Duke, Please Let Go of My Ankle! - Chapter 14

The outlandish outfit on his villainous face was beyond imagination.

It was no wonder, as the current trend in the capital’s social circles was the ‘bright pretty boy look’.

Soft pastel-toned fabrics, bold use of frills, elaborate lace decorations, a feast of pitiful teardrop-shaped jewels.

It was an attire that would suit the young Count Emilton, who anyone would consider the top bachelor.

‘Ah, it’s bizarre, so bizarre.’

A man as tall as a beanpole, with a sturdy frame, who goes around exuding killing intent, in pink and frills!

No matter how you looked at it, it gave the strong impression of having killed a younger sibling and stolen their clothes.

The sleeve frills that shook ostentatiously with his dignified steps were also ridiculously funny.

Moreover, the sturdy chest area was on the verge of bursting.

Indeed, how many people would realize that Duke Frith had dressed up so elaborately in that grotesque outfit?

Of course, he himself seemed quite pleased with his new clothes.

“They say clothes make the man. I feel lighter today.”

“…Yes. I see.”

Perhaps people might think Duke Frith had hit his head.

The loyal servant Lucas was already suffering a headache preparing for media responses.

***

Audrey’s face, waiting for the carriage early in the morning, was filled with a rather solemn energy.

‘Finally, it’s Monday.’

The weekend had passed in the blink of an eye.

She had agonized over reflecting on years of anguish and establishing new strategies.

During that time, she also discovered something new.

Namely, that she didn’t even know Claude’s ideal type until now.

‘How could I have been so shameless?’

The Audrey of the past had a very simple side.

She had believed without a doubt that since she was so cute, Claude would eventually come to like her.

“I’m really curious, where does that confidence come from?”

“Cuteness.”

“What?”

“It’s enough that I’m cute! What more do you want?”

“…This crazy girl.”

She should have listened to Hans’s frank advice back then.

Anyway, from now on, things will be completely different.

Based on thorough research, she planned to steal Claude’s heart in a more scientific and systematic way.

First, finding out his ideal type was the first hurdle.

***

“I’ll do this!”

“You will? Well, I’d be grateful if you help.”

“Hehe.”

“……”

What on earth is that?

Hans sat crookedly, looking at the two people who seemed no different from usual with disapproving eyes.

‘Isn’t that a goldfish?’

Just last Friday, she had been crying her eyes out like someone who had been rejected, unnecessarily unsettling others…

It was truly exasperating to see her trailing after his brother like a puppy after just two days.

‘Does she have no self-respect?’

Her eyes had already lost their senses since getting in the carriage.

She wasn’t in her right mind to begin with, but she seemed even more perverted now if that was possible.

Her clear eyes were filled with a madness that seemed determined not to let Claude out of her sight for a moment.

It was enough to make one wonder what kind of change of heart had occurred over the weekend.

‘…Foolish girl.’

Hans couldn’t hide his disappointed feelings.

At that moment, the people from the finance department good-naturedly called him over.

“Come over here.”

“Yes, yes. Hans, my boy, have you seen the Duke today?”

“Pardon?”

“I guess you haven’t. Whew. That’s a blessing in itself.”

“……”

Unable to ignore their kindness, Hans quietly joined them in a corner.

They were huddled together as if telling a scary story.

“Was it really that bad?”

“Don’t even mention it. Everyone’s in an uproar, saying he must have dyed the fabric with blood.”

“That’s right. It was closer to crimson than pink. There’s no way such a pink color exists in this world.”

But all of Hans’s attention was focused on the two people sticking close together.

Then, when Audrey pretended to stumble and gently leaned into his brother’s arms.

‘That, that crazy acorn!’

Hans found himself standing up before he knew it.

“If a person does something they’ve never done before, they’ll die-, what are you doing now?”

“Ah, well… I thought I’d help my brother. I’ll go ahead first. Please continue your conversation.”

Those who couldn’t know others’ circumstances poured out admiring praise as they watched the hastily retreating figure.

“Wow. The brothers get along so well. My grown sons are always at each other’s throats, it’s a real mess.”

“With sons like that, Count Emilton must feel very reassured.”

“I wonder how well he’ll treat his wife later?”

But Hans didn’t really hear any of it properly.

He was too focused on trying to join in on the conversation between the two.

“What are you talking about so intently?”

“……”

“Ah, you came at a good time. Audrey says she knows an interesting psychological test.”

“Psychological test?”

Hans’s eyes, looking down at Audrey, were full of suspicion.

It was no wonder, as that acorn was uncharacteristically rational and not the type to believe in psychological tests.

‘What kind of trick is this now?’

It was clear that she had some scheme.

Audrey quickly opened her notebook, lest Hans might catch on.

“You’re standing in front of a mirror that shows the future! What type of person will you have formed a family within the distant future?”

Well, this was too transparent, even for her. Wasn’t this blatantly asking about his brother’s ideal type?

“…You’re trying hard, really trying.”

