Chapter 89

Shuan spoke with an unwavering demeanor, as if fully expecting to be turned away at the door.

“I have something to say as Lethe.”

“Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve had any connection with Lethe.”

At my words, Shuan ran his hand through his hair. Though he didn’t appear nervous, the gesture revealed that he was. He let out a small sigh, barely audible unless you were paying close attention.

“This place is dangerous. You should withdraw all of Count Winsley’s troops.”

“That’s impossible.“

“Your Grace, the Grand Duchess, as I’ve said, I’m speaking to you as Lethe right now.”

In other words, he implied that he was offering all of his knowledge for this proposal. Shuan was Ari’s older brother, and there were things he would know because of that.

Perhaps his participation in this subjugation, unlike in the previous life, was to thwart Princess Abigail’s plans.

I slowly closed my eyes, then opened them and looked at Shuan. His eyes still seemed filled with confusion.

“I want to withdraw, too, but I can’t.”

Can the Winsley family lead their troops to the West and then retreat? The whole world would see it as odd and would mock them.

My father, who valued honor, could not endure such ridicule. If his spirit died, it would be no different from losing his life. I didn’t want to navigate this crisis in such a way.

“You want to withdraw… Your Grace has always been a step ahead, seeing the present from a vantage point. What else do you know?”

Hearing that, I twisted my lips into a smirk. I didn’t hesitate to mock Shuan in the slightest.

“If I tell you, are you going to run off to warn your sister again and then come back to warn me, too?“

“That’s not it! I—“

“If it’s not that, tell me clearly what your sister plans.”

Once again, Shuan fell silent. I rose from my seat. There really was no need to prepare tea. Even if we drank it while having this conversation, we would not be able to enjoy the aroma, and this uninvited guest would soon be leaving anyway.

“There’s nothing more to discuss, so please leave. Since eyes are watching, I’ll escort you out.”

I was the first to exit the drawing room. I waited outside the door, and after a long silence, Shuan eventually followed me out.

Without looking back at him, I descended to the first floor. I was already thinking about returning to my room to chat with Marianne as soon as I sent him off.

Clack!

As I stepped outside the building, I saw soldiers sparring with wooden swords before me. It seemed they had placed small bets as someone tossed coins into the air. Just as one match ended, a wooden sword flew far and landed at my feet.

“Oh, it’s Her Grace, the Grand Duchess!“

“Your Grace! Greetings!”

I waved at them, and seeing Shuan come out, I nodded at him. He bowed deeply, and we were about to part ways when—

“How about the two of you have a duel?“

“I’d love to see that!”

As one or two soldiers spoke up, the others clamored, encouraging us. From what I heard, Shuan had helped the Winsley soldiers during the subjugation, which made them quite fond of him.

‘Ha, this is ridiculous.’

Perhaps he couldn’t communicate with me, so he tried to repay the debt by helping the soldiers instead.

Either way, seeing the soldiers warmly welcome Shuan didn’t sit well with me.

I picked up the wooden sword at my feet and tossed it to Shuan. He looked surprised but caught it deftly.

It would have been nice if it had hit him on the forehead and made him look ridiculous. As I tied up my hair, I spoke.

“Let’s do it. There have been countless days when I’ve wanted to beat you up.”

My aggressive words made the soldiers cheer even louder. One of them approached me and handed me a wooden sword. I accepted it and swung it twice.

It was a habit I always had before starting a spar. It was also a way to gauge the weight of the wooden sword.

The soldier who had been refereeing the previous match stepped between us and raised his hand high before slicing it down like cutting through the wind. But neither of us moved for a while.

We simply stared at each other. I could hear murmurs of awe from the soldiers. Gripping my wooden sword in a proper stance, I glared at Shuan and let out a sigh. I didn’t want to prolong this standoff with him.

I moved in wide, lazy circles before suddenly pushing off the ground and charging forward. Shuan, apparently lost in thought, was caught off guard and staggered backward in surprise.

