The Archduke’s Flower Is in Danger - Chapter 12

The date for the Grand Ducal wedding was finalized. It was set for exactly one week before the Grand Duchess’s entrance into the Imperial University. With only about a month left to prepare, the servants of the Grand Ducal residence became frantic.

The ceremony was to be held at the residence’s chapel, followed by a celebratory banquet. Because the event would be attended by the Emperor himself and every notable noble family in the Empire, everyone devoted their heart and soul to the preparations.

In particular, as this was a monumental life event for the Grand Duke to whom they were so loyal, no negligence could be tolerated. Marlene was in charge of interior redecoration and event preparation, while Gregory handled external guest relations and protocol.

“Lady Idel, here is the budget breakdown related to the construction.”

“I have also prepared the guest list for the wedding and the draft for the invitations. Oh, and this is the budget execution statement sent up from the Helios Duchy.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work. You can leave them there.”

The three individuals—Idel Fleure, Marlene, and Gregory—gathered in the Grand Duchess’s study to handle the various affairs of the household, centering around the wedding preparations. Marlene and Gregory had managed the housekeeping and administration on behalf of the busy Grand Duke, but now the prospective Grand Duchess occupied that space with them.

“I cannot say how relieved I am that Lady Idel has arrived.”

Gregory’s eyes sparkled with joy as he watched Idel meticulously examine the documents on her desk. Since getting approval from the perpetually busy Grand Duke used to take forever, he was beyond grateful for a prospective Grand Duchess who processed paperwork quickly and thoroughly.

Marlene was also in the midst of admiring the lady’s broad perspective and intelligence. Having already perfectly mastered the manual for Duchesses, Idel was handling even the administrative tasks Gregory used to perform without any difficulty.

“A telegram just arrived. His Grace says today’s meeting is running long, and his return will be delayed.”

Gregory relayed the news from the Grand Duke. At the mention of Kaeron, Idel’s movements as she organized the papers momentarily halted.

“It seems you will have to have dinner without the Grand Duke again tonight.”

Marlene wore a piteous expression, thinking of the Grand Duke whom Idel hadn’t seen all day since he left early in the morning. Mealtime was the only point in the day where the busy Grand Duke and his prospective bride could normally face each other. Having been surprised by the Duke’s tender care for her at first, the servants had now come to secretly look forward to attending their meals.

“It cannot be helped. It is alright.”

Idel offered a faint smile, as if to comfort Marlene’s upset expression.

“We have a lot of work as well, so a simple meal would be best. Could you just bring something suitable to the study so you don’t have to go through the trouble of a full setup?”

“Yes, I understand. Please wait just a moment.”

As Marlene left to prepare the meal, Idel’s hands began to move over the documents again. Her eyes were fixed on the papers, but her gaze was sliding past the letters.

What is this feeling?

It was strange. She told herself she was relieved not to have to face him, yet somehow, the feeling was not a pleasant one.

Ever since the night of the dinner hosted by the Emperor, Idel had felt uncomfortable facing Kaeron. Consequently, she had been intentionally avoiding any situation where she might run into him. It wasn’t because of the anxiety caused by his inscrutable nature as before. Rather, it was his behavior—showing his emotions more clearly—that plunged her into an unfamiliar sense of unrest.

Why? It is merely a contract.

They were a pair destined to part after three years. Since it was a temporary relationship, it was fine to maintain a proper distance. Moreover, she had assumed that, given the Grand Duke’s personality, he would certainly act that way.

However.

—I fell for her. At first sight. My Grand Duchess.

As the words he spoke at the last banquet came back to her, Idel’s eyelashes trembled.

—For even now… I am sufficiently intoxicated by her.

The warmth of his fingers interlacing with hers was unforgettable. Soon, the memory of the hot sensation against the inside of her wrist resurfaced, and she unconsciously rubbed the spot his lips had touched. Her earlobes turned bright red, and she hurriedly shook her head.

Don’t be a fool. Do not let yourself be shaken.

The side of him he showed before the Emperor and Roseline was surely a matter of etiquette toward the Grand Duchess, just as he had done before the servants. It was likely nothing more than his consideration to keep their contractual relationship hidden.

She bit her lip and tried to refocus on her work.

Get it together. Focus on the duties of the Grand Duchess.

But her mind was already full. Full of helpless thoughts about him.

A slender beam of light leaked through the gap of the Grand Duchess’s study door. Marlene paced in front of the door, worried about the prospective Grand Duchess working so late into the night.

Just as Marlene reached out to open the door, carrying a blanket for fear the girl might fall ill in the chilly night air, she heard footsteps approaching. Marlene turned her head.

“Your Grace!”

