Duke Daira did not respond.
Lacking the courage to even look at his face, I immediately knelt down.
The duke flinched, seated, at my sudden action. Fearing that waiting for an answer would only result in being yelled at to leave, I began to read what I had prepared.
“Ah, hello, my name is Miria Hexen. Three days ago, at the charity party, I struck your head with a decorative ceramic, causing you injury. This has caused significant harm not only to you, Duke, but also to those around you.”
I thought he might shout in anger at this point, but the duke remained silent. I could see my hands trembling as they held the paper. It wasn’t a deliberate attempt to evoke sympathy or forgiveness, but I was afraid of being misunderstood.
Everything now felt frightening and delicate.
“I acted out of the belief that you had harmed my friend and employee, Liri, but it was all a misunderstanding. You helped Liri, and thanks to you, she will be able to lead a very healthy life from now on. You didn’t harm Liri; you helped her.”
As I uttered Liri’s name, tears welled up.
What should I do about Liri? If the duke decides to take revenge or seize the guild, could I still send her to the magic school? She’s just regained her health, but what if she can’t attend school because she’s fallen out of favor with the duke?
It’s all my fault. I acted rashly… But that situation was real…
“I sincerely thank you and want to apologize. I will, of course, bear all the costs for the treatment, and I would like to do anything else that might serve as consolation. Once again, I am truly sorry.”
That was the end of the written text.
The duke remained silent for a while. I let my hands, still holding the paper, fall to my knees and quietly awaited his reprimand.
I had discussed everything with Grandfather on the way here. No matter what the duke said, I resolved to apologize unconditionally.
After all, he is a great noble and a powerful magician.
Regardless of the circumstances, I did break the head of an innocent person.
It would have been easier to talk if he had shouted or sneered, but the duke continued to be silent. It was maddening not to know what he was feeling as he sat on the bed, looking down at me.
As I wiped my sweaty hands on my skirt, the duke’s voice reached me.
“Count, please… stand up and speak. No, I will have a chair brought for you.”
I was surprised by his voice, which suggested standing up rather than shouting.
When I looked up, there was no anger on the duke’s face. How could he look like that after his head was broken while helping someone? He was even smiling faintly.
“No, I’m fine.”
“You look pale, as if you’ve been through a lot.”
The duke added thoughtfully when I immediately refused.
He smiled more clearly, not because he wanted to, but to reassure me. A mix of embarrassment, gratitude, apology, and shame overwhelmed me.
I felt flattened by the emotions. I bowed my head to hide my disheveled face, and the duke’s voice poured over me.
“I was also rash in that urgent situation. I should have taken that employee to a safe place before attempting treatment, but I proceeded hastily in the corridor. You couldn’t feel mana and had no idea what mana artificial respiration was, so it’s natural that you misunderstood.”
I didn’t know how to respond.
Should I thank him for understanding? But isn’t it something that shouldn’t be so easily understood?
A person who acts out of goodwill feels wronged if their intentions are not recognized. Even if they don’t expect repayment, being misunderstood is naturally unpleasant.
But this man… What is he?
Maybe he’s not in his right mind because he was hit too hard on the head?
As I blinked blankly, the duke calmly added.
“Fortunately, as a magician, I recover faster and have better stamina than most. I’ve been lying down for a few days, but it’s just the process of healing the wound, not a problem with my body. So, Count, you needn’t worry too much.”
“No, but still…”
“Aren’t you friends with that employee?”
His eyes looking down at me were warm and sincere.
Why does the duke look at me with such eyes?
Honestly, I felt wronged, but now I’m even embarrassed by his approach.
“Anyone in your position would have done the same, Count. I would have too. So, naturally, I should understand you.”
I didn’t know what expression I was making. When I finally looked up at the duke, he urged me with a worried voice.
“So, please get up now. You look like you’re about to collapse.”
I staggered to my feet. Whether it was because I had been kneeling for so long or, as the duke said, I was drained of energy, my head spun for a moment.
I wasn’t about to falter, but the duke quickly caught my hand while still seated.
“Excuse me. Please sit down and wait for a moment. I’ve been a terrible host.”
“Oh, no, it’s okay.”
“I would feel terribly sorry if you fell ill because of this.”
The duke seated me on the edge of his bed. The warmth from his hand lingered on my cold one. I clenched and unclenched my fist, feeling strange.
Suddenly, I was sitting with my back to the host. I was conscious of the duke behind me, wondering if this was alright, my mind blank.
