Chapter 3

When I decided to have my heart eaten by the Duke of Gluttony, I couldn't sit still for a moment.

I asked one of my few friends to invite me to a tea party, and I was secretly led through the back door of the mansion, arriving at the Duke's place in a carriage I had picked up.

I had told the servant to send me away at a certain time, so as long as I returned by then, I wouldn't be found out.

After all, my family was in a state of chaos over Olvia, so my absence wouldn't be a big issue.

...No, that probably wouldn't work.

So, I made sure to cover my face with a veil and arrived at the Duke's mansion, being careful not to draw attention.

The Duke's servant, upon seeing me with my face and identity hidden, immediately seemed to understand why I was there.

He led me to an inconspicuous entrance without a word.

When I heard that I didn't need to send a letter in advance, I was worried if it was really true, but from the looks of it, everything was fine.

"The Duke will be here shortly. Please wait in this room."

The room I was led to was a calm and cozy guest room.

The wallpaper was a deep green, and a sturdy amber-colored table held a fragrant cup of tea.

As I slowly sat down on the sofa, a shiver ran down my spine.

I felt incredibly bold for what I was doing and suddenly became afraid.

What would my father say if he found out?

Would he just hit me?

He would definitely be furious.

How could I be so selfish!

But I couldn't turn back now.

If the Duke ate my heart, this fear would surely disappear.

"It's okay... It's okay..."

I reassured myself and moistened my lips with the tea.

The amber liquid in the cup trembled. I couldn't stop my hands from shaking, so I carefully placed the cup back on the saucer.

As I gazed at the delicate vine pattern on the wallpaper, a considerable amount of time seemed to have passed.

I heard a knock, and a moment later, a man entered.

At first, I thought a very tall old man had come in.

This was because he had white hair and a thin, frail body.

However, his face was that of a young man.

Upon closer inspection, his hair, which I thought was white, was actually silver with a bluish tint, and he had a cool, well-defined nose and eyes. The deep shadows under his eyes and the hollow cheeks made him look like a ghost, but he must have a beautiful face.

Still, he looked very unwell, or rather, on the verge of death.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Do you need an introduction?"

He said this in a very formal tone and sat down without much of a greeting.

I was a bit put off by his somewhat rude attitude, but I reminded myself that I was the one who had come without an appointment, so I slowly shook my head.

Still, being alone in a room with no servants present seemed a bit too unprotected for a Duke.

"I won't ask your name. Just show me that you are a noble, and that will be enough."

"Is this okay?"

I showed him a handkerchief embroidered with the family crest, and he said it was fine without much of a check.

His complexion was so bad that I couldn't help but look at his face.

"Um..."

"What is it?"

His dull amber eyes stared straight at me.

Wow, even his eyelashes are beautifully silver.

He raised an eyebrow at me, who was distracted by such a trivial detail.

"Did you come here to have your emotions eaten?"

"Eh? Ah, yes!"

I had been rude, staring at a man I had just met.

I adjusted my veil, which wasn't even out of place, and quickly straightened my posture.

"I want you to eat my hatred for my family. No, if possible, I want you to eat my entire heart."

As I said this, gripping the handkerchief, he made a pained expression.

"Do you understand what it means to have your entire heart eaten?"

"No. But it must be better than having it, right?"

"To have your heart eaten means to cease to exist. It is a form of death."

He glared at me with an unhealthy face, as if trying to scare me.

However, I couldn't focus on his words because I had a sickly sister named Olvia since I was young.

Moreover, this man looked even worse than Olvia.

"Excuse me, but are you feeling unwell...?"

"Please don't worry."

Even if he said that...

"I am known to enjoy eating the hearts of maidens, but I am a glutton. I have no interest in eating anything other than hatred and jealousy. So, no matter how much you wish it, I will only eat your hatred for your family."

"That's fine. What would be the price for this?"

I hope the jewelry I have will be enough.

