TREV 36

Chapter : 36

“Patricia, did you sleep well?”

The Duke looked at me before taking his seat as he entered the dining room.

His lips curled faintly, and his tone was unusually gentle.

I looked around cautiously, observing the reactions of others to the Duke’s noticeably changed demeanor.

“Ahem, hmm.”

The Duke seemed to urge my brothers to greet me as well, but they just avoided his gaze with sullen expressions.

Especially Morgan, who seemed displeased by the Duke’s kindness toward me, frowned.

Yet, while glaring at me sharply, he no longer expressed hostility out loud as he had before.

“Did you feel uncomfortable at all during the night?”

There was unmistakable intention behind his gentleness.

It wasn’t particularly pleasant, but I returned a faint smile, much like the Duke’s.

“Yes. Did you sleep well too, Father?”

After all, it was better to exchange meaningless pleasantries than to raise voices, argue, and blush from anger.

“Patricia, this morning’s breakfast is your favorite—marinated duck. Eat plenty.”

“Yes, Father. Enjoy your meal as well.”

Honestly, I hadn’t expected the Duke to change his attitude this much.

I thought he’d just let the matter drop without further quarrel.

I had only intended to threaten him to get some money, and that would have been enough.

It seemed the Duke had decided to reassure me properly, so I would never think otherwise again.

Indeed, there was no point for him to get emotional with someone threatening to expose his wrongdoings.

As the dining room door opened and the servants brought in breakfast, the Duke spoke again.

“Patricia, if you have time today, would you like to go somewhere with me?”

“…Where?”

“I heard the chrysanthemums in Tairn Park are blooming beautifully. The weather’s nice, so how about we go see the flowers together?”

Naturally, it wasn’t an appealing proposal.

Going flower-viewing with the Duke was hardly something to enjoy.

“Yes. That sounds nice.”

Yet, after a brief hesitation, I nodded.

Partly because Morgan’s expression twisted in utter displeasure, which was amusing, and partly out of curiosity about what the Duke might say to me there.

Besides, I also had something to ask him.

“Then let’s leave at ten.”

I nodded and took a bite of the well-cooked duck.

Despite Morgan’s resentful gaze, breakfast ended quietly.

On my way back to my room, I slowed to a stop in front of the door where Emma was standing.

She seemed to notice me approaching and flinched nervously.

Ever since I returned, Emma had always acted like that.

Hovering around for no reason, nervously watching, or shrinking into herself.

“Sigh.”

A sigh of frustration escaped me.

It would be easier if she would just speak when she had something to say.

Seeing her unusually timid behavior couldn’t help but bother me.

“Emma, do you have something to say?”

“…No.”

Emma bowed her head deeply, looking as though she might cry any moment.

“Then why are you like this? You’re different from usual.”

“……”

Emma pressed her tightly closed lips even harder.

I roughly understood why she was acting this way.

Probably because she felt guilty for ignoring me the day I was kicked out.

“Are you feeling sorry for not helping me that day?”

But I really didn’t care.

I hadn’t expected much from Emma anyway.

In a situation where even I, a noblewoman, couldn’t do anything, what could a mere maid like Emma have done?

“…I’m sorry for ignoring you.”

“You came back safely. Don’t worry about it.”

After all, she was a maid of the Duke of Herarilla.

In the end, she was someone who got paid by the Duke.

Moreover, I was the one who left the mansion despite Emma trying to stop me.

“I told you it’s fine, so don’t stay all timid. That’s even worse.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

Emma nodded, seemingly understanding.

Her heavy nod made me doubt whether she truly understood, but I had nothing more to say, so I moved on.

“Oh, and call Carlos for me.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I closed the door after seeing Emma hurry off.

Knock, knock.

“Your Grace, it’s Carlos.”

“Come in.”

Carlos entered the room at my invitation.

“Carlos, sit there.”

