~Chapter 98~
The Date
For someone who smiled so sweetly, her words were awfully grim.
She had just asked her father to set the date for her next whipping.
One of the butlers, serving the Duke nearby, widened his eyes as if doubting his own ears. The knight by the door looked just as shocked.
Duke Astria, however, only narrowed his eyes, staring at her with a cold, sharp gaze.
He understood perfectly why she had brought this up now, and what she meant by it. After all, he was the one who had taught his daughter that every word before society carried weight.
So, she’s showing off.
He thought she was being arrogant, emboldened now that she had secured a powerful backer.
Yet, since the profits she promised to bring were indeed very appealing, he decided — unusually — to show some mercy.
“…That won’t be necessary anymore. Until you become the Grand Duke’s mistress, focus on taking care of yourself.”
Eleanor nodded with a bright smile.
Yes, she had expected him to say this. A calculating man like her father wouldn’t risk injuring her body. If the Grand Duke were to see fresh wounds and change his mind, it would be a disaster.
“Yes, Father. I’ll do that.”
She replied sweetly and turned away, her steps light and springy.
Just before leaving the study, she looked back one last time.
The Duke had already turned away from her, staring down at something on his desk. His broad back blocked her view, but he seemed very focused.
Her eyes shifted slightly and landed on the things she could see: the bright summer sunlight streaming through the large windows, the red carpet that hid bloodstains well, and the whip proudly displayed on the cabinet.
At least for a while, I won’t have to feel pain in this room, from that whip.
It was a relief.
Now she could keep the promise she had made to Karsian.
“Please… don’t get hurt when I’m not around.”
That was what he had begged of her at the townhouse. And Eleanor, for once, wanted to honor that request — at least as much as she could.
Though who knows if I’ll always manage it.
At the very least, she could pretend to keep it. With that thought, she left the study.
It was time to forget her bitter memories, and the messy reality tangled with them, and instead enjoy something entirely different — a dreamlike date with a man who felt unreal.
***
Eleanor had been on many dates before — but unfortunately, they had always been with Arlo.
Before she grew completely cold toward him, Arlo had done his best to give her what other ladies would call “the perfect date.”
A man dressed sharply, arriving at her house with a large bouquet in hand, greeting her with a smooth smile, offering his arm like a gentleman — the textbook gestures you’d read about in etiquette guides.
His planned dates, too, were always standard noble fare: a glamorous concert or opera, a visit to an art gallery, and dinner at a fine restaurant.
Though Eleanor had never gone on dates with anyone else, she had heard enough from her former friends to know that most noble dates were all the same.
So, she hadn’t expected today’s date to be any different.
Or at least, she thought she hadn’t.
But the moment the Royster family carriage stopped in front of Astria mansion, she realized she was wrong.
Her heart was beating too fast. She hadn’t even seen him yet, and her chest was already swelling with excitement.
She was simply thrilled — thrilled at the thought of meeting him, of going on a date with him.
And when the mansion gates opened and Karsian appeared to greet her, her heartbeat only quickened.
He, too, seemed to have dressed with today in mind. He wasn’t flashy like Arlo, but it was clear he had made the effort. Even wearing a formal coat in the summer heat, he looked perfectly at ease.
A man dressed handsomely — she had expected that. What she hadn’t expected was the way it made her feel.
“Good afternoon, Eleanor.”
His low voice carried warmth as his lips curved into a subtle smile.
And Eleanor could not tear her eyes away from his radiant face.
His black hair, swept partly back, framed his sharp brows and softened eyes. His normally fierce features gentled into a kind smile. He looked like he had stepped straight out of a painting.
Everything about him set him apart. His tall height, his broad shoulders, the grace of his long limbs — or maybe simply his strikingly handsome face. Whatever the reason, his presence was overwhelming, wild yet beautiful.
Is it just me?
Eleanor glanced around, suddenly self-conscious.
Of course not. The servants who had come out to see her off were staring at him like they had lost their souls.
The maids looked half-dazed, and even the butlers’ eyes gleamed in admiration. Somewhere, she could hear a quiet gasp of awe.
So it wasn’t just me. He really is that extraordinary.
