Chapter 87: An Ill-Fated Encounter
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87: An Ill-Fated Encounter
What could I possibly do?
Loik’s shoulders slumped.
Even if he had realized his feelings, what right did he have to act on them?
He could never be a normal husband, nor a proper father.
He was managing to live a somewhat human life now, thanks to Annette staying by his side, but the moment she left, everything would fall into shambles again.
A one-year contract.
Five months had already slipped away.
Time was such an irrational thing. When she wasn't there, it dragged on so slowly, yet now it flowed so fast he couldn't even grasp it.
Loik retraced his thoughts carefully.
He knew Annette had married him to escape her family. However, she had never explained why the contract term was exactly one year.
If they divorced, she would eventually have to return to the Frais family.
— “Actually, the one-year period was also decided for your sake, Your Grace.”
Did those words mean she might stay longer if he was okay with it?
A ray of hope sprouted in Loik’s heart.
If he negotiated well with Annette, perhaps she would extend the contract by another year or so.
But what kind of conditions could he possibly offer to make it a fair deal for her?
If Annette stayed in the North, Loik’s remaining life would change completely, but there was nothing in it for her.
Annette didn't even particularly care for jewels or fine clothes.
She was a woman who found happiness in something as simple as a delicious strawberry.
Frustrated, Loik kicked at the ground.
I shouldn't have made it a one-year contract from the start.
It should have been at least three years—no, five or even ten.
To hell with conditions.
Should I just beg her not to go?
Annette was soft-hearted by nature. If he made up his mind to cling to her, she might not be able to push him away.
And in the meantime, he could try to find a way to break his curse again.
He had given up on it years ago, but now he finally had a goal.
Loik was trying hard not to remind himself of the fact that he hadn't found a single clue to breaking the curse in the last ten years when he began to smooth over the dirt he had kicked up.
Sensing someone approaching, Loik quickly pulled his hood tighter.
His brow furrowed as he spotted a silhouette coming up the path from the lakeshore.
A noblewoman in a flamboyant dress was walking toward him. The jewels sewn into her hem made a clattering, irritating sound with every step.
“Oh, my goodness. Is that truly the Grand Duke?”
The lady, her brown hair swept up in a high bun, approached him with her hands clasped as if she had just happened upon him by chance.
Loik took a small step back behind the tree he had been leaning against. It was an instinctive wariness toward the woman’s approach.
When Loik grimaced without saying a word, the lady tilted her head slightly and smiled.
“I am Arbor Meisel. It has been a long time, Your Grace.”
At the mention of the name Meisel, Loik’s eyes narrowed further.
Wasn't she the culprit who had caused Annette to be pelted with eggs?
The only reason he had held back from dragging her before Annette and forcing her to her knees was because Annette had stopped him.
In truth, Loik didn't care if she was the daughter of Count Arbor or the daughter of the Emperor himself.
Besides, "a long time"?
Had he ever officially exchanged greetings with her?
Is she talking about seeing me at the tea time?
He felt a surge of displeasure at her uninvited familiarity.
“How did you recognize me?”
This path was much more secluded than even the far end of the shopping district. Though she feigned a chance encounter, there was no way this meeting was accidental.
“How could I possibly fail to recognize the Grand Duke?”
“Do you… not remember me?”
The lady cupped one of her cheeks, speaking with a bashful air.
Loik replied, sounding slightly bewildered. “Do I know you?”
At those words, Meisel smiled and took another step closer.
Startled, Loik pulled his head back. He wanted to put more distance between them, but stepping back further would look strange.
Perhaps misinterpreting his reaction as shyness, the lady gave a small giggle.
“The greenhouse.”
“The greenhouse?”
“That was where I first saw you, Your Grace…”
Even with the hint, Loik remained blank.
Is she talking about my mother’s greenhouse?
Since the greenhouse had been closed after his mother passed away, her being there must have been during their distant childhood.
No matter how "significant" she thought the meeting was, there was no way he would remember such a trivial connection from his youth.
Moreover, the heavy scent of her perfume made him feel nauseous.
Sickened by the artificial fragrance, Loik turned his head toward the shopping district.
Annette shouldn't come here right now…
She had finally gotten into a good mood; encountering this woman might upset her again.
Intending to shake her off quickly, Loik gave a curt nod.
“Right, I think I remember. Now, if you’ll excuse me—!”