He smiled gently, as if mocking my anxiety.

"I don't ask for payment. For me, this is just a meal."

"...Do you find human hatred delicious?"

"Yes."

Is that really true?

If he were eating something delicious, he wouldn't look so unhealthy, and somehow... he seems like a good person. Despite his reputation as the Duke of Gluttony and his brusque attitude, he couldn't quite hide a certain kindness.

I felt so intimidated that I was at a loss for words.

"!"

A short groan escaped the Duke's lips.

He leaned forward slightly, holding his stomach.

His face turned even paler, and sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Are you alright!?"

"...I'm fine."

It's hard to believe he's fine when he says it in such a strained voice.

I quickly stood up and knelt beside him, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.

"Sorry, it will pass if I rest a bit."

"No. Lying is not good."

Like I used to do for Olvia, I gently massaged his hunched back.

"Should I call someone?"

"Press the bell on the table..."

His thin fingers pointed to a small bell.

When I rang it with all my might, a loud sound echoed, out of proportion to its size.

The door opened immediately, and an older woman entered.

"Martha, the medicine."

"I'll get it right away!"

The head maid, or at least a long-serving servant, hurriedly brought in water and medicine.

She awkwardly brought the medicine to his mouth, and the Duke gulped down the water.

Water dripped from the corner of his mouth, almost spilling onto his clothes.

I quickly pressed the handkerchief, which I had been gripping, to his chin.

I felt so sorry for his condition and became very worried.

"...Ha."

After taking the medicine, the Duke exhaled and relaxed his body.

"Please use this."

It's a bit damp, but it must be uncomfortable to have a wet mouth.

I offered him the handkerchief I had just used, and he looked at me in surprise.

"You smell nice."

"I wear perfume as a matter of course."

"No, it's not that..."

His eyes fluttered as if he were dozing off.

His pale lips parted slightly, and he inhaled something.

At the same time, I felt something being drawn out of me.

For a moment, it felt as if my heart had a hollow space, but strangely, it didn't feel bad.

"What just happened..."

Before my eyes, the Duke's complexion rapidly improved.

Not only his complexion, but his dull, lifeless eyes were regaining their brightness.

They were like amber seen through the sun.

I could hear the maid named Martha exclaim in amazement.

We had been staring at each other through the veil for just a few seconds, but the Duke was the first to come to his senses.

He suddenly sat up and put some distance between us.

"Sorry! I did it unconsciously, I didn't mean to eat anything."

"You ate?"

"...Your concern for me was so delicious, I couldn't help it."

"Is that why you feel better?"

"Yes. I haven't had a good emotion in a long time..."

"Then, please have more."

The Duke, who was staring at me in shock, puffed out his chest and said, "Sure!"

"Why?"

You're kind of cute, saying things like "me" and "why" so casually.

"Rather than concern, I felt a kind of affection. Is that okay?"

"It must be delicious because you smell nice... but affection?"

"Then, please."

I'm not sure what's happening, but if being eaten feels like it did just now, it should be fine.

If it makes the Duke feel better, I don't mind being eaten as much as he wants.

"Does it not feel gross? Are you okay?"

"For a moment, it felt hollow, but it was more like a refreshing feeling, like drinking mint tea."

"Mint tea? You're the first to mention that."

"I have my likes and dislikes, mint tea."

"No, that's not what I meant..."

He burst out laughing, unable to hold it in, despite his exasperated expression.

His refined, unexpectedly young-looking smile was charming.

"No, I should thank you first. Thank you, unknown young lady."

The Duke, with a soft smile, extended his hand to me, who was still kneeling.

"May I ask your name?"

I hesitated for a moment about whether to give my name, but I found myself saying it, drawn by his smile.

"My name is Amalie."

"Is that so? It's a beautiful name. You can call me Sadias."

"Sadias-sama."

"Yep."

He nodded in satisfaction and helped me stand up.

"By the way, how about some mint tea?"