CBOM 21

chapter 21

“Uh… let’s go quickly.”
“Yes.”

Libanu seemed unprepared for people being out in the open like this and hurriedly quickened his pace.

The iron gate, with its jagged bars, opened immediately and then shut quickly behind them.

“Phew.”

Only after escaping people’s gaze did Libanu’s shoulders seem to relax slightly, as if a weight had been lifted.

“This villa is really nice.”

Opening the tall villa doors, they were greeted by a garden as beautifully arranged as the exterior suggested.

“Mm…”

But perhaps because of what had just happened, Libanu didn’t seem able to notice the villa at all.

“Shall we go inside and rest for now? It must have been tiring to get here.”

Grace cautiously suggested, and Libanu nodded.

“Mm.”

His voice was weak, showing he was still quite shaken. Grace decided to postpone showing him around the villa and instead let him rest for the time being.

“Hello.”

Contrary to expectation, a neatly dressed woman greeted them inside.

“Huh?”

Startled, Libanu pulled his robe tighter over himself, and Grace looked on, slightly surprised.

“This is Sophie, the caretaker of the villa.”

Apparently, she was the person the villagers had mentioned.

Since Libanu was someone who kept his personal life private, Grace had assumed everyone staying at the villa would have been sent away.

Perhaps the duke had placed a watcher here in advance. It seemed Sophie might have already known they were coming.

“I was a little surprised since I didn’t know there was a caretaker.”
“Really?”

Sophie only smiled, giving no further reply.

“I’ll show you to your rooms.”

Sophie spoke calmly, her expression unreadable.

After observing Sophie for a few days, Grace had a basic understanding of her character.

She seemed very capable as a caretaker.

Someone of her skill wouldn’t normally spend their life in such a remote villa. She could easily get a better position in the capital.

It was puzzling why someone so competent had become the caretaker of this secluded villa.

Grace wondered whether Sophie had come here by chance or whether she was truly loyal to the duke.

“Grace, have you arrived?”

Even to Grace, just a mere maid, Sophie spoke politely. Despite being told to relax, Grace found Sophie’s formality oddly comforting.

“Yes, Sophie.”
“What brings you here?”
“…I want to get some books for Master.”

“Books? I see… now that he’s your age, it’s time for study. Though I suppose it’s a bit late.”

Sophie seemed apologetic, as if she hadn’t expected this request. She muttered to herself, as if coming to understand.

“How old is Master now?”
“Fifteen.”
“He hasn’t done any basic studying until now?”

Grace had never asked seriously about his studies. But before his skin condition appeared, he had been highly regarded in the duke’s household, so if she got him the right books, he could likely manage on his own.

“Before his skin got like that, I believe he had received some education.”

Sophie seemed lost in thought.

“Do you need money for it?”
“No.”

Grace had plenty of her own funds, so Sophie didn’t need to give her money. She had mentioned it in advance just to avoid any misunderstandings or suspicion from the duke.

“There’s no bookstore in this village.”

Oh. The village seemed small, but she hadn’t expected there to be no bookstore.

“To get books, we’d have to go to the neighboring estate. I usually go there once a month to get necessities. If you need, I can get the books then.”

Sophie’s attitude was more helpful than expected. Grace had assumed someone from the duke’s household might be hostile.

“Thank you.”
“More importantly, Master is lucky to have you, Grace.”

Suddenly? Grace suspected Sophie might be a spy for the duke. Everything about her seemed suspicious, but she forced a smile.

Sophie rummaged through the office, then brought out a box from a corner. It was covered in a thick layer of dust, untouched for some time. Inside were neatly stacked books.

“These are the books Master used for self-study.”
“…Master?”
“Oh? Didn’t you know? Besides Master Libanu, there’s another young master here. I managed this place for him.”

“I had no idea.”
“Goodness, the duke is really careless.”

Sophie clicked her tongue, explaining about the young master she served.

“Master Leto was born and raised here. He’s slightly younger than Master Libanu and rather picky.”
“…But is he also affiliated with the Foret duke’s household?”
“Well, yes, he’s connected. That’s why he stays at the Foret villa.”

Grace had never imagined anyone else would be staying there. Even when Sophie introduced herself as caretaker, the thought hadn’t crossed her mind. She couldn’t understand what the duke was thinking.

“Shouldn’t I formally greet him? We’ll be living here together after all.”

Grace wanted to see Master Leto at least once. Though she had never heard the name before, she figured it couldn’t hurt to get familiar with someone connected to the duke’s household.

“I’ll tell him, but he’ll probably refuse.”
“…I see.”

Sophie smiled, apologetic yet comforting. She added that he was always cold to visitors.

By chance, Grace had learned about another young master living at the villa.

The situation seemed more complicated than when she thought Sophie was the only one here.

The villa was spacious, so they could avoid each other, but over several years, it would be almost impossible not to meet accidentally.

A picky young master—who could it be, living here and being called “Master”?

Grace racked her memory but couldn’t recall anyone named Leto.

…Race. Grace?

Snapped out of her thoughts by a voice calling her, she looked up sharply.

Libanu was watching her with a serious expression.

“What were you thinking about?”
“Huh?”
“Do you know how many times I called your name?”
“Sorry.”
“So, what were you thinking?”
“…Actually, I heard something from Sophie.”
“Sophie?”

Libanu’s voice implied a question: who was Sophie? He seemed to have forgotten the caretaker they met a few days ago.

After Grace explained again, he responded indifferently, then curiously asked:

“What did she say?”
“There’s another young master staying here besides you.”

Libanu raised his eyebrows, seemingly surprised.

“Really?”

But he didn’t like Grace dwelling too much on the other young master.

“I was just worried about who it might be.”
“I don’t think you’ll ever meet him. Nothing’s happened so far.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”

Libanu muttered, slightly annoyed.

“Don’t worry. You’re supposed to take care of me anyway.”

His expression darkened as he added this, prompting Grace to apologize instinctively.

“Okay, I was wrong.”

Seeing the somber tone, Grace finally laughed softly to comfort him. But if she knew what Libanu was thinking, she could never have laughed.

It was strange. She didn’t know why, but she felt tense and uneasy. She feared seeing him act kindly toward another young master, as he had toward her.

“…Phew.”

Libanu exhaled to calm himself, and Grace, unaware of his inner turmoil, asked:

“I really am sorry. Want to go for a walk instead?”
“…Together?”
“Of course, if our Master is going.”
“…Alright, then.”

Since moving to the villa, Libanu’s daily routine had become more active than before.

Though he couldn’t go out freely, this was already enough to make him happy.

And above all, having Grace there made it much better.

When Grace learned there was another caretaker, she had been slightly worried, but they had hardly crossed paths.

They had seen each other at the entrance on the first day, and Libanu assumed the caretaker was avoiding him. That was actually a relief.

He thought the caretaker was a spy for the duke and hoped she would just observe from afar. No need to become friends.

So when Grace mentioned the caretaker, he spoke a little more aggressively than usual.

“When did you meet Sophie?”