Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma - Chapter 35.2

Even though his own actions had already tarnished this house’s reputation.

“Yes, it was discourteous, and besides, there’s still no explanation for why the exceptional case of a third awakening happened.”

I didn’t bother to answer.

The Duke would end up pondering and answering himself anyway.

“I like people who are rational and objective. Regardless of rank, Miss Ortis, I can’t say I’m not interested in you.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Then how about setting a deadline for when you graduate? That’ll be in two years. By then, I believe we’ll have more clues about the third awakening as well. In the meantime, you can also consider this proposal…”

The duke met Acteon’s eyes, then looked back at me.

“You can choose either Acteon or Cassiel.”

I looked at Acteon, then turned back to the Duke, thinking of Cassiel.

…Who?

Me?

With that guy?

Even recalling Cassiel’s recent behavior wasn’t enough to redeem my first impression of him.

‘Living with someone who acts like he’s single-handedly bearing all the tragedies of the world and takes it out on everyone around him whenever he gets in his own feelings?’

If anything, I’d want to sign the divorce papers before even getting married.

Oblivious to my thoughts, the Duke seemed to have already made every plan to bring me in as his daughter-in-law.

“Still, you’re better than that Cassiel fellow, aren’t you, Acteon? Come now, give it your best.”

“Well, that depends on how Senior feels.”

The duke spoke in a light, unconcerned tone.

“If you just keep someone by your side, they’ll come around sooner or later.”

I caught on to who he was talking about and gripped my knife.

Even with the person concerned sitting right there, there wasn’t a hint of apology or guilt.

“Shiona became the lady of the house that way too.”

Screech. The harsh sound of metal scraping porcelain was sharp, but too faint to reach the duke.

More than me, Acteon acted as if he hadn’t heard a word.

I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind.

Was he, like me, angry?

To be forcibly kept by one’s side, only to be driven to death by the very family who was supposed to protect you?

But we’d both become too accustomed to hiding our emotions. He picked up his napkin and brought it to his lips.

“…Is Mother feeling unwell today?”

When Acteon, referring not to his birth mother but to the duchess, asked about her, the duke finally seemed to notice.

“Shiona is like that often, isn’t she? It’s odd for you to ask so suddenly.”

“Is that so? Still, I hope she’s at least eating properly in her room.”

“No need to worry. The head maid is always fussing over her without a break.”

The duke, having brushed it off, had already finished his plate.

He’d only picked at a few delicacies to go with his drink, but everything was food you couldn’t easily get your hands on.

‘Ah, it’s impossible to even share a table here in peace.’

I felt that if I stayed any longer, I might cause some new trouble, so I excused myself.

“The meal isn’t over yet, but may I be excused to go up?”

“Hmm? Of course. You must be tired after such a long day. You may go.”

“Thank you for your understanding. I hope you have a pleasant evening.”

I was relieved the duke let me go.

Once I made it out into the hallway and checked that no one was around, I raked a hand through my hair in irritation.

“How can a person like that…? The crown prince and the duke, they really are two of a kind.”

And on top of that, both Acteon and I had fallen out of the crown prince’s favor.

Although we’d gotten off lightly this time, it was only a matter of time before some kind of retribution came our way—and yet the duke wasn’t worried at all.

‘He doesn’t care whether Acteon goes off to war or not. As long as the crown prince’s power doesn’t grow too great, that’s all he cares about.’

A curse nearly slipped out from the back of my throat.

Muttering under my breath, I started up the stairs to my old room, when someone called out to me.

“Miss Ortis, just a moment, please.”

I’d just finished muttering some harsh words in anger. What now?

‘What do you mean, what now? Just deal with it.’

I calmed my emotions and turned around, schooling my face to innocence as if I hadn’t been cursing a moment before.

Standing there was the head maid of the mansion, whom I rarely encountered.

“First of all, please keep this a secret.”

Moving quickly and warily, she closed the distance and slipped a piece of paper into my hands.

“Absolutely. It must remain a secret.”

She was anxious, but her gaze was unwavering. There was even a sense of determination in there.

Almost mesmerized, I took what she offered.

After staring at me for a moment, she disappeared down the opposite corridor.

What business could the head maid possibly have with me?

As soon as I returned to my room, I unfolded the paper—actually, a letter—and was startled.

The sender was the duchess herself.

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