Chapter 52

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Chapter 52

The banquet was five days away. Evan, who came on a horse, not on a carriage, seemed to have grown much taller.

‘What’s the rate of growth, I guess bean sprouts…’

[ T/N: Bean sprouts are known to grow immediately in just a few days, so it means that he grows quickly. ]

Duke Icard was quite tall, though at this rate of growth, it seemed that he was going to surpass his father before he was even in his twenties.

‘Who would say he is only thirteen years old.’

Evan had good features but had lost his baby face. Combined with the terrifying facial expressions, it was difficult to find the cuteness characteristic of that age. Well, his cuteness wasn’t on the outside, anyway.

‘If he had a beard, I’d believe he is an adult.’

Though he was only about to be fourteen… As soon as I showed him to his room in the villa, he tilted his head and said, “We won’t be sharing a room?”

“My room is too small.”

I tapped him on the shoulder, which seemed to have become harder than before.

“I don’t think there’s anything uncomfortable here either?”

“….”

“Why? Is there anything you don’t like?”

“No, it’s just—”

Evan replied sulkily, sweeping through his hair before continuing, “I thought a close couple should share the same room.”

Without being able to make eye contact with me, he looked elsewhere for no reason.

“Because you said let’s… get along.”

I was a bit distracted, well… he was still thirteen. Thinking that, I then smiled while holding his thick hand.

“If we go back to the Duchy, we can use one room. Though this time, it’s a special situation.”

“All right, since you’re sick.”

Evan nodded obediently, overshadowed by his short grunt.

“The first thing you should do is to feel comfortable. I’m sorry for being upset for no reason.”

Watching that, I muttered as if possessed.

“It’s not that, Evan.”

“Hmm?”

“…I’m sorry that… I’m sick.”

It was a phrase that came out of me unconsciously before I added blankly.

“…If I ever die or—”

Evan’s pupils shook when I said something like that out of nowhere.

“What… What are you talking about? Why are you dying? If you die, I will follow you to death. I can’t live in a world without you.”

“…I know.”

I couldn’t figure out why that word came out of me for a moment. Though I’ve never thought of that before, when I saw his worried look I knew it wasn’t a lie. Evan raised his hand and swept my hair still.

“Don’t ever say that again. You can’t even say you are sorry for being sick. There’s nothing for you to be sorry about.”

“Ngh, I won’t.”

I answered immediately because I thought it was as if I was not really sorry. Eventually, He spoke in a slightly different tone as if he wanted to stir up the mood.

“I’ve been working really hard on my successor’s lessons. I came early because I finished quickly.”

“Well, yeah?”

“I train my swordsmanship every day, and I brought my sword here to do it, too.”

“I see.”

“I just wanted to say that I was really obedient to my job.”

“You have to since you’re the heir.”

“I mean, I’ve been working hard.”

At his words, I wondered why Evan kept saying the same thing with his eyes as if waiting for something, but suddenly, a conversation crossed my mind.

“Work hard on your successor’s lessons, continuing your swordsmanship training.”

“And, what are you going to do for me?”

“…Compliments you?”

‘He’s asking for a compliment, huh?’

It seemed that Evan was a little sad when I slowly laughed out loud. What’s this… he acted like a baby who came to see his sick mother.

“Evan, you did a great job.”

While making eye contact with his red eyes, I uttered that softly.

“It may be hard day by day, but you have to live diligently so that you will become a great Duke like your father.”

“Yeah.”

Only then did he finally have a happy smile on the corner of his mouth.

“I’m glad you’ve been behaving well without me. As expected of the Academy’s first place.”

My tone, the pertinent facts, and a little exaggeration considering the mood of the listener, was a great compliment, but only one thing was missed, my sincerity.

“I want to see your room, too.”

“Would you like to?”

Eventually, I took Evan by the hand and led him to my room across the hall.

“You decorated it well.”

“Yes, I prefer expensive and good things. In that sense, the things you ordered were perfect. Thank you!”

Lisa, who was organizing the letters, smiled brightly at us.

“Young Master, you look so good with Miss Laria. It’s like seeing the Duke and Matilda’s childhood.”

“…Thank you.”

