Chapter 35. Sweet Deception

While I had my back turned, Enoch Bayern got out of the bathtub, picked up a robe hanging on a nearby chair, and put on slippers. Without even properly drying himself. Just watching made me feel cold.

“So, why are you barefoot?”

He asked, approaching me smoothly. I wiggled my toes and mumbled in a crawling voice.

“……I lost my slippers.”

He let out a laugh of disbelief. I wanted to retort that he was also wearing nothing but a bathrobe, but I held back, thinking he might say, ‘But at least I’m wearing slippers.’

“Avoiding the maids and wandering around alone, that’s impressive.”

“……Having someone constantly watching my every move and attending to me is uncomfortable.”

“If you’re a noble lady or a noble wife, that’s normal, Ellenore. You’re the strange one.”

“As you know, I’ve hardly ever been treated as a proper noble lady.”

“Ah, right. That damn Baron Lopez. Your father, who treats his legitimate daughter like a maid, is out of his mind.”

I looked at him in disbelief as he unhesitatingly insulted my father in front of me. Not that I was upset or hurt because my father was being insulted, but simply because Enoch Bayern’s reckless temperament was absurd…….

“Those maids are from knight families that guard my territory. They’re neither vulgar nor rude like the people in the capital’s social circles, so feel free to use them. They’ll be your people once you marry me anyway.”

Marriage. That unfamiliar word resonated, making me blink blankly. He seemed to have truly decided to accept my proposal. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have said such things so easily.

“……Are you really going to marry me? Are you accepting my proposal?”

But I asked for confirmation. There was no harm in being sure.

“Yes, let’s get engaged first. There are a few issues to address before that.”

“Then, the contract I gave you last time…….”

“Do we really need that? I burned it in the fireplace.”

“……What?”

As I opened my mouth in disbelief, he raised an eyebrow with a mischievous expression. I stood still, staring at him. Burned it? Really?

“A verbal agreement is still a contract, so don’t worry.”

“No, I, I want it documented. This contract is for a year. You remember that, right?”

“Of course. And you asked me to fall under your love spell. That was the condition.”

“The love spell will naturally break after a year. And my foresight magic has its limits.”

“I know. So when do you want me to fall under this love spell?”

“That’s…….”

Come to think of it, I realized I hadn’t decided that yet. When would be good? Right now? ……After the engagement ceremony? Or after the wedding?

“……I’m not sure when would be good.”

It felt strange to think that he would suddenly start loving me like he was struck by a golden arrow from the god of love. Wouldn’t it feel like being deceived by a beautiful lie if those golden eyes looked at me with affection?

“It’s your wish, so you should decide.”

“……I don’t mind if Your Highness the Grand Duke decides.”

“You’re quite indifferent for someone who made a soft request to be loved.”

“I don’t feel particularly…… soft.”

“Your cheeks are soft, though.”

He suddenly pinched my cheek as he came close. ……What is he doing all of a sudden? My eyes widened and I stared at him, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up, then he laughed with a deflating sound.

I blinked with my mouth open, feeling utterly dumbfounded. This man…… no matter how I think about it, he’s definitely having fun toying with me.

“Then let’s make it on the night after the wedding.”

“……The wedding night.”

Somehow, it was a phrase that made my face flush. There wasn’t really anything to be shy about…… it was just embarrassing. Talking about this with him.

“You don’t want to spend a night without love, do you?”

“……I don’t think it has much to do with love.”

“You say bold things with an innocent face, Ellenore.”

His hand gently grabbed my chin. As he slowly lowered his head, I stiffened.

Our noses touched. His warm breath tickled my lips from very close.

“Then can you kiss? Right here, with a man who doesn’t love you?”

Strangely, my heart felt a prick. There was no need to react again to the words that he didn’t love me.

Really, I didn’t want to know this feeling. What’s the point of all this? I escaped the worst misfortune. And what I chose was the next-worst misfortune. Sweet deception, a sandcastle that would crumble with the waves of time, a futile dream.

The next-worst, like endlessly drinking until death, knowing it’s a poisoned chalice. My one-year salvation. That’s exactly what you are.

“……I won’t do it.”

“Hmm…….”

“You’ll catch a cold like this, so let’s move.”

“Ah, Ellen is now worrying about me.”

I tried to push his shoulder to get him off, but he didn’t budge. Still too close. My heart pounded rapidly. If he hears this heartbeat, if our lips accidentally touch― if I end up feeling scared of that, am I a coward?

But why… what exactly am I afraid of?

I didn’t want to think about it, so I clenched my fists and tightly closed my eyes.

“……This position is uncomfortable. Please let go…….”

“I was going to change it anyway.”

The next moment, my body floated into the air.

Startled, I opened my eyes wide. Two firm arms were supporting my back and legs. It didn’t take long to realize that I was being carried by him.

“W-what are you…….”

“You’re barefoot, aren’t you?”

He walked briskly while holding me. I was half in a panic. Just thinking about other people seeing this…… made me feel dizzy as if I might faint.

“P-please put me down, I’m fine.”

“Don’t be stubborn.”

“But…….”

“If you care about appearances, walking barefoot is more embarrassing than being carried by me.”

“…….”

Having no way to refute, I shut my mouth tightly. Eventually, still in his arms, we left the indoor garden and entered a long corridor. Unfortunately, we encountered five people in the hallway and living room, and each time, I felt like I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.

“Are you that embarrassed?”

“…….”

I hung my head low, ignoring Enoch Bayern’s question.

We were now sitting across from each other on the living room sofa, and a few minutes ago, maids had come in to wash my feet and put silk slippers on me.

There’s no need to mention how embarrassing that whole process was for me.

“Drink some tea, Ellen.”

“No, thank you…….”

“You look cold, so drink it.”

“With all due respect, Your Highness looks colder than I do.”

Enoch Bayern was still only wearing a robe. Why on earth wasn’t he getting dressed? His chest and legs were exposed, and I didn’t know where to look. How could someone be so decadent…….

“Is my n*ked body that distracting to you?”

……For a moment, I genuinely wanted to hit him. It was obvious why he kept saying things that made me uncomfortable. He was enjoying my reactions. He definitely had a sadistic personality.

“I’d rather talk more about the engagement.”

“Ah…….”

Without realizing it, I spoke coldly and then flinched in surprise. Though Enoch Bayern was acting relaxed now, there was no doubt he was a scary person…… I must have grown quite bold. I need to stay alert and be careful from now on.

“I think May 15th would be a good date for the engagement ceremony.”

But when I saw him pour whiskey into a teacup, I was so taken aback that my tension eased.

And his half-reclining posture on the sofa…… reminded me of a lazy cat, no matter how I looked at it.

I nodded blankly, repeating his words.

“May 15th.”

“The sooner, the better. Don’t you think?”

“Yes, that’s right…….”

“And I’m thinking of erasing the Lopez family from the noble registry.”

“……What?”

“Oh, and Anderson too.”

Did I just…… hear that wrong?

As I gaped in shock, he raised one eyebrow and gave a crooked smile.

It seemed I hadn’t misheard. He really did say he was going to eliminate the Lopez and Anderson families. In a tone as casual as choosing a dessert.

I stared blankly, holding the teacup, and finally managed to speak.

“……But, how―”

However, before I could finish my sentence, there was a knock at the door.

Following that, the butler’s slightly troubled voice announced a visitor.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke……. Lady Ashwood is here.”

Upon hearing the news, Enoch Bayern’s face immediately crumpled.