Duke, Please Let Go of My Ankle! - Chapter 19

“Why did you call for me?”

“Oh, it’s nothing special. Let’s just have a meal together after a long time.”

“…..”

“Come now, lighten up that expression.”

Even at the Emperor’s words, Derek’s furrowed brow showed no signs of relaxing.

‘This is no different from training a mutt.’

Calling a busy person for such a trivial reason, is he in his right mind?

However, even though he knew he was being fooled every time when the Emperor made the excuse of an ‘urgent matter’, there was no way to refuse.

After all, Duke Frith was also a subject of the Emperor.

The Emperor, particularly excited today, rubbed his hands together with a broad smile.

“I also have someone to introduce you to. We’re moving now.”

“…Yes.”

On the way to the banquet hall, the Emperor rattled on with stories that only he found amusing.

He showed no signs of tiring even though the other party kept repeating halfhearted responses like “Is that so” and “I see” with an impassive face.

‘How tiresome.’

Listening to such nonsense for so long made him feel like he was turning into an idiot.

The meaningless chatter continued until they arrived at the banquet hall.

“Sit here. The meal will be ready soon.”

“Yes.”

Not long after, a familiar face appeared.

It was Diana, the Emperor’s first daughter.

“I greet Your Highness.”

“Duke Frith, it’s been a while. But… your clothes.”

The Imperial Princess, who had been approaching with a smile, froze her expression as soon as she saw Derek’s attire.

She seemed displeased about something.

The Emperor openly rebuked the Princess.

“I’ve told you many times, why don’t you read the newspaper once in a while? Always being the last to know… How embarrassed do you think the Duke feels when even the Imperial Princess teases him?”

“Teasing? I think it looks good. But I wonder what wind has blown your way. You always used to wear black clothes.”

The Princess naturally took the seat next to him.

At the same time, the voluminous black dress slightly covered the lavender ceremonial robe.

“…..”

Derek subtly moved his chair to the side.

Somehow, he felt that even just touching it would dye his clothes black.

The fabric used in the imperial family wouldn’t be that cheap, but it’s never bad to be careful.

‘Lavender is said to be the color favored by one’s true love. So I can’t let it be dyed black.’

The Princess, noticing this series of movements, unconsciously stiffened her face.

Just as she was about to say something jokingly, Crown Prince Patrick appeared with an unfamiliar woman.

“Duke Frith!”

“I greet the Imperial Crown Prince. And that person is……”

“It’s good to see you after so long. Princess, this is the famous Duke Frith. And Duke, this princess is to be my wife.”

“I-I’m Ca-Catarina of the D-Demarco Kingdom.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

The Emperor laughed heartily as he looked at his son’s couple.

“Haha! I called you here to introduce them before the official announcement. Isn’t it good for the people who will lead the empire together to get to know each other in advance?”

“…..”

However, Derek couldn’t understand.

Why invite a complete stranger to rub salt in the wound when a meal should be an intimate family affair?

‘Is he showing off because he’s getting married?’

He was in no position to leisurely bless the future couple’s path.

As if it wasn’t enough that he hadn’t heard from Dodori…

Seeing the couple sticking together as if to provoke him, he felt unnecessarily irritated.

The Emperor, oblivious to the atmosphere, seemed desperate to show off his son’s couple.

“Don’t they look like a pair of nightingales? With the Princess’s beauty already so outstanding, the future of the empire is bright. The Princess will surely make a good Empress.”

“I-It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

“Yes. If you ever have any difficulties, feel free to confide in me anytime.”

“Yes, ah…!”

The Emperor chuckled as he patted the Princess’s shoulder.

The Princess, who had just come of age, fidgeted uncomfortably. She seemed uneasy about the warmth touching her bare shoulder.

She looked desperately at her husband-to-be, but the Crown Prince was busy cutting her steak for her. He was quite the devoted lover.

Meanwhile, the Emperor, disguised as a kind father-in-law, continued to pat the bare shoulder of his future daughter-in-law.

The Imperial Princess, feeling left out, grumbled to Derek, who wasn’t interested in anyone.

“Even so, isn’t the Demarco Kingdom a small country without even a single gold mine? They don’t even have strong backing. I wonder if she’ll be able to safely reach the position of Empress like this.”

“…..”

“Even if she captures the Crown Prince with her beauty, that’s all temporary, isn’t it?”

Duke Frith already looked tired.

He wanted to hurry home, read the love-filled letter about 5 more times, and go to sleep in a good mood.

However, just then, the Emperor’s gaze fell on him. He looked desperate to give some advice.

“Ah, by the way, isn’t the Duke also at the age to get married?”