“A. A cheerful and lively person, B. An active and ambitious person, C. An intelligent and logical person, D. A delicate and sensitive person, E. A sexy and sensual person. Choose just one of these.”

“Hmm, I think I’d be A? Cheerful and lively sounds good.”

“…!”

Audrey’s face brightened considerably.

Anyone watching might have mistaken Claude for choosing her.

“You who chose a cheerful and lively partner!”

“Hey, I haven’t even chosen-“

“You’re someone who doesn’t talk much or isn’t particularly humorous, but you’re a great listener and overflowing with consideration! A toast to your warm heart!”

“…Huh?”

“That’s really interesting. So that’s how it is.”

Interesting my foot. It was obvious that this was hastily put together.

Moreover, what was she thinking, blurting out the result when Hans hadn’t even chosen?

It was clear that she had no interest in his choice from the beginning.

‘That heartless girl. Look at her not even asking me!’

With his sulky mood, there was no way his words would come out nicely.

“Is this really a legitimate psychological test? It ends with just raising a toast?”

“I-i-if you don’t believe it, try another one!”

“……”

Her severe stuttering was somehow suspicious too.

Audrey rummaged through her notebook for a while as if trying to buy time, and finally managed to bring out the next question.

“Um… You’re forced into an arranged marriage due to your parents’ insistence! What kind of relationship will you choose for your spouse?”

“What kind of psychological test is all about marriage?”

“Shh. Let’s listen carefully.”

“……”

“First, A. A familiar and comfortable relationship, B. An unfamiliar but quickly igniting relationship, C. A free relationship that meets only out of necessity, D. A relationship that actively constrains each other, E. An antagonistic relationship that fights whenever they meet.”

Claude, who seemed to have already made his decision, waited for his brother.

However, Hans, even though he knew this psychological test was bogus, was seriously contemplating.

‘Wait, if it’s a mix of A and E, which one should I choose?’

Meanwhile, Claude took the lead.

“I think it’s A again for me. A familiar and comfortable relationship.”

“You who chose a familiar and comfortable relationship!”

“Hey, you again-“

“Perhaps you already have someone close in mind?”

“…!”

The two men of the Emilton Count family froze on the spot. It seemed like they had been hit right on the mark.

Audrey’s meaningful gaze turned towards Claude.

“The world is wide and there are many connections. Don’t just hold onto one person, look around you.”

“……”

“Surely, a better connection is waiting for you!”

Then, as if destroying evidence, she closed the empty notebook with a snap.

Her lime-green eyes shone sharply.

‘So it’s a bright and cheerful woman he met during his academy days abroad, is it?’

Audrey passed the first hurdle far too easily. Somehow, she had a good feeling about this.

***

10 AM. An uninvited guest barged into the Finance Department in the middle of their work.

“Your Grace!”

“No need to stand up.”

It was Duke Frith.

People were surprised twice – once by his presence, and again by his bizarre attire.

The outfit they had only heard rumors about was beyond imagination.

“While the temporary staff is here, I plan to visit each department daily to observe. So, don’t mind me and work as usual.”

“…Yes.”

Although they couldn’t show it openly, everyone had shocked expressions.

Had His Grace developed some strange hobby over the weekend?

If not, the tailor who made such clothes would no longer be of this world.

“Lucas, bring a desk.”

“Yes.”

Audrey, too, couldn’t hide her shock.

‘Good heavens!’

It was an outfit that not only added fuel to the ominous rumors following him but poured oil on them.

If this wasn’t a crazy murderer, then what on earth was it?

‘Even when he wore the black uniform, it was terrifyingly scary…’

Indeed, it was an outfit befitting his reputation as the devil’s henchman.

Didn’t it exude an atmosphere that suggested he could kill someone even with those ridiculous sleeve frills?

Suddenly, remembering their fierce encounter in the archives, a chill ran down her spine.

‘I should be careful not to catch his eye unnecessarily.’

However, determination alone wasn’t enough.

Audrey, without magic, was nothing more than a paper doll that could only breathe.

“This is a mess. Do you have any thoughts at all?”

“I-I’m sorry. I’ll reorganize it.”

“Rather than doing it again, it might be faster for you to go home.”

“……”

“I recruited temporary staff, not sluggards. If this is how it’s going to be, it’s worse than not having anyone.”

“I will correct it.”

“If you want to go home today, you’ll have to finish it perfectly.”

“…Yes.”

Audrey returned to her seat, completely deflated.

Behind her, sympathetic gazes from the Finance Department staff clung to her.

Wasn’t it too harsh that she might not be able to go home today just for drawing one line wrong on a form?

However, Duke Frith, as if he had made up his mind, picked on Audrey all day long.

“Again.”

“Yes.”

“This is not what I said.”

“…I’ll do it again.”

It was because he hadn’t forgotten the sight of her taking a carefree nap in the archives.

The fact that he started an unplanned department rotation was, if you think about it, all because of Audrey.

He had no intention whatsoever of nurturing a parasite that ate away at wages.

Among them, Audrey was by far the plumpest parasite.