“You remember?”
A distinct light flickered in the lady’s eyes.
“I knew you would.”
“Wait!”
Startled by Meisel closing the distance, Loik flinched and held out a hand to keep her back.
“Stay there and talk.”
“But it’s so dark, can you even see my face clearly?”
Meisel showed no sign of backing down, persistently narrowing the gap.
As she tilted her neck, something yellow glittered beneath her obscured neckline.
The moment he caught a glimpse of that light, heat suddenly flared up inside him.
Loik swallowed hard as he felt the heat coiling tightly in the pit of his stomach.
Why now, all of a sudden…
Cold sweat broke out on his back, and his head spun. Loik’s feet stumbled.
“Your Grace? Are you alright?”
The lady looked at him with feigned concern and reached out for his arm.
No, don't. If she touches me now…!
Snap. The hand that was about to touch him stopped mid-air.
Turning his head, he saw Annette standing there, her eyes wide with shock.
Seeing Meisel’s hand reaching for Loik, Annette rushed over and slapped the hand away.
A flash of bewilderment, disappointment, and then anger crossed Meisel’s eyes.
As Annette stepped between them, effectively cutting them off from each other, Meisel was forced to step back. She glared up at her.
“I greet… Her Highness the Consort.”
“What is the meaning of this insolence toward the Grand Duke?”
“Insolence? I was merely worried because His Grace seemed unwell…”
“How dare you lay a hand on a member of the Imperial family as you please?”
The hand the Grand Duchess had struck was stinging.
To make such a fuss just because she almost touched him.
Is she completely delusional?
Meisel grit her teeth inwardly. If it had just been the Grand Duchess, she wouldn't have held back, but she couldn't lose her temper in front of the Grand Duke.
How stupid of her to show her true colors like that.
Men were supposed to feel a protective instinct toward pitiful, delicate women.
Thinking this was actually for the best, Meisel let her voice tremble slightly.
“I simply couldn't pass by after seeing the Grand Duke, and I was only trying to show my respect… I am sorry, Your Highness. I did not mean to offend you…”
“Yes, you are offending me quite significantly.”
The Grand Duchess crossed her arms, her expression sour.
“I thought Lady Meisel would know better than this.”
“Didn't you say it yourself back then? That you’ve heard much about my reputation.”
“I’m not sure what you mean…”
Meisel glanced at Loik even as she answered. She was dying to see how disgusted he would be by the Grand Duchess cornering her like this.
However, because the Grand Duchess had pushed him behind her, the Grand Duke’s face was cast in shadow and hard to see.
“I never tolerate anyone touching what is mine.”
Behind her, Loik flinched, the fabric of his robe rustling.
“Especially not wagging your tail in front of my husband the moment I’m gone.”
“Wagging my tail? Your Highness, your words are too harsh.”
Meisel pressed a hand to her chest, putting on a wounded expression.
“How can you describe my good intentions in such a way?”
“If that’s not the case, then don't approach the Grand Duke privately ever again. In the first place, what business does a lady of your age have speaking with him?”
The Grand Duchess spoke on, indifferent to her reaction.
“Not when I’m here, and certainly not when I’m not. That is, if you don't want to invite this kind of suspicion.”
Just then, the moonlight filtering through the leaves fell upon the Grand Duke’s face as he turned his head slightly.
Meisel’s eyes widened as she saw the expression on his face—he was biting his lip.
Is he… embarrassed right now?
Had she misread him?
But before Meisel could observe further, the Grand Duchess’s cold gaze pierced her.
“And why are you even here? Did you manage to get an invitation?”
At those words, Meisel’s neck turned bright red.
The Grand Duchess gave her a knowing look.
“I have no intention of checking how you got in. But you’d better keep my words in mind. Do you understand?”
“Yes… yes, Your Highness.”
“I hear Lady Meisel is quite influential among her peers. Make sure to relay my words clearly to the other ladies as well.”
The Grand Duchess glared at her with the aura of a true villainess.
“Tell them the Grand Duchess is a very jealous woman, so they shouldn't even think about hovering around the Grand Duke unless they want to face the consequences.”
“Now that you understand, leave.”
Meisel looked toward the Grand Duke with a face full of resentment.
Even though the Grand Duchess was throwing such a fit right in front of him, the Grand Duke didn't say a single word.
He could have at least said something to stop her from bullying an innocent lady.