Chapter 51

The Duke’s gaze toward Clarette was affectionate and tender. It was when the two were staring only at each other.

“Excuse me, Duke. My gold coins…….”

Doris, who had been standing near the table all this time, finally managed to speak. When the Duke turned around, Doris glanced at him cautiously and asked,

“You really are giving me ten times, right?”

Lionel couldn’t help but laugh at Doris’s innocent words.

“Of course, Doris. For now, just take ten times today. I’ll help you earn even more money from now on.”

“I’m not sure about the future, but I’m really going to get it now? Really?”

“Yes, I’ve already told Oliver, so go and receive it confidently.”

With the Duke’s permission, Doris excitedly dashed out of the studio. As soon as he disappeared, the Duke didn’t miss the chance now that they were alone and turned his head toward Clarette.

“Come to think of it, you said you’d color my painting. Shall we meet tonight?”

At the Duke’s secretive and low voice, Clarette’s cheeks flushed slightly. Painting aside, it seemed he was eager to touch her.

But Clarette shook her head apologetically.

“I’m sorry, Duke. I don’t think I can for a while.”

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“Recently, I kept painting for too long and kept making paint, so my wrist hurts…… I want to do nothing for a few days and let my wrist rest.”

Clarette somehow felt guilty. The Duke, who had stayed in one position for six hours on the night she finished his sketch, was completely fine, but only she seemed to be hurting.

Meanwhile, Lionel, seeing her downcast face, came up with a good idea.

“Clarette.”

He gently stroked her slender wrist and asked,

“Do you like the sea?”

* * *

The Rosenta Empire faced the sea on the western and southern sides of the continent. The capital city, Genoa, was located inland, leaning toward the southwest part of the territory. The Valentin Duchy, which was attached next to it, was the same.

“If we alternate between train and ship, it’ll take about four days to get to Tivenny.”

Tivenny was a large port city in the western part of the Rosenta Empire.

On the day they decided to travel together, Lionel brought Clarette to his study and told her about the destination. He spread out a large map on the desk and explained, sticking pins in it.

“From our territory to Genoa, we can take the train. There are three passenger trains a day. And from Genoa to Tivenny, there’s a passenger ship that goes along the river. We just need to transfer.”

Clarette listened intently to the Duke’s explanation and murmured,

“That’s amazing. So you can travel without a carriage.”

“If you don’t have much luggage, you can travel like this. You’re not bringing any painting tools, right?”

“Yes, I’m definitely taking a break.”

When Clarette nodded, Lionel was very pleased. Having little luggage when traveling was ideal.

That way, there was a reason for just the two of them to go without attendants.

“But Duke, is it really okay for just the two of us to go? I don’t have much travel experience, so I probably won’t be much help……”

Clarette expressed her concern, but Lionel lightly dismissed her worries.

“Don’t worry about it, Clarette. I’m a pro at traveling far. Or rather, I’m used to it.”

Lionel stroked his chin, recalling many deployments. In fact, he had been to Tivenny several times before.

“Getting from Genoa to Tivenny is really simple. You just get on the passenger ship and arrive in three days. It might get boring in between, though.”

“Do you sleep on the ship too? Like a hotel?”

“Yes, there are rooms on the passenger ship……”

Lionel, who was answering smoothly, suddenly realized something important.

All the rooms on the passenger ship to Tivenny were for two people.

“……Yes, it’s similar to a hotel.”

Even though he glossed over his words, Clarette was very curious. While she looked at the map, Lionel was lost in a completely different thought.

When they arrived in Tivenny, Clarette would surely ask for two rooms at the hotel first, and he wouldn’t have a reason to suggest sharing a room.

But the ship was different. If he bought tickets for two, they’d naturally be assigned one cabin, and once they set sail, they couldn’t change rooms. There was no way to go back and change tickets.

What a perfect means of transportation.

“Duke.”

“Yes?”

Clarette asked the Duke, who seemed deep in thought.

“But isn’t the southern side closer to the sea and cheaper? I remember it’s a three-day carriage ride from Moerven to the southern sea.”

Clarette’s point was very reasonable. But Lionel simply stuck to his plan.

“We’re not just going to see the sea. There’s someone I have to meet in Tivenny.”

“Who is that?”

“My classmate from the military academy.”

Perhaps feeling his explanation was insufficient, Lionel added a word after a moment.

“I have a favor to ask that guy.”

* * *

The train station closest to the Valentin Duchy was ‘Moerven Station,’ located on the western outskirts of Moerven City. Clarette and the Duke took a carriage to the station.

“With the train, Genoa is really close. Passenger trains only run three times a day, so timing is a hassle.”

“Duke, have you taken the train a lot?”

“Sometimes. But it wasn’t very fun.”

“Why?”

Lionel frowned his handsome brows, as if just thinking about it made him shudder.

“Usually I took it for long deployments. Four men in a cramped room, the scenery got more desolate as we went, the drinks didn’t taste right……”

Though the Duke spoke as if he was bored, Clarette enjoyed listening to his stories. It felt like glimpsing a world completely different from what she had known.

“Tell me more. Of all the stations you’ve been to, which was the best?”

Since she showed interest, Lionel continued his stories. Every time he mentioned a new place or scenery, Clarette’s eyes quietly sparkled.

I should take this woman everywhere. Lionel decided to himself as the carriage arrived at Moerven Station.

“The building is much bigger than I thought. It looks like a small city hall.”

Clarette admired the Moerven Station, which looked like a miniature version of the large Moerven City Hall. Beyond the fence, black freight trains lined up, waiting.

“Shall we go, Clarette?”

When Clarette turned toward the carriage, she was startled. The Duke, having received the luggage from the coachman, was holding bags in both hands.

“Duke, give me my bag! You don’t have to carry mine too……”

“No, not allowed. You said your wrist hurts.”

“But I can carry a bag at least.”

Lionel lightly dodged her outstretched hand and smiled as if he found her cute.

“Don’t worry, it’s not heavy at all. And you need to get better soon so we can finish our painting. Right?”

Who would think this person is a noble? Clarette hesitated and glanced at him, but the Duke walked toward the inside of the station with a cheerful face.

Buying tickets was also his job, so all Clarette had to do was sit on a waiting room bench and guard the luggage. Left alone, she looked around the train station she was visiting for the first time in her life.

Inside the wide station, there were all kinds of people. Well-dressed couples holding hands affectionately like nobles, merchants carrying huge loads, young men talking to station staff while pointing at the timetable, and so on.

Those waiting for the train all seemed busy and purposeful. When the Duke returned with the tickets, Clarette murmured with an embarrassed face.

“Thank you, Duke. But I feel like a child. You do everything for me.”

Clarette nervously lowered her gaze. But Lionel was simply happy to be alone with her, so he sat on the bench with a smile.

“What does it matter? You’re not my maid, so it’s fine if I handle the little things myself.”

“No, I shouldn’t. Since I came to travel, I want to gain some experience too. I’ll buy the passenger ship tickets myself. I brought my own money……”

“No, Clarette. Absolutely not for the passenger ship tickets.”

“Why?”

Lionel panicked. Too strong a denial would only arouse suspicion. He quickly searched for an excuse.