Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Secrets at Gratia Lake
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* * *
Whoosh—.
Plop, plop, plop.
"So, Vista..."
Lark, who had just pulled off an impressive stone skip, turned to me as I sat beside him.
"...helped prevent you from being sealed?"
"Yes. Vista's the one who hid the mark on the back of my hand, too. But, Your Highness."
"Yeah?"
"Can't you teach me how? You know, how to skip a stone so it bounces plop, plop, plop across the water."
"Ha."
Chucking softly, Lark glanced around the ground before picking up a flat stone and placing it in my hand.
"Here, the wrist snap is key. Like this..."
"Like this?"
Whoosh—!
Following Lark as he guided my form, I hurled the stone toward the lake with all my might.
Splash.
It sank straight down.
"Ugh."
"Hahaha...!"
My devastated expression must have been hilarious because Lark doubled over, clutching his stomach in laughter.
This place was Praha.
About an hour by carriage from the capital.
'The Prague in Czechia is cool, too.'
It felt familiar, sharing a name with Earth's famous tourist city.
'But this one's even better. No people around.'
Above all, the scenery at Gratia Lake was breathtaking.
The gentle hills encircling the lake seemed to melt into the still water's surface, like a living painting.
Sitting on the ground without a care for prying eyes, savoring this freedom—it was so peaceful...
"You seem to really like it here."
"Yes, very much. It's my first time ever picnicking somewhere this nice."
"What?"
Lark tilted his head.
"I've hardly ever left the capital."
"If you like it this much, why not come out more often? Why stay cooped up at home? Does the Young Duke treasure you that much?"
"Um, no. Viego oppa and I don't get along well. Victor oppa's a bit better."
"...Why?"
"He prefers the twins. He likes Lillia way more than me."
"..."
Lark narrowed his eyes silently before muttering.
"Bad brothers."
"No one to go out with, either. Both oppas are busy, and Father... well, you know."
"Yeah."
Clearing his throat awkwardly and nodding, Lark added.
"But isn't there the Grand Duchess? I heard from Sir Victor that she's like a mother to you."
"Shall I tell you my third secret?"
"What is it?"
"Grandmother isn't like a mother to me. She might be good to Viego oppa or Victor oppa, but to me..."
"What do you mean?"
"Grandmother doesn't like me much. She's been consistent about it since I was little."
"..."
"Mom-eater, ugly, idiot, stupid girl, family disgrace, non-contractor..."
I felt Lark freeze beside me. When I turned, his face was deeply furrowed.
"That's what Grandmother says to me. I didn't even know what some of it meant when I was young."
"Hm."
Lark pondered for a moment before adding.
"Of all the secrets you've told me so far, this one's the most shocking."
"Really?"
"Surely the Young Duke knows and is covering it up?"
"No. No one knows."
Whoosh—.
Plop.
I picked up a small stone nearby and tossed it before continuing.
"No one in the family knows. Father doesn't have the capacity to look after me, and Viego oppa believes Grandmother no matter what I say..."
"No, does that even make sense? What about Sir Victor?"
"Victor oppa and I hardly see each other. Plus, I worried he wouldn't believe me anyway, so I've never brought it up."
"Ha..."
Rubbing his head, Lark let out a hollow laugh. His expression made it clear he found it hard to comprehend.
Fair enough. Who in the world would stay silent and take that kind of treatment like a fool?
'But I don't want to call Rubette a fool for it.'
She was just kind and timid.
The ones at fault are the abusers, not the victim.
"You think I'm pathetic, right? But don't worry. After contracting with the spirit, I decided to change. No more just taking it."
"Can I ask one thing?"
"Yes."
"The reason you changed your mind. Probably because you saw it—your future as a duchess?"
"Yeah. My future was so, so bleak and sad. I live my whole life keeping quiet, getting kicked around this way and that, and die at just forty-five."
Lark sharply inhaled and stiffened.
"That's why I won't live like that. So I made some life plans, and Your Highness is in them."
"Me?"
"Yes. If I can help Your Highness with what I know of the future, surely a lot of people will be happy. Me, you, Victor oppa, and the imperial citizens."
"Ah... So that's why you decided to help me?"
"There are other reasons too, but for now, yes."
