Chapter 18: I Miss You

Being just an ordinary dagger, there seemed no reason for anyone to desire it. Though Bliss was aware of the secret it held, she maintained her silent observation.

“Since it’s an item Her Highness has no need for, discussing this shouldn’t be difficult. So, Marquis Adrian, I’d like you to speak to her on my behalf.”

Bliss’s eyes glinted as the Duke reiterated the purpose of his visit to Caelan.

‘Now.’

She saw her chance to step in.

“But why are you making this request to my husband?”

She fixed her gaze on the Duke, feigning innocent curiosity.

“As you’re aware, Her Highness is quite protective of her collections. When considering who might persuade Her Highness, I found no one more reliable than Marquis Adrian.”

‘Lies.’

His praise for Caelan was nothing but shameless flattery, masking his true intentions. The Duke spoke with such certainty, never entertaining the possibility of rejection. Watching his self-assured manner, Bliss turned her attention to Caelan.

Seeing him reach for the design with his characteristic detachment, she spoke quickly.

“I’ll handle this matter.”

Caelan turned to meet her gaze, his eyes betraying his curiosity about her motives.

The best course would have been to decline the Duke’s request outright. While they needed to avoid giving him any leverage, they also couldn’t directly oppose him.

Knowing Caelan would likely accept, this was Bliss’s way of intervening.

“Surely it doesn’t have to be my husband? He’s quite busy, so I’d be happy to assist.”

The Duke’s forehead creased at this unexpected response. Having set his sights on Caelan, this interference clearly irritated him.

“The Marchioness… you suggest?”

“Given that this concerns Her Highness, it’s more appropriate for me to go. As another woman, I believe I could manage this more effectively.”

Bliss maintained a cheerful tone.

“My husband excels at reading my thoughts, but he’s less adept with other women. Dealing with Her Highness would prove challenging for him.”

“Well…”

Taking advantage of the Duke’s hesitation, Bliss pressed on.

“I’ll take his place. Though it won’t be simple, I’ll make an exception for your request, Duke. I can send word to your residence once I arrange a meeting with Her Highness. Or would you prefer I handle everything independently? Either approach suits me.”

The Duke’s lips twitched as Bliss spoke enthusiastically. Though visibly displeased, he couldn’t reasonably object. Bliss deliberately ignored his discontent and averted her gaze.

‘This is our only option for now.’

If refusing wasn’t possible, they needed to prevent any scandal involving Her Highness. They could later claim they failed to acquire the item.

‘At least my survival has changed things.’

She could alter the course of events effortlessly now. Unlike the original story where her death had forced Caelan to act personally, that scenario could now be avoided.

“I’ll do what I can.”

She carefully avoided any promise of retrieving the item, having no intention of obtaining it for the Duke. Such a commitment could prove dangerous later.

Bliss lifted her cup with a smile before turning to Caelan with a slight grimace.

“The tea has grown cold. Shall we move elsewhere for fresh tea?”

Rather than responding, Caelan looked toward the Duke, who caught his glance and cleared his throat as he rose.

“Very well, I’ll leave this in your hands. And I trust our discussion today will remain private.”

Despite Bliss’s offer to handle the matter, the Duke deliberately addressed Caelan. His manner suggested he intended to hold Caelan accountable if they failed to obtain the item, even though Bliss had never explicitly promised to acquire it.

Caelan gave a slight nod.

“I’ll write your name on this paper, Duke.”

“…What?”

“Though it’s just a piece of paper, recording a name on an item carries as much weight as a seal.”

Caelan looked up at the Duke who had risen. Noticing the Duke’s poorly concealed displeasure, Bliss quietly averted her gaze to hide her amusement. The Duke had planned to use Caelan, knowing his reputation for discretion.

Yet having his name documented could lead to unexpected complications. Should any issues arise, the Duke, who might have intended to deny involvement by claiming he was in the kingdom, could now be implicated. When confronted with this, he merely muttered for them to proceed as they wished, perhaps worried that any objection might prompt Caelan’s refusal.

‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

While Bliss had simply offered her assistance, Caelan had taken it further by securing written evidence of the Duke’s involvement.

