CH 107

There was something strange about Asrahan. He had been acting peculiar for some time now, but lately, it was even more pronounced. Lariette squinted her eyes and looked at his back, wondering what the hell was going on in that beautiful head of his.

"Why is he doing this?"

Asrahan noticed her piercing gaze and trembled. He pretended to be calm, but his restless blue eyes revealed that he was different from usual. Lariette took a step closer to him, her forehead furrowed, and spoke straightforwardly.

"You're acting strange."

Asrahan's body subtly trembled again. He responded with a face as expressionless as possible.

"What are you talking about?"

"Asrahan."

"...What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure, but you seem to be thinking about a lot of things," Lariette took another step towards Asrahan.

Suddenly, the distance between them was very short. She extended her index finger and touched his chest. With each thing she mentioned, the number of touches increased.

"It's also strange how you tremble like this now. It's odd that you keep looking away when you see me, and suddenly you have a lot of work and go out frequently."

"My Lariette must be a genius," Asrahan thought with a pale and tired face.

"How could she mention all my changes without letting anything pass?" She was magnificent, of course. That was just Asrahan's idea, and others living in Candel Mansion took it for granted. Even for them, their master's behavior was suspicious. For those who knew the situation, his performance was too uncomfortable and embarrassing.

Asrahan began to feel restless as he prepared himself properly to make the proposal. It was due to his anxiety and anticipation that his heart felt heavy. Just imagining being married to Lariette made him feel ashamed. That's why it was difficult for him to make eye contact with her. 

The reason he worked so hard was to be able to enjoy the trips he would take with her comfortably. And the reason he went out frequently was to prepare a proper proposal. However, he couldn't explain all of this to his beloved before the proposal. Therefore, Asrahan tried to face Lariette's piercing eyes, pretending to be calm, so as not to be caught.

"I have been busy with a lot of work these days, nothing more."

"Mmm..." Lariette's eyes sharpened at his dubious response. Asrahan spoke, feeling cold sweat running down his back.

"I still have things to do."

"Where are you going?"

"I need to finish up some things," Asrahan hurried to leave before her accusations continued.

He wasn't happy with the situation he was in. No matter how much he wanted to propose to her, he didn't want to lie to her. He felt more comfortable being silent or avoiding being by her side.

"How strange..." Lariette continued murmuring with a distrustful voice.

In her experience, there was a reason why Asrahan would escape like this. She even asked where he was going, but he only informed her that he was going out, not where he would go, like a person who didn't want to disclose his destination.

After he left in the carriage, Lariette crossed her arms and wandered around the mansion. As she walked, she tried to organize the situation in her head and soon arrived at the training center, where she saw a familiar face.

"Sir Gerard!"

"Hello, Lady" Gerard nodded his head and greeted her.

After hearing that her master would propose to her, Gerard's attitude towards Lariette became more polite.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I didn't come on purpose... I have something to ask you."

"You can ask anything, I'll try to answer, from the master's weapon preferences, his three sizes, to the color of his underwear."

"How do you know?" Lariette squinted her eyes again, and then Melissa, who was standing next to Gerard, kicked him in the calves to make him stop saying nonsense.

"Ugh! Yes, it's just a joke. I can really answer anything, haha."

"Well, where has he gone now?"

Gerard regretted what he had just said. He shouldn't have said where he went. His eyes flickered as if he was frightened.

"Is it true that he went to the Palace?"

To make matters worse, Lariette asked in detail, as if she already knew the answer. Large drops of sweat ran down Gerard's forehead.

"Well, I'm not sure, maybe? Haha..."

"Then why weren't Gerard and Melissa with him today? Whenever we go to the Palace, they always come with us."

"The Duke! My Lord said he would like to go alone today."

"..."

"I mean..." Gerard's reaction raised suspicions about Asrahan.

Of course, Lariette believed in him. She didn't think he would do something strange, but she was upset because he suddenly kept a secret from her.

"Hey, he must have his reasons. I should go out for ice cream and relax."

She would just go to a store to have ice cream. Lariette nodded and talked to herself as if she was persuading herself.

"Alright, I'd like to go to the center. Could you prepare a carriage?"

She was thinking of buying ice cream at a famous store in the city. She was a girl who unknowingly was getting closer to the truth, as if catching a mouse while tiptoeing.

"Uh, well, there's no coachman, so it's going to be difficult now!"

"Why is there no coachman? There are five coachmen working for Duke Candel. One took a vacation, and another is driving the carriage Asrahan is in, so there should be three left."

