DYPIOOP Chapter 12

I Respect Your Preferences

Despite Elonia's desperate nodding, Lifrey's gaze didn't withdraw. He blinked his large eyes slowly, alternating his stare between her and Carvel without haste.

"By any chance, is your fiancée not free to go outside?"

The question landed with weight. Lifrey apparently didn't know how to talk around a subject. One side was infuriatingly indirect, the other painfully honest. Even in this, he was Carvel's complete opposite. Carvel answered without hesitation—and quickly at that.

"No. I can state that with certainty."

Carvel's hand tightened around her shoulder. Firm. Even so, his expression didn't shift, maintaining a smile of appropriate courtesy. Though his jaw was probably clenched. He turned his head and asked Elonia with a bright smile, "Isn't that right, Elonia?"

"O-of course! Secretly climbing out the window was just to enjoy a light thrill and sense of liberation."

"You heard her, Your Highness. Elonia has these charming moments occasionally. That's what captivated me."

The subject change flowed naturally—clearly not his first time executing such a maneuver. Lifrey blinked at Elonia, looking surprised. The face that hadn't flinched while watching her scale the wall transformed at the mere word charming.

'Right. Even I think charming was a bit much.'

Her charming days had passed long, long ago. Perhaps she'd been charming during early childhood. But Carvel, who'd spoken the word himself, appeared utterly unbothered. He even checked his watch with complete composure as he added, "If you have time before entering the palace, would you care for tea inside?"

"I appreciate the offer, but I must return shortly."

Lifrey declined politely. He still seemed unconvinced, but apparently had only stopped by the estate briefly. Carvel responded with a clean, uncluttered smile. "A shame."

"I feel the same, brother."

No, Carvel was clearly delighted about it. Anyone could see his face had lit up completely, though Lifrey didn't seem to notice. Could he really not see it on that face? Lifrey finished the simple farewell with composure, then extended his hand toward her. She'd been looking at Carvel with slight distaste when his sudden movement made her pause in uncertainty.

'What...?'

A slightly bowed torso and courteously extended hand. She'd seen this many times before but couldn't quite recall where. A very brief silence passed before Lifrey cautiously broke it.

"Will you accept my greeting?"

Elonia startled at his voice and quickly extended her hand. Right—she'd seen it in books. She'd forgotten entirely since Carvel had never bothered with such formalities, let alone shown her this ritual. Lifrey's eyes lowered gently toward her awkwardly offered hand. His long lashes cast shadows near his eyes. He lightly kissed the back of Elonia's hand as he spoke.

"If you ever have any problems, please seek my help."

Lifrey's voice reached her faintly, mixed with the wind. Though she clearly heard it with her ears, it felt like a different sound entirely. Now that she looked, Lifrey's mouth wasn't moving.

White light began inscribing characters at his feet. Through the gaps in the rapidly carved light above the magic circle, Lifrey's fragile-looking blonde hair scattered faintly. The pale wind mixed with his hair, obscuring her vision, and when she raised her head again—Lifrey had already vanished without a trace.

"Are preparations for the palace visit going well?"

Carvel, leaning against the door in impeccable dress, looked at her as he asked. Elonia lifted her head from examining the list of gifts that had arrived for her.

"I've been working hard since I committed a crime."

"Wise. I was worried you might indulge in thrills and liberation at the imperial palace."

"Absolutely not. My life goal is a secure retirement."

One week after Lifrey's visit. The day of entering the imperial palace had already drawn near. During that week, Carvel had milked the excuse she'd made in front of Lifrey relentlessly. If it were tea, he'd steeped it so thoroughly only plain water would remain. Elonia had decided that since that day, her alternate name was Miss Thrill of the Liberation Family. In truth, she could maintain her composure because she'd found ammunition to strike back at Carvel. She asked confidently while flipping through the gift list.

"Duke, more importantly, where did you put the necklace?"

"What necklace?"

Carvel asked back as if he genuinely didn't know. Elonia turned sharply in her chair toward him. Whoosh. Then she lifted the list and pointed to one spot.

"Look. The necklace Countess Fellan sent me. It clearly says it was received."

She spread her hand dramatically, pretending shock.

"Ta-da. It disappeared?"

"How unfortunate."

Despite his words, he didn't look particularly troubled as he shrugged. He even offered advice, pointing at her paper.

"I noticed you were quite moved by His Highness Lifrey's magic before, but your sleight of hand is too clumsy."

"It's not sleight of hand!"

Elonia put force into her gaze as she asked.

"Somehow it feels like I've heard of that family somewhere..."

"If it's Countess Fellan, didn't you see it when you were memorizing all the families?"

"That's right. It left an impression as the only family that wasn't a political marriage."

"Right. That's where you heard it. Count Fellan was quite flamboyant, after all."

