“…If you don’t like the Empire, you can’t be an absolute loyalist. Isn’t it true?”
When he saw Lise in pain with her hand on her head, Erhan felt his heart strangely broken. Lise didn’t seem to be loyal to the royal family either, but maybe it was because of the Crown Prince.
When Erhan thought of the Crown Prince, he felt like he wanted to rebel even more. Just by thinking that he was Lise’s first dance partner, he was already worried that his eyes wouldn’t roll at the back of his head.
Even now, he’s holding back the urge to run and stab that damn prince with his sword.
“It’s just that I’ll never be biased against the imperial family, enough to consider treason. That’s what I mean.”
Even though he tried to answer with a lot of refinement, his voice already sounded so angry.
Lise sighed and replied without energy.
“I hope you don’t do it, please.”
“Well… I wish I won’t do it either. What’s the second question?”
“Ah.”
Lise, who was already exhausted, raised her head again and asked seriously.
“If by any chance, Master Erhan is not able to continue as the Duke, then the title will be handed over to Wederick, right? Because he’s your only eligible relative.”
“That’s right.”(Erhan)
Erhan answered without much thought.
“It’s good to have him at least.”(Erhan)
“…What?”
“It’s fortunate to have someone who I can pass the Dutchy to if there are unavoidable circumstances.”
That was one of the many cases that Erhan was thinking about.
Because although Wederick and Roman are on top of his list of suspicious people, he has another reason not to cast them aside by doubt alone.
If it was not easy to modify the law somehow or make Lise an adopted daughter of another noble family, he was going to abandon the Duchy. That was the only value of Wederick, his only relative.
It will be his last resort since he always wanted to give Lise a more abundant life. However, if Lise pushed him away because of the difference in their status, he was willing to become a commoner himself.
“Well, is Sir Wederick that important? Now that you can think for yourself objectively, you should’ve known that he wasn’t particularly good on you when you were still a child, Master Erhan.”
“Why does that matter?”
He truly doesn’t want to have anything to do with anyone other than Lise. It was because it is more important to think about how to be with Lise than to weigh things in the past.
Wederick was someone inconsequential for Erhan since long ago. If he wasn’t behind all this, or if he really didn’t do any harm to Lise; it was something that he could let go of as something he carelessly did in the past.
There was only Lise and no Lise in his world.
“He’s my only blood relative that I can pass the title of the Duke to, that’s why he’s important.”
“…Well, yes. If you think so.”
Lise nodded slowly. However, she looked rather sullen.
“But why are you asking? If you have something you want to say, just say it. There’s no need to deliberate if you’re with me.”
He hasn’t even won Lise’s heart yet so he didn’t explain it furthermore, afraid that she would feel pressured to marry him.
Lise also didn’t ask anymore, she just gave a slight sigh and shook her head.
“No, I don’t have any more questions.”
“…Can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
Flipping her brown hair back, Lise nodded her head smoothly. Erhan stared at her and smiled slightly. He doesn’t know what to do with something that feels this good just by looking at it. His whole body felt itchy.
He wants to do a lot of things every time he looks at her bright eyes and small body that seems to be easily embraced.
“What kind of man do you like?”
“What?”
“Your ideal type.”
Lise spoke with little hesitation.
“A perfect person.”
“…Huh?”
“Well, we’re just talking about my ideal type anyway. I’d rather deal with someone who doesn’t have any shortcomings.”
In response, Erhan unknowingly covered Lise’s cheeks and faced her forehead. The lab in the middle of the night was quiet, and as much as it was good to be alone, something inside was fluttering.
As Lise’s face heated up in an instant, her green eyes flickered.
Her cheeks, cooped in his big hands, were soft.
She was the most precious thing to him, more than anything else in the world and he wanted to protect her in any way possible, but on the other hand, he had this sudden perverse desire to possess her so much, that it makes him want to be mean to her.
