Chapter 247
I could hear a strangely shaky voice from beyond the door, but I tried my best to ignore it.
“Makes sense.”
Ever since I blindsided Marcilio with my real name attack, we hadn’t met, let alone kept in touch. Naturally, he was probably in a panic. The person on the other side of the door was likely Beatrix and not Marcilio.
Really, though, there are way too many means to rattle Marcilio just a little; I should jostle him happily, not bring up anything embarrassing.
“You can come in.”
After the permission was granted, the secretary who had guided me to the Mage Duchess’s office stepped back.
Honestly, I hadn’t needed a guide to the Mage Duchess’s office; I had been here a couple of times before. But with all the piercing glares from the mages, I couldn’t bring myself to say I would go alone.
If there’s a blacklist at this tower, I’m sure I’d be at the very top—listed as ‘the jerk who upset the Duchess.’
“Your Grace. I’m coming in.”
I thanked the secretary and grabbed the doorknob. Get your mind ready for what’s about to happen.
“Uh, um, you’re welcome!”
Unfortunately, that little pep talk did nothing for me.
The still-trembling voice and her quivering ears, mixed with a strangely flushed face, were not exactly classic composure.
At least I was glad no other mages were around to witness this.
“I just wanted to greet you before the year ends. Am I interrupting something?”
“Oh, I have plenty of time to see Garu, so feel free to drop by anytime.”
After I casually offered my greeting, Marcilio shook his head in response.
Wow.
I almost burst out laughing at that sight.
Her previously vibrant, trembly ears had finally calmed down. Her wandering eyes couldn’t help but dart around, peeking at me now and then. It felt like she was too shy to ask for what she wanted directly, hoping I’d read her mind instead.
I know I’m much older than her, but let me tell you, it’s kinda cute. It’s like figuring out why she’s being so flustered.
“Thank you, Beatrix.”
So I played along with her awkwardness.
“Guh…!”
And let me tell you, it worked like a charm.
The already-flushed face of Marcilio morphed into full-on tomato mode. I’m pretty sure if someone poked her, she’d burst!
Plus, her ears were flapping like they were trying a brand-new BPM dance! Seems like even if she’s embarrassed, she’s still kind of enjoying this.
“We should be able to meet without any pressure from now on. Seriously, I can drop by anytime, right?”
As I approached her, Marcilio kept nodding like a bobblehead.
“Right, right. Uh, anytime…”
“Your words and actions aren’t matching up there.”
Upon hearing that, Marcilio stiffened up, as if suddenly realizing she’d moved backward without even trying. It seems she was too busy being shy to know her feet were moving.
My remark on her awkwardness left her caught in a dilemma—too embarrassed to take another step back or to stay still.
Seeing her squirm like that ignited a playful spark in my chest. Under normal circumstances, a Duke like her would have me cowering, yet here I was, teasing her like I was some kind of brave hero!
“There’s nowhere to run this time!”
I smiled mischievously and reached out my hand.
Yeah, with this newfound courage, I felt invincible!
So there I was, eagerly touching her firmly-still ears. Honestly, I’ve been curious about how elven ears feel!
“…”
Surprisingly, Marcilio didn’t show any reaction when I pinched her ear.
Well, not exactly; she kind of couldn’t.
“Beatrix?”
Seeing the state she was in, I gently removed my hand from her ear.
Her intermittently trembling body lost all strength and slumped. Her once-bright eyes were now dim and unfocused.
Oh boy.
She completely zonked out standing like that.
Luckily, Marcilio’s consciousness returned quickly; it seemed more like she’d been overwhelmed rather than fainting.
Still, it seemed like she realized that she got a bit teased, so when she finally came to, she unleashed a maximum chill voice, trying to sound as composed as she could.
“Young lady, I am a Duke and the Mage Duchess. No matter how young you are, there should be at least a shred of respect—”
“Did you not like it?”
“…”
Well, saying it didn’t have an effect was an understatement. She wasn’t spacing out ’cause she disliked it; it was ’cause it made her too happy to think straight.
I chuckled quietly at her silence and opened my mouth again.
“If you didn’t like it, I can go back to calling you what I did before.”
“I—I didn’t say I hated it…”
“Then you should get used to it little by little.”
Hearing that, she cautiously nodded. She probably knows better than anyone that she has to get used to this pattern.
But there was something slightly sullen about her head nodding. It was as if she was happy to be called a name and have my touch, but couldn’t fully relish the joy, feeling bummed. It felt like she was lamenting her own weak defenses.
Yup, Marcilio’s defenses are seriously lacking. It’s almost worse than when Margherita first started out.
Would it be okay to give this now?
As I felt the case in my pocket, I started to feel a bit conflicted. If something as simple as a name could do that to her, would she faint the moment I present her with a ring?
Well, my pondering didn’t last long. If I came up with excuses to postpone it, I might never get to give it.
“Beatrix.”
