My Dear Grand Duke on a Leash - Chapter 27

Chapter 14.1 — The dog, the lark and the Princess (11)

The shimmering ripples broke the reflection of the rainbow on the water.

As oars pushed gently against the still current, the leaves of the garden trees chattered like little girls whenever a light breeze blew. The nobles floated like swans across the surface of the water, glancing in one direction. It was a blatant gaze that couldn’t be hidden even with a lace parasol that half covered the face.

“Ah, look at the God Apollo playing in the river. That should have been me sitting across from him in that boat…”

The unintentional mutterings of one young lady to herself echoed the sentiments of all the women who went on an outing in the back garden. Meanwhile, the pride of the men who rowed for them was as tattered as their forearms, but there was nothing they could do.

It was because the opponent was Narkissis Helios.

“This is the first time I’ve ever been envious of Princess Lariette. From what I’ve heard, it sounds like she’s already made friends with the Grand Duke of Acheron… What kind of attraction does she have?”

Only then did the nobles’ eyes turn to Riette at someone’s question. The curly wheat-colored hair tied in a half-ponytail and the pure white ribbon looked especially good on her today.

“She’s cute, isn’t she?”

The rowing gentleman gave up and patted his tired arms.

“Of course, if I had to say, she’s cute like a younger sister. Perhaps the gentlemen of Chalonné will never see Princess Lariette as a woman. How mature and perfect is Princess Beatrice, whom she’s stuck to like a magnet?”

Riette set aside her hat and parasol, setting her chin on her hand that rested upon her knees as if bored. It was a pose that would have made Queen Chalonné foam from her mouth if she’d seen it.

In other words, it was an attitude that blatantly showed the level of her interest in Narkissis.

Even though she dragged him along for a boat ride, when she saw him up close like this, Riette couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable and needed time to calm down. For a long moment, she remained silent, indifferently scrutinizing the atmosphere of the back garden, when suddenly, a tall silhouette caught her eye.

Instantly, some light returned to her eyes, which were as dull as a dead fish.

…Grand Duke?

Didn’t he say he was going back to the annex? She could see Cain standing, leaning against a pagoda pillar with his arms crossed.

In the meanwhile, Narkissis stopped rowing when he realized he had gained some distance from the other nobles’ boats.

“Even when I was young, whenever I came to Chalonné, I would always go sailing with you just like this. I didn’t think you’d remember that.”

As if lost in memories, his red eyes clouded over.

“You were so talkative. Even back then, when we were on a boat like this, you so much that I could hardly concentrate on my worries as Prince Helios. After chatting for a while, we watched the fish, shouting and greeting Bea, who was sitting on the pergola in the distance…”

Whether Narkissis was talking or not. Riette stared tenaciously at Cain as a series of questions ran through her mind.

It seemed like he decided to draw a line with her, so there was no way he would’ve stayed because of her. If that was the case, maybe he stayed to escort His Highness Narkissis? Or did he find another young lady worthy of being the Grand Duchess? If so, then why did he look so down?

As usual, the expression on his face was a dour blankness that made it difficult to read his emotions, but it was clear that he wasn’t in a pleasant state…

“Lariette.”

At the low call, she finally tore her gaze away from Cain and looked back at Narkissis.

“Aren’t you upset that I mentioned your sister’s name?”

At those words, Riette wrinkled her nose and turned her head from the Grand Duke to him, she couldn’t believe it.

“No way. Did you bring that up on purpose to upset me?”

“To a certain extent?”

“Ha…”

She admired his viciousness.

Although she tried to snap back in disgust, she was dispirited by a twirling smile. Strangely, it even seemed that the more disgusted she was, the brighter his expression became.

‘This is not the level I can win. He’s really a pervert, a pervert. How on earth did I live without knowing that he was such a person?’

Riette shook her head and turned towards the water instead.

“I’ve been angry ever since the day you arrived in Chalonné… well, except for a little while just now, to be honest.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Because even though you’re such a demon now, I still like Your Highness the way I used to.”

“….”

“How precious is the feeling of liking someone to me, and the same goes for the times I spent with Your Highness at that time. So, I don’t want to lose all those moments just because you’ve changed.”

Narkissis’s mask-like smile crumbled in an instant.

Just as he pursed his lips as if he were about to say something out of nowhere, Riette turned her head toward him as she finished her words.

“So, I will never marry the Grand Duke of Acheron. I won’t be used by Your Highness by holding my precious heart hostage. I’m only asking for a moment alone to tell you this.”

Her large green eyes were filled with determination.

Want to read more? Up to [15] advanced chapters are available on Patreon: