~Chapter 19~
“Heueck. That scared me. Duke, what’s wrong with your face?”
“Susan, it’s best not to ask your master what’s wrong with his face.”
Despite having been warned many times for chatting too much, the youngest maid of House Seymour, Susan, chattered away again as if she had forgotten.
“Hahaha, I’m sorry. What I meant was, Duke, your face is as dazzlingly handsome as ever, but you look a little unwell today. I was just worried it might be hard for you to go to work.”
“Have I ever skipped work before?”
Though not always accurate, Susan’s remarks were sometimes oddly perceptive—and today, unfortunately, she was right. He didn’t feel quite himself. After all, he had tossed and turned all night, barely catching any sleep.
He couldn’t understand why a woman’s face—someone he had no reason to be thinking about—kept flashing through his mind. He tried to force his thoughts elsewhere, but even his heart betrayed him, thudding wildly without reason.
“I’ll take a bath first.”
The warm water washed over him, and with it, he felt his muddled thoughts begin to clear.
‘I must’ve kept thinking about her because I didn’t get to say everything I wanted to.’
He nodded to himself, rinsing his hair.
‘That must’ve been what was bothering me. Nothing else. There’s no way I’d think about her without a reason. Especially at random times, right?’
Feeling lighter after rationalizing away the root of his thoughts about Joyce, he finished his bath with a refreshed expression. He had completely forgotten the real reason behind his pounding heart as he shook out his wet hair.
Whatever it was he had shaken off—whether lingering thoughts or something more—he felt cheerful enough now to prepare for work in a rather upbeat mood.
Unlike the drawn expression he had worn that morning, his appearance at breakfast was fresh and bright, prompting the maids to whisper among themselves.
“He suddenly looks like he’s in a great mood again.”
“Feels like the Duke’s mood swings have gotten worse lately.”
“More like… he’s developed emotions when he didn’t have any before, right?”
Joanna, the most senior maid, gave the gossiping maids a sharp jab with her elbow.
She knew how sharp their master’s ears were and worried he might overhear. Still, seeing him in such a rare good mood, all she wanted was for the morning to pass peacefully.
“What is this?!”
But the booming voice that filled the mansion after he saw the breakfast shattered that fragile dream in an instant.
“I-It’s carrot soup, sir?”
“That’s exactly what I’m asking! Why is this carrot soup nonsense on my table?!”
Susan, her head bowed under the heavy atmosphere, had tears welling in her eyes.
“I-I’m sorry! You looked a little weak, sir, so I asked the kitchen to prepare something easy on your stomach… I was being presumptuous.”
“Damn it.”
Even though her master had never truly rejected her no matter how much she babbled at him, Susan now felt certain that today would be her last day in the Seymour estate.
But contrary to her fears, Peredil had no room in his mind to worry about Susan’s fate.
‘Carrots. Why the hell did it have to be carrots? Carrots are orange. Just like that woman’s hair!’
He’d thought he had shaken her from his mind, but the moment he laid eyes on that orange carrot soup, she had burst right back in.
Carrots. Orange. Orange hair. Joyce.
A ridiculous chain of thoughts unfolded in his head.
Now nearly in tears, Susan sniffled as she cautiously approached her master, trembling.
“I truly apologise, Duke. I wasn’t aware that you dislike carrots.”
“What? I dislike carrots? It’s not that I dislike carrots—carrots must be the ones who dislike me!”
Muttering something incomprehensible, the Duke grabbed a piece of bread beside the soup and stormed out of the mansion.
The maids left behind were blank with confusion.
He was always aloof, yes—but never cruel. What in the world had made him like this?
While the senior maids quickly tried to comfort Susan, their minds were just as quickly trying to piece things together.
And Susan…
The little three-month-old chick of the Seymour household, who had always hoped her sculpture-like, handsome master would one day share a few more words with her… that maybe they could become friendly, and she could stay long in House Seymour…
Now thought to herself,
‘He was better off quiet… really…’
***
Today is the long-awaited Emperor’s birthday celebration.
How much effort had I put into preparing the perfect scenario for this day?
It was a bit disappointing that I lost the chance to interact with Peredil when I unexpectedly reunited with Theo.
