Chapter 52.
A grand banquet was held for the servants.
It wasn’t just for those who had discovered additional dural fields and contributed greatly to the making of fertilizer. Every servant who had remained loyal to Grace Castle despite years of pitiful wages also gathered in the banquet hall.
Donghui had instructed the head cook not to spare any ingredients for this feast.
Throughout the dinner, laughter and chatter never left the tables.
They were bewildered at the sudden change of their lord, wondering what had gotten into him, but in their hearts something stirred for the first time in years—hope.
Hope that they too might live well one day, expectation that things would keep getting better, and relief that they would no longer go hungry.
For those who had endured to the very end, relying on each other, tonight’s banquet carried even greater meaning.
“Is everyone gathered and eating together?”
Donghui asked Delma, who had finished eating early.
Though it was just one meal, knowing that people were delighted by the kindness he’d shown them was always pleasing to hear.
“Yes, they’re all overjoyed.”
Delma’s eyes crinkled like a mother thinking of her mischievous son, though the smile tugging at her lips wouldn’t leave.
“That’s good. Make sure they don’t run out of food.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Did you have a drink too, Delma?”
“Yes. I was in such good spirits that I had five cups.”
She proudly spread her five fingers wide.
“What kind of drink?”
“Ale. It was freshly brewed, so the taste was a bit raw, but still quite drinkable.”
“Ale?”
Donghui wasn’t much of a drinker. He at least knew what wine tasted like, but ale was something he’d never even heard of. He guessed it might be like beer.
“Yes. The cook made it right away with the grain he was given and wouldn’t stop boasting about it.”
“I wonder what it tastes like.”
He recalled the nights after his convenience store shifts, when, on days he was especially exhausted, he’d splurge on a single can of beer.
His body heavy as lead, the icy drink would slide down his throat, clearing his head all the way up, making him involuntarily go “kyaa!” The only side dish had been a bag of chips, but that moment had felt like his one true reward.
As Donghui swallowed back saliva at the memory, Delma narrowed her eyes and shook her head firmly.
“My lord is not yet of age. You know you mustn’t drink.”
“I’ll be an adult soon anyway.”
“Soon? Absolutely not.”
“Cheh.”
“Instead, on the day of your coming-of-age birthday party, I’ll have a very fine wine prepared for you.”
“Alright. You’d better keep that promise.”
They were exchanging these lighthearted jokes when suddenly loud noises came from outside.
“Chloe! Chloe!”
That familiar, irritating voice was calling her name over and over, right outside the office.
Donghui scowled and rose from his seat.
“What’s all that racket?”
“Sounds like Young Master Ray.”
“That punk?”
Not long ago Chloe had sworn he’d die for her in the name of love, but now she casually called him a thug. Delma, watching this, couldn’t help but wonder if Chloe’s change of heart was genuine. Could someone’s feelings really shift so drastically overnight?
Saying nothing, Delma’s eyes simply blinked in silence. Donghui then summoned Handsome, who stood nearby.
“Butler.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“How did that man get into my castle? Who let him in?”
He had never given permission for Ray to enter the castle again.
The cheer vanished from his voice. With their lord’s tone turning sharp, both Handsome and Delma tensed instantly. Their eyes met in midair; Delma, relieved that she wouldn’t need to answer, exhaled quietly, while Handsome, flustered, bowed low.
“My apologies. I’ll find out right away.”
No doubt the knight captain, Red Bear, hadn’t let him in. He had witnessed how his lord treated Ray last time.
Donghui was certain that one of the gatekeepers had taken a bribe from Ray.
“Find them all. Fire anyone who took his money.”
“Yes, understood!”
Servants who would rather follow an outsider waving coins than their own master had no place here. Let them go follow Ray instead.
Delma’s eyes tracked Handsome as he hurried out, then returned to the young lord.
“What should we do with Young Master Ray?”
“Chloe! Come out! Chloe, my love! I’m here!”
