Chapter 42
“…Please address me however you find most comfortable, Assistant. More importantly, there’s something else that concerns me.”
With narrowed eyes full of suspicion, Ellie chattered on.
“Why exactly do you need me when you’re scouting out a date course?”
For someone who usually lived in a perpetual state of chaos, it was a surprisingly sharp question. Noah replied with an easygoing expression.
“Miss Ellie, this is actually a very important matter.”
“Scouting a date course?”
“Don’t you wish for your mistress to be happy?”
“Well, of course.”
“And wouldn’t she be even happier if her schedule were filled with things she enjoys?”
“…I suppose so?”
“But regrettably, I don’t know much about Her Grace, the Grand Duchess. Shameful as that is for a hired aide.”
He made a show of tapping beneath his eye with his fingertip, as if wiping away a tear, then raised an eyebrow.
“However, you are the person closest to Her Grace, are you not? I thought you’d be the most suitable person to ask for help.”
The wariness on Ellie’s face melted away in an instant. Pride and delight crept into the twitching corners of her lips.
“Ahem! That’s true! When it comes to Her Grace’s preferences, I know them like the back of my hand!”
She grinned confidently, snapping her fingers and shrugging her shoulders. Then, after thinking for a moment, she asked cautiously in a softened voice.
“Wait—so this ‘date’ has something to do with Her Grace?”
“Precisely.”
“…Then who are you going on a date with?”
“Who else could it be?”
At Noah’s counterquestion, Ellie lifted her gaze into the air. Pursing her lips in thought, she answered hesitantly.
“Well… I’m not sure. Young Master Antonio should still be in the south, so…”
Why was the eldest son of the Sabelli Count’s family suddenly coming up here?
Noah’s brow creased faintly. But before Ellie could look back at him, he smoothed his expression and asked again in a calm voice.
“Think carefully. The person is very close by.”
Noah barely managed to suppress a sigh.
It was a good thing Yuri wasn’t here to witness this. If he found out that the Grand Duchess’s closest maid had named another man, there was no telling how petty he’d become.
Still, Ellie continued to miss the mark.
“It’s not you, Assistant, is it?”
“There’s someone even closer to Her Grace than I am.”
Who was he trying to throw into the fire?
With a serious face, Noah dropped an obvious hint. Even then, Ellie hesitated before whispering incredulously, her brows knitting together.
“…The Grand Duke, perhaps?”
“You’ve finally guessed correctly.”
“Huh? But why would he—I mean, why would His Grace be dating Her Grace?”
“Would that be a problem?”
“Well, not exactly a problem, but…”
She still looked utterly baffled.
This is bad.
To get that kind of reaction from the maid closest to the Grand Duchess—clearly, the road ahead for his dear friend would be long and rough.
Noah covered his mouth with his fist to hide the smile threatening to slip out.
Meanwhile, Ellie tilted her head seriously, then spoke with conviction.
“Hm. Judging by how you interpreted their dynamic, it really does seem like you need help in the romance department!”
“Ahem!”
Noah nearly bit his tongue mid–clearing his throat, his eyebrows shooting up.
She thinks this is because of my perception?
Regardless, Ellie continued, looking resolute.
“I’ll help you!”
Should he call this a successful outcome?
Noah briefly considered explaining things more clearly to dispel her misunderstanding, then shook his head.
It would be easier to get route recommendations if she stayed mistaken.
“Yes, thank you. I look forward to working with you.”
As he bowed politely, Ellie thumped her chest and grinned, telling him to trust her.
For some reason, Noah found himself smiling back without realizing it.
Meanwhile, at the same time.
After sending Noah off, Yuri paced anxiously around the room.
This doesn’t feel like a relationship close enough to casually bring up dates.
Had he made her do something unnecessary?
Thinking back, it felt excessive, and regret crept in. He clicked his tongue irritably, glaring at the patterned floor.
“A date, my ass.”
He really shouldn’t reveal his feelings just yet…
But she went out of her way for this matter.
That was why he was doing this.
It’s like a bonus reward.
Nodding seriously to himself, Yuri finally felt a bit calmer.
First, he’d ask the Grand Duchess about her schedule. Then they’d go into the city and show her the happy faces of the people working at the artisan workshop. After that—
But when he tried to imagine what came next, his mind went completely dark.
Instead, Noah’s voice slowly crept into the empty space.
“At least it doesn’t seem like Her Grace dislikes you, Your Grace. You even go out to eat together.”
“Damn it.”
It was pathetic to cling to such a foolish remark, but he couldn’t help himself.
Running a hand roughly through his hair, Yuri pressed his lips together and thought of a couple of decent restaurants.
We have to eat, at least.
He couldn’t let her go hungry.
Since he’d decided to commend her anyway, treating her to a good meal was perfectly reasonable.
Once he roughly planned what they’d do together, a bit of courage welled up inside him.
With a stiff expression but quiet satisfaction, Yuri left the room.
His destination was Cecilia’s chambers.
He paused just before knocking, then rapped firmly on the door, grasping the handle and pushing it open as soon as a response came from inside.
“Oh—so it’s you.”
Cecilia, who had been tapping her papers into order, widened her eyes in surprise at the unexpected visitor.
Setting the documents aside, she rose from her seat and composed herself with a gentle smile.
“What brings you here?”
“Well…”
He almost said, Do I need a reason to see you?—but clamped his mouth shut.
Up until now, their relationship had been exactly that.
A married couple with no reason to face each other unless there was a purpose. Dwelling on it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Blinking to steady himself, Yuri finished in a gruff voice.
“Can you spare me some time?”
“Is it urgent?”
That question wasn’t part of the vague future he’d imagined. Caught off guard, Yuri missed his chance to respond.
Seeing his hesitation, Cecilia chuckled lightly, looking genuinely puzzled, and gestured toward the tea table in the corner.
“Would you like to sit down for a moment? I’ll have a maid bring some tea.”
Yuri was about to refuse, then realized this could be another opportunity.
With his mouth already open, he let out an affirmative answer and followed her obediently.
Once seated, the view felt familiar.
It was the same spot where, on their wedding night, the Grand Duchess had prepared a small spread just for him.
A small vase sat atop the table where wine and snacks had once been laid out.
It felt colder back then.
Now… the room felt different. Warmer. Filled with traces of the Grand Duchess, as if she’d infused it with her own tastes.
Awkwardly fiddling with the layered pale-pink flower arrangement, Yuri startled and quickly pulled his hand away when he heard Cecilia’s footsteps behind him.
“So, what is it that brought you here so suddenly?”
Seated across from him, Cecilia smiled gently, as if to put him at ease.
Meeting her gaze, Yuri responded curtly, tilting his brows irritably.
“I want you to set aside one day for me. It doesn’t have to be today—just sometime soon.”
Within ten days would be ideal.
Aside from the next few days, she usually worked in the castle, so there was no reason for her to refuse.
As Yuri tapped his knee beneath the table to steady himself—
“Well… that will be difficult.”
A warm voice delivered a bolt from the blue.
