Chapter 10: What It Means to Become Real
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Joy, sorrow, and concern coexisted simultaneously at the Lianton estate.
The long-serving staff, some having lived in the mansion since the time of the previous Duke, watched the unfolding events with worried eyes, while those with relatively fewer years of service chattered about it being the love story of the century.
How could they not? The young Duke was sharing a love that had the world buzzing with a woman who had nothing to her name. And this was after she had toppled the enormous obstacle that was Davira Claudia, the woman everyone pointed to as a villainess.
Shouldn’t they applaud? Regardless of who Lyra Norris was, the fact that she had secured a place by the Duke’s side was enough to be a beacon of hope for their insignificant lives.
This attitude, of course, stemmed from treating the daily newspaper articles as less worthy than the dirt on their feet, eventually leading to using the malicious dailies as kindling for the hearth.
But there are always things that escape the eyes of those caught up in excitement. Like what feelings had led the two young, unmarried people to decide on engagement.
Mrs. Beightle had cautioned them several times, but controlling the mouths of young maids dreaming of love and romance proved more difficult than expected.
Lyra spent her busy days walking somewhere between light and shadow. That way, she wouldn’t have to look at the feelings piling up layer by layer. Whether it turned to resentment or love, for now, she just wanted to let things flow.
Yet questions would suddenly intrude. Where was he now? What was he doing? Was he so busy that he had to skip breakfast with her?
She occasionally encountered the Duke at the mansion, but he no longer smiled at her kindly or stroked her head. He just quietly passed by, worn out from fatigue.
So that day too, she thought it would be the same. Until he walked up to her.
“Lyra.”
“…Yes.”
“Go upstairs and get ready. The interview will begin soon.”
“Yes.”
Had he lost some weight? As she walked up the stairs, she mulled over the Duke’s face she had just seen. He must be very busy; his complexion didn’t look particularly good.
Then, realizing that her concern was likely useless, a self-deprecating laugh escaped softly. He wouldn’t want her worry anyway.
Ever since she had proposed making it real, she had felt a strange distance from him.
‘That’s probably what he wants too.’
For this contract to end quickly.
Having finished her preparations, Lyra cleared her mind of the thoughts that had been crowding it and went down to the reception room.
Inside, a man with an amiable impression was engaged in light conversation with Kaylon.
After exchanging greetings with the man who introduced himself as the senior reporter from the Haister Newspaper, Lyra sat down demurely beside Kaylon.
After a few more exchanges, the formal interview began. This was a special interview requested first by Duke Lianton to announce his engagement to the public and to report on the tender love between the two.
“I imagine there must have been a specific moment when you realized your feelings. May I ask when that was?”
The reporter, who had been listening attentively and taking notes in his notebook, had a gleam in his eyes. Kaylon smiled softly at the reporter, who showed not only considerable curiosity but also a hint of professional duty, before continuing his answer.
“A moment? Every moment has been so special that I’m not sure if there’s any particular time that could be called a ‘moment.'”
Kaylon turned his head toward Lyra, who was just sitting there with a smile as if painted on. His gaze was exceedingly careful, like someone afraid that merely looking might wear her down.
To the reporter, this appeared utterly romantic, and seeing Lyra’s cheeks gradually flush, he became convinced that there wasn’t an ounce of falsehood in the love between these two. Unlike what was circulating in public.
Look even now. That shadow of desire surging in those golden eyes, as if honey had been poured into them.
Being a man himself, he could tell exactly what kind of gaze the Duke was giving the lady, and he believed it without a doubt.
It was the kind of look that, were it not for the interview, would have lifted the lady’s skirt right then and there.
“Haha, but surely there must have been times when your eyes were drawn to her, or when you wanted to kiss her. For now, why don’t you consider such a moment as the time you realized your feelings?”
“That’s quite a mischievous question. Are you trying to make me look foolish in front of my lover?”
“Come now, how could I? I’m simply curious about when your love began. Part of my role is to make special moments even more special.”
