Chapter 6

“My Lady, the carriage is ready.”

 

“Okay. I’ll be out in a second.”

 

I checked my reflection in the mirror one last time before standing up. Emma looked somewhat anxious as she handed my luggage over to the servants.

 

“Are you sure you’ll be alright? If I didn’t follow you…”

 

“I told you, it’s fine. Even if you came, Emma, there wouldn’t be much for you to do. I can just ask the maids at the Duchy to help with my dressing.”

 

“But still…”

 

Emma let out a small sigh, still unable to set her mind at ease.

 

“I just can’t feel settled knowing you’re staying the night away from home.”

 

“Emma, you worry too much. It’s the Ascania Duchy of all places—what could possibly happen in a single night?”

 

At my answer, Emma closed her mouth instead of arguing further. I chuckled and took her hand, giving it a light squeeze.

 

“Sometimes I think you’re more overprotective than my wetnurse was.”

 

“It’s what my mother entrusted me with before she passed away.”

 

“I know. But I’m all grown up now.”

 

I stood on my tiptoes and gave Emma a light peck on the cheek.

 

“If you’re that worried, come to the Duchy with Father tomorrow. I won’t even do my hair until you get there.”

 

“You must do your hair on time, My Lady!”

 

Emma finally burst into a smile, looking at me with a tender gaze.

 

“I will go with the Count tomorrow.”

 

“Okay.”

 

I headed down to the first floor, following the servants moving my bags.

 

Father looked just as concerned as Emma, but instead of stopping me, he gave me a tight hug and spoke.

 

“Don’t cause any trouble, and give my regards to Her Grace.”

 

“Of course. Father, what do you take me for?”

 

“Haha.”

 

Father laughed, but his eyes looked somewhat bittersweet as he watched me.

 

“I know. You’re grown enough to leave your father’s nest now.”

 

“…”

 

“Then, off you go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

After a moment of silence, I nodded and replied.

 

“Yes.”

 

I climbed into the carriage loaded with my luggage and waved to Father and Emma standing at the entrance. As the carriage began to move, I leaned back against the seat and let out a deep, heavy sigh.

 

“Whew…”

 

Father… though he didn’t say it outright, he must be feeling lonely.

 

I looked out the swaying window and began to retrace the events of the past few days.

 

It had already been three days since I visited the Imperial Palace at Lydis’ sudden invitation. During that time, Allendorf and I had been putting our heads together to prepare for the Duchess’ upcoming birthday party… or rather, Allendorf did all the work while I just tagged along.

 

Since it was the first birthday party since his reconciliation with the Duchess, Allendorf was pouring his heart and soul into the preparations. From selecting the guests and writing invitations to ordering souvenirs—not a single detail escaped his touch.

 

I provided advice on the flowers for the interior and various trendy decor items. Since Allendorf was practically a layman when it came to flowers or decorations, he listened intently to my every word.

 

Thanks to Allendorf’s sincerity and my bit of advice, the party preparations were moving along smoothly. For the past few days, I had spent more time at the Ascania Duchy than at the Count of Württemberg’s estate.

 

But whether it was due to Allendorf’s perfectionism or because Duchess Ascania was such a prominent figure, the list of things to take care of only grew longer.

 

Allendorf, claiming the commute from the Grand Duke’s residence was a waste of time, had essentially moved into the Ascania Duchy to focus on the party. Seeing him like that made me feel guilty for pulling back alone…

 

In short, I decided to stay overnight at the Duchy today to help him.

 

Just to be clear—this is absolutely NOT! because I have any ulterior motives toward Allendorf. It’s just that seeing him grind himself to the bone alone made me feel bad for him!

 

Ugh… really, he could just leave the minor tasks to the subordinates. If I left him alone, he looked like he’d start scrubbing the floors himself.

 

I really only intended to give some simple advice…

 

I sighed again, pouting.

 

Lately, it felt like I was spending more time with Duchess Ascania than with my own father. People might start thinking I’m Lady Ascania rather than Württemberg.

 

That’s probably why Father looked so strangely dejected. Hmph. Your unfilial daughter is crying inside…

 

That brat Allendorf. I’m going to make him work just as hard for my father’s birthday!

 

While I was cursing Allendorf in my head, the carriage arrived at the Ascania Duchy. I snapped out of it as the carriage stopped and hurriedly smoothed out my crumpled skirt.

 

“Lady Rina!”

 

“Your Grace!”

 

As the carriage door opened, the first person I saw was a welcoming face. I beamed at the Duchess, as if I hadn’t been grumbling just moments ago.

 

“How have you been?”

 

“I’ve been well, of course. Though as you saw yesterday, Rina…”

 

The Duchess spoke with a shy smile.

 

“I feel quite guilty that you’re working so hard on my account.”

 

“Mother, do you not feel sorry for me?”

 

Allendorf suddenly cut in, appearing out of nowhere. Just as I was about to be flabbergasted, the Duchess spoke for me.

 

“Your hardship is self-inflicted, so why should I feel sorry?”

 

“That’s harsh.”

 

“The harsh one is you, Allen! How could you shamelessly drag Lady Rina into this and make her work so hard?”

 

“That’s…”

 

Allendorf finally seemed at a loss for words and fell silent. I felt refreshed, but for the sake of manners, I decided to take his side.

 

“It’s alright, Your Grace.”

 

“Lady Rina.”

 

“The Grand Duke never forced me to do anything. It was my own decision, and since I owe him a favor, it’s only right that I repay it.”

 

I did owe Allendorf for what happened at the Imperial Palace. And I owed the Duchess as well.

 

I felt sorry for my father, who would be lonely because of me… but I’ll make it up to him once this party is over.

 

“And actually, this is my first time helping with such a large party. I think it’ll be a great experience for me.”

 

“I see…”

 

The Duchess nodded, looking moved.

 

“You truly are a diligent young lady, Rina.”

 

“Oh, no.”

 

She praises me whenever she gets the chance. Feeling shy, I lowered my head.

 

Perhaps because Allendorf had been skipping sleep to prepare, there wasn’t as much work left today as I expected.

 

Of course, that was only for me; the Duchess and Allendorf looked incredibly busy directing servants and checking on progress.

 

I understand they feel bad for me, but now I feel worse because it feels like I’m the only one idling.

 

“Is there anything I can help with?”

 

Feeling awkward, I approached the Duchess, who had just finished talking to the butler. She smiled brightly and waved the butler away.

 

“Do you need something to do?”

 

“Yes. I… I came here to help, but I feel like I’m just playing around while everyone else is working.”

 

At my answer, the Duchess chuckled and stepped closer.

 

“Considering how hard you’ve worked until now, I could never say that.”

 

“The Grand Duke worked much harder than I did. I noticed earlier that he has dark circles under his eyes.”

 

I at least got some rest at home, but I have no idea how few hours Allendorf has been sleeping lately. He must have plenty of work as a Grand Duke besides the birthday preparations.

 

“…I was worried he might collapse tomorrow.”

 

“Rina, are you perhaps worried about our Allen?”

 

“Oh, uh, well…”

 

Honestly, it was only natural to worry, but hearing it put that way felt strange. When I didn’t answer right away, the Duchess gave a slightly awkward smile.

 

“I was just teasing. I’m sorry if I flustered you.”

 

“No, no. It’s fine. It’s true that I was worried about him…”

 

“Rina.”

 

The Duchess looked relieved and took my hands in hers.

 

“You have such a kind heart.”

 

“…”

 

Oh, I’m going to die of embarrassment.

 

I felt my face flush and lowered my head. The Duchess watched me with a smile, then leaned in to whisper as if sharing a secret.

 

“Actually, there is something you can do for me.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Could you help Allendorf get even a little bit of sleep?”

 

I raised my head to look at her. She nodded with a calm but sympathetic expression.

 

“Truth be told, Allen has stayed up for two nights straight.”

 

“My goodness…”

 

“I told him several times that he didn’t need to overdo it… but he simply wouldn’t listen. I joked earlier about not being sorry, but…”

 

She let out a small sigh with a bitter smile.

 

“How could I not be sorry?”

 

Just as I thought. My heart felt heavy as well.

 

“Your Grace.”

 

“That’s why I’m asking you. He won’t listen to me.”

 

“But… what if he doesn’t listen to me either?”

 

That was my real concern.

 

If he wouldn’t listen to his own mother, why would he listen to me?

 

The Duchess seemed to have anticipated my question and nodded.

 

“Of course, he wouldn’t listen if you just told him to rest.”

 

“Then…?”

 

“I’ve thought of a good excuse.”

 

She began to whisper in my ear again.

 

I tilted my head in confusion, listening until she was finished.

 

“How about it?”

 

“Certainly, if it’s as you say…”

 

“Then, will you go to Allendorf right away?”

 

I blinked for a moment, then slowly nodded to the Duchess.

 

“Yes.”

 

 

***

 

 

Having received the Duchess’ request, I left the office and headed to the first floor where Allendorf was.

 

As expected, Allendorf was busy roaming the hallways, inspecting the cleaning and checking if the ordered goods had arrived on time.

 

“Wilhelm, the window frame here seems to have been missed.”

 

“My apologies, Your Grace. I will call the servants immediately…”

 

“And regarding the ingredients from the Olaf Merchant Guild, the smoked duck arrived ten pounds short. On the other hand, there are three extra baskets of eggs.”

 

“Oh, that is…”

 

I looked at the man named Wilhelm, who was scrambling beside Allendorf, with pity. People make mistakes when they’re busy, but Allendorf was being far too rigid.

 

I quickly stepped between them before poor Wilhelm could be tormented any further.

 

“Grand Duke. Are you very busy right now?”

 

I wasn’t asking because I didn’t know. At my question, Allendorf hurriedly hid the documents he was holding behind his back.

 

“No.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

I gave a bright smile, pretending to be oblivious, and sent a subtle wink to Wilhelm. Fortunately, he wasn’t completely clueless; he took the hint and scurried off to wipe the window frame.

 

“What brings you here so suddenly, My Lady?”

 

Allendorf wasn’t even looking at Wilhelm anymore. I breathed a sigh of relief internally and took another step toward him.

 

“They say the sugar in the kitchen is running out faster than expected. The Duchess said she sent the other carriages on errands, so your carriage is the only one available right now.”

 

“Oh, that is a problem.”

 

“Yes. And since I’m the only one with free time, going to buy sugar by myself…”

 

“Would be difficult. That is only natural.”

 

Allendorf nodded with a serious expression.

 

“I will go with you.”

 

“Would that be alright?”

 

“It won’t take long to get to the city, so it should be fine. If anything urgent comes up, my mother or the subordinates can handle it.”

 

To think he knew that and was still overworking himself. I suppressed a sigh and acted pleased.

 

“Then, may I shamelessly ask for your help?”

 

“I am the one who inconvenienced you, so there is no need to speak that way. If you need my help, I must cooperate.”

 

Allendorf was more proactive than I expected. Well, it was better than him refusing because he was busy.

 

Once the matter was settled, Allendorf immediately prepared to head to the city.

 

Before the carriage departed, I approached the driver’s seat and slipped a note the Duchess had written to the coachman.

 

“What is this?”

 

“You’ll know once you read it.”

 

The note instructed him to take the longest route possible so Allendorf could get some rest. The sugar running out was just an excuse; the real goal was to give Allendorf a break.

 

I returned to my seat, feigning innocence. Allendorf helped me into the carriage, looking slightly puzzled.

 

“What were you discussing with Prendal?”

 

“I told him which shop the Duchess mentioned. She said a grocery store they recently started trading with is the best.”

