CIBLN | Chapter 6

The backyard behind the Duke’s residence had a different kind of splendor from the garden.

Vines grew in various places, and there was a large pond on one side.

A bridge was built over the pond, and beyond it, an outdoor pavilion was set up.

“…..Wow.”

While crossing the bridge, watching the colorful carps in the pond.

Rosalyn stopped in her tracks when she saw someone sitting in the pavilion across from her.

She tightly held Rona’s hand and took a deep breath.

“Oh my, the Young Duke is here! What a coincidence.”

“…….”

“…I really didn’t know he would be here!”

Rona’s stiff tone sounded highly suspicious.

Avoiding eye contact, Rona let out a small, awkward cough.

“Ahem. Shall we head to the pavilion?”

“…….”

“This is a great chance for you two to get closer!”

In other words, Rona had deliberately led her to the backyard.

Of course, it’s not like she didn’t know Rona’s intentions…

‘It seems like Rona doesn’t know that I’m not the Young Duke’s biological daughter.’’

If she had known the truth, she probably wouldn’t have bothered bringing Rosalyn to the backyard.

Rosalyn could feel Deon, who had been spending his time leisurely and drinking tea in the garden, looking in their direction.

Rosalyn flinched and gripped Rona’s hand even tighter.

“It’s okay, Miss Rosalyn. There’s no need to be afraid of the Young Duke.”

“…I’m not mentally prepared yet. Rona.”

“Mentally prepared?”

Rona tilted her head.

As if she couldn’t understand why she needed that.

“But Miss Rosalyn, you’re the Young Duke’s daughter. Family doesn’t need to prepare themselves to be around each other.”

As expected, Rona was surely unaware of the conversation that had happened between Rosalyn and Deon.

Rosalyn groaned, unable to explain the situation in detail.

The oblivious Rona smiled warmly and said,

“Whatever it is, the Young Duke will surely be happy to you, Miss Rosalyn!”

* * *

Swoosh. A gentle breeze blew.

Rosalyn swallowed dryly and looked at Deon.

‘How did it end up like this?’

For the two of them to end up sitting in the pavilion together.

‘It seemed like the Young Duke was taking a break……’

Feeling like she had interrupted his break, Rosalyn made a troubled face.

But she couldn’t blame Rona for that either.

Rona had truly just been trying to help, hoping the two of them would get closer.

Glance.

Rosalyn kept sneaking glances at Deon while only sipping her juice.

“Well then, I hope you both have a lovely time. I just remembered I have some urgent matters to attend, so I’ll be off now…..”

Berta quietly slipped away from the table.

Rosalyn looked at him desperately, but unfortunately, it seemed her feelings didn’t get through.

What should I do?

When she was just awkwardly darting her eyes around.

Deon spoke first.

“You must have been looking around the Duke’s castle with Rona.”

“…Yes.”

Rosalyn nodded cautiously.

Once again, silence fell between them.

“I’m thinking of assigning you a tutor.”

“…A tutor?”

“You need to know basic etiquette, after all.”

Rosalyn was surprised.

She had heard that nobles learn etiquette from a young age.

But she also heard it costs a great deal of money.

Of course, to the Duke of Arcas, that kind of money would be pocket change…..

“I’ll study hard!”

“Before that, there’s something I need to know.”

“……?”

“Have you ever learned etiquette before?”

A strange light flickered in Deon’s blue eyes.

“No.”

Rosalyn shook her head as she answered.

She had never learned etiquette, not even once.

How could Rosalyn, who grew up in an orphanage, have had the opportunity for such an expensive education?

“I see. When you were adopted, your adoptive parents never hired a tutor for that?”

“…Yes.”

Why is he asking something like this?

She couldn’t understand his intentions.

Deon seemed to be contemplating something for a moment.

At times, his eyes would narrow as he looked at Rosalyn.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

Before she knew it, the cup containing the drink was empty.

Swoosh. Once again, a gentle spring breeze blew.

The petals from the flowers on the branches fluttered and landed on Rosalyn’s head.

“Ah.”

Seeing that, Deon reached out and gently removed the petal from her hair.

Rosalyn, shrinking slightly, awkwardly looked up at Deon.

