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Chapter 11
Yullikian opened the carriage window with an indifferent expression.
“What is it?”
Philip wiped the sweat from his forehead repeatedly with a handkerchief, clearly troubled.
“Well, um… I believe it would be best if Your Grace returned to the mansion…”
“Why?”
“There’s an urgent matter, Your Grace.”
Yullikian’s brow furrowed slightly.
※ What are the odds of something urgent suddenly happening at the ducal residence that was perfectly fine just this morning?
∴ Approaching zero.
Yullikian started to close the window and order the carriage to continue, but then revised the problem in his head. This was a conditional case.
(Assuming one brought a woman from the slums to the mansion and shook the bed all night.)
Revised answer: +∞ (infinity)
He had done something unusual—so it was only logical that something unusual would occur.
With a sigh, Yullikian spoke to Philip.
“…Fine. But I can’t send Maddy alone. Have one of the maids accompany her. I’ll say goodbye to her in the meantime.”
Philip nodded and turned away, thinking to himself:
“He’s just parting for a short while, yet he insists on saying goodbye? Has he caught the love bug after never dating in his life?”
As Philip hurried back to the mansion, glancing over his shoulder with a puzzled look, Yullikian quickly rolled up the window and spoke in a low voice.
“Listen. Carefully.”
“Yes, sir.”
“…Why are you speaking like that?”
“You sounded so casual, I thought I’d match it. Don’t like it?”
“This isn’t about how you talk…!”
Yullikian ran his palm down his face, suppressing a sudden wave of irritation.
“…Maddy. Listen well.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Don’t steal anything.”
“Got it.”
“Don’t kill anyone either.”
“Got it.”
“No causing trouble. Clothes, accessories, shoes, jewelry—buy whatever you want. Just do it quickly and come back.”
“I said I got it.”
“You’re already the center of attention because of where you came from and how you act. Be quiet. Be discreet.”
“Mhm, got it, honey! I heard you, so stop nagging♡ Shut your mouth!”
Maddy suddenly kissed her palm and slapped it onto Yullikian’s lips before he could even question her.
“Mm?!”
And if that weren’t enough, she ruffled his hair like mad.
Just as Yullikian was about to push away the insane Maddy, the carriage door burst open. She had kicked it open with her foot.
“The butler’s back! And the maid who’ll be coming with me!”
Philip and the maid stood blankly in front of the carriage, startled once by the door flying open, and again by the disheveled Grand Duke whose lips were smeared with lipstick, making him look indecent.
“I’ll be back, Your Grace.”
Yullikian barely nodded as he got out of the carriage, caught off guard by Maddy’s bright wave and smile.
He repeatedly told the maid to take good care of Maddy.
The maid bowed to him awkwardly, not understanding a thing, and climbed into the carriage.
Watching the carriage roll away, Yullikian deeply empathized with parents who send their kids to play near water.
“No matter where she goes, I’m worried. She better not kill anyone. Or beat anyone up. Or steal anything… ha…”
As he kept glancing down the road with a sigh, Philip finally broke the silence.
“Seems like you already miss her.”
“Are you crazy? Who would miss someone like…!”
Yullikian suddenly snapped, but then froze as if struck by lightning and corrected himself.
“Ah, uh. Yeah. Right. I miss her. I love her. I miss her so much. …I don’t feel at ease letting her go alone.”
“Lady Railie is with her. She’s a clever girl, so everything will be fine. Now please wipe your lips.”
Yullikian wiped the red lipstick off his mouth with the handkerchief Philip offered.
“Button up too.”
Button up?
He glanced down to see the top two buttons of his shirt undone.
Damn it.
Flushing red, Yullikian hastily buttoned up with irritation.
“I was gone only a short time to fetch a maid…”
“Well, Philip, uh… it’s not like it went that far…”
“I’ve known Your Grace since you were no taller than my waist.”
Philip looked up at the sky and murmured sentimentally.
“To think you’ve grown up so much already… No matter who the lady is, I’m just glad to see you’ve become an adult.”
“Philip. The buttons—look, I didn’t even notice, I swear.”
Yullikian scrambled to explain himself. Of all people, Philip was the one who’d cared for him since he was little, which made it all the more mortifying.
But Philip just chuckled and said, “You’ve grown up,” letting it go.
Yullikian hastily changed the subject.
“Ahem! Anyway, what’s this so-called urgent matter at the mansion?”
“…A letter has arrived from His Imperial Majesty.”
Yullikian’s face hardened in an instant. He stopped in his tracks, instinctively pressing and releasing his left ear.
His pace quickened.
“…Let’s hurry.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The carriage rattled along. Maid Railie glared at Maddy while Maddy hummed and looked out the window.
With arms crossed, Railie looked Maddy up and down before speaking.
“Excuse me.”
“Yeah?”
“Look, I know you’re trying to get something out of our naive Grand Duke, but don’t mock him like that.”
“Sure.”
“What?”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“I said sure.”
“Do I look like I’m joking? Don’t toy with someone’s heart.”
“Got it. I’ll love him dearly. Happy now? Oh! Look at that. There’s a whole swarm of swans by the lake. So pretty.”
…What a filthy way of speaking. Honestly.
Railie blinked rapidly in shock but instinctively responded. A maid’s habit—never ignore a superior’s comment.
“Those swans are maintained by staff. This park is also Grand Duke’s private property. We haven’t even left it yet. The actual entrance is still ahead, then it’s 20 more minutes to the market.”
“Really? So big. I thought that gate earlier was the exit.”
