden and blushed slightly.
When she rang the silver bell, Madam Selen entered with an apologetic expression.
“You must have been startled by what happened earlier. I deeply apologize for my mistake that caused great disrespect to both of you.”
Olivia shook her head with a benevolent smile.
“It’s not your fault. Such things happen when running a boutique. Would you prepare some tea? The Grand Duke is here, so I must serve tea.”
Madam Selen hastily bowed to Karden and withdrew, saying she would prepare tea.
Shortly after, a boutique employee entered with a tea set.
While the employee poured fragrant black tea into cups, we each took our places on the sofa.
Karden gestured for me to come to his side, but I pretended not to see and sat next to Olivia.
After the employee left, we each quietly savored the tea. When I lapped at the tea with my tongue, Karden quickly took my teacup away.
“Kaang? Why are you taking it?”
“Wait a moment. The tea is hot.”
Karden blew gently on my teacup to cool the hot steam.
Just like blowing on baby food to make sure it’s not too hot.
Seeing Karden like this, Olivia’s eyes widened in surprise, then she covered her mouth with her teacup and smiled with her eyes.
Then she whispered softly to me.
“The Grand Duke cares for you very much, Shushu.”
“N-not really.”
I mumbled awkwardly. Karden placed the teacup in front of me again.
When I licked the tea with my tongue, it was just the right warm temperature.
Only after watching me drink the tea did Karden drink his own.
During the quiet tea time, Olivia carefully brought up a topic.
“How is Countess Grace doing? When I saw her at the last tea party, she looked healthy, which was reassuring.”
Countess Grace was Karden’s grandmother’s name.
Come to think of it, his Grandmother sent Olivia’s portrait through Yudis as a marriage candidate.
She threatened that if Karden didn’t come to the capital to decide on marriage, she would forcibly send a fiancée to the northern castle.
When his grandmother’s name was mentioned, Karden’s expression subtly changed. He narrowed his eyes and stared at Olivia.
“Were you and my grandmother acquainted?”
His tone wasn’t gentle at all. He’s like a detective interrogating a suspect. Anyone would be intimidated if questioned so harshly during a first meeting.
But Olivia responded with an elegant smile.
“Yes. The Countess has knee problems, so I often visit to provide treatment. Recently, I’ve been busy with Temple duties, so I haven’t been able to visit often, which I regret.”
“I see. Thank you for treating my grandmother.”
Only then did Karden properly thank Olivia.
I’ve heard that healers often treat noble ladies, so Olivia must have built a relationship with Countess Grace through such connections.
Is that why his Grandmother had Olivia in mind as a candidate for fiancée and sent her portrait to the northern castle?
For a moment, an awkward silence hung in the air.
Karden wore an expressionless face as if he had said all he needed to say, while Olivia seemed to be wondering what to say next.
Why is the atmosphere so cold when a young man and woman are together? This won’t do, I need to step in.
“Kaang, that’s right. I saw Lady Olivia’s portrait. I heard the Grand Duke’s grandmother sent it. The portrait was so beautiful.”
“Oh my, you saw that portrait too, Shushu? How embarrassing.”
Olivia covered her cheeks with her hands, not knowing what to do. But Karden’s expression darkened further.
“Could it be that his grandmother really considered Lady Etrin… as his fiancée candidate?”
Olivia looked at Karden with eyes like a startled rabbit.
“What? F-fiancée? How could I possibly dare to be His Grace’s fiancée?”
Olivia waved her hands and blushed like a young girl. Karden and I exchanged glances at her reaction.
“What was the meaning of your portrait? My grandmother sent it, saying it was my fiancée candidate.”
Olivia was perplexed and carefully said.
“That… the Countess said she had a good way to bring the Grand Duke to the capital, and asked to borrow my portrait.”
So his Grandmother deliberately created a false fiancée to make Karden come to the capital?
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