Chapter 8
“Ah… ah! Pietras!”
When I saw the man running toward me, his name suddenly came to mind.
It seemed that my memories returned more clearly when I actually met people rather than just thinking about them.
Even earlier, on my way to this house, the streets and the house itself had triggered memories to come back.
And now, looking at this man, I could tell that not only the story I had read in the novel but also the childhood memories, emotions, and experiences related to him were becoming mine.
Even though in the novel Pietras barely appeared, I could now remember everything about him.
Yes — this man was Pietras Reizel, Rena’s childhood friend and closest companion.
He was the second son of Count Reizel, a student in the Law Department at Kiranthes Empire University, and had even graduated early…
Wait, wasn’t his graduation ceremony yesterday?
He had begged Rena to come, but she couldn’t.
“Rena, what are you doing? What’s with all this luggage?”
As all my memories of Pietras came back, he stopped running and looked at me, his eyes falling on the bags beside me.
“Oh, this?”
I gave him an awkward smile.
He didn’t know yet that I was married.
Even though Kiranthes University was the best in the Empire, it wasn’t located in the capital — it was in the Planka region, about five hours away by carriage.
Because Pietras had been busy with his graduation and preparing for the bar exam, we hadn’t seen each other for a long time.
After Rena’s mother died, Pietras had sent several letters, but Rena couldn’t bring herself to tell him that she had been sold to the Duke of Hure.
He had been at the busiest point in his life, and Rena hadn’t wanted to burden him with her misery.
“Where are you going? Why did you pack up like this?”
“Piet, congratulations on your graduation. I’m sorry I couldn’t come yesterday.”
I didn’t know where to start explaining, so I apologized first.
That’s probably what Rena would’ve done.
“Don’t be sorry! You told me you couldn’t come. But really, where are you going?”
“Well, actually, I…”
At that moment, I heard the sound of a carriage approaching.
The Duke. He was here.
Ah, this was bad. I needed to explain things to Pietras quickly, but the carriage was already slowing down — and stopped right in front of him.
“I seem to be a bit late.”
The Duke’s gaze briefly swept over Pietras and my luggage before settling on me.
“No, I just finished earlier than expected. I didn’t have much to pack.”
“Hmm. And who might this gentleman be?”
The Duke looked back at Pietras.
“Are you… Duke Keith Ricardis?”
But Pietras reacted first — his eyes widening twice their size.
Of course, it must have been shocking that Rena and the Duke knew each other.
“Yes, I’m Duke Ricardis. And you are?”
“I’m Pietras Reizel, the second son of Count Reizel. I’ve seen you from afar before, but I doubt you remember me.”
“Reizel family… hmm, I think I recall. And how do you know my wife?”
“What?”
Pietras’s voice cracked.
“Piet, I’m married,” I said quietly.
For some reason, it felt awkward.
From his point of view, it must have been a shock — his childhood friend suddenly becoming a married woman overnight.
“What?”
As expected, he frowned in disbelief.
“I mean, I got married yesterday — to the Duke. Today, I just came home to pack my things before moving into the Duke’s mansion. The new owner hasn’t moved in yet, but I have to leave today.”
“Wait, Rena! Married? What nonsense is that!”
“Ahem!”
Pietras raised his voice, and the Duke cleared his throat loudly.
Wow, that was one powerful cough.
“Ah, my apologies, Your Grace. It’s just… I’m having trouble understanding this situation.”
He bowed slightly to the Duke, rubbing his forehead in confusion.
“Piet, it just happened suddenly.”
“No, Rena, wait! You really married this man? Duke Ricardis?”
Finally, he seemed to realize this wasn’t a joke or a lie.
“Yes, that’s right. I married the Duke.”
I couldn’t say more.
After all, the contract marriage had to remain a secret.
“My lady, if you’re finished speaking with your friend, shall we go now?”
At the Duke’s words, goosebumps ran up my arms.
That word — my lady — sounded so strange coming from him.
Pietras also frowned when he heard it.
Well, what else could the Duke call me? Certainly not Rena.
“Yes, we can go. Piet, I’ll write to you soon.”
“…Alright.”
“Oh! And congratulations on passing your bar exam. I knew you’d make it!”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll go now.”
“Rena, if you ever need help, contact me.”
Need help?
That sounded suspiciously like he had noticed something strange about this marriage.
His words made me feel uneasy — and judging from the Duke’s sharp stare, he thought the same thing.
Hey, that’s not fair! I didn’t even say anything about a contract marriage! Pietras is just too sharp!
“Thank you, Piet. I’ll be going now. Shall we, Your Grace?”
“You seem to be very close,” the Duke said expressionlessly as we got into the carriage. “Close enough to use nicknames.”
“Yes, we’ve been friends for a long time. He was just shocked that I got married so suddenly.”
“I understand.”
“…?”
You understand?
That was surprisingly calm and mature of him.
For a so-called trash male lead, he was acting too normal.
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“No, I’m just grateful that you understand.”
“Isn’t that natural? Or did you think that because I proposed an unconventional marriage, I’m a man without basic decency or sense?”
How did he know?!
He just read my mind!
Wow, so sharp. All the men in this world are too perceptive.
Wait… if that’s true, then he probably thinks I’m also someone without sense — for agreeing to such a marriage.
That’s… unfair.
“No, of course not.”
I smiled faintly, trying not to look awkward.
“Your smile looks rather forced, you know?”
Damn.
So it did look fake.
I turned my head toward the window to hide my expression.
Better to just not show my face at all.
“What did you do in the city?” he asked again.
Why is he still talking to me?
Didn’t he say unnecessary conversation outside official occasions was forbidden?
So that rule only applies to me, not him?
“I just walked around a bit,” I said politely and neutrally.
“I see.”
He nodded slowly, as if analyzing my answer for hidden meaning.
Why even ask, anyway? You never asked the original Rena anything like that.
“Is that all your luggage?” he asked next, glancing at my bags.
All my luggage?
I’d packed as much as I could fit!
“Yes.”
“Clothes?”
“Yes? Oh, yes!”
Now he was asking what I packed?
Why does he care so much all of a sudden? Just go back to being your usual cold, indifferent self!
I looked at his handsome face and quickly turned away.
Ugh, that face doesn’t match his personality at all. Such a waste. Tsk.
When we returned to the Duke’s mansion, the head butler and chief maid greeted us.
“Welcome back, Your Grace.”
They both bowed deeply.
“Mm.”
The Duke nodded slightly and headed straight for the stairs.
“Welcome back, Madam.”
Once he disappeared upstairs, they turned to me and bowed politely.
“Thank you. May I appoint my personal maid right away?”
If I’d had one this morning, I wouldn’t have gotten lost so much.
I wanted someone I could rely on — specifically Luce, who should’ve arrived by now.
“Ah, yes, then—”
“What are you doing?”
The Duke suddenly stopped halfway up the stairs and asked.
What does he mean, what am I doing?
