Chapter 22

This time, too, he didn’t answer immediately. He just quietly studied her for a moment. There was a hint of sadness in his red eyes she couldn’t quite place, and for some reason, it made her heart ache a little.

“….”

Her head tilted slightly at the unfamiliar emotion. In that moment, the Grand Duke finally spoke, his voice low and gentle.

“All I ask is that you promise not to disappear without telling me.”

“….”

She was taken aback for a moment by his request. In a way, it was only natural. If they were to fulfill the terms of their contract, she couldn’t simply vanish without a word. Still, the Grand Duke didn’t look away, waiting for her unequivocal answer.

‘…Is that really all he wants?’

Anais wondered silently.

He spoke again, almost as if responding to her thoughts.

“That’s the only thing I ask.”

Her violet eyes wavered, and she slowly blinked, as if to hide it. Then, after steadying herself in that brief moment, she replied.

“I promise. If I can’t say it in person, I’ll at least leave you a letter.”

Only then did his eyes curve gently and he gave her a bright smile, looking truly relieved.

“Good.”

As all the seriousness melted away from his expression in an instant, replaced by warmth, in that moment, a thought crossed Anais’s mind.

‘Why do I feel like I keep missing something for some reason…’

Anais pressed her lips together tightly.

Every time he smiled at her so tenderly or looked at her with those sorrowful eyes, she felt a wave of confusion, lost in thought even as she watched him.

But the Grand Duke spoke cheerfully.

“I’ll have the detailed contract prepared by the end of today.”

At those words, she snapped out of her thoughts and focused on the moment. Regardless, the contract was the most important thing at the moment. She was just relieved it had been settled smoothly.

“Shall we have our meal now?”

He smiled at her, and Anais nodded in response.

‘Still, this first step with the Grand Duke wasn’t so bad.’

While the meal was being prepared, her tangled thoughts began to settle down. A variety of dishes were soon set out on the table.

With her heart lighter, she picked up her fork and knife.

‘…Wow.’

But the sight stopped her in her tracks.

At the viscount’s house, the meals she was given were limited—simple dishes like soups, stews, bread, or salad. And even those were often cold or stale from the day before. It was all her father’s doing, supposedly to help her manage her diet for the sake of fitting into dresses. Yet the spread before her now was lavish and abundant.

Startled, her eyes widened as she thought.

‘…Am I really allowed to eat all this?’

She glanced at the Grand Duke, but he only spoke with concern,

“If the food doesn’t suit your taste, let me know what you’d prefer. I’ll have it prepared for you.”

“N-No. This is more than enough.”

Anais shook her head, flustered.

From his reaction, it seemed he didn’t place any restrictions on food. Now that she thought about it, he had only made a single request for their contract as well..

After a moment of hesitation, Anais scooped a small portion of a dish she had never seen before onto her plate to try it.

“….!”

A gentle aroma of garlic spread through the creamy sauce. The soft, buttery potato practically melted in her mouth. It was much more delicious than she had expected, and her eyes widened in surprise.

Seeing her take several bites of the same dish, the Grand Duke spoke.

“I’ll make sure the chef knows to prepare gratin dauphinois for you at the Grand Duchy as well.”

“Ah.”

“If there’s anything else you enjoy, just let the chef know. He’ll be more than happy to make it for you.”

Truthfully, the food didn’t really matter. Anything was better than what she had at the viscount’s house. Still, Anais nodded and replied.

“I will. Thank you.”

After all, getting along with the staff until she left the Grand Duchy was part of her duties.

The Grand Duke smiled and shrugged.

“No need to thank me. It’s my pleasure.”

He answered so naturally, giving a small smile as he cut his meat and put it in his mouth.

“….”

Her feelings flickered again like a delicate candle flame. She wasn’t used to this gentle warmth, the kind the Grand Duke so easily offered. Yet, in the end, he was the man destined to kill her.

He was the last person she wanted to grow closer to.

Anais steadied her trembling hand and picked up her cutlery, mimicking his natural ease. By pretending nothing was wrong, she finally began to feel a little more at ease.

Just then, the Grand Duke casually broached.

“Now that the marriage and contract are settled, I think we should decide how to address each other.”

“Address… each other?”

Anais stared at him, bewildered.