"Does she know everything now that she's about to become the next Duchess?"

Gerard closed his eyes and felt discouraged. Melissa wanted to cut off his tongue with the pathetic excuse he gave. If he kept saying nonsense, she would only grow more suspicious.

"It seems that Sir Gerard is feeling unwell today. I will accompany you."

"Yes, Lady Melissa," Gerard sighed at Melissa's appearance, helping Lariette. He wanted to know what she was going to do.

"Anyway, it's best to just leave before she continues to suspect. He shouldn't run away from her anymore."

Melissa turned her head after saying that, but there was something she didn't know. It was the fact that something bad would happen. Uncomfortable situations always followed her, and as proof of that, Lariette, who arrived at the center, had to witness it—the figure of Asrahan standing with Shelia.

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Asrahan was constantly searching for a gift that Lariette would like. He went to all the famous boutiques as well as several jewelry stores. No matter the cost, he wanted to buy her something precious. He even considered buying an island, so the jewels wouldn't seem expensive to her. But no matter how much he searched, nothing he saw pleased him.

Even the most expensive and famous accessories seemed insufficient to propose to Lariette, who was so noble and beautiful. He searched through the stores without taking a break, but even today, there were no results.

"Instead of this... It would be nice to have something like a treasure that has been passed down through generations."

For example, a national treasure owned by the Imperial Family. Asrahan rested his chin on his hand and continued with a very dangerous thought. Suddenly, a sudden scream interrupted his thoughts.

"Ah!"

It was a scream as if his ears were being torn apart. Asrahan furrowed his brow and turned his head in the direction of the sound. He came face to face with a woman he had seen somewhere before, trembling in fear. She had long platinum hair and droopy pink eyes. Shortly after, he remembered her name, Shelia Mirchen. There was no way he could forget the name of the person who dared to insult Lariette.

"I... greet Duke Candel," Shelia bowed her head, her body trembling, showing extreme fear towards him.

Shelia clearly confirmed the identity of the monstrous Duke before her eyes. She had heard unpleasant rumors about his appearance, but he possessed great beauty.

"If he heard the rumors I made up..."

Shelia's face turned paler due to the terrible thoughts in her head. Being decapitated, even if he didn't kill her, she could still be afraid of death. But unexpectedly, Asrahan walked past her indifferently. He did so because he didn't want to get involved with her any further, but she understood it differently.

"He really doesn't care! So the rumor is true..."

The story about Asrahan had always been an interesting gossip in the social world, and the recent rumor that had been circulating was, 'Duke of Candel broke up with Princess Blanche.' She didn't know what happened between the two, but no one had seen him with Lariette for a while, so it was very possible. It was known that she ran away when he ended the war.

It was evident that it was a unilateral decision, as the Duke who returned from the war stirred up the entire capital to find the woman with pink hair. That could be an opportunity. That thought lit up Shelia's eyes. Although Asrahan was terrifying, he was still the best way to gain power.

"Duke Candel, wait! There's something I want to say."

Shelia quickly jumped and approached Asrahan's side, despite the fear of potentially losing her life. However, he only raised an eyebrow at her action, not wanting to waste his time. But before he could stop her, she continued speaking in a pitiful voice.

"I'm really sorry. I've always wanted to apologize for my rudeness that day."

"What a bother," Asrahan ignored her apology with a merciless expression. He attempted to pass by her again, brushing her to the side. If she hadn't mentioned that name, he would have done so.

"I would also like to apologize to Princess Blanche, but I couldn't reach her... Could you let me see her if it's possible? I want to apologize properly."

Asrahan's eyes showed fierceness because Shelia had been unpleasant by daring to mention Lariette's name or surname with her filthy mouth. She couldn't see his angry face because she bowed her head and closed her eyes. She simply clenched her fists and trembled, showing her anger.

"No," it was obvious that Asrahan didn't want Shelia to meet Lariette. He wouldn't even be pleased to hear her name. Thus, Asrahan coldly refused, hoping that his tone could effectively convey his disgust. But someone who was stupid would always remain stupid.

"As expected, you two broke up!"

"Yes, I won't have to apologize and make a fool of myself. It would probably be unpleasant to hear about your ex," Shelia unleashed her imagination. The thrill of thinking that Lariette was going through a hard time was quite enjoyable. Surely, she had been expelled from her family, and Duke Candel had broken up with her. Asrahan walked away again after seeing Shelia trembling and still bowing her head. He no longer wanted to waste his time. If she was bothersome, he would press her properly. Fortunately or unfortunately, she made the first sensible decision in her life—letting him go in silence.