Marlene brightened at the sight of Kaeron Roman de Helios walking down the hallway. Dressed in a frock coat for his outing, the Grand Duke seemed to have come straight here the moment he arrived at the mansion.

Kaeron looked alternately at the study where the light remained on and the blanket Marlene was holding. Marlene wore a troubled expression as the Grand Duke’s brow furrowed in disapproval.

“I was just about to advise Lady Idel to go to bed.”

Marlene added quickly as the Duke’s expression remained unchanged.

“I am constantly amazed at how quickly she adapts to the work. She was already brilliant, but she works so hard late into the night that it’s only natural.”

“…So she is working late alone. While everyone else has retired for the night.”

“Well…”

Marlene hesitated and fell silent. Even if she explained that Idel had insisted Marlene rest and practically pushed her out of the study, it didn’t seem like the Grand Duke’s displeasure would fade.

“Tell Gregory to come to my study early tomorrow morning.”

“I understand.”

Marlene silently prayed for Gregory’s fate.

“Give that to me. You should rest as well.”

Kaeron reached out and took the blanket from Marlene. Watching his retreating back as he opened the door and entered the study, Marlene let out a small sigh. She vowed to herself that from tomorrow on, she would never leave the study before the prospective Grand Duchess.

The moment he opened the study door, her scent filled the room and pierced his lungs. His grip on the blanket tightened naturally.

The illumination in the room wavered along with the flickering flame of the oil lamp. On the wall, the shadow of a man covering a woman asleep at her desk with a blanket was cast.

Perhaps because of the warm, cream-colored light, the face of the sleeping woman looked peaceful. Kaeron watched her for a long time. He knew that lately, she had been avoiding him, her eyes filled with vigilance like a startled deer. There was no way he was unaware of that subtle shift in her heart.

Because that was my intention.

She was a woman who didn’t know how to play wicked tricks like the other women he had seen. If she had resembled her half-sister even a little, he wouldn’t have had to think so deeply.

It might have been easier if she had.

It would have been better if she had easily opened her heart to the tenderness he showed, but every time he did, she grew flustered and ultimately averted her gaze. Like someone who had never received affection in her life.

A flower of Fleure born without a scent.

It was absurd. That this fragrance, which felt so vivid to him, was imperceptible to others. Simultaneously, he felt a surge of anger whenever he saw her face darken as she sank into her inner shadows. Even though she had left the Count’s estate, that ancient abyss seemed to still hold her.

The reason he first decided to keep this woman by his side was clear.

I want to hold her. I want to possess her.

To silence this uncontrollable, unfamiliar craving. He thought that perhaps this burning thirst would vanish if he had his fill of her. But the woman did not easily yield.

Winning a woman’s heart was not a difficult task for him. The countless women who had swarmed like moths to gain his attention proved that fact. Yet, only this woman was busy fleeing from him. From their first meeting until now, even after he had brought her to the Grand Ducal House using a contract as bait.

In order to catch her, he expressed a special interest in another person that he had never shown before. To a degree that surprised even himself. Whether that originated from his initial purpose or was a change that occurred after peering into her abyss, he did not know.

“Mmm…”

A slender moan escaped from between the woman’s slightly parted lips. Her face, with all defenses down, was vulnerable.

Kaeron slowly lowered his head. The distance between her sleeping lips and his grew shorter. The impulse to steal her fragrant breath dominated his entire being. However, at a distance where they were almost touching, he stopped.

While he wanted to blindly indulge his desire, the contradictory emotion of wanting to protect her so she wouldn’t break created a distance of hesitation between them.

“Your Grace?”

In the fleeting moment created by that distance, Idel slowly opened her eyes. Still hazy with sleep, her eyes landed on the Grand Duke’s face right before her. She assumed the figure of the Grand Duke entering her vision was a dream.

Now he even appears in my dreams.

She had spent all day buried in work to erase thoughts of him. Yet, to think she was dreaming of him like this, she gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. If it was a dream, surely it was fine to stare as much as she wanted. Her eyes, blurred and dim, traced his features as if slowly engraving them into her mind.

The firm jaw, the perfectly drawn lips, the sharp bridge of the nose, and the deep-set eyes.

As her gaze traveled upward, Kaeron’s eyes also grew hot, as if a fire were being kindled. His blue eyes began to ripple, taking on an even deeper hue. As her pupils met his, they dilated and wavered minutely.

It was that exact gaze. The one she wanted so desperately to avoid. Idel’s eyelashes trembled as she whispered in a piteous voice.

“Please, do not do this…”

It was a plea of desperate entreaty.

“Please, do not shake me so…”

Because I am afraid, I will fall for you.

Swallowing the final words, she closed her eyes again as if seeking sleep. Though it would bring a moment of happiness, she knew a dream was something she would eventually have to wake from.