"But what did the guest behind us come here for?"
Madame Deaton greeted the Grand Duke with her best business smile.
The Grand Duke didn’t answer.
Seeing the suspicious robe and his silence, Madame’s hand slipped discreetly below the glass case.
She’s about to ring for the guard—
"He’s someone I know."
I spoke quickly.
The quick-witted Madame blinked.
The Princess—who’d received the oath that caused such an uproar last night—had come in person, supposedly to choose a gift for a man other than her family or the Crown Prince.
And now she claimed to know this robed stranger.
Madame understood at once and gave me an inexplicable smile.
Then she bowed politely to the Grand Duke.
"...Very well. I’ll bring up some new refreshments. Everyone will wait outside—please ring the bell if you need anything."
Without another word to me—who was still flustered by her very clear misunderstanding—Madame left the room.
I couldn’t even finish my sentence.
The Grand Duke asked back as if genuinely curious:
"Well—how else am I supposed to know exactly what you like?"
Joke or serious?
I instinctively searched his face.
The Grand Duke averted his gaze. Through the jet-black hair at his nape, I caught a glimpse of ear tips stained red.
Don’t be ridiculous, Olivia.
Startled by my own thought, I shook my head quickly.
I heard the Grand Duke laugh quietly—but I didn’t feel embarrassed.
It’s a silly assumption. He’s a Grand Duke. I’m just overreacting to his jokes.
I tried hard to suppress my blush and responded more playfully, ignoring my racing heart:
"If you joke like that, you’ll end up in a wedding hall."
He was not only the Empire’s sole Grand Duke, but a war hero with immense wealth and fame. Even the Emperor had paraded him as the “best groom” yesterday.
I smiled proudly, hoping he’d take it as a compliment.
But when the Grand Duke looked at me again, his expression was... odd.
His searching red eyes made me second-guess myself.
It was a compliment... did I say it wrong?
Just as I began to worry, the Grand Duke smiled sweetly.
"...That’s exactly what I’m hoping for."
"...With me?"
"Yes. With you, my lady."
My heart swelled at his clear answer.
I felt like I needed to say something—but as soon as our eyes met, my words died on my tongue.
Why does he look at me like that?
A gaze so warm and ticklish that it was almost uncomfortable to receive.
Those eyes contained everything I’d always longed for.
Sweet affection.
I quickly scanned the display case—excluding, of course, the Grand Duke’s ring.
For cufflinks, maybe obsidian or diamonds would be best...
The Grand Duke pointed towards one section of the stand:
"How about that one?"
He was pointing at an emerald necklace.
A deep, bright green—like summer forests.
Emeralds shone between tightly woven platinum links. It was mesmerizing.
I looked back and forth between the necklace and the Grand Duke.
"Uh... Are you going to wear it yourself?"
"It’s for you."
He spoke bluntly, meeting my confused gaze.
"In exchange for me returning the jewelry pin, please accept this. Otherwise, I won’t give it back."
"I should be the one giving, but you want me to accept a gift again?"
"You’re the one who said you’d do anything."
He came out shamelessly.
I was about to retort that I’d never said such a thing—but the truth was, I’d listen to almost anything the Grand Duke asked.
Still... that color...
"It’s not that I don’t like it, but I don’t really suit bright colors."
The Grand Duke insisted on accompanying me back.
Sally, beaming, went ahead with our packages.
Inside the carriage, I absentmindedly played with the pink diamond necklace at my throat.
"As promised, I’ll return the jewelry pin by tonight."
His red eyes curved gracefully. It was obvious he was in an excellent mood.
I laughed softly—then stopped.
Suddenly, his previous words came back to me.
A ring. A proposal ring.
The Grand Duke was kind, attentive, openly affectionate.
If all of that was for the sake of a marriage proposal—I had to stop it.
Because I had to become Crown Princess.
Only by standing proudly next to Leopold would my family look at me.
My hand froze at my necklace. A heavy ache sank into my heart.
I didn’t know it would hurt this much to decide I shouldn’t see him anymore.
"Your Highness, there’s something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"About the ring you mentioned earlier."
"...Have you finally decided you want it?"
The Grand Duke, who had been reclining, sat up straight.
His red eyes shone sweetly.
"It’s a bit late, but if my lady says she wants it, I’ll reconsider."
His tone was lazy, but his movements were quick as he reached into his coat for the ring case.
"It’s not that. It’s about... why you’re nice to me."
Feeling his gaze, my voice shrank.
"If you're only kind because of a marriage proposal—you don’t have to be."
The Grand Duke’s expression turned complicated.
His lips pressed together, as if he were holding back sharp words.
I’m doing something terribly wrong.
He must think I’m shameless—after everything he’s done.
My shoulders sagged.
At the same time, his calm voice cut through the air:
"Is that what you think? That I’m only being 'nice' to you?"
He sounded genuinely puzzled.
I nodded.
"Yes. You’ve been so good to me."
I’ve never felt such generous affection before. Unfamiliar compliments. Warm eyes. Thoughtful gestures. Kind words. Even gifts.
I was truly grateful.
For a moment, the Grand Duke’s face twisted—as if my gratitude had wounded him.
Then his smile returned, a little brittle at the edges.
"Then I suppose I’ll just have to treat you even better."
"...Why?"
"Because I’ve been suppressing the urge to do more. Approaching you as gently and non-threateningly as I can."
His words felt like sunlight in early spring—soft and painfully bright.
Can I really dare to taste kindness like this?
The Grand Duke chuckled.
"So don’t ever tell me not to be nice to you. All right?"
My throat felt parched.
After a moment, I nodded.
He smiled gently.
Before long, the carriage stopped in front of the mansion gate.
The Grand Duke stepped down, then glanced beside me.
At some point, without my noticing, another jewelry box had appeared on the seat.
Before I could protest, he spoke first:
"That one’s for your younger sister. I’d like to stay on the good side of your precious sibling as well."
He smiled and signaled the carriage to depart.
The gate opened, and my carriage rolled through the garden.
I looked out the window and watched him walking away.
Even from a distance, I could see his smile clearly.
---
Once inside the mansion, I opened the box he’d left behind.
Inside was a pink diamond necklace—the exact same one I was already wearing.
For some reason, my heart fluttered.
I really did think—it was a perfect day.
I’d received flowers and gifts from children. And from him.
"Sally?"
I called for her, expecting her to greet me as usual.
But she was nowhere to be seen.
Several of my maids were gathered in one hallway instead.
In front of Ethella’s room.
The maids—standing there with worried faces—noticed me.
"My lady, Lady Ethella is looking for you."
"Ethella’s back?"
She wasn’t due home for another three days.
A sick feeling stirred in my chest—but I shook my head.
What could be wrong? She must have had fun at Mother’s family estate...
I pushed open Ethella’s door—and froze.
Even though it was evening, the room was dark. No lamps lit.
In the fading sunset light, I saw Ethella sitting on her bed.
She sensed me and turned toward the door.
Her face was hidden by her hair.
I opened my mouth to call her name—then stopped.
This feeling... It’s like when I first stepped into Father’s study.
"...Sister."
Her voice was cracked, screeching.
I set the box down on the table and stepped toward her.
"What’s the matter?"
It was a crying voice.
A very, very tired voice.
I clenched my fists.
Who dared make Ethella cry? Angelic Ethella?
It should be impossible.
"Tell me. What happened?"
"Because of you... I... really..."
Ethella slowly lifted her head.
I stopped dead.
Ethella’s eyes—those eyes that always sparkled with happiness—were sunken and dark.
"Did my mother die... because of you?"
Her trembling voice pointed straight at me.
My heart plummeted.