After asking the question about Aster, Elusiana looked back at Noel. Noel, as surprised as she was, asked. “You didn’t know?”
“I’m actually on vacation right now.”
Noel, who glanced at Aster, confirmed his dry face, then put on a puzzled expression. The fact that the current grand duke’s aide didn’t know about the former grand duke’s funeral was shocking, but at the same time, he wondered what Aster’s intention was.
As Noel’s expression became quite serious, Elusiana’s expression also became serious. “Noel, what’s wrong? What is it?”
Aster, with a slight frown, said on behalf of Noel. “It’s not a big deal, Elusiana.”
“Not a big deal? You’re really something, Grand Duke.”
As Noel openly ridiculed him, Aster glared at him.
“Why? What is it? Why am I the only one who doesn’t know? Tell me, Noel.”
Noel, who seemed to be thinking for a while whether he should tell this or not, soon smiled and looked at Aster. “The previous Grand Duke Sestein has passed away.”
“Yes? What? The previous Grand Duke Sestein? W-when?”
“Two days ago.”
No matter how much you don’t trust me, how could you not say a word about it? How long can you hide that thing! When she first received her salary in advance, she felt foolish for being moved by the butler’s words that said, ‘Because we’re a family.’ There was a clear sense of distance in reality that couldn’t be overcome, so why had she chosen to ignore it all this time?
In the meantime, she had received too much attention to the extent that it was strange. After getting used to it, she found herself at the center of attention when she looked back. So she was momentarily mistaken that she was an important person to the grand duke.
…His interest made no sense in the first place. Still, she felt good when he treated her kindly. Sometimes she felt so close to him, which made her remember someone she knew. Maybe that’s why she felt disappointment rather than sadness.
Elusiana, biting the tender flesh in her mouth, spoke softly. “When is the funeral ceremony?”
Was it because her voice was so calm? Even when he clearly knew her question was directed at him, Aster hesitated for a moment.
“It’s… tomorrow.”
“I see.”
“…”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“…Nothing. Are you resting well?”
“Yes, as you can see. I am always grateful for your consideration.”
“That, Elusiana.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
At her answer, which somehow felt like there was a wall between them, Aster pursed his lips slightly. “…No. I’ll get going.”
“I see. Please be careful.”
Elusiana respectfully bowed her head. Reluctantly, Aster turned around and rubbed his brow as if displeased. Then, Elusiana’s voice was heard again.
“Ah.”
Aster turned around quickly, looking at her with a hopeful expression. But Elusiana said as he pushed Noel’s back, “Lord Noel will see you off.”
“…”
“…”
The eyes of the two men collided in the air. Sparks flew in the blink of an eye. However, Elusiana, who could not know this, said with a dry face. “Then, goodbye. Noel, please take good care of His Excellency. Please pay special attention because His Excellency is not feeling well.”
“Cough. Cough.”
As if he had waited, Aster bent over and coughed. Noel’s face crumpled at that awkward gesture.
“Don’t tell me, His Excellency is still not feeling—”
“I will help him. If he collapses, it will be a big deal. You must be tired already.”
Caught off guard, Noel stood next to Aster and wiped his forehead.
“Sigh.”
“…Cough. C-cough. Ahem… I’m… okay.”
Aster stretched out his hand and stopped his gaze. The bloody gaze intertwined and fell.
“Are you really okay?”
Aster took a deep breath and replied to that curt voice. “…Cough, of… course.”
“Hahaha. What a relief. It’s really unfortunate to witness such a sight.”
Noel, who answered with a despondent smile, frowned. Elusiana’s gaze, which looked straight, was fierce. Above all, if he were to refuse, she could easily take his place.
To think that a seemingly frail man like him would collapse despite his strong and cold demeanor. Something like that was written in her eyes.
“I will take you home safely, Your Excellency.”
“Cough… then… please take care of me.”
Noel swallowed a laugh and shook his head.
* * *
“I don’t know why you’re so wary of me.”
