Duke, Please Let Go of My Ankle! - Chapter 38

“Kyaah!”

“Hnngh, I can’t breathe…!”

“Y-Your Highness! Should I go call the imperial court physician?”

Amidst the chaos of teacups and teapots scattered about in disarray.

The princess calmly poured tea while a person was struggling to breathe in front of her.

“There’s no need for a commotion. This is all part of the treatment process.”

“……”

“Who brought this child here?”

“It was Stacy Falden.”

“I see. You should take this child home. She’ll be fine after a while.”

“But… is it really okay not to show her to a doctor?”

“I said it’s fine. People don’t die from just this much.”

“……”

However, the wheezing breath, like metal scraping, was far from normal.

Red hives had already appeared all over her forearms and the backs of her hands.

‘What absolute barbarians.’

Derek, who had been lost in thoughts of Dodori, belatedly grasped the situation.

Then, with a frown, he quietly called his aide.

“We can’t let them leave like this. Take them to Molly of the 3rd Knight Division for emergency treatment.”

“Yes.”

“It could be life-threatening, so we must hurry as much as possible.”

“Understood.”

How dare these people who’ve never experienced allergies themselves chime in with their opinions.

What’s wrong with not eating a mere cookie? Did they really have to cause this disaster?

The princess, as if avoiding responsibility, immediately dissolved the tea party.

“We’d better end it here for today. The mood is ruined, you see. You may all withdraw.”

The followers who had been watching for cues chirped one by one as if they had been waiting.

“We shall take our leave now.”

“It was an honor to be with you, Your Highness.”

“It was truly an informative and enjoyable time.”

“May God’s blessings be with you!”

Derek also gave a light bow with a displeased face and turned to leave.

“Wait!”

“……”

“Duke, see me before you go.”

But the princess held him back.

He thought she might finally want to properly discuss the border dispute.

However, shortly after. What the servant brought out was a large golden box.

Derek was completely put off.

“What is this?”

“It’s your birthday soon, isn’t it? I might not be able to give it to you in person on the day due to my inspection schedule.”

“You really didn’t have to.”

“How can you be so cold? I’m just giving back as much as I’ve received, so don’t feel burdened.”

“……”

“Won’t you open it?”

Opening the box with a reluctant face, a neat set of clothes came into view.

It was a light beige formal wear that the original Duke Frith would never have worn.

‘How plain.’

However, the clean-cut style without a single frill or lace didn’t sit well with him at all.

“I wonder if it’s to your liking.”

“……I’ll keep it well.”

“You didn’t say you’d wear it.”

“……”

Derek remained stubborn.

He had become someone who could no longer wear such plain clothes.

For him, clothes should have at least two layers of frills on the sleeves.

***

Monday morning.

Audrey, who entered the duke’s mansion, very naturally sat in the wheelchair cart.

However, the knight who would usually stand by her side was nowhere to be seen.

‘Did he step out for a moment?’

Audrey, not knowing what was going on, just blinked her eyes and waited quietly for him to come.

During that time, numerous people passed by.

But Audrey paid no attention to their gazes. Once she got used to it, there was nothing more comfortable than this.

A little while later.

Without fail, the knight in a tuxedo came running, out of breath.

“I’m sorry for making you wait so long. The morning training ended late… It’s my fault.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t wait long.”

“I’ll serve you properly to make up for being late.”

The knight put in his utmost effort.

He didn’t forget to add appropriate small talk during the move to ensure she wouldn’t be bored.

The wheelchair cart glided smoothly to the front of the 4th-floor office.

“Thank you again today.”

“I will never be late again. Have a good day!”

“Yes, you too, Sir Knight!”

Soon after, with a noisy rolling sound, the cart moved away.

However, Audrey couldn’t enter the office and just lingered in front of the door.

“Sigh……”

She didn’t know how to face the person who had confessed to her a few days ago.

Having only ever liked someone her whole life, receiving a confession for the first time was even more difficult.

Was she feeling more sorry, awkward, and embarrassed because she was already considering rejection?

Then suddenly, she came to her senses.

‘What? Why am I worrying about this?’

Come to think of it, wasn’t this worry supposed to be Duke Frith’s?

It was amusing that Audrey was the one fretting while the person who actually confessed probably slept soundly.

‘Let’s just act normal, like usual.’

Audrey, having composed herself, opened the door with a deep breath.

“Huh?”

But contrary to expectations, the office was empty.

Making her hesitation in front of the door seem pointless.

Audrey stood there dejectedly, looking around the office, before quietly sitting in her place.

“Where did he go?”

