The Male Lead Is Obsessed With Proposing to Me - Chapter 75

69. 69. Our secret

“What about Senelia?” 

Benelucia inquired upon returning from the hunting festival, addressing the butler to ascertain Senelia’s whereabouts. 

Despite her consistent presence for the past eight years, Senelia seemed to have vanished from sight.

“The lady’s still in the drawing room, Your Highness.” 

The butler promptly replied, halting mid-motion as he removed his riding gloves upon Benelucia’s query.

“… Still?” 

The Grand Duke’s voice echoed, a hint of surprise coloring his questioning tone.

Demonic. 

The shaman Benelucia had enlisted lacked connections and appeared impervious to Cliff de Helios’ influence, making him an ideal confidant for Senelia. 

The Grand Duke had introduced them, confident in Demonic’s capabilities.

Their initial meeting had occurred in the early morning, yet their conversation had persisted until dusk. 

Benelucia’s brow furrowed slightly at the thought.

Without hesitation, he made his way to the drawing room where Senelia and Demonic were engrossed in conversation.

However, as eager as he initially was to check in on his lover, Benelucia found himself hesitating upon reaching the door. 

The sound of animated voices emanating from within gave him pause. 

His hand hovered over the handle, poised to knock.

Yet, in an uncharacteristic move, he decided to forego the formality and flung open the door.

Inside, Senelia and Demonic were engaged in lively conversation, entirely oblivious to Benelucia’s entrance.

Grudgingly, his lips formed a tight line as he observed them. 

Despite meeting Demonic for the first time that day, Benelucia couldn’t shake off the discomfort of witnessing their apparent closeness between Senelia and another man.

“Sally.” 

Unable to hold himself back, Benelucia interjected, feigning warmth as he approached and enveloped Senelia’s shoulders from behind.

Deliberately positioning his left hand to display the matching ring, he couldn’t suppress a sense of childishness in his actions.

Though he knew it was petty, Benelucia couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy at witnessing Senelia’s uncharacteristic openness with Demonic, a strange and new man.

“Ah… Your Highness the Grand Duke, are you here?” 

Senelia’s voice broke the moment she called out his name, drawing Benelucia’s attention.

It was only then that Senelia acknowledged her fiance’s presence, rising to her feet and turning to face him.

“I greet you, Your Highness the Grand Duke.” 

With a graceful bow, she greeted him politely.

Demonic mirrored Senelia’s actions, standing up and offering a respectful bow to Benelucia.

Senelia and Demonic, who had conversed in an unknown language before the Grand Duke’s arrival, seamlessly transitioned to speaking the imperial language as if nothing had occurred.

Yet, this only served to twist his stomach once more.

It had been Benelucia who had encouraged Senelia to delve into witchcraft, a practice often inscribed in a language known only to witch doctors. 

Though he understood this, he couldn’t shake the disapproval bubbling within him.

Seeing her so enthusiastic with a man other than himself left a bittersweet taste in his mouth. 

“It seems like learning magic was quite enjoyable, Sally.” 

Benelucia remarked, gently taking Senelia’s hand and drawing her closer to him.

His gaze flickered momentarily towards Demonic.

Despite harboring an innate dislike for Demonic’s appearance upon receiving information about him, seeing the man in person only heightened the male lead’s unease. 

Demonic bore an uncanny resemblance to Senelia’s first love, Young Lord Yenelov Pendragon.

“Ah, it’s already time…” 

The Grand Duke’s words interrupted the moment, prompting Senelia to react as if she had just noticed the setting sun.

Similarly, Demonic took a step back with a surprised expression, seemingly oblivious to the passage of time.

“I’ve been quite the imposition since my arrival. I hadn’t realized how quickly time flew by. I hope I haven’t monopolized too much of Senelia’s time, Your Highness,”

Demonic apologized sincerely to the host of the estate. 

Senelia.

Benelucia’s eyebrow twitched imperceptibly at the familiarity with which Demonic addressed her.

Unbidden, Benelucia’s mind wandered back to the past, recalling when Demonic had been permitted to address Senelia by her name, rather than Lady Daphnen, from their very first encounter.

Wasn’t the use of her name reserved for lovers? To think, in such a short amount of time, they are already on a first name basis. 

It had taken a painstaking two years before Benelucia had felt entitled to address her so intimately.

Yet, Demonic had bypassed this protocol entirely, causing His Highness to feel a surge of resentment at the perceived injustice.

“Then you should take your leave.” 

