GRAND DUKE, PLEASE MARRY ME!

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VOLUME 3: UNEXPECTED SOCIAL DEBUT

Chapter 22: Klaus's Question

On the evening before the debut party in society, Klaus arrived—or rather, it seemed he was forcibly summoned by Countess Korvitz.

"You're quite heartless, leaving such a lovely daughter here and never visiting."

"It's not easy to get permission to leave the boarding school."

Klaus replied in a calm tone.

"Oh, but if His Majesty calls, you'd dash out during class, wouldn't you?"

"Grandmother, how do you know that?"

"I heard it from Her Majesty the Queen."

I learned from Countess Korvitz yesterday why Klaus attends the boarding school. Initially, it was to investigate rampant cases of unauthorized enrollment within the school. Despite being a place where only selected outstanding individuals can enroll, sons of nobles have been entering through backdoors by falsifying exam scores in recent years. It seems King His Majesty ordered Klaus to investigate from within the school. Having passed with flying colors, he continues attending even after the incident was resolved. Being a student at the boarding school provides a good cover for his identity as a member of the Iron Cavalry.

"But since you're here now, I'll let it slide."

Even when Countess Korvitz smiled sweetly at him, Klaus remained expressionless.

"Right! I've asked this child to be your escort tomorrow!"

"Grandmother, I haven't agreed to that yet."

"Oh, come on. You were planning to attend the party, weren't you?"

"Well, yes, but—"

He didn't refuse as decisively as when he rejected my proposal of marriage before. I sensed a slight bewilderment in his eyes. It didn't seem like he simply disliked the idea.

"Having such a cute daughter attend the party, you're the luckiest person in the world. Please, fulfill this old woman's last wish."

After being told that much, even Klaus probably couldn't refuse.

"Then, it's just the two young ones left!"

With that, Countess Korvitz left the room. Even if the young man and woman are engaged, they shouldn't be left alone together. I wonder what she intended by leaving Klaus and me behind...

Klaus didn't seem to care about being alone with me. I thought we would spend this time quietly and awkwardly, but he initiated the conversation.

"What about the dress?"

"It's been perfectly repaired. I deeply appreciate your concern."

If I hadn't dreamed of the engagement breakup between Jillke and Ubel, I would have praised Klaus as my savior. But now, I'm overwhelmed with complex feelings.

"You don't seem too happy."

"I'm terribly nervous."

If I could, I would marry Klaus right away. Even if Ubel breaks the engagement and proposes to me, I wanted to build a relationship where it would be okay. But the other party is Klaus. He's the man Countess Korvitz said wouldn't bend like a sword. No matter how miserable I am or how much I plead, he won't change his mind or even sympathize.

While lost in thought, Klaus asked an unexpected question.

"You proposed to me before. What were you thinking?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Isn't it obvious from my appearance?"

By "my appearance," he must mean my red eyes and black hair.

"I look like a devil, don't I?"

"Well, yes."

I answered honestly, and Klaus widened his eyes. Did he expect me to say, "I don't mind!" after asking? It's hard to understand.

"You proposed marriage, but what was your intention behind it?"

"I had a dream."

It's best not to evade questions with such a suspicious person. It's better to tell the truth, as it might resonate with him. But I didn't intend to reveal the outrageous story of dreaming about the future.

"In the dream, I was in a very dire situation and desperately wanted to be saved. You appeared, despite our antagonistic relationship, and saved me."

"And being saved meant marriage?"

"No, it meant 'death.'"

If I had been restrained and taken away, I would have been humiliated as a criminal. At that moment, death in the dream was the only salvation for me.

"Approaching the person who killed me in the dream seems insane, doesn't it?"

"I agree. But unlike the me in the dream, I want to live now."

"Are you making a judgment that if we weren't enemies, you wouldn't be killed?"

"Yes, exactly!"

He sighed deeply at my words.

"Your background has already been investigated. 'Elucia von Lindenberg, daughter of Duke Schild,' right?"

"Yes."

"Of course, you know who I am, don't you?"

"Of course, 'Sir Klaus.'"

I felt sweat gathering on my forehead as he stared at me with his red eyes. I felt like a frog being stared down by a snake.

"I'm the nephew of Duke Schild. I have no power to protect you."

"Even so, I think you're the only one who can help me."

I stared at Klaus as if he were a snake. He returned my gaze like a dragon's. The enemy is too powerful.

"People in the Iron Cavalry easily earn grudges. Having a partner might make you a target, and their existence could become a weakness."

That's probably the main reason why Klaus wasn't married. He's dedicated to serving the country as the king's sword.

"I believe I can be of service to you."

"How exactly?"

"I can sense unsettling futures, although it's a rather vague and unreliable ability."

"I see."

"As long as we're alive, we can't avoid relationships with others. In such a world, having a slightly mysterious ability may not be so strange, right? One or two wives, or even more."

"Why would you have more than one wife?"

"I'm sorry, I got carried away."

Klaus stood up and turned on his heel.

"It's not something to decide right away," he said, turning his back to me and leaving the room.

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