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Chapter 11
You’re only supposed to eat dessert in the morning or afternoon. I couldn’t help but hum a tune. Everything was perfect! The job was easy, the pay was great, and even Frederick wasn’t going to die after all.
“Lady Delphine,”
Ecor stood holding the plate I’d just finished using and spoke.
“…?”
“It looks like you’ll be able to take a few weeks off next month.”
What? That’s amazing! A vacation already, right after starting the job? I love it! I was already getting excited thinking about how I’d spend my first paycheck.
But wait, if I get a vacation… does that mean Frederick is getting one too?
“What’s going on?”
“Young Master Frederick plans to board a trade ship for a few weeks.”
Suddenly, I felt a cold sweat run down my back.
Huh? What?
Why was this happening all of a sudden?
I asked Ecor in a trembling voice, “Butler? You said he almost never boards trade ships. Didn’t you say that?”
“That’s true, but…”
Ecor looked down a little. There was clearly something he couldn’t say.
Right, it’d be hard for Ecor to spill everything about someone he works for. If I want to know more, I have to ask Frederick directly.
“Ahem.”
I gave him a knowing look. Ecor bowed slightly and left the dining room.
‘Frederick absolutely can’t get on that ship. I have to stop him no matter what.’
Click.
I put down my fork and knife. I stopped eating and headed straight to Frederick’s bedroom.
‘First, I need to keep him alive.’
I quickly climbed the stairs. I threw open the study door, but no one was inside.
‘Maybe he’s somewhere else since it’s dinner time?’
I immediately went next door and opened that door.
“…!”
This second room was Frederick’s bedroom.
It had a bed and the same layout as mine, but the colors were more muted.
And then, there was a problem.
“Hey, why are you half-dressed…?!”
Frederick was sitting on the sofa with the front of his shirt partly undone.
What shocked me even more was how fit he was. In the study, he looked weak and frail, but now I could clearly see his well-toned muscles even under the thin shirt.
I knew I should look away, but I couldn’t.
His body looked like a work of art—it was beautiful. I stood there with my mouth wide open, staring at him.
Frederick caught my gaze, looked disgusted, and buttoned up his shirt.
“You look like your jaw’s about to hit the floor. What is it? Why are you here? This is my room. Is it wrong for me to be comfortable in it? And no one’s allowed in here, so are you even thinking straight?”
Hmm, maybe I stared too much. I finally snapped out of it.
“Oh, right. I came because I heard something really serious. It’s urgent and needs to be handled right away.”
Frederick leaned back against the sofa. It was too small for his long legs, so his feet touched the floor. I could see the back of his neck through the open collar of his shirt.
‘Focus! Now’s not the time to get distracted!’
I shook my head and said,
“You’re boarding a trade ship next month?”
“Yeah.”
His answer left me speechless. What do I even say now?
‘I actually know the future…’
If I said that, he’d think I was crazy and I’d lose this amazing job.
‘No way. I can’t let that happen.’
So instead, I raised my voice and asked,
“Why are you going? Why a trade ship? Where are you going?”
Suddenly, Frederick’s face turned red.
‘What’s with him? Is he blushing?’
Honestly, it was kind of cute. He looked like someone who’d just been caught thinking about their first love—confused and embarrassed.
‘Wait… first love? Could it be about Charlier? What did that letter say again?’
Ugh, forget it. I’ll just ask directly. I sat on the edge of the sofa and asked,
“Is this about Charlier?”
“How did you know?”
Surprisingly, he admitted it right away. The way he talked to me… felt more like how someone talks to a close friend.
“I’m not clueless, you know. But why the trade ship?”
Frederick bit his lip and his cheek, but then the corners of his mouth lifted. He was clearly hiding something. He looked just like a young boy.
Seeing him like that, I smiled too.
“What’s going on?”
“I want to try getting closer to Charlier again.”
Ah, I knew it!
