Perhaps it was because of the shadows. Even with the same smile, the atmosphere felt different.
"Ahahaha, Grand Duke. When you're like that, you look exactly like a grim reaper enchanting the living to take them to the underworld."
"Is that so?"
His blue, jewel-like eyes calmly held my reflection, as if he wouldn't let me escape.
"Are you worried I might run away?" I cautiously took hold of his lapel and tugged. He stared intently at my hand on his lapel, not even blinking. "No way, I have something I absolutely must achieve..."
"You have something you must achieve? You?" he said in an indifferent tone. It was clearly an unconscious remark, but he didn't seem to care much. Indeed, he didn't really need to treat me gently.
I made a subtle expression, as if I was revealing my true feelings, or as if it didn't matter. My face was half-shadowed from his perspective.
'I must look incredibly suspicious, right? At least this should buy me some serious time.'
He probably followed me this far for that very purpose. I shrugged, then lightly tugged his sleeve once more.
"You're curious about me? Then the Grand Duke should show me what I want to see too."
"You mean my appearance in the sunlight."
"Ahahaha! You know me well."
He slowly formed a smile. Then, he intently observed my forehead and neck area before boldly stepping out beyond the door. As he appeared in the sunlight, the surroundings immediately brightened, as if all the world's light was focused on him.
"Ah! So dazzling. Can I pray like this?" I exclaimed playfully, plopping down by the pond.
"You're free to do so." He meant that whether he granted it was up to him. As he replied, he slowly looked around the small garden. He must be confirming it's not a curse. When his eyes met mine again, I gave him a wry smile.
That's when he swiftly approached me.
"...Ah?"
"I've found it strange for a while now, but indeed."
"Grand Duke?"
"Your Highness."
He wore a gentle smile, a very benevolent and deep smile. It was the smile he wore when he had the situation in the palm of his hand.
"Such cold sweat... Are you not feeling well somewhere?"
"...Oh dear."
"Oh. It seems I am not the one dressed too lightly, but Your Highness."
Hmm. I thought he wouldn't notice this much. I muttered inwardly, staring at him intently.
"Wow, Grand Duke. Are you touching me right now? How bold!"
Usually, people would avoid touching me, claiming it would curse them. Except for those who wanted to resort to violence. Perhaps he noticed my surprise, as he subtly narrowed his eyes.
"Because I'm worried, Your Highness."
"Oh, to think I made the Grand Duke worry."
I sighed heavily, then began to habitually make excuses for my illness, which had started two months earlier than in my previous life.
"Well, you see. I lack exercise. A little movement and I sweat quickly. I was going to rest anyway, but you caught me?"
Yes. Very habitually.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. So please bear with it even if you find it unsightly, Grand Duke. I'm running around like this, despite my lack of stamina, just to see your radiant appearance, okay?"
The smile on the Grand Duke's face slowly faded. He stared at me with an almost expressionless face, then,
"Ugh. This is why homebodies shouldn't do anything."
When I grumbled and flopped onto the grass, he willingly removed his hand from my cheek. The spot his hand had touched felt hot. Concealing the urge to focus my attention there, I deliberately let out a peculiar laugh.
Suddenly, our eyes met. His gaze, looking down at me intently, was cold and also...
'A little—strange.'
It wasn't merely suspicious; it felt different, persistent.
***
Looking up from below, the Grand Duke resembled a living statue of a deity. After a few seconds, during which time seemed to stop, he slowly curved the corners of his lips again and murmured, "To think your stamina was weak..."
He shifted from the kneeling posture he had taken to touch my cheek and naturally moved towards my head.
I barely maintained the smile on my lips, quietly shifting my gaze to follow his movements, then the next moment, I laughed as if amused. It was because he had gently placed his hand on my forehead, looking down at me with a tender expression. It was too intimate and sudden.
"Hmm. Are you trying to make me die from being so touched?" I managed to suppress a scream and muttered with half-closed eyes, and he let out a soft laugh.
...Why is he really doing this? I was confused but couldn't ask him.