 

“I see.”

 

Allendorf nodded without a hint of suspicion. I breathed another sigh of relief and spread a lap blanket over my knees across from him.

 

The carriage soon left the Ascania estate and passed through a small nearby forest where green leaves were beginning to sprout. It was a lush, bird-filled forest that I personally loved for drives.

 

I stole a glance at Allendorf’s profile, wondering when he would drift off. He looked out the window with a tired expression before turning to me.

 

“I was actually happy. That you sought me out.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Where did this come from? As I looked at him in bewilderment, Allendorf blushed and added an explanation.

 

“I mean when you were invited to the Imperial Palace.”

 

“Ah…”

 

I nodded and lowered my head. Perhaps because it was so unexpected, I felt a tickle in my chest.

 

“Oh, that was…”

 

“I know. It was likely because I was the person you could contact the fastest.”

 

Actually, it was because you were the only person I could think of… I felt the urge to say it but held back.

 

“You must have been surprised by the sudden contact. I believe you had other business as well.”

 

“Not at all. Thanks to that, I was able to avoid a troublesome situation myself.”

 

“A troublesome situation?”

 

Was there a situation troublesome enough for someone with the status of Grand Duke Bayern? At my instinctive question, Allendorf gave a bittersweet smile.

 

“Yes.”

 

Hmm… asking for specifics would probably be rude. I hesitated for a moment then simply nodded.

 

“Then I’m glad.”

 

“Indeed.”

 

“…”

 

We sat in silence for a while, looking at each other’s faces. Allendorf looked like he had much to say, but he chose to remain quiet.

 

As the carriage became silent, the chirping of birds, the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves, and the snorting of the horses became vivid. I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds outside.

 

Shhhh…

 

The rustling of leaves as the wind blew through the trees reached my ears. I savored this moment of peace, taking a deep breath of the forest-scented air.

 

“…”

 

At some point, I began to hear the sound of regular breathing from across me. When I opened my eyes, I saw Allendorf leaning back against the seat with his eyes closed.

 

Did he fall asleep already?

 

I kept my mouth shut to avoid disturbing his rest and watched him sleep. I realized once again that his face was annoyingly handsome. So handsome that, with a bit of exaggeration, he could probably conquer the world with his looks alone.

 

W-why was my heart suddenly racing?

 

Embarrassingly, my face heated up and my mouth felt dry. I had to struggle to suppress the urge to touch his face.

 

No, I can’t. Looking at him makes me feel strange.

 

I forced myself to look away and placed a hand over my thumping heart. But my heart, once it started racing, wouldn’t calm down easily.

 

The coachman was driving slowly as instructed. Feeling the cool breeze through the open window, I took the lap blanket from my knees and draped it over Allendorf. I was nervous I might accidentally wake him, but he remained still, breathing steadily.

 

“…”

 

…He must have been really tired.

 

Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Allendorf dozing or sleeping before. Not just from what I saw through Ariana’s eyes, but even in the descriptions in <How to Captivate the Male Lead>.

 

Allendorf was as still as a statue with his eyes closed. Does he have no sleeping habits? Or was he just that exhausted? It was a bit strange to watch.

 

Forgetting my previous resolution, I began to stare at Allendorf’s face again.

 

Hair as shiny as silver thread, eyelashes longer and thicker than most women’s, delicate eyes that looked as if they were painted with a brush, a sharp and straight nose, and lips as red as if he’d bitten into a cherry…

 

Wait, his lips?!

 

Realizing my gaze had wandered somewhere inappropriate, I quickly pulled back. At that moment, the carriage jolted—perhaps hitting a stone—and Allendorf’s body tilted sideways.

 

“Oh!”

 

I instinctively stood up and caught Allendorf with both arms. Then, as if on cue, Allendorf’s eyes snapped open, and my eyes met his piercing red ones.

 

“…!”

 

For a moment, I forgot to breathe as I looked into his eyes. I couldn’t even think of turning away or making an excuse.

 

Because the gaze Allendorf fixed on me was so incredibly deep and intense.

 

“…”

 

Soon, Allendorf’s eyelids lowered, and his red eyes vanished again. As if nothing had happened, he closed his eyes and began to breathe steadily once more.

 

Was it… a coincidence?

 

I clutched my burning cheeks, trying to calm my racing heart. I was so startled that the sound of my own heartbeat made my head ring.

 

“Oh, my apologies! There are many stones on the road…”

 

The coachman’s flustered voice came from outside. Looking back and forth between Allendorf and the driver’s seat, I answered for him.

 

“It’s alright. He hasn’t woken up yet.”

 

“That is a relief.”

 

“Keep driving slowly. I’ll keep an eye on the Grand Duke.”

 

“Understood.”

 

I moved to the seat next to Allendorf for a moment and tidied the bangs covering his eyes. He seemed to have fallen back into a deep sleep, remaining as still as when I covered him with the blanket.

 

“Whew…”

 

It was a relief for me. That he didn’t catch me staring at his sleeping face.

 

I took one more look at his face before returning to my seat. Honestly, I wanted to stay close and admire him a bit more, but it would be problematic if another accident like that happened.

 

 

***

 

 

Allendorf didn’t open his eyes until the carriage had finished its long loop around the city outskirts and was finally entering the downtown area. Even after waking, he blinked slowly as if the fog of sleep hadn’t quite lifted.

 

“I… must have fallen asleep without realizing it.”

 

“Yes. You looked exhausted, so I didn’t want to wake you.”

 

“My apologies. I feel I’ve shown you an unseemly side of myself.”

 

‘Unseemly? That was the most beautiful sight I’ve seen in my entire life!’

 

I was flabbergasted by Allendorf’s words, but I quickly snapped out of it.

 

“No, not at all. It wasn’t like that.”

 

“I worry that I might have looked unsightly while I was asleep.”

 

“I’ll say it again: Your Grace, you could never look unsightly in front of me. Why would you worry about such a thing?”

 

“But…”

 

Allendorf opened his mouth with a somewhat hesitant air.

 

“Don’t ordinary people usually snore or grind their teeth when they sleep?”

 

“Well… some people do, occasionally.”

 

“I was worried I might have committed such a breach of etiquette while unconscious. Since it’s difficult to control oneself once asleep…”

 

‘Is that why he tries so hard not to doze off or sleep in front of others?’ I thought to myself that he was more fastidious than I’d expected. It also made me realize just how tired he must have been to fall into such a deep sleep in front of me.

 

Suddenly, I remembered how he had opened his eyes when the carriage jolted. Even if only for a moment, his gaze had been so deep and clear that it was hard to believe he was someone who had just woken up.

 

“…”

 

A chill suddenly ran through my chest, as if I’d been caught doing something wrong. No, was it fear? Or was it a flutter of excitement? I couldn’t even tell what my own heart was feeling.

 

While I struggled to manage my complicated inner thoughts, Allendorf spoke to the coachman sitting on the box.

 

“Prendal, it’s late. Head to the grocery store quickly.”

 

“Understood, milord.”

 

The coachman named Prendal finally picked up the pace, driving the carriage toward the grocery store the Duchess had specified earlier. I breathed a silent sigh and smoothed out the wrinkles in my skirt with my hands.

 

“Did you cover me with this, My Lady?”

 

At the sudden sound of Allendorf’s voice, I turned my head toward him. Allendorf held up the lap blanket I had placed over him, unfolding it as if to show me.

 

“Oh, that…”

 

“I feel apologetic; it seems our roles have been reversed.”

 

‘Does that mean Allendorf thinks he should have been the one covering me with a blanket?’

 

Just imagining it made me feel embarrassed.

 

Feeling the heat rise to my face, I stole a glance at Allendorf as he neatly folded the blanket. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the carriage arrived at the grocery store, our destination.

 

“We have arrived.”

 

“Good work, Prendal.”

 

Stepping down onto the sidewalk, Allendorf turned back toward me as if he’d just remembered something.

 

“You should wait inside the carriage, My Lady.”

 

“Oh, I want to go too.”

 

I was feeling stiff from sitting in the carriage for so long anyway. When I followed him out of the carriage, Allendorf looked surprised but also somewhat pleased.

 

“Welcome!”

 

As we stepped inside the shop, the owner, who happened to be at the counter, greeted us with a boisterous voice. Unlike the gunsmith we had visited before, this man was in his 40s, with a stout build and an impressive mustache.

 

“What are you looking for?”

 

“Two bags of white sugar. I’ve left the carriage out front.”

 

“Certainly!”

 

The owner gave a beaming smile, then turned toward a staff member in the back and shouted at the top of his lungs.

 

“Peter! Bring out the white sugar immediately! Two bags!”

 

“Yes, boss!”

 

While the employee named Peter moved busily, the owner looked at Allendorf with eyes full of curiosity. It was only natural; it was rare for a nobleman of Allendorf’s status to visit a grocery store like this in person.

 

“How did a noble like you come to know of our humble shop?”

 

“My mother recently started doing business with this shop. It’s her birthday tomorrow, and they said they ran out of sugar sooner than expected.”

 

“Tomorrow is her birthday!”

 

The shop owner spoke with his mouth agape.

 

“Then you must be the son of Her Grace, Duchess Ascania!”

 

“You’re well-informed.”

 

“My goodness!”

 

The owner’s face suddenly turned bright red, and he began bowing profusely to Allendorf.

 

“Please forgive me for not recognizing you sooner.”

 

“This is the first time we’ve met. It’s only natural that you wouldn’t recognize me.”

 

“Your words make me even more ashamed.”

 

Allendorf gave a nonchalant response, but the shop owner continued to bow over and over, looking even more flustered. During this, the owner’s gaze shifted to me, standing behind Allendorf.

 

“And is the lady behind you the famous Princess Martinez? It is a great honor to see the woman who will soon be the Grand Duchess with my own eyes.”

 

“…?”

 

‘Wait, what did I just hear?’

 

Startled, I forgot to even say no and instinctively looked toward Allendorf. Although I couldn’t see his expression from where I stood, he seemed just as shocked as I was.

 

“…The lady here,”

 

Finally, Allendorf spoke. His voice was chillingly flat, without a hint of inflection, unlike anything I had ever heard from him before.

 

“…is not Princess Martinez.”

 

“Then that means…”

 

“She is the daughter of Count Württemberg, who is also my mother’s savior.”

 

Realizing his blunder, the shop owner’s face turned pale. Forgetting my momentary unpleasantness, I looked at the shop owner with a mix of awkwardness and pity.

 

“I-I am so sorry.”

 

The shop owner began to stammer, alternating between apologies and excuses.

 

“I thought you were the Princess Martinez I had heard so much about. Since you are such a beautiful lady…”

 

“…”

 

“And since you came to such a lowly shop with him personally, I assumed you were in a special relationship with His Highness…”

 

…Now I actually felt a bit sorry for him.

 

To be honest, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t offended. “How on earth did he see that?!” That feeling certainly lingered.

 

But that was my business, not something the shop owner would know. After all, he was seeing both Allendorf’s and Rosette’s faces—or rather, mine—for the first time today.

 

Besides… if I had stayed in the carriage, this misunderstanding never would have happened.

 

I eventually spoke words of comfort first to ease the shop owner’s mind.

 

“It’s alright.”

 

“My Lady…”

 

“Just remember for next time. I am someone else, not Princess Martinez.”

 

“O-Of course.”

 

The shop owner looked relieved, his expression brightening considerably. Shortly after, the employee named Peter appeared with the bags of sugar, and the situation was quickly settled.

