Chapter 25
“I truly appreciate the thought, but the air vents are off-limits for now. There are far too many servants moving around the mansion during busy mornings.”
Lishid frowned, but he didn't argue.
“So let's just keep breakfast simple today. How about some tea and cookies?”
I clasped my hands together like a diligent attendant and asked.
“That sounds acceptable.”
“Great. Then I'll prepare everything right away.”
I poured hot water into the teapot on the tea table and brewed the tea.
Then I carefully broke—no, crushed—the cookies from the box into bite-sized pieces so Lishid could eat them easily.
This feels like we're having an afternoon tea party.
A small smile escaped me as I poured tea into my own cup.
Now it was time to take out Lishid's hidden tableware from beneath the floor.
“Just a moment. I'll bring Your Grace's teacup.”
“No need. It's too much trouble.”
At some point, Lishid had already climbed onto the table and shook his head.
“We won't need any dishes today.”
“Are you sure?”
With a slight tilt of his chin, Lishid picked up the large teacup I had poured for myself.
The cup was so enormous that it completely hid his face. Only one soft cheek barely peeked out from the side as it moved.
“What are you doing? Sit down already.”
“Ahem... Yes.”
I almost burst into laughter, but hurriedly composed myself.
“Judging by everything happening in the mansion, it looks like Mother is still very angry. At this rate, I may not be able to send the letter today.”
“So what are you planning to do?”
Lishid asked after taking a sip of the warm tea.
“Well... I'll ask Jenice when she gets here.”
Jenice was expected to arrive at the duke's estate around noon. The moment she saw me, she'd undoubtedly ask what on earth had happened.
I'll just make up some excuse.
As I held my teacup and searched for a convincing explanation in my head—
Crunch.
A tiny sound interrupted my thoughts.
Trying not to be obvious, I glanced over.
Lishid was calmly chewing on a cookie he'd bitten into.
Once again, I had to fight back my laughter.
“Ahem. I noticed you brought chocolate cookies. Are they your favorite, Your Grace?”
I gestured toward the cookies on the table.
“...”
Lishid glanced at me before his crimson eyes quietly drifted toward the window.
So... he wasn't denying it.
“Do you like sweet things?”
Only then did I remember that all the bread he'd brought yesterday had been sweet as well.
“...Who knows.”
Oh, come on. You obviously do.
But I was afraid he'd sulk if I teased him any further, so I simply nodded with a smile.
“I like sweets too, Your Grace.”
“...”
This time, no answer came back.
Wondering what was wrong, I stole another glance at him—
His ears had turned bright red.
Hmm... Is he embarrassed about liking sweets?
If that was the case, I'd pretend not to notice.
I quietly smiled to myself as I lifted my teacup.
* * *
“Lady!”
The moment the repairman finished fixing my bedroom door, Jenice came rushing in.
Fortunately, the maids didn't stop her. Apparently, I wasn't allowed to leave the estate, but visitors were still permitted.
“What on earth happened at the banquet yesterday? Do you know how worried I was? I nearly broke into a cold sweat when you left with Sir Elviance! What were you thinking?”
The instant I set down my teacup, Jenice bombarded me with questions.
I hesitated for a moment.
Well... someday the Grand Duke is going to hold a grudge against me, chase me to the ends of the earth, and kill me. I was just trying to lessen that grudge...
Obviously, I couldn't say that.
So I flashed her the shameless smile I'd prepared in advance.
“Well, Jenice.”
“Yes?”
“Because I'm going to become the Grand Duchess of Eppenterion?”
“Pfft—!”
Jenice, who had hurriedly gulped down some black tea because she was thirsty after rushing over, immediately choked.
“C-Cough! Cough! W-Wait... That's really your reason?”
“Of course. Who knows? Maybe His Grace will see me from afar, be deeply moved, and start looking at me differently.”
Well, he was watching me right now.
“B-But, my lady, you gave flowers to the High Priest!”
You too?