Ring number two, here it goes!
*
This feeling was new. Joy intertwined with sadness, a sense of loss mixed with fulfillment.
The young lady took all my firsts away. Love was first, hugs were first, even lowering my pride was first. Everything was because of her. And now she was making me feel this too?
What a predicament.
It was a bittersweet feeling of self-awareness. Whereas she showcased her emotions freely, I was stuck fumbling around.
She called me by name and spoke informally without hesitation. And honestly, I had no issues with that. It felt so pleasant I could listen to her just call my name all day.
But I just couldn’t bring myself to say anything in return. Whenever she called my name, I’d shy away, stepping back instead of coming closer.
This isn’t right.
How could I call this love when I couldn’t even communicate properly?
Shouldn’t I be calling her with affection too? If she steps in closer, I should welcome her freely! Love isn’t a one-way street!
Thus, I needed to work harder. For starters, shouldn’t I be addressing her in a new way? Instead of calling her “young lady,” maybe “my lord” or even “my beloved”?
“There’s plenty of time, so I’ll just take it slow.”
A fleeting thought crossed my mind about the time I hesitantly called her “my lord,” but I swiftly swept it aside.
Anyway, I need to get used to expressing my affection. That’ll prevent something like just now occurring again!
What if I held on when she grabbed my ears?
An embarrassing thought crept in. If Marcilio had taken hold of my ears and I hadn’t zonked out, who knows what more could’ve happened?
Like maybe hugging, or maybe even petting her head, or perhaps a—!
“Beatrix!”
While I was lost in blissful daydreams, hearing my name made me jump. Did she catch on to what I was thinking?
“I’m not just here for a casual greeting.”
I blinked in surprise.
Does that matter? The very fact that she’s here is what’s important! Even if she came here to borrow cash, I’d gladly welcome her with open arms!
“It’s time I finally give you my answer.”
Seeing her pull out something made my body freeze again.
…Answer?
My brain was moving slow today. What answer is she talking about? Surely it’s not what I’m thinking?
My heart began to race. Instincts may be shouting ‘yes,’ but my rational side screamed not to get my hopes up. Nothing is uglier than being a lone wolf expecting something only to fall flat.
But—when she pulled out the little case, when that white ribbon unraveled, and when she retrieved a ring from inside—my unease fled and left joy so immense it couldn’t be put into words.
“This may seem trivial compared to everything you’ve given me, but it’s all I have to offer.”
I quickly shook my head at her awkward smile; no matter how she puts it, I couldn’t agree with that.
Trivial? That word refers to the things I’ve given her! The ring she was offering was indeed priceless and beautiful beyond compare!
“Uh, um, Beatrix…”
Then, the sight of the ring sparked a thought I had tried to ignore.
“Does…does it also have a piece that’s two become one?”
Nervously, I asked, staring at the ring on her finger. I hadn’t allowed myself to be greedy over something I thought was beyond me, but deep down, I was itching to possess it.
I had heard that Beatrix gave a unique ring to Margherita; I had received that intel from a mage stationed at the Academy, and the shape and style of the ring confirmed it.
A ring that isn’t a typical couple’s band but rather a beautiful one shared between two through joining half of one to create another. How could that not intrigue me?
“Of course.”
After a pause, Beatrix, who had been quiet, smiled and gently scratched the surface of the ring with her nail.
Just then, the ring split perfectly in half. I could feel tears well up as I gazed at it.
“I’m sorry for only giving you an answer now. I was uncertain how to express it properly.”
Gripping my left hand, she slipped on the halved ring that held a piece of the world.
“An action is worth a thousand words. Sorry for being late, right?”
“No.”
I shook my head at her words.
I looked at the ring on my hand, turned back to Beatrix, then back to the ring. The weight of such a small item weighed heavily on my heart.
“It’s not late at all.”
Smiling, I replied.
If I’ve received an answer in my life, then it’s never too late.
*
While watching Marcilio joyfully wear her second ring, I lowered my gaze with a tinge of bitterness.
I noticed a lone ring sitting inside the case.
“I’m sorry.”
Apologizing to an inanimate object seems ridiculous, but honestly, I owe it an apology. I truly felt bad.
This ring was meant to be slipped on someone’s finger and become a token of their happiness. Instead, it would forever lay dormant, untouched by the world.
I surely never expected Marcilio to want a ring, too.
“How did I get it so wrong at the first step?”
It’s sad, but what can you do? I can’t be discriminative with rings before we’re even married, right?
Besides, in my gut, I sensed that the birth of this second ring would lead to the inevitable arrival of a third, a fourth, even a fifth. It seemed I was destined to split rings for a lifetime.
Closing my eyes, I collected my swirling thoughts with a sigh. The melancholic sight of that lonely ring came back into view.
…Someday, I’ll have purpose for you.
But wait—was that a hallucination?
That ring sounded like it was cursing me out! “You absolute jerk!”
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