Chapter 119. Cold War of Nerves

‘This crazy cat…!’

Enoch, dumbfounded, pushed Lucy aside. The cat, having rolled off the desk, landed gracefully and raised her tail straight up, seemingly pleased. Watching this, Enoch clicked his tongue in utter disbelief.

“I didn’t expect to find you fighting with a cat on equal terms when I came to fetch Lucy.”

…Sharp.

Enoch was certain that this sharp attitude was due to the persistent nocturnal harassment he had subjected her to since ‘that day.’

“I’ll take Lucy now. Lucy? Come here.”

At Ellen’s call, the cat, who had been acting fierce moments ago, suddenly changed her demeanor and ran towards Ellen. She even rubbed against Ellen affectionately… It was utterly detestable.

“That cat is ridiculous.”

“Meow!”

See that? She’s retorting again. That cat definitely understands human speech. Not that it made him inclined to speak kindly to her.

“Well then… get back to your work.”

With a final glance at Enoch, Ellen turned and left the office without hesitation.

The cold air between the Grand Duke and Duchess left the aides and attendants parched. It’s been two weeks already, what’s the reason? I don’t know, don’t ask.

The strange thing was that despite the cold war during the day, the Grand Duke would still visit the Grand Duchess’s room every night as if it were the most natural thing.

And according to the maids, the Grand Duchess didn’t seem to refuse him, as she appeared exhausted every morning.

As they say, a couple’s quarrel is like cutting water with a knife.

Everyone decided to focus on their work, thinking the same thing. The attendants brought fresh tea for the Grand Duke, and the aides buried themselves in their administrative documents.

It was a universal truth that it was best not to get involved in a couple’s quarrel.

That night.

Enoch, who finished his work later than usual, found Ellen only after 11 PM.

Honestly, he thought she would be asleep. In about ten minutes, it would be his birthday, but he didn’t expect her to celebrate it at midnight.

…But was I wrong?

Surprisingly, Ellen was awake.

“You’re here?”

She greeted him with her usual sulky expression, glaring at him with eyes as sharp as a cat’s.

Enoch briefly pondered whether cats resemble their owners or vice versa. Then he noticed a gift box neatly placed beside Ellen and widened his eyes.

Could it be?

With a hopeful look, he gazed at her, and Ellen sighed, picking up the box and standing up.

She approached him slowly and handed him the box. The luxurious wrapping paper and ribbon made it clear that it was a birthday present.

“I originally didn’t want to give it to you because I hate you.”

“……”

“But I couldn’t really not give it to you… so here, take it.”

Enoch, who couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh, accepted the box.

I didn’t think you’d give me anything. I know I’ve been harsh to you.

But you always exceed my expectations.

“…Thank you.”

He expressed his gratitude quietly and carefully unwrapped the box. Inside the wrapping paper was a paper box, and opening the lid revealed…

“…A poetry book?”

Ellen’s gift was revealed. It was a poetry book. And there was something else…

“A notebook and a fountain pen. What, do you want me to become a poet?”

As he chuckled, Ellen glared at him and returned to sit demurely by the bedside. As usual, she was wearing difficult-to-remove pajamas.

“I thought that if you took up the hobby of writing poetry, you might start some self-reflection.”

“That’s already my hobby. Didn’t you know?”

Ellen’s blue eyes widened in surprise, as if asking if he was serious. Seeing this, Enoch couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

He placed the poetry book back in the box and set it gently on the table. It was clear that she had put thought into choosing a poetry book he hadn’t read. The leather-bound notebook and fountain pen were also chosen with his tastes in mind.

“Thank you, truly.”

“……”

As he approached Ellen and sat beside her, he kissed her cheek repeatedly. You don’t know how cute you are. No matter how much you annoy me, I find you so lovable I could go crazy.

“Is it alright if I keep you up a bit later tonight? It’s my birthday.”

“When have you ever put me to bed early?”