“That’s just the garden attached to the mansion. This is more like a park. Oh look, that guy over there—his name is Ralph. He’s the groundskeeper…”
Before she could finish, Maddy opened the window and leaned out, waving her arms.
“Ralph! Nice to meet you! I’m Maddy!”
“What are you doing?! That’s so improper! Who greets people like that?!”
Railie yanked Maddy back by her clothes.
Maddy laughed joyfully as she tucked her windswept hair behind her ear.
“The breeze feels great! And it’s not every day I ride in a fancy carriage like this. You know Ralph, right? Say hi too!”
“No, I…”
“Come on, quickly!”
Dragged by the wrist, Railie reluctantly leaned out the window.
“R-Ralph! Hello…”
The man laying gravel, Ralph, awkwardly raised his hand. They’d only exchanged nods before, but now they were suddenly on speaking terms.
“C-Can I sit now? I’m sitting.”
“Go ahead. Not like I own you. Do whatever you want.”
“You’re the Grand Duke’s guest! And I’m supposed to serve you. Ha! Don’t tell me you expect me to call you ‘milady’?”
“Whatever makes you comfortable. Just call me Maddy. I like that.”
Railie was thrown off by her casual attitude.
“B-But you’re going to marry the Grand Duke! You might become the lady of the house. I can’t just—”
“Think about that after I become the lady. Why stress over it now?”
Huh. Maybe she’s right?
It felt like her brain short-circuited.
Or maybe this woman was breaking her brain.
Railie, now flustered, sat down stiffly and asked bluntly:
“Then can I put my feet up on the seat? I didn’t sleep at all last night ‘cause of you.”
She said it on purpose to guilt-trip her.
“Go ahead. Not my carriage anyway. But better take your shoes off. If you get dirt on the seat, the Grand Duke might nag. He’s picky.”
“I couldn’t sleep because of you! You were so loud!”
“How’s that my fault? The bed was shaking from both of us. Make sure you tell the Grand Duke that too.”
“Y-you must be crazy! Why would I say something like that to His Grace?!”
“Hahaha! Your ears turn red when you’re mad.”
“You’re seriously weird. You know that?!”
“Yep, I do.”
Maddy leaned on the window ledge, resting her chin in her hand with her eyes half-closed, enjoying the breeze.
Railie shot one more jab.
“What if Count Montenezan comes and kicks you out of the mansion?!”
“Then I’ll leave. What else can I do?”
“What?! You said you love the Grand Duke! But you’ll just leave if someone tells you to?!”
“I do love him. But we’re from different worlds. That’s not something I can control. Honestly, I’m not even sure his proposal was serious. Like you said, he’s naive and kind. If a relative tells him to give me up, maybe he will. So let me enjoy this while it lasts. It’s all new to me.”
Her unexpected answer made Railie feel ashamed for accusing her.
She had assumed Maddy would be arrogant, thinking she was soon to be duchess.
But she was nothing like that.
Railie pouted and fiddled with her skirt.
“Still… if His Grace truly loves you, he might not give up. Why think so negatively already?”
“Marriage isn’t easy. You never know until you’re at the altar. I’m from the slums, remember? If you met me outside, you wouldn’t have even spoken to me.”
Though Maddy laughed brightly, she seemed painfully aware of her low status.
Railie suddenly felt sorry for her and bit her lip.
“Um… just enjoy shopping today, okay? Don’t think about anything else.”
Railie mumbled, trying not to look too sympathetic. Then Maddy grabbed her hand, her big green eyes sparkling.
“Hey, will you help me pick out clothes today?”
“W-well, you’ll pick what you like, but… I can offer advice if you need it…”
“It’s my first time shopping with a friend my age! I wonder what it’ll feel like!”
“W-what do you mean it’s your first time for everything?! No siblings or family?!”
“Nope. I’ve never had any. That’s why I’m so excited!”
Maddy covered her mouth with both hands and bounced in her seat like a child.
…How pitiful.
Railie felt genuinely sorry for her.
Before they got in the carriage, she had hated that the butler paired her with this strange woman for a market trip.
“You really have to talk to people and take time to understand them. Maybe Maddy’s just a little uneducated, but she might be a good person.”
Grateful for the lesson, Railie nodded.
“I’ll pick you out a really pretty outfit. Don’t worry.”
“Wow, really? Thank you! Oh no, I’m already so excited!”
Blushing, Maddy stuck her head out the window and beamed.
“Even if the Grand Duke kicks me out tonight, going to the market with you will be a fond memory. What’s your name? I’ll remember it.”
“…Railie.”
“Railie? Pretty name. I’m Maddy. Just Maddy.”
“I know. I already knew your name…”
“Really? Great. Just call me casually, okay? Railie.”
Railie gripped her skirt tightly and bit her lip.
A pitiful and innocent woman.
The rest of the mansion might think she’s a vixen who seduced their kind Grand Duke…
But at least I should treat her well.
And so the genuinely innocent Railie fell for Maddy’s act.
Meanwhile, Maddy took a deep breath of the fragrant air and thought:
“Like hell they’re kicking me out. I’ll burn that crusty old Count’s hair off if I have to. Do you know how much this job is worth?”
If she was going to marry a man surrounded by threats of assassination, she’d need allies within the mansion.
So the role she chose was: “A little pitiful, a little naive, but self-aware woman.”
That was more than enough.
The first gullible victim, maid Railie, knew nothing of Maddy’s dark intentions and was now already imagining dress designs to match Maddy’s brown hair, green eyes, and twig-colored skin.
