Saving My Childhood Friend Through... Questionable Means... - Chapter 47
“Are you heading back to the duchy today?”
“Yeah. Now that all the official events are over, it’s time to return.”
In the drawing room of Count Cain’s estate, Duke Lucas, Seria, and Count Cain sat together in casual attire. The two men were catching up on topics they hadn’t discussed in a while, including the Holy War, news from the capital, and current affairs.
Seria sat silently beside them, watching the conversation unfold. She was too tired to join in.
Cain glanced at Seria, noticing her fatigue, and spoke.
“Seria, you look really exhausted.”
“Oh! I’m sorry. Please don’t mind me and continue your conversation. I’m just feeling a little under the weather today,” Seria replied, shaking her head quickly with wide eyes.
Cain stared at her for a moment before turning to Lucas.
“Come to think of it… isn’t it about time Seria got married? It’s been a while since I last saw her, and I figured she would’ve already married and left the duchy. But here she is, still assisting you.”
As an old friend of Duke Lucas, Cain didn’t bother with formalities in private settings. Lucas, however, bristled at his friend’s comment about Seria still being unmarried.
“Mind your own business.”
“Still as ill-tempered as ever, I see. But what about you? When are you going to get married? If it were me, I’d have tied the knot before joining the Holy War. There must be a line of families, from the capital to the duchy, eager to establish ties with the Loren family. Almost all the nobles our age are already married. So why are you still single?”
“Why are you suddenly talking about me?”
The topic shifted to Lucas. Seria’s expression grew complicated as she listened.
Cain wasn’t wrong. The position of Duchess of one of the Empire’s few dukedoms was highly coveted, and Lucas never once brought up marriage. His family must have been concerned when he recklessly joined the Holy War without any heirs to secure the family line.
‘Now that he’s returned safely from the Holy War, he should start looking for a marriage partner.’
Since Lucas had no siblings, delaying marriage any further could cause trouble.
‘He’ll need to find a bride from a family that matches the duchy’s status. That would strengthen the family’s standing. If he ends up with someone like me, someone without powerful connections, it’ll only cause problems for him.’
A bitter smile crept onto Seria’s lips. Cain noticed her expression and gave a sly smile of his own.
“I’m saying this to give you a wake-up call. How much longer are you going to put this off? Do you think the daughters of families equal to yours will stay unmarried forever? If you don’t act, you’ll be left with women from insignificant families. Marry one of them, and you’ll be the laughingstock of high society.”
“That’s enough. I’ll handle it. Stay out of it.”
Lucas’s curt response made Cain shrug, as if to say, Suit yourself.
Listening to their conversation, Seria’s face turned pale. Cain’s remarks weren’t directed at her, but each word stung her deeply. She had only grown up at the duchy because of the former Duke’s generosity, which made her childhood friends with Lucas. But as a Duke, Lucas was out of her reach.
Her mind raced. What were they to each other now? Was it presumptuous of her to try to understand his feelings? The curse had forced them into an intimate relationship, but without that, what were they? They weren’t simply childhood friends anymore—they were stuck in some undefined, awkward situation.
‘What was I thinking? I’ve been delusional.’
Seria abruptly stood up, causing the chair to screech loudly. Both men turned their attention to her.
“I’ll step outside for a moment. Please continue your conversation. I’m sure there are things you couldn’t discuss with me here,” she said, forcing a smile and bowing slightly.
“Outside? Where are you going?” Lucas asked.
Seria simply gave him a faint smile, bowed her head again, and left the room before anyone could stop her. Lucas stared at her retreating figure, bewildered. Something felt off, but he couldn’t figure out what.
Cain chuckled as he watched Lucas’s puzzled expression.
“I knew it. You two are definitely something more now.”
“What are you talking about?”
Lucas frowned, his brow furrowing at Cain’s confident tone.
“You’re acting like I don’t know you. From the moment you two walked in here, your looks toward each other weren’t the same as before. Others might not notice, but I do. You can’t fool me.”
“Stop spouting nonsense.”
“Nonsense? Please. Seria clearly hangs on your every word, and you can’t stop glancing at her. That wasn’t the case before. You two used to treat each other like distant strangers, but now you’re obviously paying attention to each other. Anyone with properly functioning eyes can see it.”
Lucas’s expression turned awkward. Were they really so obvious to others? Feeling embarrassed, he scratched the back of his neck.
“…I have nothing to say to that.”
“Come on. Just be honest. I won’t tell anyone.”
“There’s nothing to tell. We’re not like that.”
Cain’s smirk grew as Lucas stubbornly denied any relationship. Deciding to provoke him further, Cain feigned innocence as he spoke.
“Is that so? Then would you mind if I arranged a marriage for Seria? I know a nobleman who would suit her perfectly.”
“Don’t you dare.”
Lucas’s gaze turned icy. For someone who had just denied everything, he reacted far too sensitively. Cain couldn’t help but laugh.
“See? Just admit it already. You like her. You don’t want Seria to be with another man. You want her to stay by your side. That’s what love is, Lucas.”