“Ah, I mean, I’ll keep you up even later than usual tonight.”

“…You pervert.”

Ellen’s language was getting harsher, but Enoch found even that endearing. At this point, it was serious.

He truly desired everything about this woman intensely. But to let her go? Not a chance.

“You wore those pajamas again. Are you also a gift, and is this the wrapping? To give me the pleasure of unwrapping my goft?”

“……”

Enoch, who lifted the speechless Ellen onto his lap, began unwrapping her ‘wrapping’ slowly and leisurely.

Anticipating the pale skin that would be revealed once the thin fabric was removed.

The best gift was definitely herself.

* * *

By mid-September, Evitern Castle was busier than ever. The hunting competition was approaching.
Ellen, too, was extremely busy greeting guests who had been arriving one by one since the 23rd.

The guest rooms were prepared in the annex, with the best rooms reserved for King Henry and Queen Olivia. However, they hadn’t arrived yet and were expected to arrive three days later, as scheduled.

‘With all this busyness… I don’t even have time to interpret my mother’s diary…’

Whenever she tried to take time before bed to interpret it, Enoch would come and torment her for hours.

After being tormented like that, she would be too exhausted to move and would fall asleep.

She resented his shamelessness, persistence, and seemingly endless stamina. Especially these days.

‘I’m so curious about what happened to my mother after she manifested her magic…’

Ellen sighed deeply as she inspected the ingredients for the evening banquet. Will I be able to interpret my mother’s diary before I die?

That evening, having to run around like a rabbit with its tail on fire, Ellen used the excuse of feeling unwell to leave the banquet early and headed to her room.

Now was the chance, with the worst interrupter, Enoch, not around. Ellen, upon reaching her room, didn’t even change clothes and quickly sat at her desk to interpret her mother’s diary. She sought help from Laila, who had recently become much closer to her, whenever she encountered unfamiliar words or expressions.

“Laila, what does this mean? It’s not in the dictionary…”

“Oh, that’s slang. It’s a colloquial expression. It means… love.”

“Thank you, Laila.”

“You’re welcome, Your Grace. I’m glad I could help.”

With Laila’s help, Ellen was able to interpret the difficult contents of the diary.

[April 2, 1842.
Finally, I have manifested my magic.
I dreamt of a large crescent moon in the pitch-black night sky, and when I woke up, there was a shimmering purple smoke swirling around me. That was my magic.
At first, I wondered what kind of magic it was, but as I stared at it, I instinctively realized.
This is a magic that can make anyone fall in love with me.]

The diary entries for April 1842 ended there. The next entry was from May, and it started ominously.

[May 11, 1842.
Karthus no longer meets with me.
He keeps ignoring my messages. No replies to my letters, and he doesn’t even respond to invitations sent by my family.
It seems I’ve been found out.
That I like him…]

‘…This is fascinating.’

She thought honestly. Her mother’s diary contained shocking content, but it was equally fascinating. It was highly stimulating… in both good and bad ways.

Just as Ellen swallowed a sigh and was about to interpret the next page.

Click.

The side door opened, and Jasmine slipped into the room. Her serious expression made Ellen tilt her head in curiosity as she stood up to face Jasmine.

“Jasmine? What’s wrong? Is something the matter…?”

“Your Grace, urgent news has arrived from the capital.”

“What…? From the capital?”

Feeling a sense of foreboding, Ellen tensed up, and Jasmine spoke clearly and seriously.

“The delegation from Katar, which was scheduled to arrive in mid-October, unexpectedly arrived in Freuden today. But…”

“But?”

“…Princess Roelyn… has caused a major incident… So His Majesty has urgently summoned the Grand Duke…”

“……?”

Roelyn… caused an incident? What kind of incident? And with the delegation from Katar?

‘Ah, no way…’

Could it be… a racially insensitive remark based on skin color, appearance, or cultural differences?

‘Well, it wouldn’t be surprising…’

Roelyn seemed capable of such things.