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Chapter 47
Elaina arrived at the Grand Duke’s mansion and immediately began inspecting the renovation site with the butler. During that time, Lyle had gone to meet the workers he had hired to restore the gardens and the training grounds.
Since the mansion had been left neglected for nearly ten years, fixing everything at once was impossible, so they decided to start with the most essential parts.
The dining room and kitchen were almost completely redone — from the floors and walls to the furnishings. The polished dining table particularly pleased Elaina. The one she and Diane had chosen suited the room even better than expected.
“The flooring seems to have been properly repaired too.”
“Yes, madam.”
The butler followed behind her, replying courteously. Their next stop was Knox’s room. When Knox stepped inside, his eyes widened.
“This is my room?”
“Of course. You picked out the wallpaper with me, remember?”
Knox’s mouth fell slightly open. He had indeed looked through a thick catalog with Elaina and chosen wallpaper and wood samples, though he hadn’t expected them to look this good. The walls were covered in sky-blue silk wallpaper, while the floor was dark teak wood.
“Hmm. I really like it.”
The curtains had also been replaced with airy chiffon ones that suited the spring weather perfectly. Even though only a day had passed, the room looked completely different — so much so that Knox blinked in disbelief, as if he had stepped into a new house.
Just then, Sarah entered Knox’s room. While unpacking the luggage from the carriage, she had discovered something.
“Master Knox, this is a gift from Duke Winchester.”
She handed him a box. Knox, bewildered, opened it — and his face immediately brightened.
Inside was the very same chess set he had played with the Duke the day before. Each chess piece was crafted like a fine porcelain figurine — clearly a luxury item. Sarah’s eyes grew wide in recognition.
“Oh my! The Duke cherished this chess set dearly.”
Elaina gently patted Knox’s hair.
“Seems your skills really impressed your father. Do you still think your parents find you bothersome after this?”
A short note was tucked inside the box — a warm message encouraging Knox to keep practicing until they met again.
Knox quickly looked around the room and chose a suitable spot. He unfolded the chessboard neatly on the desk and carefully arranged the pieces just as he had learned. Elaina smiled. The setup was identical to the arrangement in Lyle’s study.
The renovation work progressed rapidly. Elaina was still feeling pleased that Knox liked his room when the butler’s report startled her.
“What do you mean, my room isn’t finished yet?”
“Yes, madam. My apologies.”
The butler looked apologetic.
They had agreed not to touch the room that had belonged to Lyle and Knox’s late mother — it was too precious to the two brothers, especially to Knox.
Instead, one of the unused guest rooms nearby had been chosen as Elaina’s personal room.
The problem was that the materials and furniture ordered for her room had not yet arrived.
“I see. It’s fine. I can use an unfinished room for a few days.”
She tried to comfort the flustered butler, but the moment he heard her, his eyes widened and he shook his head violently.
“That would be unthinkable, madam! The lady of the Grand Duke’s household cannot stay in such a shabby room. Absolutely not!”
“Huh? But you just said it’s not done yet.”
“Indeed, it isn’t.”
Elaina frowned, puzzled by his cryptic words.
“Your room isn’t finished, madam, but the master’s room is in perfect condition. It needed only minor repairs, since we touched it up when he first returned.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Please, come see it. It’s time you inspected the Grand Duke’s chambers anyway.”
The butler, beaming, began to usher her forward. Normally his movements were slow and weary due to his age, but now his vigor was surprising. Overwhelmed, Elaina couldn’t even protest as he practically pushed her toward Lyle’s room.
The butler began explaining every little detail about the Grand Duke’s room. Unlike the brief reports given for other rooms, his description here was oddly lengthy.
“As you can see, the bed is spacious enough for two people. The room has been newly refurbished, and the dressing table we ordered for you would fit perfectly right over here. It wouldn’t look out of place at all.”
His tone brimmed with enthusiasm — clearly, he was trying to persuade her. Sarah, observing from the side, clapped her hands in agreement.
“Oh my, he’s right! That spot really is perfect for a dressing table. It’s as if the furniture was arranged just waiting for one to be placed there!”
“Haha, you think so too? Then perhaps we should bring it in right away.”
“The Winchester servants are still moving luggage downstairs — I’ll tell them to carry the dressing table up here!”
The two of them were working together so smoothly that it was hard to believe they had only just met. Things were progressing at lightning speed, and Elaina barely managed to stop Sarah from running downstairs immediately.
“W-wait! No. I’m fine using any room. My room will be ready in a few days anyway, so I’ll only be there temporarily.”
“Precisely! Which means it’s perfectly fine for you to share the Grand Duke’s room for a few days, right? Just as you said, it’s only temporary.”
Sarah’s sharp reasoning left Elaina speechless. The butler stroked his mustache with a pleased smile, like a man proud of discovering a capable ally.
“Madam, since you’re now the mistress of the long-vacant Grant Duchy, wouldn’t it be kind to consider your servants’ feelings? The butler surely wants to serve you properly — imagine how disheartened he’d feel if you insisted on staying in a shabby guest room.”
“Ah… It’s fine, really. The fault lies with this old man for not completing his work on time.”
The butler bowed his head, looking dejected. Sarah tilted her chin up triumphantly and gave Elaina a pointed look. Even though Elaina knew the butler’s sorrowful act was exaggerated, Sarah’s logic wasn’t entirely wrong.
“Is there any reason you can’t share a room with my brother?”
Knox, who had been silently observing, suddenly joined in.
“Yesterday, I saw Duchess Winchester and the Duke sharing a room. Don’t all married couples do that?”
Completely innocent of adult matters, Knox’s question was pure curiosity. The clever butler seized the opportunity immediately.
“Of course, young master. Married couples usually share a room — especially newlyweds. Of course, it’s not improper for the lady to have her own room, but as servants, we simply wish to serve—”
“Okay! Okay, enough!”
Hearing the same lecture she’d already endured from Sarah the previous night, Elaina groaned and cut him off.
“But this isn’t something I can decide on my own. The Grand Duke’s opinion matters most — it is his room. He might not want to share it.”
She desperately tried to deflect responsibility toward Lyle.
“As you say. What do you think, my lord?”
The butler turned toward the doorway — and to Elaina’s shock, Lyle was there, just coming upstairs after finishing his work.
While Elaina froze in embarrassment, Lyle’s expression remained calm.
“I don’t mind. It’s not uncomfortable. We already shared it last night, didn’t we? You didn’t seem to mind either.”
“W-when did I—?”
“Yesterday. You slept well, didn’t you? Or am I wrong?”
At the mention of yesterday, the butler’s eyes sparkled like stars. He looked ready to die content that very instant.
Lyle, still unbothered, told him in a straightforward tone to move Elaina’s things into his room if she needed anything.
“W-wait! This isn’t something we can just decide so quickly—”
“I heard about it downstairs. The renovations aren’t finished, and you wouldn’t use Mother’s room even if it were offered.”
“Of course not!”
“Then just use mine. It’s only for a few days. What’s the problem?”
He genuinely looked puzzled by her resistance.
“Or, if you prefer, you can take my room and I’ll stay elsewhere.”
“…No! We’ll share it. Fine. We’ll share the room! Honestly… what is wrong with everyone today?”
Feeling like the only embarrassed one in the entire household, Elaina’s cheeks flushed red as she grumbled and pushed open Lyle’s door.
