I tensed my facial muscles, worried I might make an absurd expression right in front of him.
The Duke's nonchalant demeanor was that ridiculous.
'Since when have I been carried around like this?'
As if I were Miracle, he was saying 'be carried' in such a natural manner.
'It's only natural to feel uncomfortable.'
Just because he treats me like Miracle, doesn't mean I can jump into his arms like Miracle does.
More than anything, his sudden change in attitude was too bewildering.
He's definitely not doing this because he's worried about me.
'Maybe he's testing me, or something.'
It might be a far-fetched thought, but there was no other way to explain the Duke's sudden change in attitude.
But that didn't mean I could just leave the Duke, who was lowering himself and spreading his arms wide, standing there.
'I don't know what his purpose is.'
I took a step back and shook my head slightly.
"...I'm fine. I'm not in pain at all."
"...…"
"I can go alone."
I conveyed it firmly in a soft tone, trying my best not to offend him.
I thought the Duke would understand and stop his strange behavior at this point...
"Difficult to understand."
"Pardon?"
"Don't you like being carried?"
"...Excuse me?"
I know he hates people dragging out their words, but the words I heard were so absurd that my voice trailed off involuntarily.
No.
'Since when did I like being carried?'
I've never liked being carried, nor have I ever said that to the Duke!
I couldn't understand at all what made him misunderstand like that.
It was difficult to even manage my expression, so I stared at him with a bewildered look, and the Duke also looked back at me with a strange expression.
In the silence, an uncomfortable and strange aura lingered between the Duke and me.
The Duke didn't even think about getting up and just stared at me.
The Duke's gaze was very burdensome, but I felt like I couldn't avoid his gaze, so I just stared straight into the Duke's eyes.
A bizarre staring contest ensued.
Meanwhile, the night grew deeper.
Just as I, unable to endure any longer, was about to end this confrontation first.
"...Didn't you often get carried by...?"
"Pardon?"
What did he say?
"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you well."
"...It's nothing. I said something unnecessary."
He got up smoothly.
Was it because he had been matching my eye level for a while? His standing body felt even more gigantic.
From above, the Duke's cold, frozen gaze mercilessly bore down on me.
"We wasted time unnecessarily. Let's move again."
After a quick glance at me, he started walking ahead again.
'What is it?'
It was as if a silent and chilly ice storm had swept through.
It seemed like I had made some kind of mistake without knowing it, and that mistake had deeply offended the Duke.
'But I don't know what it is.'
What mistake I made, and what it was that bothered the Duke.
I have no idea.
Frustrated, I stared intently at the Duke's back as he walked ahead, then followed after him.
As I walked behind him, I suddenly realized something was off.
That is...
'It's not hard.'
Until just a moment ago, it was burdensome just keeping up with his pace, but now it wasn't difficult at all even walking slowly.
The moment I realized that, my feet stopped.
With trembling eyes, I looked at the Duke's huge back.
'Could it be...'
I think it's nonsense, but.
If my thoughts are correct by any chance...
I held my breath and watched the Duke's movements.
This method had already been used once on Leagrin.
And the result is...
...Stop.
The Duke, who had taken just one more step forward, stopped walking.
And he doesn't move.
He glances at me in that state and asks.
"Why aren't you moving?"
"..."
"Answer me, Lucia Rodbell."
I stared blankly at him at the unbelievable result and then took a step forward.
"It's nothing."
I approached him.
The Duke looked at me indifferently and then walked ahead again.
So... with a pace much narrower than his original pace, the same walking speed as me.
Just like Leagrin used to wait for me, the Duke also walked slowly at my pace.
'Is it real?'
I even did an experiment to stop, wondering if I was mistaken.
The result is 'it's not a mistake'.
The Duke was clearly walking to match me.
But that's what doesn't make sense.
Why you?
'You hate me.'
You despise and loathe me.
You only see me as a sacrifice prepared in advance for the glory of Rodbell in the future.
What...
'Why are you doing this to me?'
His changed attitude, which would have brought tears of joy in the past.
Now I'm just confused.
This chaos is not pleasant.
The room we arrived at was a bedroom.
'I thought we were going to the office.'
His change in allowing me into his bedroom without hesitation was just amazing.
"So."
He turned to me and asked.
"What's the matter?"
Is he going straight to the point?
Well, I don't want to drag it out either.
But I'm not clumsy enough to reveal my intentions right away.
I lowered my eyes slightly and spoke with a slightly frightened expression.
"Actually, something strange happened during the ceremony. I thought I should tell the Duke."
Did someone say that?
A surefire tactic, called preemptive strike.
'It doesn't matter whether the meeting is about my ceremony or not.'
Anyway, I just need to let them know that I'm innocent and unfairly related to the phenomenon that occurred during the ceremony.
And the most sure way to let them know is to reveal it first.
"What strange thing?"
The Duke stared at me and asked.
It's disgusting how he pretends not to know when he knows everything.
But I already expected the Duke to be like this.
I looked up at him with trembling eyes and answered.
"Actually, when I held the hilt of the first family head's sword during the ceremony..."
Gulp.
I swallowed once.
"I saw something strange."
"Something strange?"
"Yes."
I thought about it.
If it was the Council of Elders that convened the emergency meeting, what would their purpose be?
'To revoke my direct line status.'
No, that's not their real purpose.
In fact, they wouldn't be too interested in whether I have direct line status or not.
Of course, they might be displeased that a bastard is muddying the waters of Rodbell, but it's not enough for the elders to unite and summon the Duke.
Questioning my qualifications is the superficial purpose.
Then, using me as a stepping stone, what is the real purpose they truly want to achieve...?
'The fall of Estio.'
There's no way the Duke wouldn't notice that.
It's a power struggle they don't care who wins.
However, to prevent the Duke from revoking my qualifications, to force him to protect me.
To sow suspicion between them.
"Answer me, Lucia. What did you see?"
"What I saw is..."
Hoo.
I took a deep breath in and out.
And I answered with strength in my voice.
"It was a badger."
"..."
"It was a badger about this big, with a long snout, a black face, and a baby badger with white fur covering its back."
I even added a vivid performance to help his imagination.
The Duke stared at me quietly for a long time.
"I see."
He nodded indifferently.
"Did you see anything else besides that?"
"It disappeared quickly, so I couldn't see anything else."
"I understand. If you're done, you can leave now."
"Yes."
I turned around without hesitation.
I've done enough.
'Hallucinations in the form of badgers are a representative side effect of magic.'
Assuming I'm not lying, the appearance of magic side effects means that someone forcibly cast magic there.
'The Duke will naturally suspect the Council of Elders.'
Then he will protect my qualifications in order not to do as the Council of Elders wants.
Besides, witnessing the side effect badger illusion only applies to the person involved in the magic, so it's difficult to confirm the truth.
'This should be enough.'
I left the Duke's bedroom with peace of mind.
...No, I was about to leave.
If it hadn't been for another question that suddenly came to mind.
I turned around with my hand on the doorknob.
And I asked the Duke.
"Um, if it's okay, can I ask you just one thing?"
"Go ahead."
I hesitated for a moment at the returned permission and asked.
"What were you saying earlier?"
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