Refusing Your Ex-Husband’s Obsession: A Guide - Side Story 8

Translator: Yonnee

—

I gave Deneb a light smile and said,

“We’ll take this carriage. And we’d like you to come with us as a guest of the Count’s house.”

“I can drive the carriage if that’s what you mean, ma’am.”

“No, we want you to come with us as a guest, not a driver.”

“Me? How could I possibly…”

“Don’t you want to help Lady Lacie?”

“Of course, I do wish to help… but I feel like I’d be more of a hindrance.”

It seemed he had already had a discussion with the Count about this. But we couldn’t just give up.

“There won’t be any trouble. I promise.”

With that, the three of us set off in the carriage towards the Clausent County’s residence.

Upon reaching the count’s house, we told the gatekeeper we were there to see Lacie. After asking us to wait, the gatekeeper quickly went inside.

Soon after, I had the chance to see Lacie again after a long time. She ran up to the carriage with a flushed face to greet us.

“Your Ladyship… or rather, should I now address you as Your Highness, the Grand Duchess? I’m sorry that you had to come all this way to such a humble place.”

“It’s been a while, Lady Lacie.”

“Please, call me casually, Your Highness. And it’s been a while, Your Highness, the Grand Duke.”

“It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long. But regardless.”

Ciel instinctively became wary whenever an Esper other than him approached me.

“Lady…”

Lacie noticed Deneb with us, and right then, she was at a loss. It was so cute to see her cheeks instantly blooming with pigment, blushing from burgeoning affection.

“Neb…”

I couldn’t help but suppress a chuckle at the sight of the two of them, looking so endearingly in love.

Just as we were exchanging words at the door, a figure came rushing from a distance.

It was someone who bore a striking resemblance to Lacie, and there was no mistaking who it could be.

“D-Duke?”

The count immediately seemed to recognize Ciel, who threw him a light glance. He shrugged his shoulders as he responded.

“I once offered help due to a monster issue here.”

“Did you?”

“Yes, though it’s my first visit to this place.”

“I thought I was mistaken. How did you arrive without informing us?”

Count Clausent greeted Ciel with a warm welcome, referring to him as ‘Duke’ as if unaware of the events in the capital. Then, Lacie stepped forward, adding,

“Father, he is now the Grand Duke. And the person beside him is the Grand Duchess. I had mentioned before…”

“Oh, my ignorance, please forgive me. Your Highnesses, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess.”

“You look as you always did. Were you out hunting monsters again?”

“No, these creatures started attacking out of nowhere.”

The count struck me as familiar as he concentrated solely on monsters. He reminded me so much of my father. Perhaps that’s the secret behind maintaining such a flourishing city on the borders.

“Father, we should go inside for a talk. We can’t keep the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess waiting here.”

“Oh, where are my manners?”

Gathering his bearings, the count stepped down from the carriage. The carriage door closed, and we entered the count’s residence. Quickly, Lacie and the count returned to the entrance of the estate.

After we got out of the carriage, Deneb hesitantly followed. The count then noticed him and exclaimed,

“What is your business here?!”

“…I apologize, Your Lordship.”

“Father.”

The atmosphere became tense immediately. I casually stepped in front of Deneb, addressing the count,

“I understand how you must be feeling now, Count, but it seems you’re unaware of the news.”

“…What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“It was my decision to bring this Guide here.”

“Really?”

“It’s baffling how a Count with a daughter who’s an Esper can be so uninformed. Guides are valuable to the Empire. Being a commoner doesn’t make a difference to that.”

The count looked genuinely puzzled, as if he hadn’t fully grasped the new laws. It’s hard for those who have lived distinguishing nobles from commoners to accept Guides simply for their role, especially when their abilities aren’t as visible as those of an Esper.

“Father, please, let’s go inside and talk. I beg you.”

“Yes.”

“Your Highnesses, please, this way.”

Before following Lacie, I turned to look at Deneb.

His face flushed, and he was evidently unsure of what to do.

Even so, his eyes were filled with hope.

And naturally, his gaze was directed at Lacie.