I approached the table and looked at the new stack of correspondence while he answered slowly.

“That’s a lot of correspondence?”

“Yeah. Since the banquet is approaching.”

Sitting on a chair, he left me to walk around the room. It was to answer the backlog of correspondence. Then, Evan sat next to me after a quick break.

“Can I take a look?”

“Sure.”

“Do you mind if I read your correspondence? I wonder why so many people are coming.”

“Of course. I sent it in the name of Icard after all.”

And so, Evan began to read the letters piled up in front of me while I told Lisa to take out a pen and paper and get me a cup of tea with him. Lisa left quietly, grinning after serving tea and confectioneries.

He must have been quick to read, and after reading all the correspondence that had been submitted to me, he began to watch my reply.

“Marchioness Eldsphy…”

He tilted his head as he saw the first reply I started writing and asked.

“Huh…? What does she mean you’ll visit every three days?”

“Ah…”

I replied with a gentle smile on my face.

“You’re not the only one who can take the successor class. I should take classes so that I can act as a proper hostess.”

Originally, I had to get class from the Duchess, but since it was vacant, there was no one in the Duchy to educate me. Of course, Duke Icard, who knew I was about to die, didn’t care about my education. Olivia even pointed out that part herself.

“Marchioness Eldsphy is the most prestigious woman around here. So, I asked for it myself.”

“No, you’re sick. Why on earth are you even in class when you’re sick…?”

“Don’t you think I should be a great Duchess that suits you?”

Evan blushed at my words. He was unable to speak for a moment before continuing again in a fit of rage.

“Though, why are you going there? Tell her to come to the villa.”

“Where is there a student who tells their teacher to come and go at their will?”

‘Now that I think about it, it seems to be one fight here in front of me now.’

I added quickly.

“It’s a class I asked for. It’s a different case from yours. She wasn’t even used to tutoring.”

Of course, things were different. The liberal arts class I was going to take was a complete trick. To get to Marchioness Eldsphy, I had to pass Hanua. Therefore, it meant that I could officially go out every three days and stop by Hanua.

It was a very appropriate gimmick to me, who was under the surveillance of the Duke. So, I managed to get approval by sending a long, polite letter to Marchioness Eldsphy while asking for my education.

That was not the only purpose, obviously. I had to know how to use the situation effectively. Marchioness Eldsphy also had a daughter named Kate, who is going to be my strong backup.

“I’ll never overdo it and take it easy. Going out that much will be good for my health.”

“….”

“Serena allowed me to. My doctor says it’s okay.”

Even though Evan looked worse at the words, he couldn’t seem to refute them. After that, I wrote three more formal replies, and Evan held his chin and watched blankly.

[ Thank you for your letter. I’m really looking forward to seeing you soon. Stay healthy until the banquet and see you then. ]

‘Is this fun… Well, obviously, it’s not.’

With that thought, I murmured softly, wondering if Evan would be bored.

“Since I’m just doing this… you can go out there and train your swordsmanship. You don’t have to be with me.”

“No.”

He slowly handed me the next letter.

“Hurry up and reply.”

“…It’s all about this and that…”

“I just miss you. Don’t feel pressured.”

My expression hardened slightly after receiving the letter Evan gave me. The envelope read the name ‘Seymour Gold Letucia.’

Filled with a bad feeling, I picked up the letter between the envelopes Evan had already opened.

[ It’s not just the taste of painting. I think we have the same taste in words, but I didn’t mention it. Also, didn’t you enjoy reading “Afternoon of Hanua”? ]

I read slowly, hoping my pupils and hands wouldn’t tremble.

[ When we talk about our tastes, forget about your young husband that is in a faraway Capital. ]

…Oh, my God.

It was probably the reply to what I said that I was uncomfortable considering I have a husband. Still, the timing was horrendous.

‘What does e mean forget…?’

He was not a young husband in a faraway capital. Rather, he was a big man sitting right in front of me… Now, he was obsessed with ‘being a good couple,’ and he was extremely sensitive to men looking over his wife due to Ludva’s acts.

The next moment, Evan tapped on the table and spoke slowly.

“You have to reply, Laria.”

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