Chapter 60: Lakeside Date (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 60: Lakeside Date (1)
I struggled to keep a smile on my face as I signaled the Grand Duke with my eyes to look out the window.
Reading my troubled expression, the corners of the Grand Duke’s eyes drooped.
“As I thought, you must be tired right now.”
Wait, why does he look so heartbroken?
“It’s not that I’m tired.”
But if you have eyes, look at that! It’s pitch black outside; what would we even see if we went to the lake?
“...I was just worried you might be exhausted, Grand Duke. You said you have a busy schedule tomorrow as well.”
“I am fine. I was actually hoping for a breath of fresh air.”
The Grand Duke nervously licked his dry lips. Anyone could see he was on edge, terrified that I might refuse. Seeing him so tense, I couldn't find the heart to turn him down.
“...Then shall we go now?”
It’s cloudy today, so even the moonlight is faint. We probably won't be able to see a thing.
“It might be a bit cluttered since it’s been closed off for so long, but...”
His complexion brightened instantly as he spoke hurriedly.
“I will send someone to tidy up immediately. An hour should be plenty.”
“Take your time.”
I guess the Grand Duke was incredibly bored too. Was it a stroke of luck that Cecilia had left work early?
‘She was so excited, saying she’d go find recipes suitable for an outdoor tea time.’
Unexpectedly, I ended up going on a night outing that wasn't even in the plans.
In less than an hour, I boarded the carriage with the Grand Duke.
‘This is the first time we’ve shared a carriage.’
As the Grand Duke sat across from me, the spacious interior suddenly felt cramped. How could his legs be that long? Every time the carriage swayed, his folded knees brushed against mine.
Was it because of the darkening scenery outside? Or perhaps it was the atmosphere created by the soft interior lighting?
‘Why are his eyes so soulful today?’
My heart fluttered every time our gazes met.
“You look... exceptionally beautiful today.”
The Grand Duke’s low voice broke the silence. His ears were beet red, as if he had summoned a tremendous amount of courage to speak.
“Oh my, thank you.”
A soft curve formed on my lips. I had just come out in the same dress I wore to the orphanage because I was too lazy to change. The hem was even rumpled and messy from the children grabbing at it all day.
‘To think our Grand Duke has learned how to give such sweet talk.’
I swallowed a sense of pride and replied, “You look very dashing yourself today, Grand Duke.”
At those words, the Grand Duke bit his lip slightly.
“Th-thank you.”
What was with that shy, languid gaze? He’s as big as a mountain!
“How is it that there isn't a single outfit you can't pull off? Is it because your shoulders are so broad?”
“Th-that is because the clothes you had made for me are excellent...”
The tips of his ears turned even redder. He wasn't wrong, but it was just a shirt—why did he look so different in it?
“It’ll be a problem if people get the wrong idea.”
“Pardon?”
“Your face is glowing so brightly. What if people think it’s broad daylight and all come outside?”
“P-please stop.”
The Grand Duke, whose blush was now spreading down his neck, clenched his fists tight. Honestly, how could I not tease him when he’s this cute? Besides, with his bangs partially falling over his face under the carriage lamp, he looked incredibly captivating.
I was grinning ear to ear at the sight of this shy masterpiece of a man.
The carriage arrived at the entrance to the lake. As if determined to take back the lead, the Grand Duke spoke with a resolute expression.
“I was thinking of walking from here. Would that be alright with you?”
The Grand Duke’s hand trembled slightly as he reached out to help me down from the carriage.
“Thank you, Grand Duke.”
The lakeside was shielded by a high iron gate. Two guards, flustered by the Grand Duke’s presence, hurried to open it.
“Shall we?”
Just as we were about to step through...
‘Huh?’
For some reason, my hand was naturally interlaced with the Grand Duke’s.
‘When did we start holding hands like this?’
His large fingers wove smoothly between my smaller ones. The firm sensation of his grip wasn't unpleasant at all.
‘I definitely held his hand when getting out of the carriage, but...’
However, because the Grand Duke kept walking, I didn't have time to overthink it. I entered the open gate with our fingers still locked together.
My self-consciousness about our hands lasted only a moment; as soon as I saw the view before me, an exclamation escaped my lips.
Stately trees lined both sides of the wide path. The road, which should have been shrouded in pitch-black darkness, was somehow glowing brilliantly. Countless tiny lights were perched on the branches like fallen stars.
