TGDHC Chapter 79

Chapter 79 – When the Name Was Called

“Ah…”

The Duchess gave an awkward smile, but Loic didn’t immediately withdraw his hand.
If he didn’t sometimes do things like this, she might even forget that he was her husband.

Only when her frown faded and her cheeks flushed red did Loic slowly let go.

“Sorry. You looked upset.”

The Duchess self-consciously touched her forehead.
“It seems the Merchants’ Guild interfered again. They probably blocked Goldrain’s clerks from applying to the management office.”

“If I had known it would trouble you like this, I’d have dismissed the Guildmaster immediately.”

“That would cause backlash.”

“I don’t care.”

“But I do. And honestly, dealing with the current situation is easier than breaking in a new person.”

The Duchess firmly cut off his words.

“…So I was thinking of hiring some of the orphans instead.”

“The orphanage?”

“Yes. Once they’re adults, it’s hard for them to keep staying there. If we hired them at the office and provided room and board, it would help them prepare for independence.”

“If the children can find employment, that’s a good thing. I’ll have Perel take care of it.”

“Thank you.”

The Duchess seemed satisfied, thinking the well-educated orphans could also assist shopkeepers who couldn’t read.

“By the way, there’s a young man named Jerome at the orphanage…”

At that sudden name, Loic’s brow furrowed.

“He’s very clever and quick-witted.”

“…Is that so.”

“And he’s quite handsome too. He’s so charming that even Cecilia couldn’t resist him!”

“…And you?”

“Pardon?”

“You said the maid fell for him.”

Loic’s voice had unconsciously gone thin as he spoke.

The Duchess looked at him, then chuckled softly.

Maybe he was being childish. He cursed himself for saying such a silly thing.

“I almost fell for him too…” she teased.

“But how could I, when my husband is so dashing and handsome?”

It was the kind of playful comment she sometimes made when he got too close.

Still, his neck flushed hot.

If I’m so great, then why…

Loic pressed his lips together tightly.

“So my wonderful husband doesn’t need to be jealous,” she said, soothing him like a child.

Her tone only made his chest tighten.

“…Then… will you give me some attention too?”

He’d said it.

Clenching his fists under the table until his nails dug into his palms, Loic regretted it instantly.

“Eh?”

The Duchess blinked.
“A–Attention?”

Her flustered voice betrayed her confusion.

“I already pay you so much attention!” she insisted.

“You give the same attention to maids, knights, even innkeepers.”

He knew he sounded pathetic, but he couldn’t stop.

Because for him, time was short—he only had a year.
Why should he share her precious attention with so many others?

And the number just keeps growing.

Maidservants who never left her side, knights who shadowed her all day, administrators who pestered her constantly, villagers who sought her out…

“Even the wizard,” he muttered bitterly.

Enolius—the one who avoided humans and lived alone in the far tower. Even he kept visiting her.

“Enol? He only came to discuss the fountain project.”

“That’s not the point!”

Loic’s jealousy exploded.
“Why do you call him by a pet name?”

“Oh, he asked me to…”

Just remembering that smug look the wizard gave him while visiting the greenhouse made Loic’s blood boil.

“You call me ‘Duke.’”

“Because you are the Duke?”

She looked puzzled, as if asking what else she should call him.

“I want…you to.”

“…?”

He took a deep breath, summoning the courage he’d practiced so many times.

“…Call me by my name.”

“Loic?”

Without hesitation, she said it.
“Would you prefer that?”

As if it was nothing at all.

But Loic’s heart pounded like it might burst.

“But if I call you by name, won’t others think it improper? Well… maybe if it’s just the two of us…”

Her worried words barely registered.

“I also want…”

Loic gripped his knees so tightly they turned white, forcing out the words.

“I want to call you by your name.”

He glanced at her nervously.

“My name?”

She shrugged.
“Of course. I told you from the beginning you could call me by my name.”

Back then, you refused so much…

She pouted a little. Loic, his face burning, finally spoke her name.

“Annette.”

The word rolled sweetly off his tongue, like candy.

Her cheeks flushed faintly.
“Hearing it out loud feels a little embarrassing.”

Her shy smile sent a rush of indescribable emotion through him.

Annette.

Did she know that just saying her name made him happy?

He stared at her quietly. She laughed nervously at his intensity, fiddling with her papers.

“Annette.”

He gently took her hand. Warmth spread from their palms the moment they touched.

“Annette, I know how well you’ve been managing everything. And I am grateful.”

He wrapped her small hand softly in his.
“But even if you enjoy working, don’t overdo it. You’re not strong.”

“But I’m fine,” she said, lowering her gaze.
“This isn’t too much. The real work is done by the administrators. I just…”

“You’ve collapsed twice already since coming here,” he said quietly, guilt prickling.

“It’s because I enjoy it,” she replied, wriggling her hand in his.
“And I’m glad I can contribute. The townsfolk seem like such good, honest people too…”

“I’m not saying stop completely.”

“Alright. I’ll only do what I can handle, and I’ll take care of myself. Is that good enough?”

She looked up at him with sparkling eyes.

“Promise me.”

“Okay, promise!”

She suddenly held out her pinky finger.

“…?”

“You don’t know how to make a promise?”

She curled his hand until only his pinky stuck out, then hooked it with hers.
“This is how you do it—pinky promise!”

She laughed, admiring how long his pinky was.

Loic tried to calm his racing heart. Secretly, he wished this promise would never be broken.

***

Elsewhere

The Marquis angrily rummaged through a tray of letters.
“Still nothing today?”

The butler said nothing, his face troubled.

After she had declared she would no longer reply, every letter he had sent to Annette in the north had gone unanswered.

Should I write directly to the Duke instead?

But if Loic was intercepting her letters, then contacting him would only make the Marquis look foolish.

What am I supposed to tell the Empress?

A letter had arrived from the Imperial Palace not long ago. The Empress had inquired kindly if his third daughter was adjusting well in the north.

But he knew very well it was no simple inquiry.

If the Empress discovered that he had no control over his daughter…

I must act quickly.

Just then, another envelope caught his eye.
“What’s this?”

“It’s from Madam,” the butler said cautiously—referring to the new Marchioness, his second wife.

Another request for money, no doubt.

He clicked his tongue, about to set it aside, when the butler added,
“With the holiday coming, Madam and the young master plan to return.”

“…Already?”

The Marquis thought of his youngest son, his fourth child by his new wife.

Perhaps I can use that boy somehow…

He stroked his chin, already plotting.