The Archduke’s Flower Is in Danger - Chapter 4

“A woman?”

Gregory muttered blankly, as if he could not believe his ears. As a fairly open-minded intellectual, his reaction did not stem from disregarding a woman’s abilities. He was simply startled by the unexpected fact.

“Your Grace, regarding the hiring of a female aide…”

Gregory cautiously felt out his intentions, keeping a close eye on Kaeron’s reaction.

The Grand Duke was a man who never kept women close. While he was naturally indifferent to others, this was also the result of being plagued by women who used every possible method to throw themselves at him to win his heart.

The attention focused on him—the current Emperor’s older brother and the sole Grand Duke of the Jupiter Empire—surpassed imagination.

Though he did not wear the crown, he was an unmarried Grand Duke who possessed immense wealth, power, and a brilliant appearance.

To win his favor, daughters of noble families sent invitations and love letters almost every day. Gregory, who handled the task of writing polite replies on his behalf, knew the desperate hearts of these ladies all too well.

I should be grateful they only send invitations or letters.

Gregory shook his head, remembering a certain young lady who had hidden inside the Grand Duke’s carriage last month. It was a desperate struggle to gain the attention of the indifferent Grand Duke, who would step right over a fan or handkerchief dropped intentionally in his path.

It would be troublesome if this woman named Idel Fleure also fell so hard for His Grace that she lost her senses. Gregory rubbed his chin and pondered for a moment, but he believed that a woman with this level of learning would be capable of discernment.

“Who is she?”

Kaeron, who had been silent while staring at the answer sheet for a long while, finally spoke. At his question, Gregory signaled the professor with an expectant look. Understanding the gesture, Niechen fumbled through the applicants’ personal information files.

“Number 136. Ah, here it is.”

With agile movements, Niechen pulled out a single document and politely handed it to Kaeron. The application contained the identifying information of the woman who had left behind only her name.

Idel Fleure?

Confirming the woman’s surname, Kaeron’s eyes widened slightly with a peculiar light. She was a woman who had surprised him in many ways since their first meeting.

A lady of a Count’s house.

He now understood the noble air that her modest attire could not hide. The Fleure Countship was a long-standing family that owned a vast estate in the south.

But for a lady of such a family to take the Imperial University exam.

Furthermore, the answer sheet was excellent enough to justify Gregory’s fuss. If he had to find a flaw, it was only the lack of practical examples derived from direct experience. It was a common shortcoming found in scholars who only read books, but her high-level essay was more than enough to offset it.

Kaeron tapped his finger on the answer sheet, lost in thought.

What exactly should he do with this woman?

She was a woman who stirred unnecessary emotions, yet at the same time, she was a woman he found himself constantly contemplating.

“Does this applicant pass?”

“I was also surprised to find she was a female applicant, but even when compared to other answers, this is clearly superior.”

“Then she has passed.”

“Indeed. This score is worthy of being the top of the Administration Department.”

Professor Niechen nodded with conviction. Dean Jefferson, who had been watching the conversation, asked cautiously, feeling tense at the Grand Duke’s inquiry.

“Your Grace. Is there perhaps some issue with this applicant? Though rare, the Imperial University does select female students.”

“No. There is no problem. How is the acceptance notice handled?”

“It is sent by mail through the usual procedures. For those in the capital, the acceptance certificate will arrive within a week.”

“Then write it now. That acceptance certificate.”

Dean Jefferson’s eyes widened in surprise at the Grand Duke’s command.

Idel Fleure was not her usual self.

She sat with a book on her lap, staring at it without even opening it. Bien, who was embroidering by her side, glanced at her repeatedly.

A young lady sighing while looking at her favorite book. Furthermore, a lady who could read an entire book in a single day if she set her mind to it had been holding the same book for nearly a week.

“My Lady, is something worrying you?”

“Ah. It is nothing.”

Finally unable to contain herself, Bien asked with concern. Idel gave a faint smile and said it was nothing, but she still seemed lost in thought, fiddling with the book.

Was there something wrong with the book she borrowed from the Imperial University library? The young lady would occasionally let out small sighs or fall into deep thought while looking at it.

Is it a very difficult book?

It was a quite thick volume. The title also looked different from the light novels she usually read. Since it was likely filled with difficult content one would only find in the Count’s study, she could somewhat understand why the lady was struggling.

On the other hand, contrary to Bien’s guess, it was not the content of the book that troubled Idel. It was because of a certain man who came to mind whenever she looked at it.

Kaeron Roman de Helios.

The moment she encountered him in the library archives remained vivid and unforgettable. His cold and rigorous temperament was famous in the Empire, to the point people said the Grand Duke’s royal blood would be blue rather than red.

However, the man she saw for the first time that day was completely different from the rumors. His actions were persistent to the point of being rude, and his gaze was fierce and intense enough to be called predatory.

Idel stroked the inside of the wrist where he had held her. Recalling that day, the spot his hand touched felt hot, as if burned.

