Chapter 10

The Male Lover of the Duke of Hermont

Roy couldn’t bring herself to say another word.

What did I just hear?

For a moment, something Harper had told her flashed through her mind.

The rumor that Vitor had deliberately ruined his own reputation to avoid marriage. The story that he’d even pretended to be a womanizer, stirring up all kinds of scandals.

But apparently, his true intentions had been discovered, and this time, he wouldn’t be able to escape marriage so easily.

So I suppose he’s planning to cause an even bigger scandal…

“I can’t do it.”

Roy answered firmly.

“Why not? Even if we’re both men, it shouldn’t be that unpleasant. You like my face too, don’t you? I’ve caught you sneaking glances at me.”

When did he notice that?

“I like women! I mean—no, I just can’t do it! It’s weird!”

She had decided she needed to refuse first and think later, so the words simply tumbled out.

Even without a lengthy explanation, surely this was obviously an abnormal request.

“I know. I heard you have a lover at the estate, too.”

“What?”

Vitor had suddenly said something strange.

“Was her name Hailey? Aren’t you dating that maid?”

Apparently, Vitor had done some investigating into Roy, but it seemed he’d also collected some completely nonsensical rumors.

The servants at the estate had known that Hailey had once had a crush on Roy, and since the two were often seen together afterward, they occasionally misunderstood their relationship.

I didn’t know that rumor was still going around…

Roy was about to correct him, but she closed her mouth.

“I’m not actually asking you to be my lover. I only want you to pretend for a while. Until my vacation ends. I won’t let the rumor spread around the estate. I promise.”

Vitor pleaded earnestly.

He seemed quite sincere.

But will everyone actually believe us?

They were both heterosexual men. Could they really fool people?

No—Roy was actually a woman, so there was nothing strange about it.

Which is exactly why this proposal feels even more dangerous.

If something went wrong, she might end up exposing the fact that she’d been living disguised as a man.

Roy squeezed her eyes shut as she imagined the worst possible outcome.

And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

Harper’s weakened face.

The medicine that was always in short supply.

The mountain of debt that kept growing.

All those days when she’d had to sneak around whenever she went outside, terrified she’d run into one of their creditors.

Working at the tavern as a woman had been largely because she needed to avoid those creditors.

Countless desperate situations flashed through her mind, making her hesitate.

“Can you really… pay off all our debts?”

“Yes. I’ll cover Mr. Harper’s medical expenses until he recovers, too.”

And yet, the duke standing before her claimed he could solve all of these problems with ease.

She only had to pretend during his vacation.

With this one arrangement, Harper wouldn’t have to live under the weight of his debts anymore, and Roy could remain by his side.

That fact made this absurd scheme sound strangely sweet.

Frankly, I’ve already been deceiving everyone about my gender for half my life. What’s one more lie about pretending to be a man’s lover?

It wasn’t much different from placing one more small stone on top of a burden she was already carrying.

It was simply another role.

She knew it wasn’t right, but if it was necessary, then it was something she would have to endure.

Without realizing it, Roy’s thoughts became filled with rationalizations.

Eventually, she let out a quiet sigh.

This is what poverty does to a person.

Survival came before dignity.

Debt weighed more heavily than conscience.

Noticing Roy’s hesitation, Vitor added in a gentle voice,

“Physical contact will probably be unavoidable if we’re going to pretend to be lovers, but I won’t do more than necessary. I also won’t follow you around anymore. And I’ll pay you extra for each occasion.”

“But why do you hate marriage so much?”

Roy suddenly wanted to know.

She couldn’t understand why he was so desperate to avoid marriage.

Noble marriages were practically business transactions without emotion anyway. When the time came, everyone simply did it.

Vitor stared at Roy for a moment before letting out a small laugh.

“No particular reason. I just want to have more fun without being tied down.”

“I heard even your womanizing was an act.”

“So you do know something about me.”

There was something probing about his question, and Roy answered awkwardly.

“It would be hard not to know while working here…”

Vitor gazed at her for a moment before asking lightly,

“So? Will you do it?”

Perhaps he simply didn’t want to explain the real reason.

Roy was still curious about what could possibly drive him to such lengths, but she didn’t ask again.

“Yes. As long as you make sure the payment is guaranteed…”

What did the reason matter, anyway?

