UDBL~70

Chapter 70

“By the way, why is that guy suddenly playing so demure?”

To be honest, after what happened last night and the conversation earlier today, she had braced herself for a grueling night.

Liana was only able to find the answer to that question around early lunchtime when she reached the maids’ quarters.

Liana pressed a hand to her forehead.

“Ha… Sophia.”

Muttering the name of her absent friend, she smiled. Calling it a smile was a stretch; it was closer to baring her tightly clenched fangs in a grimace that was far too lethal.

Not a single maid approached the dining table where she sat, though they certainly pelted her with stinging glances.

‘I should have executed her the moment I saw her making that sinister face in front of that door!’

Back then, she had never imagined that capable big mouth of hers could spread a rumor across this vast castle in less than half a day.

Yet, what could she do now about words without feet, already distorted, exaggerated, and running wild past the point of no return?

Liana came from the 21st-century social media era. She knew all too well that while humans might start a rumor, humans were not the ones who could put an end to it.

‘I guess all I can do is pray to the heavens for it to die down quickly.’

Since the rumor had apparently started circulating yesterday, at least the reason Killian had been on his best behavior became crystal clear.

“I suppose he figured it was time to lie low.”

However, Liana had no intention of quietly lying low herself.

Rumors or not, the show must go on.

Which meant she intended to proceed with the rehearsal scheduled for today as planned.

“You, there.”

Mrs. Baker, who had just brought the meal out from the kitchen, spoke up.

It was the first conversation initiated with her all day.

Mrs. Baker did not look at her with the uncomfortable, ghost-sighting gaze that the others possessed. However, her eyes were no less peculiar.

“Good day, Mrs. Baker.”

Greeting her pleasantly, Liana savored the aroma of the meal served for her and smiled brightly.

“It looks like you have something to say, so don’t hesitate—fire away.”

“You, about that rumor.”

The surroundings grew strangely quiet.

Since it was still early for lunch, there weren’t many people in the dining hall. Those few individuals were all intensely focused on the conversation between Liana and Mrs. Baker.

“Ah, yes, a rather interesting rumor seems to have spread. I only just found out myself.”

“…So, is it really true?”

Liana picked up her spoon and gave an eye-smile.

“What do you think, Mrs. Baker? Do you think it’s true?”

“Well, there are several versions of the rumor, so……”

“Which version did you believe, Mrs. Baker?”

Mrs. Baker glanced briefly around her surroundings before lowering her voice.

“That you spiked the tea you served to the Duke, brought him to the bedroom, and……”

Appalled, Liana raised a hand.

“I’ll stop you right there.”

“So what actually happened, girl? Huh? Come on! No, didn’t you insist before that he wasn’t your type?”

Curiosity boiled over on Mrs. Baker’s hovering face. Liana leisurely tasted her stew and shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, if you do me one favor, I’ll tell you everything.”

“What is it? Just say the word!”

Liana wagged her finger, signaling her to come closer.

Mrs. Baker leaned her upper body toward Liana. Liana whispered into her ear.

“Please make and pack the dessert you are most confident in.”

“Specifically, what kind?”

“Crispy, sweet… and lovely?”

“Lovely?”

“The kind that would make a girl’s heart flutter if she received it from a man.”

The kind that would make Deborah’s heart flutter if she received it from Gray. Because this time, she had no intention of doing something stupid like feeding him something made with her own hands.

Hiding her true thoughts behind a smile, Liana gave a sly wink.

Mrs. Baker’s face turned complex, deep wrinkles forming between her brows, but she soon clenched her fist tightly.

“As it happens, I have just the right dough.”

It was around the time Liana finished her bowl of stew and polished off the main dish—rustic bread served with well-cooked bacon and scrambled eggs.

Impeccably timed, Mrs. Baker approached holding a small basket.

Without a word, she set the basket down beside the empty plate.

Glancing sideways at Mrs. Baker, Liana lifted the cloth covering the top of the basket to check.

The moment she saw the contents, Liana’s brows furrowed slightly.

“Hmm.”

“What’s wrong? Is it not to your liking?”

“No, it’s just a bit peculiar. Though it seems fitting enough.”

Wearing an artificial smile, Liana covered the basket back up with the cloth.

“Now then, will you tell me? What really happened that night?”

Leaving Mrs. Baker’s prodding behind, Liana stood up from her seat. After pushing her chair under the table and taking the basket in hand, she finally spoke up quietly.