I considered following Luna back to the imperial palace, but I figured by now, Peredil’s emotions would have cooled off completely.
Knowing his temperament, the reason he had charged at me in the office must have been a momentary impulse. And once those emotions are out, they always fade with time.
So, after the whole situation with Theo got messed up anyway, I decided to stay away from the palace—to at least leave Peredil with some sense of regret.
Luna seemed happy that Peredil had asked about me. But who knows? Maybe he just brought me up as a random topic to make conversation with her.
As soon as I suggested that, Luna immediately looked downcast. But she’d only be down until today.
Starting today, I’m going to flip everything between me and Peredil.
I’ll make his heart twist and turn, make his thoughts tremble with confusion.
“Young Lady, your hairpiece is finished.”
“Thanks for your hard work, Emily.”
Knowing I couldn’t possibly show up shabby to an event attended by nobles from across the empire, Emily had poured everything into styling my hair in an elegant updo.
“How do I look today?”
“You’re always beautiful, but today you look especially radiant.”
I stood in front of the mirror, turning this way and that. The soft pink dress flowed gently from the waist down, highlighting my figure nicely. The edges were trimmed with delicate lace, giving it a playful touch.
“Young Lady, this is your first imperial event, and yet you show no sign of nerves?”
“Well, of course I wouldn’t.”
“Why is that?”
“Because the stage is my playground.”
“Excuse me? The stage?”
Emily looked puzzled. Rather than over-explaining, I simply gave her a mysterious smile to end the conversation.
I boarded the carriage bound for the palace with the Count and Countess.
“Joyce, those born into high status without effort tend to be arrogant. Not all, of course, but many believe the world belongs to them because they’ve had everything handed to them. They walk around with puffed-up shoulders, looking down on others.”
Count Philip began one of his lengthy talks directed at me.
“I’m well aware there are nobles like that.”
“But you don’t need to suffer such indignities. If anyone treats you that way, never stay silent. You’re a Woodville.”
At some point, Lady Molly’s hand had gently layered over mine.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
***
“We pay our respects to His Majesty the Emperor.”
At last, we entered the imperial banquet hall, resplendently decorated. Standing at the Emperor’s side was Luna, who had arrived earlier for her duties.
“My dear friend, Count Woodville. It’s a pleasure to see you in the capital.”
“It’s an honor to hear that, Your Majesty. And this is my beloved youngest daughter, Joyce.”
Perfect. All that acting practice paid off.
Thanks to the Count’s impeccable introduction, I was able to naturally lower my head toward the Emperor.
“Congratulations on your birthday, Your Majesty. I am Joyce Woodville, second daughter of House Woodville.”
“Welcome, Miss Joyce. The Coventin Empire has always had a good relationship with the Woodvilles. I hope the same will be true between us.”
“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor had a dignified, handsome appearance and a warm, gentlemanly smile.
Oddly enough, he had the same brown hair and green eyes as Theo. Theo once said his hair colour wasn’t common, but… this young, handsome man standing next to the Emperor also had brown hair?
Maybe it’s rare in Bria, but common here in the capital.
As the man, who’d been speaking to someone else, turned and made eye contact with me, he smiled brightly and greeted me.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Joyce. I am Noah Coventin, second prince of the Coventin Empire.”
Noah… Coventin? Noah from “Moon of Coventin,” the sub male lead?!
Right! There was an episode where Luna and Noah met—that had completely slipped my mind.
When the crown prince ran away from home and stayed gone too long, the Emperor, pressured by the nobles, eventually named Noah as the next heir. That all started with taking Noah to major state events like this one.
Luna meeting Noah is a good thing for me. I always thought kind-hearted Noah suited Luna better than the frustrating Peredil.
If I can just capture Peredil’s attention, maybe Luna and Noah could actually end up together. It’s up to Luna, of course—but I’ll do my part to erase Peredil from her life for good!
Just as I finished my greeting with Noah and began to move to my seat, I locked eyes with Peredil, who looked particularly worn out today.
Since I couldn’t just ignore the Duke after making eye contact, I gave him a sweet smile.
“It’s been a while, Duke Seymour.”
