Duke, Please Stop Because it Hurts

Molitia’s eyes grew wide open at the rather violent sound of the door creaking open accompanied by a boorish step. It was at that moment when her impression turned to a frown upon the sharp click of a heel.

“Did anyone notice anything on the way in?”

Molitia held her breath at the unfamiliar tone of voice.

Who was that?

It was too discreet to be the voice that belonged to one of the attendees.

“No way. Thanks to you, I was able to hide at the party without anyone doubting me at all.”

“I really didn’t expect this to go so smoothly. You don’t know how reliable it was to be able to obtain cooperation. If it wasn’t for you, I might be seeing blood already for today—at the very least.”

“We have to do well since all of us have something to do with one another.”

Unlike his loud laughter, Molitia was busy contemplating. These stories that she heard were all contents that she couldn’t even laugh at all.

“How far are you prepared?”

“It’s all over. It’s now time to start a sensation.”

“I’m going to devour them slowly. The Kingdom, the Empire.”

When a similar story had been told in the hallway, Molitia immediately covered her mouth with her hands.

She just couldn’t believe that they’re planning on devouring the Empire or even a kingdom. Every story that she heard was too bewildering for her to handle.

Who could actually do this without fear at all? The more she had heard, the closer they seemed to have gotten to treachery.

The words from those who told the story just like it was a joke were utterly ridiculous.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Ha ha, you’re very welcome. It would have been hard if it wasn’t for you though.”

“This kind of sacrifice is always necessary for a cause. Isn’t that right, Ferdinand?”

“Of course.”

She breathed in at a familiar name. Molitia’s body instantly trembled—regardless of her own will.

She thought that it was a rather familiar voice. It was so familiar to her that she couldn’t even think of anyone anymore.

‘…Arjan.’

The voice that was calling out for Ferdinand must have been Arjan’s.

The hand that had been covering her mouth was gradually losing its strength. Her shuddering body wasn’t something that she was able to control. As if she tried hiding her whole body, she leaned towards the wall as close as possible.

However, why didn’t she think of minding the accessories that were pinned on her head?

Click.

An adornment set of butterflies that had been decorating her hair hit a pillar before falling onto the floor.

“Who is it?”

It had just been a faint sound, but the waves it carried were strong. At the same time it went astir, a sharp voice had shaken the lounge.

“Don’t hide there like a rat and get out here!”

No, Molitia—you had to think properly. As he stepped even closer to the side, Molitia immediately shut her eyes before standing from her seat.

“Oh, Arjan? And the Young Master as well—what are you doing here?”

Astounded by Molitia’s sudden appearance, Ferdinand straight away paused at her calm words.

“…is something wrong with you, Duchess Linerio?”

A peculiar voice. Molitia tilted her head in response to the act of looking at her.

“I was just taking a break since I was a bit tired, but I fell asleep unintentionally due to the warmth. If I had known there’d be a lot of people, I wouldn’t have shown my dozing off like that.”

“…You just woke up?”

“Yes, I did.”

Ferdinand clearly showed signs of agitation at her words.

“Oh, you didn’t hear anything then?”

“Which one might you be talking about?”

“No, it’s not really a big deal, so don’t worry about it.”

“May I leave you alone, then? I’m not feeling that well, so I think I should take some rest in my own room.”

“Please do.”

Her face had long turned white starting from her forehead. No one would have doubted that appearance could just fall down if they were to tap her even once.

Molitia then stepped away from Ferdinand, who had walked to the side. The door of the lounge that was in front of her appeared to be far away. Please, please—

Molitia was struggling to smile as she nodded to the two of them. It was at that moment when she was trying to lift her head along with her hair fluttering down to her ear.

And Arjan had snatched her arm away. The golden pair of brilliant eyes were fixated on her.

“Arjan?”

“Hey, did you hear them all?”

Her heart immediately felt like it was sinking—as though a sinister feeling akin to having one’s heart utterly crushed. Molitia tried to ignore the cold sensation that was spreading from her fingertips before raising the corners of her mouth.

“What are you talking about, Arjan?”

“I forgot for a moment there that my sister who left home had already become rather brazen now.”

Arjan then raised her taut lips.

“But I guess, you really can’t hide your habits. You always touch your hair with those hands of yours whenever you lie.”

Molitia stopped moving her finger. She was really touching her hair at that moment.

That was undeniably her mistake. She still remembered how her body had always slumped in front of Arjan over the years. Fear and anxiety—a trifle habit which she had long forgotten was the one that caught her by the ankle.

“No way. I was just arranging my hair. I think you’re just being oversensitive to such coincidences.”

“It will only be a coincidence if it was just once or twice.”

“I agree as well. No matter how much she had heard, she would still know it if she noticed the vibe anyway.”

As she felt that thing had gone awry, Molitia forcibly twisted her wrist.

“Arjan, let go of me. I didn’t hear it at all—truly.”

“Why is it me? I can’t let you go, sister. My dream is no longer far off. I can’t let myself be distracted with any kind of possibility.”

There was a strange gleam in Arjan’s eyes. Her hand was still clutching strongly onto Molitia’s white wrist that it had left a red line onto it.

It was a disaster. The atmosphere was getting much worse for Molitia.