The Grand Duchess of the North Is Obsessed With Me

13 – The Grand Duchess’ Tale

Compared to the duke’s residence, the mansion is shabby and shows signs of dilapidation.

It is well maintained as if the servants sincerely cherished and loved it, but you will never come to like an old mansion that cannot stand the transience of time.

As always, I will be hurt again, and before that happens, let’s close the door to our hearts.

So that no one can enter and leave my heart.

Neither my mother nor my father will be able to melt my heart, and I will have to live alone forever.

But I am the Grand Duchess who rules the North.

Never, never, will never fall.

But the fact that I, who had made such a promise, melted away so quickly… No, the reason why it melts even at this moment.

What made me like this old mansion?

Just hearing the name ‘Valencia’ made my heart and heart throb.

“Nice to meet you, Elencia.”

It is certain that it was because of this one boy who did not shrink even with the grand duke’s mistress and the grand duchess in front of him.

#

Why are you making that face?

I have heard about this child from my mother.

Cain Valencia, the second son of a Valencia baron.

Rumor has it that among the wives of aristocrats that he is clever and clever compared to his peers, he was also famous among our peers.

Handsome and nice.

It was exactly that level of evaluation, but receiving that kind of evaluation from the noble ladies who have lived their lives knowing that they were proud of themselves was actually the same level of difficulty as picking stars from the sky.

But I just thought, “That’s right.”

Because it was clear that he was just that kind of person anyway. Even if they say they are smart and clever, even if they are handsome and kind, there was nothing that would come into my mind anyway.

Even when I saw him for the first time, my thoughts did not change much.

You’re quick-witted. You take good care of your surroundings.

Oops… You hold his hand without hesitation. Her father said that men and women should be unique.

But why are you looking at me with that expression?

What the hell did you feel in me? Are you looking at me so pitifully and pitifully?

Looking back now, I think I was curious about him for the first time back then.

But, I swear, I did not allow him to enter my heart.

“… Wow.”

Despite such a promise, the first thing that came to my mind was a cat.

Cute, pretty cats.

There was tender affection in his eyes as he playfully introduced the cats as squatters of this mansion.

I noticed right away how much he cares for and loves cats, as he had no intention of hiding them.

“Meow.”

I couldn’t help admiring the eyes of those rambunctious cats, but somehow I felt envious of them.

Because I didn’t know what it was like to be loved and loved by someone.

“… Aren’t you going to ask?”

“Pretty people won’t bite.”

… Pretty, me

I know it’s an objectively pretty face. Because I’ve heard a lot of people talking about it.

But.

[She has a pretty face… He has no expression… Is it scary….]

Knowing that there were many stories that always followed, I couldn’t help but stare at his face.

I didn’t feel the slightest pretense on his face, so he rather avoided looking at me.

‘… He said that to a woman.’

Although he said he didn’t care too much about his status, it was hard to endure because I wasn’t immune to holding hands or saying things like that without hesitation.

Everyone who approached me always had a purpose, and even if there was no purpose, there were definitely people who manipulated them from behind.

However, there was no selfishness or purpose in his words.

Just pure goodwill. It’s as pure as if it were given to cats….

‘Let’s not think about it.’

After all, he’s just like everyone else.

….

Yeah, let’s admit it.

I was able to admit it only when it was time to return to the duke’s residence.

I enjoyed my time here, my time with him. Even so, the confused mind couldn’t admit it.

No, rather than being unable to admit it, I was confused.

Since when did my heart fall so easily?

From the moment I saw the cat?

Perhaps it was like that. Could it be that the cuteness of the cat and the touch of its fluffy fur made me melt?

“Let’s do more fun things next time.”

Yes… So, just thinking of cats makes my heart beat like this.

Never listened to him.

It was because of the cat that I continued to miss the warmth left in my hands.

Everything.

Because of the cat.

#

The reason I realized my feelings was because of an unavoidable accident.

Everything was perfect that day.

I was very pleased with the makeup I had been busy preparing in the morning, and I also liked the clothes.

I always prepared diligently on the day I went to the baron family, but today I liked my appearance even more.

The weather was sunny, and the wind was warm today.

Naturally, without knowing it, my heart was excited.

It must have been because I wanted to see him smiling warmly at me and talking kindly to me again.

“… I want to go outside.”

He always asked me what I wanted to do, and I said that.

To be precise, I wanted to go outside ‘with you’, but… I wasn’t ready to say it yet.

He put on a troubled expression at my words, but soon listened to what I had to say.

