Episode 8
“Is there anything else you need, young lady?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Dahlia forced a smile toward the maid Rosine, who was looking at her with sparkling eyes.
It had already been over a week since she arrived at the Duke of Lancaster’s residence.
Unlike what everyone had expected—that she would feel out of place here—everyone in this estate had been kind to her.
“What about a camembert cheesecake topped with blueberry compote? It was made this morning with freshly picked blueberries by the Lancaster family’s exclusive pastry chef!”
However, if there was a flaw in that kindness, it was that it was a bit too much. Even now, claiming she needed to take care of herself, they had brought a meal to her bed and set up a small table over it.
“Thank you, Rosine. But I’m already full. I’ve eaten enough.”
Dahlia’s awkward gaze drifted to the empty plates on the table.
In high society, it was proper not to clean one’s plate completely. Nobles were expected to appear as though they had no greed for food.
But the dishes of House Lancaster were on an entirely different level compared to those of House Nouarose.
A steak cooked generously with the finest clarified butter melted the moment it touched her tongue, and warm white bread served with a creamy nut-infused sauce felt like a dish in itself.
It was so delicious I ended up finishing everything…
Now six months into her pregnancy, she could not control her appetite at all.
It was the complete opposite of how she had desperately insisted she wouldn’t come here.
“…Please clear it away.”
As she looked at the empty plates, a faint sense of regret slipped out before she could stop it.
Each portion had not been particularly large, so in truth, she wasn’t even fully full.
But if she, a noble, emptied every plate and even finished dessert, the servants here would surely whisper that she lacked proper refinement.
“Underst—”
Rosine, looking slightly disappointed herself, was about to clean up when—
“You were told to ask for anything you need.”
Leoneld entered the room, pushing a trolley.
His narrowed eyes scanned the plates that had just been filled with food.
“Next time, increase the portion of the steak. Didn’t I say the diet should focus on steak, lentils, eggs, spinach, and tomatoes?”
“Yes, we did use those main ingredients, Your Grace…!”
“How was it, Dahlia?”
“…It was good.”
She squeezed out the words with effort, then added,
“Very.”
That was the best expression of gratitude she could manage right now.
Leoneld, who understood her well, curved his lips in satisfaction. At his gesture, Rosine quietly left the room.
“I read that in books—pregnant women crave something fresh and sweet.”
He took out a whole chocolate cake from the trolley, heavily topped with raspberry jam.
“It’s made with milk chocolate imported from the Kingdom of Tyreri. They say it has raspberry cream and jam layered between the sponge.”
“You sound like a pastry chef. That explanation was impressive.”
“Try it.”
Like a master swordsman, he cut a perfectly even slice and placed it in front of her.
Dahlia stared blankly at the cake.
Sometimes, Leoneld seemed as though he could see straight into her mind.
Even the parts she didn’t want anyone to see.
“…Thank you.”
She lifted her fork and managed the words again.
The fork sank into the soft cake.
It was completely different from the dry cakes served at the Count Nouarose estate.
She could feel the texture travel through the fork.
Unable to resist any longer, she brought it to her mouth.
The refreshing raspberry jam, the soft and tangy cream, and the sweetness of chocolate blended together perfectly, flooding her senses.
“Not bad, is it?”
Leoneld, reading her expression, smiled gently with narrowed eyes.
“It’s really delicious.”
“You can eat it with a spoon if you want. You don’t have to follow those ridiculous social rules here.”
“Ridiculous rules?”
“Leaving food behind. It’s not good for the environment, and it’s disrespectful to the people who worked hard to prepare it.”
He added with a faintly smug tone,
“So eat as much as you want. That’s the rule here.”
So that was his point.
She felt overwhelmed by his excessive consideration. In contrast, Dahlia couldn’t even meet his eyes properly.
He’s too kind…
She gave him a small smile, though her expression gradually darkened.
“Are you bored?”
Leoneld had already brought over a small chair and sat in front of her.
His gaze drifted to her lips, where a bit of raspberry cream remained.
Without hesitation, he took out a handkerchief and gently wiped it away.
Dahlia didn’t even realize what he had done and simply accepted his touch.
He handed her a warm glass of milk.
After rinsing her mouth with the steamed milk, Dahlia glanced at him and said quietly,
“…It would be nice if I had something to research.”
She thought it might help pass the time—and even if the research funds were small, they could add to her dowry.
“Not necessary.”
Leoneld shrugged as if it were obvious.
“That’s not true.”
“If it’s not necessary, then what?”
“I know my research doesn’t bring in much money. But still…”
She bit her lip slightly.
She knew better than anyone that this wasn’t the time for pride.
And at the same time, she didn’t want to owe him any more than she already did.
“Dahlia.”
Leoneld gently took her hand.
Her always-warm hand felt unusually cold today.
Instead of holding it with one hand, he wrapped both of his around hers.
His warmth transferred through her skin.
Slowly, Dahlia lifted her head and met his eyes.
“It’s okay to be at ease. At least here.”
His calm voice soothed the restless anxiety inside her.
“Here, I brought some storybooks that are good for babies.”
He clapped his hands lightly, brightening the atmosphere, then placed several books from the bottom of the trolley onto the bedside table.
“May I read them to you?”
“…You?”
“I read that a man’s lower voice is better for reaching the fetus.”
“Really?”
“What, you didn’t even know that? You might need to study more than me, Lady Nouarose.”
“…Hah. Then at least lend me that book. The one about childcare—or whatever it’s called.”
Despite her grumbling tone, Dahlia spoke sincerely, gathering courage.
Leoneld blinked in surprise, then slowly smiled.
“I’ll bring it right away.”
He stood up immediately. As he turned to leave, Dahlia called out softly.
“Lancaster.”
“Hmm?”
He looked back at her.
After a moment of hesitation, she said in a trembling voice,
“…I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about.”
Leoneld replied calmly with a gentle smile.
“This is something between the two of us. It’s only natural to share responsibility. I’ll go get it.”
With that, he left the room.
The moment the door closed, Leoneld quietly wiped his face with both hands, his cheeks flushed bright red.
“Yes, this is enough.”
Then he smiled happily and murmured,
“…For now.”
His steps toward his room were light and almost buoyant as he went to fetch the book.
