~Chapter 18~
Camilla was just as flustered as Dane, though maybe not as much.
That awkwardness lingered until the carriage finally stopped, and the coachman’s voice came through the door.
“Sir, Miss? Sorry, is everything okay in there…?”
Hearing the door rattle, Dane shouted,
“Don’t come in! Nothing happened!”
“S-Sorry, sir!”
The coachman retreated, and the carriage started moving again.
But despite what Dane said, his face was still bright red.
“Um, Dane…?”
“…What?”
He sounded as calm as usual, but wouldn’t look at her.
Camilla almost wanted to laugh.
It was just an accident.
Sixteen years old. She always thought Dane was so mature, but he really was just a boy.
“Calm down. It was just an accident, right?”
He hadn’t even touched her lips, but he still acted way too mature sometimes.
“What?”
She never imagined he’d turn away, clearly embarrassed.
Camilla thought for a moment, then decided to tease him.
“Or… are you planning to take responsibility?”
She smiled and tapped her own cheek playfully, making a joke out of the accidental brush.
Dane caught on to her teasing, stared at her, and suddenly said something shocking.
“Fine.”
Then, stiffly, he continued,
“I’ll take responsibility. But how do you want me to do that?”
His words didn’t match his serious tone, and now it was Camilla’s turn to be thrown off.
“…Huh?”
Dane smiled and whispered,
“How should I take responsibility, then?”
Staring into his clear blue eyes, Camilla was speechless. She remembered the first time she’d met him in the Baron’s drawing room.
He’s definitely just a kid…
Her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to answer, but got lost in his confident vibe.
Isn’t this cheating?
She was just thinking this when the carriage stopped again.
“Oh, we’re here.”
This time, it wasn’t an accident. Dane pulled back the curtain.
Camilla’s eyes widened.
I’ve been here with Nina before… but…
This time, all the servants were lined up at the gate, standing in a formal welcome. It was the kind of greeting used for a high-ranking guest.
“Here, take my hand and get down.”
Dane offered his hand for her to take. Camilla looked at it for a second, then, hiding her nerves, accepted it.
“Welcome, Young Duke. We’re happy to greet your friend, too.”
The head maid bowed deeply and welcomed them.
The path through the huge garden was lined with servants, all there just for them. The head maid’s greeting raised Camilla’s status to nearly equal Dane’s.
Dane, seeing how nervous Camilla was, announced,
“My friend is very sick and will be resting here. Take good care of her.”
The head maid bowed.
“Head maid, call someone to help her settle in, and bring the doctor right away.”
“Yes, Young Duke.”
Dane looked back at Camilla.
“I’ll see you at dinner. Tell me if you feel tired.”
Then he leaned closer.
Wait, this angle…
There was a silent stir among the servants. Camilla almost panicked—it looked like Dane was about to kiss her on the cheek.
Instead, he whispered in her ear,
“I’ll give you time. Tell me later how I should take responsibility.”
“…?!”
Dane pulled back, grinning. Camilla realized she’d been completely played.
He was embarrassed at first, but now he’s got the upper hand.
Watching Dane walk away so casually, Camilla felt a bit frustrated.
He’s not easy at all.
She realized, too, that these were feelings she hadn’t had in a long time—something light, not despair or resignation, just normal embarrassment and fluster between friends her own age.
She bit her lip, a little excited.
At that moment:
“Miss, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Esther, the head maid.”
A neatly-dressed woman with her hair up introduced herself, then pointed to another maid behind her.
“And this is Marie, the maid who’ll show you to your room.”
“Hello, miss! My name’s Marie.”
She was a freckled girl with kind brown eyes and braided hair.
Marie smiled sweetly and started to lead Camilla away, but Camilla couldn’t focus.
Marie, freckles… I know this girl.
She remembered from the original story—Marie was the traitor who mixed up Dane and Nina’s meeting place. She was also, definitely,
A spy for the Empress Dowager, the Baron’s main backer.
Story background:
This city, Escalus, was ruled by the Duke of Escalus, a royal branch family.
But in the original, Marie had betrayed Nina, saying:
‘It’s my mistress’s orders, who stands above even the Duke of Escalus!’
Later, it’s revealed that Marie’s real mistress is the Empress Dowager—the ruthless woman who made the current emperor king, and secretly controlled the Baron’s family. In the original, Marie lured Nina to the Baron’s people instead of helping her escape with Dane, because the Empress Dowager didn’t want Dane and Nina together.
Because of the Empress and the Baron’s family, Nina was never able to find happiness.
Remembering how much the original Nina suffered made Camilla uneasy.
She glanced at Marie with suspicion.
“I’m so glad to serve you, miss! Here’s your room.”
Marie opened the door, and the room inside was dazzling.
This is my room?
White lace curtains fluttered in the breeze, a canopy bed covered in frills, a fancy white vanity, and a balcony with a garden view.
Incredible.
She set her small bag on the spotless desk, her heart pounding.
“I heard you came here to recover!”
“That’s right.”
“Then you came to the right place! The best doctors and pharmacists in Escalus are here!”
Marie was cheerful, full of pride in the Duke’s house.
Is all that an act?
“…Even I—”
Marie paused, flustered.
“S-Sorry, miss. I was talking too much.”
She looked embarrassed.
“Are you getting medical care here too, Marie?”
“Yes.”
“If it’s okay, may I ask why?”
Camilla smiled gently, and Marie answered slowly.
“My mother is ill. We get medical care in exchange for working here our whole lives. We’re very grateful.”
“Hm, I see.”
That’s a lie.
Marie’s real mother, according to records, was the Empress Dowager’s maid—and still alive and healthy.
There must be another reason for her attitude here.
While Camilla was thinking, there was a knock.
Is it the doctor they promised?
She nodded and Marie opened the door quickly. But it wasn’t the doctor Camilla expected.
“Excuse me. I came to give you a message from the Duchess.”
“…?!”
Esther, the head maid, bowed and said,
“The Duchess invites you to tea. The doctor will be there too, so don’t worry.”
Soon after, Camilla found herself face-to-face with the Duchess—a very pregnant, tired-looking lady.
“So, you’re my son’s first friend and here to rest? I hope your friendship lasts a long time.”
“…Yes?”
“It can’t be easy to handle my son, little lady. Before anything else, I want to see if you’re healthy enough to keep up with him.”
The Duchess gave a pale but gentle smile.
“Stand up and spin around three times for me.”
