The Grand Duke Who Wants Me Dead Is Surprisingly Kind - Chapter 10

Chapter 5.2

“Then, when would you like the wedding to be?”

His tone was so sincere that Anais tilted her head slightly in confusion.

“…Do I have a say in it?”

“Of course. The wedding date will be set entirely according to your wishes, Lady Anais.”

A strange phrase followed her name.

‘…According to my wishes.’

Anais repeated those words to herself. For someone who had always followed her father’s will, Diego’s question felt startlingly unfamiliar. If she were truly allowed to choose, she wanted to say that she wished to refuse this marriage entirely.

“Just tell me what you’d prefer. I’ll adjust everything accordingly.”

“….”

Swallowing the words she truly wanted to say, she quietly stared at him. Strangely, he didn’t seem to be lying.

‘Why is he going this far for me? What’s his intention?’

Still feeling confused, Anais mulled over the unanswerable questions in her mind when she suddenly recalled the box she had left beneath the bed.

There was something she needed to ask her father before the wedding. She intended to uncover the meaning behind the box of poison Madame Jade had given her. Even though it had happened only moments ago, the Grand Duke’s unexpected visit made it feel like a distant memory.

Remembering not just the box but also the book she had set aside with it, Anais spoke carefully.

“Would it be alright if I gave you my answer tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

As Diego nodded without hesitation, she gave him a polite, faint smile to express her gratitude.

Just then, the door flew open, and rushed footsteps echoed in.

Thud, thud, thud.

“What brings Your Grace all the way here so suddenly? Haha, I was actually just about to reach out to you.”

Anais’s father, Nectar Orelcian, had rushed home the moment he heard the news and headed straight to the parlor. He had already received everything he could before the marriage but had held Anais back, thinking he might be able to extract a bit more.

That same reasoning had led him to turn away the escort Diego had sent.

‘Still, I didn’t think he’d actually show up in person. Damn it.’

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Nectar’s forehead as panic crept in.

Diego, who hadn’t even stood up upon seeing the Viscount, tilted his head slightly and spoke.

“I believe I warned you, Viscount. Lady Anais is under my protection. I asked for your cooperation in keeping her safe.”

His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable chill that settled over the room.

Then, he stood and approached Nectar.

“Our discussion regarding the pre-marriage arrangements is over. If Lady Anais agrees, the Grand Duchy will assume responsibility for her safety until the ceremony.”

It wasn’t a suggestion but a declaration. However, Nectar, who had already accepted the money and even signed a formal pledge to the imperial court, had no choice but to comply.

“Y-Yes, I understand.”

“I haven’t heard Lady Anais’s answer yet, so I’d like to stay the night if that’s alright with you.”

“Haha… of course. I’ll have dinner prepared. Please enjoy your stay.”

Nodding stiffly, Nectar turned and spoke to Anais, who stood behind the Grand Duke.

“Anais, show our guest to the guest room.”

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

As Anais turned to leave after showing him to his room, the Grand Duke stopped her with a suggestion.

“If you don’t mind, would you show me around the estate?”

“…Follow me. There’s not much to see.”

Anais led him through the house, giving brief descriptions of each area.

“This floor has my father’s and younger brother’s rooms.”

“So, this is where the direct family members stay.”

“You could say that.”

The Grand Duke tilted his head slightly and asked.

“Wasn’t your room on a lower floor, Lady Anais?”

“That’s right.”

Anais didn’t elaborate further and moved on. Trying to change the subject, she walked over to the items placed beside the staircase landing and pointed to a pendant.

“It’s a royal heirloom from the Kingdom of Lenium. It belonged to my mother.”

“The emblem is different from the Empire’s.”

Just like everyone else who had visited the Viscount’s estate, the Grand Duke showed interest in the relic from the kingdom. That was enough for Anais. She gave a faint smile and gazed wistfully at the pendant, the last trace of her mother left in the house.

A short while later, now on the lower floor, she added a final note.

“If there’s anything you need, please let me know. My room is at the end of this hall.”

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

After watching Anais disappear into a small room tucked in the corner, Diego entered the guest room, his expression cold and hardened.

Inside, a basket of fruit, left by the attendants, awaited him.

He reached into it, picked out a bright red apple, its color resembling his own eye, and tossed it high into the air, catching it again and again.

Thud.

“This family…”

Thud.

Diego clenched the apple in his hand and walked over to the window. His gaze fixed on Anais’s room as he muttered in a low voice.

“They don’t treat her as someone worth cherishing.”