Benelucia declared, his tone tinged with a hint of frustration.

“Ah… Well, will you be returning tomorrow, Demonic?” 

Senelia’s voice betrayed a hint of disappointment as the reality of dinner time sank in.

It was only natural for Demonic to depart now, yet Senelia couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret at the thought.

From Senelia’s perspective, it made perfect sense.

Demonic was the only person with whom Senelia could share memories that remained hidden from others.

However, her lover, Benelucia, who remained unaware of this fact, couldn’t help but resent Demonic’s intense affection for Senelia.

“Goodbye, Demonic.” 

Benelucia murmured as he enveloped Senelia in a tight embrace, his earlier hesitation now eclipsed by the surge of emotion within him.

His tone carried a hint of sternness, resembling a congratulatory farewell.

Demonic regarded them with a perplexed expression, akin to a possessive dog vying for its owner’s attention, yet neither Benelucia nor Senelia seemed to notice.

“See you tomorrow, Demonic.” 

Senelia bid him farewell, her expression tinged with sorrow.

She struggled to fully comprehend the depth of Benelucia’s love for her, unable to accept it entirely.

Unaware of their disapproval of Demonic, Senelia couldn’t possibly gauge the extent of his concerns.

Though Senelia was sharp-witted, she couldn’t anticipate something she hadn’t even considered as a possibility.

“Yes, may you both have a peaceful evening.” 

Armed with his newfound insight, Demonic replied with a slight bow before exiting the room.

Senelia appeared inclined to see him off, yet the Grand Duke gently pulled her closer, preventing her from doing so.

“Your Highness?” 

Caged in his iron-like arms, Senelia’s gaze finally shifted to Benelucia, her eyes widening in surprise.

Meanwhile, the door through which Demonic had departed now remained firmly shut.

Taking a deep breath, Benelucia spoke in resignation.

“You address me as ‘Your Highness,’ yet you refer to him simply as Demonic?”

In truth, Benelucias words verged on the irrational.

As a commoner without a surname, Demonic could only be addressed by his given name, regardless of Senelia’s attempts to maintain formality.

Senelia felt a flush of embarrassment at the realization.

“So, what should I call you?” 

Curious of his reply, she inquired, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

The Grand Duke fell silent, acknowledging the absurdity of his earlier actions.

Yet, despite their marriage, Senelia often addressed Benelucia as “ Grand Duke” rather than using a more affectionate nickname, maintaining a certain distance between them, as she had done for the past eight years.

Benelucia couldn’t shake the dissatisfaction he felt with this emotional distance.

“Sally, you can be quite dull sometimes.” 

Sullen, Benelucia remarked, noting Senelia’s occasional lack of attention to detail.

His own pride prevented him from asking for a more informal nickname instead of the formal title of His Highness. 

Additionally, he recognized that her compliance over the past eight years was largely due to his own actions, so he couldn’t fault her for it.

Resigned but unable to shake off his frustration, Benelucia sighed and changed the subject. 

“So, do you think the arrangements for the hunting festival will go smoothly?” 

Senelia inquired, meeting Benelucia’s gaze.

Senelia had taken charge of the festival preparations, recognizing that she would likely have to continue handling such responsibilities even after marrying Benelucia, unless Cliff de Helios accepted her as empress. 

The Grand Duke planned to find assistance to ease Senelia’s burden, as it was common for royal family members to have help with such tasks.

Despite the tyrannical emperor’s recent silence and lack of communication with Senelia, Benelucia remained vigilant and sought support from influential figures within the imperial court. 

He had spent the morning meeting with elderly ladies who held sway in social circles, aiming to secure their assistance.

Benelucia reassured Senelia, denying any concerns about her reputation. 

“The Duchess of Alchesca, the Countess of Canolia, and the Marquis Petrizio have all agreed to lend their support.” 

Hoping to ease her burdens and alleviate her stress, he informed her.

Socialites held considerable influence and maintained high standards, so Senelia had fretted about her reputation upon learning of Benelucia’s plans to seek their assistance. 

Her shoulders visibly relaxed upon hearing Benelucia’s reassuring words, indicating a release of tension.

Seizing the moment, Benelucia decided to gather his courage to inquire. 

“By the way, Sally, what were you discussing with Demonic earlier?” 

He sought to understand the nature of Senelia’s conversation with Demonic, recognizing the significance of their interaction.

Though he may not be able to understand or comprehend the discussion between Senelia and the shaman, Benelucia was hopeful that Senelia would at least confide in him.