The Only Way to Break the Curse is Through Contact with You - Chapter 29
The knights turned their heads in surprise. Diart was approaching us with his head tilted slightly. Lambert, who was following him, gestured to the knights as if asking what was going on.
“I was going to escort the madam because she seemed unwell.”
Diart’s gaze, which had gotten closer, moved from the lace handkerchief in front of me to Milto, who was kneeling in front of me. Lambert asked instead, looking at Milto, who was wrapped tightly in his cape.
“What’s going on?”
“Well, Milto is crazy… No, Milto didn’t know that the mistress was here and he was walking around half-naked. Ah! He only had his upper body exposed, just his upper body!”
The knights quickly added an explanation.
“Apologize for showing the madam something she shouldn’t see.”
“I’m sorry.”
Milto bowed his head as if he had no face.
“It’s okay. It’s not because I was surprised, but because I wasn’t feeling well.”
I lowered my eyes and pointed to the handkerchief covering my nose.
“I was just about to go back because it’s better to rest a bit.”
As I was being supported by Lily and trying to stand up, Milto reflexively reached out his hand. As a result, his cape, which was covering his upper body, fell off.
“Eek!”
Lily screamed in surprise and quickly covered my eyes.
“This crazy guy!”
“If you make the same mistake twice, it’s intentional, you brat!”
The knights started beating Milto as if they had forgotten that he was in front of Diart and me.
“I will escort you to your room.”
Lambert approached me with his characteristic cool smile.
It’s not a situation where I need an escort from Milto now. I swallowed my disappointment and put my hand on the hand he offered me. His skin touched mine slightly because he was also wearing half gloves.
‘As expected, it’s the same.’
The intensity of the energy flowing in when I danced with the Crown Prince on the night of the ball and when I held hands with Lambert now was the same.
‘It doesn’t matter who the other person is.’
Apparently, the strength of the physical contact is more important than who the other person is. This was even more troubling.
“Then I’ll leave.”
I quickly said goodbye to Diart and turned around to go back to my room, but he stopped me.
“I’ll take you.”
“What? Where?”
“I’ll take you to your room.”
I thought I had misheard him, but Diart was really approaching me with a confident stride.
‘Why is he acting like this, it’s uncomfortable!’
“It’s okay. The Duke needs to train. I’ll just go with Sir Lambert.”
“Then please do. I’ll take care of the kids’ training and course planning.”
While I was clapping my hands vigorously, Lambert responded calmly with a smile, as if he had been waiting.
“No, I’d rather go alone…”
“I’ll take you.”
Diart passed me and took the lead. I sighed and lowered my head.
‘So much for neutralization.’
If you’re going to take me, then be my escort. Why bother taking me when you’re just going ahead like that. It’s suffocating.
I followed Diart’s back as he walked briskly without looking back.
Even if he didn’t care, he would have paid more attention than this if a passing dog was bleeding. Watching Diart’s heartless back, who didn’t say a word about Lily and the knights causing a commotion, made me feel sick inside.
I raised my fist, thinking that if I could just punch him in the back of the head, I’d have my wish, but then I locked eyes with Diart, who turned around at the same time and froze.
“What are you doing?”
Diart glanced at my wavering fist.
“Oh, that… I think my shoulder is a little stiff because I didn’t sleep well yesterday.”
I blurted out a lame excuse and dropped my fist as I needlessly rolled my shoulder. Shrewd bastard. I won’t go looking for trouble anywhere, really.
“Ahem, ahem. Do you have something to say to me?”
Diart looked down at me, as if asking what I meant.
‘Are you such a great person that you would give me even one minute if you had nothing to do with me?’
I smiled brightly after swallowing the words that rose up to my throat.
“I thought you wanted to talk to me about something.”
“Ah.”
Diart, who was thinking for a moment, spoke in an indifferent tone, as though he was just passing by.
“I was invited to the imperial banquet that will be held in a few days. I’m told, to introduce the Empress’s brother’s adopted daughter.”
“…What?”
If it’s the Empress’s brother’s adopted daughter, it’s Adelia! The crown prince’s birthday party, where they will meet for the first time, is still a few months away, right?
I was so surprised that I forgot to manage my expression.
In the original work, there was a setting where Diart fell in love at first sight with Adelia. What would happen if the two of them met at this party?
