What I Gained by Giving My Body - Chapter 2.22

‘……Should I just wait for him to come out?’

But thinking of herself waiting obediently for the Archduke at the entrance of the greenhouse, she hated that too. Caitlyn clenched her fists in both hands and began to walk. Anyway, according to the servants, the gardener was somewhere in the greenhouse. She could meet him and ask for a way to find the Archduke.

How much time had passed? Caitlyn wiped her forehead, where beads of sweat had formed, with a handkerchief. The gardener was nowhere to be seen, and her thick winter clothes only felt like a burden. The exotic flowers and trees that were initially fascinating now only felt like obstacles that prevented her from easily finding the Archduke.

A foreboding feeling struck her. Despite having examined every nook and cranny of the greenhouse, the fact that Archduke Akbar was not visible meant…….

‘Did the servants deceive me?’

Or perhaps their paths crossed and he went outside.

‘I should just go out too.’

It was when Caitlyn was about to give up and head out. An automated presence she was familiar with was heard, and she whipped her body around. Roxias Akbar, who looked particularly in a good mood, was revealing himself from where he had hidden in the shadow created by a giant leaf.

At that moment, Caitlyn realized. It wasn’t that she couldn’t find Archduke Akbar, but rather the fact that he had been avoiding her all along. It was obvious harassment. Her heart raced. How long had he watched her wandering around looking for him?

From the beginning?

Was it fun, or was it laughable?

Whichever it was, she was certain of one thing. The fact that she would never have been able to find him if he hadn’t deliberately made his presence known just now. As soon as the distance with Archduke Akbar narrowed, she spoke point-blank.

“Please hold an engagement party.”

“From what I know, humans do something called a greeting when they meet.”

The sarcastic answer she knew well returned. Caitlyn pulled the corners of her mouth up. She had no intention of being on the receiving end forever.

“Those words only apply when both parties are human. Since Your Grace is not human, as you have mentioned over and over again.”

“…….”

Archduke Akbar was silent for a moment. The faint smile that had been lingering around his mouth had long since vanished in an instant. It seemed he had nothing to say, even in his own opinion. Taking advantage of that gap, Caitlyn quickly explained the necessity of the congratulatory party.

“Even just today, the House of Duke Huskan has already sent their third gift. If I do not return the favor, I and my brother will eventually suffer great harm.”

It wasn’t just the House of Duke Huskan. Did a Marchioness’s daughter, who usually wouldn’t even speak to her, not send a necklace? Did a Countess not send a painting? Each and every one was so high-priced that she even hesitated to store them. Since returning them would also be a discourtesy, Caitlyn could neither do this nor that, and had simply stacked the gifts neatly in the warehouse.

“Is it not a matter of simply returning the favor? If you have no money, I shall buy it for you.”

Caitlyn shook her head.

“Then a new gift will come again. And I will have to prepare a return favor again.”

“So, if a banquet is held, gifts will not come?”

Presumably, Archduke Akbar’s opinion was the exact opposite of Caitlyn’s.

“No.”

Caitlyn shook her head.

“At least I can drop a hint about what kind of gifts I want, can’t I?”

Archduke Akbar let out a low laugh.

“If there is something you want, it would be faster to tell me.”

“…….”

“To ask for a congratulatory party for such a reason, my fiancée is quite greedy.”

“I did not know that wanting a congratulatory party since I have become engaged was overstepping my bounds.”

Her face felt hot. Of course, her inner thoughts were different, but she could not bring herself to openly tell the Archduke, ‘I intend to create public opinion by spreading rumors favorable to me.’

“There is nothing that can’t be done, but the timing is quite poor. Because an Imperial Ball will be held in the near future.”