I sank into the single-seat sofa and gestured slightly, making Carlos chuckle.

He giggled as he sat across from me, clearly amused.

“Carlos, remember I promised to find someone to teach you swordsmanship?”

“Yes.”

“But I don’t think it’s a good idea to assign a knight from the family to you.”

If a knight who recognized Carlos’s genius tried to bind him under the Herarilla house, it would be disastrous for him.

So I couldn’t entrust him to a family knight.

Carlos blinked, seemingly not understanding my point, but nodded obediently.

“We’ll probably have to find someone elsewhere.”

“Yes.”

“And it would be better for Father to handle finding a teacher instead of me. I’ll talk to him today.”

“Hmm…”

Carlos hesitated, then spoke.

“Your Grace of Herarilla would do this for me? Won’t he be angry?”

“That’s why I’ll say I want to learn swordsmanship. So it’s not for you, but for me. You can still join the lessons. How about that?”

“I’d really like that…”

“Then let’s do it this way.”

“But because of me… I don’t want to trouble you, Your Grace.”

Just as he was about to end the conversation, Carlos spoke again.

“If it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“Huh? It’s not inconvenient at all.”

I shook my head at his words.

It truly wasn’t bothersome, nor had I ever thought of it that way.

Learning swordsmanship might even be useful for me someday.

“You want to learn, right?”

I just wanted it to help him in some way.

“I wasn’t trying to burden you, just letting you know how things will proceed. And you said it’s fine. I’m not bothered at all, so there’s nothing to apologize for.”

Carlos nodded.

I glanced around quietly, then checked the time and slowly got up.

“Carlos, do you want some tea?”

“No, thank you.”

“How about milk? There are delicious cookies, and chocolate too.”

Carlos hesitated, then shyly nodded.

I laughed, and he blushed.

I quickly called Emma to bring the refreshments.

“But Your Grace, won’t you have some?”

“Oh, I have a ten o’clock appointment with Father, so I’ll get ready. Sit down and enjoy it.”

Carlos nodded.

“Where are you going with the Duke?”

“Yes, he said the flowers are blooming beautifully and asked me to go see them.”

I nodded while brushing my hair in response to his question.

“….”

Carlos was silent for a long time, so I glanced at him. Our eyes met.

His long, bright orange hair partially covered his eyes.

I’d need to trim it soon to avoid it getting in his way.

“Your Grace.”

“Yes?”

“I want to see the flowers too.”

Did he mean he wanted to go with me?

I thought for a moment, then spoke.

“Then shall we go together when we have time?”

“Yes! That would be wonderful.”

Carlos smiled brightly, confirming he indeed wanted to go.

I nodded in return. Though I wasn’t particularly fond of flowers, seeing him so happy made it worthwhile.

If it was for him, taking a day wasn’t a problem.

While we’re out, I could also fix Carlos’s hair that day.

“Alright. Let’s take Emma too, have a meal, and then go.”

Taking Emma along would also end her fretting alone.

“Yes. Hehe. I’m already excited.”

“Good. Then when we return, we’ll set the exact time.”

Knock, knock.

“Your Grace, I’m coming in.”

Emma returned with the refreshments.

“Emma!”

Carlos, thrilled to be going flower-viewing, called out to her eagerly.

“The Lady is going to the flowers with me. Emma, it’ll be me and the Lady. Like this.”

“Ah…”

Emma let out a small sigh and turned to me, as if asking if she could really join us.

“I’ll buy lunch that day. Since we’ll be out, we can even get clothes if you want. Is that alright?”

“…Yes. That would be wonderful.”

Emma lowered her head quickly, her eyes on the verge of tears.

“When we come back, we’ll set the date.”

“Yes.”

Emma took a moment to catch her breath before speaking again.

“Your Grace, shall I help you get ready?”

“…No. I’m more comfortable doing it myself.”

I thought for a moment, recalling the day Emma had styled my hair before, then shook my head.