Chapter 112: Chapter 111

Marianne was speechless at his question and shut up. She rolled her green eyes slowly, pretending to be calm.

‘Why did he suddenly mention my father? What does my father’s secluded life in the estate have anything to do with this? He must be plotting some dirty trick… ‘

Hesitating for a moment, she decided to give him the most obvious and safe answer.

“… My father hates fighting. So, he tried to stay away from the political strife in the capital.”

“Political strife doesn’t know the place. It can happen everywhere. Besides, Duke Kling was the late emperor’s best friend. In other words, he could pull the strings if he wanted to. With such honor and power, he could sway politics even if stayed in his residence at Lennox Castle.”

Ober contradicted her claim right away.

“Well, he might have wanted to focus on governing his own castle as the lord.”

“It may be the answer to his rejection of the emperor’s offer, but it’s inappropriate for his long secluded life. In addition, Lennox Castle, unlike the Kling Castle, is not a territory that has been handed down for generations, but a surrogate estate of the late empress. Granted it was the emperor’s order, but was the land that one day had to be returned to the imperial family more important than the hereditary land of his family?”

“That’s because…”

“Besides, it is the land where Duke Kling lost his beloved wife. It’s not a good place for him to feel any attachment.”

“…”

Marianne bit her lower lip without finishing her words.

In her previous life, she would have argued with Ober that he misunderstood her father. But now she could not be confident that he was wrong.

“I know well that Duke Kling cares for you like his life. That’s why I would like to say…”

Ober wrapped his arms around her shoulders as if he was worried about her. Oddly, some strange warmth from his body pressed her shoulders like a rock.

“Sons and daughters of families with similar social statuses get married usually. It has been customary for the daughters and sons of dukes to marry their counterparts of the imperial restraint. In addition, Duke Kling and the late emperor were two close friends. So, they must have talked about the marriage of their son and daughter.”

Marianne took pains to avoid Ober’s eyes. She tried not to listen to him.

Anyway, what he said was a lie. Ober was the type of man who used falsehood as a weapon rather than trust. He could plan any scheme to harm the emperor, his father and her.

“And you are the only daughter among those daughters of influential duke families who can marry the emperor now.”

But unlike her reason, her body and mind began to be swayed by Ober’s words.

“But why hasn’t your father mentioned your marriage so far? Traditionally, marriage with somebody is arranged right after you turn ten, and then you get formally married when you come of age. Then, why did your father hide you in the castle of Lennox and didn’t allow you to appear in the social gatherings in the capital?”

“Well, perhaps because he wanted to keep you by his side all his life? If not… ”

As if he knew everything about her, Ober stroked her pale cheeks with his long fingers.

The raw skin on her face became slightly red as if it responded to his touch. While laughing, he tilted his head more inward. His hands around her face forcibly fixed her eyes.

Finally, they made eye contact before they knew it.

“Just because he couldn’t send me off to the emperor at the sacrifice of a nobleman or a knight?”

In the end, their game was decided on the chessboard.

“Marie. Duke Kling may already have known that perhaps the emperor wants to make you, your father, and your family unhappy forever.”

‘That’s ridiculous nonsense!’

Marianne thought so, and let go of his lapel she had been holding unconsciously. Her hands quickly slipped and grabbed the frills of her dress.

“From now on, come to your senses clearly and run away as best you can!”

Only then did Ober raise his tilted body to stand up. He adjusted his clothes and took a long breath. It was a sigh of relief.

“Come close to me.”

Soon he kissed her elegantly, holding her hands. His hot breath and eyes penetrated her thin gloves. She simply stared into his dangerous ashen eyes.

* * *

“… Marianne, can’t you hear me?”

His low and elegant voice kept echoing into her ears.

Stunned, she turned her head suddenly. Eckart was staring at her, resting his chin on his hand.

“Pardon? What did you just say?”

“I asked what it is the stone or iron that you are melting in the glass now.”

“Ah…”

She put down the spoon she was mechanically stirring at the moment. The opium powder mixed with the tea had already melted long ago. As the amount of opium was much less than the first time, the smell was not so strong. Nonetheless, it was natural that the emperor could use such a parable.

“I’m sorry. I was absent-minded for a moment…”

Marianne pushed the white porcelain mug with blue flowers in front of Eckart.

Eckart took a mug and slightly frowned.

“What were you thinking about?”

“Well, just…” Marianne looked around with a shy expression.

She was in his study where there were many towering bookshelves that looked like a mountain range. Among the small windows with layers of curtains, only the glass window next to the desk where the two sat side by side was opened wide to bask in the sun. Poibe often trotted on a cleanly-polished window frame.

“I thought your study was great and cool. It’s like a forest of knowledge. I really feel great here because books smell good…”

Although Eckart did not entirely believe her words, he just swallowed the herbal tea instead of asking her why. It was a silver cup that could hold typical poison, but he did not confirm the right dosage of opium mixed in it, nor did he complain or go through the usual procedures of scrutinizing the medicine.

Meanwhile, Marianne quickly noticed a small piece of chocolate on a fork.

“… If you want, I’ll make a study of this size for you. There’s a library in the ladies’ palace too, but it’s a little smaller than this one. Or I can renovate or add an annex to the Elior Mansion…”

“Oh, no, no! The study of the Elior Mansion is big enough for me. This kind of study is too big for me.”

“You don’t have to decline my offer. When the new owner moves in formally, the mansion needs a total renovation anyway. If you become the empress, you may have a lot of new books to buy.”

“I don’t really need it. Anyway, this library here has almost all the books published in the empire, right? If I want to read one, I can stop by. I’m not interested in collecting books. Are you going to build a separate library for me because my presence here is inconvenient for you? Then, I can see you in the parlor, or send a list of books to Sir Kloud…”

“No, you don’t have to go through that.” Eckart cut off her words resolutely.

“If you have any questions or concerns, just come and see me directly. As there are lots of watchful eyes in the parlor, it’s much better for me to see you here in my study.”

There was a strangely cool energy in his pleasant low voice. Given his tone, it sounded like scolding at first glance, but she rather took it as his awkward request.

Thinking it was really strange, she looked at his eyes again and said, “Okay, then. Build one for me.” As expected, she saw there was no more of the stern look in his eyes as soon as she replied in the positive. She didn’t hide the smile on her lips.

Eckart looked at her sudden smile with a suspicious look.

“Marianne, why are you laughing all of a sudden?”

“Because I like it.”

“Like it?”

“Yes.”

Her clear and forthright answer helped to stop him from frowning further.

Although he felt her reply was very absurd, he eagerly tried to hide his feelings.

“I just don’t know what part of our dialogue pleased you. Are you happy because of my offer to build a new library for you or because your offer to see me at the parlor was rejected?”

“Nope. How can I be happy with that?”

“They why…”

“Just because I like you.”

She answered quickly and smiled. He was speechless for a moment and looked at her blankly.

Her green eyes were refreshing like the fresh green of early summer, and the smile on her mouth was clean and lovely. Her face was just good enough to tell no lie or contain no malice.

Her honest eyes and even breathing proved that what she said was true.

‘… Damn it. What am I talking about now?’

He even felt resentful about her, who was not looking at him with an innocent smile.

“Oh, as for the engagement reception. You asked me to pick any one I want, right?”