 

“Thank you. Please give my regards to the Duchess as well.”

 

“I will.”

 

Allendorf and I got back into the carriage and sat in our original seats. Perhaps because of what had just happened, it felt incredibly awkward, and I didn’t dare look him in the eye.

 

“…”

 

‘Why does it feel so stifling?’

 

While I remained silent, Allendorf was glancing at me as if he were on pins and needles. This was a first for Allendorf—even if Josephine might act like this—and I found it a bit absurd and baffling.

 

“I am sorry.”

 

As if the continuing silence was a burden, Allendorf spoke first. I looked at him with a startled gaze as he suddenly offered an apology.

 

“Why are you apologizing to me?”

 

“For making you endure such a misunderstanding…”

 

“That wasn’t your fault, Your Grace.”

 

If I had to assign blame, it was my thoughtless behavior combined with the shop owner’s hasty assumptions; it wasn’t Allendorf’s fault. Of course, it was a bit unpleasant, but it wasn’t like the shop owner had been intentionally rude to me.

 

I forced a smile and spoke to break the awkward tension.

 

“I should be grateful to be mistaken for Princess Martinez. Her reputation for being a great beauty is legendary, after all.”

 

“…”

 

“Please keep this a secret from the Princess later.”

 

Allendorf made a strange face at those words. It was hard to describe—he looked a bit sad, or perhaps like he was suppressing anger.

 

“…My Lady.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Allendorf’s lips parted as if he were about to say something more. I just watched him, still feeling bewildered.

 

But.

 

“…”

 

“Your Grace?”

 

“…It’s nothing.”

 

Instead of continuing, Allendorf suddenly looked crestfallen and turned his head away sharply.

 

I felt like I knew why Allendorf was acting that way, but I purposefully lowered my eyes, pretending to know nothing.

 

“…”

 

‘This is definitely dangerous.’

 

I bit my lip nervously, feeling my heart thumping again.

 

‘I might have gotten too close because I lost my grip for a moment, but he’s a man meant for someone else.’

 

Of course, I didn’t intend to deny the affection Allendorf was feeling for the current me.

 

I pride myself on being fairly self-aware, and I’m not the type of character who is sharp about others’ romances but dense about her own.

 

And—it might be a bit arrogant—but I’m somewhat confident that if I really set my mind to it, I could actually win Allendorf over. I mean, if I didn’t have at least that much charm, how could I have been the original female lead?

 

Even though I died in <How to Captivate the Male Lead> without even getting to meet him properly… sob sob.

 

I stole another glance at Allendorf’s profile.

 

‘He probably has no idea what I’m thinking right now…’

 

It’s not strange that he’s attracted to me, since we’ve had several encounters, whereas he hasn’t even met Rosette yet. In <How to Captivate the Male Lead>, Allendorf actually disliked Rosette at first.

 

But Allendorf’s heart will gradually change. He’ll change for Rosette, who will keep making contact with him under the pretext of being his formal fiancée. If someone offers to act as a fiancée for just three years and then leave on their own, how could he refuse?

 

It’s an offer even I would jump at if I were Allendorf.

 

Once it gets to that point, the rest is obvious. A business relationship turns into “sweetheart,” and “sweetheart” turns into “honey.” I’ve never seen a male lead in any romance fantasy novel I’ve read deviate from this formula.

 

…Of course, my heart will feel empty for a while as I watch it happen.

 

It was then. Allendorf, who had been staring out the window, suddenly turned his head as if he’d sensed my gaze.

 

“…!”

 

Feeling my face heat up instantly, I quickly bowed my head. But Allendorf had seen me before I could look away.

 

‘Argh, damn it. You were ignoring me just fine until now, so why look at me all of a sudden!’

 

I felt a bead of sweat roll down my back. This makes it look like I’m avoiding him because I like him!

 

‘Stay calm, stay calm. If you have nothing to hide, act confident.’

 

After chanting the word “calm” ten times in my head, I raised my head again. Allendorf was just staring at me with an unreadable expression.

 

“…”

 

The awkward atmosphere began to settle in again. I tried to speak to break it somehow.

 

“Um…”

 

At that moment, Allendorf, who had been silent, spoke first.

 

“We are almost there.”

 

“Really?!”

 

My goodness! What wonderful news!

 

I quickly turned my head and looked out the carriage window where Allendorf was pointing.

 

Just as he said, the carriage was already passing through the forest near Duchess Ascania’s estate.

 

A moment later, the carriage stopped in front of the entrance to the Duchess’ mansion. As Allendorf and I stepped out, the waiting servants approached and began carrying the sugar bags from the carriage to the kitchen.

 

“You’re back, Allen. And you worked hard as well, Lady Rina.”

 

“Mother.”

 

As if she had heard the news of our return, the Duchess appeared at the entrance shortly after. When she appeared, Allendorf looked a bit sheepish and spoke first.

 

“I apologize for being late. I didn’t realize it would take this long…”

 

“It wasn’t that urgent, so don’t be too sorry.”

 

“Is there anything else you need?”

 

“I haven’t heard anything specifically… but the kitchen would probably know better, wouldn’t they?”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Allendorf seemed to be planning to head to the kitchen himself. Having nothing else to do, I ended up following him.

 

The Ascania estate had several kitchens for different purposes, and we first looked around the main kitchen and the one where cold dishes were prepared.

 

Perhaps because the Duchess’ birthday was only a day away, the kitchens in the mansion were all incredibly busy.

 

“Good work, everyone. I know it’s hard, but please hold on just until tomorrow.”

 

“Yes, sir!”

 

Allendorf checked on the chefs and assistants and personally offered words of encouragement and distributed tips. Honestly, having someone of high status come by and watch can be a burden, but money clearly talks, as everyone’s faces lit up.

 

“We will do our best!”

 

“I look forward to it.”

 

After leaving the cold dish kitchen, we moved toward the kitchen where bread and pastries were made. The bakery was located in the most secluded part of the kitchen area, and it was hard to resist the sweet and savory smell wafting from a distance.

 

“They must be boiling caramel sauce.”

 

“It seems so.”

 

Come to think of it, it was already getting close to dinner time. I felt a twinge of guilt, wondering where the time had gone when I hadn’t really done much all day.

 

It was then.

 

“What did you just say?!”

 

A loud shout suddenly erupted from inside the bakery kitchen.

 

Startled, Allendorf and I reflexively looked at each other and then rushed toward the direction of the sound.

 

“You think you’re so special just because you have the Madam’s favor now, don’t you?!”

 

“…”

 

“Say it again! If you know the Madam so well, then go ahead and say it!”

 

My goodness.

 

I held my breath, forgetting to even intervene in the savage scene unfolding inside the kitchen.

 

Inside the bakery, about ten people were surrounding one person, raising their voices as if to intimidate her. That was nerve-wracking enough, but the face of the person surrounded by the kitchen staff was somehow familiar.

 

“That person is definitely…”

 

“It’s Natalie, my mother’s maid.”

 

Allendorf nodded slowly, answering my whispered thought. Given the situation, he was also staying hidden behind the door, cautiously observing the situation instead of jumping in.

 

“…I told you.”

 

While Allendorf and I were anxious, Natalie—the one being harassed—spoke in a calm tone.

 

“The Madam told me to replace all the breakfast bread with viennoiserie starting tomorrow morning.”

 

“Does that even make sense?!”

 

At Natalie’s answer, a woman shouted in a rage.

 

“The Madam always has brioche for breakfast! She’s never had anything else until now!”

 

“Do you take us for fools?”

 

Gasp. The atmosphere was getting more and more hostile. I looked back and forth between Allendorf and the inside of the kitchen, my mouth going dry.

 

“We’ve already made the brioche dough for tomorrow! Who are you to tell us what to do?!”

 

“What else could it be? She’s just being arrogant because she luckily caught the Madam’s eye.”

 

“Must be nice. We all started as kitchen assistants, but some become maids while others are still touching bread dough.”

 

“…”

 

Despite the ongoing verbal assault, Natalie remained silent. However, her silence seemed to irritate the kitchen staff even more.

 

“What’s with that annoying look?”

 

“If you have a problem, say it to our faces!”

 

‘Oh no. If this continues, something bad is really going to happen.’

 

Feeling lightheaded, I prepared to rush into the kitchen without a second thought. Or rather, I tried to.

 

“Please wait a moment.”

 

Allendorf caught me as I was about to jump in and shook his head. I felt resentful that he was telling me to wait even in this situation, and I opened my mouth to protest.

 

“In this situ—”

 

Right then. There was a BANG! from inside the kitchen, like something had exploded, and a moment later, a large fire broke out near the hearth.

 

“W-What?!”

 

“A fire! Someone, do something, quickly!”

 

“Damn it! What’s happening all of a sudden…”

 

“What is all this noise?”

 

Only then did Allendorf rush into the kitchen as if he were just passing by. I couldn’t just stand and watch either, so I followed him and appeared before the crowd.

 

“Gasp! Your Grace!”

 

“Why are you here all of a sudden…”

 

The kitchen staff looked even more flustered by Allendorf’s sudden appearance.

 

In the midst of it all, Allendorf remained remarkably calm as he scanned the kitchen, then turned his gaze toward the hearth where the flames were rising.

 

“We need to put that fire out first.”

 

“I-It’s dangerous here, please get bac—”

 

“One moment.”

 

Allendorf lightly brushed off those who tried to stop him and reached his hand toward the raging fire. He moved his index finger from top to bottom as if drawing a vertical line in the air, then snapped his fingers.

 

“…!”

 

Then something amazing happened. The fire, which had been burning fiercely just a moment ago, vanished instantly, leaving only a faint trail of smoke.

 

While everyone, including me, stood there with their mouths open, Allendorf turned his head with an indifferent expression. He then glanced at a nearby servant, signaling him.

 

“Open the window. We need to ventilate.”

 

“…Y-Yes, sir!”

 

The servant finally snapped out of it and hurriedly threw the kitchen window wide open.

 

Only then did the smoke filling the kitchen escape, making the air breathable again.

 

“Is this the magic I’ve only heard about…”

 

“It’s my first time seeing it in person too.”

 

The kitchen staff whispered to each other in excitement. To be honest, it was my first time seeing Allendorf use magic directly, so I found it quite fascinating as well.

 

“Did you see? The fire went out with just a gesture, no incantation!”

 

“I heard that only high-level mages can use magic without chanting.”

 

“As expected of our Madam’s own son.”

 

“Exactly. He’s incredible!”

 

The conclusion was “Our Madam is the best!”, but it was a good outcome. the fire was safely out, and the hostile atmosphere from before had vanished.

 

The kitchen staff seemed to have forgotten all about Natalie, their eyes sparkling as they looked only at Allendorf. Allendorf walked toward the charred hearth and pointed at a blackened pot.

 

“Was that the cause of the explosion earlier?”

 

“I-It seems so. We were boiling caramel sauce in there…”

 

Come to think of it, if a pot is going to explode, wouldn’t there be a burning smell first? I’m sure I didn’t smell anything burning before the fire started…

 

While I was lost in thought about this sudden doubt, Allendorf looked into the burnt pot and frowned.

 

“It’s completely ruined.”

 

“We will boil it again.”

 

“No need. And…”

 

Allendorf looked around as if searching for something, then lifted a cloth sitting near the hearth. Beneath the soot-stained cloth lay a lump of bread dough that had failed to rise properly and looked unsightly.

 

“There’s a burnt smell.”

 

“Ah, oh no…”

 

“It’s a waste, but we’ll have to throw this dough away. I assume you’ve already baked the bread for tonight’s dinner?”

