“But what exactly did the baroness report? It’s not something you can’t tell me, is it?”
“Oh, no, it’s not that… Well… This is going to be a long story. Shall we discuss the details in my bedroom?”
“Alright.”
Ashid readily accepted Daniela’s suggestion. As Daniela sat on the bed, Ashid brought a chair from the window, placed it in front of the bed, and sat down.
Daniela proceeded to tell him everything in detail: how Helena had come to see her that morning and used the inquisition as a threat, and what had happened since.
As he listened, Ashid’s face gradually hardened into a cold expression. He sneered, his lips twisting up on one side, and muttered, “So that’s what happened…”
“Yes. And Grey came to tell me that Miss Helena had visited the Cadigan family mansion.”
“She tried to sell you medicine by threatening you, and when that didn’t work, she immediately sided with the Crown Prince? What a bat-like human.”
“I think so, too. Tsk… I can guess what she and the marquis talked about. But somehow, I can’t shake the feeling that that wasn’t the end of it.”
“It wasn’t the end?”
“Yes. She looked so furious when I ignored her threat. It felt like she was determined to harm not only Grey but me as well. So I asked Grey to find out exactly what the marquis and Miss Helena discussed.”
Ashid narrowed his eyes, lost in thought at Daniela’s words. Her suspicions were valid and rational. It was perfectly understandable that she received a report in person at this hour because of it.
I warned her. It seems that woman has completely lost her nerve. How dare she try to harm this person by even involving Adrian’s lackeys?
He couldn’t forgive her.
With a meaningful expression, Ashid said to Daniela, “I’ll look into it. Can you give me two days?”
“Wow, in just two days? Is that possible?”
“Of course. And if they use the inquisition to target the baroness, leave the problem of solving it to me as well. My knights and I have a knack not only for gathering information but also for handling such bothersome matters.”
Ashid thought of Deo and the knights under him as he spoke. Daniela smiled brightly at him and said, “I would be so grateful! Thank you, Your Highness!”
Ashid stared at her, enchanted by her beautiful smile. Looking at his lovely Daniela, his emotions and his desire to reach out to her swelled up within him.
Can I be a little greedy?
He didn’t care if he was called despicable or cowardly. All he wanted was to be just a little closer to her.
Ashid, unable to overcome his desire, swallowed dryly and said, “…Is that all?”
“Yes?”
“You’re just going to thank me and that’s it?”
Daniela tilted her head. “Then what should I do? …I can give you a reward, I guess?”
“No. I don’t want that at all.”
“Then what?”
She asked, even more confused now. Ashid hesitated for a moment before he spoke.
“Why don’t you give me a hug?”
“…!”
“Just like you did in the Athland territory.”
He said that and slightly spread his arms. Daniela’s face instantly turned bright red. For a moment, she was so dazed she couldn’t think of anything.
He’s asking for just that, and that’s why it was so hard for him to say?
Suddenly, the huge man in front of her looked as cute as a child. Daniela felt her heart start to race as she stammered, “W-will that be enough?”
“Yes.”
I don’t plan on being too greedy… not yet. You’re in my house, beside me.
Ashid swallowed the words and answered simply. At the same time, he spread his arms a little wider, as if to hurry her.
Daniela hesitantly got to her feet. Then, she stood close enough to touch and spoke to him, who was staring at her intently. “Don’t stare at me like that. It makes me too self-conscious to do it.”
“Alright.”
At her words, Ashid obediently closed his eyes. Then, his already handsome face became even more defined and endearing. Daniela felt her face grow even hotter. She couldn’t believe she was getting so worked up over a simple hug. She kept taking deep breaths to steady herself, then impulsively wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I-is this enough?”
“Yes.”
Ashid wrapped his arms around Daniela’s waist and smiled. He loved everything about the woman in his arms: her heartbeat in his ear, her warm body, her slender frame, and her hair tickling his cheek. His chest tightened so much that he never wanted to let her go.
This person is mine.
Even if she wasn’t his now, he would make it happen in the future. Ashid reaffirmed his resolve and held her tighter in his arms.
After they had been holding each other for a while, Daniela became so awkward and embarrassed she couldn’t stand it. She gently pushed him away and said, “C-can we stop now? I’m getting sleepy…”
She wasn’t sleepy at all, but this was the only excuse she could come up with to get out of his embrace. Ashid looked up at her and chuckled, then said with a little teasing, “You can just fall asleep like that. I’ll carry you to the bed.”
“D-don’t be ridiculous and go back to your room!”
“You’re so cold. Alright.”
Ashid raised his arms in a gesture of surrender. He carefully pushed his chair back, stood up, and slowly walked toward the door that led to his bedroom. His desire, which had calmed down when he was holding her, grew wild again as he moved farther away. He suppressed the urge to hug her again and spoke to her as she followed him to see him off.
“Good night.”
“You, too, Your Highness.”
The awkward atmosphere lingered between them, and Daniela dodged his gaze by turning her head and giving a short reply. Ashid looked at her intently and said tenderly, “On a night like this, when you can’t fall asleep, you can knock on this door whenever you want. I’ll gladly be your company.”
Daniela sucked in a sharp breath without realizing it. Her heart felt as if it had dropped to the floor when she heard those words. Embarrassed, she snapped back curtly, “T-that won’t happen!”
“Alright. Then I’ll knock on your door, I suppose.”
“…!”
“Good night.”
Ashid chuckled softly and said that. He gently brushed her hair one last time before entering his bedroom. Daniela stared blankly at the closed door and put her hand on her head. Then she muttered in a half-dazed voice, “What is wrong with him, seriously…”
She truly didn’t know what was wrong with him, or with herself.
She ran to her bed as if she were running away, pulled the blanket over her head, and lay down. Between Grey’s report and the actions of the villainous Grand Duke, there was no way she would be able to fall asleep.
A few days later.
Grey was stopped by the butler as he was leaving after giving Daniela his usual report.
“The master is looking for you.”
“His Highness, the Grand Duke?”
“Yes. Follow me.”
Grey gave a short nod in reply and followed the butler. The butler led him to the knights’ training ground. He stopped in front of the Grand Duke’s private room in the training ground and knocked on the closed door. Ashid’s voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
The butler opened the door, and Grey entered the office. He saw Ashid sitting at the desk with Deo standing beside him. Grey bowed respectfully to the two men. Deo smiled gently and said, “It’s been a while, Jane. How was it serving the Grand Duchess? Was it manageable?”
“Yes. Just as Sir Deo said, she is a beautiful and wise person, so it is a rewarding experience to serve her.”
Deo looked satisfied with Grey’s reply. Ashid waited for them to exchange short pleasantries and then got straight to the point.
“I hear that the Duchess ordered you to investigate Helena Strand. Did you get any useful information?”
“I have not gained any specific information other than the fact that the marquis’s daughter visited the Cadigan family’s mansion and spoke with the marquis for several hours. According to the letter my informant just sent, the marquis’s daughter has been holed up ever since she left the Cadigan mansion that day.”
“Is that so? What I found out is a bit different.”
