Chapter 93
While it’s difficult to think of human institutions like marriage when looking at a cat struggling with grooming due to chest fur longer than its neck, eventually giving up with a mouthful of fur…
And although the humans around the Grand Duke were all too busy running away exclaiming “Eek, scary!” to consider linking him with someone and thinking about marriage…
Still, Ruan was the only person who knew the Grand Duke was a cat beastkin and was his assistant. This meant it was Ruan’s job to think in human terms on behalf of the cat Grand Duke and take care of human aspects.
But to have never thought of such an important issue until it was mentioned by Volker’s mouth.
He knew that as the Grand Duke grew closer to other people, there was no need for him to mediate between cat and human. But he thought he was still doing well as an assistant… Was that not the case?
‘Then what kind of…’
Help can I be to the Grand Duke?
With a chilling feeling, Ruan reflexively turned his gaze towards the Grand Duke.
And at that moment, what entered Ruan’s eyes was…
In the midst of the lavish banquet hall, receiving the attention of prominent nobles, was ‘Grand Duke Dietrich Reinke’ flaunting his presence.
Stylishly swept and fixed black hair, and beneath it, clearly revealed masculine features.
A body overflowing with charisma befitting a warrior, covered by clothing that looked ascetic yet formal.
An atmosphere heavy enough to prevent easy approach, but all the more difficult to take one’s eyes off.
A dignified attitude that seemed to prove his status, needing neither to introduce himself first nor approach anyone.
There stood a knight renowned as the strongest warrior, a man undeniably attractive to anyone who saw him, the empire’s one and only ‘Grand Duke’, amidst the interest of strangers.
That deep navy outfit was certainly what Ruan had prepared after much deliberation and seeking advice from various people for the Grand Duke’s first social appearance. Considering the Grand Duke’s dislike for accessories, decorations were minimized, but there were still many elements that could be uncomfortable compared to his usual attire, which was worrying. But before heading to the banquet hall, for some reason, the Grand Duke had just stared at Ruan without expressing any particular dislike as he received help dressing, and Ruan had felt relieved as he personally adjusted the Grand Duke’s outfit.
But… That outfit, which he had put on with a feeling half like putting a collared nametag on a cat before heading to the vet…
Seeing the Grand Duke standing there looking splendid among strangers in that outfit, suddenly…
A fact that he had forgotten due to being too close flashed through Ruan’s mind.
‘Come to think of it, the Grand Duke was originally such an amazing person.’
Grand Duke Dietrich Reinke was originally such an amazing person, only unable to get close to people due to misunderstandings caused by his inherent cat-like characteristics and lack of understanding of human issues.
A person worthy of standing at the center of everyone’s attention. Yet possessing so much that no one could easily take him lightly.
It was natural that once strange misunderstandings were cleared up, many people would want to get close to such a Grand Duke, as numerous as stars. And naturally, there would be many people to help with his work.
The reason Ruan had been the only person by his side until now was simple. He was the only one who could mediate between the territory’s people and the Grand Duke, and solve problems the Grand Duke couldn’t pay attention to.
But now that those misunderstandings have been somewhat resolved, with several people already close to the Grand Duke and many more wanting to get close… If he becomes useless to the Grand Duke by not being able to properly help with work.
Moreover…
“You said His Grace doesn’t have a fiancée?”
“Then there’s plenty of opportunity, right?”
“Grand Duchess… How impressive.”
If the Grand Duke marries and ‘his wife’ becomes the person closest to him…
‘What meaning do I have… to the Grand Duke?’
Ruan looked at the Grand Duke with a bewildered feeling.
There will be many people around the Grand Duke. With no need to squeeze in between, Ruan would have to step back outside of that circle.
There will be many people looking after the Grand Duke’s affairs. People more familiar with this world who can be of more help to the Grand Duke will work in Ruan’s place.
The Grand Duke’s wife will sleep by his side. Ruan will use the bedroom they shared alone.
Ruan will no longer be the only one who knows the Grand Duke’s secret. Ruan will no longer be the only one the Grand Duke trusts.
