I’m in the Arms of the Cursed Grand Duke - Chapter 72

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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 72

“…Why, everyone. Why are you all out here?”

“We came to cheer you on, Master. Isn’t that obvious?”

Clemente put both arms under Zephyrus’s armpits and hugged him. Then she patted him encouragingly.

“You did really well. Now you’ll be able to come out whenever you want, however you want.”

Splash, splash.

Wet sounds followed her gestures.

His clothes were soaked with sweat.

“…Sweat, no good. The smell…”

“Oh, what smell? If you have the energy to worry about that, hurry up and stand. You need to try walking. Are you just going to stay hugged like this?”

He slowly closed and opened his eyes.

His blurry vision became a little clearer.

Clemente released Zephyrus at just the right moment.

With each step he took, ice formed where his feet touched, then quickly disappeared.

While Clemente’s help wasn’t insignificant, most of the control was Zephyrus managing it himself.

Even though it must be difficult and unfamiliar, seeing him control it to that degree made it seem like he’d get used to it very quickly.

Zephyrus walked a few steps, then stopped and turned back around.

Clemente’s pleased face filled both his eyes.

“Oh, Master!”

“Zephyrus!”

“Your Highness!!”

And that was Zephyrus’s last sight of that day.

**

The next day. Upon waking, Zephyrus prepared to attend a formal dinner for the first time, wearing dress uniform.

He had been worried about not having clothes, but Dowager Duchess Lacy brought some. She had brought clothes that belonged to the Previous Duke, Zephyrus’s father, altered to fit him.

“The chamber maids prepared them all night long. If you have trouble getting dressed, be sure to tell Clemente. I taught her how to put them on.”

“…That won’t be necessary. And… thank you, Mother.”

“I’m sorry that this is all I can do for you as a mother.”

“Please don’t say such things.”

“You’ll be busy, but… please spend time with this mother of yours occasionally, Your Highness.”

After the Dowager Duchess left, Zephyrus, wearing gloves, stood before his door.

“Your Highness, I’ve come to escort you!”

It was Gwen’s voice.

“Open it.”

“Yes!”

The door opened. He took a deep breath and stepped forward.

He stepped outside the door with ease.

The outside world, experienced with a clear mind.

“…”

Zephyrus, walking down the corridor under Gwen’s escort, asked briefly.

“Where’s Clemente?”

“She’s usually going around warming up the manor.”

“Bring her.”

“Don’t worry. She’ll be waiting in front of the dining hall right on time.”

Gwen was right.

Clemente, who had always kept her top button neatly fastened, bowed to greet Zephyrus when she saw him. Her face was full of mischief as she raised her head.

Zephyrus’s tense body relaxed a little.

“Let’s go. Open the door.”

“Yes, yes!”

Zephyrus straightened his back confidently.

The door opened.

A modest House Pruina party with Liriart began.

**

It was awkward.

Zephyrus fidgeted with the cufflinks hanging from his wrists.

“Your Highness, you mustn’t do that. It makes you look anxious. Ever since Your Highness showed yourself in the village, requests for meetings from the cadet branches haven’t stopped. If you don’t want to be looked down upon by them, Your Highness must always be perfect.”

It was uncomfortable.

“Your Highness, you’re frowning again. It’s fine to be angry, but you mustn’t lose your proper dignity.”

His gaze turned toward Clemente, who was standing at the edge of the dining hall.

“You mustn’t look at the servants either. Your Highness’s gaze should always look forward.”

His mother’s and Rossia’s nagging followed his every movement. Even amid all this, when he looked at Clemente, she moved her lips exaggeratedly.

‘Cheer up.’

Clemente encouraged Zephyrus with silent words.

Zephyrus, having steeled his resolve, picked up his knife.

“I wish to dine together like this every time from now on.”

In truth, meals alone with Clemente were better and more comfortable.

“I also wish to meet with the cadet branches and elders, so please point out any shortcomings immediately.”

He had wanted so much to come outside. But the good feeling only lasted at first.

Since he had to participate in external activities without fail, the things to worry about doubled.

It was an undeniable fact that when his world consisted of just Clemente and a few family members, it was much more comfortable and stable.

However, just looking at those who work in the manor fills him with a sense of responsibility. When he sees Clemente laughing with them, even though he feels left out, he resolves time and again that he must protect the domain.

“I want to become a proper Duke. In that sense, Demeter’s Daughter.”

Liriart wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin and answered.

“Yes, Your Highness. Please speak.”

“I’d like to break off the engagement as soon as possible. And cover it with a different relationship. As you said yesterday. Haven’t we maintained this relationship for 10 years.”

