The Duke's Flower is Precarious - Chapter 69

Aidel looked out beyond the terrace at the scenery of the Grand Duke’s castle, which had become familiar to her.

Whether it was due to the clear energy transmitted from the recreational forest surrounding the Grand Duke’s castle, just looking at it made her feel at ease.

“Now I have to say goodbye to this scenery as well.”

Bien approached Aidel, who was gazing out the window with a wistful look, and spoke.

“You’re back. Did you send the letter well?”

“Yes. I sent word to the Grand Duke’s residence and packed all the luggage to head to the capital.”

“Good job.”

Tomorrow was the day to return to the Grand Duke’s residence in the capital. She felt a great sense of regret, perhaps because she had grown fond of the tranquil scenery of the Grand Duke’s castle and the kind servants, including Pierre.

However, now that she had recovered, she had to return to the capital as soon as possible. It was not only because of her studies and the administration of the Grand Duke’s household that she had been dedicating herself to, but also for the sake of the Grand Duke.

Because of her, Caeron had come to the Grand Duke’s castle, and as a result, the work he had been doing was likely still being disrupted.

The reason Gregory had hurriedly returned to the capital as soon as Caeron returned to the Grand Duke’s castle was not unrelated to this. She could almost hear the sound of Gregory’s sighs as he filled the void left by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess alone from afar.

“Prince Rainien left earlier.”

“Yes. I had a brief conversation with him after lunch.”

Aidel recalled the conversation she had with Rainien before he left.

− I think I’ll have to leave first today.

− Yes, thank you for taking the time to visit me while I was ill.

− It’s nothing. It’s only natural.

Rainien responded with his characteristically affectionate smile, then gazed at Aidel with deepened eyes.

− Before I leave, I have a request I’d like to make of you, Lady Aidel.

− A request?

− Through this incident, I’ve realized how precious you are to me.

− Prince Rainien…

− From now on, I want to stay by your side and protect you as much as I can so that you won’t get hurt. So please, don’t hesitate to tell me everything when you’re having a hard time.

Rainien continued with an earnest look in his eyes.

− You’re someone who puts others before yourself, Lady Aidel. I know you’re accustomed to hiding your own wounds. But wounds fester if left alone, so I hope you’ll feel free to confide in me before that happens.

− Thank you for saying that.

Aidel felt a lump in her throat at Rainien’s words of concern for her. She could feel his warm thoughtfulness.

− Especially if you have any difficulties or worries regarding the Grand Duke, please be sure to tell me.

− Regarding His Grace?

− After all, another man would best understand a man’s heart.

Rainien winked playfully. However, his eyes were brimming with sincerity more than ever.

− I should add, contrary to appearances, I’m quite experienced in giving love advice.

− That’s a bit unexpected.

− I often listened to my only younger sister’s troubles. My sister told me that love advice is essential among friends. So please feel free to talk to me as well, Lady Aidel.

− Heh. I will.

Aidel burst out laughing at Rainien’s somewhat glib words. She had thought he had a serious personality, but seeing this side of him was refreshing.

As someone who had never had proper friends before, Rainien’s words that she could confide her personal worries to him were comforting.

At the same time, she became curious about the younger sister he mentioned. She had previously learned about the existence of Princess Ophelia, Rainien’s twin sister, through the newspapers.

− I’ve heard about Princess Ophelia. Will I be able to meet her directly when I go to the Lisandro Empire this time?

− Of course. I was planning to introduce her to you anyway. I’ll give her notice before your visit to the Lisandro Empire.

− I’m looking forward to it. The day I go to Lisandro.

− I’ll be eagerly anticipating it as well. I’ll see you again in the capital.

As Aidel finished reminiscing, a gentle smile had already settled on her lips.

Upon returning to the capital, she planned to finish the remaining semester and schedule a visit to the Lisandro Empire to coincide with the upcoming vacation.

This would be Aidel’s first time leaving the empire. Her heart pounded at the thought of not only cultivating academic knowledge in her field of interest in Lisandro but also experiencing the culture of another empire and interacting with new people.

Watching Aidel’s eyes sparkle with anticipation, Bien, who was standing nearby, tilted her head.

‘Could it be… she’s thinking about Prince Rainien?’

Aidel had fallen silent, lost in thought after saying she had talked with Rainien. Seeing the deepening smile on her lips and the blush blooming on her cheeks as time passed, Bien grew uneasy.

Still not having let go of her wariness towards Rainien, Bien cleared her throat softly and carefully called out to Aidel.

It was just then that she needed to confirm the Grand Duchess’s intentions.

“Your Grace, there’s something I urgently need to ask you.”

“Ah, Bien. Go ahead.”

“If I may be so bold… what should we do with the gift box you prepared for His Grace the Grand Duke?”

