Chapter 24. Days of Peace, For Now

A little over ten days had passed since the post office incident.

Rasiel spent her days in special protection, completely unaware of how many invitation cards had been sent for her during this time.

In truth, Rasiel had no time to be conscious of the outside situation beyond the ducal residence.

The rapidly changing environment often left her bewildered, so she was busy getting accustomed to the Mosteros Duchy every day.

However, thanks to the mission Michaela had given her, Rasiel was adapting to the unfamiliar environment somewhat smoothly.

By following Rapellian around almost blindly, she naturally absorbed the etiquette of noble households.

Whether or not there was chaos outside the ducal residence, for now, everything seemed peaceful.

Except that Rasiel was too busy to gain much weight despite everyone’s efforts.

“It’s already snack time, Miss Rasiel.”

“Hello. Yes, it’s snack time.”

Rasiel still blushed at being called “Miss,” but she now greeted them with familiarity.

“I see you’ll be having it in your room today.”

“Hmm…… similar, but a little different.”

The maid coming down the stairs looked at Jane standing behind Rasiel.

Her silver tray was filled with various types of desserts.

“What’s different? Can you tell me?”

“The Young Duke is here today.”

“Ah. The Young Master.”

Rasiel nodded her head vigorously up and down.

Since the Western Empire priest’s visit, she could shake her head like this without getting dizzy.

She still experienced ringing in her ears occasionally, but it wasn’t a major problem.

“Hurry up. You’ll be disappointed if he leaves again.”

“Yes. I’ll go quickly.”

Rasiel felt newly pleased that she could have such casual conversations with people without any awkwardness. She smiled brightly and purely as she continued up the stairs.

Her cheeks, plump with her smile, looked lovely.

⁕⁕⁕

“I’ll knock.”

Rasiel stood in front of Rapellian’s office and spoke with a somewhat tense voice.

Jane nodded with a smiling face.

Rasiel had been diligently following Rapellian around, but only in the mornings and evenings.

Rapellian was often busy with various matters and frequently left the house in the afternoons, so this was unavoidable.

It had been a while, so Rasiel swallowed nervously and raised her small fist cautiously before entering the office.

Knock knock knock knock.

Her tiny fist made a cheerful sound.

Then she stepped back a few paces and waited for the door to open.

“Miss Rasiel has arrived.”

“Hello, Sir Calyx.”

Rasiel greeted Calyx, who was as tall and handsome as Rapellian.

Calyx, the son of the butler Irina Armen and Rapellian’s assistant, was one of the people Rasiel met most frequently these days.

As always, dressed in formal attire, he was a neat and handsome man with impressive light-colored, slightly curly hair.

“It’s been a while seeing you at this hour.”

He stepped completely out of the doorway and pointed to the watch on his wrist.

Rasiel looked up at him with her chin raised high and asked.

“Is he leaving again perhaps?”

“No. There’s no schedule for him to go out today.”

Calyx quickly lowered his posture, concerned that Rasiel’s neck might hurt, as he replied.

“That’s a relief.”

“I was about to run out of energy, but you’ve saved me by coming, Miss. Thank you.”

Calyx bowed his head respectfully.

Rasiel merely smiled broadly at his expression of gratitude.

Although she was gradually becoming accustomed to life here, she still wasn’t quite immune to such affectionate words.

“May I go in? Will the Young Duke be angry?”

“I wouldn’t know about others, but…… you’re always welcome, Miss.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You’ll successfully complete the mission given by the Duchess today as well.”

“I’ll go in then.”

“Have a pleasant time. Please enter.”

“Thank you.”

Calyx smiled along with her shyly upturned lips and pushed the awkwardly closed door inward.

His figure gradually appeared behind the opening door.

Rapellian sat with his back to the white sunlight coming through the window. The fine white hair reflected the soft sunlight, breaking it into sparkling fragments.

“Rasiel.”

Rapellian smiled gently at the small figure that appeared behind the large door.

“Young Duke, I’m here.”

Rapellian rose from his chair.

His straight and dignified steps moved toward Rasiel, who was lingering at the doorway, unable to come in readily.

“It’s good to see you during the day too, Rasiel.”

This moment truly pleased Rasiel.

The clear blue gaze approaching her directly, the gently curved eyes, her name called in a warm voice filled with a hint of laughter—all of it made her heart flutter with excitement.

“Today’s snacks will be delicious too.”

Rasiel turned her head to look at Jane.

Jane gently bowed her head to Rapellian in greeting, then placed the snack tray on a table a little distance from the desk and left the room.

“Were you waiting for me perhaps?”

“I was. Rest is important.”

The immediate answer made Rasiel even more excited. She couldn’t understand why being told he had waited for her felt so good.

Rasiel nodded her head with a slightly flushed smile.

“That’s right. You said it was important.”

“But you don’t need to be quite so blindly devoted.”

Rapellian, standing in front of Rasiel, pretended to be troubled.

Seeing his slightly playful expression, Rasiel recalled what Michaela had told her: ‘When Rapel complains, it’s proof that you’re doing very well. If he makes expressions he doesn’t usually make, it means you’re doing even better.’ She smiled with satisfaction.

“I must be doing well then.”

“Did my sister tell you that?”

“Yes.”

“My sister has raised a very diligent worker.”

Rapellian extended his palm to Rasiel as if escorting her.