"I see."
"Your Highness."
"Yeah?"
"Honestly, you're dying to ask me something right now, aren't you?"
"..."
"About your future."
Giggling as I said it, Lark blinked at me before chuckling along.
"Right. But I couldn't beg for free info you couldn't buy for any price. Especially since we're not that close yet—it'd be too shameless."
"Oh, don't think like that. I said I'd help you, remember? In return..."
I raised an eyebrow and poked Lark's side.
"You'll help me when I need it, right?"
"Of course. Anything short of selling the country. Though honestly, no request of mine could match the value of your future knowledge."
"Good. Deal!"
And just like that, I secured a male model, too.
Giggling to myself, I soon pursed my lips seriously.
"In the future I know, Your Highness doesn't become emperor."
"..."
As expected, my bombshell left Lark frozen in shock.
"I don't know who Your Highness suspects as your rival right now..."
"..."
"But from now on, be on guard against the 2nd Prince no matter what. He's the one making Your Highness doubt your aide right now."
"Nathan, huh."
"Yes."
"Okay. What about Ren—er, my aide—"
"He dies, as things stand. Executed. Framed for treason unjustly."
"I see. So in the end, I..."
"It's not your fault, Your Highness. The noble council pushes for the death penalty, so try to stop them however you can."
"..."
"Feeling guilty already? Even though it hasn't happened?"
Watching his darkening expression, I asked. He licked his dry lips before answering.
"It was about to happen soon. If you hadn't told me, if you hadn't decided to help me."
"Good thing you decided to help, then."
"Duchess."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Whoosh—.
Plop, plop, plop.
Lark called my name softly, tracing another stone skip across the water.
"I hope your resolve to help me doesn't change."
He fell silent for a long while after, then turned to me.
"Actually, even if you change your mind, it'd be your choice. I'd be the one losing out from our deal today. So as a request—don't change."
Seeing the easygoing man, who never seemed to falter, look so troubled tugged at my heart.
To flip the gloomy mood, I grinned and picked up a stone.
"Teach me how to do plop, plop, plop."
"..."
Lark stared at me before chuckling softly.
"As much as you want."
* * *
"It was fun today, Your Highness!"
"You too."
We talked for hours until dusk fell, then parted ways.
Lark escorted Rubette back to the ducal residence before turning to leave.
Someone stopped him.
"Your Highness, a moment."
It was Molga Diorus.
"Ah, Grand Duchess. What is it?"
"I have something to say. I hope our Rubette didn't trouble you today? She's still so immature. Especially lately, she's been causing a lot of mischief, which worries me."
"Hm..."
Rolling his eyes, Lark smiled.
"Not at all."
"That's a relief. But, Your Highness, if I may be so bold..."
Molga looked troubled.
"His Grace the Duke and the Young Duke were displeased with Your Highness's visit today. More precisely, with Rubette going out with you."
"Why?"
"As you know, that child has some issues. She even failed her spirit contract this time..."
"So?"
"It's pitiful, but people who don't know her well talk easily. It's made Rubette's temperament sharper."
"..."
"His Grace and the Young Duke... well, for the family's image, they hope Rubette would just stay quietly at home."
"What is this rambling?"
Lark snapped irritably, making Molga freeze and doubt her ears for a moment.
"So you're telling me not to meet the duchess? And that she shouldn't go out?"
"No, I..."
"Grand Duchess. It was fine when no one knew."
Bending at the waist, Lark brought his face close to Molga's. He whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
"But now I know."
"..."
Straightening up, Lark smirked and added.
"Looks like there's a crazy foal in the house. One that doesn't even know where to shit and piss, soiling its master."
"..."
"So I asked. If it's too hard, want me to train it instead?"
Pale and trembling, Molga shook. Lark clicked his tongue and ground his teeth at her reaction.
"But they refused. A shame. I could've done something for the foal's owner."
"..."
"When they insist no to the end, what can I do? I'll hold back for now."
Muttering playfully, Lark suddenly hardened his expression fiercely.
"This is a warning."
"..."
"Before I start meddling in your family affairs."
With that, Lark whispered quietly to the ashen-faced Molga and walked away.
"Cut the filthy acts."