 

“Y-Yes, sir.”

 

Allendorf said that while glancing at Natalie and me. I only then realized that the explosion earlier had been Allendorf’s doing.

 

“It’s a bit of a shame that I won’t be able to taste the chef’s brioche for a while. My mother has started paying attention to her weight management lately.”

 

At Allendorf’s passing remark, the kitchen staff’s faces turned pale all at once. I clicked my tongue inwardly and looked pityingly at Natalie, who had been unfairly blamed.

 

The head chef, feeling Allendorf’s gaze, began to babble nervously while sweating profusely.

 

“Y-You don’t need to be so disappointed. If Your Highness wants it, the Madam will also…”

 

“No need for that. I should follow my mother’s lead.”

 

“That is… a very good point. Yes, indeed…”

 

The head chef bowed repeatedly in a servile manner. Allendorf watched him with a meaningful look before turning away.

 

“Everyone seems busy, so I’ll be going now.”

 

“Oh, you’re leaving already?”

 

“Yes. It’s almost dinner time anyway.”

 

I signaled to Natalie, who was standing nearby, to follow us. Being quick on the uptake, Natalie understood my look and followed Allendorf and me out of the bakery kitchen.

 

“…”

 

The three of us walked down the hallway in silence for a while.

 

Natalie, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke up once we reached the hallway on the opposite side of the kitchen.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“I don’t know what you’re thanking me for.”

 

“…”

 

Allendorf feigned ignorance, but Natalie didn’t say anything more. She looked back and forth between Allendorf and me for a moment, then bowed lightly to both of us.

 

“I will go to the Madam now.”

 

“Right. You must have a lot to do as well.”

 

“Yes. Well then…”

 

After Natalie left, we looked at each other awkwardly again. Both Allendorf and I had many things we wanted to say, but given the circumstances, it wasn’t easy to speak first.

 

“…”

 

‘Seriously, what am I supposed to say in a situation like this?’

 

My head started to throb. I remembered the day I saved the Duchess, seeing Natalie being attacked by other employees at the docks.

 

‘Wait, does that mean that incident back then wasn’t just an accident?’

 

Allendorf, though he didn’t say it, looked just as troubled as I felt. I suppose from his perspective, he had exposed the Duke’s family’s internal shame in front of an outsider.

 

Fortunately or unfortunately, the awkwardness between us didn’t last long. Just then, a man who had been harassed by Allendorf earlier approached us as if he had urgent business.

 

His name was… Wilhelm, I believe?

 

“Your Highness! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

 

As soon as Wilhelm found Allendorf, he spoke with an expression that looked like he was about to burst into tears.

 

“I know you’re busy, but could you come with me for a moment?”

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“The firework device we were supposed to set off tomorrow evening has suddenly disappeared. It was definitely in the second-floor storage…”

 

“What?!”

 

Before Wilhelm could even finish his sentence, Allendorf jumped, raising his voice.

 

His reaction was so intense that I, standing beside him, was more startled than Wilhelm and even got the hiccups.

 

“Hic!”

 

“Oh, my apologies for startling you, My Lady.”

 

Allendorf apologized to me as if he had just snapped back to his senses. However, the gaze he fixed on Wilhelm remained as cold as ice.

 

“Anyway, Wilhelm, do you honestly think that makes any sense?”

 

“I-I have no excuse, Your Highness.”

 

Wilhelm floundered under Allendorf’s freezing stare, casting a desperate, pleading look my way. But given the gravity of the situation, even I found it difficult to help him this time.

 

“And the warehouse key?”

 

“I have it right here.”

 

“Did you perhaps, along the way… haah.”

 

Allendorf, who had been interrogating Wilhelm like a prosecutor, let out a deep sigh and tilted his head back.

 

“…For now, I’ll have to go to the warehouse myself.”

 

“Y-yes, sir!”

 

Wilhelm finally looked like he could breathe again, clutching his chest in relief. Allendorf sighed once more before turning a cautious gaze toward me.

 

“My Lady, please head to the dining room ahead of me.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“It won’t take long. My mother is likely already there waiting for you.”

 

I realized then that it was already dinner time and nodded hurriedly.

 

“Alright.”

 

“Wilhelm. You escort the Lady of Württemberg to the dining room. I’ll take the ring of keys with me.”

 

At Allendorf’s unexpected command, Wilhelm looked startled, glancing back and forth between us.

 

“Am I not required to accompany you to the warehouse?”

 

“I believe it would be more helpful if you weren’t there.”

 

“How could you say that…”

 

Wilhelm’s shoulders slumped in dejection. I felt a bit sorry for him, but I also felt a complicated mix of emotions—partly that it was a pity, and partly that he had brought it on himself.

 

“The keys, then.”

 

“H-here they are.”

 

Wilhelm pulled a heavy bundle of keys from his back pocket and handed them to Allendorf. I expected a single key, but it looked like the entire set for the mansion, quite hefty in size.

 

“My Lady, allow me to escort you to the dining room.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

Feeling a bit dazed, I placed my hand on the arm Wilhelm offered. Allendorf watched us with a slight lift of his brow before turning away.

 

“Then, I shall see you in the dining room.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Guided by Wilhelm, I headed toward the dining room on the first floor. Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I felt Allendorf’s gaze prickling against my back.

 

Turning my head, I saw the brilliant orange sunset streaming through the large hallway windows. It hit me then that quite a lot of time had passed without me noticing.

 

 

***

 

 

“Welcome, Rina.”

 

“Your Grace.”

 

As I entered the dining room, the Duchess, who was already seated, greeted me with a warm face. I gave her a slight bow and then stole a glance at Natalie, who was standing behind the Duchess.

 

“……”

 

As expected, Natalie remained silent with her head bowed, as if nothing had happened. It was the reaction I anticipated, but it still felt strange.

 

‘…Does the Duchess know? I doubt she’s completely unaware.’

 

Just as that thought crossed my mind, the Duchess suddenly fired a question at Wilhelm.

 

“Where is Allen?”

 

Wilhelm looked visibly flustered by the surprise question. I felt compelled to speak up in his stead.

 

“He went to the second-floor warehouse to check on something. He told us to go ahead because it wouldn’t take long.”

 

“I see.”

 

The Duchess nodded as if satisfied and offered me a gentle smile. Meanwhile, Wilhelm let out a secret sigh of relief, shielding his chest from her view.

 

“Well then, shall we eat everything ourselves before Allen arrives?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

While I was momentarily taken aback by her joke, a familiar voice drifted in from the entrance.

 

“That is quite cruel of you, Mother.”

 

“Oh my, I heard you were late due to urgent business?”

 

“It wasn’t particularly grand business.”

 

Allendorf replied, casting a meaningful glance at Wilhelm. Wilhelm, in turn, looked at Allendorf with a mixture of relief and anxiety, his eyes practically pleading.

 

“That is why I have arrived so early.”

 

“I see. In any case, come and sit down. If you had been just a moment later, we really would have eaten it all.”

 

“Are you still making those dull jokes?”

 

Allendorf shook his head, yet his expression had softened considerably as he took the seat opposite me. Once he was settled, the Duchess and I unfolded our napkins and laid them across our laps.

 

“Now that I think of it, is this the first time you’re having dinner at our home, Rina?”

 

“Yes, it is.”

 

“Fufu. I truly hope the food suits your palate.”

 

Soon, the butler poured the aperitifs for everyone and lightly rang the handbell on the table. At the tinkling sound, neatly dressed footmen entered the room carrying dishes topped with silver covers.

 

 

***

 

 

The dishes served for dinner were all mouth-watering in appearance and aroma, befitting the reputation of the Ascania Duchy.

 

The smoked salmon canapés served as an appetizer were delicious and not too oily, and the pea potage gave off a scent that stirred the appetite. If it hadn’t been for the brioche served alongside the potage, I might have mindlessly finished everything in an instant.

 

“……”

 

Right. If only it weren’t for that brioche.

 

Feeling my appetite suddenly plummet, I glanced sideways at Natalie’s face. Natalie was attending to the Duchess with an indifferent expression, just as she had been before.

 

But was she really okay? If it were me, I’d be so angry and aggrieved that I would have told the Duchess everything.

 

“Rina?”

 

Oops.

 

I only realized I had been staring blankly at the Duchess when I heard her voice. Startled, I lowered my head, and the Duchess spoke again with a note of concern.

 

“Is the food not to your liking?”

 

Heck. I realized I had been so preoccupied with Natalie that I hadn’t noticed my soup was getting cold.

 

“Oh, no, not at all.”

 

I quickly tore off a piece of the brioche and dipped it into my portion of potage. Thinking about what had happened in the bakery kitchen made me lose my appetite again, but leaving food behind would be disrespectful to the Duchess.

 

I quickly finished the potage-soaked brioche and forced a smile for the Duchess.

 

“It’s delicious.”

 

“That’s good to hear.”

 

“……”

 

While I forced myself to finish the brioche out of consideration for the Duchess, Allendorf hadn’t touched his at all, wearing a strangely displeased expression. It was likely because the incident in the kitchen had been quite an unpleasant experience for him as well.

 

“Allen, what about you?”

 

“I have no appetite.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

The Duchess’s gaze drifted to Allendorf’s clean potage bowl. Allendorf shrugged at her curious look and pushed the bowl containing the brioche forward.

 

“If you don’t want to waste it, you should eat it, Mother. You won’t be able to have it for a while starting tomorrow, anyway.”

 

“Honestly, you!”

 

The Duchess gave Allendorf a playful glare but didn’t press him further on why he wasn’t eating the bread. Allendorf didn’t use to have this kind of image, but he’s surprisingly good at social maneuvering.

 

Throughout the rest of the meal, we talked about the Duchess’s birthday party tomorrow. After the fish, main dish, salad, and cheese had been served and the dessert arrived, Allendorf spoke up as if he had just remembered something.

 

“I should probably excuse myself now.”

 

“Oh my, already?”

 

“Yes. There’s something weighing on my mind.”

 

He said this while stealing a glance at me.

 

“The meal is almost over anyway.”

 

“Why don’t you stay for tea at least?”

 

“It’s fine. If I stay for tea, it’ll be even harder to get up.”

 

The Duchess still looked disappointed, but she didn’t try to stop or hold him back any further. After all, the birthday party was tomorrow, and Allendorf likely had much to do…

 

‘Ugh, come to think of it, I came here to help but feel like I’ve been playing all day. My conscience is starting to prick me.’

 

Allendorf waved his hand dismissively and left the dining room with Wilhelm. I stole a glance at the Duchess, who was wearing a wry smile.

 

What was the “something” weighing on Allendorf’s mind? The missing firework device in the warehouse? Or what happened in the kitchen earlier?

 

I wasn’t sure, but the latter seemed more likely. Based on his tone with Wilhelm earlier, it seemed he had already found the firework device.

 

 

***

 

 

After finishing the chocolate ice cream for dessert, black tea and coffee were served last. The Duchess tilted her steaming teacup and cast a gentle gaze my way.

 

“Rina, you’ve worked hard today as well.”

 

“Oh, no. I haven’t really done much.”

 

“Do you truly think so?”

 

A strangely meaningful smile appeared on the Duchess’ lips. Feeling my face heat up for no reason, I lowered my eyes to the teacup in front of me.

 

“Yes.”

 

“My thoughts are quite different…”

 

The Duchess chuckled and then turned her gaze to Natalie, who was standing nearby.

 

“Natalie, please guide Rina to the guest room on the third floor. And don’t forget to tell Paula to prepare her bath.”