"Count Fellan's philandering was so extreme that memorizing his private life felt like reading a novel."

"Were you into romantic novels?"

"Not exactly, but once I started reading, it stuck..."

Mid-answer, Elonia suddenly realized this wasn't the point. Looking carefully, he seemed to have deliberately changed the subject. She collected herself and said, "That's not it! Don't you think you took it yourself?"

Carvel had to know—he was supposed to know. Because it was the necklace he'd discarded before, replacing it with the ring. He straightened from his leaning position and answered, "I didn't throw it away. I'm holding onto it temporarily."

"Then give it back. I'll just check it and return it to you."

She didn't know what Countess Fellan was actually like, but if she entered the palace, the probability of meeting her was high. Especially if she'd gone so far as to send a gift—she might acknowledge the acquaintance. First priority was thoroughly examining what the gift looked like. When Carvel had taken it, everything happened so quickly she couldn't even remember if it was green or blue. Carvel answered casually, "I'll have Greythur bring it, so wait a moment. But why would you return it to me?"

"Didn't you take it because you wanted to keep it?"

Elonia asked as if it were obvious. Most nobles who came to the salon, in her memory, were particular about jewelry. It had to match their dresses, and when giving gifts, many examined trends, prices, and designs meticulously. Even if they didn't wear it themselves, they could still feel possessive. Didn't even crows collect shiny objects? Though she wasn't sure if that necklace's design was appealing enough to warrant taking. Elonia could understand completely. Since his hobby didn't threaten his livelihood to the point of poverty, he could certainly have one refined pastime.

Though they were engaged, she had absolutely no intention of interfering with his life. She'd be grateful if he felt the same, but unfortunately, he was actively involved. In fact, lately she'd been seeing his face nearly every day. Thanks to that, seeing him no longer made her angry.

She thought she'd finally reached enlightenment. Elonia said magnanimously, "Don't worry, I won't ask for it back."

Without answering, Carvel immediately called toward the door.

"Greythur."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Click. The door opened immediately—had he been waiting outside? In Greythur's hand was a case identical to the one he'd taken before. Carvel asked quietly through the doorway, "You're certain?"

"Yes. I obtained a perfect replacement, indistinguishable from the original. Even the sender couldn't tell them apart."

He even opened the case to show the necklace. A blue sapphire radiated brilliant light, asserting its presence within. He asked while accepting the case, "The original?"

"Destroyed."

He finished the conversation with a nod instead of words. Elonia shook her head, watching him hold the case with such serious contemplation. She'd said he didn't need to return it. She had jewelry overflowing already anyway. Just as she was about to request he simply let her confirm its appearance—Carvel crossed to her in a single stride. He showed her the necklace as he said, "This is the necklace Countess Fellan sent."

It was more elaborate than expected. Not just one teardrop-shaped sapphire but what looked like a dozen or more. The design was excessive for wearing or simply giving as a gift.

'But the engagement ring is more expensive than this?'

Elonia glanced sidelong with narrowed eyes at the diamond ring on her finger. Surely he wouldn't demand its return later, or claim compensation for minor scratches? The past week of comfortable living since receiving the ring sent a chill down her neck. Having acted unconsciously until just now, Elonia suddenly found everything uncomfortable. Moving stiffly, she became self-conscious even of that, so she simply fixed her left hand with its ring on her lap and didn't move it at all.

After carefully examining the necklace Countess Fellan had gifted with her eyes, Elonia nodded.

"Confirmed."

"Take it."

"I understand everything."

"You've been saying incomprehensible things for a while now."

He wrinkled his eyelids slightly and placed the case on her table. Elonia slid the excessively glittering necklace aside. Smooth. The case sat open between Carvel and her, waiting forlornly for someone to claim it first. Soon Amy's announcement arrived that preparations for the palace visit were needed. In the end, Carvel could leave the room empty-handed.

"Then I'll prepare quickly."

Click. As the door closed, the smile nominally hanging on Carvel's face vanished immediately. When he emerged, Greythur, who'd been waiting ahead, bowed lightly in courtesy. Carvel confirmed no one else was around besides him, then murmured lowly, "The investigation?"

"A small amount of magic power was detected in the original necklace. The quantity was so minimal it wouldn't threaten life."

"Have you confirmed the movements of Count Fellan's household and Her Highness Aselir?"

"I checked within the past two months, but there are no particular connections."

Before that, news of his marrying a spirit mage hadn't even surfaced, so further investigation would be meaningless. Fortunately, the magic power was so minimal it wouldn't cause problems. The amount was small enough that dull individuals might wear it without noticing.

That, however, was not the part that mattered.

What mattered was that someone had already begun checking Elonia. This was probably insurance against being caught.

'A test at just the right level to cut ties if discovered.'