The Duke couldn't understand what Lucia was thinking and doing.
No.
'Is she even the same girl?'
Since the 'Viper Carzo incident,' the Duke had also noticed that Lucia had changed.
How could he not know?
It started exactly that day.
When Lucia stopped visiting his office.
Lucia, who used to wait for him in front of his office every morning, had disappeared ever since.
He hadn't even paid attention to her because she was such an insignificant presence.
...Or so he thought.
─Ah, Father...!
This morning, the Duke turned around at the sudden voice he heard.
But there was nothing there.
He had hallucinated Lucia's voice.
"......"
The moment he realized that, the Duke was overwhelmed by an unknown sense of displeasure.
So, he completely erased Lucia from his mind. He felt that he would be able to wash away that nameless unpleasant feeling as well.
But then, Aen spoke that name again.
In a form he had never expected.
What was certain was that he had completely lost the desire to grant Aen's request.
He didn't want Lucia's presence to grow any further.
Not in Lordbel, and not in him.
"You said you would approve."
...But the timing was bad.
And the opponent was wrong.
He would have dismissed it if it were anyone else, but the opponent was the commander of the Lordbel First Magic Knight Order.
He was not someone whose words could be taken back.
Then...
"I will grant the commander's request."
"Then-"
"But."
The Duke stared at Aen.
A cold smile formed on his lips.
It was the smile Aen hated, like the merciless wind blowing across the snowfield.
"Only if Lucia, that child, feels the same way."
"......"
The smile completely disappeared from Aen's face the moment he heard those words.
He glared at the Duke with a chillingly hardened expression.
But the Duke didn't care and called for Ligrin, who was waiting behind him.
"Ligrin."
"......Yes, Head of the family."
Ligrin, who had heard the whole conversation, moved his reluctant legs and approached the Duke, bowing his head.
With his gaze fixed on Aen Rixus, Ego Lordbel said,
"Bring Lucia here, right now."
Thump!
"Head of the family...!!"
Aen jumped up from his seat, glaring at the Duke as if he would tear him apart.
He ground his teeth and spat out the words.
"This is an adult matter. A young lady shouldn't be involved."
In contrast to Aen, who was clearly suppressing his anger, the Duke looked incredibly calm.
The Duke replied with a relaxed smile.
"If the child's will is as firm as the commander says, then she can come here and properly express her intentions."
"But...!!"
"If the commander teaches the child, there will surely be complaints."
How can the commander of the Magic Knight Order teach a bastard?
It's too much for a bastard.
"I believe the commander knows that the Head of the family's approval means that he is willing to endure all those complaints."
"......"
"So, shouldn't that child show me the will that is worth enduring those complaints?"
"......"
Aen was speechless because he couldn't argue with the Duke's words.
During that short silence, the Duke winked at Ligrin, who was on standby.
Haa.
Swallowing the sigh that was rising up, Ligrin lowered his head.
"I will bring Miss Lucia right away."
As soon as I entered the room after parting ways with Aen, Marin rushed at me as expected.
"Milady!"
I was starting to get used to Marin shouting my name and running at me.
She clung to me in an instant, asking with trembling eyes.
"Where on earth have you been? I came in this morning and you were gone, I was so surprised! I was worried I would have to run to the butler again!"
Ah, I knew this would happen, so I deliberately didn't say where I was going and snuck out.
"Where on earth have you been! You told me to tell you where I was going!"
She scolded me and shouted so loudly that my ears rang.
Ah, I was going to let it go if I could, but this isn't right.
"......Marin."
Marin was momentarily flustered and shut her mouth when I called her name coldly.
"Do I have to report to Marin every single place I go?"
"Ah......"
Marin's brown eyes wavered.
Soon, tears welled up in her eyes.
"I, I was just worried about Milady...... I was afraid something would happen while I wasn't there...... sniff."
"......"
"I'm sorry if you're angry. I was being presumptuous."
I stared at Marin, who was sobbing and apologizing, and then let out a deep sigh.
I know.
I know that Marin was doing it out of concern for me.
But the interference was also excessive.
I know that Marin is acting as my protector, but that doesn't mean she can restrict me.
'Besides, it's tiring to sneak out every time.'
That's why I was so harsh.
If Aen really gets the Duke's approval, I won't have to sneak out anymore.
'Approval......'
Aen said he would confidently get the Duke's approval, but I don't know.
'Is it really that easy?'
I'm not doubting Aen.
The one I'm doubting is......
"Sniff."
Haa.
I sighed and looked at Marin.
Then I walked over to Marin, handed her a handkerchief, and said.
"I'm sorry for getting angry. Don't cry."
Then Marin looked at me with tearful eyes.
Soon, she took the handkerchief, wiped her eyes, and mumbled.
"Me too. I was too much. I didn't even know you were uncomfortable...... I'll be careful from now on."
"Thank you for understanding, Marin."
"Milady...... how can you be such an angel."
As if she was touched by my attitude, Marin hugged me tightly in no time.
Marin often hugged me like this.
At first, the contact was uncomfortable and awkward, but now I've gotten used to it to some extent.
'It's uncomfortable if I get on Marin's bad side.'
It's true that Marin is meddlesome, but there are definitely some things that are convenient because of Marin.
So it's best to maintain a good relationship if possible...... That's what I was thinking as I was embraced by her.
Knock knock.
"......?"
Marin turned her head at the sudden knock.
Marin opened the door after letting go of me.
"Oh my?"
Marin was startled after confirming who was visiting.
Who could it be that made her react like that?
I walked towards the door and immediately understood the reason.
A pair of green eyes were coldly looking down at me through the crack in the door.
'......Ligrin Pedlan.'
What's this man doing here all of a sudden?
"What brings you here so suddenly, Head Butler......"
Marin was also flustered and asked about the identity of the unexpected visitor.
With his gaze fixed on me, Ligrin's lips parted.
"Miss Lucia, the Head of the family is calling for you."
"......Yes?"
"He wants you to come to his office right away. I've come to escort you."
"The, the Head of the family?"
It was Marin who reacted to Ligrin's words.
"Why is the Head of the family suddenly calling for Milady-"
"That's none of your concern."
"Ah, I'm sorry......"
However, Marin was soon intimidated and stepped back by Ligrin's cold attitude.
Her trembling shoulders showed that she was clearly afraid.
'How did she ask him to find me yesterday when she's so afraid of Ligrin?'
Was she that desperate to find me?
Anyway.
I took my eyes off Marin and looked back at Ligrin.
Our eyes met.
He had been staring at me ever since the door opened.
As if he was observing my every move.
As if he would bite me right away if he found anything suspicious.
'......He's annoying.'
Everything about that man is annoying.
But.
"I'll go."
With a gentle smile, I followed him.
"Ah, Milady, I too......"
"You wait here."
"Yes, Marin, wait here. I'll be back."
"Ah......"
Thud.
Ligrin, who closed the door with a cold determination, looked down at me.
I gave him a bright smile.
But the truth was, I wasn't in a good mood.
'What's wrong with this man today?'
He was always a strange man, but he seems even stranger today.
"......Let's go."
"Yes."
Ligrin walked ahead.
As always, I followed behind him.
Only his and my footsteps echoed in the empty hallway.
When we were somewhat close to the office.
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