I Don’t Need the Grand Duke’s Regret - Chapter 23

Chapter 23
Translator: effe

Durante’s mouth twitched, he struggled to pull it up and said.

“You can be honest with me. Aren’t I the Grand Duke’s godfather?”

“That’s what I’m saying. I feel like my godfather is dreaming in vain.”

Durante only speculates Ricardo’s origins, but he was not sure. There is no clear evidence. If he had to point out any evidence, it would be the purple eyes that resemble the Emperor.

However, considering that the Emperor and the previous Grand Duke were brothers, and that their father, the former Emperor, had violet eyes, it is not strange.

Durante made the mistake based on the fact that the relationship between the previous Grand Duke and his wife was very bad.

It is indeed absurd to say that the Emperor and the previous Grand Duchess had an affair, and that the seed of that was Ricardo. Therefore, there is absolutely no way that Ricardo will succeed to the throne.

So get away from your empty dreams right now. Ricardo was warning. Ricardo declared it to nip the bud of Durante’s impure hopes.

“I will never marry the Count’s daughter.”

“But!”

“The Count seems to be very interested in my marriage, so I will tell you the term for the Grand Duchess.”

As long as it’s not the Count’s daughter. Ricardo added those last words as if to tease Durante.

Durante laughed at that term whilst his face grew ugly in distortion.

“We’ll talk again later.”

Ricardo nodded as a permission to him. Durante’s body stiffened at that action. Even leaving this office still required the Grand Duke’s permission.

That’s right, not yet.

* * *

A bunch of white lilies swayed. Standing in front of the office, Armilla strained her hands till the backs of her hands turned white so as not to drop the flowers.

She only came to place lilies in the vase in the office under Missus Catarina’s instructions, but she heard something incredible instead.

She didn’t hear everything, but from what I heard from time to time, it seemed like the Grand Duke was planning to get married.

‘Already…….’

Armilla furrowed her eyebrows and hugged the flower. There was a strong scent of lilies, but she felt nothing. The words Ricardo had said to the Count were busy filling her head.

“Who are you?”

As Armilla was pondering Ricardo’s words, the door to the office burst open. And then a nervous-looking middle-aged man with brown hair came out.

Armilla, seeing the man with so many sparkling decorations that it hurt her eyes, reflexively lowered her head.

“Greetings, Count.”

Her red hair flowed down her shoulders. Durante narrowed his eyes at Armilla who bowed to him.

“Did you say Armilla?”

Armilla’s shoulders flinched when her name was called. As she remained still, unable to raise her head, the Count spoke arrogantly.

“Lift your head up. I will allow it.”

Armilla slowly raised her gaze to the Count’s command. The face of the neat woman holding a bouquet of lilies slowly emerged, and clear eyes met his gaze.

Durante, facing Armilla’s beautiful face, was mesmerized and then suddenly frowned back.

“Your face is fair. Well, that’s why you must have bewitched the Grand Duke.”

“It’s a misunderstanding, I…….”

Slap!

Before she could finish speaking, a sharp sound spread through the hallway. The lilies fell to the floor and Armilla’s head swung to the side. Armilla staggered and held her numb cheek.

“A lowly thing opens its mouth without permission?”

Durante said, swiping his hand that had touched Armilla’s cheek. He let out his anger and snorted with a refreshed face.

“Leecher.”

Spewing out the mean word, Durante walked out of the hallway with his hand behind his back.

Armilla was frozen, clutching her cheek. Her entire body trembled at the clear hostility Durante showed.

‘It’s okay.’

It doesn’t hurt at all.

Armilla calmly consoled herself. This is not surprising, as she has been treated like this in Renato. She has been looked down upon by the employees, so she must seem even more insignificant to a nobleman.

Armilla blinked her eyes and took a deep breath that made her chest heave. Then she slowly sat down and reached out her hand for the flower that she had dropped to the floor.

This is fine, she could handle it.

Because Ricardo is on the other side of the door. She could bear it when she thought of him.

“What’s going on?”

But when the door opened, Ricardo came out of the office and she heard him.

Armilla broke down.

“I asked what was going on.”

Clear drops of water fell on the back of Armilla’s hand as she held the lily. As she crouched down in silence, the black shoe came into view.

“Armilla.”

Armilla frowned at Ricardo’s low voice. But there was no way to hide the tears that had already flowed. She bowed her gaze and cleared her throat.

“It’s nothing.”

“Did you meet the Count?”

“No, I…….”

When Armilla tried to make up an excuse, her slender wrist was seized in his thick grip. Armilla’s vision wavered, and the man’s face appeared, as if it had been painted with a brush.

Ricardo’s harsh eyes narrowed.

“Don’t lie to me. I hate that. Tell me. You met that person who just came out here, right?”

“…… I did.”

“And?”

“I greeted him.”

“Is that the reply?”

Ricardo’s eyes sharpened as he examined Armilla. She prayed that her cheeks weren’t swollen.

She didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble or make people talk about it. She didn’t want to bother Ricardo with that.

“…… You’ve been slapped.”

“No…….”

“Wipe away your tears.”

Armilla, who was responding hastily, pursed her lips tightly. Armilla’s body, which had been sitting in the lily-covered hallway, was raised. Ricardo held Armilla’s wrist and led her somewhere.

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