Visibly annoyed by this unexpected turn of events, the Duke’s movements grew sharp and hurried. He strode across the reception room and yanked open the door himself, causing the knights who had been in a standoff to turn their attention. His own knights quickly moved to form a protective circle around him.

Once the Duke had left, the Marquis’s knight carefully closed the door after assessing the situation. Now alone with Caelan, Bliss took a sip of her cold tea.

“I suppose we don’t need to change locations after all.”

Having used that excuse to end the conversation with the Duke, Bliss casually changed the subject. She had no desire to continue taking tea with Caelan elsewhere. Wanting to leave quickly, she turned her gaze to the window.

“I’ll stay just a moment longer before leaving. You should rest here too if you’re not occupied.”

Bliss kept Caelan from leaving, suspecting the Duke might be waiting to meet him privately. When Caelan nodded without objection, Bliss offered a polite smile before looking away. As she remained in the reception room, she reflected on her exchange with the Duke.

‘The Duke still came even though I didn’t die.’

Furthermore, her suspicions had proven correct.

‘So how should I interpret this situation?’

Though the original story had changed, certain events continued to unfold. While she had escaped death from the poisoned necklace, Latte and Caelan would likely still follow their destined path. Her initial inclination to help unite them now felt even more crucial. After all, their union might ensure her own survival.

“I didn’t expect to receive help.”

Bliss turned to face Caelan, breaking from her thoughts. He had been watching her intently, though for how long, she wasn’t certain.

“You’re quite kind, aren’t you.”

Her assistance to Caelan had been reluctant. Though unwilling, they couldn’t simply fall prey to the Duke’s machinations. She had intervened because, as the Marchioness, she might face consequences, yet Caelan was attributing deeper kindness to her actions.

Bliss started to correct his misunderstanding but caught herself. Rather than dispelling his misconception, she realized it might serve her better to use it advantageously.

“I’m trying to be from now on.”

Noting Caelan’s intensifying gaze, Bliss set down her cup and turned to face him fully.

“But seeing how the Duke came to ask you personally, you must be quite the nice person yourself.”

“I wonder about that.”

Caelan responded cryptically.

“Don’t be like that. Would you grant me a favor later too? If you’re grateful for my help today, you shouldn’t need to think twice about it, right?”

“When you put it that way, I’m scared to hear what kind of favor you’ll ask.”

Bliss’s smile widened at Caelan’s hesitant protest.

“It’s nothing difficult. Just make sure to show up at a certain place when I want you to, just once.”

That day would likely be when Latte and Caelan would meet.

“If that’s all, then certainly.”

When Caelan readily agreed, Bliss picked up her cup again. She had managed to partially thwart the Duke’s scheme and would now find it easier to arrange a meeting between Caelan and Latte.

Already in Caelan’s company, Bliss turned to face him.

“Don’t you have anything to say about yesterday?”

“About the banquet? You knew I attended but left separately?”

“Well…”

She had intended to ask why he came despite her telling him not to. But when he mentioned how she had left without him, the words caught in her throat.

“That might be worth discussing first.”

“…I just remembered something I need to attend to.”

Bliss rose from her seat and looked down at Caelan.

“I’ll handle this matter myself, so you should get some rest.”

As she turned away, Bliss fought the urge to shake her head, feeling an unexpected wave of sympathy for Caelan, who found himself surrounded by villains. This certainly wasn’t about avoiding the topic of yesterday.

***

“You don’t have to come with me, you know.”

At Bliss’s words, Caelan shifted his gaze from the window to meet her eyes. When his direct stare became too uncomfortable, Bliss was the first to look away.

Just as she was preparing to leave for the Imperial Palace to meet the Imperial Princess, Caelan had appeared. Without bothering to ask permission, he had climbed into her carriage and made himself comfortable. His intention to accompany Bliss was obvious to anyone watching.

‘Why is he doing this.’

Bliss studied Caelan carefully, unable to decipher his motives.

‘Surely he’s not planning to meet the Imperial Princess together?’

That was precisely what she had intervened for in the first place. While Bliss was lost in these thoughts, Caelan deliberately took out his pocket watch for her to see.

“We should leave now, unless you plan to keep the Imperial Princess waiting?”