 

“Yes, My Lady.”

 

“Rina has been busy all day, so she must be very tired. Paula is quite skilled at massages, isn’t she?”

 

I was already feeling overwhelmed, and now a massage too! My head spun at the suddenness of it all.

 

“Oh, I-I’m fine!”

 

“I’m saying this because I wouldn’t be fine otherwise. Natalie, you understand?”

 

“Yes, My Lady.”

 

‘Aaaah! This is so embarrassing!’

 

While I was internally pulling my hair out, the Duchess set her empty teacup down with a wide smile.

 

“Shall we head out then?”

 

“……Yes.”

 

The Duchess and I slowly rose from our seats and left the dining room. The butler and Natalie, who had been attending us, followed.

 

“I have some personal business to attend to, so I’ll head to my room first. I wanted to talk more, but I’m sorry I can’t stay with you.”

 

“Is there anything I can help with?”

 

“It will be over quickly, so I don’t want to trouble you, Rina. If you need anything from me or Allen, just tell Paula. I’ll come find you as soon as my work is finished.”

 

“Ah, I…”

 

I was about to say I was fine, but I quickly closed my mouth. I didn’t know when or what kind of urgent business might arise.

 

The Duchess seemed satisfied with my reaction and nodded with a smile.

 

“Until then.”

 

Once the Duchess and the butler left, only Natalie and I remained in front of the dining room. Natalie, her eyes cast down, spoke in a low but clear voice.

 

“Please follow me, My Lady.”

 

I suppressed the urge to speak and followed Natalie to the third floor where the guest rooms were. Natalie was quite tall, but today, her back as she walked ahead looked unusually small and fragile.

 

“This is the room.”

 

Snapping back to reality, I realized Natalie and I were standing in front of the last door at the end of the left hallway on the third floor. Natalie took a key from her pocket, opened the locked door, and glanced at me as if asking why I wasn’t going in.

 

“Your luggage has been placed in the dressing room.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Please wait a moment. I will go call Paula.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

I nodded, feeling a bit dazed. I waited while looking around the room, and before long, Natalie returned with a maid who looked somewhat familiar.

 

“Hello, I am Paula.”

 

Where had I seen this person before? As I tilted my head trying to recall, Natalie jogged my memory.

 

“You’ve met Paula before, haven’t you? When you first met Her Grace…”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

I remembered then. She was the maid who had brought me a new set of clothes when mine were wet after I saved the Duchess.

 

“It’s been a while, Paula.”

 

“Thank you for remembering me, My Lady.”

 

Paula bowed deeply, her face turning bright red. Honestly, I had forgotten… I felt a pang of guilt as I looked at the shyly smiling Paula.

 

“Paula here will be attending to you temporarily until tomorrow. Paula, I’ll let the head maid know, so you help the Lady with her bath. And don’t forget to give her a massage afterward.”

 

“Yes.”

 

As Paula nodded, Natalie turned her gaze back to me.

 

“I shall head to Her Grace now. If you feel uncomfortable or need anything, you can just instruct Paula.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“Then, I shall see you again tomorrow.”

 

Natalie gave a slight nod and immediately left the room.

 

 

***

 

 

After Natalie left, an awkward silence filled the room. Paula hesitated, looking toward me.

 

“I will prepare the bath immediately, My Lady. Please wait a moment.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

 

Paula seemed flustered by my response and hurried into the connected bathroom. Was she the shy type? I wasn’t sure, but I figured it was better than someone with a prickly personality.

 

“……”

 

The incident in the kitchen came back to me again.

 

Why did the people in the Duchy hate Natalie so much? It didn’t seem like she had a particularly unpleasant personality.

 

When I first saw it, I thought people might have just lost their reason momentarily after a big accident. But considering what I witnessed in the kitchen today, it definitely wasn’t a one-time thing.

 

Strictly speaking, it was none of my business… but it felt wrong to just ignore someone being unilaterally bullied by others.

 

While I was lost in thought, Paula, who had started filling the tub, peeked her head out.

 

“My Lady, I will help you undress first.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

Paula scurried back out of the bathroom and began to help me out of my clothes one by one. Soon, I was left in just my chemise, and I rubbed my arms as a sudden chill made me shiver.

 

“Are you cold?”

 

“Yes, a little…”

 

As soon as she heard my answer, Paula rushed to the fireplace and began adding more logs. She was quite small, but she seemed very efficient at her work.

 

After a while, the air in the room warmed up, and my shivering subsided. Returning to the bathroom, Paula checked that the tub was almost full and turned off the tap.

 

“Please come in, My Lady.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Entering the bathroom, Paula took several kinds of bath salts from the shelf and showed them to me. They seemed to be carefully selected scents like rose, lavender, and jasmine.

 

“Which one would you prefer?”

 

“Lavender, please.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Soon, the purple salts dissolved in the tub, and a calming scent filled the bathroom. I took off my chemise and carefully stepped into the tub.

 

“Haah…”

 

As I immersed my body in the warm water, my limbs grew heavy, and the accumulated fatigue of the day washed over me all at once. To avoid the embarrassment of falling asleep in the tub, I purposefully rubbed my face.

 

I hadn’t even done much today, so why was I so tired? My eyelids felt incredibly heavy, as if weights were attached to them.

 

“How do you feel?”

 

“Good. Very…”

 

I blinked repeatedly, struggling to suppress a sudden yawn. Paula seemed to notice my half-closed eyes and began washing my hair with even more hurried movements than before.

 

“Are you very tired?”

 

“Not very… just a little…”

 

“Then, shall I start the massage?”

 

I wanted to say yes, but I didn’t even have the energy for that right now. When I shook my head slightly, Paula looked a bit disappointed but immediately brought over a dry towel and a fresh chemise.

 

Stepping out of the bathroom, I collapsed onto the bed, forgetting even to dry my hair. I knew I should dry it before sleeping, but I just couldn’t be bothered.

 

Kind Paula stayed by my side, diligently drying my hair with the towel. I thought again that she seemed like a truly good person. Earlier, it didn’t seem like she was hostile toward Natalie either.

 

‘Wait, with Natalie…?’

 

That thought snapped me awake. If it was Paula, I might be able to find out why Natalie was being ostracized by the other servants.

 

I stole a glance at Paula, who seemed focused on brushing my hair. Paula eventually noticed my gaze and looked toward me with a slight smile.

 

“Is there something you need me to do?”

 

“Oh, it’s not really something to do…”

 

I checked Paula’s expression and spoke in a tone that I tried to make sound casual.

 

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

 

“If it’s something I know, I’ll tell you.”

 

Yes! I cheered inwardly and sat up on the bed.

 

“Is it really alright to ask?”

 

“My Lady, you are the one who saved Her Grace’s life. Of course I should tell you if you’re curious about something.”

 

‘Bringing up the Duchess now?!’

 

I felt a pang of guilt, but I was more curious about Natalie’s story.

 

“Actually, I’ve been curious about this since then.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Paula was listening intently, still unaware of the question I was about to ask.

 

“Natalie, who brought me here earlier. The Duchess’s maid.”

 

I started cautiously, watching Paula’s expression.

 

“It seems like she doesn’t get along well with the others…”

 

“Ah…”

 

Paula looked troubled, as if she had finally realized what I was asking. I felt a bit bad, but what could I do? The cat was already out of the bag.

 

I felt my heart pounding as I lowered my head. If Paula cooperated, I might be able to help Natalie in some way…

 

“Do you know, Paula? Why Natalie is being…”

 

“You mean why she is being ostracized?”

 

I gasped at Paula’s blunt answer. I was glad she answered without hesitation, but wasn’t this a bit too direct?

 

I looked up at Paula again. Surprisingly—or perhaps predictably—she was meeting my eyes with a calm yet somewhat somber expression.

 

“So you noticed after all.”

 

“It might be meddling on my part… but the atmosphere was too unusual to ignore.”

 

I hesitated for a moment but decided to be honest about what had happened in the kitchen.

 

“Actually, I saw Natalie in the bakery kitchen earlier.”

 

“……”

 

“Her Grace had asked to change the dinner bread, but no one seemed to believe her…”

 

Paula remained silent, seemingly deep in thought. Just as I was about to go quiet due to the lengthening silence, she finally spoke with a sigh.

 

“I see.”

 

“……”

 

“This is just my speculation, though.”

 

Paula continued, a bitter smile playing on her lips.

 

“The people there probably knew. They knew Natalie wasn’t lying.”

 

“What does that…”

 

‘They knew she wasn’t lying?’

 

It made no sense. If so, why on earth did the people in the kitchen corner Natalie like that?

 

Paula fell silent again at my confused look. It seemed the situation surrounding Natalie was more complicated than I had imagined.

 

But now that I had heard this much, I couldn’t back down. This situation was definitely not normal.

 

Paula must have shared my sentiment, as her silence didn’t last long.

 

“Natalie was originally a maid who worked in the bakery kitchen.”

 

Ah, I remembered hearing that. Though I wasn’t sure, I recalled someone saying they were peers, but while one had risen in rank, the others were still kneading dough.

 

Still, it’s a bit surprising since a noble’s maid is usually another noble or from a gentry background. And for someone as prominent as Duchess Ascania, the competition for that position must have been fierce.

 

Could Natalie be from a fallen noble family? It’s not uncommon for fallen nobles to become employees of other nobles. Still, it’s impressive nonetheless.

 

“Is Natalie from a noble family?”

 

“No. If she were, she wouldn’t be ostracized like she is now.”

 

That meant Natalie had started as a commoner maid and risen to her current position. That was truly remarkable.

 

The place I came from no longer had a class system, but this was a world with clear social divisions. As Natalie’s existence proved, those divisions weren’t insurmountable, but it was undeniable that a solid wall existed.

 

Yet Natalie had broken through that wall to become the maid of Duchess Ascania. This was partly due to the Duchess’s open-mindedness, but it also meant Natalie was exceptionally talented.

 

Moreover, Natalie was quite young. If she had been born in my world, she’d probably be a graduate of a prestigious university building a brilliant career at a top company.

 

But why was everyone so desperate to tear down someone as talented as Natalie? Could it be for some pathetic reason, like being jealous because a commoner was doing too well?

 

But she was there because she was that capable.

 

Paula nodded with a bitter expression as if she fully understood my feelings.

 

“Of course, Natalie rose to her position because of her talent. But many people weren’t willing to acknowledge that.”

 

Ah, I get it now. So the others think, ‘She just got lucky. If I had the chance, I’d be in that position, not her.’

 

Thinking that way is one thing… but from a third-party perspective, it’s nothing but an absurd case of mental gymnastics. And bullying an innocent person because of it is just cruel.

 

“That’s ridiculous…”

 

“It is, but people are naturally self-centered. And since Natalie has such a principled character, the friction was even greater.”

 

Principled character? Usually, that would make things better, wouldn’t it?

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“I don’t know the full details… but I heard that shortly after Natalie started serving Her Grace directly, someone asked her for a troublesome favor. A close relative was starting a business and wanted her to speak well of them to Her Grace…”

 

Heck, is that what they call solicitation?! I widened my eyes, and Paula paused for a moment before slowly nodding.

 

Wow, so… since Natalie refused, they’re holding a petty grudge.

 

I felt my head spinning and furrowed my brows. If it were just out of jealousy, it might almost be cute. But this is completely turning the tables!

 

It’s not even my business, but I’m fuming. I tried to keep my voice down as I asked Paula.

 

“Does the Duchess not know?”

 

“She knows.”

 

‘She knows and she’s letting it happen?!’