Of course, I have no intention of taking the villainess route, and I am in a state of urging Diart for a divorce, so the ending will not be the same as the original, but I couldn’t predict what kind of variable would arise if the two suddenly met.
Moreover, this crazy guy is the strongest obsessive man who made even the readers roll their eyes! It wouldn’t be strange if he fell in love with Adelia and turned his life upside down!
I couldn’t hide my anxious heart and bit my nails. Diart, who was silently watching me, suddenly asked.
“Are you not feeling well?”
“…Yes?”
I answered belatedly while thinking about various things, and Diart pointed to my nose with his chin.
“Ah…”
All thanks to your ancestors, who had one hell of a couple of fight, damn it!
I smiled while trying to suppress what I wanted to shout out. Any behavior that would go against Diart’s mood was absolutely prohibited in the courtyard, where sword dances were being performed behind my back.
“I’ve been a little tired lately.”
“I can see that.”
“Yes. So, by the way, I don’t think I can attend the imperial banquet. With my current condition, I’ll just be a burden to the Duke.”
Usually, it was customary for couples to attend the parties hosted by the imperial family. That’s why Diart brought up the topic of the banquet to me.
Taking advantage of this, I delayed the first meeting between Diart and Adelia. After all, their fate was to meet at the crown prince’s birthday party, so this should be fine, right?
“Let’s see.”
Since Diart wasn’t the type to enjoy social gatherings, I naturally thought he would accept, but his reaction was unexpectedly lukewarm.
“It’s hard to refuse when the Empress personally sends an invitation.”
“Ah…”
With your status, you can refuse! You’ve done it several times before! Do you think I’ve only read about it once or twice in the novel? I’ve read about your every single refusal because you were really bored!
After refusing countless times like that, you ended up having a fateful encounter with Adelia at the long-awaited crown prince’s birthday party… Ah.
Since you get to meet Adelia at this banquet, you don’t have the heart to refuse?
‘Seems like you’ve surrendered to a fateful love, huh.’
If Diart made up his mind to attend, I had no choice but to follow him without hesitation. Even if he said he would go alone, I had to go and see the two of them in person. I needed to assess the atmosphere and decide how to handle things in the future.
‘Damn it.’
Cursing was enough to give me a headache.
“If you’re not feeling well, refrain from going out for a while and take care of yourself at home.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Alright, I got it. I understand. I will attend the imperial banquet, if only for the sake of you and Adelia’s fateful first meeting!
I pursed my lips in frustration.
“If you have any prior commitments, it’s better to cancel them.”
“Well, I suppose so.”
I half-listened to Diart’s words and made up my mind to purchase a ticket to the country of Feiran. Just in case, I needed an escape plan.
“Do you have any special plans for tomorrow?”
“Well, not really.”
“Then can we meet up.”
“Yes, sure…What? tomorrow?”
I hesitantly replied, recalling the rumors about the abundance of barbarous men in the Kingdom of Feiran. Diart nodded briefly.
‘I have a meeting with Crown Prince Jarvis tomorrow.’
He said he would take me to a café that’s perfect for a romantic encounter. I’ve been eagerly waiting for tomorrow, so what are you talking about now!
“I can’t make it tomorrow, I have a prior commitment.”
“But didn’t you just say you don’t have any special plans?”
“I momentarily forgot. It’s an important appointment, and I can’t miss it.”
“Who is it with?”
“It’s with… hmm, is that important?”
It’s better not to mention that I’m meeting with the crown prince. It’s hard to answer if you keep asking like this.
No, why is he showing interest since the last time? He never cared about who I met before.
“Is that appointment more important than the two-wish deal?”
“Of course, it’s not as important as a diamond mine, but…”
“Diamond mine?”
“I misspoke. Ahem, do you need my help with something?”
“Something like that.”
Yeah, I have the advantage of knowing the original work. Although I feel guilty when I think of Edgar and Leticia, for now, I’ll try to help Diart as much as possible. It’s better to be on his side for the future. You know, like a half-hearted ally. Even a king can’t touch a half-hearted ally.
After finishing my calculations, I nodded my head.
“Okay, I got it. I’ll cancel the appointment.”
“Okay.”
Diart turned around as if he had finished his business. His face looked strangely satisfied, but he was probably still thinking about something.