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Chapter 23
The Male Lead’s Devoted Maid Is Too Competent
Kristan stared out the window with a sunken expression. Aidan had insisted that on a day like this, going to bed early might be the best option, and practically chased him out. As a result, Kristan had arrived in the bedroom even earlier than Roella.
Rentro Acrasia.
The audacity to covet the position of heir to the Grand Ducal House was bad enough—but the shamelessness of showing his face at all was even worse. Just the thought of seeing that face made Kristan feel sick. And to prop himself up behind the imperial family, no less. Kristan couldn’t understand what the Emperor was thinking.
It wasn’t as though the Emperor was trying to openly oppose Kristan, either.
‘No… perhaps the imperial palace simply thinks that as long as the Northern bloodline continues, nothing else matters.’
Frustrated, Kristan ran a hand through his hair.
Once Prince Chase arrived, he would at least have to hear what he had to say—but just hearing their names was enough to drag Kristan’s mood straight to the bottom.
Kristan let out a sigh.
At that moment, the door opened.
He heard Roella’s careful footsteps as she entered the room.
Kristan glanced at her. Unlike usual, Roella quietly sat down on the chair.
He was just about to turn toward her to ask something.
Quiet?
No—this was too quiet.
Come to think of it, he couldn’t even hear Roella breathing.
Kristan looked more closely at her—and noticed that her face was strangely red.
“…Your face is very red. Are you feeling unwell?”
“I was trying to breathe quietly and stay as still as a dead mouse, Your Grace.”
As she said that, Roella finally released the breath she’d been holding. Kristan stared at her blankly.
It made sense—
And yet it didn’t.
Why was Roella acting like this all of a sudden?
“…Why were you holding your breath?”
“You looked very angry—even from behind. I thought it would be best not to disturb you.”
Roella smiled sheepishly.
Seeing that smile, the tension drained from Kristan’s entire body without him realizing it.
Where had daytime Roella gone?
Nighttime Roella had returned again—wearing that vacant expression of hers.
And yet… why did that vacant face somehow seem even more dangerous?
Kristan ran a hand through his hair.
Lately, he’d been realizing that even herbivores could be dangerous.
He rubbed his face repeatedly.
He couldn’t understand the logic of it at all.
Roella’s unpredictable behavior was influencing his mood. Sometimes it fascinated him, sometimes it flustered him—
And sometimes, like now, it made him laugh.
Kristan spoke in a voice laced with amusement.
“You can breathe normally. It’s fine.”
“Yes!”
Roella glanced at Kristan cautiously and asked,
“Since you’re feeling down, would you like some spicy-seasoned poultry legs and a glass of beer? Kyaa!”
She even mimed drinking with her fingers.
Kristan couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
Roella had a strange power—the ability to disarm people.
Oddly enough.
He had even started to look forward to these nights.
The next morning.
On a day like this, Kristan should have been in a foul mood.
The name Rentro—one better forgotten—had a way of resurfacing at the worst times, stirring Kristan’s life into chaos.
Aidan let out a sigh.
Kristan was bound to appear in an extremely bad mood.
On days like this, even the nagging old nobles kept their distance and didn’t dare approach the Grand Ducal Castle. They’d happily band together to drain the Grand Ducal treasury, yet when it came to reading the room, they suddenly became the most loyal retainers imaginable.
As soon as the clock struck seven in the morning, the door opened.
Always at the same time.
Aidan jumped to his feet with an unusually disciplined expression and turned toward the door.
“Your Grace! Ah—I’ve sent out scouts to determine where His Highness the Crown Prince currently is. I’ll have the information as soon as possible. And regarding Sir Rentro, it might be best if he stays somewhere other than the Grand Ducal Castle, wouldn’t you agree?”
Aidan said this with a servile smile.
Surely Kristan would respond with icy sarcasm.
Surely he would make the entire day feel like hell.
Aidan watched Kristan nervously.
But the response he received was nothing like what he expected.
“There’s no need to rush. If they’re coming, they’ll come eventually. What difference does it make when? Now that we know they’re on their way, we simply prepare accordingly. Arrange proper accommodations in the Grand Ducal Castle for His Highness the Prince—and as for Rentro Acrasia…”
Kristan shrugged casually. Then, after a moment of thought, he said coldly,
“There’s no need to pay him any special attention. Do you concern yourself with every servant, coachman, and attendant the Prince brings along?”
There was no sharp glare.
No cold tone.
Kristan seemed completely normal.
Too normal.
Aidan answered blankly.
“Pardon?”
“Handle it as you see fit. However, Rentro and his family are not to pass through the gates of the Grand Ducal Castle. Allowing them into the North at all is already courtesy enough to the imperial palace. Prince Chase likely won’t push the Acrasia matter any further.”
Aidan’s eyes widened.
It wasn’t wrong.
And it was something Kristan would say.
But with such ease? With such calm?
Aidan’s pupils wavered.
Something was wrong.
Everything about Kristan’s movements, even the way he sat, felt off.
Why was he so relaxed?
Why did he seem completely unbothered?
“Is there a problem?”
“N-No…”
Aidan swallowed hard.
There was definitely a problem—but it seemed the only one unaware of it was Kristan himself.
Still, Aidan had no intention of poking a hornet’s nest.
He forced a smile.
Then Kristan spoke as if something had just occurred to him.
“Ah—when do the knights depart for training?”
“They leave tomorrow. You instructed us to hurry, Your Grace.”
“Good.”
Aidan tilted his head in confusion.
Soon after, at nine o’clock, Roella entered the office.
Just like always, she greeted them cheerfully.
“Good morning, Mr. Aidan!”
“Good morning, Miss Roella.”
Roella offered Kristan the same greeting.
Aidan looked back and forth between the two of them.
Kristan was smiling at Roella—
…No. Smiling?
Since when did the Grand Duke smile?
Aidan blinked.
“Good morning.”
Roella beamed and took her seat.
Aidan stared at the two of them blankly.
Something was definitely wrong—
But he had no idea what.
And at that very moment.
A woman crossed into the Grand Ducal territory long before Prince Chase or Rentro arrived.
She was thin and wearing worn-out clothes.
Her pale face looked almost lifeless as she walked slowly forward.
As she looked around the North—now far more developed than when she’d last seen it—she blinked in disbelief.
It didn’t look like the hometown she remembered.
She staggered as she walked.
The paper clenched in her hand rustled softly.
She stopped and unfolded it.
“Seeking a compatible person for Grand Duke Kristan…”
She fiddled with her wrist.
At the end of the road she was walking lay the Grand Ducal Castle, shining brilliantly in the sunlight.
“I’m the compatible one.”
She murmured.
“It’s me. I’m the only one who can save the Grand Duke.”
She repeated the same words over and over.
Her light green eyes—resembling a forest—sparkled.
Eyes that gleamed with vitality, completely at odds with her outward appearance.
