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Chapter 11
“Haa…”
I feel completely drained.
Who would have thought my secret spy activities would lead to such a misunderstanding?
Even afterward, Madam Brandt kept tossing out similar jokes, but every time I desperately defended myself. Because it really wasn’t true!
Still, at least I got to eat plenty of snacks.
The head chef’s pastries were divine. Truly worthy of the Grand Duke’s estate.
Patting my full stomach, I made my way toward the west annex. By now, everyone was probably gathered there.
But at that very moment—
The Grand Duke?
I caught sight of his dazzling golden hair. Beside him stood a man with dark brown hair.
Who’s that? I’ve never seen him before.
He definitely wasn’t one of the household staff.
And wasn’t His Grace supposed to be meeting with Madam Brandt? Why was he here instead?
None of it made sense.
Best to just slip by quietly.
But instead of eavesdropping, I decided to keep my head down. The atmosphere felt far more dangerous than when I had seen him with the knight earlier.
That scar on his face…
Even from a distance, the deep scar was impossible to miss. I turned away, telling myself I’d investigate another time.
Or at least, that was my plan—
“…First, about that spy—”
What?!
My steps froze.
There was no way I could just walk away from that.
Taking a deep breath, I forced down the pounding in my chest and crept closer. Bold, yes—but I’d never been caught before.
Thankfully, the corridor was deserted.
“This way… let us move somewhere else…”
“Very well. Lead on.”
Of all times—they had to move just when I was within earshot! The timing couldn’t have been worse.
I hesitated, then silently followed after them.
Rustle—
The Grand Duke and the brown-haired man moved quickly, navigating the estate’s rear corridors like they were secret passageways. So much for memorizing the entire layout—clearly, I hadn’t.
Oh, come on—!
I quickened my pace. But there was only so much one could do while trying to stay undetected.
Where did they go?
I’d lost them—by the slimmest of margins. They had to be nearby!
“Where on earth did they disappear to…”
The words slipped out before I realized.
And then—
“Were you looking for me?”
Ice shot down my spine.
That voice—exactly the one I should never have heard behind me.
I spun around.
“Eek—!”
The Grand Duke, Pellium!
My legs gave out, and I collapsed, hands flying to my mouth to stifle a scream.
He approached me like a predator closing in on prey.
“Lately, you’ve been far too conspicuous—”
Step.
“So you really were tailing me.”
Step.
“You did well enough hiding your presence, but… I’m rather sensitive when it comes to this sort of thing.”
Step.
Now he stood before me, lowering himself to meet my eyes like a hunter savoring the chase.
“Why?”
“Th-that is…”
“Answer me.”
His cold hand tilted my chin upward. His voice, sharp as a blade, cut into me again:
“Why were you spying on me?”
Terror gripped me. My body shook beyond my control. My mind went blank.
“I—I was, um, I mean—”
And then—
Madam Brandt’s teasing words flashed through my mind. Without thinking, I squeezed my eyes shut and blurted out:
“I’ve been secretly in love with you!”
The words echoed down the corridor:
In love with you—
With you—
With you—
The silence that followed was unbearable. Finally, the Grand Duke spoke.
“What?”
His flawless face twisted into disbelief. I’d never seen such an expression on him before.
Yes, Your Grace, you look shocked. Well, so am I.
But if I faltered here, I’d be finished. So I clung to the lie with all my might.
“Last time, when I was hurt—you worried about me! That was so kind, and you were so dashing, and I just…”
I rambled on, babbling nonsense. He only listened in silence, until at last he asked in bewilderment:
“…You fall in love over something that trivial?”
“Yes, sir!”
I nodded vigorously, as though my life depended on it. Which, in a sense, it did.
His expression smoothed back into its usual coldness. But those crimson eyes bore down on me, threatening to tear through any falsehood.
I swallowed hard.
And then he murmured:
“So… you followed me because you’re in love with me.”
“Y-yes, that’s right!”
He lowered his gaze for a moment, as if in thought. Then, suddenly, his lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
“I’ve just thought of the perfect role for you.”
“A… a role?”
That smile deepened. My blood ran cold.
He leaned close, close enough for his breath to brush my skin. Then he whispered in my ear:
“You’ll become my personal maid.”
The Grand Duke’s estate was a breeding ground for rumors—and none spread faster than those involving Pellium himself.
“What?!”
“Lillian…?”
“She became His Grace’s personal maid?”
The Duke, who until now had relied solely on his butler, had suddenly taken on a personal maid.
And not just any maid—
But me.
A mere four-month novice who had only just shed the title of probationary servant.
“My goodness!”
“How is this even possible?”
Naturally, gossip among the maids exploded. They crowded around me, interrogating with wide, incredulous eyes.
“Lillian, out with it—what happened?”
“How on earth did you get His Grace’s attention?”
“No wonder you’ve been sneaking around lately…”
“Of all people—why the Duke?!”
Knowing full well what kind of man Pellium was, the maids looked at me with worry and pity.
“Heh…”
Honestly? I felt the same.
Being a personal maid sounded fancy, but in reality, it was no different from any other maid’s work. The pay was the same, the workload just as heavy—except now I also had to endure the whims of the master himself.
A nightmare position, really.
And my master was none other than Pellium, the most dangerous man in the realm. Worse, he already suspected me.
I should probably just count myself lucky he didn’t kill me outright.
To be honest, I thought he wouldn’t believe me at all. But my trembling, terror-stricken act must have looked to him like the nerves of a girl overwhelmed by her crush.
Compared to No. 32—Karen—who’d been disposed of not long ago, I really was fortunate.
Still… I’m terrified, uneasy, on edge, suffocating under the pressure, but—
“Tsk.”
A sharp sound broke my thoughts. Ivy stood there, glaring at me.
“You brought this on yourself. Maybe you wanted to catch the Duke’s eye from the start.”
How did she…?
Her cutting suspicion left me speechless. Luckily, I had an ally by my side.
“Hey! You’ve been way too harsh lately.”
Anna frowned, snapping at Ivy.
“Lillian may be clumsy and naïve, but do you really think she’d be stupid enough to go after His Grace on purpose? After barely surviving just the other day?”
…
Her words silenced me. Because, well—she wasn’t entirely wrong.
Quietly, I lowered my gaze in guilt.