Rasiel gently placed her hand on his outstretched palm without hesitation.

By now, she had become quite accustomed to holding hands with him.

However, Rasiel had one question.

‘I’m not a child, and my legs are perfectly fine, so why does he keep holding my hand?’

“By the way, Young Duke.”

“Yes?”

“I can walk well on my own, so why do you keep holding my hand? I’ve never injured my legs.”

“……”

Faced with curious ruby eyes, Rapellian closed his mouth momentarily, then opened it again as he took slow steps matching Rasiel’s pace.

“It’s a gentleman’s duty to attend to a lady.”

His straightforward answer, given without much thought, made Rasiel feel strangely uncomfortable.

‘I’m probably the least presentable lady. Not even a lady to begin with.’

She imagined the numerous ladies who must have stood beside him and held his hand. People far more beautiful, far more elegant, and extremely noble compared to herself.

For some reason, Rasiel envied these unknown women.

‘How nice for them.’

After repeatedly dwelling on this vague thought, Rasiel suddenly wondered, ‘Why am I thinking like this?’

Unable to understand herself, Rasiel tilted her head.

“Rasiel?”

“Yes?”

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

At his question, Rasiel couldn’t answer honestly.

With a strong feeling that she shouldn’t voice her thoughts, Rasiel made up something.

“I was thinking that your hand is very warm.”

“My base body temperature is on the higher side.”

“You must feel less cold in winter.”

This was truly something to envy.

For Rasiel, who had lived her entire life on the streets, winter was absolutely the worst.

When there wasn’t even proper food, how could there be adequate clothing?

Every winter, her greatest goal for the year was simply to survive without freezing to death.

Rasiel looked at him with eyes full of pure envy.

Rapellian found her clear eyes both cute and pitiful, but he didn’t show it.

Unnecessary pity wasn’t needed. From now on, he just needed to ensure she wouldn’t have to envy such basic things.

“That’s probably why I live in the north.”

He answered matter-of-factly, without revealing a trace of sympathy.

“If I learn swordsmanship like you, would my base body temperature increase too?”

Rasiel asked, full of expectation.

However, even Rapellian didn’t know the answer to this, so it was difficult to give her a definitive response.

“I’m not sure about that.”

“I guess we won’t know unless I try?”

Rasiel looked slightly disappointed.

“If you’re curious, you can try it. It’s not difficult.”

“How?”

“I’ll teach you.”

“Really?”

Rasiel’s eyes widened.

She even gripped his hand tightly.

Rapellian gently stroked the back of her tense hand with his thumb to ease her tension as he spoke.

“Yes, really.”

“Thank you.”

Rasiel smiled happily at this unexpected gain.

Even though they hadn’t even started yet, she already felt like she could become as strong as Rapellian.

Seeing Rasiel’s expression, as if she might run to the training ground right away, Rapellian laughed softly.

The pleasant laughter spread throughout the office, and Rapellian, who had leisurely arrived at the table, seated Rasiel first and changed the subject.

“What will you do until dinner?”

“Since Briel and Riello aren’t here today, I plan to solve puzzles by myself.”

“I see…… By the way, Rasiel.”

“Yes.”

Rapellian casually handed a cookie to Rasiel and asked with a serious expression.

“Why do you address the two of them differently?”

“Riello said he prefers the more classical term.”

Rapellian almost burst out laughing.

Riello’s tastes were very far from classical.

However, he swallowed his laughter.

If that was his preference, he had no right to mock him.

“Thanks to you, I’ve learned something new.”

“But I think Briel is the one who likes classical things. Like his neatly combed-up hair or always wearing something like a pretty cloth around his neck.”

“He does have that aspect.”

“In that sense, Briel resembles you, Young Duke.”

“Briel does take after me more. Riello is closer to my sister.”

“That’s what’s fascinating. They’re twins, but each resembles the Duchess and you respectively.”

“They’re fraternal twins. More importantly, Rasiel.”

“Yes.”

It was just as Rasiel had finished munching on a cookie and picked up a cup of milk.

Rapellian called Rasiel’s name and crossed his legs.

Then he remained silent for quite some time, his face lost in thought.

With his eyes casually lowered, he absently stroked his reddish lips with his long, white index finger.

‘Wow.’

Rasiel looked at him, sunk in silence, and inwardly exclaimed.

There was a strange feeling from his languidly lowered eyes and the elegant movement of his fingertip across his red lips.

Rasiel gripped her cup firmly.

She watched him tensely, holding her breath, and then flinched in surprise when his gaze suddenly lifted, causing her to look away.

‘I thought my heart would drop.’

She hadn’t done anything wrong, so why was her heart pounding so hard?

Rasiel tapped the innocent cup.

He always had a handsome face, and she saw it every day, but at this moment, it felt strangely unfamiliar.

“Rasiel.”

“Yes? Yes!”

At his quiet call, Rasiel jumped as if she had done something wrong and hastily answered.

“Why am I the only one you call ‘Young Duke’?”

“Pardon?”

The question from him, who had been deep in thought for a while, was something Rasiel hadn’t considered at all.

Surprised by the unexpected question, she pushed aside her startled expression with confusion and widened her eyes.

Her ruby-colored pupils, which made her large eyes even more prominent, trembled slightly.

“Briel is ‘Oppa’ and Riello is ‘Orabeoni,’ so why am I ‘Young Duke’?”