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Chapter 10
At Romford’s question, Lente recalled his previous memory.
“Most likely, it’s a room in the corner of the third floor.”
“Move her to a more suitable place. Somewhere more visible.”
Lente felt a hint of curiosity at Romford’s added instruction, but he did not ask further questions. He simply lowered his head in acknowledgment.
“However, that hostage… it’s like a wyvern accidentally catching a dragon while backing away.”
As he spoke casually, Lente seemed to imagine the child’s appearance, nodding slightly while gazing into the air.
“Well, it hardly matters. Whose merit it is.”
“……”
“Good fortune that rolls in should be welcomed. Your Grace, wouldn’t you agree?”
Lente said this with a rather gentle smile.
“Best room ever!”
Esiel happily kicked her legs on the even larger bed than before, basking in joy. For some reason, the butler had come to her early in the morning.
Without much explanation, the butler simply told her to follow him, and the place they arrived at was this room. He only said she would be staying here from now on.
At a glance, it was a room far more spacious and well-furnished than before—far too luxurious for a hostage. She had never even had such a room in the small kingdom she came from. Because of her parents’ resentment toward her, she had always been forced to sleep in the most dim, worn-down room in the royal palace.
“Why did they change my room…?”
But her excitement only lasted a moment before Esiel stopped kicking her feet and tilted her head.
Through the window, the summer air flowed in, making her curly hair flutter. The large window offered a full view of the Grand Duke’s estate.
“Is this… a thank-you?”
Perhaps it was Romford’s way of expressing gratitude for exposing Duke Vergail’s scheme.
“No, no way.”
She quickly shook her head at the thought. The Grand Duke was not someone who would express gratitude. He wasn’t sentimental enough to feel something like that.
“Then why…?”
After thinking deeply for a moment, Esiel gave up and flopped onto the bed. No matter how much she thought about it, how could she possibly understand the Grand Duke’s mind?
“Forget it. Whatever.”
Whatever the reason, being able to stay in a room like this—even for a day—was happiness enough.
“If I don’t enjoy this now, when will I ever get to roll around on a bed like this?”
She immediately pushed thoughts of the Grand Duke aside. Even if she were to die later, she should enjoy what she could.
“This place is so big I have to roll all the way over there!”
It was a truly joyful complaint. Smiling widely, Esiel hugged her pillow tightly and rolled again.
Because of her small body compared to other children, even two or three rolls weren’t enough to reach the other side.
After about five rolls, she finally reached the edge of the bed. Lying there, she stared blankly at the ceiling before suddenly sitting up.
“Alright. I should go see my teacher.”
The kitchen was somewhat busy, still cleaning up after breakfast.
Where am I supposed to find Dopni in all this…?
Esiel stood near the entrance of the kitchen, peeking her head in cautiously.
Her green eyes darted around quickly. Since this was her second time visiting after meeting Dopni, the bustling atmosphere and the number of people still felt overwhelming.
She hesitated, unable to step inside, when someone suddenly called out behind her in a loud voice.
“Oh?! Lady Esiel? Are you looking for someone?”
Esiel jumped and turned around.
“Eek! W-who are you?”
“Oh, I’m sorry for startling you. Are you perhaps looking for the head chef? I actually heard from him that you met him last time, Lady Esiel, but I never expected to see you in person! He talked about it so much…”
It seemed the rumors within the estate were true, just as Dopni had said. The man in front of her seemed to recognize Esiel immediately just from her red hair.
This guy… is unbelievably talkative…!
Esiel blinked silently as the words poured out without pause.
How much time had passed?
Her neck, held stiff from listening, was starting to ache. Just as she was about to speak, the man shifted topics and continued even more energetically.
“Ah! I haven’t even introduced myself yet. I’m Roshua, an assistant to the head chef. I’ve only been here for about three months, but if you need anything, just tell me! I’ll do my best to help! I’m actually quite close with—”
The man, who claimed to be close with many of the estate servants, suddenly crouched down and grabbed Esiel’s hand.
