TIDP 03

Chapter 3

“Hmm?”

Ignoring the confused looks from the others, the Grand Duke calmly scooped up some soup, brought it to his mouth, and then let it drip straight back down again. He repeated the motion seriously, as if he were an actor performing a play about eating soup.

Of course, not a single drop actually went down his throat.

What is he even doing, wasting food like that?

Still, I could be generous with the male lead’s odd behavior.

“Grand Duke! What is the meaning of this rudeness!”

With a scrape, Marquis Fosche pushed his chair back and stood up. He looked visibly furious.

“How dare you treat a meal our family prepared with such care!”

If he had at least tried to eat it under that mask, it might’ve been understandable—but letting it all drip out like that was practically the same as suspecting poison in the food.

“Marquis. The Grand Duke is simply having difficulty eating while wearing his mask.”

“If he doesn’t want to eat, he should set down his spoon. What kind of mockery is this…!”

The atmosphere in the dining room stiffened. Everyone looked like they were on the verge of flipping the table and starting a fight.

And just when tension peaked—

“Hahaha!”

A bright laugh cut through the room.

“Anette?”

“What do you think you’re doing now!”

“Sorry. I just… couldn’t help laughing.”

Pfft. I covered my mouth, as if the Grand Duke had just made the funniest joke.

The enraged Marquis looked like he was about to grab the Grand Duke by the collar, while the lady of the house flushed red.

Only I smiled comfortably, like a careless child.

“Seeing a grown man like the Grand Duke act as if he’s picky about food was just too funny.”

The Marquis, as head of the family, had criticized the Grand Duke’s rudeness—but I was also sitting at the position of a host.

Since I dismissed it as a “joke,” it became awkward for him to press the issue again.

The mood shifted.

“…Tch!”

The Marquis shot me a displeased glance before sitting back down. I didn’t care and simply smiled warmly at the Grand Duke.

I just took your side. Remember that.

“Since you’re to be married, it seems the two of you already get along quite well.”

“Yes, indeed. It seems there’s something between you two that we can’t quite understand.”

My stepmother and half-sister, Caitlyn, spoke with hidden thorns in their voices.

Everyone else was shocked by the Grand Duke’s behavior, yet I was laughing—meaning I didn’t belong in this family.

If you think I match well with the male lead, thanks. That’s fine with me.

If it helps me live another day, I’ll match anything—humor included.

“I’m glad to hear we suit each other so well.”

Special service.

I even winked at the Grand Duke.

Unfortunately, he ignored it completely.

Is he shy? Despite how he looks.

“Lady Anette is already showing such openness toward the Grand Duke. On behalf of the North, I thank you. I am Daniel, a knight serving His Grace.”

The knight, Daniel, politely introduced himself in place of the silent Grand Duke.

“A pleasure to meet you, Sir Daniel.”

I smiled at him—but impressing him wasn’t my goal.

I turned back to the Grand Duke.

“You said you were wearing the mask because your face was injured. But your throat isn’t injured, is it?”

“Anette.”

The Marquis subtly warned me to behave.

Huh? Just moments ago you were ready to fight, and now you’re concerned about manners?

“I’d like to hear the Grand Duke’s voice. Just one word is enough. Whether the food is good, or how our household is.”

“Lady, as I mentioned, His Grace is wearing a mask and speaking is difficult. If you need anything, I can answer in his stead—”

“Thank you for the hospitality of the House of Fosche.”

A rough, unpleasant voice—like metal scraping against stone—slipped out from beneath the silver mask.

It was the first time I had heard the male lead’s voice.

Grrrk.

The eerie sound made Caitlyn drop her cutlery with a clatter.

Her face betrayed exactly what she thought: What kind of face is hiding under that mask?

“Caitlyn, it is impolite to make noise during a meal. Please behave properly.”

I lightly scolded her.

Still, the atmosphere remained tense.

Daniel looked disappointed, as if expecting rudeness from the Fosche family.

Only the Grand Duke remained calm.

“In that case, I kept silent so as not to ruin the meal with this voice.”

He alone showed no emotion.

Good. Then I’ll meet expectations here.

“Thank you for honoring my request, Your Grace. I’m glad you’re enjoying our banquet.”

“Unexpected. Lady, you don’t find this voice unpleasant? I assumed you’d be afraid to marry a man like me.”

Even through the mask, I could tell—he was teasing me.

Is this interest?

I smiled back calmly.

“I thought you were being considerate, worried that your voice might surprise me. You are truly a kind person, Your Grace.”

Someone gasped as if deeply moved—it was Daniel.

He had been disappointed in Caitlyn’s rudeness, but now he looked at me with admiration.

Honestly, I just know he’s the male lead, so I’m not surprised.

There was no mention in the original novel that his voice was particularly awful. That meant this was probably a deliberately altered voice. If you’re going to wear a mask, you’d be thorough about it.

Anyway, male leads are always handsome exceptions.

What matters is how Darius feels about me—not the sound of his voice.

“Lady Anette is more generous than I expected. I admire that.”

Hmm.

Was that a genuine compliment—or sarcasm telling me not to flirt?

Unlike expressive Daniel, Darius behind the silver mask was still unreadable.

“I’d like to show more of that generosity over tea after dinner. Conversation is how we get to know each other, after all.”

“If time allows, I will consider it.”

So that’s a no. Of course. What business would he have here anyway?

The rest of the dinner was led mainly by Marquis Fosche and his wife. Daniel and I filled in the gaps with appropriate responses.

The Grand Duke sat silently the entire time, but his presence was impossible to ignore.

He feels more like the master of this place than Marquis Fosche himself.

Daniel quietly admired his lord.

And what of the lady who would become his bride?

Today, Anette was as lively and charming as she was beautiful.

According to reports, the eldest daughter of House Fosche was supposed to be timid and meek under her stepmother—but there was no trace of that.

Anette led conversations gracefully, never too much, never too little.

Daniel liked that very much.

But there was someone who did not.

“She acts like she’s already his fiancée—so full of herself! Normally she can’t even lift her head, so why is she acting like that today?”

At these banquets, Caitlyn was usually the center of attention.

A beautiful girl with curly red hair and green eyes—Anette’s half-sister.

Normally, Anette would simply sit quietly, making Caitlyn shine brighter by contrast.

But today, it was reversed.

Even Caitlyn was stunned into silence by Anette’s unexpected presence.

Only after the banquet did she recover.

“Hmph! So what if she’s marrying some gloomy Grand Duke who doesn’t even show his face or speak properly?”

At that moment, Caitlyn’s maid leaned in and whispered something.

“Miss Caitlyn, actually Lady Anette—”

“What?”

Caitlyn’s eyes widened.

Then her face flushed red.

“How ridiculous. Trying to steal her younger sister’s things now that she’s the elder?”

Just the excuse she needed to pick on Anette.

“Take that dress off. Now.”

Bang!

Caitlyn stormed into the room and glared at me with contempt.

I had just finished dinner and was about to change out of my stiff dress.

“What do you think you’re doing? Are you poor? Do you have nothing to wear, so you’re stealing my clothes?”

In my muslin underdress, I turned to look at the nanny.

The nanny avoided my gaze, clearly guilty.

“Bring any of Caitlyn’s clothes for now.”

I remembered those words from earlier and quickly understood the situation.

Why didn’t you just bring the stepmother’s clothes instead?

If you were going to pin this on me anyway…