My Dear Grand Duke on a Leash - Chapter 99

Chapter 50.1 — Chalonné’s Man (15)

“….”

Cain met Riette’s wide, round eyes directly.

“Because it’s only natural.”

If anyone had even the slightest sense of decency, how could they not treat her with the respect she deserved? He simply couldn’t fathom how others could act any differently.

Riette frowned, her delicate eyebrows drawing together.

“Stop trying to avoid it like that and just be honest with me. Why are you going so far for me…”

“Riette.”

At the sound of a soft, melodious voice coming from the bathroom doorway, Cain and Riette simultaneously turned their heads. Bea, with her sleeves rolled up, was carefully stepping out of the bathroom. Her straight platinum hair, pale skin, and rare violet eyes made it clear that she didn’t resemble Riette much at all.

Bea crossed the bedroom and gently patted the top of her sister’s wheat-blonde head.

“Riette, I’ve warmed the water to the temperature you like. Go and warm yourself up.”

“Thank you, sister…”

Riette nestled herself into her slender arms.

All Bea had done in the bathroom was adjust the faucets and find the perfect mix of hot and cold water, yet even something so simple was quite an effort for her. After all, she was Princess Beatrice.

Bea lightly patted Riette’s back.

“Alright. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be right here.”

“Mhm…”

Riette stood up with Bea’s support and glanced back at Cain.

“I’ll be asking you again next time. You’d better be ready because I’ll make sure you answer honestly then, Grand Duke!”

“….”

Cain, leaning against the canopy post of the bed, watched as Riette disappeared behind the bathroom door. At least she seemed to have a close bond with her sister, which was a relief.

“….”

Or not.

As long as the Princess cherished her sister and her country, she would never be able to escape Narkissis’s grasp.

Her sister was as delicate as a snowflake that would shatter at the slightest touch. Their mother’s mental state wasn’t much stronger. And handing over the entire country to escape this nightmare was out of the question.

In the end, there was only one solution: not only to prevent Narkissis from succeeding as crown prince but also to strip him of his imperial status altogether. Cain instinctively knew that unless he went that far, Princess Lariette would never be free of Narkissis’s hold.

“….”

The bathroom door closed with a heavy thud, jolting Cain out of his thoughts. Just as he took a step to leave the bedroom, Bea’s clear voice held him in place.

“Grand Duke Acheron.”

Cain turned his head to see her standing there, her hands neatly clasped in front of her.

The two stood facing each other, their postures upright as if they were pillars of support. Rather than being stiff from tension, their exemplary bearing was simply a lifelong habit.

“There’s a lot I’d like to talk about. Though the night is late, could you spare me a moment of your time?”

“I’m afraid I must decline.”

“Pardon?”

Bea’s lips parted in surprise as if she hadn’t expected to be refused.

“I have no intention of engaging in an inappropriate conversation with my fiancée’s sister in a bedroom. I’ll wait outside until Princess Lariette finishes her bath, so please call for me then.”

“…But Riette is just right beyond that door.”

“And I’ll be outside that door.”

Cain bowed politely.

It was a gesture that revealed his unwavering determination not to take even a single step closer to her.

Even though she knew her words hadn’t reached him, Bea remained unruffled. Her reaction seemed as if it didn’t matter what he said in response.

“There’s much I need to thank you for, Grand Duke, so please at least accept my gratitude.”

“….”

“I’m truly grateful for saving me at the opera house and for being my husband’s best man. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be able to have this conversation right now.”

“I simply did what was necessary. There’s no need to thank me.”

“Serving as a best man for a commoner isn’t exactly a gentleman’s duty. I owe you proper gratitude for your kindness and respect. However…”

Bea glanced back at the bathroom door.

“It’s only today that I’ve realized your kindness wasn’t purely out of friendship.”

With her hands naturally clasped in front of her, she gazed steadily at him.

“My sister didn’t even know who you were until just a week ago.”

“….”

“Riette isn’t the type to spend the night with someone she barely knows. I appreciate what you did today, but you should understand that before she met you, Riette never had any issues with Prince Narkissis. She was just a girl who cared only about animals—how could she suddenly fall in love in just one week?”

Though the latter part of her words remained unspoken, the meaning was clear to both of them.

What are your intentions in approaching Riette?

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