"My hand is cold, so I thought it might help Your Highness a little."
"I don't have a fever."
"You didn't know. You have a slight fever."
Should I be relieved? I soon understood the reason for his excessive behavior. His magic power flowed subtly into my forehead, such a minute amount that only someone with a magic-related illness, like mana depletion, could detect it.
'He's suspicious. He's trying to find my weakness.'
He was trying to find out everything he didn't know about me.
'There's no sure way other than causing pain.'
Or he'd have to strip me bare and check for marks, but he couldn't do that now. Mana depletion isn't easy to spot at first glance.
The early symptoms aren't distinctive. At most, cold sweats, a slight fever, dizziness? So to confirm it, he'd have to infuse mana and see if I felt pain.
'Sorry, but I can't be found out now.'
I was accustomed to enduring without showing signs of pain. Minor symptoms or upset stomachs were daily occurrences. In my case, this illness wasn't congenital but unnaturally caused by my mother's curse, so several additional symptoms were present.
'Like suddenly fainting in situations where mana is concentrated, like now.'
Fainting is hard to hide, but fainting or spitting blood wouldn't start for about a month, so that's still okay.
'At least a month.'
During that time, while I endure by pretending to be weak, I should try to take on as many curses as possible...
"Oh dear, I really need to exercise..." I continued the conversation casually, roughly assessing my physical condition inwardly. "No, if my stamina improves, the Grand Duke won't do this for me anymore, will he?"
"If you wish, please tell me. Would I refuse Your Highness's command?"
"Just kidding."
When I smiled wryly and played along, he smiled strangely. His cold gaze remained the same, yet it left me with an uncontrollably enchanting sensation. Was it because it was an unexpected action?
...Ah. Perhaps he intended this illusion. He's a person who knows he's beautiful.
"Grand Duke... is kindness your nature?"
Seeing him only smile ceremoniously without answering, I grinned, then briefly averted my gaze from him. And looked far up at the sky.
He, who had been quietly watching me, then looked around the garden more thoroughly. How much time had passed?
"It seems Your Highness's palace has a skilled gardener."
"Ahahaha, you can come whenever you want."
It would be good if he came often. I wasn't asking anything of him. I didn't even wish for him to think well of me. On the contrary, I knew well that this place would be a factor that made him wary of me. So, I just... I just...
'It's because I like the time we spend together.'
Even if I have to hide my trembling and desperately pretend to be calm every time we meet.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
He smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly. It was a relaxed face, one that knew no despair. If I were truly the inscrutable Second Prince, I would probably have fallen into a delusion at this moment. That I had become close with him in just half a day.
So, I would have clearly sought his help or cooperation, or at least revealed my true feelings. No, even without going that far, I wouldn't have been able to brush off his earlier question about whether I was hiding a skilled mage.
Whether Eris created this place, or another confidant. If that confidant was alive, or if they were still working for me. I would have spilled everything he wanted to know.
However, I gave no answer. I only expressed that I liked him.
Perhaps that was unexpected too, as his eyes had changed again slightly.
'...No. Still, something is a little off.'
If it were a look that wanted to carve me up, I'd understand. But this was less chilling than I expected.
'Like he's found a toy he wants to have... No. It must be a misconception.'
...If he wanted to have me, I'd gladly give myself. But I knew too well now that this was a relationship where even such minor desires couldn't be wished for. So, it must be right to think that I had safely bought his caution.
'Safely, I've managed to make him focus on me.'
Although it was to stall for time, I had a lot to say. Because I liked that he reacted to my every word, trying to figure me out. It was just a pity that my breathing was slowly becoming ragged. I closed my eyes and slowly steadied my breath.
'I have to see Brother Marcus later too...'
I don't intend to do anything. I just need to rest my body a bit...
Then, he slowly took his hand from my forehead. The regrettable sensation was momentary.
'...!'
I began to desperately try to keep strength from leaving my body.
'My buttons...?'
To my dismay, he had begun to unbutton my upper garment.
Comments Box