THJDM 42

chapter 42

“I could have done this myself.”

Sitting at the vanity after her bath, Rubiana gave Jocelyn, the head maid of the Grand Duke’s residence, an apologetic look.

“Leave things like this to the professionals, my lady.”

With a pleasant smile, Jocelyn dabbed Rubiana’s damp silver hair with a dry towel, patting it gently to dry it.

Behind her, two younger maids were fanning with all their might.

Jocelyn, looking excited, spoke in a sing-song voice.

“The very first time you came to the Grand Duke’s estate, I just knew.”
“Knew… what, exactly?”
“That I’d be seeing you often, my lady.”
“…”

Ho-ho-ho! Jocelyn’s cheerful laughter spilled from her lips.

“I knew someone like you would recognize our lord’s true self. To the world, he’s praised as a war hero to his face, but behind his back they mock him as a bloodthirsty maniac.”
“…”
“Yet it’s thanks to our lord’s tireless efforts on the battlefield, thanks to his unmatched abilities protecting the Empire, that those very people get to stretch out comfortably and sleep safe in the capital.”

As Rubiana listened silently, she understood—

—just how much Jocelyn cherished and admired Elion.

“I’ve always hoped that one day, a clever and kind young lady would appear to ease our lord’s loneliness, to soothe his wounded heart. And when I first saw you that rainy day, I knew immediately.”
“…”
“That perhaps you might be the one destined to stand by our lord’s side.”

Rubiana wanted nothing more than to vanish into thin air.

Clearly, in Jocelyn’s eyes, she was Elion’s fated partner.

It was only natural she thought so—

They had been seen entering a hotel together. They had appeared together at a party.

She had visited him when he was injured. They had even spent a night together.

All true, but… I am not Elion’s partner. I’m sorry.

Her chest ached as she imagined Jocelyn’s disappointment when everything eventually returned to its proper place.

But Jocelyn wasn’t the only one lost in such sweet illusions after Rubiana’s overnight stay at the Grand Duke’s mansion.

Even Scott, the chief steward, showed similar signs.

Scott had always worn only the barest, most professional smile.

But today was different.

His whole face beamed with joy.

“Breakfast is ready, my lady. His Grace is already waiting in the dining room.”
“Yes. I’ll be down shortly.”
“Take your time.”

Beaming.

Grinning ear to ear.

Rubiana, knowing all too well what that unrestrained smile meant, wanted to run away on the spot.

Ah… Please don’t expect anything. It’s all a misunderstanding. There’s no way I’ll ever become Elion’s partner. So please, don’t hope for it.

She swallowed a sigh and lowered her head.

As Scott had said, Elion was seated at the dining table, reading the newspaper.

“Welcome, my lady.”
“Yes.”

At her arrival, Elion folded the paper.

His neat, composed face made her grit her teeth.

Here she was, embarrassed by last night’s memories and mortified by everyone’s mistaken hopes, yet this man alone remained perfectly unbothered. It was infuriating.

Soon, dishes began to arrive one by one.

First came the salads.

Green salad, Caprese salad, Caesar salad, quinoa salad, coleslaw—the table quickly filled.

Next was the bread.

Croissants, brioche, muffins, and cinnamon rolls.

Then came the soups.

Steaming mushroom soup, chicken noodle, tomato soup, clam chowder—each arrived in turn.

Rubiana’s mouth slowly fell open as she watched the table fill.

Even in noble households, breakfast was usually simple.

Why so many kinds of food? Do I look like I eat that much? Or does Elion always have this kind of lavish breakfast?

She knew well that every family had its own traditions.

Not wanting to appear rude, she forced herself to maintain a calm face, her eyes darting around instead of asking.

But what came next was even more excessive.

When five maids carried in meat dishes, Rubiana’s eyes widened.

Beef steak, ham and sausages, roast duck, chicken cutlets, venison pie.

This isn’t a dinner banquet…

Seeing the astonishment on her face, Scott curved his lips in a polished smile.

“The chef, Derrick, wasn’t sure what you might prefer, my lady, so he prepared everything he could with the ingredients at hand.”

“Ah…”

As Scott finished speaking, Derrick, watching from behind, bowed deeply.

Rubiana dipped her head in return.

“…That’s very kind of you.”

Trying her best to hide her fluster, she forced composure. Elion, however, clicked his tongue.

“What on earth is this? Am I the only one who sees how absurdly excessive this table is?”
“Y-your Grace…”

Scott froze, as did Derrick and the maids, faces stiffening.

Snapped out of his daze by his lord’s sharp tone, Scott hastily bowed.

“My deepest apologies, Your Grace. I let my excitement get the better of me. I’ll have the food cleared immediately.”
“Leave it. It’s fine.”
“…Ah.”
“And all of you, out.”

Elion waved his hand dismissively.

At the dismissal, Scott’s steady gaze faltered.

But only for a moment—he quickly regained composure and bowed.

“…Understood, Your Grace. Then please enjoy your meal in peace.”

After bowing politely to both Elion and Rubiana, Scott left with quick steps.

His neatly tied long red hair swayed pitifully as he went.

The chef and maids followed behind him.

At last, only the two of them remained in the dining room. Elion sighed lightly and looked at Rubiana.

“Forgive them for making you uncomfortable. They’re not usually such fools. I suppose they got carried away—this is the first time we’ve had a guest dine with us here.”
“I’m fine. Just a little surprised.”
“Don’t feel pressured. Eat only what you like.”
“…Yes.”

Perhaps because her head was still spinning, even her fingers felt clumsy.

Clang! She dropped her fork.

Dropping one’s fork at a noble table as a guest was a grave mistake.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. Here.”

Elion handed her a spare fork.

As she accepted it, their fingertips brushed ever so slightly.

Even in that fleeting instant, she clearly felt his magic seep into her.

But this time, it was different.

Something’s… strange!

Though it lasted barely a tenth of a second, Elion’s magic swept through her body.

And everywhere it passed, bursts of heat flared like fireworks, sending shivers racing through her.

W-what… is this?!

It was a sensation both foreign and familiar—

—the very same feeling that had thrilled her atop the bed last night.

No, no, this is ridiculous… I’m not some Pavlov’s dog!

Feed a dog with a bell each time, and soon the bell alone makes it drool.

Was last night’s fevered memory of magic so deeply imprinted that even a brush of magic now made her shudder?

No. No! It was just one night. There’s no way it’s already conditioned me. I’ve always felt elated and blissful whenever I touched Elion’s magic, haven’t I?

Yes, that was true.

So nothing had changed—it was the same as always. She repeated it to herself like a mantra.

Don’t overthink this. Ah, this is the worst…!

Biting the inside of her cheek, Rubiana focused on quelling the tremors that coursed through her body.

“My lady, are you alright? Do you feel unwell?”
“Ah… no, nothing. I’m fine.”

Regaining her composure, she forced a bright smile and stabbed at her salad.

But as she watched Elion eat calmly, her mind tangled again.

What? He’s fine? He didn’t feel anything? That strange sensation… was it only me?

She couldn’t tell if what she felt was the usual magic-induced thrill or something altogether different.

But seeing Elion’s untroubled face made a pout rise inside her.

Why am I the only one nervous, the only one whose heart won’t stop pounding?!