Realizing that, Eleanor felt a little more at ease.
“Shall we go?”
She held out her hand casually. Karsian hesitated for a moment, then carefully took it, escorting her to the carriage.
From the gate to the carriage, she could feel the heavy stares of those left behind — each with their own reasons for watching her.
She didn’t look back. She simply boarded the Royster family’s grand carriage, and soon they departed Astria mansion.
Inside, the carriage was just as spacious and comfortable as before. It was as if it had been built to suit his large frame. With the Royster fortune, it wasn’t impossible.
Distracting herself with idle thoughts, Eleanor spoke.
“Karsian, you look very handsome today.”
Compliments were an essential skill for any noblewoman in society. Eleanor had long since mastered saying what others wanted to hear.
But today, calling him handsome made her oddly self-conscious. Perhaps because it was her honest feeling this time.
“I just hope people don’t compare us. They might say the woman looks lacking next to the man.”
She added playfully, trying to hide her sincerity.
“…What?”
Karsian frowned as if the joke made no sense. And before she could explain, he answered seriously.
“Who would dare say such nonsense? Anyone with eyes could see otherwise.”
“That’s…”
“Eleanor, everyone knows you are more beautiful than anyone else. If some fool dares to speak otherwise, I’ll rip out their tongue.”
How could he say such fierce, embarrassing compliments so earnestly?
Eleanor felt her cheeks burn, forcing a laugh.
If another man had said such words, she would’ve dismissed them as empty flattery. But Karsian’s expression, his voice — they were utterly sincere. No hint of pretense. Which made her both happy and deeply embarrassed.
“Thank you for saying that. So… where should we go today?”
“Is there somewhere you’d like to go?”
Unlike Arlo, he hadn’t booked shows or planned gallery visits. Eleanor found that refreshing. She had never cared for operas or art anyway.
“Well… somewhere public, perhaps. If I’m to look like the Grand Duke’s mistress.”
“If you want to look like my lover, then yes — somewhere crowded would help. How about the marketplace?”
Karsian still disliked the word “mistress.”
His gentle correction, calling her his lover instead, made Eleanor chuckle.
“Yes, that sounds good. Let’s go to the marketplace. It’s been a while.”
The carriage was already heading in that direction, so they arrived quickly.
“Oh, Karsian — if rumors are to spread, we’ll need to go on more dates after today. Will that be all right? Aren’t you busy?”
She asked with concern as the carriage slowed to a stop.
From what she’d heard, Karsian had been traveling back and forth between Royster and Juvenile almost every day.
Aside from the upcoming hunting festival, there weren’t many events—so it was likely his frequent visits to Juvenile were because of her.
Though it was his idea to make it look like something was happening between them, Eleanor still felt guilty for causing him such trouble.
“Yes, it’s fine. I have capable men to handle matters.”
Clunk. The carriage rocked lightly as the wheels stopped.
“But I… only worry about you.”
Without waiting for a servant, he stepped down and extended his hand to her.
“I worry that meeting me so often might trouble you, Eleanor.”
His red eyes searched her face carefully, anxious that she might find his attention burdensome.
This time, it was Eleanor who looked at him like he was speaking nonsense.
“Why would it trouble me?”
Without hesitation, she grasped his gloved hand firmly.
“I like it. Because it means I get to see you again.”
With his help, she stepped gracefully from the carriage and whispered with a sly smile.
She had never said anything like this to any other man in her life. Maybe because she had already embarrassed herself plenty on the way here, strangely, she didn’t feel shy now.
Instead, it was Karsian’s face that flushed slightly, his Adam’s apple rising and falling unevenly.
The sight made her mischievous. She held his hand more tightly, threading her fingers closer.
“Like this, we really do look like lovers, don’t we?”
Her long, curved eyes sparkled as she teased.
Watching his crimson eyes waver like petals in the wind, she leaned closer, continuing her deliberately bold words:
“Shall we hold hands all day today?”
If Hilda had been here, she would’ve shouted “My lady, you’re guilty!” three times over.
But unlike when Eleanor had unintentiona
lly embarrassed Ernst—this time, she was fully aware of what she was doing — this time, she meant it.
