"But why did you choose me?"
The madam greeted the Duke with a business smile, but the Duke did not reply. Her hand went under the display case at the sight of the suspicious robe and his lack of response.
Olivia quickly spoke, as the madam was about to press the guard call bell.
"He's someone I know."
The quick- witted madam blinked.
The princess, who had made the ceremony noisy last night with her vow, had come to pick a gift for a man other than her family and the crown prince. And if he just happened to be someone she knew...
The madam, who had understood at once, grinned at Olivia, and then bowed politely to the Duke.
"......Yes. Then I will bring new tea. Everyone will be bitten, so ring the bell if you need it."
Before Olivia could speak, the madam seemed to have misunderstood something and hurriedly left.
It seemed the Duke had been waiting. He took off his robe, and his dazzling face grinned mischievously at Olivia.
"How do you like being helped like this? Am I really going to keep getting into trouble?"
"What are you talking about!"
Olivia, who had unwittingly objected, suddenly stopped herself. Olivia, who had grabbed the hem of her dress, composed herself.
"Olivia Madelleine, I greet Your Grace the Duke."
"That greeting can be left out."
"It's etiquette."
"I would like to offer a privilege above etiquette to the lady to whom I pledged. How about you?"
Olivia blinked slowly. A casual greeting was a privilege that proved a close relationship. It meant respecting each other regardless of status.
Olivia bit her lip at a word she had never heard, even from Leopold, whom she had known since she was nine.
The Duke, who had sharply observed her, naturally changed the subject.
"Don't you have something to say to me?"
Oh. Only then did Olivia realize what she meant to say, and her eyes narrowed.
"What did you mean by what you said earlier?"
"What are you talking about?"
"That ring. It's an engagement ring, why to me!"
Olivia couldn't even finish her words. The Duke, on the other hand, asked her with a look of curiosity.
"So. How did you know and like that exact one?"
Was it a joke or sincere? Olivia scrutinized the Duke's playful demeanor.
The Duke avoided her gaze. She briefly saw his ear tips turn red through his black hair.
Like he meant it.
Startled by the sudden thought, Olivia shook her head. She heard the Duke laughing but couldn't feel embarrassment.
It was an absurd assumption.
He was the Duke, after all. I must be overreacting to his joke.
She forcibly suppressed her flushing face. Ignoring her pounding heart, Olivia responded more playfully.
"If you play such a joke, you might end up going straight to the banquet."
He was the only Duke in the empire, wealthy, and even highly honored as a war hero. Even the emperor had offered his princess just yesterday.
YOU ARE READING
Regret With All Your Might
Romance*Content Introduction* I loved with all I had. My family ignored me, my fiancé didn't love me. 'Love conquers all' - my mother was wrong. The painful truth dawned after fourteen years of unrequited love. Wanting to escape somewhere, at the victory b...
