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chapter 16
Lucas shrugged and smiled as if he had just realized something.
“What’s that? A secret? You’re going to get married anyway, so you’ll find out eventually. Is it really a big deal? Do you think Grace can’t handle it?”
Haem tilted his head in confusion.
“That much? I don’t think it’s just that… I mean, it’s somewhat related, but still…”
“What? Speak clearly. What are you talking about?”
“Ugh! Why don’t you understand! The men of the Black family have always been special! Why do I have to say this out loud?!”
“What?”
“When you say ‘Black of the Black Horse,’ it’s about Je, Ryun, and Ham! Isn’t it?”
Lucas almost asked again, dumbfounded, but instead let out a small laugh.
“What are you saying in front of the person involved?”
“Oh, me? I’m just talking about how you always need special-made underwear and pants!”
Lucas narrowed his eyes, raising his hand toward Haem.
‘Yikes.’
Haem quickly closed his eyes, expecting a smack to the head. He exaggerated his fearful expression so it would hurt less.
A long, straight finger tapped his forehead.
“Ugh!”
Haem cried out, tears welling up as he peeked at Lucas.
“Stop talking nonsense and go check the kitchen.”
“Ouch…”
“Next time, it might be a fist instead of a finger. Move quickly.”
“Y-yes! I’m going!”
Haem thought he was lucky it was only a finger. He had been a little too cheeky, but his master was kind and liked him, so he got off lightly.
“See, he’s softer than he looks.”
Haem rubbed his red forehead and laughed awkwardly as he rushed to the kitchen, ready to check on his master’s first meal—and perhaps the first meal of the lady of the house.
An Angry Man
“Wow! Thanks to Norman Oellin, we finally get to taste Luna 20! I can’t believe it.”
“Haha, having a friend like him is amazing! It’s rare to see someone as loyal as Norman.”
“I heard there are only seven bottles of Luna 20 in the royal cellar. How did you get it, Norman?”
A group of young nobles entered the Oellin mansion, praising Norman as he led the way. Norman smiled modestly.
“The Black Duke sent it as a gift. To honor the friendship between our families.”
Last week, Lucas Black had sent the gift while asking about Grace. Of course, there were more gifts, but Norman could only bring wine; the rest went to the Oellin family storage.
“The Black Dukes? The famous Black Horse family? Oellin must have serious influence to already have connections with them.”
Norman simply smiled and shrugged. That was enough. His friends whispered in awe and envy.
“Anyway, it’s good for us to try Luna 20, a wine usually for royalty. Can’t wait.”
“By the way, Norman’s sister is mostly at the mansion, right? I was hoping to see her, but it’s hard to even catch a glimpse.”
Someone mentioned Grace, and Norman’s face immediately darkened. His friends quickly changed the topic.
“Yeah, seeing the yellow lily lady is like catching a star from the sky!”
“I’m curious too. Norman hides her well.”
“She rarely attends parties, so rumors spread. That makes her even more interesting.”
Norman forced a smile. He knew some of them had already tried asking about Grace.
‘Father didn’t raise me to marry into a small, insignificant family,’ Norman thought.
“Her delicate health makes her more mysterious. Like a beautiful flower! Don’t get me wrong, Norman, I just mean she’s amazing.”
Grace had a good reputation among noble children, and Norman, though annoyed, appreciated the attention she brought him.
“Stop ogling and let’s drink wine,” Norman said, leading his friends with a polite smile. Maintaining appearances was important for his reputation.
As they passed Grace’s door on the third floor, it suddenly opened.
“Oh.”
Two maids cleaning inside were startled. One of the nobles peeked through the gap.
“Ah, so this is Miss Grace’s room?”
Everyone stopped and looked inside.
“What are you doing?” Norman scolded, but the nobles ignored him.
The most brazen, young Lord Rackson, spoke.
“Since no one’s home, can’t we just peek? It even smells nice inside.”
Norman clenched his teeth.
“Sniff… smells like flowers!”
Norman’s friends barged in while he tried to keep control. One even pulled out a luxury pocket watch and teased, “Here’s the Quentium royal watch you wanted. Close your eyes for a minute!”
The Rackson family was wealthy and free-spirited, making it hard to oppose them.
Norman sighed, realizing letting them peek was easier than arguing.
After a while, he called them back:
“Enough, let’s go.”
Someone peeked at Grace’s drawer.
“Thompson bank checks! She really is a modern woman, using the bank!”
Norman spun around, shocked.
‘Wow, this mansion is huge.’
Julie had gone downstairs while Grace waited. Gabriel had prepared tea, but Grace needed cold plum tea, not warm rose tea, to calm her nerves.
The Black Duke’s mansion was enormous—truly worthy of the wealthiest family in the country. Julie finally found the small kitchen after getting lost.
‘Why are there so few servants in such a big mansion?’
She saw two experienced maids working efficiently.
“You’re a guest from the Oellin mansion, right? What brings you here?”
Julie was impressed. Even kitchen maids recognized guests, which was rare.
“Our lady often gets stomach upset when nervous. Could we get some plum tea?”
“Of course, please wait a moment.”
The maids moved swiftly and politely. Even treating a guest maid with respect impressed Julie.
After some conversation, she learned the mansion had few staff, but all were highly skilled. The Duke and butlers treated them fairly, giving them enough rest and pay.
‘No unfair treatment, no complaints—this makes work comfortable.’
Julie thought about how terrible the Oellin household could be and smiled.
‘…I really like this place!’
