The Sickly Grand Duke is Obsessed with Me

Chapter 98. An Unwelcome Guest

“I had work to do.”

“Work?”

Instead of answering, Genoyer shrugged lightly.

“I guess it was very important? Enough to be late for the funeral of the previous Grand Duke?”

“I didn’t arrive late, but my brother… he came to meet me.”

“Ah, really?”

Camilla’s smiling eyes bent sharply. She raised her head and said languidly. “That’s strange. The Grand Duke I met asked how you were doing.”

“…It seems we crossed paths.”

“Really?”

Genoyer clicked his tongue low. He was late because he was following Eirin. Thanks to this, he saved her from being killed and spent quite a lot of time taking her to her home. In his opinion, Eirin was still useful. However, there was no way to keep her alive except keeping her from Camilla’s eyes. That’s why he moved right away.

She noticed it sooner than I thought. He planned to talk about it at the right time. There was no way Camilla would stay still with her personality when he touched the toy she used to play with. Genoyer frowned as if he were in trouble.

“Your expression doesn’t look so good.”

“I’m a little tired.”

Camilla smiled, rubbing her red lips slightly. The obvious excuse looked ridiculous.

“Did you like that child that much? Enough to chase and save her?”

Genoyer, who swept his forehead in embarrassment, frowned slightly. “I just kept her alive because she’s worth using.”

“Worth using? The child who couldn’t even do a simple request? What on earth are you going to use her for?” Camilla snorted as she didn’t understand even when she thought about it again.

Genoyer answered with a face asking what was obvious. “She’s going to bring out Lady Waieos.”

“She’s already failed, Geno. Can’t you see that she attended the party alone?”

“Therefore, we need to change our target.”

Camilla’s eyes, which had been restless, were filled with curiosity.

“Change the target? With who?”

“Viscount Waieos.”

“Viscount Waieos?”

“Yes. If it’s the viscount as rumored… He won’t ruthlessly kick out Eirin, who cries and clings on to him.”

Genoyer smiled and licked his own lips.

“Maybe, it will be a little fun.”

* * *

“Did you post this as a report? We don’t have money in our ministry because we’re running a support project in this useless way!”

“There is still part of the budget left, Boss. If we provide food support to the outskirts areas, the influx of reckless food will be reduced.”

“Ho, decrease in influx? Hey, Viscount Waieos.”

The boss seemed frustrated, putting the report in his hand on the desk and saying, “If we do as you said, that won’t be the answer. How can they stay still after tasting free food? It’s a good thing if they don’t rush in like a bunch of dogs.”

“But, Boss!”

“That’s enough. Discard the report on your own. You have to report something that makes sense.”

Simon stomped his feet as he looked at the report his boss handed over to him. However, the boss hurriedly left the office regardless.

“What should I do about this?”

When his family had a lot of money, there was no need to worry about circumstances. Everything went smoothly as long as he distributed what was in the warehouse. But now, it was almost impossible to provide food support to the slums without receiving a budget from the administrative department.

I haven’t been able to send food for a month already. Simon immediately became depressed when he thought of the faces of the hungry children. He hadn’t even visited the temple he visited every quarter for two years.

Knock, knock.

“…Who is it?”

“Excuse me…”

A young lady’s face peeped out through the carefully opened door. Simon stood up from his seat and looked at the lady.

“You look familiar.”

Simon, who tilted his head, soon shouted with a big smile. On top of her round and cute face, a glimpse of her childhood was superimposed.

“You must be Eirin!”

“V-Viscount!”

Eirin, who had been cautious, was delighted when he welcomed her. She was deeply relieved and bowed her head.

“It’s been a while, Viscount Waieos. How have you been?”

Simon, who left the office with Eirin, comforted her when he heard about what had happened.

“It must have been misunderstood. Lusi must have been thinking a lot since you two haven’t been in touch in the meantime.”

“I understand. That’s why I’m asking for the Viscount’s help.” Eirin, who lowered her head, said in a crawling voice.

“Hahaha. Don’t worry. I will tell her. Would you like to have dinner together with us?”