“After being kicked out of the room yesterday, I spent some rather cold hours. For now…”

When Liriart put her hand to her cheek and bowed her head as if heartbroken, a stiff silence descended over the dining table where everyone had been enjoying their meal.

“I didn’t tell you to decide immediately. You’ll also need time to look around our domain more. And you’re probably thinking of testing the waters as well.”

Liriart’s hand, placed under the dining table, flinched.

“Testing the waters, you say. How could I dare do such a thing to Your Highness. I’m simply trying to find something that might be more helpful to the domain. Of course, nothing could compare to that maid.”

Liriart’s indifferent tone pointed toward Clemente.

Clemente, thinking it was a compliment, smiled brightly with joy, then soon made a strange expression.

It was a face pondering whether it was really a compliment.

‘At least she learns quickly.’

If it had been yesterday, she would have simply been happy.

Liriart raised her wine glass.

“It’s fine. What am I to lay a hand on that child? However… separate from our deal, I hope you’ll grant me one favor.”

She tilted the glass toward Zephyrus. It meant to clink glasses.

“…Is it a favor I can grant?”

“Only Your Highness can grant it.”

“I’ll decide after hearing it.”

“Yes. You may do that. It’ll be a favor Your Highness will have no choice but to grant.”

Zephyrus lightly touched his glass to Liriart’s, then briefly touched the wine to his lips before pulling away.

It was wine made from grapes grown in the Demeter Estate, but it wasn’t to his taste.

The fruit wine made from fruits that don’t even grow in the Northern Region was sweet but also astringent and sour.

The vodka he had sipped when he came of age seemed much cleaner in comparison.

‘Of course, I dislike both.’

Zephyrus was someone who couldn’t taste flavors well enough to understand why people drink alcohol in the first place.

However, what concerned him now was Clemente.

It seemed like a taste Clemente might enjoy if she tried it.

“Ahem. I’d like to let the servants taste the wine as well.”

“…Do you really think I brought that much wine with me?”

“I heard the young lady enjoys wine. There aren’t that many servants at Pruina Manor. I’ll purchase half of what would last a month.”

Liriart calmly shook her head.

“Two bottles are enough for a month’s drinking. I may like it, but I don’t drink much.”

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Still, if you need it, I’ll give it to you. I can just endure a little, but as Your Highness said, the servants here would never have a chance to drink wine.”

It wasn’t a difficult matter. Creating a debt in the Duke’s heart with just two bottles of wine—there was no reason not to do it. Zephyrus knew this too.

“I didn’t know the young lady’s generosity was so broad.”

“Should I not give it then?”

Nevertheless, the reason he accepted this debt was because he hoped Clemente would eat and experience more things.

Of course, by his side.

Clemente had led him to the outside world. He intended to provide as much support as possible so she could find what she liked. He wanted to keep only the things she loved by his side.

“I’ll accept it. What do you want in exchange for the wine?”

“Just answer one question for me.”

“What—”

“Wait a moment.”

Raisie naturally and smoothly interjected into the conversation.

“Shall we eat first? The food we prepared is getting cold.”

“Ah. Shall we?”

Liriart agreed shyly. Zephyrus twisted the corner of his lips as if he had seen something unseemly.

“Let’s talk while eating. It would be troublesome if the young lady suddenly came looking because she’s curious.”

“Your Highness, you shouldn’t treat a guest like that.”

“…”

Zephyrus cut his veal steak without responding.

It was food he was trying for the first time. If Liriart hadn’t brought various cooking ingredients, saying she had brought them because she wanted to eat them, it would have been a precious dish that the Duchy couldn’t readily afford to taste.

“…We can just make an appointment and meet anyway.”

This is what happens when you receive too much. Zephyrus put the steak in his mouth and chewed. Even though it was definitely tender and easy to chew, it was difficult to swallow down his throat.

‘This domain needs to become one that can give more than it receives.’

He didn’t hope for a strong and wealthy domain. It would be nice if it happened, but given the isolated environment of the Northern Region, it would be difficult to achieve wealth anyway.

Taking comfort in the fact that his Knight Order was among the strongest in the Empire, it seemed right to set realistic goals.

“Mm, this is delicious, young lady. Thanks to you, my mouth is being treated well.”

“I’m happy too, seeing the Dowager Duchess smile.”

Raisie smiled warmly and clapped her hands together.

“Young lady, if you want to get what you desire, you’ll need more information about our domain, won’t you? Since His Highness also needs to tour the domain, how about you two go out to see the domain together?”

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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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