It was clear that he wouldn’t say much to her for the time being, especially if he heard that she had met the duke alone. In that sense, this meeting could be considered an advantage for her as well.
“Hm, nothing else. There are just a few things I’d like to ask the young lady,” Duke Decaraznan said. “Specifically, I want to know more about Heir Estel.”
“…Yes?”
“Ah, don’t get me wrong. It’s nothing too serious,” he reassured her. “I just want to hear your perspective on him—what kind of person the Duke of Estel is, what his usual personality is like, and things like that.”
At his explanation—if it could even be called that—a flicker of doubt flashed through Sarah’s eyes.
“…But why are you asking me such a question?”
There was no need to go far. Heir Estel was currently staying here, so why was Decaraznan asking her about him?
To her question, the duke merely smiled wryly.
“It would feel a bit intrusive to ask the Heir himself,” he admitted. “Besides, since you were personally close to the heir, I thought you’d be the best person to ask.”
‘…Well, he isn’t entirely wrong.’
Sarah Cernard certainly knew Cain von Estel well—except for the rather trivial fact that their relationship was a tangled mess of history, bound by the title of “ex-fiancée”.
Being asked about the personal details of the man she was once engaged to wasn’t exactly something she should be happy about.
Yet, when Duke Decaraznan posed the question, a strange thrill stirred within her.
She couldn’t explain why. But a peculiar sense of satisfaction spread through her, as if she alone held special knowledge about Cain—enough for someone to seek her insight into him.
‘…Where should I start?’
What could she say to properly describe Cain von Estel? To explain the kind of person he was, and the kind of relationship they once shared?
Memories surfaced—flashes of the past from their first meeting to their inevitable separation.
Even back then, he had been rather unsightly. When he had gazed at her with those foolishly devoted eyes, acting as if he would carve out his own heart and present it to her, he was no different from the countless other men who had fallen for her looks and blindly pursued her.
She had wondered more than once whether this pathetic man was truly meant to be her fiancé.
…But lately, he had changed.
First of all, he had grown much more refined. As if he had aged ten years in just a few months, the weight of responsibility was evident in every action he took.
He had matured.
Unlike before, when he had simply insisted she should like him because they were engaged, he now understood her circumstances better than anyone—and had rushed to save her without hesitation.
And more than anything… he had become “cool”.
The moment he had whispered that he would protect her and held her tightly, her heart had pounded so fiercely that it felt as though it might burst.
To be honest, it was unfair.
How could any woman resist falling for a man who declared he would save her, standing firm against all external pressures?
She had always preferred a man who could lead her.
And so, she gradually began speaking about the Cain she remembered. At first, she stammered, embarrassed for some reason, but before she knew it, warmth had spread through her chest.
By the time she came to her senses, she was speaking animatedly, unable to stop herself.
Duke Decaraznan listened with quiet amusement as praise after praise poured from Sarah’s lips.
If a man and woman who were once lovers broke up, it was only natural for their relationship to turn bitter—so much so that even empty words of kindness would be difficult to say.
‘Yet, look at her now.’
Sarah Cernard was doing more than simply talking about Cain. She was “glowing” as she spoke of him.
It became clear to the duke that the rumors about their breakup—specifically, that Cain von Estel had been unfaithful—were just that: rumors.
In reality, arranged marriages were fragile bonds, easily severed when political circumstances changed. There was no doubt in his mind now—something deeper had been at play behind their separation.
“I think that’s enough, Lady Cernard,” the duke finally interrupted, smiling warmly.
“Thanks to you, I’ve made up my mind. I’d like to express my gratitude.”
“…I was of help to you?” Sarah tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what he meant.
Seeing this, the duke finally revealed the reason behind his questions.
“Ah, now that I think about it, I forgot to mention something.” He let out a light chuckle. “The reason I wanted to learn more about Heir Estel’s personal life… is because I plan to arrange a marriage between him and my only daughter.”
“…What?”
At those words, Sarah’s mind went completely blank.
“If even you, his former fiancée, can speak so highly of him, then the Heir Estel must truly be a remarkable man. I’ll make my move soon—whether by approaching the Heir myself or discussing the engagement directly.”
As she listened to Decaraznan’s casual chatter about marriage, Sarah’s fists clenched unconsciously.
The moment the word “marriage” left the duke’s lips, she found it excruciatingly difficult to remain calm.
‘…It’s not too late.’
If she spoke now, she could change the narrative.
She could bring up his faults.
She could gossip about his shortcomings, list them one by one, paint him in an unflattering light.
If she did that, maybe—just maybe—Duke Decaraznan would reconsider.
“…Duke.”
“Yes, Lady Cernard?”
“…About Heir Estel… Cain…”
But in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything bad about him.
No, she wouldn’t.
It was only in that moment that she realized—she didn’t want to.
She didn’t know why.
But she simply couldn’t speak ill of Cain in front of others.
‘Ah… so that was it.’
The moment he had held her and whispered that he would save her…
She had already—
‘…Cain.’
A sharp pang pierced her chest, and she closed her eyes tightly.
“Why are you hesitating, young lady? Did you have something else to say?”
“…No. Nothing at all, Duke.”
In the end, Sarah left the duke’s office without saying a single word about Cain’s flaws.
Only the strange, unexplainable throbbing in her heart spoke for her true feelings.
‘…Jealousy really is an ugly thing.’