Chapter 30
Let’s Go on a Date
All week, I had been busy finishing tasks in preparation for the picnic with Eyzar. The steward praised me, saying my skills had improved, but along with that, the amount of work Eyzar brought me had also increased.
I had been told that what I handled was only a part of Eyzar’s responsibilities. Yet, looking at the enormous stack of documents before me, I couldn’t help but shudder, wondering just how much work he actually had to manage.
After finishing my tasks, I checked the letters that had arrived. One was from the Marchioness of Stemun, and another from Wizlet.
The Marchioness of Stemun’s letter mostly talked about setting a date for a spring outing now that the weather was warmer. Reading her affectionate words made a smile naturally curl on my lips.
“I’ve read the Marchioness’s letter, but why would Wizlet be writing to me?”
Thinking back to the letters Wizlet had recently sent, I expected it would be filled with trivial gossip. Had she been especially bored lately?
But, to my surprise, this letter was different.
—Julietta! You’re doing well, right? I hear rumors that the Duke of Ferhaem bothers you every night. Even if you’re newlyweds, shouldn’t he show some restraint? I can’t help but lower my head at such scandalous rumors.
“What the—! Mocking me through a letter?”
She hadn’t seen me for a while and decided to tease me like this? I wondered how much fun she had writing this letter.
Then I frowned at Wizlet’s postscript:
—P.S. Should I give the Duke of Ferhaem something to boost his virility?
She was excited, wasn’t she? Of course, I could guess why the rumor had spread, but I hadn’t expected it to reach Wizlet’s ears. Still, it was better that it seemed like a passionate honeymoon rather than a bad relationship…
“Haah…”
Now I was a little scared that Eyzar’s reputation would shift from a womanizer to a virility legend.
‘I should tell Wizlet to visit the Duke’s mansion once. She catches rumors quickly, and it would be convenient to check if I’m doing well as the Duchess.’
I ground my teeth.
‘And when I meet her, I’ll make sure to give her a good smack on the back.’
I could still see the mischievous face of Wizlet, grinning while imagining my reaction as she wrote that letter.
I tossed Wizlet’s letter aside and drank a glass of cool water. It was refreshing, calming my nerves.
It was about time to consider what I would wear tomorrow. But just then, the maids suddenly burst into the room.
“My lady! Tomorrow, you’re going out with the Duke, right?”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Exactly! Who do you think these maids exist for, if not to prepare your attire?”
Not only were Mei, Brinny, and Chelsea there—maids who always stayed close to me—but there were also faces I often saw in the corridors of the mansion. At the back, Amber was smiling suspiciously, giving orders to the others.
“Now, let’s select the perfect dress, shoes, and accessories for tomorrow’s outing.”
“Yes, Head Maid!”
“Leave it to us!”
Watching them, I felt overwhelmed by their enthusiasm.
‘What is this…? Not a military strategist, but Amber looks positively evil!’
It seemed she had taken a liking to me after our conversation that day. Seeing the maids swarm around me, I felt like a herbivore about to be devoured by predators.
They grabbed my arms and started pulling me along. Feeling uneasy, I hurriedly spoke.
“You don’t have to fuss so much…”
A loud, emphatic voice answered me.
“What do you mean, ‘don’t have to fuss’? Of course we do!”
“When else would we get a chance to pay attention like this?”
‘Girls, your voices are too loud… my ears hurt.’
No matter what I said, it probably didn’t reach the highly excited maids.
“This is the first outing with the Duke since the lady joined the Duke’s household, isn’t it?”
Come to think of it, except for when he had come to greet me at the Marchioness of Stemun’s and accompanied me to the mansion, I hadn’t really gone out with him before. The maids probably assumed I spent enjoyable time outside with him even before the marriage—but that wasn’t true.
It was almost like a first date.
‘Outing… outing… what’s the right word for this? Something perfectly suited for newlyweds…’
“Yes. And it’s a rare date after so long.”
