Chapter 43

“Your Grace, what are you thinking about?”

However, the Duke did not immediately turn to Clarette. His gaze, lost in thought, remained fixed on the lake. His reply took longer than usual.

“I was imagining. Wondering what would have happened if that accident hadn’t occurred.”

Lionel murmured as he gazed at the calm lake as if nothing had ever happened.

“If that had been the case, I wouldn’t have had any reason to return to this land. I’d still be a Captain, and you would have continued living in your atelier as always. Your sponsorship wouldn’t have been cut off.”

At least, for a year. Lionel held back, thinking to himself. In any case, Clarette would have continued to receive support. Perhaps the previous Duke or Victor might have succeeded in paying off the debts.

If only the accident at this lake hadn’t happened, everything would have flowed smoothly as it should. As an illegitimate child, he would never have become Duke, nor would he have had to worry about the family’s debts. He wouldn’t have been criticized for tarnishing the Duchy’s reputation, nor would he have had to rack his brain over complicated matters like mines or business…

“We wouldn’t have met, then.”

At Clarette’s sudden words, Lionel paused and looked at her. Their eyes met, but she didn’t avoid his gaze. Instead, she asked,

“Your Grace, did you never desire the title?”

She was the first to ask Lionel so directly. Everyone else simply assumed he had achieved social ascension, that he had lucked into a position he didn’t deserve, and envied or criticized him for it.

That was why Lionel welcomed her honest curiosity.

“Not at all. I never once wanted the title. It was never even a realistic possibility.”

He continued, his face more relaxed than when he first arrived at the lake.

“Since I joined the military, Victor never had to enlist. Nobles only need to send one child. So, I never imagined my brother would pass before me.”

Lionel had never thought he would live long. Many of his classmates at the military academy had died in battle, and countless ordinary soldiers under his command had already perished.

To him, life was endlessly light. He could die in the next battle at any moment. There was no reason to suppress his desires outside the battlefield.

“But then, things turned out like this…”

The Duke of Valentin laughed softly, as if responding to fate’s tricks. Suddenly, his life, which he’d lived without much thought, was filled with meaning, duties, and goals. It was truly a bothersome and troublesome change.

Clarette listened closely to the Duke’s quiet voice, considering his situation. He was the last surviving Valentin. He had to protect the ducal mansion, which held no childhood memories for him, and resolve the debts thr*st upon him.

“Do you wish you could return to your previous life?”

At her question, the Duke thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“No, I prefer things now.”

“Why?”

“Well, every morning I look forward to seeing what nagging I’ll hear, what insults I’ll get, what problems will arise…”

“…Is that really a good thing?”

Clarette looked at him in disbelief, but Lionel answered with a gentle smile. He added playfully,

“After overcoming all those trials, I get to visit you at night.”

Clarette was momentarily speechless at his unexpected words. She replied in an awkward voice,

“It’s like giving a candy to a child who’s been scolded.”

“Yeah, but that reward is pretty sweet.”

Lionel smiled, gazing into her deep green eyes.

“So I like things as they are. Just for that alone.”

Clarette realized her cheeks were slowly turning red again. She hurriedly turned her head, avoiding his gaze and looking instead at the dazzling lake.

When would she ever be able to handle the Duke’s sweet words with ease? She kept telling herself not to read too much into them, that he could say such things to any woman.

“Does that answer your question?”

At Lionel’s cheerful voice, Clarette quickly nodded. Regardless of the temptation directed at her, he was satisfied with his current life. Even if there were new difficulties, he seemed determined to overcome them.

‘Ah, but about the debt…’

Clarette realized he hadn’t mentioned the debt at all. It seemed too sensitive a topic for him to share with her.

Since that was his intention, she decided not to reveal that she knew about the debt. She believed he had his reasons for not confiding in her.

Perhaps it was because he cared for her.

‘Even though the Duchy is struggling, he helps me…’

He was fundamentally a kind person. Playful and fond of jokes, but never one to truly put someone in a difficult spot. He never embarrassed or bullied anyone for fun in public, and there was always a sense of justice in his actions.

The closer she got to know him, the more his good sides showed.

‘He’s wonderful. Not like my first impression at all.’

Clarette blushed, revising her opinion of the Duke. He was the best man she’d ever known.

Though she could never have him.

“Your Grace, you’re truly a gentle person.”

As she slowly stood to return to the carriage, Clarette confessed this to the Duke.

Lionel looked at her, as if asking her intent behind the sudden compliment. Clarette continued without hesitation,

“So I’m sure you’ll be a good husband and father.”

Husband? Father? The words were so unfamiliar coming from her that Lionel tilted his head in embarrassment.

“Well, that’s quite different from what people say about me. Clarette, do you know what everyone calls me?”

“I do. They say you’re a playboy. Some even call you a scoundrel. Honestly, I suppose you might have been, in the past.”

Lionel wrinkled his eyes playfully, caught off guard. Just as he accepted her assessment,

“But I don’t think you’re like that now.”

Clarette walked beside the Duke, looking up at him with clear, trusting eyes.

“I don’t know the you from the past, but I think you’ve definitely changed since inheriting the title. I like the… Oh.”

She quickly corrected herself.

“The good, kind side.”

***

It was quite a long way to the tin mine in the east. Not used to traveling by carriage, Clarette grew tired and fell asleep for a while. During the journey, Lionel read documents about the mine’s income, occasionally stealing glances at her.

<So I’m sure you’ll be a good husband and father.>

Lionel couldn’t help but smile as Clarette’s words came to mind. Ever since she’d fallen asleep, he kept thinking about it, and it made him laugh again and again.

He was happy that Clarette, of all people, had given him such praise. At the same time, he felt an impossible hope. Maybe, he could actually become that kind of person.

Even if it was just an empty compliment, he liked it. Even an empty compliment meant there was some possibility between them.

“Clarette.”

As they finally reached their destination, Lionel gently woke her. Clarette, who had been sleeping with her head against the window, slowly opened her eyes.

“We’ve arrived, but are you still sleepy? If you’re tired, you can stay here.”

“N-no, I’ll get out too.”

He kindly suggested she rest, but she immediately shook her head. Clarette, fussing with her sleep-mussed hair, looked just like a rabbit.

Feeling the Duke’s fond gaze, Clarette, embarrassed, was the first to get out of the carriage. As he followed her out, she hesitated and asked,

“Um, Your Grace. Is this really the destination?”

“Why? According to the map, we’re in the right place…”

Standing by the carriage, Lionel trailed off, just as confused as she was.