“Actually, that night, the Duke had a bit to drink, so……”

“A-And then?”

Even more blatant stares poured toward her than before. It seemed more maids had gathered, having heard news that the protagonist of the rumor was here.

As if rewarding everyone’s expectations, Liana raised her voice.

“I very passionately—”

“Pa-Passionately?”

Gasping sounds could be heard from all around. Liana smiled brightly and added:

“Peeled fruit for him, as a side dish for his drink. Like a dutiful maid.”

Nothing happened, you pathetic people.

Just because she couldn’t fight the rumor head-on didn’t mean she planned to sit idly by and just nod her head. If they asked, she would answer them honestly.

It wasn’t as if she had anything to hide.

Giving Mrs. Baker a gentle eye contact in farewell, Liana made her exit under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Liana’s next destination was the knighthood order.

Because the route practically crossed the entire Duke’s castle, she was bound to run into various people.

Contacting Gray under these circumstances would draw attention. That would increase the chances of useless chatter reaching the prince as well.

It would be best to conceal her face as much as possible.

Having made that judgment, Liana decided to stop by the main building to pick up some disguise props.

“Hmm……”

Standing in front of the wardrobe, Liana stroked her chin before instantly twisting her face.

It was stuffed with nothing but maid uniforms. There were also two dresses she had received from Killian, but they were completely useless in her current situation.

‘Should I wrap a bell cape over my head like last time?’

However, back then, there were desert people all around, which made that disguise possible. Wrapping a cloth around her head right now would actually look unique and stand out instead.

‘Still, it would be good to hide my hair like back then.’

Liana rummaged through the wardrobe to look for a hat. However, as expected, she couldn’t find one. It wasn’t part of a maid’s attire, nor was it an item Killian had ever gifted her.

And it wasn’t as if Liana had enjoyed shopping up until now either.

“Then is this really the only option left?”

Having no choice, Liana untied the bundle that had been left neglected in a corner of her room.

It was baggage she had been carrying around since before entering the Duke’s castle.

Very old baggage.

From inside it, Liana pulled out a worn-out beret.

“To think the day would come when I’d wear this again……”

It was a hat made of dark brown leather. She hadn’t worn it since she was ten years old, but she had kept it with her without being able to throw it away.

Since it had originally been stolen from a coachman, it fit her head well enough even now. It still felt a bit large, but that made it easier to roll up her hair and tuck it inside.

Liana tied her hair, rolled it up, and secured it inside the hat.

It didn’t completely conceal all her hair, but it was enough to deaden its presence reasonably well.

It was better than walking around fluttering pink curly hair.

With that, Liana headed toward the knighthood order.

‘Even like this, it’s not like they can’t recognize me.’

There weren’t zero stares.

It was unavoidable. It wasn’t as if her face had changed, nor was she cross-dressing as a boy like when she was ten.

Among the crowds pointing fingers, a few whispered while tilting their heads, “Is that really that woman?” That was good enough.

Piercing through the colorful whispers, she was finally able to reach Gray.

“I can’t talk long. Considering what happened yesterday, I think you know the reason why.”

She had set the rendezvous spot behind a secluded stable. Liana held out the basket, giving Gray a subtle glare.

It was a reprimand for hearing the rumor yesterday and not telling her about it.

“I didn’t tell you because I thought it was a false rumor.”

He hesitated before carefully adding:

“…It is a false rumor, right?”

Liana chuckled softly and affirmed it.

“Congratulations. You were the only intellectual in the Duke’s castle.”

Taking the basket, Gray’s expression brightened noticeably. Stretching his lips into a wide smile, he asked:

“So, what am I supposed to do?”

Liana first shoved 6 gold into Gray’s pocket.

“There, I’ve paid. No refunds, okay?”

Her guardedly tossed words were met with a cheerful laugh.

“Got it. Just explain how we’re going to do the rehearsal.”

“The target is someone you know, too.”

“Who?”

After pausing for a moment, Liana confessed.

“Deborah Millicent.”

“…Huh?”

Deborah. Gray recalled that name, which he had forgotten for a while.

She was the woman who had put him in a awkward spot by asking him out on a date.

“Hold on. If it’s her, she might not eat what I give her, though?”

Gray hurriedly added an explanation.

“We had a bit of an uncomfortable incident before. I think she dislikes me.”