It seemed that the Duke didn’t want to just overlook the fact that he cried while sleeping.

“It wasn’t a scary dream… It was a sad dream. Oh, it wasn’t about anything related to me.”

“I see. It’s fortunate that it wasn’t related to Nelia.”

Now was the time to worry… Nelia raised her eyebrows and looked at the Duke.

“How are you feeling, Duke? Are you okay?”

“Nelia, before talking about my condition, it seems there’s something I need to discuss.”

Nelia felt a bit tense at the Duke’s serious tone. She knew what he was going to talk about.

“Why did you secretly go to meet Carlos, and what happened?”

She expected this question.

Nelia had to think briefly about where to start the story. Then, she calmly organized the events that happened to her and opened her mouth.

“A few days ago, I happened to meet Duke Carlos at the palace…”

“Yes.”

“He mentioned that there seemed to be side effects to the potion created by Gryph.”

“Side effects?”

“Yes… After taking the potion, the pain in my right arm became severe.”

There was a momentary subtle smile on Duke Hart’s lips.

“Is that so?”

“Of course, I suggested making such a potion, but since you handed it to me, I told the Duke that I would hold you responsible…”

“He called you to the Star Palace with such a threat.”

The Duke laughed as if he found it unbelievable. It was rare to see him make such a sarcastic expression.

Nelia felt that the Duke could see through her. Anyway, for him, meeting Carlos alone might be correct, but the result once again turned into a messy confrontation.

Contrary to her concerns, the Duke suddenly embraced Nelia.

“You must have gone through a lot after hearing such words from Carlos. I was clueless like a fool…”

Surprisingly, as the Duke blamed himself, Nelia felt a bit bewildered.

“I tried to hide it, so it’s natural that the Duke didn’t know.”

“No. It’s all my fault.”

“…”

“Sorry, Nelia. I should have noticed earlier.”

His tender comfort made Nelia unexpectedly feel tears welling up in her eyes.

“But, Nelia. I hope there’s nothing you’re hiding from me now.”

“…Yes.”

She answered, but the presence of Reunew nearby was an immediate lie.

‘But I’ll reveal that someday…’

As he released Nelia, the Duke spoke.

“The side effects of the potion are nothing to be afraid of. You were manipulated by Gryph, who delved into innocent Nelia.”

“Side effects can be a serious problem… It’s not as simple as you think.”
“No, it would have been better if I had caused him fatal side effects.”

As the Duke spoke casually, Nelia felt empty, wondering what she had been worried about when facing Carlos’s threats.

“I don’t know what he said to frighten Nelia, but threatening with the side effects of the potion won’t work. Besides, proving that the side effects occurred because of that potion is difficult.”

“…Do you really think so?”

“Of course. As evidence, Carlos won’t mention the side effects after today.”

The Duke chuckled softly.

“In the current situation, clinging to that won’t benefit him, so he knows that. Even if he raises the issue, we can create enough evidence to refute it. Gryph is a trustworthy alchemist.”

Nelia felt like crying again, but for a different reason this time.

‘Ugh…’

As Nelia looked down at the bed with a dejected expression, the Duke buried her face in his chest.

“It’s both pitiful and irresistibly adorable that Nelia, who was dragged around by Carlos because of me, still looks at me with such disdain and love.”

Nelia pushed him away from her chest.

“I was really worried…!”

Even though Nelia’s eyes showed frustration, the Duke continued to smile. He gently wiped away the tear stains on Nelia’s face with his fingers.

“Yes, that’s why it’s charming.”

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. His expression genuinely reflected his joy.

Nelia wanted to glare at the Duke in that state, but she got up from the bed instead.

“Now that I’ve confirmed the Duke is fine, I’ll return to my room.”

As she tried to get up, the Duke, seemingly not fully recovered, grabbed Nelia’s wrist as if wrapping around it.

“It’s still far from my recovery.”

“But you look perfectly fine?”

Ignoring Nelia’s words, the Duke lay down on the bed. With her wrist still caught, Nelia ended up lying down beside him.

“My back is sore from the impact on the wall earlier.”

A man’s back is essential. At the Duke’s whisper, Nelia’s face turned red in an instant.

Despite Nelia’s embarrassed expression, the Duke continued to smile. He licked away Nelia’s teardrops with a low laugh.

“Yes, that’s why it’s charming.”

While Nelia was giving the Duke a stern look, he suddenly asked her another question.

“I have one more thing I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“What was that extraordinary Nelia just now?”

“…”

Nelia hesitated on how to explain herself as the Reunite had taken over. Although she wanted to confess everything to the Duke about Reunite’s existence, she had been warned that Reunite shouldn’t reveal itself to others.

As Nelia’s distressed expression became more serious, Duke Hart spoke first.

“If it’s difficult to answer, it’s okay not to say it. As long as it doesn’t harm Nelia, it’s fine.”

Nelia clapped her hands.

“It’s not a harmful existence! Instead… it’s like my guardian.”
Reunite is merely a guide, opening the path to Zigris’s heart. Although the term “guardian” was first used by him, it’s okay to say it like that for now.

“While having another guardian besides me doesn’t sit well with me… since he protected Nelia this time, let’s just be thankful.”

“…Anyway, it’s like having a pet, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

The Duke didn’t inquire further about Reunite. If he were in the Duke’s position, he might have asked various questions out of curiosity. Instead, the Duke delivered a shocking piece of news.

“Today, Nelia’s brother, Layton, visited the duke’s residence.”

“Layton?!”

At the unexpected news, Nelia’s eyes widened momentarily.

“Yes. I should have treated him better, but he came in a hurry to find Nelia, so I couldn’t properly greet him. I should visit Nelia’s residence sometime and apologize for today’s events.”

This was even more shocking news.

The Duke is coming to our house?