I’m in the Arms of the Cursed Grand Duke - Chapter 64

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 64

“Hup.”

Zephyrus held back a moan that was about to escape without him realizing it.

It doesn’t hurt though.

Why?

Startled, Zephyrus grabbed Clemente’s hand again.

“Don’t think it’s because of you. It was my choice.”

“Still.”

Even through his fever-blurred vision, Clemente’s expression was vivid.

A face filled with worry and self-blame.

Her usually bright and radiant golden eyes momentarily lost their light and wavered.

An unpleasant face to see.

‘…Or so I think.’

Knowing that the reason was because of him somehow gave him a strange feeling.

A feeling that wasn’t entirely bad.

‘I must be crazy.’

Zephyrus inwardly clicked his tongue, pulled up the blanket, and closed his eyes.

“Go now.”

“I’ll bring the physician.”

“Do as you please.”

Clemente’s footsteps could be heard, and soon the door closed quietly.

Only then did Zephyrus realize that his body had been tense.

“…”

Somehow his body felt even hotter.

**

Zephyrus wasn’t the only one who received treatment from Airite. Clemente also received treatment together.

She ignored Airite’s later request to let him examine her body once and left the room.

Because Zephyrus still needed more rest.

And as expected.

People’s reactions were strange.

It was something she had fully anticipated.

Even before, those who had seen Clemente release all her heat had similar reactions.

They either feared her, suddenly praised her, or their relationship became distant.

Of course, back then she didn’t have anyone close enough to call a friend.

Still, when she went to drink water, they would exchange a greeting.

Sometimes when desert birds came down, they would roast them and share.

That level of relationship was the closest she had with anyone in her life before coming to the Northern Region, excluding Grandmother.

‘Still, the people here were a bit… closer than that, so maybe at least a few of them would be okay.’

Rossia, or perhaps Julay.

But it would be fine even if they weren’t.

Because she had Zephyrus, who hadn’t changed.

So she decided not to have any expectations at all.

Wouldn’t having expectations only lead to disappointment?

Even aside from that, her current life was much more abundant and fulfilling than before, so there was no need to feel negative emotions unnecessarily.

“Oh, Julay. Hello.”

She happened to encounter Julay, who was cleaning the windows in the corridor, and greeted her.

Julay, startled, turned around and slowly looked Clemente up and down.

“Huh, huhing…”

Soon she burst into tears.

“What, what is it? Why are you crying? Don’t cry!”

She hadn’t expected this kind of reaction.

When she tried to comfort her, flustered by the sudden reaction, Julay began to wail outright.

“Hueoeoeng! Hueong!”

Clemente couldn’t say anything and just waved her hands around in the air before finally gently embracing Julay.

How many times did she pat her back?

Julay’s crying gradually subsided.

She had cried so loudly that servants had gathered around them.

‘Why… Why did they gather?’

What was even more surprising was that their expressions showed no negative emotions toward Clemente, nor excessive worship.

“Clemente!”

“Huh. Yes!”

Clemente, who had been patting Julay’s back like a doll while looking around, was startled and answered while looking at Julay.

“Thank you! I’m sorry! I love you!”

Then she voluntarily hugged her.

“It’s not because you’re warm! It’s because I really, really love you! You know my heart, Clemente!”

“Wh-what heart?”

“My loving heart!”

“I mean… why…? Suddenly…?”

Seeing Clemente’s dumbfounded face, Julay opened her mouth as if she couldn’t believe it.

“What do you mean why, when you saved the village from an avalanche?”

“That was… I just did it because I thought I could…”

“Moreover! Clemente, I heard you almost died?”

“It wasn’t that serious.”

“That serious is what Tom told me. Even Grandfather Reder, who doesn’t exaggerate, agreed.”

“Uh…”

“Everyone is really so grateful. Clemente practically saved everyone’s lives.”

“That kind of thing…”

Clap clap clap!

The people gathered around applauded.

Some even whistled.

‘Wh-what is this…’

Such openly praising and clapping reactions from people were not in her expectations.

“Of course! If you go to the village, not everyone is like us. Some people are scared. Some even think Clemente is a fire fairy.”

As if reading Clemente’s mind, Julay continued.

“But we decided not to be like that. We all already knew that Clemente is originally a warm person. We like that kind of Clemente. If the villagers give you trouble, tell us.”

Then she winked with one eye.

“We’ll make it that much more fun for you.”

So…

Clemente made a blank face and looked at the people surrounding her.

