When Pride Fell At My Toes - Chapter 53



Only Krnovel

#53. An Irreversible Existence
2024.02.22.

‘Why is it so loud?’

Enrico’s eyes went down to his wrist. His right hand, which had been still for a moment as if he was hesitating, slowly moved and began to remove his watch strap.

His impulsive choice to hear Emilia’s breathing led him to do something uncharacteristic of him. The watch was quickly shoved into the gap between the sofas. The sound of the second hand moving at regular intervals disappeared from the world.

The hesitation he had made, fearing that he might feel the irritating silence, was immediately replaced by the tickling sound of his breathing.

‘… … It’s okay.’

Soon, his face became awkward. It seemed that his mere actions had given him an unwanted assurance. Emilia’s presence, which he had tried to ignore, began to grow in volume beyond his ability to handle.

He slowly rubbed his chin and mouth with his right hand, then soon covered his eyes and lowered his head. In fact, why did her worries, which had crept into his mind even during the last meal, knock on his heart so much? Before, he had wanted to receive that upright affection, but now he kept thinking that he wanted to keep her by his side.

If he wanted her, he could have her.

He wanted to think simply, but he wanted to be wary of her arousing such strange feelings, but the moment she broke the silence, his worries became useless.

‘… … The only way I can have her is by squeezing her with a contract.’

What could he do with someone who had forced him to make a contract with his parents in the first place? He knew about the question of his parents’ deaths but remained silent, so he would be no different from a bystander, and it was wrong from the start.

‘What should I do?’

His purple eyes, similar to the night sky filled with countless stars, were deeply immersed. His gaze, filled with sorrow, lingered on her for a long time.

“Ugh… ”

At that moment, Emilia’s fingertips moved. He got up from his seat at the sight of her tilting her head to the side with a small groan.

Seeing her body fall to the side following her head, his hand quickly and gently wrapped her cheek before it touched her lower cheek. His soft cheek and hair felt on his palm.

“Ha… … .”

Anyway, since it was a sofa, it wouldn’t hurt even if she fell down, but a hollow laugh escaped her lips at the belated realization. One of her eyes flinched and slowly lifted its eyelid. A strange silence flowed as their eyes met.

“… … Duke?”

She blinked blankly and almost jumped up. He slowly got up, holding the palm that had been warm for a moment.

“Duke, why are you here… … .”

She quickly blinked, covering her cheek that his hand had touched a moment ago with her own hand, with a puzzled expression.

“I was thinking of having a meal.”

“Ah… … . You should have woken me up.”

“You were sleeping so soundly that I couldn’t dare wake you.”

Emilia let out a small sigh and lightly brushed back her disheveled hair.

“If you had called me in advance, I don’t think this would have happened.”

“I just stopped by.”

At his ambiguous answer, which seemed to imply that he would not contact her in the future, she rubbed her cheeks once with a half-resigned face.

“Are you going out to eat now? Then I think I should get ready.”

“Um… … No. Next time.”

Really? Her gaze as she looked at him said so. He smiled briefly and headed toward the front door.

She followed him hesitantly, and blankly stared at him as he picked up the bouquet of flowers that had been placed on the shelf in the hallway. He handed her the large bouquet and said softly,

“You look tired. Get some more rest.”

“… … Thank you. But why are you giving me flowers?”

He turned slightly as he grabbed the doorknob at her questioning voice.

“You’re playing the lead role.”

“Ah… … .”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“… … Yes.”

Emilia barely managed a short answer with an ambiguous expression on her face, not knowing what to say. He looked at her for a moment, then turned around and went out the front door. Through the crack of the door slowly closing, he could see her moving further and further away, and then disappeared with the door slamming shut.

‘It’s a congratulatory bouquet, but it’s a bit ambiguous.’

She had told him to take the main role from the beginning. He must be quite satisfied. But even so, he came all the way to her house and gave her a bouquet.

Did he really like his ballet that much? Then, was his original self nothing without ballet?

For some reason, his chest felt heavy, a feeling different from that of being denied his existence. Rather than wanting to be treated as a human being, he felt like he wanted something more intimate, but he couldn’t figure it out.

