TRGDP 51

Chapter 51: Foxy Tricks

A woman had entered the Grand Duke’s castle—a place traditionally forbidden to women—and now all the men were acting like they’d lost their minds.

The maid giving cues to the Grand Duchess from behind seemed to be the second daughter of Territo, just like Meisel had said.

Tiern glared fiercely at the maid, who quickly looked away, but the Grand Duchess simply looked back at him calmly.

‘So she’s the infamous villainess from the capital? She sure has guts.’

Even though Tiern made it very obvious he didn’t like her, the Grand Duchess didn’t flinch and even handed him a gift.

“Nice to meet you, Sir Tiern. I look forward to working with you.”

Her clear blue eyes stared into his, and Tiern was the one who had to look away first.

He didn’t know why, but that made him angry. After training, he wandered down a quiet path near the castle wall to cool off.

In his hand was a handkerchief embroidered with a yellow crest—the same color as her hair. He imagined she had chosen that on purpose, and the thought only made him more annoyed.

Passing by the path near the tower, Tiern threw the handkerchief into the bushes. He watched as it landed on the dirt, slowly soaking up the mud.

It was a personal gift from the Grand Duchess. If someone caught him doing this, it could be seen as a serious offense.

But who would come this far out? Even the maids rarely passed this area.

Feeling a petty sense of victory, Tiern walked away—completely unaware that someone else came by and picked up the handkerchief shortly after.

***

Meanwhile…

“Good morning, Your Grace!”

When I visited the Grand Duke’s room as usual, I was caught off guard by what I saw.

“Y-Your Grace?”

Normally, our mornings started the same way.

I’d enter the room, and the Grand Duke—always neatly dressed with his shirt buttoned to the collar—would stand by the cravat cabinet.

He’d bow his head politely so I could reach to tie the cravat, and I’d pick one to match his outfit.

But that day, the Grand Duke seemed distracted.

One of his shirt cuffs was unbuttoned.

“Your Grace, wait. Your sleeve’s undone. I’ll button it for you.”

“Thank you.”

He had simply watched me quietly as I fastened it. The next day, both cuffs were undone.

‘Did he forget again?’ I wondered, but still fixed them for him.

Then the following day, the top button of his shirt was undone… and today, three buttons on the front were open.

‘At this rate, he’ll come in tomorrow with his whole shirt undone!’

As he moved slightly, I accidentally caught a glimpse of his firm chest through the open shirt.

‘What are you looking at?!’ I scolded myself, quickly turning my head toward the cabinet. In the glass reflection, I saw a woman—me—flaring her breath with a creepy look on her face.

Desperately, I tried to fix my expression.

“Maybe I came too early today?”

“Not at all. You’re right on time.”

His tone was completely calm.

‘Then why are his buttons undone?!’

No, I had to be early. The Grand Duke, who valued etiquette, had probably just opened the door so I wouldn’t have to wait, and hadn’t noticed his shirt was open.

“Your buttons seem undone.”

I said it casually to avoid embarrassing him, sneaking a glance up to check his reaction.

“……I’m sorry.”

Despite his calm voice, his neck was bright red.

“Apologize? For what! You know exactly what you’re doing!”

Even a fool could tell he was deliberately acting sly.

Did he really leave his shirt unbuttoned on purpose?
Was he waiting for me to do it?
Why?

I was flustered, my eyes darting around, but when I saw the duke looking a little downcast, I finally guessed his intention.

‘Could it be that touching helps with his pain?’

Lately, every time I tied his cravat, I’d become overly aware of how our bodies touched.

But for reasons I couldn’t dare say out loud.

‘Am I seriously a pervert? Why does it feel good when I touch him?’

At first, I didn’t think much of it. But as time went on, I was becoming more certain.

Every time I touched him, I’d feel a strange heat rising.

It wasn’t just warmth—it tingled through my body.
A little… suggestive, even.

‘Is this what mana does?’

Maybe this kind of reaction is normal when taking in someone else’s mana?

I watched the duke’s reaction each time, but since he always blushed whenever I touched his cravat, I couldn’t tell for sure.

Sometimes he flinched like it tickled, but…

If this wasn’t a natural thing, then maybe I really am just possessed by lust?

Should I ask him directly?

“Your Grace, it feels good when I touch you… Is that because of mana?”

No, if I said that, he might really think I’m a freak.