Kaylon chuckled at the reporter’s smooth talk. Since he was a man who would craft a well-polished novel, there was no reason not to give him an answer, regardless of his personal curiosity.
As before, he offered a response that mixed truth with falsehood.
“Well, then perhaps the moment I first saw her. I think my heart has been beating since then.”
“Oh, so that’s how it was! Indeed, it wouldn’t be gentlemanly to pass by a woman in danger, drenched in rain. Any true man would… Haha! I apologize, Your Grace. My imagination has been running wild lately. In any case, I’ll do my best to make our readers immerse themselves in this love story.”
“I sincerely hope you will.”
Kaylon lightly laughed off the somewhat impertinent remark, playing the role of a generous nobleman. After all, a passionate and unparalleled story would be completed at the tip of this man’s pen.
“Now, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the engagement, one by one. Since this decision ultimately leads to marriage, I imagine both of you must have gone through considerable emotional struggles. If you could share those feelings, it would help touch our readers’ hearts. Your Grace, would you like to go first?”
The reporter’s gaze turned to Kaylon. He quietly waited for the Duke’s lips to part, as if ready to take notes.
After a moment of thought, Kaylon offered his answer.
“Rather than my thoughts, it’s closer to my pledge.”
He slightly turned his body toward Lyra and covered her hands, neatly placed on her knees, with his own. Then, smoothly moving his fingers to interlock with hers, he suddenly lifted her hand and pressed his lips against the soft back of it.
Regardless of whether the watching reporter’s face turned bright red, his intense golden gaze lingered for a long time on the sea-green eyes that trembled as they looked at him.
A strange silence where a minute felt like an hour, a penetrating gaze.
“I promise to love only you.”
The low, deep voice that finally flowed through his elegant lips was seductive enough to deceive everyone. Even Lyra almost wanted to firmly believe in this whisper of love.
As Lyra lowered her gaze to calm the trembling inside her, Kaylon finally released her hand and turned his head toward the reporter.
“Ah… haha. Even my heart is fluttering. Whew, I’ll just take a deep breath for a moment.”
Kaylon smiled slightly at the reporter’s words, which mixed jest and sincerity.
After quickly jotting down the Duke’s statement and the situation in his notebook, the reporter turned his gaze to Lyra.
“Now, would the Lady share her thoughts?”
Since most of the interview had focused on the Duke, the reporter was quite curious about the person called Lyra Norris. So, before Lyra could answer, he slightly twisted his question.
“With the engagement ceremony a week away, how do you feel right now, or how much are you looking forward to your change in status? It would be good if you could speak on such matters.”
For a moment, Lyra thought she saw a gleam in the reporter’s eyes and slowly opened her lips.
“Every day feels new. It’s amazing, overwhelming, and I’m grateful just for the fact that I can love the Duke freely. That’s why each day is more precious and enjoyable.”
“Could you elaborate a bit more?”
“Hmm… specifically, what kind of story would you like to hear?”
“Well…”
Lyra quietly raised her lips as she watched the reporter awkwardly scratch the back of his head.
“It’s not as if we’re having a wedding ceremony, so is my impression of rising in status really necessary for your article?”
“Not necessarily… haha, let’s pretend I didn’t ask that question.”
The reporter, who had thought she looked gentler than expected and might possibly satisfy everyone’s curiosity, just ended up feeling awkward. As a bonus, he now thought her notorious reputation wasn’t undeserved.
“It seems the interview is over, so let’s end it here for today.”
As Kaylon rose from the plush chair, Lyra and the reporter also stood up.
The reporter firmly grasped Kaylon’s outstretched hand with both of his, thanking him for his time. Then, reflexively, he bent deeply at the waist to express his gratitude.
“It’s an infinite honor that you chose our Haister Newspaper. If you need anything in the future, I would be grateful if you would call for me, Will Palmgren.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Kaylon watched the deeply moved face for a moment, then wrapped his arm around Lyra’s shoulder and left the reception room. All the while aware of the gaze that remained fixed on them until the door closed.