I quickly knocked Shuan’s wooden sword out of his hand. The sword flew through the air so quickly that it felt almost anticlimactic. I let out a short laugh as the sword clattered to the ground.

“What is this?”

I sighed, exasperated.

“Make up your mind. Are you going to fight or not? If you’re going to fight, decide who it’s with. Acting like a fool isn’t like you.”

This clumsy display was unrecognizable from the man who once created an entire network of informants for his sister, turning the world upside down. There wasn’t even a trace of the charm I had initially found in him.

As I looked at him with disappointment, I noticed something strange about the atmosphere around us. Perhaps the duel had ended too quickly, leaving the onlookers dissatisfied?

Yet, it wasn’t just disappointment that hung in the air; there was an odd tension, something stiff and chilly. It didn’t make sense for the atmosphere to be sour just because Shuan was lost.

I looked around, surveying the area. The soldiers who had formed a circle around us, creating an impromptu arena, had left a clear space in one corner. Standing in that empty spot, draped in a red cloak, was the person I had longed to see the most.

“Julian!”

I threw my wooden sword aside and ran toward Julian. He lifted me up effortlessly as I leaped into his arms before gently setting me back down.

“You’re still the same mischievous one.”

The voice teased me every night in my dreams, tickling my ears. Hearing that low voice mock me brought me such joy.

Following my lead, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and Julian bent down to meet me.

I pressed my lips to his. I knew we had an audience, but I couldn’t hold back. Fortunately, Julian only tightened his grip around my waist and didn’t push me away.

Someone whistled, and others clapped and cheered, but none of it registered in my ears. If I heard anything at all, it was Julian’s heartbeat and the chime of bells from the sky.

After slowly pulling away, I looked up at him and smiled brightly.

“I’ve missed you.“

“I’ve missed you too.“

“How did you come? And what about the task I asked of you? But I’m so glad you’re here! I was withering away every day from not seeing you. Did you get the letters I sent?“

“I took care of everything you asked. And after reading your letters, I couldn’t hold back any longer and came running. Does that answer your question?“

“Of course.”

Julian looked at me, gently stroking my cheek. I wanted his eyes to be only on me, but oddly enough, his gaze shifted past my face to something behind me.

Following his line of sight, I turned my head. There stood Shuan.

He had been watching us, and our eyes met in the air, an awkward and unsettling encounter like a carriage crash.

Shuan was the first to look away, and at that moment, Julian wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“Let’s go to your room.“

“Yes, let’s.”

Half nestled in Julian’s embrace, I ascended the stairs. Everyone we passed along the way was startled, greeting us, staring at Julian, then at me, and then back again in a never-ending cycle.

I found it amusing, as it felt like proof that Julian’s arrival wasn’t a dream but a reality.

However, Julian’s mood seemed less than cheerful. I pinched his side and asked,

“Why aren’t you in a good mood?“

“I’m fine.“

“But you look like something’s bothering you.”

Julian nodded a surprisingly honest reaction.

“That guy seems to have feelings for you.“

“That guy?”

I mentally ran through the people we’d encountered. Hansen, Lily, Jack, and Fort… When my expression showed that I still didn’t get it, Julian chuckled lightly and said,

“The one who was just sparring with you.”

Does he mean Shuan? I laughed as if I had just heard a joke.

“No way.“

“I’m sure of it.”

Julian looked quite serious. What had he seen in Shuan that made him think that? As far as I knew, Shuan was just trying to ease his guilt by following me around to repay the debt he owed.

But explaining that didn’t improve Julian’s mood. I knew a much better way to respond.

“Even if that were true, I’d never be interested in a guy like him, so don’t worry.”

Julian seemed satisfied with my answer, smiling contentedly. We paused on the stairs to share another kiss.

After our lips parted, a sense of urgency overcame me, and I grabbed his hand, quickening our pace.

When we finally reached my room, we didn’t leave for long.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.