Chapter 4 – His and Her Affection (Which Was) (3)

So perhaps it would be better for this painting to become part of the Duchess’s collection. Her mother isn’t particularly interested in contemporary art from the continent, so leaving it at her house would be a disservice to the painting’s future.

With that thought, Chloe brought the painting as a gift in a nice frame, claiming it was a token of appreciation. Even if it’s a painting by an unknown artist, Chloe knew the Duchess would appreciate anything given as a gift.

“Oh my, such an experimental style. Since our Chloe has chosen this artist, I’ll watch with pleasure.”

Instructing the servant to place it in her collection room, the Duchess led the ladies of Lacroix to her personal reception room located on the west side of the mansion.

The Duchess’s reception room, situated at the western end of the building, featured large glass windows offering a panoramic view of the front garden, the backyard leading to the forest on the west side, and the greenhouse positioned at the boundary.

‘It’s been so long since I’ve seen this view. No matter how beautiful the Almo garden is… the Crevelle garden, where you can see all four seasons, is more ‘garden-like’.’

Unconsciously, Chloe approached the window and spent a while admiring the landscaping. The Duchess, with warm eyes, observed Chloe as she gazed lovingly at the garden she had meticulously maintained.

“When it gets warmer, we could have a tea party in the garden, so do come again next month.”

As soon as they sat down, the conversation led to the next invitation.

The Countess of Lacroix gave a vague smile at the Duchess’s warm demeanor. Considering the subtle tension she had been feeling lately between her daughter and Demetrian, she felt it was best not to give any definitive answers.

Demetrian appeared around the time the three women were exchanging compliments about the tea food from the Crevelle kitchen and the macarons from the Lacroix kitchen. His concept seemed to be ‘the son of this house who usually stays cooped up reading but is now stepping out for some fresh air,’ but it was awkwardly obvious he was pretending not to know. Considering his study was located on the upper west side, his route didn’t make sense.

The Duchess, knowing he had been nervously glancing out the window from his study since the Lacroix carriage arrived, found it all the more amusing.

‘Something must have happened.’

The Duchess’s sky-blue eyes twinkled.

“Demi, why don’t you show Chloe the greenhouse first? I want to have some motherly talk with the Countess.”

“Shall we?”

The Duchess chuckled inwardly at how her son, who hated revealing his intentions, eagerly took her suggestion. At the same time, Chloe’s expression briefly showed a pout, confirming something had indeed happened.

“But I was looking forward to the introduction from the Duchess.”

“Then would you like to go to my study first? You do need to borrow some books, don’t you?”

Watching her son, who desperately wanted some time alone with Chloe, the Duchess had to suppress her rising smile.

“Yes, Chloe. Would you do that?”

A look of discomfort crossed Chloe’s face. She wasn’t in the mood to have a private conversation, but with the Duchess’s suggestion, she couldn’t refuse.

Observing this, the Countess of Lacroix felt a tinge of displeasure.

Her daughter being swayed by the Crevelle mother and son without her knowing…

“Yes, Loi, go ahead. I’m looking forward to what the Duchess will share.”

A woman raised on the scorching sunny beaches of the south doesn’t hold back. The coral-colored sea shimmered in the Countess’s eyes.

Escorted by Demetrian, the two left the reception room. Walking silently with her hand on Demetrian’s arm, Chloe felt the skin beneath the light shirt strangely warm.

‘Is he unwell? Or did he come from training?’

Normally, she would have asked without hesitation, but Chloe chose not to voice it. She was still upset with him and wanted to make it clear.

‘With Demi acting like he’s changed, I don’t know how to handle it.’

The two had never clashed emotionally before. In their childhood, they would bicker, fight, cry, and comfort each other over trivial matters, but as grown friends, they tried to appear as close siblings. What could cause emotional distress between siblings, especially when there were no ulterior motives?

In reality, there were ulterior motives now, and there were reasons for emotional distress, and the problem was that to those close, they no longer appeared as siblings in spirit.

Demetrian, guessing Chloe’s feelings, remained silent as they headed to his study. He had ensured that no servants would pass through the paths he intended to walk with Chloe.

