I Refuse This Life, Your Highness! - Chapter 61

It would be fitting to describe it as their relentless nature.

“Are they reproaching me for not wearing the bracelet to the banquet?”

“Possibly. Just in case, Count, investigate the bracelet.”

“Understood.”

Count Kiara carefully closed the bracelet box and set it beside her, seemingly intending to take it home for a thorough examination. At that moment, Ryol shrugged and remarked:

“Isn’t it more like a message to wear it to the Emperor’s upcoming birthday banquet?”

“Ah, the birthday banquet…”

I recalled a fact I didn’t want to think about. The Emperor’s birthday was approaching. That peacock-like man wanted to celebrate his birthday with more extravagance than anyone else in the empire. The largest hall in the imperial palace, opened only once a year, would host most of the empire’s nobility. Nobles from distant regions might have already begun their journeys by now.

“Bi.”

“Yes?”

As I was lost in thought about the birthday banquet, the Duke suddenly called out to me. Turning to look at him, I found him gazing at me with an unusual hint of anxiety.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

“The banquet is… three weeks away.”

“Yes, I know.”

“…”

“…Ah.”

It finally dawned on me why the Duke was acting this way. The deadline we had agreed upon—three months—was only ten days away. Talking about the banquet required acknowledging the promise made before it. Would I return to Airdren or not?

I gazed silently at the Duke’s face.

The hands that once knocked on my window amid a blizzard. The warmth that embraced me. The deep eyes fixed on me. The voice that whispered words so similar to mine.

Even if his love were to change someday… I felt certain he wouldn’t let me die as he had before. After all, he claimed to have seen it—me, smiling happily.

The Duke had already lived his seventh life for me.

If that wasn’t love, what in the world could be called love? Yet I also understood that there is no such thing as “never” in a person’s heart. Once the cycles ended and stability returned, it was possible that a love no longer faced with adversity might fade, like a fire losing its fuel.

Still, it didn’t matter. Because I loved him. And even if his feelings were to drift away, the Duke wouldn’t let me meet such a tragic end again. That much, I was sure of.

I clasped the Duke’s hand tightly.

“I’ll attend the Emperor’s birthday banquet with you, Your Highness.”

“…Yurane.”

“Ahem!”

The Duke’s body, which had been leaning slightly toward me, froze.

“…”

I too had momentarily lost myself in my thoughts and forgotten where we were. This was the Count’s reception room, and present were Count Kiara, Reya, Sir Leon, and even Ryol Manas, who had just cleared his throat.

Blushing furiously, I hastily distanced myself from the Duke. Reya remained expressionless, Sir Leon turned his head away as if feigning indifference, but Ryol whistled openly.

“Congratulations, Your Highness! You’ve won your love!”

“What…!”

“Isn’t that so? If you deny it, Your Highness might start crying because of how delighted you look right now.”

“Who’s crying? Ahem, ahem. Your Highness, we should discuss this matter later…”

“Of course. Prince, don’t mention Bi casually in front of me again.”

The latter remark was directed at Ryol. Despite addressing a prince from another country, the Duke spoke in a casual tone. Judging by the lack of protest, it seemed this was how they typically interacted. Ryol chuckled and moved away from me, plopping down next to Reya. Startled, Reya glared at him.

“My, my. All the beautiful ladies here have such fiery personalities.”

“It’s you who provokes people,” I said.

Reya glanced at me, her gaze saying she agreed. At that moment, Count Kiara clapped her hands to bring order to the chaotic atmosphere.

“I’ll take the bracelet home and investigate it. Your Highness, if Bi intends to stay in Iserre, there’s much to prepare. First, a deputy and a bodyguard are essential.”

The Duke nodded. Though I had been handling duchess duties, I had always needed a deputy. However, other priorities kept pushing this task back. The same went for a bodyguard. The Duke always accompanied me when I went out, and other pressing matters left no time to officially appoint a knight.

“Someone suitable as a deputy… Count, you can’t spare much time except for training, can you? Bi, do you have anyone in mind?”

He was asking, considering even my memories of past lives. I tilted my head thoughtfully, then suddenly looked straight ahead.

The perfect candidate was sitting right there.

“Reya.”

“…Yes?”

“What do you think of Reya?”

A brief silence passed. Everyone’s gaze turned to Reya.

If a deputy were to be chosen, there was no one better than Reya. He was a Lamia like me and had surely received training for such responsibilities.

“Have you learned the duties of a lord’s wife?”

“Yes, well… I have.”

“Then.”

The Duke rested his hand on his chin in thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

“Now that I think about it, you’re the perfect fit. Besides, you don’t seem to have much to do right now.”

