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Chapter 91. Bait (8)
When he was young, he cried because he missed his mother, and now he has become a man, he plays with this woman?
When he thought about it, Camilla, whom he met a while ago, said something strange. The Grand Duke, who had been living in seclusion, showed up and sided with the woman whom she tried to take care of, ruining her party. It seemed that woman was the same as the woman right in front of his eyes now. Genoyer’s mouth twisted strangely.
Yes, this is it.
He was just trying to vent his anger, but he seemed to have found something quite interesting. In a short moment, Genoyer’s expression darkened. With a soft smile that seemed to find fault, he spoke.
“Still, I shouldn’t be involved in the Grand Duke’s affairs.”
“…Thank you for your understanding. Then I—”
“But I can’t turn a blind eye to your behavior of ignoring the family’s rule.”
“…Yes?”
A question flickered in her scarlet eyes, which were gleaming softly. Looking at her blank face, Genoyer’s eyebrows crinkled. What’s so good about this stupid woman? Tsk. However, if it was worth using, he could bother her as much as he wanted.
She was the only one Aster was interested in, as he had no interest in anything other than his dead mother. He would be willing to accept this displeasure if he could break that arrogant expression for a moment.
Genoyer, who forcibly managed his collapsed expression, spoke again. “Please see me off at the entrance. It’s not much of a favor in return, but I would appreciate it if you could also tell me how my brother has been doing all this time.”
“About the Grand Duke?”
“It’s not good if we continue to keep doing this. At this point, I should know what he was doing.”
To get a little closer.
Elusiana couldn’t hide her embarrassment at Genoyer’s barely audible words. He talked around the way, but to paraphrase what she had just heard, he said, ‘Tell me everything you know.’ Of course, he wouldn’t say it with good intentions. However, considering what he said next, it also sounded like he wanted to forget all the remnants of the past and get along with the Grand Duke.
Is my hearing strange? Why do I get the illusion that it’s the latter?
The current Grand Duke forcibly kicked out the legitimate successor. He forcibly took away the title from the previous Grand Duke. That was what Elusiana knew. No, everyone knew it like that.
Is there, by any chance, something different from the truth I knew? Something like he gave up his successor position…?
No. It can’t be. Elusiana shook her head, calming her confusion.
The fundamental cause of the Grand Duke’s weakness was the abuse of power due to the succession fight. In the aftermath of that, he was struggling with his sickness.
Clearly, there must have been a bloody clash between the two that she dared not imagine. But now he’s going to forget the past and get along? Is this possible?
Elusiana’s eyes narrowed slightly as if to gauge the truth. Is it true that he really wants to get along? Or is it an ulterior motive to find out the Grand Duke’s weakness from me?
Recognizing her confusion, Genoyer sneaked over to her and grabbed Elusiana’s shoulder. “If you don’t like it, you can refuse. However, I hope you don’t misunderstand my true intentions. It’s not an easy decision for me either…”
It was just then.
Bang! The office door opened violently as if it were going to explode, and Aster ran out.
“Elusiana! Come here.”
“G-Grand Duke?”
Aster stretched out his arm, wrapped around Elusiana’s waist, and pulled her. He immediately lifted his red-gold eyes as he hugged Elusiana in his arms.
“I advised you to think deeply.”
Genoyer grinned at Aster’s fierce growl.
“You must be quite surprised.”
“Because I didn’t know you were still snooping around here. Or are you secretly looking for something?”
At the obvious provocation of Aster, Genoyer immediately cursed. What he needed the most right now was the seal of the magic, no matter what anyone said. Because it was the key to verifying the record that was vividly recorded that day, Aster forcibly usurped the title of the Grand Duke. But somehow, his heart sank coldly.
“I think I’ve found it. Something much more useful than I thought.”
Genoyer’s viper-like eyes scrutinized Aster’s back. Aster reflexively hid Elusiana behind him. At that moment, the emotions hidden behind Aster’s expressionless face were woven like a spider’s web and exposed.
Genoyer was strangely excited by that. For some reason, he felt like the huge wall that seemed like it could never be broken has now become a shabby wall. The corners of his mouth curled gently. That woman must be your weakness, Aster. Hahaha.
* * *
After Genoyer went back, Elusiana helped Aster and led him to the sofa.
“Your Excellency, are you really okay?”
“I’m okay… Elusiana.”
Aster, who was leaning against the sofa, held his forehead with one hand and shook his head.
“But your complexion is so bad. Aren’t you overdoing it because of me? I’m really sorry.”
Elusiana stood beside him and bowed her head. She could still vividly feel his strong arms wrapped around her waist. Thinking of that made her heart pound again. Even so, she couldn’t understand why this sickly Grand Duke had to stand alone against such ferocious force.
“It was my brother who was rude. So don’t think about it.”
“…But …Yes, I will.”
Elusiana lowered her gaze to Aster’s determined eyes.
Genoyer, who was demanding to be seen off, gently withdrew after exchanging a few words with the Grand Duke. But she knew better than anyone else that it was only acting.
It was for a moment. The situation was calm before the storm, but in reality, it was dangerous, like an activated volcano about to explode at any moment. If Genoyer hadn’t turned around and walked out— One of them might have died.
And the disadvantage would definitely be the Grand Duke. Because he suffered a lot in the battle of succession.
I’ve been so stupid. She should have dealt with it a little more resolutely. The words of wanting to know about the Grand Duke sounded as if he wanted to be close to each other, so her judgment was blurred for a moment. To think it could be better when their relationship is so strained.
This is my mistake. I almost put His Excellency in danger.
Fortunately, Genoyer still didn’t know the current Grand Duke’s condition. It was because the Grand Duke looked perfectly fine on the outside. However, it was difficult to say that the Grand Duke was in good condition at the moment.
The visit from the first young master must have consumed a lot of his energy. Although he said he was fine, they didn’t know when he would suddenly collapse again. Even since she entered his office, the Grand Duke had been in that state with one hand covering his forehead.
Although it’s presumptuous of me, should I tell him to take a rest…? After closing her eyes tightly, Elusiana carefully stood up from her seat. Even if it was presumptuous, she couldn’t stand by. But before she could take a step, she was stopped.
“Sit down.”
“But, Your Excellency, you went too far. I think it would be good to take a little rest.”Swoosh. Aster, who raised his head, continued with a slightly flushed face. “It’s because I’m so surprised.”
“Surprised, for what?”
“Elusiana, I’m afraid that you got hurt.”
“…!”
“I’m really glad that you’re okay.”
His eyes met with hers and softened in an instant. It contained a warm feeling as if he was sincere, so Elusiana stared at him, lost for words for the moment. However, the corners of his mouth, which were slightly raised, looked somehow so sad that she couldn’t bear to speak. She wondered why belatedly, but Aster’s words came faster than that.
“You’d better get off work today. Please call Louis when you go out. As you said, I’ll take a break.”
“I’ll be by your side.”
Aster shook his head slowly. “Go back today. I think it would make me feel more comfortable.”
Elusiana answered at his kind yet determined words. “…Yes, I understand.”
Barely lifting her motionless body, Elusiana hesitated for a moment in front of the door. Turning behind her, she slightly bowed her head to greet him.
It was then.
Huh? That… What is it? Something sticking out of the pocket of Aster’s coat caught her eye. A silver chain with a round ring on it.
Necklace? Seeing the silver chain, which looked very familiar, Elusiana narrowed her eyes. Aster, noticing her gaze, hid his embarrassment and turned his body.
“Elusiana, why aren’t you leaving?”
“Ah! Yes. I-I was about to leave. Then, p-please take a rest, Your Excellency.”
Surprised, Elusiana quickly left the office.