LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 34
“So, you’re saying you don’t know what was discussed between the princess and the head maid?”
“Yes. The head maid has remained silent.”
At Liam’s response, Kayan faintly furrowed one eyebrow.
“Did she seem like she was hiding something?”
“That’s how it felt to me.”
A conversation with the head maid, huh…
Just as his curiosity was piqued about what could have happened this time, someone knocked on the office door.
Knock, knock.
“My lord, it’s Milena.”
Speak of the devil. One of the key figures in their discussion had arrived.
Feeling a little guilty that she might have overheard their conversation, Kayan cleared his throat and stood up.
“Ahem… Yes, what is it?”
“Dinner is ready, so I came to inform you. Would you like to dine in the dining room today?”
It had been quite some time since he’d last eaten outside his office due to endless work, so Kayan nodded readily.
“Alright, I’ll be down soon.”
“Before that, perhaps you should change your clothes?”
At the head maid’s suggestion, he belatedly checked his appearance.
Had he been too buried in work? Ink stains had smudged his shirt cuffs.
Even for a simple meal within the estate, it was tradition in the Grand Duke’s household to dress properly for dinner.
“I’ll change before I go.”
Kayan headed toward his bedroom, which was conveniently located not far from his office.
It had been so long since he last walked this short distance.
Swallowing a self-deprecating chuckle, he opened the door—only for his face to stiffen.
“…Hm?”
Something was different.
The room, which should have been bathed in the red glow of the setting sun, was instead enveloped in a cozy darkness.
It felt as if the room had been shrouded by fog or as if it were a rainy day—somehow dim and subdued.
Rather than stepping inside immediately, Kayan examined the interior and soon realized that the curtains covering the window had been changed.
“What is this? Did someone replace the curtains?”
His room had always remained in the same state.
Due to his meticulous nature, not even his indoor slippers could be replaced without his permission, let alone furniture.
Yet, something had been altered without his consent.
Kayan’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Who gave permission to touch my room?”
“W-Well, actually…”
Sensing his displeasure, the head maid quickly bowed her head.
“It was at Lady April’s request.”
“…What?”
An unexpected answer. Suspicion immediately filled Kayan’s mind.
Why would April change the curtains of all things?
Seeing his confusion, the head maid hurried to explain.
“My lady said it was a gift.”
“…A gift?”
“She wished to inform you earlier but couldn’t. However, she wanted me to relay that this was something she had prepared.”
As he carefully examined the new curtains, Kayan realized that they were made from the processed Poleta leather that April had requested.
But would she really have gone through all this trouble just for ordinary curtains?
A sudden thought crossed his mind, and he gave an order to the head maid.
“Turn off all the lights in the room.”
At his command, the head maid extinguished every source of light—the candles, the lamps—until finally, even the lantern by the door was put out.
Darkness instantly consumed the space, so thick that it was difficult to see even an inch ahead.
“…It’s just like the dead of night.”
“It truly feels like midnight.”
Even the usual faint glow of twilight was completely blocked out, leaving the room feeling calm and restful.
And at that moment, Kayan finally understood April’s intention.
And what he himself had failed to notice.
He recalled how the Grand Duke’s estate was always brightly lit even in the late hours of the night.
If the master never rested properly, his subordinates must have felt even more pressured to follow suit.
April must have been mindful of the exhaustion written on the faces of those working here.
Realizing that he had been oblivious to something so obvious, Kayan felt… embarrassed. And grateful.
In the end, he admitted, “I feel ashamed.”
At his quiet murmur, the head maid cautiously spoke up.
“She is a thoughtful person.”
“…Milena.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“Invite a guest to tonight’s dinner.”
It had been a while since a guest had been invited to the Grand Duke’s dinner table.
Determined to make this evening a special one, the head maid gave a firm nod.
“Understood, my lord.”
* * *
The news that the Grand Duke had invited her to dinner arrived before the sun had even fully set.
Since most of her encounters with him tended to result in some form of trouble, April felt an instinctive unease.
But Bonita, oblivious to her worries, was excitedly stacking dresses she had brought from who-knew-where, treating the occasion like a grand ball.
“This is great, my lady! His Grace must have been quite pleased with you.”
“…You think so?”
Watching the colorful dresses pile up with a resigned expression, April hesitantly asked,
“Can’t I just wear something comfortable?”
“Of course not.”
Bonita replied as if the question wasn’t even worth considering. Then, she muttered,
“Other noble ladies commission new dresses every day… Our lady has so little vanity.”
Hahaha…
It seemed resistance was futile.
Accepting her fate, April let Bonita work her magic.
“My lady’s fair skin suits bright colors well. How about this one?”
“Mm, anything’s fine.”
She had never been one to care much for dressing up. That was something only people with too much time—like Lemeia—bothered with.
But today, the soft green empire-style dress cascading down her frame complemented her hair surprisingly well.
Taking a moment to admire her reflection in the mirror, she took a deep breath and steeled herself.
‘I haven’t done anything wrong, so there’s nothing to feel guilty about.’
…Or was there?
Had she overstepped by changing the Grand Duke’s curtains without permission?
Would this be considered a breach of decorum?
Could she… possibly be executed?
The estate’s executioner had been on break lately, right…?
“My lady, it’s time to go!”
Bonita’s cheerful voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
“…Y-Yeah. Let’s go.”
Surely, nothing bad would happen.
She’d just face whatever came her way.
.
.
.
However, that resolve crumbled within ten minutes.
‘W-Wait, is something wrong?’
Was the design not to his taste?
Or was he angry because she had changed the curtains without asking?
…Or maybe he didn’t even know what blackout curtains were?
Sitting at the dinner table before she even arrived, the Grand Duke exuded an overwhelming presence.
Naturally, the timid April felt an odd pressure pressing down on her before he even spoke.
Tremble, tremble.
Gathering her courage, she cautiously opened her mouth.
“Y-you called for me…?”
“Sit.”
At his command, a lavish meal was immediately served.
From appetizers to a spread fit to break the table, every dish looked irresistibly delicious.
“Do you like seafood?”
Having just been admiring the glossy roasted meat, April looked up at the unexpected question.
“Ah? I don’t handle raw seafood well, but I like it cooked.”
At her response, Kayan gestured to a servant.
The attendant promptly placed a perfectly grilled white fish in front of her.
“…Thank you?”
“If there’s anything else you like, let me know.”
“…Alright.”
More fresh, seasonal dishes were offered at his recommendation.
The subtle thoughtfulness made her face grow warm—but only for a moment.
As she eyed the peach tart in front of her, she cautiously brought up the real issue.
“That was a wonderful meal. But…”
Gulp.
After some hesitation, she finally asked,
“…Why are you being so nice to me?”