Reya had been shutting herself away in her quarters, consumed by the depression caused by her regression. While I felt guilty for suddenly assigning her a task, perhaps this might actually help lift her spirits. After all, starting my duties as the duchess had revitalized me.

“…Understood.”

Though her expression was sullen, Reya nodded reluctantly, as if she had no choice. Naturally, she wouldn’t like it. But right now, she was the most trustworthy person and the ideal candidate to assist me with my duties.

“In that case, I’ll be the bodyguard,” chimed in an unwelcome voice just as I was feeling satisfied with my decision. It was Ryol, raising one hand like a student eager to be called on, while sitting beside Reya.

“But you’re not skilled in combat,” I pointed out.

“True, but I’m excellent at running away,” he replied cheekily.

“Leon,” the Duke interjected, completely ignoring Ryol’s comment. He turned to his knight, who stood at attention, ready to take orders.

“You will serve as Bi’s bodyguard.”

“Me? But…” Leon hesitated, clearly unsure.

Leon was the Duke’s lieutenant and closest confidant. If I were to take him, what would happen to the Duke? I looked at him worriedly, but the Duke shook his head.

“If losing one knight would cripple the order, we would’ve been wiped out by monsters long ago. Sir Leon, are you up to the task?”

“It would be an honor. I will do my utmost to serve and protect Bi, Your Highness,” Leon replied earnestly.

Unlike his usual laid-back demeanor, Leon stood with his hands clasped behind his back, exuding seriousness and dignity befitting the Duke’s knight.

“The formal appointment will be tomorrow,” the Duke concluded.

“Yes, Your Highness!” Leon saluted.

“Understood,” I added.

“See? I could’ve done it just as well,” Ryol muttered, though no one paid him any attention.

Evening had come. With their new assignments decided, the group headed to the dining hall together. The meal was simple yet satisfying, and afterward, drinks were brought to the table. I sipped a distilled spirit aged in a charred cask.

Surprisingly, the mood during dinner wasn’t bad. Though the Duke appeared cold and aloof, he smiled and joked more than I expected around his knights. Leon, naturally talkative, kept the atmosphere lively, and Ryol’s antics made the setting even more cheerful.

Reya, however, merely observed—or perhaps judged—them, silently sipping a cocktail mixed with orange juice and fruit liqueur. She didn’t seem fond of alcohol, likely unable to handle much.

“Reya.”

“…Yes?”

Reya turned her head toward me.

“…I’ll be counting on you.”

I deliberately avoided apologizing. Knowing Reya’s personality, an apology would only irritate her more. Even so, my words didn’t seem to sit well with her either. She drained her cocktail in one go and ordered something stronger.

“…”

I remembered something Reya had once said: that she hated me. She had claimed I’d understand her words one day. Should I feel sorry? It seemed that day had indeed come. Reya’s hatred for me was only natural.

Both the Duke and I had made mistakes. But Reya had done nothing wrong—she had merely made a deal with the Duke. Yet she had suffered the most. While her goal of avenging her brother’s death was achieved, she still hadn’t secured her rightful place as the official heir to the barony.

Should I be grateful to her?

I struggled to find the right words when a servant arrived with the stronger drink Reya had ordered. Thank goodness. As long as we both kept drinking, the silence wouldn’t feel too awkward. Just as Reya reached for her glass, a large hand suddenly appeared and took it.

“…?”

Both Reya and I stared in confusion at the hand’s owner. It was Ryol. He drained the potent cocktail in one gulp, leaving only the ice rattling in the glass.

“What the…?”

“It looked delicious, so I thought I’d try it. Here, bring some tea with distilled sugarcane spirit and fruit syrup,” Ryol instructed the servant casually. “Her Excellency’s deputy seems to have a sweet tooth.”

The flustered servant quickly bowed and left. Reya sighed loudly, as if to express her sheer exasperation.

“Ha, my apologies. Forgive me, Bi. I can’t help but be kind when I see a Lamia,” Ryol said with a laugh.

“…Prince, that was neither kind nor appropriate,” Reya retorted sharply. “And your words were quite rude.”

“Really? I disagree. My mother was a Lamia, so perhaps it’s just in my nature.”

…Whether Ryol’s mother had been a Lamia or married to one was none of my concern. All I knew was that Ryol’s overly flirtatious demeanor was exhausting. His personality didn’t match mine at all.

As I pondered ways to get rid of him, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor caught my attention. Someone was rising from their seat. Thinking I might use this as an excuse to leave as well, I lifted my head only to widen my eyes in surprise.

The Duke had stood and was walking toward me.

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