 

I was about to get angry when Paula’s next explanation calmed me down.

 

“At first, Her Grace was very angry and scolded the servants. She even docked the pay of those who were particularly abusive. But immediately after, the bullying intensified as if in retaliation…”

 

“Ah…”

 

I felt the energy drain out of me as my shoulders slumped. It made sense; the Duchess probably cared for Natalie more than I did.

 

“Are there that many people involved?”

 

“Many, and most of them have served Her Grace for a very long time.”

 

The situation was indeed incredibly complex. If the main perpetrators were long-time servants, I could understand why it would be difficult for the Duchess to take action.

 

One might think the easiest solution would be to fire all the perpetrators, but it’s not that simple.

 

The Duchess isn’t a tyrant, and if so many people are involved, it wouldn’t be easy to fill their vacancies once they’re gone.

 

In old, prestigious families, there are often families that have served them for generations—loyal retainers who have worked there since childhood and know every detail of the family’s affairs.

 

That’s probably why they found Natalie so irritating—a commoner maid suddenly appearing and taking the position of the Duchess’s maid instead of them, who had served the Ascania family for generations.

 

If Natalie had gotten on the bad side of such people… it’s only natural that the Duchess would find it difficult to openly take Natalie’s side.

 

“……”

 

My mind was in turmoil. Still, seeing that people like Paula existed, it seemed not everyone was hostile toward Natalie.

 

“But surely there must be some people who are on Natalie’s side?”

 

“As you said, not everyone dislikes her. Especially in the bakery kitchen, since many of them are her long-time peers, they probably don’t all genuinely hate her.”

 

‘What does that mean?’

 

It seemed completely the opposite based on what I saw in the bakery kitchen earlier.

 

Paula seemed to realize what I was thinking and blushed as she spoke.

 

“Of course, it’s true that many in the bakery kitchen are envious of her. But most of them actually know that Natalie is diligent and capable. They just don’t want to admit it.”

 

To put it simply, they know the truth but refuse to acknowledge it out of pride. ‘Everyone lives such exhausting lives,’ I thought.

 

Still, the good news was that there was hope for Natalie. It seemed like if there was some kind of breakthrough, the relationship could be improved.

 

I let out a small sigh, thinking about how I could help Natalie.

 

If I hadn’t known, it would be one thing, but now that I knew her story, I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

 

This isn’t because I’m a meddler. It’s just that Natalie is such a diligent and kind person that I can’t ignore her plight.

 

While I was lost in thought, Paula was looking at me with a somewhat troubled expression. For Paula, she had just revealed sensitive internal affairs of the Duchy to an outsider, so it was only natural she would be worried.

 

I forced a bright smile to reassure her.

 

“Thank you for telling me, Paula.”

 

“……”

 

“I understand what you’re worried about. And that makes me even more grateful. You showed great courage.”

 

Paula’s face flushed deep red once again. Keeping her head bowed, she hesitated for a moment before finally opening her mouth, stammering slightly.

 

“My Lady, you truly are a wonderful person.”

 

‘Wait, what is she talking about now?’

 

I stared up at her flustered face, feeling completely bewildered.

 

“No, I mean, why would you say…”

 

“I think I understand why Her Grace cherishes you so much. Of course, it’s partly because you saved her life, but…”

 

“……”

 

“There are parts of you that resemble Her Grace.”

 

When Paula said we ‘resembled’ each other, she clearly didn’t mean our physical appearance. She likely meant internal qualities, like personality or character.

 

‘I should take this as a compliment, right?’

 

After all, the Duchess seemed to be held in high regard by all the servants.

 

“T-thank you.”

 

“I think that you, My Lady…”

 

‘I’m what?’

 

I gazed intently at Paula, waiting for her to finish.

 

However, Paula suddenly looked startled, as if she had made a slip of the tongue, and hurriedly shook her head.

 

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

 

“…?”

 

Leaving it like that made me even more curious, but since I had heard everything I needed to know about Natalie, there was no reason to press her further.

 

“I understand.”

 

When I nodded obediently, Paula finally let out a faint, relieved smile.

 

“Shall you be heading to sleep soon? Or is there anything else you require?”

 

Perhaps it was because I had gotten so worked up over Natalie’s situation. Honestly, I wasn’t that sleepy anymore, but I felt bad for keeping Paula any longer. Besides, a significant amount of time had passed without me noticing.

 

“I’ll go to bed now.”

 

“Then I shall prepare your bedding.”

 

Paula hurried to the bed, smoothing out the pillows and straightening the covers. After brushing my hair one last time, she braided it neatly so it wouldn’t get tangled.

 

“If you need anything, just pull this cord. I’ll be in the room right next door, so you won’t have to wait long.”

 

“Thank you, Paula.”

 

When I expressed my gratitude, Paula’s face turned red again as she turned toward the door.

 

“Then, I shall excuse myself…”

 

Click.

 

Once the door closed, I was left alone in the room. Flopping onto the bed, I stared blankly at the ceiling and began to re-evaluate the story I had heard from Paula.

 

‘This feels a lot more complicated than I expected…’

 

Then again, if the situation were this tangled, even the Duchess wouldn’t have been able to resolve it easily. And she couldn’t exactly cast Natalie out after having already made her a personal maid.

 

Since it was such an unconventional appointment, the Duchess must have expected some backlash. She just probably didn’t anticipate it lasting this long.

 

Paula said the kitchen staff already knew of Natalie’s competence and diligence. Perhaps the Duchess appointed her with a similar thought—that, if necessary, her former colleagues in the bakery kitchen would eventually take her side.

 

Of course, that’s easier said than done… but if handled well, Natalie and the kitchen staff might be able to reconcile.

 

‘The question is, how on earth am I supposed to make them reconcile?’ I felt my head growing heavy again and rolled onto my side.

 

Usually, in these ‘isekai’ stories, the protagonist uses their prior knowledge to solve everything smoothly, but I knew absolutely nothing, and my head felt like it was about to explode.

 

“Argh, seriously!”

 

After thrashing around and pulling at my hair, I eventually sat up and blew out the lamp by the bed.

 

Agonizing over it alone wasn’t going to produce a brilliant solution, so I decided it was better to get some sleep before it got too late. After all, tomorrow was the Duchess’ birthday party.

 

I tried to drift off, telling myself to think about it after waking up. But whether it was the unfamiliar bed or my obsession with Natalie’s problem, sleep eluded me.

 

The ticking of the grandfather clock’s second hand began to grate on my nerves. To force myself to sleep, I squeezed my eyes shut and began slowly counting sheep in my head.

 

‘One sheep, two sheep, three sheep… …Two hundred fifty-eight, two hundred fifty-nine, two hundred sixty…’

 

“…I can’t do this.”

 

Giving up on the sheep, I sat up again. I figured wandering around for some fresh air would be better for falling asleep than lying here uselessly.

 

I relit the lamp, took a robe from the bathroom, and threw it over my chemise. The night air was still quite chilly, and it would be embarrassing to run into someone else while dressed like this.

 

 

***

 

 

Since it was well past midnight, the hallways were pitch black. I found a small candle stand, lit it, and stepped out alone. I didn’t want to wake Paula, who must have already fallen asleep.

 

Now that I was out, where should I go?

 

I thought of the library but shook my head, thinking it would be rude to enter without the Duchess’s permission. While she probably wouldn’t scold me, it was still a matter of etiquette.

 

‘The indoors are a bit much… maybe the balcony is the safest bet.’

 

I pulled my robe tighter and walked cautiously toward the balcony at the end of the hallway. Because it was so dark, I couldn’t see anything beyond the small circle of light from my candle.

 

As I walked along the corridor, I spotted the moonlit balcony through the half-open glass doors. My pace quickened instinctively as I approached the entrance.

 

But then,

 

“Wait…?”

 

There was someone already on the balcony.

 

Goosebumps erupted on my arms, and I turned to flee. But the person on the balcony was faster.

 

“Wait a moment…!”

 

“Ack!”

 

‘Wait, that voice?!’

 

I turned back to see Allendorf standing there, looking just as startled as I was. I felt my heart settle slightly and shifted my gaze around awkwardly.

 

“Grand… Grand Duke…”

 

“It was indeed Lady Württemberg.”

 

Allendorf spoke in a much calmer voice.

 

“I didn’t expect to see you in a place like this at this hour.”

 

“Yes. Me neither…”

 

Ah, my heart was still thumping. I thought he’d be in his office or sleeping in his room; why on earth was he here?

 

I stole another glance at him.

 

Perhaps it was because the shock hadn’t fully worn off, or because seeing Allendorf in such uncharacteristically casual attire felt so different, but my face felt hot and my heart continued to race.

 

“What… what brings the Grand Duke here at this hour?”

 

“I had some complicated matters to attend to and came to clear my head. And what about you, My Lady?”

 

“I’m the same.”

 

The shock had made me temporarily forget about Natalie. ‘Is that a good thing or a bad thing?’

 

I tilted my head, furrowing my brows.

 

“I couldn’t sleep because my mind was so busy.”

 

“Is that so.”

 

“……”

 

We stood there for a moment, looking at each other in silence.

 

We didn’t say exactly what we were worrying about, but I suspected he was also agonizing over the issues surrounding Natalie.

 

A cool night breeze blew through the open door. After a moment’s hesitation, I stepped out onto the balcony and set my candle stand on the railing.

 

“Does it have to do with what happened in the kitchen earlier?”

 

“You could say that.”

 

It was a vague answer—neither a clear ‘yes’ nor a ‘no.’ When I looked at him again, Allendorf’s shoulders slumped, and he wore a bitter expression.

 

“I don’t know who it is, but someone seems to hate her quite intensely.”

 

‘Her’ undoubtedly referred to Natalie. I already knew many people in the Duchy disliked her, but…

 

“I didn’t think they would go as far as framing her for a crime she didn’t commit.”

 

Allendorf’s next words made my head spin. Framing her for a crime she didn’t commit? What does that mean?!

 

“What on earth do you mean…”

 

I felt a tightness in my chest as if I were the one being framed. Seeing my reaction, Allendorf looked surprised and stepped closer to steady me.

 

“You seem quite shocked.”

 

“Yes…”

 

I took a slow, deep breath to calm my racing heart. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make sense of the situation.

 

“Who… who tried to frame Natalie, and for what?”

 

“I don’t know who did it yet.”

 

Allendorf spoke with a deep furrow in his brow, as if it were a major headache.

 

“Do you remember Wilhelm coming to see me earlier?”

 

“I remember.”

 

He said the fireworks for tomorrow’s party had suddenly vanished. Allendorf had rushed off to find them.

 

“I investigated who had entered the warehouse after Wilhelm placed the items there.”

 

“Don’t tell me…”

 

Allendorf nodded with a grim expression.

 

“The only person who entered the warehouse during that time was Natalie.”

 

I felt like I’d been hit in the back of the head with a mallet. Staggering slightly, I gripped the railing and tried to catch my breath.

 

“Is that… is that true?”

 

“Based on the immediate facts, yes. However, there are too many flaws to believe she is the actual culprit.”

 

I looked up at Allendorf again. In the pale moonlight, his face looked almost ghostly white.

 

“What kind of flaws?”

 

“If she were the true culprit, she wouldn’t have been foolish enough to enter the warehouse alone.”

 

True. If only one person entered the warehouse before the items went missing, suspicion would naturally fall entirely on that person. A clever person like Natalie wouldn’t make such a stupid mistake.

 

“Stealing a key, or using my mother to create a fake alibi… if she had intended to do it, she could have used much more sophisticated methods.”

