That Marriage, I’ll Do It in this Life - Chapter 18
She couldn’t help but glance toward Elizabeth repeatedly. The fact that Elizabeth’s expression, as she watched them, wasn’t particularly pleasant only made her feel guiltier.
“There are… a few things I wanted to ask.”
“Huh? Oh. Please, go ahead.”
When the Duke mentioned he wanted to ask her something, Saena felt slightly relieved. ‘Ah, so there was a reason after all,’ she thought.
She was willing to answer whatever he asked, as long as it meant she could get away from him sooner.
With a face that practically screamed, “Please, just ask already,” Saena looked up at him expectantly.
The Duke gazed down at her curiously before finally speaking.
“…Does the Debov family have any ties to <Arles-Promesa>?”
Saena widened her eyes in surprise.
She had told him to ask whatever he wanted, but she hadn’t expected this kind of question.
“Pardon? What do you mean by that…?”
Was he asking if the Debov family had ties to <Arles-Promesa>?
What could that possibly mean?
“Let me rephrase. I understand that the Debov family is quite an old lineage. Among your ancestors, there must have been an Oathkeeper. Am I correct?”
Ah, so he was asking whether her family had ever possessed the power of a Guardian Spirit.
“Yes, that’s correct. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.”
In truth, it was something anyone could figure out just by reading the genealogies of noble families.
The Debov family had existed since nearly the founding of the empire, and back then, it was rarer for a noble family of count rank or higher not to have a Guardian Spirit.
What made the Debov family remarkable was that they had never experienced significant decline throughout their long history.
Ascending from a count to a higher rank required monumental achievements, but such achievements often came with equally monumental risks. The Debov family had always been content with their status as counts and had instead focused on consolidating power in other ways. As a result, the Debov family remained one of the more influential houses in the empire.
‘Of course, compared to the four great ducal houses, they’re not even in the same league.’
Still, the Debov family had accumulated an extensive collection of ancient documents, artifacts, and records over the centuries. These heirlooms had been passed down without dispersing, thanks to the family’s stability.
Even the head butler, who had managed the estate for decades, didn’t know the purpose of many of those items.
It was no wonder that Saena, who grew up exploring the family’s mansion and lands, had been captivated by these treasures from a young age.
“When did the power of the Oathkeeper fade?”
“You’re asking when the Guardian Spirit’s legacy was lost?”
The Duke nodded.
Saena wasn’t sure why he was asking, but the question didn’t seem harmful to her family, so she answered.
She assumed he was curious because her family had once possessed a Guardian Spirit.
“I’m not entirely sure. I don’t even know exactly what kind of Guardian Spirit it was. But since the power of Guardian Spirits is usually passed down through a single successor, it was probably forgotten when the Oathkeeper was lost.”
“Right.”
“I’d guess it was about three or four generations ago.”
“…That’s quite a long time compared to other families.”
Three or four generations ago meant well over a hundred years.
But considering the Macfeyden Empire had existed for nearly a thousand years, the Duke was right. Saena recalled reading that by the 500th year of the empire, there were fewer than a hundred Guardian Spirits left.
The Debov family had maintained their Guardian Spirit for much longer than most.
‘Even though the current Oathkeeper of a family is standing right in front of me.’
Though she didn’t know the specifics, Saena guessed that the Debov family’s Guardian Spirit wasn’t combat-oriented. If it had been, the family might not have survived so steadily. They would have either thrived like the four ducal houses or been destroyed entirely.
“Yes, but now it’s just a thing of the past.”
The music was coming to an end. This uncomfortable moment was finally nearing its conclusion.
Saena felt a sense of relief.
Her debut was complete, so she could leave without any issue. She decided that as soon as this dance ended, she would pester Sage until he agreed to take her home.
The Duke, having achieved whatever purpose he had for dancing with her, surely wouldn’t have any further reason to interact with her.
“Would it be possible for me to visit the Debov estate?”
Just as she thought that, the Duke’s unexpected words completely blindsided her.
“…Pardon?”
Even so, Saena asked again, thinking she must have misheard.
“If it wouldn’t be an inconvenience.”
Who could possibly say it would be an inconvenience for someone of his rank to visit?
Saena didn’t want unnecessary chaos in her life, so she couldn’t understand why he was asking this. Without thinking, she blurted out a question.
“Why?”
“……”
The words slipped out before she could stop herself, and she immediately regretted it.
Was that too rude? She felt like her frustration had come through too clearly.
Trying to pull herself together, Saena lowered her gaze and softened her tone.
“Your Grace… I can’t even begin to imagine what business you might have with the Debov family.”
Her overly formal and deferential tone seemed to make the Duke’s expression shift slightly.
Saena felt a bit embarrassed but pretended not to notice.
“It wouldn’t be an official visit. It’s purely out of personal curiosity, so I hope you won’t feel too burdened.”
“Personal curiosity, you say…?”
“I’d like to look into some records related to the Debov family’s Guardian Spirit. Of course, only with the head of the family’s permission.”
“Ah…”
Saena felt a bit sheepish for having overthought the situation.
She still didn’t understand why he was suddenly interested in her family, but she decided to chalk it up to his curiosity about their history with Guardian Spirits.
“I’ll let my father know. I’m sure he’ll send you a letter, and you can arrange your visit accordingly.”
Whirl.
The current dance ended with a move where the woman leaned back as far as possible while the man supported her and looked down at her.
When Saena had first learned this dance, she had fallen backward countless times during this final move. Her fear of falling had made her tense up, and her spine would tremble.
But dancing with the Duke was completely different.
He lowered her effortlessly, supporting her weight with his left arm as if she weighed no more than a feather. He didn’t even flinch, as though he were holding a small object rather than a person.
Though the angle was precarious enough that she could have hit her head if he faltered, the Duke’s unwavering stability put her at ease.
However, the position was uncomfortable in a different way—it forced her to look directly up at his face.
‘Seeing him this close…’
It was her first time.
The angle cast shadows over his face, making his blue eyes gleam strangely.
Even through his gloves, she could clearly feel the shape of his palm against her back. The leather of his gloves felt cool against her bare skin, sending a slight chill through her.
Saena shivered involuntarily.
“……”
The Duke’s thick white lashes lowered briefly before lifting again.
When his vivid blue eyes reappeared, Saena felt as though his gaze was slowly and deliberately sweeping over her. The moment stretched out, feeling unnaturally long and vivid, as if time itself had slowed.
And then, in an instant, he pulled her upright.
The music ended.
The Duke’s lead was impeccable. He could have danced perfectly even with the clumsiest partner.
As reality set back in, Saena took a short breath and tried to step back to conclude the dance with a final bow.
But his firm hand was still holding her.
“I—”
His low voice resonated in her ear.
“I hope you’ll be the one to guide me.”
“…….”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Only then did the Duke release her waist.
…She was flustered.
But as he stepped back and bowed politely, signaling the end of their dance, she couldn’t bring herself to question him further. She lifted her skirt slightly and returned his bow.
As the Duke turned and walked away, Saena felt a headache coming on.
‘—Excuse me? Why?’
She wanted to shout the question at his retreating back, but she held herself back and looked away.
She needed to leave. She was going to leave.
Scanning the crowd for Sage, she broke into a cold sweat as she noticed how many people were now staring at her.
“Looks like the Duke of Kramer has a preference for the pure and innocent type.”
“Right? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him dance at a ball before.”
“Lately, voluptuous beauties like Lady Ackroyd have been the trend…”
“Hoho. Maybe the tides are turning. This year’s debutante ball is quite entertaining.”
