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Chapter 21
The preparations for the banquet proceeded smoothly.
At Phil’s strong insistence, Ludiche ultimately agreed to have a new dress made. Ludiche’s earlier suggestion to just wear whatever she had and that “it’s all new anyway” was vetoed by Phil.
“I also understand that for noblewomen, dresses are their armor.”
“Armor?”
At Phil’s serious tone, Ludiche snorted in disbelief and laughed a little.
“But! You’re really going to go as you are, Ludiche? Can you imagine how the Roxburg lot will mock you? You’re the Duchess, and you’ll show up in shabby, out-of-fashion clothes. No— not just Roxburg; everyone there will think the same. They’ll say, ‘Finally, Drafania has fallen.’ Oh no, I cannot allow that. Not while I still draw breath!”
Phil, having poured out his words in a rush, panted and looked at Ludiche.
“Wow.”
Clap clap. Ludiche applauded with an admiring expression.
“Amazing, Phil. Stylish, Phil. You’re the best.”
When Phil glared at her, full of displeasure, Ludiche even gave a thumbs-up.
“…You have no soul at all.”
“Hey, what? Isn’t that the highest praise? I’m a praise master.”
Phil shook his head at Ludiche’s shrugging answer.
“Don’t you feel sorry for me, serving Ludiche like this?”
Phil muttered, looking down at himself. The maids helping Ludiche finished their tasks and smiled brightly.
It was inevitable. Right now he was standing there holding an armful of Ludiche’s dress, helping with her adornment.
“Sorry, assistant. We’re short-handed.”
A maid attending her apologized repeatedly.
“It’s fine. I’m Ludiche’s aide after all. This is my job.”
He sighed as he mumbled.
It was hard to imagine this was the same man who had supported the Duke of Drafania flawlessly, so close that not even a needle could be inserted between them, before the war.
“That’s too much, Phil. People will think I’m the bully. Where would you find a master who appreciates me as much as I do?”
At Ludiche’s reaction, Phil pulled a face in disbelief.
“Wow, where would you find an aide who works as hard as I do? You don’t even recognize how much I suffer and yet you talk so well.”
“Hmm.”
Ludiche tilted her head. His grumbling seemed to pass over her like nothing.
“Right. Bosses have no idea what their subordinates go through. Only I have it hard, only I’m suffering. Boohoo.”
Phil pretended to cry and grumbled.
Ludiche smirked and, with the maid’s help, finished checking the dress.
“All right. We’ll use this color, so match the jewels to it and prepare them.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The maid followed Ludiche’s instructions, gathered what was needed, and began to tidy the room.
After handing off everything he’d been holding, Phil’s gaze returned to Ludiche.
His thoughts naturally drifted back to the conversation with Quinlan earlier that morning.
“What? You want a report on Ludiche?”
“Yes. Everything you know — what she’s doing, what schedule she’s following.”
Quinlan spoke dispassionately as he sorted the papers in front of him.
Ever since the decision to restore Drafania’s old lands, Quinlan had become noticeably busier.
Invitations arriving for the two of them had increased to the point where someone joked they could set fires with them.
With growing interest in the Duke and Duchess of Drafania, the couple’s movements had to be important.
“Isn’t that surveillance?”
Phil protested, feeling an odd lump in his throat, and the hands busy at work stilled.
“Surveillance?”
Quinlan set his quill in the inkwell and leaned back in his chair. The force behind his expression, which had been impassive, turned decidedly sharp.
“Why? Are you worried I’ll harm Ludiche?”
“…!”
Phil’s face hardened at Quinlan’s words.
“That’s not it, exactly.”
“Well, it’s not entirely wrong.”
“Duke!”
“Rather than surveillance, there are things I want to confirm.”
Quinlan’s mouth softened. He seemed rather pleased by the sharp reaction of Ludiche’s steward.
“I admit I haven’t had much time to spend with Ludiche.”
He paused in thought, then continued.
“For instance, the sudden decision to consummate the marriage — that’s hasty. I don’t know what she’s thinking.”
“Ah, that—”
“Isn’t it too much?”
“…Come to think of it, she has changed somewhat.”
At that moment, Belmond, who had been quietly arranging Quinlan’s papers, spoke up.
“From her recent actions, she seems different from the person I served a year ago. She moves more proactively.”
“….”
“If before she hesitated and was passive about handling the ducal affairs, now she moves straight into action.”
He gave a gentle smile.
“I think that deciding to save the Duke may have been the turning point that changed Ludiche.”
When Belmond finished, Phil remembered when he had come to see Ludiche on the Duke’s orders — how the dazed Ludiche had suddenly started acting without restraint.
“Come to think of it…”
“Whatever the cause, I’m glad Ludiche is working hard for Drafania, but I don’t want her to overdo it.”
“….”
Phil didn’t know what to say.
Worried about someone who seemed like they could die and be reborn — well, she was his wife, so of course he was worried, but something felt off.
He couldn’t voice that.
Phil racked his brain and continued speaking.
“Ludiche will take care of herself, I expect. She will consider her social standing and face.”
“Standing, face?”
Quinlan sneered suddenly. A look of pity for Phil spread across his face.
“You haven’t been through enough yet.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You don’t know how she was before marriage.”
“I know she won a martial arts tournament, but not much else.”
“Right. That’s all you know.”
“…”
Phil frowned at his lord, who seemed to carry a somewhat lecherous glint this time.
There was an oddly ominous air to this unusual tone.
“From now on, tell me without omission where Ludiche goes and what she’s doing.”
“You’re not ordering this because you don’t trust the Duchess, are you?”
“She must have more than one life, Phil. She can’t tell what should or shouldn’t be said.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Phil bowed his head deeply.
“Don’t misunderstand me, Phil Evans. We have many enemies.”
“…”
“I want Ludiche to do what she wants, as she wishes.”
Quinlan let out a low sigh and continued.
“So take good care of her and assist her closely. Report to me immediately if anything happens.”
“Understood. I will do my best as a spy.”
Belmond shook his head slightly at Phil’s resolute expression.
Phil, about to bow to the Duke and leave, suddenly paused as if remembering something and asked,
“But what will you do when I report, my lord?”
“….”
Quinlan only smiled faintly and gave no answer.
“Phil?”
Ludiche’s gaze was on Phil; perhaps she had been lost in thought without realizing it.
“Oh, yes. Did you call?”
“What were you thinking about that you didn’t even hear me call?”
“Just that I should serve you well, my lady.”
“Suddenly?”
“It seems I won’t be able to return to the Duke’s side.”
She laughed out loud at his exaggerated words.
“Right. I still can’t bear to send you back. Since there’s no choice, give up and just stay by my side.”
“Yes, yes. I’ve already given up. Just don’t work me too hard.”
“I’ll let you live, so don’t worry.”
“That’s less terrifying than you saying you’ll kill me.”
Phil Evans sighed deeply and chuckled.
He found himself smiling at the thought that serving Ludiche at her side wouldn’t be so bad.
Then, the thought that had come to him earlier surfaced, and Phil spoke to Ludiche.
“By the way, about that half-dwarf.”