"Oh, take care, Duke Candel!" Shelia's charming voice was heard from behind him. Asrahan continued walking, suppressing his annoyance, and planning to visit another boutique.

But shortly after, Asrahan had to stop again. It was because he encountered an unexpected person.

"...Lariette?" Asrahan's face showed embarrassment. The person he loved the most was looking at him with the most terrifying expression, but there was no need to be surprised. "What brings you here...?"

His blue eyes swayed from side to side, and soon they turned towards Lariette's hand. Seeing the ice cream, it seemed like she had gone out to buy it. Then, his gaze caught Melissa standing next to her. She seemed embarrassed as she didn't expect to confront Asrahan like this. An incredibly fierce voice came out of Lariette's mouth.

"Asrahan, pretending to go to the Imperial Palace... Were you on a date with Lady Mirchen?" Lariette's eyes curved into thin crescents, and there was a bright smile on the edge of her lips.

She was smiling, but it didn't seem like a genuine smile. That must have been her angry face.

"No, no, not at all. It's just a misunderstanding," Asrahan urgently confessed his innocence. It was unfair to him.

"I just happened to come across her. We exchanged a few words, and I didn't want to see her even for a second," Asrahan quickly explained, desperately asserting his innocence. It was unfair for him.

"I just went out to buy a gift for Lariette, and I'm facing such a difficult situation!"

Lariette looked directly into Asrahan's eyes, her blue gaze was serious, and she didn't seem to be lying.

"So, why did you come to the city? You don't even tell me where you're going."

The unanswerable question resurfaced, and Asrahan could only groan and couldn't say anything, twisting his hands nervously.

"You can't answer me, even in a situation where you could be misunderstood. What the hell are you hiding with so much mystery?"

Lariette bit her lips tightly in the face of the wave of unease. There must be a different reason if it was about Asrahan, although she didn't know it, she couldn't help but think about it.

"... I'll leave first."

Finally, Lariette walked away from Asrahan, because she didn't want to say anything uncomfortable. She was upset and emotional.

He reached out to grab her, but he couldn't catch her. He still couldn't explain why, so he thought he didn't deserve to stop her. Melissa, who stood between them and watched the situation with a puzzled face, stared at him with an expression that said 'idiot', then whispered with a voice that Lariette couldn't hear.

"Sir, are you stupid?"

"..."

"It's important to propose in a perfect situation, but there's something more important."

"What... is it?" Asrahan showed a dejected expression and urged Melissa.

She replied, thinking that the men around her were fools except for Hallstein's deacon.

"Lady Lariette's happiness."

It was a very obvious answer.

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That day, Asrahan returned to the mansion very late at night. Lariette was angrier than before, which was understandable. But it wasn't enough for him to return to the mansion immediately to apologize. Anger got to her head when he didn't come home for dinner. She, who had waited for him for a long time, returned to the room exhausted and tried to force herself to sleep in bed. But her heart was so hurt that she couldn't sleep. After a few hours, a knock on the door sounded, waking her up from her insomnia.

Knock, knock

"Lariette, can I come in for a moment?"

Originally, it was her who would welcome him by running barefoot, but today she didn't. Lariette didn't respond and turned to the other side of the bed. Asrahan quickly noticed that she was awake but intentionally didn't respond. He hesitated for a moment and opened the door.

"Excuse me for a moment."

Upon hearing the sound of the door opening, Lariette was surprised and opened her eyes. She felt like he was sneaking in.

"What? Why did he come?"

It was an unscrupulous attitude that emphasized courtesy. He sat on a chair near the bed and took a moment to breathe before calmly continuing to speak.

"The reason I went to the city today..."

"Oh, you're trying to clarify things."

Lariette's mouth curved briefly. It seemed like she felt better just by trying to clarify the misunderstanding in a day.

"It was to prepare..."

"What are you preparing?" Lariette sat up, looking at him as she asked. She tried to maintain a cold expression, but as soon as she saw him, her eyes softened.

"Why is he so well-dressed?"

Asrahan was wearing an outfit that would leave anyone speechless. His hair was carefully styled, and he was dressed perfectly splendid, like when he went to see the Imperial Family. Just before falling asleep, her heart was pounding because she saw such an exalted figure. He even gave her a beautiful smile, his eyes curved. When she faced that smile and heard his words, she felt something. Every inch of her body tingled with excitement.

Thump, thump<

That was the sound of a rapidly beating heart. Asrahan finally spoke.

"I... I'm ready to propose to you."