“…Is that so.”

Diana’s hand, which had been diligently cutting her steak, gradually slowed down.

“To be so uninterested in your own affairs. I suppose you naturally don’t have a woman in mind?”

“Well…”

He answered vaguely as usual.

He didn’t want to give any unnecessary openings that might prolong the conversation.

“If you really don’t have anyone, I know a good woman-“

“Your Majesty, the Duke isn’t a three-year-old child. He’ll surely manage on his own.”

“Manage on his own? Isn’t the Imperial Princess still a spinster at twenty-seven without a partner?”

“…..”

“I get a headache just thinking about the Imperial Princess.”

“…I’m sure she’ll find someone good too.”

“Sigh. The Imperial Princess is giving me such a headache.”

The Emperor, seemingly frustrated by the nonchalant response, downed his wine repeatedly.

Diana, the Imperial Princess, stared intently at this sight. Her desperate gaze seemed to be urging her father.

However, the Emperor’s attention turned back to his 18-year-old daughter-in-law.

“So, Princess, have you had any experience with men?”

“…Um, pardon?”

“Father!”

Patrick flared up angrily.

The startled Princess tugged at his arm, but this only provoked the Crown Prince further, who wrapped his arm around the Princess’s shoulder as if to say ‘trust only me’.

“The Princess has only just come of age.”

“Tsk. Are you saying that as a father-in-law, I can’t even ask such a thing?”

“Yes. You were being rude. Please don’t trouble my future wife again.”

“…Acting all proper and righteous.”

Diana, the Imperial Princess, sneered.

She felt twisted inside, finding it utterly ridiculous and pretentious how this little boy was playing the role of a mature husband.

“I hear there are many promiscuous people in the Demarco Kingdom? What do you think, Princess?”

“Sister!”

“What, can’t we have a family discussion?”

“Princess, let’s leave. You don’t need to endure such rudeness.”

“Ah, well…”

“Making such a fuss over nothing. She’s not a three-year-old child.”

Crown Prince Patrick finally stood up abruptly. Then, leading the hesitant Princess, he left the banquet hall without a word of farewell.

The Emperor’s wrath naturally fell upon Diana and Derek.

“This is why they say raising children is useless! One daughter is an old maid, and the only son is an unfilial child. Tsk!”

“Still, an old maid is better than a child blinded by love who can’t tell right from wrong.”

“Silence! I can’t stand the sight of you!”

“…..”

The late lunch was ruined by an unexpected family quarrel.

Caught in the middle, Derek focused on his meal with an expressionless face.

‘The imperial family is in fine form.’

As long as he was breathing, it was none of his business whether they fought or made up among themselves.

His role was to protect the empire, after all.

***

The familiar sound of hooves, heard after a long time, was quite nostalgic.

Audrey steeled her resolve as she looked at the scenery passing by outside the carriage.

‘I just need to endure today.’

Tomorrow is already the weekend.

It means she won’t have to be confined in the same space as Duke Frith for two days.

Moreover, the contract termination date was approaching.

‘I guess it’s better not to extend the contract, right?’

In a situation where it was unclear if the Duke’s estate would approve an extension, Audrey resolved to resign first.

The people in the finance department were great, but it was because of Duke Frith, who did terrible things with a grim face.

“Hello, every-“

“You’re the latest. To think even your work attitude would be a mess.”

“…!”

What kind of misfortune is this?

Waiting for Audrey was Derek with a fierce expression.

His intimidating attire and cold face as he rebuked her instilled fear in people.

“You’ve got some nerve. Everyone else has already started working.”

Glancing at the time, it was still only 8:30.

People who should have been in the midst of morning chatter were uncharacteristically working hard with their heads down.

‘What? Was I the only one who failed at this game of chicken?’

If she had known, she would have come early and at least pretended to work!

“I-I’m sorry. I’ll start right away.”

“You’re such a sluggard.”

“…..”

“I’ll be watching.”

Thoroughly cowed, Audrey began her work under his knife-like gaze.

Just then, a warm voice that didn’t match the icy atmosphere appeared.

“Good morning, Audrey.”

“O-Oppa.”

It was Claude, who had just returned from the archives.

Audrey glanced nervously, afraid of incurring Duke Frith’s wrath.

“The carriage felt empty today. It would be nice if we could ride together from now on.”

“…It’s not like I have much time left anyway.”

“Still. Ah, eat this while you work.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask anytime.”

“I will.”

Audrey marveled anew at his boldness.

‘I guess Oppa isn’t afraid of the Duke.’

Duke Frith didn’t seem to pay any particular attention to him either.

His thunderous reprimands seemed to fall strangely only on Audrey.