Chapter: 63
It was probably a penalty for breaking my promise to Lather, but no matter how hard I tried to close my eyes, I just couldn’t fall asleep. I felt certain that if I just shut them for a moment, I would drift off right away. Was it Lather’s curse? In the end, I couldn’t manage to doze off until the others arrived for club time.
“Lady Louise, Erich. You were the first ones here.”
Ainter, who entered ahead of the others, was taken aback to find only Louise and Erich, and when he spotted me huddled in the corner, he relaxed his expression. He must have thought nothing much had happened with three of us in the room.
Unfortunately for Ainter, there was a moment when the two of them were alone while I was absent. However, surprisingly enough, nothing out of the ordinary occurred during that time either. Quite the marvel, really.
‘I wonder if we’ll settle this before graduation.’
The battle for Louise’s heart must conclude before these guys graduate. They should at least accept defeat and head back to their homelands; if the rivalry continues post-graduation, they could be around the Empire causing chaos. Just the thought of it brings me joy. It’s too delightful!
Still, if it goes to extra innings, I believe I won’t need to keep my eyes on these fellows personally. I really hope so.
“Oh dear, so it was just the three of you? If I had known, I would have ditched class and joined you sooner!”
At Rutis’s bold admission of class skipping, I quietly cast my eyes to the floor. There is absolutely no way a sequel is happening after graduation! Even if the original had a part two or three, I’m firmly finishing things up in the Academy.
A sacrifice for my mental health.
*
Last night, I heard that Carl had suddenly been called to the capital.
— I heard that the Mage Duchess was looking for that guy.
“Father.”
— Yes, it’s true. She was looking for Carl.
My father seemed displeased with Carl for turning down the marriage proposal, yet he also held some fondness for him—a confusing mix. It seems he still considers him as a potential son-in-law. That’s why even if he speaks a bit harshly about Carl, he’s quick to let it go whenever I request a correction. My father really is not the most straightforward person!
Anyway, Carl’s unexpected trip to the capital… Thankfully, he returned in the afternoon, but the fact that the Mage Duchess personally sought him out is what’s concerning me. It’s that… um, honestly, she’s a person who makes me uneasy. So, as soon as morning broke, I headed over to the pastry club room.
‘There’s no way… it can’t be!’
The image of the Mage Duchess came to mind, then her age, and lastly, the fact that she has elven blood running through her veins. In a blink, a flurry of thoughts swirled around my head. If, just if what I’m thinking is right…
‘What if she’s trying to win Carl over too?’
I bit my lip at the shocking possibility. I had thought I was the only one. I had foolishly believed that only I, Marghetta Valenti, deserved to be at Carl’s side. But what if the Mage Duchess steps in?
‘No way, that can’t be true!’
I shook my head, trying to dismiss the anxious thoughts. She’s lived alone for over a hundred years. She wouldn’t just change her mind like that. Surely their meeting was purely for official business. It has to be that way!
Yeah, for now, all I’m doing is going to see Carl, who I haven’t seen in ages. I just happened to overhear some news last night; I’m not distressed or anything. If I leave Carl unattended for too long, he might feel let down, right? Yes, that’s it!
Having reassured myself several times, I finally arrived in front of the clubroom, adjusted my clothes, and knocked gently on the door.
“Carl? Are you in there?”
But there was no response. Weird. He should definitely be here at this hour!
‘Don’t tell me… again?’
Has the Mage Duchess nabbed him for the second day in a row? That’s outrageous! Who uses their power in such a way? It’s downright petty; I could never dream of doing such a thing!
Suppressing the rising frustration, I opened the door. If Carl wasn’t around, I could wait. Even if he’s out, he’ll return to the clubroom eventually. If it’s Carl, he’d probably feel guilty about me waiting here.
“…Carl?”
As I stepped into the clubroom, what I saw was rather unexpected. There he was! Just, he was sprawled out on the desk, fast asleep.
So, he hadn’t responded because he was napping!
Filled with curiosity about this sight I’d never seen before, I tiptoed closer. It was my first time witnessing Carl in slumber, and I hadn’t anticipated seeing it until we were married and living together under one roof!
‘He’s so handsome!’
As I gazed at Carl’s face, a satisfied grin crept onto my own. How beautiful would the child born from us be? Would they have black hair and green eyes? Or perhaps red hair and black eyes? Maybe we would have a daughter who resembled him perfectly or a son who looked like me.
Either option is fine. Black and red go well together, so whatever we get will surely be cute. Fufu, fufufu…
‘But what about white…’
A seemingly random thought made me bite my lip again. Black and white? What even is that combination?! It simply doesn’t mix!
Watching Carl sleeping soundly while I was filled with anxiety from the previous night made me feel a bit vexed. I hadn’t been able to sleep properly; meanwhile, he was snoozing like a baby. Even if it is Carl, at this moment, I couldn’t help but feel just a bit spiteful.