Those stupid flowers... I'm never even walking past a flower shop again...
I sighed inwardly while keeping my smile firmly in place.
“That's exactly why, Jenice.”
“Yes?”
“Could you deliver this letter to the Grand Temple for me?”
Without another word, I handed her the letter I'd written yesterday.
“I'm forbidden from leaving the estate, and with the atmosphere in this house, I don't really trust leaving it with one of the maids.”
“A letter?”
“Mm-hmm. I'd like it to arrive as soon as possible. I'll reward you properly. It's addressed to the High Priest.”
“W-What?! M-My lady... you're entrusting me with such a secret letter...?”
Jenice's eyes widened in shock.
She looked as though she thought it was some kind of love letter.
I hurriedly reassured her.
“You don't have to be so nervous. It's only a letter explaining what happened yesterday.”
“An... explanation?”
I forced a bashful smile.
“Well... I honestly thought the flowers I gave the High Priest were artificial flowers, so I didn't think they meant anything. After all, the only man in my heart is the Grand Duke of Eppenterion.”
Yes, yes.
Even I knew it was an utterly ridiculous excuse.
But today's concept was an innocent girl with absolutely no common sense.
“You know how I tend to act first without thinking about the consequences, don't you?”
“That... is true.”
Jenice answered automatically before suddenly covering her mouth.
I pretended not to notice.
After rolling her eyes for a moment, she stood with a determined expression.
“I understand, my lady. I'll personally deliver it to the Grand Temple myself! You can count on me!”
“You really don't have to go that far—”
“No, things like this have to be delivered in person to show sincerity! Haha! Then I'll be on my way!”
Sincerity? More like she's trying to escape.
Still, the outcome wasn't bad.
I quickly reached beneath the table.
“Then could I ask one more favor? On your way, could you stop by the post office and—”
Huh?
Where did it go?
Startled, I bent down to look under the table.
Lishid's letter had definitely been there before Jenice arrived.
Now it was gone.
“My lady? Is something wrong?”
“...”
Although I was flustered, I calmly raised my head.
“No, never mind. I must've imagined it. Just deliver that one, please.”
“Understood! I'll let you know once it's delivered!”
“Wait.”
Just in case, I gave Jenice a few additional instructions.
Only after hearing everything did she finally leave with the letter.
The moment the door closed behind her, I immediately called out,
“Your Grace...!”
I directed my voice toward the darkness beneath the bed.
Just as I'd expected, Lishid was hiding there.
“This is terrible! Your letter disappeared!”
“I have it.”
Lishid answered cheerfully.
“You do? But... why?”
I asked in confusion as I held out my hand.
Taking my hand, Lishid climbed out from under the bed.
Sure enough, the letter was tucked under his arm.
“Don't tell me you've changed your mind? Are you no longer sending it to Sir Elviance?”
“I am.”
“Huh? But today's our last chance. Jenice won't be back until tomorrow...”
“I'll go to the post office myself.”
Shaking his head, Lishid leapt effortlessly onto the windowsill.
I hurried to my feet in alarm.
The post office?
Carrying a letter nearly as big as he was?
“W-Wait, Your Grace! Even if you go, how are you planning to mail it? And what if someone sees you?”
Before I could finish, Lishid cut me off.
“When that maid got out of the carriage, I noticed she was carrying a newspaper. By now, it's probably full of articles speculating why I didn't attend the welcoming ceremony.”
“...”
“If, by any chance, that maid were to lose my letter, it would become a serious problem. In this mansion, the only person I trust is you, my lady. I can't entrust something this important to anyone else.”
“Your Grace, but...”
I hurried to object, only to fall silent.
He had just declared that he couldn't trust Jenice.
After hearing him say it so firmly, I had no words left to argue.
Opening the window, Lishid looked back at me.
“I'll return before sunset without fail. Trust me and wait for me, my lady.”
Standing with the bright sunlight behind him, Lishid looked down at me.
A faint, enigmatic smile spread across his face.