Thank you. For always accepting all my complaints….

Swallowing that feeling into her heart, she naturally took his hand and started walking along with him.

I liked this moment.

When my slightly cold hand is held in his warm hand, the warmth passes from his hand to mine.

Then, as if his warm heart was transmitted without my knowledge, I felt his face melt away.

It was also nice to walk behind him slightly behind him.

I felt like someone was protecting me and guiding me, and I liked being able to watch his profile.

Of course, I had to be nervous because when he looked at me now and then, he always had to look elsewhere.

“Hey~.”

“… ?”

Coming out of the mansion, he suddenly let out a strange noise.

As I looked at it curiously, he smiled his signature smile and spoke his grotesque words.

Originally, when I’m excited, I do things like this or something.

It was the first time I had heard it, so I didn’t believe it at all, but for some reason, he was excited and seemed to have the same mind as me.

Unbeknownst to me, I had no choice but to pretend I couldn’t win against that rhythm.

“Hey, hey… like….”

After seeing me, we followed him and burst into laughter as we headed towards the village.

Oh, it’s fun.

I am happy.

I hope this time never ends.

I realized that the emotions that I would have been worried about losing if I had felt them before were so precious now.

And they could also feel that the hand he held tightly fixed them.

“Arm.”

The village I first came to had many interesting and delicious things.

There were a lot of things on sale, from various attractions, and there were plenty of things that looked delicious.

Among them, we chose chicken skewers.

Skillfully talking to the shop owner and buying yakitori, he also handed me a yakitori.

We sat on a nearby bench and ate chicken skewers amicably. The savory aroma and taste of chicken skewers seemed to dance in my mouth.

At the same time, I could feel another.

I usually do just that no matter what I eat, but when I’m with him, it’s so delicious.

Everything is new, and all the strange things are also thanks to him.

After enjoying the delicious chicken skewers, we looked around. From the flowers on the roadside, to the things sold around, and to the spectacles on the street.

Among the many things I saw, the most memorable was a store that sells accessories.

…… Because he bought me a necklace there.

He, who usually pays too much attention to me, naturally knew that I was looking there.

He also told me to take a look in a friendly voice as if it were natural, and he bought me a necklace as a matter of course even though he had spent all his money.

When his face came close, when he put the necklace around my neck, my heart felt like it would burst.

His face also turned red as if it would explode, and he couldn’t help but cringe to hear his thumping heart.

He quickly fell, but the necklace he wore remained on my neck and his scent lingered in my nose.

Something bitter and sweet.

He smiled, and I couldn’t help but drop my gaze.

“It suits you well.”

Because I was drawn to his voice and his collection, I could have said that I liked him.

I calmed myself as much as I could.

Perhaps he didn’t even know what I was thinking, he started walking again. But he didn’t hate or resent him.

Rather, I wanted you to hold my hand and walk for the rest of your life.

“———Ilensia!!”

Bang!!

Oh, how did it happen?

Wearing the necklace he gave you, walking around the neighborhood again and playing together. We laughed and chatted together….

While he went to buy water for a while, a strange man approached him… I ran away from him and went looking for him… Carriage.

His body gently wraps the whole body.

Hold me tight so that I don’t bounce off, instead of bumping into you and enduring the pain instead.

The world goes round and round.

But I couldn’t feel the slightest bit of pain. His urgent face, gestures, and actions seemed to slow down one by one.

Then his body became limp and limp.

Even in the midst of that, holding me tight, I could feel the will to protect me.

So, for the first time in my life, tears flowed.

No no no no no no no no no no.

Don’t die.

It’s all because of me. Even if I, I didn’t ask to come to the village… If only I hadn’t run into the boulevard stupidly….

Sorry.

Everything… It’s because of me.

“Come on, take it.”

“What is it… ?”

“A gift.”

Some time after the incident.

He handed me a ring.

Originally, it was intended to be handed over before entering the mansion… Small things went unnoticed.

Only the flowers in the ring caught my attention.

‘Bellflower.’

The reason why I only remember the flower language among countless knowledge was very simple.

The flower language is exactly that.

Because it was ‘eternal love.’

Of course, it’s unfortunate that he doesn’t know the language of the flower, but… I smiled and looked at him.

You don’t know, but now.

Promise, did you do it?

Are you going to stay with me forever?

It’s all because of you that I feel this gloomy feeling. Because you accepted my complaints, took care of me, and saved me.

Because you are the only one who never wants to be taken away by someone else.

Let’s keep our promise.

Let’s love forever.