IPTD 18

Chapter 18

Damn it, my inner thoughts and what I actually said didn’t match!
But by now, it was all or nothing.
I placed my hands on my hips and, instead, spoke confidently.
“You must have misheard.”
“How amusing. Everyone here heard it.”
“No, that’s not true, right, everyone?”
The Grand Duke looked bewildered, but I shrugged my shoulders as if I knew nothing and glanced at the maids.
Though they were a bit scared, my side seemed to be my side after all; the maids cautiously nodded in agreement.
“W-we didn’t hear anything at all.”
“Yes, yes. Did the Madam say anything?”
“She didn’t utter a word!”
Yes, yes. Exactly. Seeing the Gana Maids nodding to each other, a sense of camaraderie grew even stronger.
I turned to the Grand Duke with a satisfied expression and said triumphantly:
“See?”
“…Indeed, your maids are extremely loyal.”
“They tend to be like that.”
I turned my head primly, sneaking a glance at the Grand Duke.
But then…
“?!”
His face was full of surprise, and, surprisingly, a smile spread across it!
What is this situation? The atmosphere felt… off.
Then,
“Did I hear that right? Or are my ears failing me?”
The Grand Duke shrugged once and stepped aside.
And then…
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess. Apologies for the delayed greeting.”
An elderly man, previously hiding behind the Grand Duke’s large frame, suddenly stepped forward!
So the Grand Duke didn’t come alone?
What kind of comic-like scenario is this?
The world seemed determined to torment me.
“B-but, Master Butler!”
It seemed that this elderly man was the head butler of the Grand Duke’s palace.
The maids were dumbfounded, and the Grand Duke spoke again, a faintly smug smile appearing as if reveling in his little victory.
“Karl, what exactly did the Grand Duchess just say?”
“Yes, Your Grace. About 1 minute and 30 seconds ago, the Grand Duchess said: ‘Disgusting and cheap. I’d rather not go at all.’”
“….”
No wonder he was the head butler of this enormous palace.
His precision was impeccable!
And now the Grand Duke was trying to twist the butler? What on earth was he doing?
I bit my lip, feeling a sense of defeat.
“Not that I want to argue with words.”
The Grand Duke, brushing his bangs aside as if slightly weary, spoke.
So what was everything up until now, then?
I was about to prepare my counterattack, but he preempted me.
“You’ll probably lose anyway, so I, ‘disgusting and cheap,’ will give you the choice personally. Will you attend the festival? Or remain at home alone? Of course, the maids have already officially finished work, so you may return home if you like.”
I hadn’t noticed until now, but the sky, once glowing red with sunset, had deepened to a dark indigo.
Though there was still some time before the festival’s highlight—the lantern event…
“Should I just go? Hah, awkward… Honestly, we’re not even close enough to enjoy the festival together, so why suddenly act like this?”
The Grand Duke’s attitude was wildly unpredictable.
First, he said not to draw attention, then he suddenly invites me to the festival. How was I supposed to follow his rhythm?
But there was no point in worrying alone.
Besides, this festival was an annual event. Missing it would feel like a shame.
“…I’ll go. Let’s go.”
Damn it. I decided to go and pretend he wasn’t there.
I answered weakly.
“Not a bad choice.”
The Grand Duke smiled and extended a hand, as if escorting me.
He seemed quite pleased with my answer.
I stared at his hand and slapped it in a low high-five motion.
“Oh my. Excuse me.”
Then, as if nothing had happened, I gently held his hand with my thumb and forefinger.
The Grand Duke looked at me utterly bewildered, but what could he do?
Even though he seemed to be putting all his effort into messing with me, I knew his intentions.
Besides…
Even if I slapped his hand, it probably wouldn’t have tickled, but his subtly changing expressions oddly triggered my competitive spirit.
“…Then, let’s go.”
And so, that peculiar companionship began.

Clatter, clatter.
The sound of the carriage wheels rolling over the unpaved road was the backdrop as I absentmindedly traced patterns on the ceiling of the carriage with my eyes.
‘I wonder if Betty and the others are having fun on their own.’
Because of the unexpected visitor, the Gana Maids had left quietly, holding back tears.
I shot a sharp glare at the Grand Duke sitting across from me.
He had his arms crossed and was staring blankly out the window.
Having achieved his goal of bringing me here, he stayed silent.
‘His mood swings are like boiling soup. Typical.’
I pressed my face to the opposite window to stare outside.
Still, leaving the Grand Duke’s palace for the first time gave me a fresh feeling.
Passing the vast main garden, the carriage soon exited the Celeste Grand Duke’s palace gates.
We passed low hills and eventually entered a paved road, and as the carriage turned a corner, the village square came into view.
A campfire was underway in the center, surrounded by people playing lively music and young dancers moving to the rhythm.
“Wow!”
It really felt like a festival! Because it was!
I blurted out an exclamation, and one of the Grand Duke’s eyebrows furrowed.
‘Quiet, huh? Then why even come along?’
His sensitivity reminded me of a D-30 student in a study café who would annihilate any disturbance.
I quickly shut my mouth to avoid being scolded for talking to myself.
Still, seeing everyone laughing and enjoying themselves made my heart pound.
Even though I enjoyed a homebody life, experiencing a local festival like this was also a unique pleasure.
As I continued looking excitedly at the festival, I suddenly noticed something.
“…Huh?!”
My eyes were drawn to… skewers.
Far away, a woman with a warm expression was sweating as she grilled skewers over an open flame.
‘Amazing. She’s a master. A skewer master.’
My heartbeat picked up even more.
After all, skewers were a staple festival snack in fantasy romances.
Even if I couldn’t recall exact details or character names, I prided myself on reading enough fantasy romance novels to know the clichés.
And now, the cliché appeared right in front of me!
‘Finally, it feels like I’ve truly transmigrated into a fantasy romance world.’
I had always wondered if the skewers were chicken hearts, chicken, lamb, or something unknown.
Today, I would finally get the answer.
As I focused on the woman, clutching my racing heart, the carriage stopped at just the right moment.
Soon, the carriage door on my side opened, and the upright figure of Butler Karl appeared.
“We’ve arrived at the square.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
‘Hmph.’ I quickly jumped down before the Grand Duke.
The expressions of the two men observing me were quite entertaining.
The Grand Duke looked utterly bewildered, while the elderly butler seemed to suppress a smile, his face slightly red.
It was surprisingly different from his first impression, as a kind and gentle aura now flowed across his face.
“Oh! Thank you.”
Karl, perhaps intending to escort me, looked a bit awkward with his hand hanging midair.
Realizing this, I quickly held his hand with both of mine and shook it a few times to show my thanks.
For the first time, a warm smile appeared across Karl’s face.
“Your Grace, Grand Duchess. Please enjoy your time.”
His voice, like his face, was full of warmth and cheer.
My heart melted, and I smiled brightly at him.
Karl, who had even acted as the coachman, bowed politely and returned to the carriage.
In that brief moment, my mind was once again captivated by the smell of skewers in the distance.
I was about to walk toward them when…
“Where are you going?”
The bothersome Grand Duke’s question followed like a shadow.
I felt a momentary annoyance.
‘Does he really intend to follow me the whole time?’
I crossed my arms and looked back at him.
But…
‘Huh?’

The Grand Duke seemed a little… off.