When their eyes met, Deon paused for a moment before letting out a small laugh.

Her clear eyes were fixed directly on his gloves.

“You’re really quick to catch on.”

“…….”

“I like that about you, Rosalyn.”

“…Um.”

“Still, could you keep what you just saw a secret? It would be troublesome if people found out.”

Deon smiled and whispered in Rosalyn’s ear.

As if it were a secret just between the two of them.

Rosalyn’s eyes widened.

Deon Arcas was rumored to have a severe case of obsessive cleanliness.

On the newspapers discarded in the streets, there were often articles mentioning how he would gag just from touching others.

But…..

‘He doesn’t have obsessive cleanliness?’

Right now, Deon was telling Rosalyn that he wasn’t suffering from obsessive cleanliness.

Rosalyn’s eyes shook slightly.

“This is a secret even the Duke doesn’t know.”

“…Th-then, why are you telling me?”

“That’s because.”

Deon said with a gentle smile.

“You’re my daughter.”

He patted Rosalyn’s head and stood up from his seat.

“Well then, see you next time, Rosalyn. Ah, I would be happy if something like today happens again.”

* * *

After Deon left first.

Rona, who had been watching from a distance, ran over with an excited expression.

“As expected, the Young Duke thinks of you as someone special.”

“……Rona, it’s not like that.”

“I’ve served the Young Duke for years, and this is the first time I’ve seen him touch someone first!”

Rosalyn nervously touched the top of her head.

It still felt warm.

‘He patted my head.’

It felt as if she had been praised.

Moreover, he said they would meet again.

He even said he would be happy if she came to visit him like today……

‘Does that mean I can visit the Young Duke?’

Rosalyn’s beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Then Rona tilted her head.

“What’s wrong, Miss Rosalyn? Did something happen during your conversation?”

“Hmm. The Young Duke said he would be happy if something like today happens again…… But what if I go and end up being a nuisance?”

Rosalyn cautiously voiced her concern.

Then Rona covered her mouth as if she was touched.

“Oh my, Miss Rosalyn. Why are you worrying about such things?”

“Yes?”

“I can check the Young Duke’s schedule for you. …Or, you can directly invite the Young Duke yourself!”

“…I should invite him?”

“Yes! Next time, you can suggest having a meal together.”

Rosalyn flinched.

The thought of having a meal with Deon was unimaginable.

Moreover, since he had asked her earlier if she had ever learned etiquette, Rosalyn felt a bit uneasy.

“Rona.”

“Yes, Miss. Go ahead.”

“Is my posture really awkward?”

“Your posture?”

Rona blinked slowly.

Her red eyes slowly began to examine Rosalyn.

Now that she looked closely…

“Oh my?”

“…Is it really that bad?”

“No. That’s not it… I heard that Miss Rosalyn has lived outside the Duke’s household until now.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

To be more precise, she had been living in an orphanage.

When Rosalyn nodded, the look of curiosity on Rona’s face deepened.

“……You might not believe this, but even if it’s a bit clumsy, you’re sitting according to etiquette. Have you ever learned etiquette somewhere outside?”

The moment she heard those words, Rosalyn’s eyes widened.

It was the first time she had heard of it.

Because, as far as she could remember, she had never learned etiquette before.

* * *

Deon, who returned to his office, was lost in thought.

He was so lost in thought that he didn’t even hear when Berta called him.

‘He’s not ignoring me on purpose, is he?’

Deon did have a history of doing that.

Berta glanced at him cautiously, then gave a loud, exaggerated cough.

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Deon’s cool blue eyes turned toward Berta.

“…Young Duke, did something happen in the garden?”

“Hmm. Well.”

It was a vague response.

Berta began to sweat nervously.

‘Was he offended by the interruption of his break?’

Twice a week, Deon would enjoy his break in the Duke’s garden.

And today, it was during that time, in that very spot, that Rosalyn had appeared.

‘If he didn’t want to be disturbed, he could have just told Miss Rosalyn to leave right away.’

Deon was not known for having much patience.

“Berta.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“Rosalyn can use noble etiquette.”

“…Pardon?”

Berta raised his glasses in surprise.