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Chapter 14
“On the day of the interview, didn’t Miss Violette say something strange—like she applied for the secretary position because she wanted to emulate your Excellency’s great character? Honestly, that makes no sense! You’re known across the empire as the Mad Dog Duke, the Demon Duke! Who would actually say something like that seriously? It was clearly just an excuse.”
“…Mad Dog? Demon?”
Cayenne’s voice turned cold and dangerous.
Normally, Aaron would have bolted in terror already, but lost in his own train of thought, he didn’t notice the darkening aura around his master.
“But, well, it is true that our master has the most outstanding looks and intellect on the continent! Maybe that’s what Miss Violette really fell for! She just couldn’t admit it outright, so she covered it up by saying she admired your personality!”
“…”
Cayenne stayed silent.
Fell for me?
‘It’s because you’re my role model, Your Grace!’
‘Yes! I truly wish to become someone with a fine heart and noble character, just like you! That’s my new dream!’
The image of the new hire shouting that during her interview came to mind—her eyes sparkling with pure goodwill, not a trace of fear or disgust.
Cayenne had been born with extreme sensitivity to mana—so sensitive that he could faintly sense the emotions carried through it.
There had been plenty of people who approached him claiming admiration. But they all harbored dark motives—hunger for power, schemes to use him, or simple fear.
But that pure goodwill… was because she’d fallen for me?
Fallen enough to want to be my secretary—to spend every day beside me?
“…”
Strange.
As he recalled those clear, bright green eyes, something tight and uncomfortable stirred in his chest.
“G–Gah!”
Snapping out of his deductions, Aaron realized what he’d just said—and blanched in horror.
“Y-your Grace! I called you a Mad Dog and all sorts of nonsense—clearly, I’ve gone mad myself! Please, just kill me!”
Aaron dropped to his knees with a thud.
Cayenne waved a hand dismissively.
“Forget it. You’re noisy.”
“…Sir?”
“I said I want peace and quiet. So shut your mouth and get lost.”
Aaron gaped.
His Grace… just dismissed me so gently?
Normally, he’d have been kicked out—literally.
Not waiting for Cayenne to change his mind, Aaron bolted from the office.
Once the room had quieted, Cayenne sank deep into his chair.
He still didn’t know exactly why the newcomer had volunteered to be his secretary—but one thing was certain.
‘Because the person I respect most is you, Duke Cayenne! There’s no greater honor than to learn and work at your side!’
In that moment, her eyes had shone with genuine warmth toward him.
Cayenne slowly took a sip of his tea.
Oddly enough, it tasted sweeter than usual.
The sun was setting when I left the Mage Tower. I clenched my fist and whispered,
“Nice!”
An advance payment—finally!
The thick envelope of coins in my pocket felt gloriously heavy.
Just before leaving work, I had carefully asked Aaron for an advance, and he’d agreed readily.
There had been a brief incident when he handed me the envelope—he suddenly gripped it so tightly it almost tore.
‘Um… Senior? Could you please let go of the envelope?’
‘…You’re not planning to take this and quit tomorrow, are you?’
‘Wha—of course not!’
‘Honestly, I don’t care what ambitions you have, Miss Violette. As long as you keep working like you are now…’
He’d mumbled something weird after that, his face pale with exhaustion.
It was a little scary, but…
He’s still a good guy! Definitely!
He did give me the advance, after all.
A good boss! A good person!
I walked down the street light as a feather, loving the jingle of coins in my pocket.
This should cover food for a while. Maybe I can even buy a couple more work outfits!
But there was one place the money needed to go first.
I lifted my gaze to the sign above the shop I’d reached:
[Lloyd Law Office]
“Frisia!”
As soon as I entered the house, my uncle greeted me with an overly bright smile.
It was so warm and sunny I froze in suspicion.
What’s this now?
After how he’d shaken his own daughter by the jaw earlier, I’d expected him to be furious at me.
My confusion cleared at his next words.
“A letter came from the Marchioness of Rohaim.”
He exhaled as if relieved, smiling smugly.
“She said she has absolutely no intention of letting a commoner girl become her daughter-in-law. But she also told me not to be too hard on a fine young man for making one mistake. Isn’t she thoughtful, writing such a letter herself?”
Thoughtful, my foot.
If she’d truly cared, she’d have come herself instead of sending a letter.
‘You should be grateful Felix is kind-hearted enough to take pity on someone like you. Honestly, how could a thin, plain, dull girl like you ever stand beside him?’
The Marchioness, who had always seemed desperate to pry me away from Felix, had sent that kind of message? Unexpected, indeed.
“She invited you to lunch tomorrow,” my uncle went on. “So tidy up that filthy hair of yours, and buy a decent gift—”
“I’m not going.”
“…What?”
“Felix and I are broken off. Why should I go grovel before someone who’s nothing to me now?”
“What?! You insolent little fool, still babbling about breakups—”
“Unless it’s to collect alimony, I have no reason to step foot in that mansion again. Goodnight.”
I turned and headed upstairs.
“Frisia! How dare you walk away when I’m speaking! Get back here this instant!”
He shrieked after me, but didn’t follow.
Apparently, news of my connection to the Duke of Kreuz made him think twice about laying hands on me now.
Once I closed my door, I let out a deep sigh.
“Phew…”
I’d managed to talk back without trembling, right?
If Pipi had seen it, he’d have praised me for handling it well on my own.
Unfortunately, the little chick didn’t come rushing out to greet me—still recharging, I guessed.
Crash! Clatter!
The sound of my uncle smashing furniture in rage echoed from below.
What a complete mess of a household.
Since I’d already gotten an advance, I didn’t want to come back here ever again—if I could just afford a small room of my own.
But the lawyer I’d met after work had strictly warned me:
“No matter what happens, you must not leave that house. You need to maintain residence—only then do you have a legal claim!”
He’d stared at me in disbelief after hearing how I’d basically handed our family estate to my uncle.
Can’t blame him. I think I was crazy, too.
For the past ten years, I’d lived like I had no self at all—like my mind was fogged over. Until Felix and Lorena’s betrayal finally jolted me awake.
Sure, I’ve always been indecisive and soft-hearted, but I wasn’t that submissive. Not enough to devote myself like a slave to my uncle and Felix.
Was I… under some kind of dark magic?
Like in those horror stories—where a person loses their will and becomes a puppet.
Of course, my uncle, who ruined the family overnight after my parents’ deaths, would never have had the money or connections to hire a dark sorcerer.
So really, I’m just saying my old self was so pathetic it almost seemed cursed.
That’s when I heard a familiar voice.
‘My benefactor! Yaaawn.’
Pipi wriggled out from under the blanket.
‘When did you return? How was your day? Pipi failed to serve you today because he was fast asleep. Haaahm.’
Still drowsy, he rubbed his eyes with his tiny wings and waddled toward me.
A ticklish warmth spread in my chest.
So this is what it feels like—to have someone waiting for you when you come home.
“I had a good day. Work went well, I got an advance, and I stopped by a law office on the way back.”
‘Oh! Please share the lawyer’s advice with me in detail! Pipi will cross-reference it with the legal code to see whether he spoke truly—or was merely a money-grubbing scoundrel!’
“Sure. Here’s what he said…”
