Thank You For The Confinement, Grand Duke! - Chapter 74.2

…He needed to rescue her quickly.

Barca was undoubtedly thinking this, and he was unaware of it. The image of her distorted face made his insides twist with a feeling that should never have existed.

And then it happened.

“Your Majesty. May I have a moment of your time?”

Someone had arrived.

* * *

“This place…”

The mansion, which Enfrise had guided him to using a meticulously detailed set of instructions written in advance, was cozier than Elmare had expected. It was a three-story stone building that could easily be mistaken for a wealthy noble’s villa.

Elmare carefully surveyed the mansion’s exterior before making his way toward the entrance. There was no need to knock; a familiar maid stepped out to greet him.

“Your Highness, we have been expecting you.”

“Lady Tambor. You still look as beautiful as ever.”

“Too kind of you. The Grand Duke is waiting for you.”

The middle-aged maid, now approaching old age, still carried herself with a poised and composed demeanor. Despite Elmare being a blood relative and someone who held her master’s trust, she never let her guard down.

After all, someone like her was indispensable around his brother. Once his brother placed his trust in someone, he seemed to abandon the very notion of suspicion.

“Thank you.”

He followed the maid’s guidance to the reception room.

Though it was his first visit to this mansion, the interior felt more welcoming than he had anticipated. He had heard that whenever Enfrise needed to think or wanted to escape from something, he would spend time here.

It felt like… a humble home, unlike its outward appearance.

Perhaps this warmth was what his brother truly desired. With that thought in mind, Elmare stepped into the reception room.

And there was.

“Elmare.”

His brother welcomed him.

“….”

A white-haired woman was staring at him silently.

He had heard that she had lost her memory and that her personality had changed, and it was certainly true. The elegance and grace that once flowed from her original self seemed to have vanished. She was still beautiful, but her lack of embellishment gave off a strange aura.

“Lady Rivette, it is an honor to meet you again. Or should I say, it’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time?”

“…It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Chaperil de Rivette.”

Did she remember her name? Or had his brother taught it to her?

Elmare gazed at her silently before offering a gentle smile.

“To think you turned the brother who seemed uninterested in women into a lovesick fool… I respect you for that.”

“Elmare.”

Even though Enfrise stepped in between them as if to prevent any awkwardness, a subtle smile lingered on his face. It seemed that he had truly become a lovesick fool. If his former self saw him now, he would undoubtedly find it pitiful.

Yet, Elmare didn’t think poorly of his brother’s current demeanor. In fact, it made her wonder if this was Enfrise’s true self.

“I heard you’re En—no the Grand Duke’s younger brother.”

“Feel free to address me as you wish, Lady Rivette. As you said, we’re related by blood. There’s no need for formalities in front of me.”

Chaperil paused for a moment in thought before speaking.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Your Highness is okay. You may simply call me Elmare as well. After all, you will be my sister-in-law.”

“Elmare!”

Enfrise unexpectedly raised his voice, looking flustered. It was amusing to see him alternate his gaze between Chaperil and himself, unsure of what to do.

“I’m not sure how things will turn out…”

The moment Enfrise began to speak, Chaperil’s expression changed.

“Wait a moment, Enfrise.”

Pulling gently on his sleeves towards her, Enfirse moved closer to Chaperil and bent slightly at the waist while looking perplexed. She then whispered something in his ear.

“No, that’s not it…”

“Does that mean I can marry someone else?”

“That’s not it, I didn’t mean…”

Were they whispering in secret, unaware of his presence? However, the length of their private exchange was so prolonged that Elmare couldn’t help but overhear their conversation, which was almost audible.

He looked at them with interest.

Chaperil had been watching the moment he entered the room with a wary expression.

He had heard that she was quick to accept Jaha, so he thought she might welcome him as well. While she had been described as open and friendly, it was odd how she seemed to maintain distance, making Elmare wonder about her behavior.

Perhaps she was quite suspicious or…

Maybe she had a keen sense for these things.

“Are you considering marrying someone else besides me?”

“That’s not… Chaperil, you know how I feel.”

“Then, why say such things?”

“It’s just that…”

Elmare observed his brother struggle against the delicate woman, who seemed to weigh less than half as much as he did. The sight sharply contrasted with Chaperil, who had appeared so vibrant and full of life just moments earlier.

He waited patiently for this short comedy to come to an end.