His unfamiliar warmth was surprisingly gentle. His shining eyes made him look like someone desperate to be useful.
“Is it alright? No, I really want to help!”
“Um… hic!”
Esiel suddenly gasped, startled, and clamped her mouth shut.
A hiccup had escaped her.
She had never once hiccuped even in front of the cold and cruel Grand Duke Romford. She didn’t know why, but her child’s body seemed more frightened of this overly enthusiastic man than of the terrifying Grand Duke himself.
“Eh…? Are you okay? W-water! I’ll get you water!”
While Roshua panicked and rushed around, a familiar voice finally reached Esiel.
“Hey, hey! Roshua! Why are you making such a fuss again? You’ll be getting promoted soon, you know.”
Dopni appeared, scolding Roshua, who was flustered in the distance. His large movements were visible even from afar.
“Head Chef! Where were you? Lady Esiel was looking for you. Ah—no, wait. First, water…!”
“Oh, Esiel, you’re here. Did that noisy one bother you?”
“Mm, hic. Roshua seems nice. He said he’d help if I needed it.”
Esiel pointed toward Roshua, who had already run back into the kitchen, clattering dishes loudly.
“…He seems to have already caused trouble. Esiel, you’d better come inside and drink something first.”
Dopni narrowed his eyes and guided Esiel away from the noisy kitchen.
Roshua, already there, immediately pulled out a chair for Esiel to sit. Though it was a simple table, it was neatly arranged as if prepared with care.
“Roshua! You were slacking off again instead of practicing, weren’t you? Didn’t I tell you to train until you’re called a human whisk!”
“Come on, Chef! That’s obvious. Lady Esiel, would you like this? It’s an apology. Even though I’m still lacking as an assistant, this scone is my specialty. I’ll bring you water or milk too. Please enjoy it!”
Dopni smiled faintly as he gestured for her to sit.
Esiel hesitantly stepped forward. Although she was technically a princess, she had never been treated as one, so their hospitality felt strange.
There was also a warmth between the two men she had never felt from her parents or palace servants.
“T-thank you. I’ll, hic, eat well.”
This kind of affectionate gaze was new to her.
Pretending not to notice their overwhelming attention, Esiel took a sip of water and picked up her fork.
On the plate was a golden-brown scone that looked delicious.
She quickly took a bite, hoping to finish before their gaze intensified.
“Wow, it’s delicious. It’s totally crispy on the outside and soft on the inside!”
Esiel said after chewing happily.
Unlike Roshua’s chaotic personality, his “specialty” claim seemed true—it was a perfect scone.
“W-what did you say? That didn’t sound like praise… Maybe I got too full of myself? Alright, I’ll train more and—wait, I’ll throw this away—”
“No, no! It’s crispy outside and soft inside. It’s really delicious.”
Seeing him about to take the plate away, Esiel quickly grabbed it with her small hands.
She smiled brightly, her green eyes narrowing into crescent shapes.
“Phew… the hiccups stopped too. That’s amazing!”
Seeing this, Roshua clenched his fists with renewed determination.
“Lady Esiel, Head Chef! I’ll be going now. I’ll practice harder and perfect my whipped cream so I can present my cake to Lady Esiel one day. Until then, please stay healthy and—”
“Stop making a fuss and go. And no matter what, you should serve your master first, you brat.”
Dopni lightly smacked the back of his head.
Roshua grumbled but finally headed off into the kitchen.
Esiel alternated her gaze between the two men while finishing her scone. The freshly squeezed milk made it even better.
By the time she finished the last bite and set down her fork, Dopni was still waiting for her.
Feeling an unfamiliar emotion, Esiel tilted her head.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Dopni… th-thank you for waiting.”
As Dopni cleaned the empty dishes, Esiel fidgeted with her fingers and awkwardly expressed her gratitude.
He simply smiled warmly.
Then Esiel suddenly lifted her head as if remembering something.
“Dopni, I just thought of something. I want to learn starting today!”
“What is it…?”
“Baking!”
Esiel said with an excited voice.
And soon, fine white flour would begin to float throughout the kitchen.