Why did he say he smelled a fragrance from her? Whenever she followed that unsolved question, she always ended up at his eyes, which were like blue lava. Thinking of those deep blue eyes burning as if he had lost his reason, Idel unconsciously bit her lip.

“My Lady! My Lady!”

Lost in deep thought, Idel snapped back to reality at the sound of someone calling her. Bien was looking at her along with a maid standing at the doorway, as if they had come to deliver news.

“Ah. What is the matter?”

“It is an emergency! He is… he is coming now!”

It was time for the Imperial University acceptance announcements. She had paid close attention to the mail arriving at the Count’s estate, but the news she waited for had not yet come.

She had asked to be informed when the postman arrived, so she wondered if that was it, but looking at their urgent expressions, it didn’t seem likely. If not the postman.

“Is my father returning?”

Since she was also waiting for her father’s return, Idel asked with a brightened face. At her words, Bien’s expression turned troubled.

“No. That is. The Marquis of Chalet is coming to see you.”

“Ah!”

Idel’s expression stiffened instantly, and she let out a low sigh. Of all people, it was an unexpected figure at this timing. The Countess had hinted at preparing for the Marquis of Chalet’s visit, but she hadn’t realized it would be today.

“The Madam said for you to dress quickly and attend the afternoon tea.”

“I see. I must prepare.”

It would have been better if the acceptance certificate had arrived and she had persuaded her father first. However, he was someone she had to face eventually, even if only to break the engagement later.

Idel changed into new clothes from the dressing room. Although she had chosen them in a hurry by sight, they had been altered to fit her since she had provided her measurements in advance.

Standing before the mirror, Idel watched herself transform into someone more radiant than usual under Bien’s touch. Though her eyes reflected in the mirror were lonely and devoid of life.

The skillful Bien brought out her beauty harmoniously, as if arranging flowers. Much like placing filler flowers around a central main bloom to emphasize it, the low-saturation dress maximized Idel’s elegance.

“Thank you, Bien.”

“My Lady.”

It was certainly a beautiful sight, but Bien could not bring herself to say the words. It was because the lady was going to a meeting with someone she did not want to see. She could only watch as the expressionless young lady quietly walked away.

As she descended the stairs leading to the drawing room on the first floor, she saw someone standing at the entrance. It was Roseline, her wavy reddish-brown hair flowing down. Roseline stared intently at Idel as she came down.

“You look much prettier than usual, Sister!”

Roseline said with an exaggerated tone of admiration, her eyes crinkling.

“You truly look like a bride-to-be. The Marquis of Chalet won’t know what to do with himself when he sees you.”

He will be so desperate for you he won’t know what to do, Roseline smiled meaningfully, hiding her inner thoughts. Even if she was a scentless artificial flower, she was dazzling enough to deceive the eyes when placed in a vase. It was quite delightful to think of that artificial flower being sold off at a high price.

She has no idea what kind of man the Marquis is.

Knowing through the Countess the reason why the previous Marchionesses met mysterious deaths, Roseline smiled even more brightly.

Whenever Roseline wore that kind of smile, misfortune inevitably found its way to Idel. Having experienced this many times, Idel frowned slightly.

“The Marquis of Chalet is already in the drawing room. I was waiting to go in with you.”

Roseline, looking exceptionally excited and in high spirits, led her and opened the drawing room door. Seated there were the Countess and a thin, middle-aged man presumed to be the Marquis of Chalet.

The Countess, who had been exchanging stories and smiling at the Marquis with a strange look in her eyes, noticed the two of them walking in.

“You finally arrived. You already know Roseline from her previous greeting, and the girl beside her is my eldest, Idel.”

If Roseline was a rose in full, flamboyant bloom, Idel Fleure beside her brought to mind a pure lily that had just blossomed. An obedient and elegant woman. She was exactly the type of woman he wanted. Thinking of reigning over and trampling such a woman to his heart’s content, the Marquis licked his lips with his tongue.

Sitting across from him, Idel felt the full weight of the Marquis’s uncomfortable gaze. She felt goosebumps at his sinister eyes, which thoroughly scanned her from her face to her neck, collarbone, and the décolleté line leading to her shoulders.

“She is better than expected.”

He spoke as if appraising a piece of merchandise. Seeing the Marquis’s satisfied face, the Countess and Roseline exchanged glances.

Idel read the certain atmosphere they shared, but there was nothing she could do at this moment. It was not yet the time she was waiting for. She tightened her grip on her two hands gathered under the table as if trying to endure the unpleasant gaze.

“I am glad he finds her to his liking. She is a ‘pure’ child who has stayed quietly at home and remains untainted.”

Recognizing the Countess’s intent in emphasizing her purity, the Marquis of Chalet nodded and laughed.

“I understand your words well, Madam. Even at the horse market, a pure mare fetches a much higher price. Let alone…”

One did not need to hear the rest to know. This marriage was a deal where he was bargaining over her. And it was a transaction done as if buying and selling an animal.

Idel bit the soft flesh inside her mouth with all her strength. A fishy scent, like the rising feeling of humiliation, spread through her mouth.