🔊 TTS Settings
CHAPTER 09
I Don’t Allow My Younger Brother, Duke –
At that moment, a gloved hand reached out toward her.
Daphne looked up—and was immediately startled.
“…?!”
Liam, who had gotten out of the carriage with her, was staring at her quietly. Of course, it wasn’t his face that surprised her.
What shocked Daphne was the fact that they were standing in front of Clotmore Cathedral.
This was where her father’s funeral had been held, and where his grave now rested.
Daphne blinked in confusion, and Liam leaned forward slightly, lowering his head to meet her gaze with a faint smile.
“You should make your vow. Right?”
His tone was gentle, as if speaking to a child.
It took Daphne a moment to understand what he meant.
Then she remembered.
“I swear on my father’s name I will do anything you ask!”
He meant that vow.
Here?
“…You mean you want to form a pact with me right now…?”
She asked carefully, looking up at him with unconsciously hopeful eyes.
“Shall we move first?”
As if unwilling to delay any further, he withdrew his hand and walked ahead into the cathedral courtyard.
Daphne quickly followed him. The wind was cold, and she had no proper coat—but strangely, she didn’t feel cold at all.
In the cathedral cemetery, gravestones of various shapes and meanings stood waiting for the bereaved.
Most of the Suttons were buried here.
And so was her father.
“I thought you might not have seen it yet. You’ve been quite busy these past few days.”
In front of Liam, who stopped walking, stood a familiar gravestone.
Her father’s grave.
“……”
Daphne gently touched the stone that reached up to about her waist. It felt both familiar and slightly rougher than her memory.
“Thank you… I didn’t expect you to bring me here.”
She crouched down, tracing her father’s name engraved on the stone.
Liam approached from behind and placed his coat over her shoulders.
Daphne quickly stood up—accepting a servant wearing a master’s coat would be improper.
Noticing her hesitation, he raised a hand.
“If you return it, I’ll really send you back.”
That was a very effective threat.
Daphne quickly pulled the coat back on.
“Good. You’ll be easy to work with.”
“That’s…”
“Explain later.”
He smiled faintly and gestured toward the gravestone, allowing her a moment.
“…If Father knew I became your attendant, I think he would be proud of me.”
She murmured dreamily. Until moments ago, she had feared she might lose the chance to save Samuel.
“Thank you sincerely, my lord.”
Daphne turned and bowed deeply.
In the carriage earlier, she had even mentally cursed Liam Sloan.
But now, she crossed all those insults out in her mind.
Perhaps everything he did had been a test.
She didn’t know what for—but she had passed it, and thus he was accepting her as his attendant.
“I swear on my father’s honor that I will do my best as your attendant.”
Her eyes shone with determination.
Liam finally responded, nodding with a satisfied expression.
“…No.”
“Pardon?”
“I said no. Attendant.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Did you think a position like that could be promoted from servant in a few days?”
“But you said if I met the conditions, you’d accept me as your sworn attendant!”
He nodded slowly.
“I said I’d let you stay at the manor. I never said I’d form a pact. And it’s not something I can decide alone.”
Daphne was speechless. That was absurd.
“This is—!”
“Besides, we’re not close enough for something like that yet.”
“This is clearly fraud! You deceived me!”
“Fine. Call a representative. Sue me.”
“You—how—ugh!”
She really wanted to hit him.
After everything she had gone through…
“Also, if you want, you can take over Sutton’s room.”
“…What?”
“Refuse if you want.”
“…No, that’s—”
Daphne reconsidered immediately.
There was no rule saying she couldn’t forgive her enemy.
And her father’s room…
That alone would be comforting.
“I’ll take it! Absolutely!”
“Good. I’ll tell Ashaer to send your belongings.”
“I will dedicate myself fully as your attendant! That room contains all the records and books needed to shape me into a proper Sutton!”
“Those books would take at least half a year to read.”
At that moment, the cathedral bell rang.
“It seems we’re late.”
They returned to the carriage.
Liam started driving toward the city at speed.
“Is something urgent happening?”
“Yes. Can you help?”
“Of course!”
“There’s a letter in my coat pocket. It must be sent by express mail before 11. Someone important is waiting for my reply.”
Someone important? A lover?
Daphne searched his coat and pulled out a sealed envelope.
On it was written:
“To my dear Samuel.”
And around the name—small, ridiculous hand-drawn hearts.
Daphne’s hand trembled violently.
“My lord!”
Liam glanced back at her with a satisfied smile.
What exactly is he satisfied about?
Two days passed since Daphne personally mailed that damned letter.
She continued living in “Sutton’s room” while studying generations of Sutton knowledge, all while still working as a servant.
Work had lessened slightly due to fewer guests.
Still, cleaning silverware under the butler’s instruction was exhausting.
Fortunately, Samuel had not yet replied to Liam’s letter.
Relieved, Daphne continued her duties.
Then Liam received an important letter from someone else.
After reading it, he canceled all plans for the day and summoned Daphne.
“Yes, my lo— gasp!”
The moment she entered his office, Daphne froze.
Liam was wearing Samuel’s hat.
“Why are you so surprised?”
He leaned back in his chair, lazily toying with the brim.
Daphne clenched her teeth.
Why was he wearing that?!
“I’m not surprised.”
“You looked like you wanted to grab my collar.”
“N-not at all!”
She quickly rearranged the documents on his desk into proper order.
“Did you already know?”
“Yes. I read it in Sutton’s room. You always prioritize regions affected by seasonal disasters.”
“Thanks. I was planning to do that later.”
“You’re welcome.”
She also prepared his tea with milk and honey.
“I’m not criticizing, but you don’t seem like the type to be managed by a butler.”
“I told him to leave it. The servants are busy.”
Liam took a sip and smiled.
“It’s good. Thank you.”
“So why did you call me?”
