CHAPTER 68…………………………
A Special Existence
Early morning sunlight streamed brightly through the windows. In the Duke of Belarus’s office, Akkia and Dmitry sat facing each other.
Akkia had come straight to see Dmitry after finishing breakfast. Judging by how urgently he had sought him out, there was clearly a reason.
The shrewd gaze of the Duke of Belarus met Akkia’s, as though trying to read his intentions.
“So. What business brings the duke to me so early in the morning?”
Dmitry asked while sipping his steaming hot tea. He had just finished breakfast and had thought of calling Leah to enjoy a tea time together in the garden.
Thanks to Akkia showing up first, he had missed the perfect timing—a shame.
“I heard you asked Leah to stay here longer.”
“I did. I didn’t want to be alone for my daughter’s birthday. I asked her to remain a few more days. Is there a problem with that?”
At the brazen look in the Duke of Belarus’s eyes, Akkia’s brow twitched. Leah was his person, yet Dmitry was trying to draw her into his domain.
What on earth is he thinking?
Dmitry’s snake-like gaze revealed no emotion at all. Finally, Akkia gave up on a meaningless staring match and asked directly:
“If you’re treating Leah kindly because you harbor certain feelings for her, I suggest you abandon that thought. Wouldn’t it be better to spend your later years in peace?”
Akkia’s eyes gleamed sharply.
He had thought the man still a green youth, but seeing Akkia stare him straight in the eye, the Duke of Belarus stroked his chin.
Interesting. So Leah really is a special existence to this boy.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so desperate to shield a mere apothecary. Moreover, the glint in Akkia’s eyes was filled with possessiveness.
“Hm. Feelings, you say… Whatever you may think, that apothecary is special to me.”
Akkia turned over the words in his head—special? Leah, whom he had only recently met? Why would she be special to him?
It was odd no matter how he thought about it. Why did the Duke of Belarus want to keep Leah here?
While doubts endlessly piled up in Akkia’s mind, Dmitry muttered inwardly:
This brat dares to threaten me.
The young prince, who once couldn’t even meet his eyes, now stared directly at him. Dmitry realized anew how much time had passed.
With a peculiar expression, Dmitry slowly set down his teacup.
“Duke of Heidern.”
The cool voice calling his name sent a chill down Akkia’s spine. The flicker of interest in Dmitry’s eyes suddenly shifted.
“The sword you hold—its blade is already dulled. With such a sword, I wonder if you could even cut an apple here.”
Saying this, Dmitry picked up a bright red apple. His words were indirect, but Akkia understood instantly.
He was asking: Do you really think you can protect Leah when you have no power at all?
Even if Akkia’s health had recovered, to the world he was still the incompetent duke who had lost everything to his cousin.
When Dmitry had first heard that Akkia was trapped in a mine collapse in another territory, he had been mildly surprised, but thought little of it.
After all, the survival of the Duke of Heidern wasn’t his concern.
What had annoyed him was that the frail duke had come all the way to the northern territory.
That was, until he learned of Leah, the apothecary.
Leah might have been harmed as well…
Looking back, it had been a chillingly close call. He might have lost a girl who could very well be his granddaughter.
He had immediately ordered the accident report on the mine collapse. Upon reading it, he found something odd.
Someone intentionally caused the entrance to collapse.
He had already learned that Cox, the overseer, had been bringing in rotten wood to embezzle funds. By the time Dmitry found out and tried to act, the mine had already collapsed.
But the reason the entrance collapsed when Akkia was inside was separate from that.
The wood at the entrance was sound.
The mine’s entrance had stood for hundreds of years without once caving in.
For it to suddenly collapse now…
There was only one answer.
It was deliberate.
Dmitry’s sharp gaze fell on Akkia, who clenched his fist at the insult.
Yes—he must hate admitting his own powerlessness.
But in the end, he’ll have to face it.
Leah had nearly been harmed because of that weakness. Dmitry’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“You once suggested I develop hot springs, did you not?”
Akkia’s brow furrowed at the sudden change of subject. From sharp words about dull blades to a business venture about hot springs?
“As you know, I no longer have much of a head for business. Why don’t you take charge of it instead?”
Akkia stared hard at Dmitry.
Though he spoke of hot springs, his eyes held no real interest in business—only curiosity about Akkia’s answer.
“By staying here, of course.”