Even though he was desperately hiding that desire, it has become harder for him to bear with each passing day. It seems that his stomach boils sometimes when she seems too indifferent to him.
His long fingers grazed her already red ears.
Under the long eyelashes, his black eyes stared silently at Lise’s small lips.
“That’s right, Lise.”
He whispered quietly, and very slowly.
It was not the friendly and kind voice from before, but a locked-up voice that suppresses desire.
“I like perfect people, too.”
To him, she was always perfect.
⊱⋅ ──────────── ⋅⊰
“Uh… Come to think of it.”
It seemed like I was getting fascinated by him again, so I quickly got out of his hand.
This atmosphere is not good.
“I think there’s something I’m not good at.”
“What is it?”
“Dance.”
I spoke seriously.
“I’ve learned to dance these days, and I’m good at memorizing moves, but it’s not easy to follow the beat.”
“Really?”
“I’m the Crown Prince’s first dance partner, so… It‘d be nice if I don’t make a fool of myself. Is your Grace good at dancing?”
“Well.”
Erhan replied with a strange look on his face.
“I’ve learned it in Irvia, but it’s my first time attending an Imperial banquet.”
“But since you’ve learned, you can evaluate if I’m good or bad, right?”
“Shall I?”
Erhan reached his hand to me.
“Then I’ll judge. Shall we dance together?”
“Yes.”
I lightly grabbed his hand and stood up. He put his hand on my waist and pulled me carefully. I took a light waltz step, and he looked me in the eye and whispered.
“Honestly, your dancing is not that polished, but it’s not to the point that you will be laughed at.”
“I’m trying my best so my movements are not off-track.”
“But you still lack the sense of rhythm while moving your body.”
“Not everyone can do well at everything. You’re just a good dancer.”
He grinned at my vague answer.
“Your first dance partner in your life is me, not the Crown Prince. So you have to remember that.”
Her dance teacher was a woman, so he was right in some ways.
When I nodded my head coolly, Erhan smiled satisfactorily. Then he suddenly changed his face and bit his lower lip.
“I can’t believe I’ll have to watch you dance like this with the Crown Prince.”
“Who’s your first dance with?”
“You.”
“I have to dance with the Crown Prince.”
“It’s still you. I don’t want to dance with any other girl.”
“Uh… It’s your Grace’s first social debut, and I’m sure there are a lot of young ladies that’ll be waiting for you.”
“Who cares.”
What’s certain is that he doesn’t have a promised dance partner like me. I brought up my words carefully.
“In the end, if you don’t have a designated person while I’m dancing with the Crown Prince for the first time, could you do me a favor?”
“What is it?”
“Ask Young Lady Betia Eli Avik for your first dance.”
Erhan’s pupils shook greatly.
“…Why the hell?”
“I’ll tell you when the party’s over.”
Earlier, Erhan said that Wederick was valuable just because he was his only blood relative. No matter how much I was his beloved doctor, it seems that I certainly have to bring proper evidence. I didn’t know the true value of it, because I never had any blood relatives.
In my heart, I was desperately looking for a small clue to find the mastermind.
So I wasn’t sure of the results every time I weighed Erhan’s trust in me and his value for his blood relationship. I can’t imagine how precious it would be if I had a cousin.
I wasn’t the type to venture into the unthinkable. So for now, I couldn’t say what I wanted while trusting only my heart.
“And after the first dance, you must ask Young Lady Betia to drink wine from Cerceus together.”
“Do I have to drink with her?”
“Yes. The faster she drinks, the better. It definitely should be from Cerceus.”
Looking at Erhan’s face which looked quite displeased, I apologetically added.
“It’s all for you and me. You’ll know why after the banquet.”
I suddenly missed Diel again.
There was no one more comfortable to deal with than him. Just ask, and it’s done with just one word. However, he was a commoner and couldn’t even attend the banquet. This was something that only Erhan could do.
“What will you do for me if I agree to do you a favor?”