fiance chapter 11

“Thanks to you, Your Grace, I’m getting a tour of this place. It’s not a manor easily shown off, even to most nobles.”

This manor, where the Duke was currently staying, was called Lillum, one of the imperial family’s properties. It was the very manor where the current Emperor’s grandmother had resided when she gave birth to the Emperor’s second aunt, Lanure Nesbitt, Queen of the Nesbitt Kingdom. Manors where imperial children were born were always managed with particular care. They were typically shown only to select nobles, and leasing them was out of the question. However, given that the guest was a Duke, it seemed they’d lent it to him for a short time. Indeed, there was no other suitable residence near her home for the Duke to stay.

Felix seemed a little disappointed that Sophia was making such a fuss over the manor. The Duke offered a wry smile. “If I’d known Sophia was expecting a proper house, I would have put in more effort. Are you very disappointed by the state of the place?” he asked tenderly, his tone almost childlike, as if apologizing that she hadn’t had a chance to see it in its prime.

“Disappointed? Certainly not,” Sophia replied, though she was, in fact, rather disappointed. Lillum, named after the old word for lily, was said to have been incredibly beautiful. However, except for the second floor where the Duke was staying, everything was covered in white sheets. Countless statues, paintings, and furniture were draped, leaving nothing to see.

Her mother had told her the Duke had come here from the capital in a great hurry, following her. She’d said he must have been so rushed that he hadn’t had time to properly settle the manor. But it had already been three months since the Duke’s arrival. Wasn’t three months enough time to arrange things?

‘Perhaps the Duke will leave soon,’ Sophia thought, suddenly caught up in a flicker of hope. Although His Majesty had given his approval, they hadn’t actually exchanged vows at the temple, so it felt premature to consider the engagement truly finalized. If the Duke were to leave now, she might be free again. Sophia naively entertained the thought. But the Duke swiftly dashed her hopes, his tone firm. “Next time you visit, I’ll have it decorated to your liking,” he said, maintaining a respectful tone in Felix’s presence. Sophia gave an awkward laugh. No matter how hard she tried to adjust, she found the Duke’s presence incredibly uncomfortable. Even now, she felt less like she was in the presence of her fiancé and more like she was before a powerful authority figure. She felt as though she would be punished for the slightest misstep.

“The gardens were impressive, though,” Felix interjected. “Would you care to step outside for a moment?” He gently took Sophia’s hand, then released it. The Duke’s gaze followed the movement, lingering uncomfortably long. Sophia pulled her hand back, out of his sight.

“Yes, let’s go out. I would have arranged a hunt, but I heard you don’t particularly enjoy it,” the Duke said casually. Sophia wondered why he had requested to meet with Felix in the first place. He seemed utterly indifferent to him.

Once they were in the garden, Felix subtly disappeared. The Duke, who had been walking slightly ahead, was now beside her. Feeling his gaze, she looked up to find him studying her face. His lips curved in a slight smile, and his glacial blue eyes regarded her warmly.

“What are you thinking about, my little honeybee?” Sophia flushed. She’d been so certain he would find the story foolish.