The duke didn’t stop there. He rang a bell to summon someone and ordered a sweet drink that would give me energy.
He then offered me another explanation.
“I will order them to find that magician from before. It seems they’ve gone into hiding, but other magicians will help.”
Then, a servant came with a white mug. The servant seemed surprised to see me sitting on the duke’s bed, but only widened their eyes briefly without saying anything.
As I took the mug, the rich scent of hot chocolate filled the air. My heart fluttered for no reason. Sipping the hot chocolate, I heard the duke’s voice from behind.
“Please regain some strength before you leave, Count.”
Could I have done the same?
To the one who struck his head, there was not even a hint of anger, only understanding and forgiveness.
He forgives me because he would have done the same for a friend? Is such a thing truly possible?
I hesitated, unsure how to convey my feelings, but it seemed the duke did not wait for an answer.
“You must have been very worried about this incident. Being in charge of a large guild, I can imagine the extent of your concern. Fortunately, I am unharmed, so I hope you can forget this and return home.”
It seemed that the duke was offering more words of comfort than I. This shouldn’t be the case.
I turned to him, still holding the mug. His seated figure somehow looked different than before.
He had always been noticeable, but now I could see a warm kindness spread across his face.
We had crossed paths several times, but Duke Euryx Daira was just a business associate beyond reach. Suddenly, he leapt into my reality. I could feel all the colors and scents that one person could possess.
Was he always such a person? Did he always have such a heart?
My heart raced. I could feel my face flushing red. As my cheeks grew hot, I touched them, trying to hide my agitation.
“Is there really nothing I can do for you? Even a small compensation…”
“It’s alright. My body has almost fully recovered.”
“Still, I’m not at ease. I’ve brought some money for the treatment and gifts as compensation, but if there’s anything you desire, I would like to do it for you.”
Until now, I was more worried that the duke might harm my guild. But now, I truly wanted to do something that Duke Daira desired.
Yet, he shook his head with a smile.
“I caused a disturbance at the charity party. If you could kindly forget about it and invite me again next time, that would be enough.”
This man is excessively considerate. Without realizing, I turned my head quickly to avoid his gaze.
Everything was resolved, yet tears came foolishly. I forced myself to drink the hot chocolate to calm down, but it was no use.
Pretending to scratch my face, I wiped away the tears that had spread across my cheek. Instead of making me cry further, the duke offered a gentle farewell.
“Then, I wish you a safe journey home.”
Feeling like I might burst into real tears if I stayed, I stood up abruptly. Then, I turned slightly so he couldn’t see my face and bid him farewell.
“I’ll come to greet you again later.”
A soft laugh followed. His response was just as gentle.
“You’re welcome anytime.”
“Thank you…”
Before the duke could say more, I practically ran out of the room.
I left the mansion in a daze and hurried back to my carriage. I wonder what the servants thought when they saw me crying.
Grandfather, who had been anxiously waiting in front of the carriage, saw my face and rushed over in shock.
“Miss! Are you alright, my lady? Why are you like this…”
“The duke is alright.”
I answered shortly and climbed into the carriage. Grandfather hurriedly followed and sat opposite me.
As soon as the carriage started with a jolt, Grandfather grabbed me and bombarded me with questions.
“What happened? What did the duke say to you, did he threaten you? Or…”
“No. No, the duke is really alright. He even told me to go home and rest well.”
“Then why are you like this… And why did you bring this mug… Why are you crying, miss?”
Hearing that, I looked down and realized I had indeed brought the cup. I couldn’t help but laugh.
So I just laughed while crying.
“Out of embarrassment.” Grandfather looked at me, not understanding. I rubbed the tears away, muttering.
“I was honestly too worried about our guild. I was so worried that I didn’t feel very sorry… I made a mistake, but I also felt wronged, and the duke was just too…”
I really don’t know why I’m like this. My emotions are in turmoil, and I can’t forget the duke’s face as he looked at me.
I cried out of sheer embarrassment when the duke smiled to reassure me. It felt like he saw right through my pathetic calculations. Grandfather didn’t say anything more and just patted my shoulder.
Inside the shaking carriage, I murmured.
“Duke Daira isn’t human… He must be an angel…”
“Yes, yes.”
“He must have come from a hospital after removing his wings…”
“Yes, of course.” “Is it because he’s an angel that he’s so handsome?”
Grandfather looked at me with a wry face.
“Miss, just stop at the first verse.”
I’m serious. Geez.