“Could it be that you were afraid of her being taken away by me?”
Aster clicked his tongue as he pondered what Noel had said before leaving the duchy. “Tsk.”
Except for his handsome face, there was nothing superior about him compared to Aster. Yet, his stubbornness was more tenacious than a steel rope.
“How much you’ve known that you act like you know everything about Lusi?”
Aster recalled Noel’s smirking face, and his anger soared again. It was time for him to touch the lisianthus necklace, which he kept in his coat pocket as a habit.
“Are you on your way from coming back?”
“…You’re here, Older Brother.”
Genoyer crossed the central hall and examined Aster’s appearance with his snake-like eyes. Even over his light attire, there was an unyielding chill permeating.
“It’s still windy. Shouldn’t you have worn at least some outwear?”
“I’m just coming from the garden. There’s no need for that.” Aster replied nonchalantly and pulled his hand out of the pocket.
Genoyer then nodded with a meaningful smile. “That’s also true. Dressing up for a walk would be a little bit excessive. Still, your body isn’t just yours. Always take care of yourself.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“By the way.”
“…”
“I couldn’t see your maid.”
Instantly, Aster’s eyes sharpened. Noticing the subtle change, Genoyer smiled lightly and continued. “Haha, don’t get me wrong. I searched for her to apologize for my rudeness last time.”
“Rudeness… what do you mean?”
“It was rude of me to ask your maid to see me off without your permission.”
“She’s not my maid. She’s my aide.”
“Yes, that aide. Her name is Elusiana, right? I felt sorry because I thought I made her uncomfortable when we would often encounter each other in the future.”
“Often?”
Aster stared hard at him. He was persistent, as if trying to dig up what ulterior motive Genoyer had.
“I wonder how many times you will run into my aide. How have you walked so far?”
Looking at Aster, who naturally changed the subject, Genoyer answered with a smile. “You talk as if I come to somewhere I shouldn’t come.”
“You misunderstood me. I’m asking if the annex where my Older Brother is staying is uncomfortable. I should make you stay comfortable during your stay.”
“Thanks to your special care, I’m doing well enough, Aster. But… it’s a little boring.”
Aster tilted his head at an angle.
“I’ve never blocked visitors from entering.”
“Well, if it’s them— They’re not the ones who came to see me.”
Aster looked at Genoyer calmly when he told him calmly about his situation. He couldn’t pinpoint it, but the more he continued the conversation, the more he felt uncomfortable. Even if he became more impatient, it wouldn’t be strange.
With the death of the previous grand duke he trusted, Genoyer lost even the chance to regain his status. The only way to overcome this was the key to unlock the contents of the record tool…
Could it be that he even found the ‘Seal’ while I was away? However, there was no response from the barriers in the office. But what does that conspicuously relaxed look mean? Aster narrowed his eyes.
“You don’t have to look at me like that, Aster. I really came here just because I’m bored. Would you like to play a game of chess with me?”
“…”
“No, I shouldn’t have said that. You probably haven’t slept well in the past few days, so you’d better rest. I will get going now.”
“Yes, goodbye.”
Aster frowned as he watched Genoyer’s back as he left the central hall. Then what is it? What on earth did you come here to check, Genoyer? He glared at the central door where Genoyer had disappeared for some time.
* * *
Giggle. Genoyer, who barely swallowed his laughter that was about to burst, burst into laughter as soon as he entered his room. “Hahahaha.”
Genoyer, who was sitting on the sofa, laughed for a long time with his head tilted back.
“No way. Did he think I would never know it?”
He had already guessed from the first meeting the other day that Aster’s gaze directed at his mere aide was unusual. So he was wondering. How would that inhuman monster react in such a critical moment? But then…
“It’s not enough to give her a vacation, but you can’t stand it and go out?”
Leaving his enemy openly in his camp? No matter how easily he looked down on Genoyer, wasn’t this too defenseless?
But for some reason, a satisfied smile appeared on Genoyer’s face. “I’m glad I kept her alive.”
