The next day, Nelia returned to her routine.
A single day wouldn’t change the dynamic between her and the Duke.
So she was currently on her way to the palace, just as usual, to board the carriage.
On her way, Nelia suddenly realized that the mansion’s garden was as immaculate and beautiful as ever.
‘Surely, the Duke, who had turned into a monster, had made it a mess.’
The trees and flowers had been brutally twisted, the soil dug up here and there. Not to mention the collapsed shed.
Yet now it seemed as though that day’s events had been a dream, the garden restored to its original state.
“The garden looks clean?”
“Ah… the magicians restored it to its original state.”
The Duke’s response was somewhat awkward, but Nelia didn’t notice as she was looking around.
‘Magicians are truly amazing.’
Not only restoring the ruined garden but also restraining a huge monster, and even creating an invisible barrier.
Internally admiring, Nelia recalled the barrier and remembered a forgotten presence.
‘Ah…’
It was Layton.
Nelia clenched her forehead.
She had told Layton that she would visit the Duke and then disappeared. That crazy guy wouldn’t have reported it somewhere, would he?
“What’s the matter, Nelia?”
Duke Hart noticed Nelia, who suddenly held her forehead, and asked with a concerned voice.
“Your Grace, by any chance… did my brother come here while I was unconscious yesterday?”
The Duke shook his head.
“He would’ve informed me if he did, but I heard nothing.”
So he didn’t come. That made her more uncomfortable.
One day he will just show up and dig into that day’s events.
Anxious, Nelia decided to stop by her home today to check up on Layton.
Having collected her thoughts, Nelia asked the Duke.
“Is Ton alright?”
The Duke had hit the wall quite hard when he had turned into a monster.
She had seen him looking alright in the morning, but professionals are good at hiding injuries.
“The physician examined him, he should be fine except for some minor injuries.”
Nelia found it surprising that the Duke spoke so calmly about Ton’s condition.
She had expected him to show some remorse or guilt.
“Anyway… it was nearly a catastrophe.”
The Duke sighed and lowered his head as they walked.
Finally showing a human side, Nelia thought.
‘Well, of course. Ton has been like a limb to us, a longserving servant…’
“If Ton wasn’t injured, then Nelia would have been.”
At the Duke’s remorseful words, Nelia frowned.
“That shouldn’t happen either…! I felt so sorry for causing trouble for Ton…”
“Ah… our lovely Nelia.”
Suddenly, the Duke hugged Nelia.
“Not many people know, but Ton comes from a family that has served our household for generations. The founder was a knight from another country, so naturally, their household learned swordsmanship and martial arts.”
So the House of Duke Hart also had a secretly serving family. Now Ton’s stiff demeanor and actions made sense. He came from a knightly family, so he was formal.
“Especially Ton, he’s a true talent, having swept the Imperial Martial Arts Tournament.”
“Does that mean…”
“Yes, a little bump won’t affect him.”
Phew, she felt relieved at the explanation.
But she was also curious. Such a talent doing servant work here. What were the conditions… or maybe he owed the Duke?
“Well, shall we go if your questions are answered?”
The Duke took Nelia’s halted hand and led her.
“Yes…”
Nelia folded her thoughts about Ton and followed the Duke.
From behind, the Duke’s steps seemed remarkably lighter.
(This is a time separator.)
Not long after arriving at the palace, the Duke had to leave his office.
An envoy had arrived from another country.
The Duke had to go to the reception room, which was quite a distance from his office.
So Nelia had to follow him. After all, she could turn into a snake if she got too far away from him.
“Nelia, there’s a back door over there. There’s a pretty lake next to it, so you can take a walk there.”
Arriving at the reception room, Duke Hart suggested a nearby place for Nelia, concerned she would awkwardly wander the halls.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
Left alone, Nelia headed to the back of the main building, as the Duke had suggested.
As the Duke had mentioned, there was a small lake in the back, and it was clear whether it had been wellmaintained, as pretty fish were swimming around.
Fortunately, there was a flat rock in a comfortable spot to sit.
Nelia sat on the rock, enjoying the peace and quiet for the first time in a long time. The light breeze made it even better.
Until she heard a commotion from behind.
“Ah, well, my brother works here!”
Hallucination? There’s no way she would hear that brat’s voice here.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Nelia wanted to pretend she hadn’t heard and close her eyes.
“Unidentified individuals are not allowed in the palace.”
She glanced back. It was Layton, his eyebrows raised in irritation.
‘Ah… why is that brat here.’
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.