Seeing that, Nellia knew her answer was right. With a much lighter heart, she firmly held the Duke’s hand.

“Duke, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“Yes.”

“When the Duke briefly left the room, I heard a story about the Duke transforming into a monster in childhood and attempting to attack the Duchess.”

“Mother told you that kind of story…”

Duke Hart looked somewhat similar to the Duchess from a while ago—bitter and regretful.

Observing the Duke’s reaction, Nellia realized it clearly.

“Since that incident, Duke, you’ve been feeling guilty toward the Duchess, haven’t you?”
The Duke lowered his head. Perhaps due to the subdued atmosphere, his silver hair felt like it was hanging down.

“Nellia is right. Even though I lost my sanity, I couldn’t forgive myself for attacking my mother.”

“…”

“That’s still the case. Whenever I see my mother, memories of that day often come back, making me uncomfortable.”

Nellia patted the Duke’s back.

“It seems like the Duchess is blaming herself just like the Duke, thinking of you both as family.”

“…Is that what my mother said?”

“Yes, she was afraid of the Duke who turned into a monster.”

As expected, the Duke seemed completely unaware. Nellia sighed and continued.

“It might be good to talk to your mother after tonight’s meal.”

The Duke looked down in silence.

His sunken eyes seemed filled with thoughts.

Following Nellia’s suggestion, after the evening meal, the Duke had some time alone to talk with the Duchess.

Meanwhile, Nellia considered asking Reunite about the dragon she saw in the book, but he transformed into a small dragon and disappeared, expressing a desire to explore the sanctuary.

Alone in the room, Nellia patiently waited for the Duke to return.

‘I hope they have a good conversation.’

Even though the Duchess is the only family the Duke has, it would be nice if they could have a close relationship like before the incident.

Now, Nellia understood why the Duke didn’t talk much about the Duchess. There must have been such an incident in the past.

Living with guilt for a lifetime, with only one family, must be unimaginably difficult. It might feel like walking alone on a dark and cold path.

While thinking about the Duke, Nellia also realized something else.

It was regarding the Duke’s words to the Duchess today.

‘But I can’t live like this forever. It’s uncomfortable, more than I thought, not being able to separate.’

Those words felt a bit painful, but now she finally understood the meaning behind the Duke’s statement.

‘He felt sorry to me…’

Although he never explicitly showed it, the Duke seemed to worry that he would make her uncomfortable.

There could have been a misunderstanding. Suddenly, saying it’s uncomfortable when he always said it’s better to be together?

That’s why it’s important to be clear in expressing oneself.

‘Nellia is uncomfortable not being able to separate from me.’ If he had said that, there wouldn’t have been any unnecessary hurt feelings.

Blaming the Duke was pointless, and Nellia suddenly realized that her emotions were strange.

‘Why get upset over such a thing.’

Lately, every word of the Duke seemed to affect her. Perhaps being close to him made her influenced by his moods.

If his mood seemed low, hers also sank, and if he appeared in good spirits, her mood would somewhat improve.

Smart .
Deep in thought and sketching expressions, Nellia was startled by a knock on the door and responded, “Yes?”

“It’s Duke Hart,” came the reply from outside.

Nellia got up from the bed and opened the door, revealing Duke Hart with a faint smile.

‘It seems the conversation went well.’

In a moment of relief, the Duke embraced Nellia warmly. Unfazed, she embraced him back, and his unexpected hug no longer felt awkward.

“I had no idea Mother was thinking like that.”

“If you don’t have a conversation, no matter how close you are, you won’t know what someone is thinking. I’m relieved that misunderstandings seem to be cleared up now.”

Nellia nestled into his embrace, letting out a sigh. Her voice, dispersed around her chest, might have reached his ears.

“All thanks to you, Nellia.”

Though it was a small voice, it seemed audible. Nellia responded with a smile.

“It’s thanks to the Duchess honestly sharing the past with me.”

The Duke released the hug and looked at Nellia.

“Even my mother is very grateful to you.”

The Duke raised the corners of his mouth.

“Even asked when Nellia and I are getting married.”

Nellia coughed awkwardly.

… Why is the topic of marriage coming up here?

“My mother sincerely wants Nellia.”

Sincerely wants… The expression felt quite subtle.

“As a family. If you become my family through marriage, she said I would no longer be necessary.”

“There’s no way she said that…”

Feeling embarrassed, Nellia answered while looking away.

“If I don’t marry Nellia, she said she would treat me as a useless man throughout the world.”

“A useless man throughout the world…”

Duke Hart took Nellia’s hand, lifted it, and kissed the back of her hand.

“I don’t want to be considered a useless man throughout the world, so I must marry Nellia.”

Nellia widened her eyes.

‘Is he proposing…?’

“Of course, I’m not proposing like this. I can’t propose to Nellia like this.”

Surprised, Nellia thought she might have just recorded the highest heart rate in a moment.

With a bright smile, the Duke continued, “There are still things to do.”

Nellia instantly understood what he meant by the ‘things to do.’