After asking the question about Aster, Elusiana looked back at Noel. Noel, as surprised as she was, asked. “You didn’t know?”
“I’m actually on vacation right now.”
Noel, who glanced at Aster, confirmed his dry face, then put on a puzzled expression. The fact that the current grand duke’s aide didn’t know about the former grand duke’s funeral was shocking, but at the same time, he wondered what Aster’s intention was.
As Noel’s expression became quite serious, Elusiana’s expression also became serious. “Noel, what’s wrong? What is it?”
Aster, with a slight frown, said on behalf of Noel. “It’s not a big deal, Elusiana.”
“Not a big deal? You’re really something, Grand Duke.”
As Noel openly ridiculed him, Aster glared at him.
“Why? What is it? Why am I the only one who doesn’t know? Tell me, Noel.”
Noel, who seemed to be thinking for a while whether he should tell this or not, soon smiled and looked at Aster. “The previous Grand Duke Sestein has passed away.”
“Yes? What? The previous Grand Duke Sestein? W-when?”
“Two days ago.”
No matter how much you don’t trust me, how could you not say a word about it? How long can you hide that thing! When she first received her salary in advance, she felt foolish for being moved by the butler’s words that said, ‘Because we’re a family.’ There was a clear sense of distance in reality that couldn’t be overcome, so why had she chosen to ignore it all this time?
In the meantime, she had received too much attention to the extent that it was strange. After getting used to it, she found herself at the center of attention when she looked back. So she was momentarily mistaken that she was an important person to the grand duke.
…His interest made no sense in the first place. Still, she felt good when he treated her kindly. Sometimes she felt so close to him, which made her remember someone she knew. Maybe that’s why she felt disappointment rather than sadness.
Elusiana, biting the tender flesh in her mouth, spoke softly. “When is the funeral ceremony?”
Was it because her voice was so calm? Even when he clearly knew her question was directed at him, Aster hesitated for a moment.
“It’s… tomorrow.”
“I see.”
“…”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“…Nothing. Are you resting well?”
“Yes, as you can see. I am always grateful for your consideration.”
“That, Elusiana.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
At her answer, which somehow felt like there was a wall between them, Aster pursed his lips slightly. “…No. I’ll get going.”
“I see. Please be careful.”
Elusiana respectfully bowed her head. Reluctantly, Aster turned around and rubbed his brow as if displeased. Then, Elusiana’s voice was heard again.
“Ah.”
Aster turned around quickly, looking at her with a hopeful expression. But Elusiana said as he pushed Noel’s back, “Lord Noel will see you off.”
“…”
“…”
The eyes of the two men collided in the air. Sparks flew in the blink of an eye. However, Elusiana, who could not know this, said with a dry face. “Then, goodbye. Noel, please take good care of His Excellency. Please pay special attention because His Excellency is not feeling well.”
“Cough. Cough.”
As if he had waited, Aster bent over and coughed. Noel’s face crumpled at that awkward gesture.
“Don’t tell me, His Excellency is still not feeling—”
“I will help him. If he collapses, it will be a big deal. You must be tired already.”
Caught off guard, Noel stood next to Aster and wiped his forehead.
“Sigh.”
“…Cough. C-cough. Ahem… I’m… okay.”
Aster stretched out his hand and stopped his gaze. The bloody gaze intertwined and fell.
“Are you really okay?”
Aster took a deep breath and replied to that curt voice. “…Cough, of… course.”
“Hahaha. What a relief. It’s really unfortunate to witness such a sight.”
Noel, who answered with a despondent smile, frowned. Elusiana’s gaze, which looked straight, was fierce. Above all, if he were to refuse, she could easily take his place.
To think that a seemingly frail man like him would collapse despite his strong and cold demeanor. Something like that was written in her eyes.
“I will take you home safely, Your Excellency.”
“Cough… then… please take care of me.”
Noel swallowed a laugh and shook his head.
* * *
“I don’t know why you’re so wary of me.”
