It was clear that he wouldnât 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.
âHm, nothing else. There are just a few things Iâd like to ask the young lady,â Duke Decaraznan said. âSpecifically, I want to know more about Heir Estel.â
ââŠYes?â
âAh, donât get me wrong. Itâs nothing too serious,â he reassured her. âI just want to hear your perspective on himâwhat kind of person the Duke of Estel is, what his usual personality is like, and things like that.â
At his explanationâif it could even be called thatâa flicker of doubt flashed through Sarahâs eyes.
ââŠBut why are you asking me such a question?â
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.
âIt would feel a bit intrusive to ask the Heir himself,â he admitted. âBesides, since you were personally close to the heir, I thought youâd be the best person to ask.â
‘âŠWell, he isnât entirely wrong.’
Sarah Cernard certainly knew Cain von Estel wellâexcept for the rather trivial fact that their relationship was a tangled mess of history, bound by the title of “ex-fiancĂ©e”.
Being asked about the personal details of the man she was once engaged to wasnât exactly something she should be happy about.
Yet, when Duke Decaraznan posed the question, a strange thrill stirred within her.
She couldnât explain why. But a peculiar sense of satisfaction spread through her, as if she alone held special knowledge about Cainâenough for someone to seek her insight into him.
‘âŠWhere 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 surfacedâflashes 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.
âŠBut 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 anyoneâand 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 Sarahâs lips.
If a man and woman who were once lovers broke up, it was only natural for their relationship to turn bitterâso 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 breakupâspecifically, that Cain von Estel had been unfaithfulâwere just that: rumors.
In reality, arranged marriages were fragile bonds, easily severed when political circumstances changed. There was no doubt in his mind nowâsomething deeper had been at play behind their separation.
âI think thatâs enough, Lady Cernard,â the duke finally interrupted, smiling warmly.
âThanks to you, Iâve made up my mind. Iâd like to express my gratitude.â
ââŠI was of help to you?â Sarah tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what he meant.
Seeing this, the duke finally revealed the reason behind his questions.
âAh, now that I think about it, I forgot to mention something.â He let out a light chuckle. âThe reason I wanted to learn more about Heir Estelâs personal life⊠is because I plan to arrange a marriage between him and my only daughter.â
ââŠWhat?â
At those words, Sarahâs mind went completely blank.
âIf even you, his former fiancĂ©e, can speak so highly of him, then the Heir Estel must truly be a remarkable man. Iâll make my move soonâwhether by approaching the Heir myself or discussing the engagement directly.â
As she listened to Decaraznanâs casual chatter about marriage, Sarahâs fists clenched unconsciously.
The moment the word “marriage” left the dukeâs lips, she found it excruciatingly difficult to remain calm.
‘âŠItâs 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, maybeâjust maybeâDuke Decaraznan would reconsider.
ââŠDuke.â
âYes, Lady Cernard?â
ââŠAbout Heir Estel⊠CainâŠâ
But in the end, she couldnât bring herself to say anything bad about him.
No, she wouldnât.
It was only in that moment that she realizedâshe didnât want to.
She didnât know why.
But she simply couldnât 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 herâŠ
She had alreadyâ
ââŠCain.â
A sharp pang pierced her chest, and she closed her eyes tightly.
âWhy are you hesitating, young lady? Did you have something else to say?â
ââŠNo. Nothing at all, Duke.â
In the end, Sarah left the dukeâs office without saying a single word about Cainâs flaws.
Only the strange, unexplainable throbbing in her heart spoke for her true feelings.
‘âŠJealousy really is an ugly thing.’