Peril had been asleep for fifty years because of a contract made with the imperial family.
The one who broke that contract was Idette. That became the seed of Peril’s obsession with her.
Looking back now, Idette was truly fearless. She had no idea what Peril might do, yet she woke him up.
Well, it’s not like I can talk.
Recalling Peril’s appearance in the original story, the future looked bleak.
‘……I might end up dying like this.’
While walking down the hallway with a gloomy face, I came to my senses and lightly slapped my cheeks. Then, putting on a bright smile, I swung open the dining room door.
“Grandfather!”
At my voice, Grandfather beamed at me. In just a day, his cheeks had sunken deeply.
A corner of my heart ached. But I approached him without showing it. Grandfather reached out to me familiarly.
“Allen said you returned from the homecoming ceremony, and your face looks bright.”
“The capital is so lively, I really enjoyed it!”
“Did you see Leon?”
“Ah, Brother Leon―.”
Creak.
At that moment, the dining room door opened. It was Cedric, coming in right on time for dinner.
He greeted Grandfather briefly and sat down.
Grandfather gently brushed my hair, which had stopped mid-conversation.
“So, dear. What were you going to say? Did you meet Leon?”
“Ah, no. I haven’t been able to meet him yet. There were just too many people…….”
Trailing off, I quietly watched Cedric’s reaction. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to have heard me, as his face remained calm.
Cedric and Leonhart.
Though the two were close friends, I heard they had a big fight a few years ago.
Grandfather clicked his tongue, saying grown men fighting was foolish, but Cedric didn’t even pretend to listen.
“That must’ve been really disappointing.”
“No! Not at all!”
Afraid of Cedric’s reaction, I quickly shook my head.
But Grandfather already seemed to know how I felt and laughed heartily. I laughed along, but stopped when I noticed how strained he looked.
Cedric, who had been observing him closely, spoke up gently.
“……Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to eat in your room?”
“Hey now, you rascal! I’m still fit and healthy. Are you already treating me like an invalid?”
“Seeing how loud you’re shouting, you must still be in good shape.”
Cedric gave a faint smile. I held my breath for a moment at his rare smile.
Seeing us like that, Grandfather clicked his tongue again.
“Good grief, how can siblings be so awkward with each other. I can’t die in peace like this―.”
“What are you saying! You need to live to see me have kids.”
Startled, I shouted, and Grandfather looked surprised.
“Are you already thinking that far ahead with Ricardo?”
“……Huh?”
“You two used to argue all the time, but it seems like things have improved quite a bit.”
Th-that’s not really it……
Unable to answer, I just rolled my eyes. Grandfather held my hand tightly. His soothing voice filled the dining room.
“……Dear, do you know what’s the most important thing for a person?”
I shook my head cautiously. Grandfather continued speaking gently to me.
“From all I’ve experienced in life, it’s the beliefs one holds dear. Only by keeping those beliefs can a person truly attain happiness, and only that will guide them to the path they desire.”
Happiness.
That was something Grandfather always emphasized to both me and Cedric.
But Grandfather and I had slightly different standards for happiness. After all, we came from different worlds.
To Grandfather, who had witnessed the horrors of war, the most important belief was ‘survival’. Along with the strength to protect oneself.
And Grandfather believed that the only means to protect me was the House of Duke Hessen.
“The only thing that can secure your standing in society is the position of the Duchess of Hessen. Isn’t that a place where you’ll never have to worry about anything for the rest of your life?”
“……Yes.”
Grandfather’s grip on my hand tightened.
I should have smiled with him…….
Strangely, my lips wouldn’t move.
Rationally, what Grandfather said was right. Even if I married Ricardo, I could live well without his love. Spending his status, honor, and wealth freely.
But that wasn’t…….
What I truly wanted.
Just as my lips parted.
“Cough!”
Grandfather began to cough. The strength in his hand that had tightly held mine faded, and a chill settled on the back of my hand.
He hurriedly covered his mouth with a napkin as the coughing continued.
“Grandfather……!”
At that moment, bright red blood soaked into the pure white napkin.
“Atticus!”
Cedric sprang up from his seat and called for the butler.
“I’m fine!”
“What do you mean you’re fine! You need to go upstairs!”
Cedric raised his voice, which was unlike him.
“I’m not dying, you fools! I need to see you brats before I go!”
Despite Grandfather’s words, Cedric supported him.
“Grandfather…….”
“Bianca, stay in the dining room.”
Cedric said as if I was just getting in the way. I instinctively reached toward Grandfather as he moved away, but my hand didn’t reach him.
Thud―!
Staring at the firmly shut dining room door, my legs gave out and I collapsed onto the seat.
……How much time did Grandfather have left?
My anxious hands fiddled with the key.
Even while the maids cleared away the cold food and set out fresh dishes.
“Bianca.”
After quite a while, Cedric entered the dining room. Only then did I snap out of it and turn my head toward him.
“How’s Grandfather?”
“He’s fallen asleep.”
“…….”
“……You don’t need to worry. He’s strong.”
Cedric let out a small sigh and turned his eyes to the steaming food.
“Haven’t you eaten?”
“……Not yet.”
“Eat.”
With that, Cedric plopped down into a seat.
Clink―.
As only the sound of clattering tableware echoed, Cedric quietly spoke.
“……Are you still holding feelings for the Duke?”
“Gah!”
The sudden topic made me choke.
“W-why would you think that…….”
“Back then, you used to chase after the Duke―.”
“That was in the past!”
Oh no, I asked the wrong question. Of course Cedric would say that.
“Ah, I see.”
“Yes. Now…….”
“Then why don’t you just tell Grandfather the truth?”
Tell him what?
That I didn’t like Ricardo anymore and wanted the engagement annulled?
Cedric let out a small sigh.
“Grandfather’s from an older generation. Back then, the honor of House Hessen was lofty. But now that the war is over, while House Roygin might fall slightly short, it’s still a respectable family.”
“…….”
“As the young lady of a marquisate, you have every right to choose your groom.”
……Was I really hearing this from Cedric?
I stared at him blankly, and his gaze narrowed.
“Though, knowing you, who lacks ladylike qualities, I’m not sure you could bring someone better than Ricardo.”
Yup, that’s the Cedric I knew.
“Thank you for saying that. But since this is the engagement Grandfather wants, I’m planning to hold onto it just a little longer.”
“Is your time so worthless? You, of all people, should know that wasted time never returns.”
I smiled bitterly.
“Grandfather’s time is more valuable than mine.”
At my words, Cedric paused.
“……Once Grandfather recovers, I’ll tell him myself. He has enough on his plate already. I don’t want to burden him with more.”
I wet my throat with water.
“Besides, shouldn’t the former Duke also be persuaded?”
After all, this engagement was the result of a promise between Grandfather and the former Duke.
Even if Ricardo and I wanted to break it off, it would be meaningless. That’s why Ricardo couldn’t actively push for an annulment either.
Silence returned to the dining room.
* * *
An incident happened the next day.
“My lady! Something terrible has happened! The Duke is coming to the marquisate this afternoon!”
“……What’s coming?”
“The Duke! The Duke!”
Emily exaggerated her mouth movements to repeat who it was.
Only after grasping the situation did I start firing off questions.
“Why? Did I do something wrong? With whom? Is he coming alone? Why?”
“According to the Marquis, he said there’s an appointment between you and the Duke.”
……When did I ever?