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Chapter 82
“Mr. Lucas?”
“I’m glad I’m not late. I came to escort you.”
Lucas approached Lucy with a bright smile.
“You didn’t have to come in person… You could have at least contacted me beforehand!”
“I happened to have some business nearby.”
“If you had business nearby this early in the morning, was it urgent? Is it really okay for you to come like this?”
Surprised by his words, Lucy asked.
“Oh, I thought it was urgent… but it wasn’t. So I thought I’d escort you on my way back. Let’s go in my carriage.”
Lucas rolled his eyes briefly, as if slightly embarrassed, then awkwardly smiled and pointed to his carriage.
“Then I suppose my carriage should follow yours.”
Lucy nodded and got into his carriage. Soon, the carriages began moving, with Lucy’s following closely behind. Shahn rode alongside Kreta’s carriage, keeping pace.
“How have you been? I was secretly upset that we hadn’t been in touch for a while.”
Lucas spoke first.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been… well, actually very busy.”
Lucy said, her eyes drooping as if genuinely apologetic.
“Perhaps it’s time you have an aide. If you’d like, I can recommend someone capable.”
“An aide?”
It was something she had never considered.
“How long do you plan to have only that bodyguard, Shahn, by your side? I think it’s time you have someone you can trust with your responsibilities.”
Listening to Lucas speak with a look of concern, Lucy nodded slightly.
Up until now, Lucy had been running both the Pablo and Navid guilds herself, going everywhere on foot.
‘It is definitely inefficient. I should leave the management of the Pablo guild to someone trustworthy.’
Lucy decided to accept Lucas’s kind offer.
“Then please recommend someone trustworthy. Since it’s someone recommended by Your Grace, I’m looking forward to it!”
Lucas’s eyes curved pleasantly at her words.
The carriage that departed early in the morning finally entered the city where the Grand Duke’s castle stood around noon.
“That castle you see over there is the Grand Duke’s castle. And that towering spire is one of its prides.”
Lucas pointed to the castle outside the carriage window.
From a distance, the massive castle had an unusually tall tower.
“They call it the Watcher’s Tower. From the top, you can see far beyond the borders. It allows us to detect enemy movements faster than anyone else. And the view is incredible, of course.”
Lucy gazed curiously at the top of the solitary tower.
It wasn’t just the Watcher’s Tower. True to a city with a lord’s castle, the area was a harmonious blend of beautiful natural scenery, neatly maintained roads, and well-kept buildings.
As the carriage slowly passed through the bustling streets, it eventually picked up speed and arrived at the Grand Duke’s castle.
Lucy’s eyes widened at the sheer scale of the castle interior.
“The butler will show you to the guest room. Lunch should be ready by now. We shall meet shortly.”
Lucas said this as the butler approached and bowed politely.
Walking at a leisurely pace to allow Lucy to take in the sights, the butler guided her to the guest room where she would be staying.
“This is… the room I’ll be staying in?”
Lucy asked, surveying the overly spacious and luxurious room.
“Yes. We prepared a large room because a distinguished guest such as yourself would be visiting. If anything is uncomfortable, please let us know.”
The butler spoke politely, observing Lucy’s expression.
In fact, this room was not an ordinary guest room. It was the Grand Duchess’s room, the second largest and most luxurious room in the castle after the Grand Duke’s.
“No! There’s no discomfort at all. Thank you for all this attention even though I’m only staying for one night.”
Lucy smiled warmly at the butler.
The butler bowed deeply, impressed by how politely and kindly the young noblewoman addressed him despite her status.
It had been years since a noble guest had visited since Joanna.
Moreover, when Lucas instructed that the Grand Duchess’s room be used as the guest room, the butler realized that today’s visitor was a very special guest.
And in reality, Lucy was not only beautiful but also kind-hearted, a stark contrast to Joanna, whom he had always believed would become the lady of the house.
“I will show you to the dining room. Call me when you’re ready.”
“No, let’s go immediately.”
The butler had planned to wait outside to give Lucy time to change and touch up her makeup, but Lucy took only a small gift box and headed straight to the dining room.
“Lucy, welcome.”
Lucas, who had arrived first and was waiting in the dining room, stood upon seeing Lucy.
“The guest room was so large, it surprised me. You didn’t need to go to such lengths. I really appreciate it.”
As he slightly pulled out a chair, Lucy sat down.
“No, it seems the butler went to great lengths because it’s been a while since we had a guest. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell him or me.”
Although it was Lucas’s instruction, he said it as if he were not involved.
“This room is far too luxurious for just one night. It’s already more than enough!”
Lucas smiled silently at her words.
‘Just one night…’
In truth, Lucas had invited Lucy with the plan to spend a little more time with her.
Unaware of this, Lucy’s eyes shone as she looked at the food before her.
Lucas, watching her quietly, spoke again.
“Is the food to your liking?”
“I’m realizing now that northern cuisine can taste this good!”
Lucy said as she speared a piece of meat with her fork and put it in her mouth.
“It may sound boastful, but our castle’s chef is considered among the best in the empire.”
Lucas said with a small smile.
“It’s really delicious. Of all the food I’ve tried here, this is the best!”
“If the chef hears that, he’ll be delighted. Perhaps you could stay a few more days and enjoy his cooking. Even tasting three of his specialties per day would take a few days.”
Lucas subtly suggested, concealing his intentions. Lucy shook her head regretfully.
“As you know, I’m very busy with guild matters. I’m also busy opening a Pablo branch in Magnus… I haven’t mentioned it, but I plan to relocate temporarily to the capital as well.”
Lucas’s eyes widened at her words.
“You’re staying in Magnus? Until when?”
“Well… there’s something I must accomplish there. I probably won’t return until it’s done.”
‘Something that must be done.’ Lucas vaguely guessed that this task was related to the ‘revenge’ Lucy had mentioned before.
“I see. If you ever need my help, just let me know. When do you plan to leave?”
“All matters here are settled, so I intend to go as soon as possible.”
Lucas nodded slightly, lost in thought.
‘Because it’s urgent, the cooking excuse failed. I guess I’ll have to use the plan I devised…’
He didn’t want to resort to such a petty trick, but he smiled bitterly at the thought of his own sly plan.
“By now, the gifts I sent via carriage should have been unloaded.”
“Gifts?”
“I felt bad coming empty-handed, so I brought a few gifts. The bulky ones were sent separately, but I thought this one would suit you, Mr. Lucas…”
Lucy handed him a small gift box she had packed separately.
Lucas, slightly surprised, took the box carefully and opened it.
“This is…”
He trailed off, clearly touched by the unexpected gift, looking at Lucy with admiration.