It was the gift box containing the cravat prepared as a gift for the Grand Duke. It was the only item Bien hadn’t packed yet while preparing the Grand Duchess’s luggage.

“Ah…”

Aidel let out a low sigh as she looked at the gift box placed on the table. Giving the gift to Caeron had been something she had been contemplating ever since she woke up.

The intention to give it to him at the hospital had remained undelivered, kept only in her heart. Although hesitation remained afterwards, she kept reassuring herself, steadying her wavering heart.

If Caeron returned to the Grand Duke’s castle, she would surely convey her feelings for him without hiding anything.

However, various facts she learned while staying at the Grand Duke’s castle made her mind confused. The thoughts that wedged themselves between her remaining hesitations grew bigger and bigger.

Especially, the reason that made her hesitate the most was…

− His Grace the Grand Duke is fighting a lonely battle. I hope that Your Grace will be a source of strength for him by his side.

It was because of Pierre’s request to her.

She was concerned that expressing her feelings might trouble him in the situation he was said to be in.

‘The lonely battle he’s said to be fighting…’

She didn’t yet know exactly what that battle Pierre mentioned was. However, judging from the flow of the conversation and the circumstances, she guessed it was related to the truth behind the death of the late Empress Meriel.

‘Is he fighting against those who are trying to hide that truth?’

Aidel wanted to know why he was struggling alone. She wanted to fight alongside him and be his strength.

However, if it was related to his family history as she suspected… it might be presumptuous for someone who was merely in a contractual relationship, not even a real family member, to ask about the reason first.

‘Just a contractual relationship, not a real family…’

Aidel’s face gradually grew as melancholic as the twilight beginning to fall outside the window as she mulled over this fact.

‘The fact that he didn’t tell me the details must mean that’s the extent of our relationship.’

Once her mood started to sink, it continued to plummet further.

‘No. Let’s not jump to conclusions without having a proper conversation with him yet.’

Aidel tried hard to pull herself up as she was falling helplessly.

‘If I bring up the late Empress first…’

Wouldn’t he naturally tell her then? About the hidden truth behind the late Empress’s death and what kind of people he was fighting against…

If he opened his heart and told her the truth he hadn’t revealed to her, she felt she might gain the courage and opportunity to express her own hidden feelings.

‘Your Grace…’

Meanwhile, as Aidel sank into deep thought with a serious expression, Bien beside her fidgeted anxiously.

She had tried to turn the Grand Duchess’s thoughts about Prince Rainien towards the Grand Duke, but somehow the atmosphere surrounding Aidel was quite different from earlier.

‘If only that gift could be delivered to His Grace the Grand Duke, the relationship between the two would deepen right away.’

It was something Bien had always looked forward to, carefully guarding the gift box until Aidel’s return.

As per her fervent prayers and wishes, the Grand Duke had rescued the Grand Duchess, and the safely returned Grand Duchess was now able to give her gift to the Grand Duke.

Just as Bien’s loyalty towards the Grand Duke who rescued the Grand Duchess had grown, Aidel’s affection for the Grand Duke who rescued her must have deepened as well.

As if to fully demonstrate the depth of that affection, Aidel had anxiously awaited his return every day, looking out the window until the Grand Duke came back to the Grand Duke’s castle.

‘But why is Her Grace hesitating now…’

The Grand Duke had returned to the Grand Duke’s castle after finishing all the trials, yet Aidel was just lost in deep thought while looking at the gift box.

‘Even though Prince Rainien has left…’

Last night too, she had tried to arrange time for the Grand Duke couple alone, but it had failed due to the private meeting between the Grand Duke and the Prince. However, Rainien had left for the capital earlier today.

Bien thought this was the most opportune moment, now that Rainien, who had seemed like an intruder between the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, had left.

‘Besides, it’s the last night at the Grand Duke’s castle before returning to the Grand Duke’s residence.’

Once they returned to the Grand Duke’s residence in the capital, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess would likely become busy as usual. As with all things, but especially in love between a man and woman, nothing was more important than the right timing.

‘We absolutely can’t miss tonight!’

Bien clenched both fists and made a firm resolution. She took a deep breath and suggested to Aidel with a solemn expression.

“Your Grace. I think tonight would be most appropriate if you were to give the gift to His Grace.”

“Tonight…?”

“Once you return to the Grand Duke’s residence tomorrow, both of you will be busy. How about having some time alone before you leave? You could also catch up on the conversation you’ve been putting off.”

“Tonight…”

Aidel fell into thought again after hearing Bien’s suggestion.

‘Before I express my feelings… I need to understand his situation first.’

Only then would all her hesitations and anxieties be resolved, and she could fully express her feelings.

Finally making a decision, Aidel opened her mouth towards Bien.

“Bien.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Could you convey my intentions to His Grace through Pierre?”

It was a promise she had made before the kidnapping incident, but it was time to keep the promise she hadn’t been able to fulfill yet.