Click, the door opened, and Chloe’s eyes took in Demetrian’s study. Even when arriving at the Crevelle mansion, she thought it had been a while, but being in this space meant for the two of them brought a new wave of nostalgia.

‘To be here again…’

Memories of making excuses to linger a bit longer whenever visiting Demetrian’s study. Distracting him with idle chatter when he tried to focus on documents, browsing the bookcase’s contents she already knew, or meddling with the papers on his spacious desk.

These memories bubbled up, momentarily bringing a sense of joy, but Chloe suppressed them and hid her expression.

Demetrian was reminiscing about the same things. He never imagined he would miss that voice chattering beside him and those times, even when he was busy and acted indifferent.

‘…I really didn’t know.’

And yet, here she was.

Even after Chloe sat on the sofa, Demetrian couldn’t sit down, pacing for a while before, as always, perching on the coffee table directly in front of Chloe instead of the opposite sofa.

Their knees were precariously close, almost touching. Chloe, puzzled by his unusual choice of position, looked up at Demetrian.

Even as their eyes met, Demetrian couldn’t easily find the words. As if contemplating something, he merely fiddled with his fingers resting on his thighs.

Demetrian finally spoke when Chloe’s face was filled with curiosity.

“I’m sorry.”

Demetrian’s eyes trembled slightly, or so Chloe thought.

“I was thoughtless.”

“…”

Chloe never imagined she would hear anything resembling an ‘apology’ from him. He was always right, and it was usually her who made mistakes or caused trouble.

But surprise was surprise, and hurt feelings were hurt feelings. Instead of uttering the easiest retort, ‘What did you do wrong?’ Chloe chose silence.

Her gaze shifted from his face to somewhere on the edge of the table.

She didn’t want to give him anything willingly. Even if it was a moment for seeking forgiveness.

As Chloe’s silence dragged on, Demetrian grew anxious again. Had there ever been a time when he was so unsure in dealing with someone?

Nothing had ever been difficult for him in life. Studies, swordsmanship, popularity, everything naturally flowed to him. Born as the heir of a ducal family, he never had the chance to dream or take interest in anything specific, but had he been able to choose his career, whatever it was, he would have been one of the best.

Everyone liked him. Except for young Luca, there wasn’t a single person who opposed him. Whether male or female, people flocked around him, admiring him, and Demetrian never had to make an effort in anything. If he had known such things were difficult, he might have been arrogant, but his ignorance was one of the factors that boosted his popularity.

Until he realized his feelings.

Demetrian lived his whole life not knowing he liked Chloe. When it was natural to interact with her regularly, their relationship was just another easy aspect of his life. Exceptionally peaceful times spent with a like-minded childhood friend.

Realizing that the small happiness he felt spending time with Chloe wasn’t a given, and starting to make efforts to win her heart in some way, for the first time in his life, Demetrian encountered something ‘difficult.’

What words could reach her?

What should he say to avoid offending Chloe and at the same time convey even a little of his feelings? Demetrian painfully racked his brain to form words.

Swallowing dryly, he opened his mouth with difficulty. Yes, with difficulty.

“…I never intended to cause you any trouble. I thought if I was okay, you would be too…”

Though Chloe’s gaze remained averted, her eyes took on a different light, indicating she wasn’t entirely ignoring his words. Of course, half of this judgment came from hopeful thinking…

Though she didn’t show it, Chloe felt a pang in her heart hearing those words.

She understood why Demetrian thought that way.

‘It was always me who asked for things.’

Chloe clenched her hands tightly on her lap.

But now… even if she were to ask for something, they would soon become unable to exchange even a single letter.

Seeing Chloe’s eyes darken, Demetrian was flustered again. He unnecessarily ran his hand through his hair and stroked his chin. Not that it helped him think of a solution.

Had it ever been this difficult to deal with Chloe?

‘If I tell her everything, will she understand?’

Demetrian felt an urge to confide in her about what had happened to him recently. Things he couldn’t trust anyone with, things he couldn’t even trust himself with.

‘Considering the somewhat surreal nature of the books Loi borrowed from the Crown Prince’s palace, maybe it’s worth the gamble…’