The words left my lips, and I felt a tingle of excitement. A date… now I understood why the maids had been so eager.
“What will you do on your outing?”
“Just… watch a play, stroll by the lake, and eat the lunch we packed together…”
“Eek!”
Even though it was my date, the maids whispered excitedly, clearly more thrilled than I was. Like young girls swooning over romance.
“My lady, we’ll make sure you look more beautiful than ever!”
“And we’ll make the Duke fall for you all over again. You have to tell us how the date went when you return!”
With such devotion, I couldn’t help but go along with them.
“Alright. I’ll tell you. So, I have to do my best to make the Duke fall for me again?”
“Yes, my lady!”
Their loud, enthusiastic response made me smile. I let myself be led, quietly submitting to their efforts. They draped me in dresses of various colors and whispered among themselves.
I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my chest.
Early in the morning, Eyzar was busy preparing the picnic lunch. Unfortunately, I had become gloomy and told him,
“I’m sorry, Eyzar! It looks like getting ready for the outing will take too long, so I won’t be able to help with the lunch.”
But it was fine—he wanted to prepare it himself anyway. Still, seeing his green eyes dimmed with worry made me anxious, and I comforted him with words.
There was still time. I promised that next time we could make lunch together, holding his hand as if sealing the agreement. His hands, rougher and sturdier than the delicate hands of noble ladies I knew, felt warm and comforting.
I thought about how our physical closeness had increased so naturally, but she smiled brightly, seemingly unaware.
He feared that his pounding heart would be heard when he embraced her. Holding her smaller frame tightly, he thought she was cute like a hamster—but hearing that she felt like a giant dog, he felt pleased inside.
When she had told him she didn’t like rainy days, he listened closely as she shared her own story. Normally bright and cheerful, she seemed oblivious to pain—but now he knew otherwise. When she occasionally shared her true feelings, her face looked lonely and sorrowful.
A deeply lonely person… yet someone capable of giving boundless love. Whether it was comfort or solace, he wanted to share his heart with her, for he was clumsy at receiving in return.
Eyzar began filling the empty lunchbox with foods he knew she liked.
Having dined together often, he had noticed her preferences and dislikes. She didn’t have strong aversions, but everyone had favorites. Using their conversations, her usual meals, and advice from the chef, he selected each dish carefully.
‘I hope she enjoys it.’
He imagined her happily eating the meal he had prepared, surprised that he had made it all alone, and smiled contentedly.
No matter how long her preparations would take, he knew he could finish the lunch beforehand.
‘Once it’s ready, I’ll change and go pick her up.’
After the maids whisked her off to the dressing room, they had sternly told him not to come until summoned.
‘No matter what, Julietta is beautiful whether she’s dressed up or not.’
Even the first time he saw her, he had thought her remarkably beautiful. At the tavern, her flushed cheeks showed a mix of alcohol, yet her well-maintained hair marked her as a noblewoman.
Her flawless, fair skin and lovely features had made him worry that it was unsafe for someone like her to be drinking alone.
After finishing the lunch, Eyzar changed and went to fetch Julietta. By now, he guessed she must be ready.
He knocked on the dressing room door, where the proud maids guided him in, as if to show off their handiwork. There, he saw Julietta, looking slightly embarrassed, yet radiant.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. It took longer to get ready than I expected…”
She fiddled with her hair shyly, and looked even more beautiful than usual. Her eyes sparkled, and the corners of her eyes lifted with a more confident grace.
Her refined facial features looked sharper to him, and her slightly parted lips were strikingly red.
Her hair, half tied neatly, matched her overall appearance, and the vibrant red color looked fresh, like a newly bloomed rose.
The dress, predominantly white with soft pink accents, boldly revealed her graceful neckline—bordering on revealing her chest if one wasn’t careful.
“Your skin…”
Feeling his face heat, Eyzar looked away.
