I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 21

Chapter 21
Translator: effe

“What are you?”

“My name is Bianca, the maid in charge of the main building.”

Bianca whispered to Durante, avoiding Nasir’s eyes.

“Do you want to know more about who that woman is?”

Durante flicked his finger at her Bianca. Although she was a lowly maid, he could allow her to come to his side if it would be helpful. And if it will be of greater help, he can use the maid himself.

Durante, calling Bianca close, opened his mouth with a haughty noble smile.

“Tell me everything you know, everything.”

* * *

Armilla narrowed her eyes. Her head started to hurt and she felt like she was going to faint. When she opened her eyes again, for some reason she was lying on a soft bed.

“Why were you there?”

A deep bass reached Armilla’s ears as she stared at the ceiling, trying to focus her blurry vision. The voice made her heart flutter just by hearing it.

But Armilla couldn’t smile at the reproach in his voice. She lowered her gaze and spoke softly.

“I’m sorry.”

“Not that.”

Armilla gulped. Her face stung under Ricardo’s gaze, who was sitting next to the bed.

Ricardo was dressed exactly as she saw him at the funeral. He wore a leather guard usually to emphasize mobility, and a golden brooch was attached to his broad chest. The decoration was engraved with the profile of a howling wolf, Renato’s symbol.

“Answer me.”

The cool, sharp eyes of the wolf’s master stared straight at Armilla. Armilla opened her mouth with difficulty as his gaze showed that he would not tolerate any flimsy excuses.

“I heard everyone should attend.”

“It wasn’t an order given to you.”

Armilla’s heart throbbed at his cold reply. She felt a different pain than the one she felt from her head.

The mix of sorrow and cruelty broke Armilla’s heart. Soon, her eyes became hot, and Armilla stared at Ricardo with wet eyes.

“I am…….”

Armilla pursed her lips. The words reached her throat and lingered in her mouth.

She wanted to blame him for his indifference.

If he doesn’t like her that much, then say he doesn’t like her, and if she’s annoying, say she’s annoying. She’d rather ask him to throw her out.

But can she?

Armilla complained half-heartedly, but then she became scared, fearing that Riccardo would actually abandon her.

“You, what?”

“It would be strange if I was the only one who didn’t attend.”

“Strange?”

Ricardo chuckled at Armilla’s muttering. He lazily stroked his fair face with his large hand. Ricardo then sneered, gently pressing his forehead with his long, straight finger.

“That’s not what’s strange.”

“Then?”

“I ran all the way here while holding you. That’s what’s strange.”

His hollow tone spread throughout the bedroom. Armilla’s heart beat rapidly at Ricardo’s languid words. Her fingertips hidden under the blanket felt numb.

By any chance, can she look forward to it?

Maybe he has feelings for her too.

“Your Grace…….”

“It’s bothersome, it’s annoying that you’re sick.”

However, Armilla’s heart plummeted at his next words. In her gaze, the cold-hearted man continued to speak.

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to do as you said.”

“…… how?”

“You said you would go to the Magic Tower after completing the map.”

Ricardo asked in confirmation. His attitude when talking about her leaving Renato was just indifferent.

Armilla could not refute Ricardo’s words. Because she brought it up first.

‘I fell for my own trick.’

Armilla gulped. Now she can’t say that she was actually bluffing and that she only said it because she wanted him to hold onto her.

Her throat felt hot as she swallowed the truth. It felt like her neck was blocked. But Armilla struggled to hold her voice together.

“Then, please think about it.”

“What?”

“What can I do for you? What does Your Grace want from me? You said that was the deal.”

Finishing her words, Armilla smiled slightly. She hoped her voice wasn’t shaking so much.

Although her words trailed off a little, it didn’t seem to be noticeable because she was usually timid in front of Ricardo.

“Yes.”

As expected, Ricardo didn’t notice at all. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t care about Armilla enough to notice it. Ricardo calmly accepted her suggestion and nodded.

“I will.”

Not knowing that Armilla’s heart was breaking at his answer.

* * *

Durante tapped the armrest of the chair. The wood in the fireplace was burning quietly in front of him as he sat on the leather sofa.

“She is his lifesaver.”

Durante muttered quietly to himself. After the Princess’s funeral was over, he was putting together the information he had heard from Bianca and soon frowned.

A woman who the Grand Duke visits her bedroom every night.

A woman whose background is unclear.

“Something useless got involved.”

Durante put his hands together and clasped them. He was currently staying in the guest room in the west wing of Renato’s mansion.

After the Princess’s funeral, most of the guests left, but he stayed here. This was because he had to do something to deal with the Grand Duke alone.

“Tsk.”

Durante clicked his tongue. The man who had Durante’s feet tied for two days to the desolate Renato had not even shown his face.

He pressed the butler since morning again today, but there was still no message from the Grand Duke. Durante was left stretching his neck all day long, waiting for a word from the Grand Duke.

“You’re not busy playing around with the girl, are you?”

Durante wrinkled his brow. If that is the case, he should meet the Grand Duke even sooner.

Because that shouldn’t interfere with his grand plan.

The red-haired woman was said to be the Grand Duke’s public mistress. It looks like it hasn’t been announced yet, but if the Grand Duke, who is infatuated with a woman, suddenly says he wants to marry her…….

Durante chewed his lips. No way, that can’t be possible. Durante, who had erased his own imagination, sighed and took a breath.

But is it really impossible?

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