Ray’s voice outside was still dripping with desperate emotion. He wasn’t getting past the guards, though—at least they were doing their jobs.
“Let him in.”
“…You won’t throw him out?”
Delma, ready to drive him away, blinked in surprise.
She worried her lord’s heart might have softened. Outside, Ray’s voice had grown thick, slurred with drink.
“Yes. I want to see what he has to say. I was bored anyway, this is perfect. Let him in. Oh, and have the guards come in too. If anything happens, toss him straight back out.”
Donghui winked as he added that last part. Relieved, Delma grinned brightly and hurried out, her steps light.
Moments later, Ray stumbled into the office, disheveled.
The closer he got, the stronger the reek of alcohol became. Donghui grimaced and waved his hand in front of his face.
“Chloe. I knew you’d call me back.”
His eyes brimmed with tears as he approached, his expression pitiful enough to make anyone want to comfort him.
With his breathtaking looks and those glistening tears, he resembled a fragile lily.
But Donghui, knowing Ray’s true nature, felt nothing at all.
If anything, seeing him try to use his face as a weapon only made him more repulsive.
“Get it straight. I didn’t call you. You came here, and merciful me simply allowed the door to open.”
Donghui stepped back, avoiding the stench, his voice sharp.
“Exactly. You opened your heart’s door again—to me.”
Ray, twisting her words to suit himself, stepped closer.
“What nonsense about a heart’s door…”
“Chloe! How did my angel change so much? Who twisted you into this? Who is it? Bring him here at once!”
Ray shouted as if some other man had stolen her away.
Donghui, curious to see how far his delusions would go, kept quiet.
Seeing her silence, Ray convinced himself his claims were true.
“Chloe, how could you? You told me I was your everything! Do you have someone else now? Is he demanding you cast me aside? Who is he?!”
Donghui’s status window suddenly flickered into his mind.
“There is. Someone far more capable than you, someone who shines on his own.”
“What? Better-looking than me?”
Ray’s eyes widened, his stagger stilled. The idea of another man being superior stung him more than betrayal itself. Donghui smirked and prodded him further.
“Of course. You can’t even compare. And unlike you, who only scheme to take from me, he’s always eager to give.”
Ray fell silent, glaring hard at Chloe.
“Lies.”
After a long stare, he suddenly smiled faintly.
“What?”
“You’re lying. You’re just mad because I kept bringing Erma around, aren’t you?”
So this is what it meant to talk to a wall.
No matter what was said, he would twist it into whatever he wanted to believe.
“Once more—whether you bring Erma, Garma, or anyone else, I couldn’t care less.”
Even at Donghui’s firm response, Ray only sighed, shaking his head.
“I know how much you love me. Just remember this—I love you just as much. Let’s stop this meaningless arguing. I’ve told Erma clearly: she won’t be coming back into Grace Castle. So Chloe, stop tormenting me and come into my arms.”
He spread his arms, face glowing with innocent devotion.
Donghui couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.
Taking that laugh as permission, Ray stepped forward, arms open in anticipation.
Donghui crossed his arms, watching with exasperation, then, when Ray came within reach, seized one of his fingers.
“Chloe, why only my finger? Are you shy?”
Ray smiled cheesily, as if she were being coy. To Donghui it felt like stuffing ten sticks of butter in his mouth and rubbing it on his gums.
Unable to stand it anymore, he yanked Ray’s index finger sharply downward.
“Aaaaghhh!”
Ray hopped in pain, clutching his twisted finger, trying to yank it free. Donghui nearly grabbed another finger too but simply brushed his hands clean.
“You—you little—!”
Face flushing red, Ray lunged at her.
Thud!
With a heavy sound, he crumpled to the ground like a fallen autumn leaf.
“Don’t you dare lay a hand on her!”
Delma, who had rammed her shoulder into him, stood fuming, her face flushed as she shouted.
