CDMGS 29🌻

Chapter 29

“Ah, ah. The rules.”

Even as I said it, the words sounded like I had completely forgotten about them until just now.

But… why is he looking at me like that?

At some point, those sharp ruby eyes were fixed right on me. Did I ask something wrong?

Honestly, it wasn’t even that big of a question. I wasn’t planning to break the rules anyway.

I was going to extend my contract and cling to this mansion as long as possible—why would I risk getting thrown out?

“I wasn’t planning on breaking the rules! I really was just curious, that’s all.”

Really, I was! I quietly grabbed the broom leaning against the wall beside me. Just holding onto something made me feel a little less nervous.

Luckily, his gaze dropped soon after. Maybe I had just been scaring myself for no reason.

The Duke picked up a document again and spoke casually, as if it were nothing.

“If you break the rules, you’ll vanish from this place completely.”

“Of course, I figured as much.”

Hah… what a terrifying way to say “you’ll be dismissed.”

“Or, if I’m in a good mood, maybe nothing will happen at all.”

“Yes, sir. Understood…”

I swept the floor quietly. All I’d done was glance at him, and I ended up hearing something downright chilling.

Good thing I kept my head down; at least he couldn’t see the worried look on my face.

Shhhk, shhhk. The sound of sweeping filled the silence. I was nearing his desk when—

“Shasha.”

My heart lurched.

What now?

Every time the Duke called my name, it was a strange mix of tension and… excitement.

Once, he’d even gotten frighteningly angry when he thought I was going to leave the mansion. And just moments ago, his expression had been almost that scary again.

But this time, his voice was gentle.

The Duke called my name more often than I’d expected—and when he used that tone, it usually meant something good.

Still, considering I had stuck my nose where it didn’t belong earlier and gotten scolded, I doubted this was about a bonus.

I cleared my throat, steadying my voice.

“Yes, my lord.”

I froze in place, gripping the broom tightly.

The rustling of papers had stopped. Every document was stacked neatly to one side of the desk. The Duke leaned back languidly in his chair.

His bewitching red lips parted slowly.

“I think we should have another tea time. I have something to tell you.”

“Pardon?”

“At the fountain.”

What kind of talk couldn’t be said here and needed to wait until the fountain? I didn’t know.

Still, the fact that the Duke himself had suggested tea time made my heart swell with pride.

I have to tell Jameson and the horses about this later. They’ll love hearing how pleased the Duke was.

Since the fountain was quite far away, I thought—

Maybe he’ll teleport us there?

After all, whenever the Duke suddenly appeared by the fountain or back gate, he always vanished in an instant afterward.

So I imagined he might teleport me along with him this time.

… But no such luck.

Instead, we walked side by side all the way to the fountain.

‘……’

The first to notice the Duke outside was the mansion’s largest monster—Alex.

“M-My lord?!”

Somehow, he sensed the Duke’s presence. He stopped scrubbing the outer wall and jolted like he’d seen a ghost.

Those hollow, ink-black eyes widened as if painted dots on wood had suddenly come alive.

Like the mouth that always gaped open when I offered him steak.

And as I stared too long, I almost felt like I was being sucked into them—

“I greet the Duke!”

Alex’s booming voice shook me out of the trance.

I shook my head quickly, as if to clear the fog.

The problem was, Alex had forgotten he was four meters tall. He bent forward too sharply—

“Wh-whoa!”

—and nearly toppled over, swaying wildly before barely catching himself on a nearby tree.

Honestly, it’s like watching a tree bow to another tree.

Every time I saw him, I marveled at how indistinguishable he looked from actual wood. Without eyes or a mouth, no one would tell the difference.

Thanks to his shout—or maybe just the Duke’s aura—chaos quickly rippled across the garden.

“I greet the Duke!”

Monsters cleaning outside turned their heads from fifty meters away, trembling in shock.

Along the open path, they looked frozen stiff, like wax dolls.

The Duke said nothing.

I followed quietly, trying not to make any noise as I pushed along the tea tray.

But truthfully, I couldn’t blame the others. I, too, understood exactly how they felt.

Even I get nervous just going to his office.

It happened every time—long before I knocked on his door, even climbing the stairs to the second floor, the tension would already start building.

And the Duke appearing suddenly in the garden, without warning? No wonder they were terrified.

The Duke remained silent until we reached the fountain.

Or more precisely, until I spread the tablecloth, brewed the tea, and poured it into cups.

I tried hard to stay composed.

“My lord, everything is prepared—ahhck.”

My voice cracked at the end.

‘……’

I pretended nothing had happened and folded my hands politely.

The quiet was awkward, but the fresh breeze and the gentle sound of flowing water soothed me a little.

Then I noticed something strange.

The Duke was holding a document.

When did he get that?

I hadn’t seen him bring anything out. While we walked the garden path, his hands were empty. Yet now, he was reading it with a grave expression.

Could this be the reason he wanted to talk to me?

My nerves spiked.

“Shasha.”

“Yes, sir!”

Here it comes.

I straightened my back instantly.

The Duke frowned slightly, then gestured to the chair across from him.

Oh. Right.

I carefully sat down, barely settling into the cushion before he tapped the table and spoke.

“The invoice has arrived.”

“Invoice?”

“Yes. For the things you purchased outside.”

“……Ah, yes!”

So that’s what the document was.

Was there a problem?

I hadn’t overspent. Really, I hadn’t.

The tea leaves I bought were modest. The teacups… okay, I did buy a few extra, but nothing outrageous.

The Duke looked at me steadily, still holding the paper.

And then—

“Did you also buy ☐■☐☐■☐■?”

Ah, not this again.

That strange language.

No matter how much I practiced, I could never hope to pronounce those sounds.

I hesitated, and the Duke stroked his chin slowly, as if wondering how to explain.

Wait—could he mean… this?

I pulled out a small pouch from the tea tray and held it up with both hands.

“Do you mean this, my lord? The tea leaves you once gave me—the ones that brew into black water?”

Ugh, the stench hit me the moment I touched it.

But the Duke’s eyes, usually so indifferent, lit up the instant he saw it.

Yes! This must be it—he likes this tea!

“That pouch.”

Ah. Never mind.

The Duke’s teeth clenched. He pointed at the pouch I held aloft.

And in his eyes, red as spilled paint, something wild was beginning to stir.