“Can I really do that?”

“Why not? You were Lusi’s best friend. Rather, I’m more grateful. Please come and see us often from now on.”

Simon, who quickly brought tears to his eyes, reached out and held Eirin’s hand with a deeply moved expression on his face.

“Eirin, do you want to catch Camilla’s eyes? If so, let me give you one piece of advice. Ask Viscount Waieos for help. If it’s him, he will be on your side.”

Eirin shook her head, recalling what Genoyer had said to her before they parted ways.

“Don’t say that, Viscount.”

“No, Eirin. Thank you so much. I really mean it.”

“…Ah, no. I…”

“Cough, let’s hurry up. Lusi should be preparing dinner by now.”

Simon hurried the hesitant Eirin to Waieos Mansion.

* * *

“…Eirin?”

Elusiana, who welcomed Simon, who had just entered the kitchen, paused momentarily. Because an unexpected woman followed him and smiled. Elusiana’s brow furrowed involuntarily.

“Why are you here?”

“Look, that…”

“Lusi, you’re being rude to the guest. Eirin, let’s sit here first.”

“Yes, thank you, Viscount.”

Simon, who pulled out the chair himself, sat Eirin down. At that kind gesture, Elusiana stared at Simon, momentarily lost for words.

“She’s my guest, Lusi. I want you to be polite.”

To Simon’s shallow threat, Elusiana reluctantly replied. “…Alright. Lady Eirin, wait a moment. Anyway, since she’s your guest, I will treat her well. I’m not sure if the food will suit her taste though.”

“Cough, Lusi.”

Simon, who coughed loudly, showed signs of discomfort. At the same time, he kept looking at Elusiana and cared about her feelings.

Am I being too careless? Everything between the two was all he heard from Eirin, so he didn’t know how his daughter felt. And Simon worried a little about that part now.

Simon, who felt guilty for no reason, hinted, “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“I just need to bring another bowl of stew.”

“I-I see.”

The depressed Elusiana went into the kitchen. Simon hesitated and sat in his chair. “Haha. Lusi must be very flustered.”

“I think I was too greedy. I shouldn’t have come so recklessly like this.”

“Hoho. You need to talk to clear up misunderstandings. Didn’t I tell you many times, Eirin? If you talk to each other, things will get better soon.”

Eirin, who was very nervous, lifted her head. But she was stunned when she saw the stew bowl in front of her. Clear boundary, or you could say a sense of refusal. Not a trace of warmth could be found in the shimmering stew.

* * *

You said you’d die if I didn’t come with you. But you’re looking fine. Seeing Eirin’s pale face, Elusiana swallowed her sigh inside. Is she being shameless? Or is she just ignorant?  Despite the blatant expression of dislike, Eirin continued to show favor.

Am I too sensitive? At this point, Elusiana was on the verge of feeling sorry. Shaking her head, she asked, leaning her back against the chair, “Shall I heat it up again?”

“Yes?”

Eirin shook her head, waving her hand while looking at the teacup that had cooled before she knew it.

“Ah, not. It’s alright. I like the cold… huh?”

As if she had realized something, Eirin immediately looked at Elusiana with a smile.

“Did you… t-talk informally?”

“You said you were my friend.”

“We’re the same age, so it’s kind of uncomfortable to keep talking formally, right?”

Elusiana, who murmured behind her words, sighed once again shallowly. When Simon joined in, it was no longer meaningful to kick Eirin away. In that case, keeping her by the side and digging into her would be less annoying.

Whether or not she knew what Elusiana was thinking, Eirin said with a face full of emotion, “Thank you. E-Elusiana, I’m really happy.”

“…Yes.”

A wide smile bloomed on her innocent face. Elusiana laughed along without realizing it and cleared her throat.

Elusiana asked, mixing hot water with cold tea. “Did everything go well at the party?”

“…Huh?”

“You said you would die if you didn’t take me.”

“Ah.”

Eirin’s face hardened in an instant as she tilted her head. Her startled shoulders shook slightly and then shrank.