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Chapter 66

Emilia left the Princess's palace, escorted by Lucas.

Well, calling it an escort might be a stretch.

She frowned as she watched Lucas walking ahead.

Did he not hear me say we should talk earlier?

Lucas walked on without a word—and his gait seemed strangely stiff.

"Um..."

Just as Emilia was about to call out to him—

"Sir Lucas! Where are you? I was looking around the garden and lost my way!"

A voice calling for him came from not far away.

As Emilia turned to see who it was—

"Huh?"

Lucas suddenly grabbed her hand, her eyes going wide.

He quickly pulled her behind a nearby tree.

It all happened in an instant.

Emilia's back touched the trunk of a large tree. Lucas's shadow loomed before her.

"Such a nuisance..."

Lucas muttered lowly, bracing his arms against the tree and looking beyond her.

It felt like they were hiding, so Emilia asked in a small voice.

"I don't know who it is, but she seems quite eager to find you."

"That's just her making a move..."

Lucas scoffed—then paused.

The woman trapped between his arms was looking up at him with clear green eyes.

"Making a move?"

Emilia asked, tilting her head in puzzlement.

For a moment, confusion flickered across Lucas's face.

A soft, sweet scent wafted around the tip of his nose.

This is maddening.

Earlier, when he'd seen Emilia, Lucas had experienced a sudden blankness in his mind for the first time.

What on earth was that noble-lady-like getup?

When her flowing hair came toward him, he'd even swallowed involuntarily.

Just then, Emilia moved her lips.

"So, has that person who was making a move gone now?"

Lucas realized just how close his body was to hers.

Close enough to feel the breath escaping those small lips.

"Ahem."

He cleared his throat, lowered his arms, and stepped back.

"Yeah, she's gone."

"Wait a moment."

Emilia looked at him and frowned.

"...What."

"Lucas. Why have you been avoiding my eyes?"

Emilia narrowed her eyes and asked.

Ever since he'd arrived at the reception room, Lucas had been avoiding her gaze.

Like someone who didn't know where to look.

At her question, Lucas flinched.

"...When have I?"

"Right now."

At his counter-question, she answered immediately.

See?

He was looking up at the sky again, avoiding her eyes.

Emilia stepped closer, and a low groan escaped Lucas's lips.

He looked down at her for a moment—then quickly turned his head away.

Why on earth is he acting like this?

Watching him, Emilia felt a stubborn streak rise in her. She stepped even closer and stood on her tiptoes to bring her face closer.

"Lucas?"

Their eyes met for an instant, and Lucas's eyes widened.

Then he turned his whole body away, showing her his back.

Emilia blinked in disbelief.

"F-follow me this way. You said you wanted to talk."

Lucas said hurriedly, striding ahead.

Watching his back, Emilia tilted her head.

How strange.

He was always the one grinning and teasing her whenever they met—but today, he seemed like a different person.

Emilia's gaze fell on the imperial uniform he wore.

Hmm. I suppose clothes make the man?

He did seem stiffer than usual.

---

Lucas led Emilia deeper into a wooded path.

It was quite far from the Princess's palace.

Emilia followed him, looking around.

No one passes by here.

It seemed to be off the patrol route of the imperial knights.

Surrounded by thickets, no one would even know they were there.

Just then, Lucas stopped and sat heavily on a rock.

He let out a deep sigh.

"Sigh..."

Rubbing his face, he spoke in a low voice.

"So you're really the Duchess of Valen?"

His tone somehow sounded as if he didn't want to believe it.

His reaction made Emilia feel a little sheepish.

Well, I understand.

From Lucas's perspective, it made sense.

A commoner woman he'd known casually suddenly appeared as a Duchess.

If he hadn't been surprised, that would have been stranger.

But the same goes for me.

Emilia pouted.

"I had no idea you were the Princess's knight either."

"That's different from this."

"How is it different?"

Emilia shot back confidently.

"We both just didn't know each other's circumstances."

No—come to think of it, Lucas was the one who'd pretended to be with the Capital Guard.

She'd only gotten married during a period when she hadn't seen him.

The only issue was that she'd married the Duke of Valen.

Lucas looked at her with a complicated expression, then roughly ran a hand through his hair.

"So..."

"...?"

He rarely faltered, and Emilia blinked.

"You didn't marry the Duke because you loved him, did you?"

"Huh?"

She'd wondered what he was so hesitant to ask—and it turned out to be such an absurd question.

Emilia rolled her eyes for a moment, then said casually.

"No, I married him because I love him completely."

"What?!"

Lucas shot up from his seat.

"Wh-whoa."

His stronger-than-expected reaction startled her.

"What's wrong? It was a joke—why are you so surprised?"

But Lucas just looked at her in disbelief.

"You call that a joke?"

"Maybe not. But you're the one who said, 'If you marry me, you can confirm I'm not married,' and suggested it yourself."

"...Th-that was."

Still remembering his own words, he was at a loss for a retort.

Emilia burst out laughing.

She shook her head and sat down on the rock across from him.

"Anyway, my marriage isn't the important thing right now..."

"It's not important?"

Lucas looked at her as if she were insane.

Emilia frowned.

"Lucas, you're Her Highness's knight, aren't you?"

"So?"

"Didn't you already suspect that my marriage is a sham?"

She had a few reasons for thinking that.

When they'd met at the park, Lucas had shown great care for the person he called his mistress.

And most importantly, Selena had chosen Lucas without hesitation to escort her.

That convinced her that Lucas was on Selena's side.

"Yeah. I figured the Duke used marriage as a tool. But..."

Lucas paused, his gaze slowly settling on Emilia.

"The person he used was you."

His eyes, unlike usual, held not a trace of playfulness.

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