“…Thank you. Really.”

Sincerely.

The corners of her eyes trembled finely. For some reason, her throat felt tight.

“You all seem like truly amazing people.”

You don’t fear me and continue to like me.

“Oh, speaking of which, do you know this?”

Clemente playfully curved her eyes as usual.

“I also really, really like you all a lot!”

**

The next day.

Clemente was summoned to sit before the Dowager Duchess.

“Clemente.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“As the Dowager Duchess of this domain, I must first express my gratitude to you. Thank you so much.”

The Dowager Duchess stood up and bowed deeply at the waist.

What Clemente had done was truly that remarkable.

“However, from a mother’s perspective…”

The Dowager Duchess slightly furrowed her brow.

The moment the brow of the Dowager Duchess, like a magnolia blossom in her elegant and graceful dress, narrowed.

It was as if an eagle had revealed its sharp talons from between the magnolia buds.

“I’m sorry. For putting the young master in danger as well.”

“No, Clemente. I’ll speak to that child separately. Right now, I’m talking about you.”

“Yes…?”

“No matter how strong the heat you possess, you’re still human. Right?”

“That’s… right?”

“How could a human think to stop an avalanche?”

The Dowager Duchess never once raised her voice, but she was frightening. It felt like being a frog before a snake.

“Of course, such a thing shouldn’t happen again, but if it does, then…”

“I’ll think it over and only do enough to prevent it from getting this bad…?”

She wasn’t sure if this was the right answer. But now that the people here had become precious to her too, she didn’t think she could just stand by and watch dangers she could prevent.

“Yes. I thought you’d say that. But when that time comes, make sure you’re with Zephyrus from the very beginning.”

“Why is that?”

“I think you two make quite a good combination.”

The Dowager Duchess gestured to Clemente, who was looking at her with bright, sparkling eyes.

When Clemente approached, the Dowager Duchess stroked her head.

“I worry about you just as much as you worry about Zephyrus. Please don’t get hurt.”

“Yes… thank you.”

The North really is too wonderful.

Clemente’s eyes sparkled.

The Dowager Duchess, who had been watching Clemente with a smile, sipped her tea and changed the subject.

“Oh, by the way. Rossia will be bringing Demeter’s daughter today.”

“A guest is coming?”

“Yes. The child who’s engaged to Zephyrus.”

“Engaged…!”

The Dowager Duchess subtly observed Clemente’s reaction.

Clemente thought deeply, then asked carefully.

“Then, Mother. Should I keep some distance from the young master?”

“Hmm… Well, what would you like to do?”

“…”

To be honest, she didn’t want to grow distant. Giving up that coolness would be too regrettable.

However, what bothered her was indeed that fiancée.

Wasn’t it a situation where she’d have every right to dislike it?

“I’m not sure. For now, I’ll try to become friends with that young lady!”

If they became friends, maybe she could get permission too?

At Clemente’s characteristic answer, the Dowager Duchess covered her mouth with her hand and laughed quietly.

‘I have no intention of maintaining the engagement… but let’s see how this plays out for now.’

It seemed like it would be quite interesting.

**

A few hours later.

Clemente stood in the line to greet the guest.

As they were receiving the Duke’s fiancée and the noble daughter of Marquis Demeter, a great aristocrat, proper ceremony was necessary.

While knights lined up in front of the manor to provide security, a carriage filled with luxurious materials, though not flashy, entered.

Even the horses pulling the carriage bearing the Demeter family crest of ‘wheat supporting the earth’ were glossy and well-built.

The horses snorted once and stopped.

Knights who had been escorting the carriage on both sides dismounted and surrounded the carriage completely, except for the entrance.

After blocking it so tightly that not even an ant could get through, one knight opened the carriage door.

Click.

What appeared first were neatly maintained beige shoes. Then the hem of a voluminous A-line green dress.

Following that, fine beige hair with an oily sheen flowed down along the dress.

“Salute to the Marquis’s daughter!”

Simultaneously, the Knights of Pruina drew their ceremonial swords and raised them.

“I am Liriart Demeter. Please take good care of me for the next few days.”

She was authoritative, elegant, and even had charisma.

Clemente admired her while bowing at the waist like the other maids.

A noble young lady was certainly different.

“Oh, come to think of it, I heard something on my way here.”

Just then, Liriart, who they thought would quietly enter, stopped and opened her fan.

“That my fiancé has a very special maid.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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