 

“Then…”

 

“The problem is the lack of physical evidence, and the difficulty in pinpointing exactly who was behind it.”

 

Allendorf swept back his hair and let out a deep sigh of frustration. Feeling my face heat up again, I purposefully looked away.

 

“Did you find the missing firework device?”

 

“I did. The answer came easily when I thought about who they were trying to frame.”

 

‘Wait, does that mean it was in Natalie’s room?’

 

When I looked at him with a hardened face, Allendorf nodded slowly.

 

“I recovered the item quietly without Natalie knowing. Only my mother and I know about this.”

 

Then, he added in a slightly playful tone:

 

“Now, including the Lady, there are three of us.”

 

“Is it alright? For you to tell me…”

 

“It’s precisely because it’s you, My Lady, that I feel I can trust you with this.”

 

‘Why is the conversation going in that direction?’

 

I felt a bit awkward, but honestly, it didn’t feel bad at all.

 

Regardless, the story Allendorf told me was shocking. I knew many people disliked Natalie, but to plan on ousting her by framing her as a thief…

 

I frowned, feeling troubled again. Having just heard Paula’s story, I felt even more indignant on Natalie’s behalf.

 

“What should we do now?”

 

“I plan to watch for a while. Since we found the missing item, poking around unnecessarily might cause trouble in unexpected places.”

 

“I see…”

 

“And this is merely my speculation, but.”

 

Allendorf suddenly lowered his voice and leaned in close to me.

 

“The culprit won’t give up here.”

 

I felt my breath hitch. His expression was so serious, and his face was… well, closer than necessary.

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

Aaargh. My face was burning despite the gravity of the conversation. Fortunately, it was dark enough that he probably couldn’t see me blushing.

 

“Since the first attempt failed, they’ll try to set a bigger trap. And to ensure they have everyone’s attention, they’ll likely try to ruin my mother’s birthday party in a spectacular fashion.”

 

Allendorf muttered to himself, his voice laced with clear distaste.

 

“I have no intention of letting such schemes slide.”

 

He was right. Allendorf had worked so hard to prepare this birthday party; to think someone would ruin it just to get rid of Natalie.

 

Moreover, it wasn’t just any party; it was the first birthday celebration since Allendorf had reconciled with the Duchess. It was only natural that he, even more than I, would find the culprit’s actions intolerable.

 

Watching Allendorf’s indignant profile, I bit my lip.

 

If only we could narrow down the suspects… but the lack of information was frustrating.

 

“Do you have any suspects in mind?”

 

“I’m still bothered by what happened in the kitchen… so I suspect that side more, but I can’t be certain.”

 

“Ah.”

 

I suddenly remembered what Paula had told me—that the people in the bakery kitchen might act like they hate Natalie, but they actually don’t.

 

But to tell him that, I’d have to explain that I’d been asking Paula about the situation. Would he find that offensive?

 

“Is something wrong?”

 

Allendorf was looking at me curiously. I hesitated, wondering whether to brush it off or come clean.

 

“It’s nothing major…”

 

‘Come to think of it, Allendorf told me where he found the item.’

 

It felt unfair for me to stay silent now.

 

“Actually, I was curious too, so I looked into it. About… the kitchen staff and Natalie.”

 

When I said that much and glanced at him, Allendorf nodded, prompting me to continue.

 

“Please, go on.”

 

“Paula happened to be attending to me, so I asked her. If she knew why Natalie and the kitchen staff don’t get along.”

 

Though hesitant, I began telling Allendorf everything I had learned from Paula.

 

I had only intended to mention the kitchen staff, but as the conversation went on, I ended up telling him the whole story about Natalie refusing the solicitation.

 

“That is quite surprising.”

 

Allendorf rubbed his chin, looking incredulous.

 

“But if that story is true… I think I understand why my mother made her a maid despite the opposition.”

 

“It really is amazing.”

 

Actually, the reason many people wanted the position of the Duchess’s maid was simple. Beyond the high salary, the potential favors one could gain through a connection with the Duchess were enormous.

 

But unlike those people, Natalie had flatly refused the solicitation. Had she accepted, she could have received bribes and avoided making enemies everywhere.

 

“To be able to give up tangible gains for the sake of one’s principles… I didn’t think people like that still existed in this world.”

 

“Do you truly think so?”

 

Allendorf asked in a meaningful tone, as if he knew someone else like that.

 

“Is it not true?”

 

I looked up instinctively, only to feel my face flush at Allendorf’s intense gaze.

 

‘W-what’s with him all of a sudden? Making the atmosphere weird.’

 

Allendorf whispered in a voice lower than before.

 

“I happen to know.”

 

“Know what…”

 

I suddenly wanted to find a hole and hide in it.

 

‘What is he doing? Why is he like this?’

 

“That there is one more person like that.”

 

“…!”

 

I hurriedly turned my head away, avoiding his gaze. My heart was pounding so loudly I was afraid he could hear it. It was embarrassing.

 

“Uh, um…”

 

What am I supposed to say? My mind had gone completely blank.

 

I rubbed my chest with my palm, trying to calm my fluttering heart. I needed to act composed, but theory and practice are always at odds.

 

“Well… I’m honored you see me that way.”

 

Thanks to the long pause, I managed to speak without my voice trembling. But my effort was wasted as I immediately heard Allendorf’s low chuckle behind me.

 

“There’s no need to be embarrassed.”

 

‘Well, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be embarrassed!’

 

I suppressed the urge to retort and took a deep breath.

 

“I’m not embarrassed.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“I know you’re just teasing me.”

 

“I had no such intention.”

 

‘Look at him. Lying through his teeth without even blinking.’

 

I gave the still-grinning Allendorf a sharp look. Of course, he just shrugged as if he weren’t intimidated in the least.

 

“In any case, thank you for the valuable information. I feel as though the list of suspects has narrowed significantly.”

 

“Is that true?!”

 

That was the best news I’d heard. When I brightened and raised my voice, Allendorf nodded and looked around.

 

“However, due to a lack of evidence, I’ll have to keep observing the situation until tomorrow. We currently have suspicions but no proof.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“I hope my theory is wrong… but if the person I suspect is indeed the culprit, I will never forgive them.”

 

His words left room for doubt but carried a hidden edge. I had a feeling that the ‘person’ he was referring to was someone I knew.

 

“So the Grand Duke has a specific culprit in mind.”

 

Allendorf didn’t confirm or deny it, only blinking his eyes. Instead of pressing for an answer, I looked up at him quietly.

 

“If you don’t want to say, it’s alright.”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Allendorf replied and then wiped his face with his hands. He looked both tired and anxious, though it might have just been my imagination.

 

“…The person I suspect is.”

 

A cool breeze brushed over us. I didn’t even realize I was shivering as I focused intently on his next words.

 

A faint, cynical smile played on Allendorf’s lips. Then, in a resigned tone, he let out the final words.

 

“It is Wilhelm.”

 

 

***

 

 

I felt a shiver run down my spine and let out the breath I’d been holding. It was shocking, yet my strangely calm state told me I had perhaps expected it.

 

Suddenly, I remembered the bundle of keys Wilhelm had been carrying just before dinner. The one with keys to every part of the mansion, not just the warehouse…

 

Using that, it would have been easy to steal the fireworks from the warehouse and plant them in Natalie’s room.

 

Allendorf stood there motionless, like a statue. Based on his expression alone, he didn’t seem particularly angry, but I found his current appearance even more frightening.

 

“…I see.”

 

‘What else am I supposed to say?’

 

My mind had gone blank again. I felt like I had to say something to break the awkward tension.

 

“Uh, um…”

 

While I was faltering, I heard Allendorf’s low sigh.

 

‘What did that sigh mean?’

 

Before I could wonder further, he suddenly leaned in close to me.

 

“As I said, it’s not certain yet. The lack of evidence is an issue.”

 

“……”

 

“And Wilhelm isn’t the only remaining suspect.”

 

But he was probably the most likely one. Otherwise, Allendorf wouldn’t have that bitter expression.

 

I nodded toward him, feeling a bit sorry. Allendorf looked like he had more to say, but he pressed his lips together and turned away.

 

“It’s quite late. You should head to bed, My Lady.”

 

My first thought was, ‘Is he changing the subject?’ but he was right; quite a lot of time had passed. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day, so I needed to get some sleep.

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’ll walk you to your room.”

 

Allendorf turned back toward me. When I nodded, he offered his arm with a much lighter smile than before.

 

“I should have escorted you sooner.”

 

“Well, the conversation went on longer than expected. It couldn’t be helped.”

 

I hesitated for a moment but eventually took his arm.

 

‘Ah, I shouldn’t get too used to this.’

 

It was a problem that I kept letting my guard down.

 

As I took his arm, a sudden, unfamiliar scent wafted over me, and a ticklish sensation spread through my body.

 

‘Was it his shower cologne?’

 

Come to think of it, his hair had looked slightly damp earlier.

 

Allendorf led the way and closed the balcony door. With the sound of the wind gone, his breathing felt even closer than before.

 

“……”

 

‘Why… why am I like this?’

 

It wasn’t the first time I’d taken his arm; why was I acting like this now?

 

I fanned my face with my hand to cool down my burning cheeks. Allendorf watched me in silence before letting out a sigh.

 

“Actually, there’s something I’ve wanted to say for a while.”

 

“Yes?”

 

I tilted my head and looked up at him. It was so dark I couldn’t clearly see his expression.

 

“Wandering around alone at night in such attire is not exactly advisable.”

 

“Ah…”

 

My already warm cheeks felt even hotter. Lost for words, I could only hang my head.

 

“I didn’t know the Grand Duke would be there.”

 

“It’s the same whether I’m there or not. If someone other than me…”

 

Allendorf suddenly trailed off.

 

‘What? Now I’m curious.’

 

“Grand Duke?”

 

I prompted him to continue, but the answer didn’t come. Instead of answering, Allendorf shook his head and let out a series of sighs.

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

“But…”

 

“Instead, please wake a maid and have her accompany you next time. I know you didn’t wake her out of consideration, but it will be a bigger burden for her if a problem arises.”

 

‘Ugh, I can’t argue with that.’ I grumbled inwardly but had to nod.

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

“There’s no need to apologize to me.”

 

I heard Allendorf chuckle above me. It felt a bit awkward, but it was much better than the tension from before.

 

“The primary problem is with the men, not the ladies.”

 

“But there are people like the Grand Duke, too.”

 

The moment I said that, the atmosphere changed subtly. Allendorf asked me in a much firmer voice.

 

“Do you truly think so?”

 

What? I thought so, of course, but the atmosphere made me feel like I shouldn’t have said it. I scrambled to think of a response that would change the mood without making it more awkward.

 

“A-aren’t there…?”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Ack. Allendorf suddenly leaned in, his face right in front of mine. My heart nearly stopped as I saw his red eyes flashing in the darkness.

 

“…!”

 

“I think you are overestimating me.”

 

Overestimating what? I wanted to argue, but my mind had gone blank, and I couldn’t even understand the context of his words.

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

My heart was racing as if I’d just finished a sprint. Allendorf stared at my face as if searching for something before straightening up as if nothing had happened.

 

“We’re almost there.”

 

“Yes, yes…”

 

‘I’m saved!’

 

I felt a wave of relief that almost brought tears to my eyes. For a moment, I was terrified he might actually snap.

 

Allendorf let go of my arm and took a step back as if nothing had happened. I let out a secret sigh of relief and offered him a vague, slightly regretful smile.

 

“Thank you for walking me.”