But here’s the weird thing—when Leo talked about Charlier, I got mad. But when Frederick did, I didn’t. I actually felt like I wanted to help him.
He’d been cooped up at home for so long, and now he was finally stepping outside. I wanted to cheer him on.
‘I’ll help Frederick.’
So I asked him,
“What does that have to do with a trade ship?”
“I want to prepare a gift for Charlier.”
Ugh, what a sad love story. He still liked her that much, even after she hadn’t visited him for years? That’s… actually kind of romantic.
“Hmmm…”
Okay, helping Frederick with Charlier is fine! But I still have to stop him from boarding that ship.
“There’s going to be a big trade market in the East next month. I want to go there.”
I wanted to applaud him for stepping outside. But no. I had to stop him. He’d die.
“You can’t. You absolutely can’t board that ship.”
“Why not?”
His shy expression disappeared, and he stared at me, demanding an answer.
What happens next month? What do I say…
Oh! That’s right! Next month is…!
There was only one thing I could think of.
“My birthday’s next month.”
“….”
Oh no. Now I just sound like someone obsessed with their birthday.
Frederick frowned. He looked at me like I was crazy.
“So what?”
Yeah, fair. I don’t know why I said that either. But it was the only excuse I had.
Anyway, I had to save this rude boy’s life! I shut my eyes and went full crazy.
“It’s my birthday, and you have to celebrate with me.”
“…”
Frederick didn’t say anything and just stared at the fireplace. Then the corners of his mouth curved up slightly.
“So you’re throwing a party or something?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan.”
I hate parties. But whatever—I said it. This brat better be grateful later when he finds out I went through all this trouble for him.
“There’ll be a big party at my family’s house. I’m inviting Leo and Charlier too.”
The moment I mentioned Charlier, Frederick’s eyebrows lifted. He made a weird face—I couldn’t tell if he liked it or not.
I think I almost got him! Just one more push, and he’ll give up on that ship.
“You said you want to give Charlier a gift, right? I’ll help you pick it. I’ll help you write a letter too.”
Frederick waved his hand dismissively.
“I don’t need your help.”
“Really? You’ll regret it.”
He stretched his arms and leaned back.
“How are you so confident?”
“Because I know everything Charlier likes, hates, how she writes letters—everything. I know what makes her heart flutter!”
Thanks to Leo, who never shut up about his ex, I knew all of Charlier’s likes, habits, and preferences.
“Her… flutter points?”
Just thinking of Leo annoyed me. But I smiled and said brightly,
“I know what makes Charlier’s heart skip a beat. I’ll help you.”
Frederick gave me a skeptical look. He clearly didn’t believe me.
“I don’t buy it.”
“I’m serious. You know why?”
Ugh, this is embarrassing. I didn’t want to say this.
Frederick looked at me like, “Go on, I’m listening.”
“Because of Leo. When I was dating him, he wouldn’t shut up about Charlier. He showed me their letters, told me what gifts he gave her, and everything she liked.”
“Makes sense.”
“Right?”
Not that I wanted to know. And I definitely didn’t enjoy it.
I sighed but pushed those thoughts aside. The important thing was saving Frederick.
He relaxed his arms and rubbed his chin, thinking hard.
Then finally, he gave me the answer I’d been waiting for.
“Alright.”
Yes!!
I grinned. This kid actually listened better than I expected. Great! Wait… now I feel like I’m getting nothing out of this deal.
What’s the answer?
Money.
“But—”
Frederick blinked at me with wide eyes. Wow, those eyes make him look like a cute puppy. But still, no discounts.
“I want more pay. Give me a bonus every time I help you write a letter. Same for gift shopping. 1,000 Luke each.”
“You’re insane.”
“You don’t want to?”
“…Fine, fine. You’re really obsessed with money. Why is a duke’s daughter so money-crazy?”
Frederick looked totally done with me.
“You know why. People treat you differently when you have money. You were treated badly as a baron, right? But once you had money, nobles and royals started acting differently.”
“…”
