The Duke's Blessing

I was on cloud nine after seeing the notification that I received 500 XP and Dynastic points.

My throat was getting ready so I could hit the soprano note when someone slapped the wall with all his might, enough for me to flinch.

Did this dude kabedoned me?

I dreamt of this scene because of my anime addiction. However, I never imagined that a despicable man crushed my dream in an instant. 

“Thanks for your help, but it’s getting late, and need at least eight hours of sleep.”

She nodded and meandered while avoiding the Duke’s ominous stare.

When my attendant’s silhouette became smaller as she moved further away from us, it was at this moment that I had to activate my facade.

Reyner told that he was sick to the point of skipping the banquet earlier. It turned out that the Crown Prince’s words were a bluff.

“Your Grace, what brings you here?” I asked.

He shook his head, produced squeaking gecko noises, started crossing his arms, and shoved his face on me.

“If you will analyze the situation, I should be the one who’s asking your question.”

For seconds, my eyes became fixated on this beautiful creature standing in front of me. Being an awkward girl who had no experience with guys, I pushed him away from me, but I was the one who moved back. Why did this body have 0% strength?

“I apologize, Your Grace, it was just your face that was too close to mine, my reflexes...”

“Maybe you don’t know the fact that the strongest man in the empire is right in front of you.”

Someday, I’ll get enough Dynastic Points, so this incident wouldn’t happen again and maybe the Duke wouldn’t know this, but since I read the novel, I knew what is his weakness besides from Miuerella.

He asked for my hand, drew a shape of a heart on my palm using his fingers. Why would he exert his effort to transfer his mana just to warm me up? 

What an impulsive decision, this poor man wouldn’t get a wink of sleep tonight.

“Why do you always forget to bring your coat whenever we meet? A concerned woman about the freezing weather gifted me handmade heat packs. Therefore, I conclude that you handed out those elsewhere.”

Oh, shoot! This gentleman was unnecessarily observant.

“Yes, I gave it to someone who needed it the most,” I answered.

Let’s gave him a vague answer for the second time.

“Lady Bethany was a kind-hearted person, it touched me. You did two heroic deeds today. I can’t help but admire you.”

What was happening to this guy? He mentioned two great deeds, so there was a high possibility that Madeline Ruby’s incident was one of those.

I guess Count Viscar had a collection of enemies, to think that even Duke Frederick loathed him showed how despicable he was.

“Please, receive another gift from mine.”

“Of course, Your Grace. It’s my plea…”

My cheeks turned as red as a tomato when I suddenly felt his lips on my forehead. I can’t explain why I also closed my eyes when that unfortunate event happened. This person has a habit of making my blood pressure rise.

“Your Grace, what was the meaning of your action?”

“I gave you my blessing,” he said.

What blessing was he talking about?

“Your Grace, could you please explain why you were teasing me like this? I admired you because I had this impression that you were a man of principles, yet everything was an illusion.”

I was serious. While reading the novel, I suffered from the second male lead syndrome. It infuriated me when the author neglected his welfare as they didn’t give him the happy ending that he deserved.

“I was not teasing you. My bad I did not inform you about the process beforehand.”

Oh, shoot! I remembered it now! The royal family could give blessings, the story mentioned that it was a protection. Before going to war, Reyner kissed Miuerella on her lips, imparting this gift.

Why would the Duke give me his blessing?

“I understand it, but why did you give me a priceless gift, Your Grace?”

He picked strands of my hair and smelled it. I’m thankful that I took a bath earlier.

“Who knows, maybe it would become handy in the future? You should be thankful I’m given you that. Many women would kneel just to receive my special gift.”

I would just brush off what this philanderer said.

If we would analyze things carefully, it was not bad to receive his blessing. Even if someone harmed me, there was a higher chance that I won’t die easily!

“I’m very thankful, Your Grace. Uh, it is getting late. I should go to bed now,” I said.

He nodded, so I walked, but when I glanced at him, he was doing the same thing.

Maybe he would go to his solar as well. There is only one path to reach our rooms. Being paranoid won’t help me ignore him and pray that he would not start any weird conversations.

This charming man had a shining aura when he smiled. An aura that was even brighter than my lamp, it could make the dim surrounding lively. He used his charisma smartly. Even though I wanted to refuse his idea, my feet moved on their own before my mouth enunciated words.

I flopped onto my bed once I locked the door. Why do I feel exhausted when we just walked together?

********

The next day, my father called me to their room. It turned out that Count Viscar planned for an event where he would reveal Madeline’s Ruby. Unfortunately, I saw it before the big reveal. The Prince wanted to ask more questions, but Duke Frederick whispered something so everyone accepted the Count’s explanation.

Duke Frederick, what have you planned?

“My father, you were hiding something from us.”

Mother held on to Father’s arm. He just patted her hand.

With a shaky voice, the Marchioness asked, “My dear, what were you talking about?”

“I know Father is one of them.”

Luna, a secret group Reyner and Frederick formed to destroy Marquess Gustav, their wicked grandfather. I guess Count Viscar was one of the Marquess’s underlings.

“How did you know about this? Did His Highness tell you?”

Oh, shoot! There was no way a woman would know about that confidential information with ease.

“I saw the maps of this manor on your study.”

He took a sip of his coffee, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.

“I do not want you to get involved in this complicated mess. As your father, what I wanted was for you to live your life happily.”

This warmth that I felt was the reason I didn’t feel lonely in this world. However, what they feared became a reality when I passed out while heading to my room.