“Could it be that you were afraid of her being taken away by me?”
Aster clicked his tongue as he pondered what Noel had said before leaving the duchy. “Tsk.”
Except for his handsome face, there was nothing superior about him compared to Aster. Yet, his stubbornness was more tenacious than a steel rope.
“How much you’ve known that you act like you know everything about Lusi?”
Aster recalled Noel’s smirking face, and his anger soared again. It was time for him to touch the lisianthus necklace, which he kept in his coat pocket as a habit.
“Are you on your way from coming back?”
“…You’re here, Older Brother.”
Genoyer crossed the central hall and examined Aster’s appearance with his snake-like eyes. Even over his light attire, there was an unyielding chill permeating.
“It’s still windy. Shouldn’t you have worn at least some outwear?”
“I’m just coming from the garden. There’s no need for that.” Aster replied nonchalantly and pulled his hand out of the pocket.
Genoyer then nodded with a meaningful smile. “That’s also true. Dressing up for a walk would be a little bit excessive. Still, your body isn’t just yours. Always take care of yourself.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“By the way.”
“…”
“I couldn’t see your maid.”
Instantly, Aster’s eyes sharpened. Noticing the subtle change, Genoyer smiled lightly and continued. “Haha, don’t get me wrong. I searched for her to apologize for my rudeness last time.”
“Rudeness… what do you mean?”
“It was rude of me to ask your maid to see me off without your permission.”
“She’s not my maid. She’s my aide.”
“Yes, that aide. Her name is Elusiana, right? I felt sorry because I thought I made her uncomfortable when we would often encounter each other in the future.”
“Often?”
Aster stared hard at him. He was persistent, as if trying to dig up what ulterior motive Genoyer had.
“I wonder how many times you will run into my aide. How have you walked so far?”
Looking at Aster, who naturally changed the subject, Genoyer answered with a smile. “You talk as if I come to somewhere I shouldn’t come.”
“You misunderstood me. I’m asking if the annex where my Older Brother is staying is uncomfortable. I should make you stay comfortable during your stay.”
“Thanks to your special care, I’m doing well enough, Aster. But… it’s a little boring.”
Aster tilted his head at an angle.
“I’ve never blocked visitors from entering.”
“Well, if it’s them— They’re not the ones who came to see me.”
Aster looked at Genoyer calmly when he told him calmly about his situation. He couldn’t pinpoint it, but the more he continued the conversation, the more he felt uncomfortable. Even if he became more impatient, it wouldn’t be strange.
With the death of the previous grand duke he trusted, Genoyer lost even the chance to regain his status. The only way to overcome this was the key to unlock the contents of the record tool…
Could it be that he even found the ‘Seal’ while I was away? However, there was no response from the barriers in the office. But what does that conspicuously relaxed look mean? Aster narrowed his eyes.
“You don’t have to look at me like that, Aster. I really came here just because I’m bored. Would you like to play a game of chess with me?”
“…”
“No, I shouldn’t have said that. You probably haven’t slept well in the past few days, so you’d better rest. I will get going now.”
“Yes, goodbye.”
Aster frowned as he watched Genoyer’s back as he left the central hall. Then what is it? What on earth did you come here to check, Genoyer? He glared at the central door where Genoyer had disappeared for some time.
* * *
Giggle. Genoyer, who barely swallowed his laughter that was about to burst, burst into laughter as soon as he entered his room. “Hahahaha.”
Genoyer, who was sitting on the sofa, laughed for a long time with his head tilted back.
“No way. Did he think I would never know it?”
He had already guessed from the first meeting the other day that Aster’s gaze directed at his mere aide was unusual. So he was wondering. How would that inhuman monster react in such a critical moment? But then…
“It’s not enough to give her a vacation, but you can’t stand it and go out?”
Leaving his enemy openly in his camp? No matter how easily he looked down on Genoyer, wasn’t this too defenseless?
But for some reason, a satisfied smile appeared on Genoyer’s face. “I’m glad I kept her alive.”