Emilia looked down at the bouquet that filled her arms. The voice of him congratulating her a moment ago rang in her ears. She closed her eyes and buried her face in the bouquet. The scent of the flowers made her head spin.

***

The inside of the box was separated a few days later. There were various items, receipts, contract documents, etc. that seemed to be from an investment.

Most of the contract documents were not very important, so she put them aside and looked through the letters among them.

“Um, based on the content, these three people seem to be in a position to consult with you… …”

Emilia put down the three letters and crossed her arms in front of her chest. All three of them had the same message: she had heard rumors that her father was looking for a lawyer, that he was very interested in her current work, and that she wanted to go down that wonderful path with him.

“What are you doing now? What else do you have besides investment rights?”

Was she talking about the patent rights she had mentioned before? Since she could only guess, it seemed like she had no choice but to ask Enrico to investigate these three people.

“But is this all there is?”

She didn’t know why all the contract documents had such simple content. Her parents had invested a lot in various fields, but the amounts were too small and the contract periods were short.

Emilia, who was flipping through the receipts, found a small note in the gap.

-Why aren’t you coming to the palace? If you want what you want, you have to catch my eye. Or give me your jewels.

Emilia’s forehead furrowed.

“What are you talking about? The palace?”

“Why the palace?”

Startled by the sudden sound behind her, she quickly turned around. Enrico, who had said he wouldn’t be at the mansion today, was standing in the doorway.

“You said you wouldn’t come today… … .”

“The work was finished quickly.”

Enrico had his hair neatly slicked back and was wearing an ivory vest and pants. Judging from the fact that he didn’t usually have his top button down and bangs messy, he must have had something important to do.

“But what do you mean the palace?”

“Oh. There was a note mixed in here that said this.”

“Huh… … .”

A dull laugh escaped Enrico’s mouth. Emilia pointed to the note, as if she knew something.

“Do you know who it is?”

His eyes, which had been languidly lowered, rose and looked straight at her.

“You know it too.”

“Me too? Who am I? The only people I know in the palace are the Duke and His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“He’s in there.” “… … Could it be His Highness

the Crown Prince?”

“Yes.” “His Highness the Crown Prince wrote this?” Emilia quickly snatched the note away and brought it in front of her eyes. Her tone was so arrogant that at first she was going to ask if it was Enrico, but she ended up asking if it was the Crown Prince, which was too surprising. “Why? Don’t you believe me?” “I guess it’s because he’s such a polite person.” “You really don’t have an eye for people.” “Huh?” “Did you forget that I told you to be careful last time?” “I haven’t forgotten, but you didn’t tell me why you were telling me to be careful,” Enrico glanced at her after roughly scanning the scattered papers. “You’re so gloomy that you’d send such a note at such a young age.” “Ah… … .” “He was born violent. There were many underlings who bullied him when he was young, but he must have gotten used to it now that he’s gotten older and stopped being so blatant.” “A dog… … . That’s all?” “Yeah. He’s the kind of guy who would rather cause trouble out in the open than be so anxious if he stays quiet.” He couldn’t believe it. He didn’t seem like it at all, but it was hard to guess how many troubles he had caused for Enrico, who seemed so indifferent, to say something like that. “So the second prince will be coming soon.” “Huh? I heard that the second prince went abroad to study.” “It’s the prince’s fate to come back when necessary.” The prince didn’t seem that great in front of him. Emilia felt that the lofty image of royalty was disappearing a bit. Well, there really wasn’t anything to think about as the image of royalty in the first place. Even Enrico, as they went back and forth between each other’s mansions, started to talk about various things… “Oh, Your Majesty. Now that I think about it, I heard that Zabetta found a watch.” “A watch?” His once smooth brow furrowed slightly in a way that wasn’t unpleasant. “Yes. I received it the day before yesterday, but I wasn’t able to give it to you. If I had known you’d be here today, I would have brought it with me, but I’ll definitely bring it next time.” “… … I didn’t know.” “Huh?” “I didn’t know you were empty-handed when you left.” Was that really that surprising? Emilia tilted her head slightly with a puzzled expression.

His gaze, which had been staring blankly into space for a moment, slowly scanned her face. The blue-violet eyes that had been looking down sagged to the sides, then soon strangely frowned and revealed a faint smile.

“Take that watch.”