 

“You’re welcome.”

 

Allendorf, who had looked strangely displeased until then, answered in a much gentler voice.

 

‘Honestly, he’s quite difficult to please. Though not as bad as Lydis.’

 

“It’s very late. Please don’t stay up too late.”

 

“The Grand Duke should go to sleep, too. Don’t stay up all night like you did yesterday.”

 

‘You know, right? If you overexert yourself and faint during the party tomorrow, that’ll be an even bigger problem.’

 

Allendorf was silent for a moment after my serious advice, then suddenly began to chuckle as if he’d heard a hilarious joke.

 

‘Is he mocking me?’

 

I was trying to be helpful, and his laughing felt a bit insulting.

 

“Do you find my words amusing?”

 

“Ah, no. I wasn’t laughing because it was funny…”

 

Allendorf shook his head and replied.

 

“I laughed because I felt like I’d been caught. And I was a bit worried that I looked that terrible.”

 

“You do look terrible.”

 

I spoke firmly, hoping to shock him into taking care of himself. That way, he’d actually sleep.

 

“I see.”

 

My shock therapy seemed to work, as Allendorf let out a grand sigh and slumped his shoulders. I didn’t feel sorry for him at all, since he’d brought it on himself.

 

“As you say, My Lady, I shall head to bed early tonight.”

 

“Go on, then. Time is ticking away as we speak.”

 

“I understand.”

 

When I gave him a nudge to head off, Allendorf reluctantly started walking down the hallway. After all that, surely he’ll actually sleep tonight.

 

“Good night.”

 

“Yes. You too, Grand Duke.”

 

As soon as I closed the door and stepped inside, the tension vanished, and a wave of sleepiness washed over me. Fortunately, I didn’t have to count sheep this time. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I drifted off into a sweet dreamland.

 

 

***

 

 

Chirp, chirp.

 

The noisy twittering of birds above my head reached my ears. Though I hadn’t opened my eyes yet, the sense of brightness surrounding me told me that morning had already arrived.

 

I could hear the sounds of people busily moving back and forth outside the door. Was there some urgent matter? For some reason, everyone sounded hurried and flustered.

 

“The thing is… the… is.”

 

“…At this rate, it might be… difficult to…”

 

“Just… what are we supposed to do?”

 

‘Did something big happen?’ While my sleep-addled brain pondered blankly, the conversation I had with Allendorf last night suddenly flashed through my mind.

 

“The culprit won’t give up here.”

 

“Since the first attempt failed, they’ll try to set a bigger trap. And to ensure they have everyone’s attention, they’ll likely try to ruin my mother’s birthday party in a spectacular fashion.”

 

Don’t tell me… has something happened already?!

 

In an instant, sleep evaporated, and my senses snapped into focus.

 

I bolted upright in bed, hovered in a moment of indecision, and then frantically pulled the cord hanging by the bedside.

 

“Are you awake already?”

 

After a brief wait, Paula entered the room. I had expected to wait a long time because of whatever was happening outside, but she appeared much faster than anticipated.

 

“It sounded quite noisy outside. Did something happen?”

 

I feigned confusion, acting startled as I subtly observed Paula’s reaction. At my question, Paula looked extremely flustered and struggled to find words, shaking her head vigorously.

 

“It’s not a major disaster, nothing to worry about. It’s just that, at dawn…”

 

“At dawn?”

 

“They had baked the bread for this morning’s breakfast in the bakery kitchen, but apparently, mice got in and ate it all.”

 

Good heavens! I felt a sudden throb in my head and my jaw dropped. Mice ate all the bread overnight? Then what are we supposed to do for breakfast today?!

 

“The mice ate it all?!”

 

When I inadvertently raised my voice in a retort, Paula looked even more distressed than before. Then, trying to reassure me, she forced a smile and showed me the breakfast tray she was carrying.

 

“Please don’t worry too much. Fortunately, the bread that had been moved to the other kitchen wasn’t touched by the mice.”

 

“But…”

 

“There is plenty of bread for you, My Lady, so there is no need to worry. We can just bake fresh bread for the party later.”

 

Then what is everyone else going to eat until the afternoon while they work? I felt a surge of indignation, but I didn’t dare ask, knowing exactly what kind of answer I would receive.

 

I looked down at the breakfast before me with a heavy heart. The steaming cream soup, green salad, soft-boiled eggs, and crisply fried bacon looked delicious at a glance. However, just looking at the dinner roll tucked in the corner of the tray made my appetite vanish instantly.

 

“My Lady, are you not going to eat more?”

 

Feeling a strange sense of déjà vu at Paula’s question, I wiped my mouth with a napkin.

 

“I’m already full.”

 

How coincidental. It happened last night, and now again this morning—my appetite was ruined because of bread.

 

I ended up finishing breakfast without laying a finger on the bread. Once the tray was cleared, Paula approached with a basin of lukewarm washwater and a towel.

 

I scrubbed my face as if the washing process were a way to vent my frustration.

 

Perhaps because my expression remained dark even after washing, Paula looked even more apologetic and meticulously patted my face dry with the towel.

 

“I am sorry for startling you. This is your first time staying here, and to experience such an inconvenience…”

 

“No. It’s…”

 

Whatever inconvenience I felt was nothing compared to Paula, who would likely have to skip breakfast in the midst of the chaos. Honestly, even this thought felt like the shallow sympathy of someone who never had to worry about starving, which made me feel even more guilty.

 

Suppressing a sigh that threatened to escape, I asked Paula in the calmest voice possible.

 

“…By the way, how did mice get into the kitchen?”

 

“It seems they opened the windows yesterday evening for ventilation and forgot to close them. Since it’s a situation that’s hard to blame on just one person, everyone is saying it can’t be helped. Cursing someone won’t make the ruined bread whole again, after all.”

 

‘Ah, so this wasn’t the culprit’s doing?’

 

I felt a mix of complex emotions and let out a small sigh.

 

After finishing my morning routine, I put on the dress I had brought from home with Paula’s help. The dress Emma had prepared—with plenty of her own personal bias—was a trendy, bright floral pattern with lace, a cheerful yet ornate design.

 

Emma, really… despite how much I told her, it seems she still hasn’t given up her lingering hopes regarding Allendorf.

 

“The dress suits you wonderfully. I don’t know who picked it, but they certainly have excellent taste.”

 

Paula smiled, her face brightening for once, as she used the curling iron to add curls to my hair. I suppose it was a relief that the atmosphere had finally lightened. I felt a rare sense of gratitude for Emma’s meddling and breathed a sigh of relief.

 

“My maid picked it out herself.”

 

“I don’t know her, but she must like you very much, My Lady.”

 

After tying my hair with a floral ribbon that matched the dress, Paula busily applied my makeup—drawing my eyebrows with a deft hand and patting my face with a powder puff.She mentioned that guests were expected to arrive early today, so there wouldn’t be time for grooming later.

 

Oh, come to think of it, Father and Emma are supposed to come to the Duchy today.

 

Thinking of my father and Emma made me feel hurried. Even though it was Paula moving her hands while I just sat there receiving makeup, the feeling persisted.

 

Knock, knock.

 

Just as the makeup was nearly finished, there was a sudden knock on the door. Since I happened to be having my lips painted at that moment, Paula spoke up on my behalf.

 

“Who is it?”

 

“It’s me.”

 

‘Gasp. It’s Allendorf!’

 

Paula quickly finished the makeup, stood up, and opened the door. Allendorf, standing on the other side, exchanged an awkward nod with Paula before stepping boldly into the room.

 

“I—I’m sorry. We just finished getting ready.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Perhaps because of the frantic preparations, the room was a mess, cluttered with open boxes and cosmetics. Even though it wasn’t my actual room but just a guest room provided by the Duchess, my face flushed as if I had shown him my own messy bedroom.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

‘You might be fine, but I’m not.’

 

Fanning my burning face with a fan, I stood up quickly.

 

“What brings you here so suddenly?”

 

“I came to see you because there is something urgent to discuss.”

 

Allendorf then turned his gaze toward Paula.

 

“Could you give us a moment?”

 

“I-I’ll step out.”

 

‘To be alone with Allendorf in this messy room!’

 

No matter that this wasn’t my real room, embarrassment is embarrassment.

 

“Is that alright?”

 

“As you wish.”

 

As soon as Allendorf gave his permission, Paula brought over my shoes and put them on my feet. After she meticulously tied the laces, I gave Paula a brief nod of thanks and followed Allendorf out of the room.

 

Allendorf seemed to have a destination already in mind, moving quickly without a moment’s hesitation.

 

After following him for a while, I realized we were heading toward the same balcony where we had talked last night.

 

“Did you have a good breakfast?”

 

The remark seemed casual, but there was a certain weight behind it. I hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to say yes or no, before deciding to be honest.

 

“No.”

 

“Actually, neither did I.”

 

Allendorf glanced at me as he answered. Did we strangely connect on this point? I felt a bit glad, but at the same time, a sudden fear gripped me that there might be some serious underlying story.

 

“It seems there was a major incident overnight.”

 

“Yes. I heard from Paula earlier.”

 

When I acknowledged it, Allendorf nodded, his face looking drained. Is he glad he doesn’t have to explain? Not that it mattered to me.

 

“They said someone forgot to close the kitchen window and mice got in, right?”

 

“At least, that’s what most people seem to believe.”

 

‘What does that mean?’

 

His nuance suggested a dark twist was waiting.

 

I felt a cold sweat on my back as I waited for Allendorf’s next words. And sure enough.

 

“I am only telling this to you, My Lady.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Suddenly, the events of last night came flooding back. Allendorf leaned in close, just like yesterday, and whispered in a low voice.

 

“Actually, the kitchen windows were closed.”

 

“What… did you say?”

 

“I closed them myself, so I am certain.”

 

The chill on my back turned into a sudden cold shiver. I carefully shifted my gaze to peek at Allendorf after he finished whispering.

 

“How could that…”

 

“That matter was still on my mind, so I stopped by the kitchen again after dinner. Everyone seemed so distracted that they were still working with the windows wide open.”

 

“……”

 

“It wasn’t a difficult task, so I closed the windows myself. I even engaged the latches properly, so there’s no way they could have opened on their own.”

 

“My God…”

 

For a moment, the world spun, and I felt dizzy. Just how much persistent malice must one harbor to go that far? The saying that people are scarier than ghosts felt poignantly true.

 

According to Paula, under the current circumstances, there was no one specific to blame, so they had to just endure it and move on. Until now, I thought it was just a coincidence since no blame was being shifted toward Natalie, but…

 

“Then what that person is aiming for is…”

 

“Even if they endure it for now, people will eventually look for a target to blame. They’ll say that if it hadn’t been for that incident, the windows wouldn’t have been left open in the first place.”

 

Allendorf spoke with a bitter expression.

 

“Technically, I am the direct cause, but they won’t be able to resent me. People prefer to blame someone more vulnerable. Or, they might spread rumors that she intentionally opened the windows out of spite for what happened in the kitchen.”

 

Then, in the end, things would go exactly as that person intended. I barely managed to collect myself and turned toward Allendorf.

 

“We can’t let that happen.”

 

“I am of the same mind as you, My Lady.”

 

This was a matter directly linked to the success of today’s party. If the employees were divided and lost morale, the party would inevitably be ruined as well.

 

Allendorf and I faced each other with tense expressions. The Duchess was a precious person not just to Allendorf, but to me as well. Regardless of any personal liking or sympathy for Natalie, we had to defend this party from being ruined.

 

‘Did you think I’d just let you have your way?’