Come and Cry at My Funeral - Chapter 56
“Are you ill? The spring cannot heal internal diseases…”
“No, but thank you for your concern. I am fine.”
“Uuumm.”
Albireo was not accustomed to women cutting him off so stiffly.
She’s saying she’s fine, yet she’s making that kind of face?
‘That’s a sign never to be trusted.’
It meant she was upset because of him, but she was being polite by pretending otherwise.
And if there was something wrong because of him…
“Uh… was it the fruit I sent to your room that was the problem?”
“……”
“……Um, had I overstepped?”
Freesia pressed her lips together and looked down.
Seeing her expression, Albireo also felt a moment of realization.
But at the same time, he felt slightly embarrassed.
‘Of all the gifts I’ve given to ladies, that was the least significant though?’
A pretty flower tied with a ribbon, a silly love poem, an invitation to a banquet.
Compared to those glittering and pretty tokens of affection, how trivial and unburdening were the raspberries, so commonly found everywhere?
‘Especially since it’s not even a rare fruit.’
Yet, even after having the servant pick loads of the fruit, Albireo had felt uneasy.
‘It’s strange. It felt like I crossed a line.’
…Was it because it was a food filled with tender memories that she shared with her husband?
<It’s something only I remember now. He doesn’t know anymore.>
Recalling her words made Albireo’s heart twinge slightly.
It would be one thing if it were an older woman reminiscing about a past love.
But for a younger woman to make that kind of face, it just felt wrong.
‘And her husband doesn’t even remember…’
Then what’s so bad about giving her something she likes? What’s wrong with hoping she enjoys it?
Albireo glanced at Izar, who was exchanging farewells with his father.
‘Since he supposedly doesn’t remember, did that man scold his wife over a bunch of fruits?’
Just then, Freesia managed to compose her facial expression.
‘Haa… Don’t show you’re upset.’
Freesia took out a button necklace from around her neck and glanced at it for a moment.
She had only 284 days left.
Whether she had done well or poorly up to now, she almost wished someone would evaluate her efforts.
But then, a man’s hand suddenly appeared in front of her, offering a handshake.
“……?”
Freesia blinked in surprise, and then Albireo finally smiled comfortably.
“Let’s use this as a goodbye, so I don’t trouble you any further.”
“Ah…”
“How about it?”
Typically, a lady does not shake hands with a nobleman unless they are equals and devoid of any romantic feelings.
Freesia, unaware, blushed faintly.
‘She must have been quite uncomfortable for it to show so clearly.’
And now, to avoid further discomfort, he was the one extending the courtesy first.
Finally, Freesia smiled and accepted the handshake.
“Thank you, Sir Deneb.”
“……”
“May you stay healthy until we meet again.”
“Oh, ah, yes.”
As Albireo hastily enveloped the hand extended towards him with a smile, he lost his focus for a moment.
‘Huh?’
He widened his eyes at the tingling sensation felt through his fingers.
But then, a sharp cracking sound echoed softly.
Slap—!
“What is this.”
“Duke?”
Izar, having finished his greetings with the Marquis, had swiftly stepped between them.
And he sharply knocked away Albireo’s hand, which was holding Freesia’s.
Izar’s face was indifferent, but his jawline was particularly tense.
He didn’t even glance at Albireo, feeling as though not punching his wrist to detach their hands already showed considerable restraint.
Instead, he coldly reprimanded Freesia with a side glance.
“If you’re done here, let us be off.”
“Ah… Yes.”
Izar didn’t wait for Freesia and walked ahead.
Leaving Freesia to cast one last embarrassed look at Albireo before hastily following the duke.
Albireo watched the two departing figures as if spellbound, then looked down at his hand.
‘What was that just now?’
The act of Duke Arcturus knocking his hand away…
Oh, that was exceedingly irritating.
If there comes a time for a duel, he vowed to crush that hand thoroughly.
But before that, there was a strange feeling when he shook hands with the duchess.
It was something like.
‘Magic?’
In the Mage Tower, sometimes one feels as if stars are bursting inside their veins, a sensation left when remnants of magic linger in the body.
‘But wasn’t it said that the Antares line had lost its supernatural abilities?’
That’s why they were even more active in political activities at the imperial court.
And yet, from that woman, scorned as an illegitimate daughter, such power could be felt?
‘Hmm. This… I’ll need to look for an opportunity to meet the duchess again.’
And it should be as soon as possible.
…So, this newfound excitement was solely for the sake of magical research, with no other meaning.
Perhaps.