At the far end of the path illuminated by this cluster of stars, I could see the vast lake, partially hidden from view.
I turned to the Grand Duke with a stunned face. Didn't he say the lakeside had been closed off? Why was it so bright?
“I thought you might not be able to see well since it’s night...”
Seeing my wide eyes, the Grand Duke awkwardly averted his gaze. Of course, thanks to this, the surroundings were perfectly visible. And it was incredibly beautiful, but...
“Grand Duke, you didn't mobilize the servants for this, did you?”
No, please let that not be the case! Unscheduled overtime just to set the mood for the Grand Duchess’s night stroll? A cold sweat broke out on my back.
“No. This... I asked the Mage to do it.”
The Grand Duke spoke while gauging my reaction.
“For that bast— I mean, for the Mage, this is as easy as pie, so you needn't worry.”
“Are you sure?”
“He used a magic circle for the transport anyway.”
Phew, what a relief. I let out a sigh of escape.
“Were you worried I was overworking the servants?” the Grand Duke asked with an innocent face.
Not exactly.
As I muttered to myself, the Grand Duke gave a faint smile.
“I’ve never met someone like you.”
“Someone like me?”
“Perel told me. Everyone finds it fascinating because they’ve never seen a mistress so kind to the servants.”
Well, you’re kind to everyone too, the Grand Duke added in a low murmur.
“That’s because I...”
I’ve lived my whole life as the underdog, so of course I’m mindful of them. But I couldn't exactly say that. I was searching for the right words when he spoke again.
“So... I’m saying I like that about you.”
Speaking in a low voice, the Grand Duke gently rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. My hand instinctively stiffened. I couldn't think straight because of the ticklish yet strangely suggestive movement of his hand.
‘Why has our Grand Duke suddenly become so bold?’
All my nerves were focused on my hand, and the words I was going to say vanished. Since the Grand Duke didn't bring up anything else, we walked in silence for a while.
As we reached the end of the short forest path, the lake revealed itself in its entirety. I lost my words and stared at it for a moment.
The massive lake, cradled by the forest, held the faint moon and a cluster of stars within its surface. Whenever the wind blew, ripples rolled in from afar, drawing endless, gentle circles.
Despite that, the lake was profoundly still. It was so quiet that even the trivial thoughts that usually swarmed my head like gnats seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep for this moment.
‘It’s such a peaceful place.’
When I looked at the Grand Duke, he too was staring blankly at the lake. His dark, obsidian-like eyes sparkled softly beneath his sharp brow. Our joined hands were incredibly warm. Perhaps because of the sense of security his large hand provided, my heart gradually felt at ease.
A thought suddenly occurred to me.
‘I’m glad the Grand Duke is this man.’
If it had been the real Annette, she would have never known until the day she died—that the Grand Duke of Blenheim was a man with such warmth.
“Would you like to sit for a moment?”
It was after we had walked along the shore for a bit, following the Grand Duke’s lead.
“Oh?”
The tea table and two chairs from the castle garden seemed to have been moved here exactly as they were. The table, lit by a soft lamp, was perfectly prepared for tea.
“Did the Mage do this too?”
“...Whitley prepared the tea.”
As I sat in the chair the Grand Duke pulled out for me, he added hurriedly, “I didn't order him to. Whitley volunteered to do it.”
The Grand Duke waved his hands, insisting he definitely hadn't worked him late into the night. No, I was just curious this time. I let out a small laugh.
The bashful Grand Duke poured the tea for me himself.
“Please drink it while it’s warm.”
‘Oh, it really is warm.’
The tea he poured was heated to the perfect drinking temperature.
“The Mage likely warmed it before leaving,” the Grand Duke said, seeing my tilted head.
At those words, I couldn't help but pout.
“Honestly, the Mage listens to you so well, Grand Duke. Why won't he meet me even once?”
“That bas— I will go bring him here right now.”
The Grand Duke’s face hardened.
“No! This is a matter of pride.”
Since my first visit to the Mage, I had knocked on the Castle Tower door several times to meet him. But the Mage never once opened the door. I tried writing letters and sending invitations to set a time, but he remained unmoved.
According to Perel, it seemed the Grand Duke was the only one in the castle who could summon the Mage at will. Apparently, it was thanks to a clause in his employment contract requiring him to respond to calls at any time.
“I don't understand why you want to meet that fellow so badly.”
The Grand Duke blinked, looking somewhat displeased.