Chapter 29
Before long, the horse carrying us to the main building came to a halt. The Duke was the first to hop down, then reached his hand out to me.
I carefully took his hand and dismounted.
Landing safely, I looked up at the duke’s residence. No matter how many times I saw it, the fortress-like mansion was always overwhelming.
A moment later, Rick also arrived, leaping down from his horse. He took the lead and guided us inside.
I thought he would take me to the duke’s office again, but instead we arrived at the drawing room.
“I’ll bring refreshments.”
After showing me to the sofa, Rick left, and I looked around the drawing room.
‘This feels more like a ballroom than a parlor…’
I muttered inwardly.
Usually, a drawing room is where guests are received. But this place was so spacious and grand it felt more fitting for hosting a party.
A chandelier scattered light above my head, and through the tall windows along the wall, the gardens spread out in full view.
The sofas were upholstered in pure white leather, and on the wide glass table sat a vase filled with fresh flowers.
And across from me sat the man.
I looked at Duke Creyman. Then, taking the paper bag I had carefully kept safe, I held it out to him.
The Duke gave me a questioning look.
“These are the teabags I mentioned last time. I brought them myself since I also wanted to speak with you. I also made a few different kinds as a trial—if any suit your taste, I can make more.”
At my words, the Duke picked up the bag and peeked inside. Nervous, I clenched my fists under the table. He murmured,
“…The fragrance is pleasant.”
“Ah, since the leaves are dried, the scent should be subtle.”
“They might serve well as sachets instead.”
“Uh…”
I was at a loss for words. Teabags as sachets?
‘Well… since the scent isn’t overpowering, it might actually work…’
In rooms like bedrooms or offices, where strong fragrances aren’t desirable, it could be suitable.
I’d never thought of using them like that before, but now that I considered it, it didn’t seem like a bad idea. Of course, that would require more teabags.
‘I guess I’ll need to make more.’
I nodded.
“Please try it, and if it suits you, let me know. I’ll prepare more.”
“Very well. Thank you.”
The Duke accepted without hesitation. He sealed the bag neatly and tucked it into his coat. I watched the gesture with a strange feeling.
How should I put it… In my old world, teabags had almost no value, yet here was a duke treating them as if they were some precious treasure. The irony wasn’t lost on me.
“And there’s something else I wanted to tell you.”
Just as I spoke, Rick returned with refreshments.
I glanced at the teacup he set down—and my lips parted when I noticed what had sunk to the bottom.
“This is…”
“A teabag gifted by Lady Ciela Feyrunt. The master cherishes them and doesn’t use them unless it’s for something important. But since you are here, my lady, he instructed that one be served.”
Rick’s explanation made me look at the Duke in disbelief. He said nothing, only sipped the green tea. That was his answer.
‘I never imagined he’d treasure them this much…’
Seeing him value something I had given him filled me with a rush of emotion.
Rick continued,
“I’ve heard it was Lady Ciela who invented these teabags. Is that true?”
“Well, yes…”
“In my humble opinion, this is a groundbreaking invention. If my lady permits, the House of Creyman would like to invest in these teabags and introduce them to the market. May I ask your thoughts?”
“What?”
His unexpected proposal made my eyes widen. No, not his—Rick was only the mouthpiece.
I turned toward the Duke. He remained as impassive as ever.
If House Creyman were to launch a product, that meant it was the Duke’s will.
Setting down his teacup, the Duke parted his lips, now slightly moistened.
“I’ll explain the details with a contract, but know that your wishes will be prioritized. All rights regarding teabags belong to you, and the terms will favor you as much as possible. We are merely investing in your invention and bringing it to the market. Nothing more.”
“…”
“Of course, you are free to decline. I wouldn’t mind that, either.”
He swirled the teabag in his cup as he spoke.
My mind spun quickly.
‘So this is… an investment proposal?’
That’s what it sounded like to me, someone utterly ignorant of business. And with very generous terms at that.
I had come here to discuss sponsorship funds, only to be handed an investment offer. It was overwhelming, but I knew this was no small matter.