Then her eyes went to an unfamiliar object on the desk opposite her.

It was a golden frame set up as if for her to see.

“……Certificate of Purity?”

Audrey doubted her own eyes.

Thinking she might have seen it wrong, she even approached to read it directly.

This document certifies that, by the authority of the High Priest, upon examination of this individual’s purity, no internal or external abnormalities were found, confirming an A-grade purity maintained for approximately ‘9129’ days.

“A-Are you crazy?”

A thunderous scream burst out involuntarily.

I mean, who puts such an embarrassing thing on an office desk where people come and go?

It’s not like they’re spreading rumors!

Audrey quickly backed away with a face flushed bright red.

She ended up learning Duke Frith’s embarrassing secret that she neither wanted to know nor was curious about.

“Really, no, w-who said they were curious?”

The timing of the appearance of that ‘Certificate of Purity’ was quite mischievous.

Would it be a misconception to think that the intention behind it was obvious?

Audrey fidgeted with her fingers, feeling embarrassed.

─Knock knock.

“Your Grace, it’s Willy Emilton. May I come in?”

“……!”

But at this very moment, a visitor arrived.

It was Count Emilton, the captain of the duke’s knights.

Audrey was startled as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

After fumbling around for a while, she gently opened the door.

“Count!”

“Audrey? His Grace is… Ah, I see. He went to the imperial palace.”

“The imperial palace?”

“Probably for the interrogation. This morning, prisoners from the border region were transferred to the imperial palace.”

“I see. But what brings you here?”

“Because of His Grace’s birthday ball… I came to discuss the knight deployment. I guess I’ll have to come back later.”

“Birthday ball?”

This was the first time Audrey had heard of it.

To the point where she felt embarrassed about sharing the same office.

“For some whim, he decided to hold a birthday ball this year. It’s been almost ten years.”

“……”

“The official announcement will probably come out around lunchtime today. Tomorrow, the castle gates will be closed for preparations, and the ball will be held on Wednesday night.”

“So we’ll have a day off tomorrow?”

“Except for the knights, yes. By the way, I heard it’s a partner ball, and I’m in trouble because there’s no one to accompany May.”

“……!”

Audrey’s eyes sparkled.

‘A partner ball?’

Since the official announcement hadn’t been made yet, Claude probably hadn’t decided on a partner.

She thought she should make her move before he could ask that Emilia or whoever.

“So I was thinking of asking my sons-“

“Hans! I think Hans would be good.”

“Hans?”

“Yes!”

“But he’s quite stiff.”

“I’m sure Hans will like it too!”

Because I’m planning to have Claude Oppa all to myself!

Audrey recommended Hans with an innocent face, then left the office with Count Emilton.

Then she dashed to the finance department.

“Huff, Claude Oppa!”

“Audrey? What’s the matter so early in the-“

“On Wednesday, huff, Duke Frith, huff, is having a birthday ball!”

“You’ll pass out at this rate. I’ll wait, so take your time. Okay?”

“No, together, huff……”

She was frustrated that her words wouldn’t come out properly even though her heart was racing.

Seeming to notice her predicament, Claude spoke first.

“You want to go to the ball together?”

─Nod nod.

Her eyes looking up at him were more desperate than ever. Like a puppy begging for treats.

Seeing this, Claude couldn’t help but smile softly.

“You ran all the way here to say that?”

─Nod.

Her pink hair, disheveled from running breathlessly, looked so much like a troublemaker.

But even that appearance was so lovable that it made anyone who saw it smile.

“Then of course we should go together.”

“……!”

“Me with Audrey.”

Yay!

Audrey felt like she could fly to the sky.

She was happy to accompany him, and above all, she was ecstatic that Claude’s choice was her, not Emilia.

But as expected. One grumpy voice tried to rain on her parade.

It was Hans.

“Brother. Then what about Mother?”

“Huh?”

“Father will have to stay at his post. Then what about Mother? Is she just going to be alone?”

“Ah.”

An unexpected obstacle appeared.

At the same time, Audrey’s soft fists began to tremble.

‘He’s talking like he’s her mother…!’

He should be a good son all the time, why does he only act like a devoted son who cares deeply about his parents at times like this?

That hypocrisy was really infuriating.

But Audrey wasn’t one to just stand by and watch.

“Hoho! What, were you picked up from under a bridge or something?”

“Hey, you-“

“So you should act like a son for once. Even a child brought by a stork wouldn’t be so cold-hearted.”

“You…!”

“Hold your mother’s hand tightly and attend. I’m sure she’ll like it. Right, Oppa?”