“You feel good touching me? So all this time, you were tying my cravat with those dirty thoughts? Get your hands off me! I can’t even escort a lady like you!”

…Yeah, maybe keeping quiet is the smart move.

‘Is he really in that much pain that he’s trying so hard to get close to me?’

He’s never once admitted that I’m his painkiller.

Well, with how shy he is, no matter how desperate, he’d never outright ask to hold hands.

So now he’s going as far as unbuttoning his shirt just to make contact with me?

‘But if he wants it, I don’t really have to say no, right?’

Because it makes me feel good too, I’ve been trying to avoid touching him much lately…

“Please wait a moment,” he said, his face flushed as if giving up.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll do it for you.”

Before he could say more, my hand reached for his shirt.

***

Loic bit his lower lip.

‘Did she notice? She must’ve noticed.’

He felt like his face would explode from the shame.

The duchess might not know, but Loic had made a promise to himself.

He would never intentionally use her to relieve his pain.
He didn’t want to take advantage of her innocence.

But the problem was… ever since she arrived, he’d become too healthy.

At first, her touch just felt comforting… but over time, his body started to react differently.

Whenever she touched him, electricity would shoot through his body. His lower back burned with heat.

He wanted to hold her hand, touch her, pull her into his arms…

Loic’s eyes slowly wandered to her lips as she buttoned his shirt.

‘You beast.’

He jerked his head up quickly, neck veins tense.

She was just kindly helping him with his shirt, wanting to greet the morning together—and here he was, having such lewd thoughts.

He hadn’t realized how hot his body had become until her cool fingers touched his chest through the thin fabric.

Every time her fingers brushed his chest, his heart thudded louder.

It was just buttoning up, and yet he was blushing like mad.

Even breathing felt awkward.

She finished the buttons, adjusted his cravat, and smiled. “All done.”

“Thank you,” Loic said with a slight nod and cough.

The embarrassment from unbuttoning his shirt on purpose had vanished, replaced by a strange sense of disappointment that the moment was over.

‘Maybe I should’ve just taken the whole shirt off…’

As he took a step back, lost in thought, the duchess suddenly grabbed his hand.

“Your Grace?”

“Just stay still. I just want to hold my husband’s hand for a bit.”

Loic let her pull his hand without resistance. His mind went blank.

Her fingers gently massaged each of his own.

‘My hands…?’

He turned his blushing face away and asked, “Why are you doing this?”

She smiled sweetly, not realizing what she was doing.

“Warm hands bring good energy.”

“I… see.”

Forget good energy—this just feels too good.

“Now that I’m holding your hand, I’m sure your day will go smoothly. What’s your schedule like today?”

Trying to keep composed, Loic replied, “I have a few meetings with officials.”

“Again? You’ve been busy with meetings lately.”

“It’s because we’re planning to invite a delegation from the Kingdom of Rondoris.”

“Rondoris?” she asked, suddenly stopping.

“Why?” he asked, seeing her expression shift.

She stared at his hand for a moment before speaking again.

“Is it for the princess? For a marriage proposal?”

“What?! Absolutely not!”

Loic’s eyes widened.

“It’s okay. You’d need to start negotiations early if you plan to marry in a year.”

“We haven’t even talked about marriage with Rondoris since that time.”

He looked directly at her, flustered.

“The delegation is for trade agreements. That’s all.”

“…I see.”

“Really. I would never consider another marriage while I have a wife. I’m not that shameless.”

“I understand.”

She gave him a small, awkward smile.

This isn’t right.

She’s clearly misunderstood something.

Loic was about to explain, but she said in a slightly pouty tone,

“And you don’t have to feel guilty around me. As long as you honor our contract, I don’t care what else you do.”

His warm head turned cold.

“…You don’t care?”

“Hmm?”

His voice had dropped without him realizing.

Here he was, desperate just to be close to her, practically unbuttoning himself like a lovesick beast…

And she was already thinking a year ahead, like it was all just business.

‘Right, the contract… that’s all that matters.’

His hand went limp.

She let go, watching him cautiously as if wondering if she’d hurt his feelings.

‘She’s not wrong.’

Loic didn’t want her to feel awkward or guilty.

He gently took her wrists and placed them back at her sides.

“I have meetings early, so I won’t have time for breakfast. But I’ll walk you to the dining room.”

“Thank you.”

When he offered his arm, she took it like usual, and he could see her relief.

Feeling the softness of her touch, Loic clenched his fist tightly and began to walk.