Chapter 71
“Miss, it’s me.”
It was the voice of the maid assigned to Marsha.
“Ah, yes…”
When Marsha answered, the maid entered with a gentle smile, pushing in a trolley with a simple snack and tea.
“You hardly ate at breakfast, so I thought a bit of tea and a snack would do you good.”
Marsha looked startled.
She wasn’t hungry at all. In fact, her stomach felt heavy… but the kindness in the maid’s gesture made it impossible to refuse.
Marsha gave an awkward little smile.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
After placing the treats on the table, the maid asked,
“Shall I bring you a book?”
Marsha blinked at the sudden suggestion. Seeing her puzzled face, the maid added,
“You just looked a little bored.”
“Oh…”
Marsha gave a faint smile.
“A book would be nice, but… honestly, I’d rather go for a walk. I’ve been sitting too long, and my back is sore.”
“I see. Well, the weather is fine today—perfect for a stroll. Shall I ask the butler for permission?”
Marsha blinked.
Do I need permission even for something like this?
Was it just her case? Would the butler himself approve it, or would he go directly to Claudio for consent?
She didn’t want to bother busy people with something so trivial… but if she truly couldn’t go out without permission, then she had no choice.
Marsha nodded.
***
Claudio sat at his desk, but the papers before him refused to register.
After their awkward exchange yesterday, he had gone to invite Marsha for dinner…
[She just went to bed. I think she must be very tired today.]
Tired—or simply unwilling to see him?
[Shall I tell her His Grace is asking for her?]
[No. Leave it.]
He had withdrawn, but the unease lingered through the night.
What should he say? How could he ease her heart?
It wasn’t like him to stew like this. Normally, he would have said it plainly—admit he misspoke, and apologize.
Simple.
But now he realized why he hesitated: he had no practice speaking gently.
He had lived his whole life without needing to watch his words.
How did I apologize before?
He had apologized to Marsha before.
Many times, in fact.
And each time had been difficult.
For one simple reason—
He desperately didn’t want her to hate him.
What can I say?
If I apologize without a reason, it will sound like I’m snapping at her for worrying about me.
Lost in thought, he barely noticed when someone entered his office.
His voice went cold, ready to dismiss them unless it was urgent—
“Your Grace. I bring news concerning Miss Marsha.”
“Come in.” Claudio answered instantly, without hesitation.
The butler stepped in and bowed.
“What is it?”
“She wishes to go for a walk.”
Not that she was going—but that she wished to.
“…And why do you need my permission for that?” Claudio frowned.
“If she wants to, she should simply go.”
“It’s because Your Grace ordered that all matters concerning the young lady be reported—”
Claudio pressed his forehead.
True—he had demanded to be informed of her every need and discomfort.
For her safety, for her comfort.
No. Because of my own greed to know everything about her.
Still, he had never meant that she should need his permission for every little thing.
“A walk is something you only need to report to me. Not request.”
“I misunderstood your intention. My apologies.”
The butler bowed low.
Claudio exhaled.
She’ll think I don’t even trust her to take a step on her own.
As if he needed her chained by his side.
His headache throbbed worse.
“Leave it. I’ll speak to her myself.”
He decided to go—both to clear the misunderstanding, and to apologize.
But when he stood outside her door, his hand refused to knock.
The memory of her blank, expressionless face from yesterday weighed heavy.
As he hesitated, voices carried from inside.
“So, is this your first time in Delua?”
The maid sounded surprised.
“Yes.” Marsha’s voice held a soft smile. Claudio felt some of his tension melt away.
“Then you must see Festa Park! There’s a garden festival—famous gardeners have been showing their work, and it’s said to be stunning.”
She described how each section bloomed in different themes, how noble ladies flocked there.
“It would be wonderful for you to see as well, miss. What do you think?”
“That would be nice, but… I doubt I’ll be allowed to go outside.”
“Oh, why…”
At that moment Claudio knocked.
The chatter fell silent.
“Ahem. May I come in?”
His voice rumbled.
“!”
Marsha blinked wide in shock at the sudden sound of Claudio’s voice.
The maid glanced at her for permission.
Marsha couldn’t trust her voice not to shake, so she only nodded.
The maid opened the door and bowed.
“Your Grace.”
Claudio’s brows knitted.
Why didn’t she answer herself?
Was she so angry she couldn’t even speak to him?
When the maid left, Claudio stepped toward Marsha, who sat by the window.
His heart thumped harder than it had even when facing death.
…She’s bowing her head.
She wouldn’t even meet his eyes.
His chest ached.
Then Marsha hurried to rise—how could she sit and receive a duke?
But Claudio quickly shook his head.
“Don’t. Stay seated.”
She blinked, then awkwardly sank back into her chair.
She expected him to sit across from her.
But he remained standing.
Is he angry too…?
Was it because she had been impertinent yesterday?
While Marsha spiraled into needless worries, Claudio finally spoke.
“The butler misunderstood.”
Marsha looked up in surprise.
“You don’t need my permission for something as simple as a walk.”
Ordinarily, she would have accepted the words at face value.
But today they sounded like Don’t bother me with trifles.
His low, heavy voice only reinforced that.
Marsha forced her voice to sound even.
“I see.”
Claudio gave a curt nod.
An awkward silence threatened—until he spoke again.
“…And I overheard earlier. That garden… it might not be a bad idea.”
Marsha thought he stressed overheard a bit too much, but answered,
“No, it’s fine.”
“Why? They say it’s beautiful.”
He knew how she noticed the smallest beauties of the world. Sunlight on dew, nameless flowers swaying in the breeze—things she cherished.
Surely she would love the artistry of those gardens.
And maybe it would lift her mood, even a little…
But Marsha only shook her head.
“I didn’t come here to play.”
Claudio’s breath caught.
Her tone wasn’t sharp, just calm—like commenting on the weather.
That somehow stung more.
“Really, don’t trouble yourself. I was just restless from sitting all day. It wasn’t that I longed to go outside.”
“No, no…” Claudio shook his head.
“You’ll suffocate if you never leave these walls.”
Marsha blinked. Suffocate?
This mansion was vast enough to wander endlessly.
Why insist so strongly?
Does he want me to go there for a reason…?
She recalled the maid’s words—that noble ladies frequented Festa Park.
Was Claudio urging her for that?
So she’d have something to speak of when she eventually mingled with them?
“…Then I’ll go,” Marsha said at last, offering him a shy smile.
She smiled.
Claudio’s eyes lit briefly.
Perhaps her mood had softened.
“Good. Then wait a moment, I’ll come with—”
“No. I’ll go alone.”
Claudio froze as if struck by lightning, his eyes wide with horror.
Marsha turned toward him again, startled by his expression.
Before she could speak, he said,
“…I made a mistake yesterday.”
Marsha narrowed her gaze slightly.
An apology? Out of nowhere?