This was what Dmitry truly meant. Akkia’s gaze darkened.
This slippery snake…
The hot spring plan was nothing more than an excuse to keep Leah nearby.
“I have pressing matters. I cannot remain here.”
“……”
“There are too many suspicious points about the mine collapse. I must report to His Majesty at once.”
Just as Akkia resolved to pack immediately and take Leah back to the capital—
Dmitry’s lips curved in satisfaction, as though very pleased.
“Yes. It would be discourteous to keep such a busy duke. Then only you may return.”
Akkia felt as though struck at the back of the head. Of course Leah would follow him to the capital—or so he had believed.
But the triumphant gleam in Dmitry’s eyes suggested otherwise. There was something between him and Leah that Akkia didn’t know.
Could Leah have some connection to the Belarus family?
His mind raced—and then he suddenly remembered.
A few days ago, in the garden, Dmitry had murmured as he looked at Leah:
[…Ariel?]
Yes. He had called her Ariel—the name of the Belarus daughter who had died twenty years ago.
No way…
Like puzzle pieces snapping into place, Akkia’s eyes widened. He finally understood the meaning behind Dmitry’s strange smile.
If he was right—if Leah truly had ties to the Belarus family—
Then I can’t just leave.
After a long silence, Akkia finally let out a quiet breath.
“I will stay.”
He could not leave Leah at the duke’s side without knowing the truth.
“Are you sure? You said you must urgently report to His Majesty.”
At Akkia’s reluctant concession, Dmitry smiled slyly—as though he had foreseen it.
“You can send a report by letter instead.”
At those words, Akkia clenched his fists tightly.
❀ ❀ ❀
At the butler’s suggestion, Leah was exploring the mansion’s library.
He said I could read any book I liked, didn’t he?
As expected of an ancient noble house, the shelves were packed with everything from old tomes to long-out-of-print volumes.
Leah’s eyes widened in awe.
So many books!
Excited, she pulled out one after another to skim. Then the library door opened, and a familiar voice rang out.
Leah turned toward the entrance.
“So, here you are.”
The Duke of Belarus approached her.
“How do you like the library?”
“Yes! There are so many rare books.”
“My wife loved collecting books as a hobby.”
Dmitry gazed into the distance, recalling fond memories. Leah had thought he was the one who loved reading, so his answer surprised her.
That such a well-stocked library rivaling the capital’s was thanks to the duchess’s hobby…
“More than that, I wish to give you a gift.”
“To me?”
Startled, Leah looked up. Dmitry went to a shelf and handed her a book. He had been astonished when he learned she had earned her apothecary’s license at such a young age—and even mastered medicine as well.
Though not certain she was truly his granddaughter, Leah had grown up decently in harsh circumstances. Dmitry felt proud and wanted to give her something.
“This book…”
“As an apothecary, you’ll know. It’s Dr. Franken’s treatise on herbs.”
Franken was as renowned in herbalism as Professor Rams.
Dmitry was gifting her one of the library’s most valuable books.
“Such a precious book…”
Leah felt overwhelmed, not knowing how to accept it. She had already been at a loss about how to address the side effects of the new medicine.
Without access to the sap of the Reparatio tree, she was stuck. And now—such a treasure was placed in her hands.
Clutching the book to her chest, her heart pounded.
“Thank you so much, my lord. I don’t know how to express my gratitude…”
Her voice trembled with emotion. Seeing her face flushed, Dmitry smiled warmly.
“It’s nothing. By the way, did you know the author was an old friend of mine?”
“What?!”
Leah gaped. The duke and Dr. Franken were close friends? But before she could recover, Dmitry added:
“As it happens, Franken is staying in my territory. If you wish, I can arrange a meeting.”
Had they not been in the duke’s presence, Leah might have shouted with joy. She nodded vigorously, almost unable to contain herself.
Perhaps the doctor knows of something that can replace the Reparatio tree.
Her joy soared—until she suddenly thought of Akkia. He had been planning to return to the capital at once.
“Ah. But… what should I do? My lord duke seems intent on returning to the capital immediately.”
“……”
“I’d like to stay here.”
Her voice carried regret despite the great opportunity. Dmitry’s eyes softened.
“Don’t worry about that.”
And he smiled with utmost kindness.
“Duke Heidern has given permission.”
Leah’s eyes widened in surprise.