“C-Could you give me some time? I’ll need to think it over.”
No matter how good an opportunity, I couldn’t grab it blindly. There were too many things to consider.
I worried he might see me as presumptuous, but the Duke nodded easily.
“Of course. Since it’s still under review, it will take some time to arrange concrete plans. Take your time to think.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed my head, still in a daze. My mind was foggy, but I shook myself.
‘This isn’t why I came here!’
Sure, I’d meant to bring the teabags, but that wasn’t my ultimate purpose. I had come today to discuss the sponsorship.
I spoke again.
“Actually, I came because I had something to say to you, Your Grace.”
“And that is?”
“I went to the bank today to receive the sponsorship funds.”
“Yes, that was today.”
“But the amount was far more than I expected…”
I said, clenching and unclenching my fists nervously. The Duke tilted his head slightly and asked Rick,
“Rick, did you deposit 500 gold to the <Ciela Orphanage>?”
“500 gold. That’s correct.”
“So it seems.”
“That’s too much!”
“Too much?”
The Duke looked at me as if he didn’t understand.
“That’s hard to comprehend. Rick already told me it was excessive, and I reduced the sum. What’s too much about it?”
I had forgotten—his sense of money and mine were worlds apart.
For someone running vast enterprises and owning immense wealth, 500 gold was nothing. It was natural he didn’t understand why I was so flustered.
I explained desperately,
“But the amount we agreed on was 50 gold. Most nobles sponsor around that much.”
“More precisely, it was at least 50 gold. And I have no intention of sponsoring merely as much as most nobles.”
He spoke firmly. His unexpected stance left me speechless. Then, looking me straight in the eyes, he said,
“I understand that you feel burdened. But I want the children of the orphanage I sponsor to live more comfortably than anyone else. That money is my sincerity. Please don’t feel pressured—just accept it.”
“…”
His unwavering words left me silent.
Thinking it over, there was no real reason I couldn’t accept it. Granted, it was far too much to receive every month, but I could always save it—for the children’s independence later, or as emergency funds.
Besides, it was strange to reject sponsorship by claiming the amount was too large.
Reluctantly, I nodded.
“I understand your feelings, Your Grace. I must have been too hasty. Then I will gratefully accept it.”
“Then may I ask you something in return?”
“What is it?”
“Will you also be attending the upcoming banquet?”
“Banquet? What banquet…?”
“You really don’t know? The founding anniversary banquet is in a week.”
“The founding anniversary banquet…?”
“So you truly didn’t know.”
“I didn’t.”
“You mean you didn’t even receive an invitation like this?”
He pulled something out and showed me—a blue envelope. I immediately recognized it as the one a messenger had delivered to me earlier.
So that’s what it was—an invitation from the Imperial family.
‘But why would they send one to me?’
I was a fallen noble.
A noble without any property or wealth was effectively stripped of all rights. Such a person could not be summoned by the Emperor, nor attend any banquet—least of all one hosted by the Imperial family.
Yet I had received an invitation.
‘It must be the Emperor.’
I realized it instantly. It was the Emperor himself who had called me.
I glanced at the Duke. There was no way he hadn’t realized the same thing.
He looked at me and said,
“I worry that, because of me, your safety may be compromised.”
His unexpected words widened my eyes. I didn’t know how to respond to his sincerity, so I stayed silent and watched him. The Duke lowered his gaze and continued,
“Most likely, the reason that invitation was sent to you is to keep me in check—to test my relationship with you. Truthfully, I would rather you not attend.”
“That would mean defying the Emperor’s command.”
At my words, the Duke nodded.
“I would like to escort you myself as protection, but that would draw too much attention. Instead, I’ll provide you with a carriage and guards. Please accept them.”
I hesitated. Carriage and guards…
‘The guards feel like too much…’
But the carriage, I appreciated. After all, I couldn’t exactly ride a rental carriage into the palace. Thinking it over, I accepted.
“Thank you for your consideration. I’ll gladly accept.”
Seeing me agree, he smiled in relief. I had thought this before, but Duke Creyman was…
‘Aloof, yet somehow gentle…’