Although Carl is technically mine, I can bide my time until he is completely mine. Still, my heart can’t help but flutter whenever he’s out and about.
‘Mine?’
My gaze drifted to Carl’s mouth. Mine. Right now, he’s just roaming around.
By that logic… wouldn’t he need some kind of owner’s mark?
Almost lost in a trance, I leaned toward Carl’s face but snapped back to reality just in time, drawing back hastily. No! I can’t waste our first time like this! What significance would it carry if Carl wouldn’t even remember it?
Feeling embarrassed, I turned away and fanned myself to cool off my blush. I was anxious, yeah, anxious! Pft! Even if I’ve unwittingly neglected Carl, rushing things like this was not okay.
“Mar? When did you arrive?”
Before long, I heard his voice.
T-that was close…
*
Unlike yesterday, the moment I stepped into the clubroom, I fell asleep immediately. When I opened my eyes again, I saw Marghetta looking quite flustered.
‘That could’ve been a disaster if I had opened my eyes a little sooner!’
In fact, I had awakened a while ago. I was still groggy while the door creaked open, but once Marghetta drew near, her presence forced me to wake up. I attempted to sit up and greet her, but my instincts held me back.
Marghetta had come so close that I could feel her breath on my face. My eyes were closed, so I had no clue what was going on, but one thing was for sure: if I opened my eyes now, a painfully awkward situation would unfold—one that would probably keep us apart for a while.
As soon as I sensed her moving away, I opened my eyes and sat up. Thankfully, I had managed to avoid an exceedingly awkward moment.
“Ah, Carl. You’re awake?”
Marghetta greeted me with casual nonchalance, but her face was so red that it barely distinguishable from her hair. I tried my best to overlook it, but how could I not notice when the person in question was right there?
“I’m sorry for welcoming you with a sleepy face, Mar.”
“That’s alright. After all, I came without any warning.”
She smiled while covering her mouth with a fan. Just a single line, but I could feel her desperation to change the subject. Poor thing. If I had woken up quicker, I probably would have witnessed Marghetta fleeing in tears.
Though I couldn’t see her intentions, I could certainly speculate. It would be a bit foolish not to. I’m not Erich, after all.
“I deeply appreciate your consideration. Really.”
“Fufu, don’t mention it.”
Seeing Marghetta smile made me smirk bitterly. Did I really have the right to call Erich a fool? In some ways, I might actually be worse than he is.
“Ah, I kept you standing this whole time. Please take a seat. Would you care for some tea?”
Hoping to redeem myself, I realized I hadn’t even offered Marghetta a seat. We had both been so wrapped up in our thoughts that we’d somehow ended up standing. When I finally referenced sitting down, she shook her head slightly to decline.
“I’m alright. Honestly, I’m more worried about you, Carl. You seem worn out.”
“I’m fine. My body just feels a little heavy.”
“That’s what most people call being tired.”
Marghetta tilted her head, scanned the clubroom, and then spoke again.
“If you’re fatigued, you can rest in my office. There’s a place for lying down there.”
I was aware of that, having spent time in the vice president’s office while preparing for the club fair. The sofa there was comfortable enough for one person to lay down.
“It’s fine. I wouldn’t want to impose on you, Mar.”
“Oh really? I don’t consider it an imposition, so you’re welcome to come over whenever.”
Her bright smile seemed to indicate that she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I could easily turn the tables by asking, “But Mar, what were you doing while I was asleep?” That would quickly change the tone!
It’s a bit uncomfortable though…
In reality, the clubroom only offers desk-sleeping opportunities. Trying to rest here would only lead to more fatigue. Besides, having a designated sleeping area in the pastry department would be quite odd.
However, lying around in the dormitory felt just like a salary thief at work, and that didn’t sit well with my conscience. Plus, if something occurred at the Academy and I was stuck in the dorm, that would be a headache!
“Then is it okay if I lean on you a bit?”
“Of course!”
I felt like I had become a freeloader, but that seemed to be how it turned out.
*
If my body struggled to relax in the clubroom, my mind was under pressure in the vice president’s office.
“Ah, Carl! You can sleep a little longer.”
“It’s okay. I’ve had enough rest.”
When she offered me a spot on the sofa, I complied, but Marghetta immediately resumed her work. An adult napping while a girl three years younger worked beside him? Anyone would find that a little hard to swallow!
I bolted upright in panic, only for Marghetta to silently urge me to lie back down. This time, I genuinely ended up getting some rest. Though fatigue vanished, feeling weighed down emotionally was a different story. What sort of expression would the Iron-Blooded Duke wear if he learned of this?
“If you ever feel tired, don’t hesitate to come back here. It’s perfectly fine for me!”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t perfectly fine for me.
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