As long as they gave each other what they wanted, that was enough.

Come to think of it, Roy didn’t really want to know the intimate details of his circumstances.

If emotions became tangled up in a contractual relationship, they would only get in the way.

“Then I look forward to working with you, Mr. Roy.”

Vitor smiled brightly and held out his hand.

Why was she suddenly reminded of the saying that a face beautiful enough to charm even a man was dangerous?

Well, I’m not really a man.

Ignoring the uneasy feeling creeping over her, Roy took his hand.

It was early morning, just as dawn was beginning to break.

Vitor was running shirtless along the riverbank.

Soft grass rustled beneath his feet, while the summer breeze, heavy with moisture, brushed through the leaves.

The chirping of birds completed the perfect morning.

Taking in the tranquil scenery of Elysia Estate, Vitor slowed to a stop to catch his breath.

After taking a deep breath, he was just about to start running again when he heard a commotion coming from the entrance in the distance.

It was the servants receiving a grocery delivery.

“Oh, this is freshly killed venison. The hindquarters are nice and meaty.”

“The ingredients are especially fine today. Is there some occasion?”

“I hear His Grace is having a marriage meeting.”

“The Duke of Hermont? So it seems they’re finally bringing up marriage after all.”

“Even if His Grace refuses, what can he do? He’s a duke, after all.”

As the deliveryman and servant continued talking, Vitor noticed a man trying to carry a particularly heavy piece of meat by himself.

“Roy, you’ll throw out your back. Let’s carry it together.”

“I can manage it by myself. You shouldn’t lift anything heavy with your wrist, Uncle.”

Without a care, Roy slung the deer’s hind leg over his shoulder.

Before anyone could stop him, he carried the meat away with ease.

Then, noticing a maid struggling with a metal milk can, he casually took that from her as well.

“Thank you, Mr. Roy.”

The maid’s cheeks flushed red.

With both hands full of heavy loads, Roy’s retreating figure looked remarkably dependable.

That young gamekeeper sure has all the women swooning.

Vitor couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh.

Such a refined-looking face paired with that kind of toughness.

Isn’t that practically cheating?

Over the past several days, Vitor had discovered that Roy was far more manly than his appearance suggested.

He was strong, of course, but also diligent and willing to take on any unpleasant task without complaint.

He was considerate and attentive toward others, too.

A kind of tenderness that was solid and dependable.

That kindness extended even to Vitor, a fully grown and well-built man.

When Vitor had offered to help repair the wire fence, Roy had told him not to touch it because it was dangerous.

When Vitor insisted that he could at least serve as an assistant, Roy had simply told him to organize the materials instead.

Whenever Vitor tried to carry an animal, Roy stopped him, saying the smell would cling to his clothes.

No matter what he did, Roy treated him like some precious young master who needed to be looked after.

Vitor had followed him around intending to play the role of the gamekeeper’s slave, yet somehow he felt more protected than anything else.

The same kindness Roy showed the maids was extended to Vitor without exception.

Apparently, Roy thought of Vitor more as a nobleman and employer than as a soldier.

Perhaps that was why Vitor found it so amusing to be treated like a fragile glass ornament that might shatter at the slightest mistake.

After a while, he had even started deliberately hurting himself just to see what Roy would do.

The delicacy of Roy’s touch when treating his injuries had been unexpected.

And when Roy became flustered, watching him stiffly sputter through his words had its own peculiar charm.

Vitor suddenly had a thought.

If I could, I’d like to make him my adjutant.

He genuinely liked Roy as a person that much.

Though he wasn’t sure how well that would translate to being contractual lovers.

I wonder what someone with that personality is like when it comes to romance…

Honestly, Vitor couldn’t imagine it.

His choice of Roy had been influenced enormously by the fact that he resembled Natalie, entirely separate from his desire to avoid marriage.

There was no reason it had to be Natalie.

In a way, it felt as though he had forced the connection simply because he wanted it to be true.

If she happened to find out that I’m looking for her…

If she even heard that I’m seeing a man who resembles her…

Wouldn’t she show herself at least once?

Without that petty hope, Vitor would never have started a fake relationship with Roy.

Though he hated to admit it, Vitor considered that night with Natalie special.

He wanted to see her again.

If, as Roy had suggested, Natalie had some reason for running away…

There was nothing he could do about that.

But still…