Then does Ruan’s place become not right by the Grand Duke’s side as it has been until now, but behind others?
Like now, just watching the Grand Duke surrounded by others, where just a few steps feel like dozens of miles?
At that moment, Ruan realized what the depression he had felt throughout the journey to the capital meant. The shock he felt when hearing about the Grand Duke’s marriage. The dismay he felt when hearing others’ blatant conversations about the Grand Duke.
Until now, he had only thought that he wanted to be helpful to the Grand Duke and be happy together…
‘Actually, I…’
Did I want to remain the Grand Duke’s only and special existence and monopolize him?
From now on, continuously.
The moment he thought this, the Grand Duke’s gaze, which had been watching people approaching nearby warily, turned towards Ruan. His pupils, narrowed into thin slits due to the bright light, captured Ruan precisely.
Despite being far apart, and despite the Grand Duke’s facial muscles not moving at all, Ruan could tell at once. That was a look saying, ‘Why isn’t that guy coming quickly and just standing there blankly?’
Normally, he would have gone to the Grand Duke as soon as their eyes met. But Ruan could only stand still, staring blankly at the Grand Duke, like someone who had forgotten how to move his feet.
It was because the thought that had just dropped onto his head was holding his legs down like a weight.
‘Then is this simply the feeling of an assistant, a butler… really?’
* * *
The Grand Duke was anxious.
Of course, it was because of his assistant.
The preparations for courtship were going very smoothly.
Learning from past failures, the Grand Duke did not neglect to gather information from humans to ensure there were no shortcomings.
Originally, he thought the assistant’s blood relatives would be enough, but one day, the assistant’s blood relative came to see the Grand Duke along with several knights.
At first, he was a bit suspicious since these were guys who used to tremble at the mere sight of him… But the knights, having experience in successful human-style courtship, knew a lot. It was unexpectedly competent.
Things that deviate from expectations are often unpleasant, but sometimes good discoveries are made like this. Thinking that he would make better use of his subordinates in the future, the Grand Duke rumbled his throat in satisfaction.
Then the guys who had been listing what they knew with sparkling eyes suddenly returned to their previous timid selves… But anyway, the Grand Duke was able to smoothly gather information about human courtship through them.
As the courtship preparations were progressing steadily like this, there should have been only satisfaction and anticipation. But the reason the Grand Duke was now immersed in anxiety instead of such positive emotions was…
‘Your Grace. While surprise events have the effect of reaffirming emotions and bringing freshness by breaking away from routine and familiar appearances… Actually, the most important point is that during the time you don’t know, I thought about you this earnestly and put in this much effort just for the purpose of making you happy. As such, even if it’s discovered midway, people do like it and find it cute. But to maximize the impact, it’s better to keep it completely secret and then reveal it when everything is perfectly prepared.’
It was because he had to hide the entire process from his assistant.
The Grand Duke agreed with the knight’s opinion. Originally, when hunting, shouldn’t one completely conceal their presence and appearance, and then pounce and bite the nape at the perfect timing when everything is ready? It was indeed plausible that one should hide any signs until the decisive moment comes.
And honestly…
‘Your Grace’s front paws are cute too…’
‘Your Grace’s hind paws are cute too…’
‘Your Grace’s tongue is cute too…’
‘Ah… Even just breathing is cute…’
He was already receiving an overflow of cuteness. What the Grand Duke needed was not the cuteness he would receive if discovered midway.
It was the result he would get from the success of a perfect courtship.
So it was right to thoroughly reduce his presence and hide any signs until all preparations were complete. He should suppress his breath like that and court at the most appropriate moment…
“Sigh…”
The Grand Duke’s gaze turned towards his assistant, who was letting out a long sigh.
With lips slightly parted after exhaling a sigh, the white neck revealed through the wide collar of his nightwear, the back line faintly visible as the thin fabric clung when he lowered his head…
The problem was… Even though preparations weren’t finished yet, recently, just looking at that guy made his body tense up. To the point where he felt like he might just bite the nape of that guy’s neck without any secrets or preparations.
