Chapter 24
El masked her embarrassment and tried again.
She threw the stick with all her might—but once again, it barely flew.
She frowned, frustrated.
“It’s harder than it looks.”
“Try using your wrist like this,” Kalen suggested, demonstrating the motion with a flick of his hand.
“Like this?”
El imitated the movement, gripping the stick, but her version was clumsy and off-balance.
Kalen, who had been casually showing her from a distance, stepped closer.
“Pardon me for a moment.”
“…Yes?”
He reached out and gently took her hand.
With his large hand enveloping hers, he guided her arm, mimicking the proper throwing motion.
“Use your wrist like this.”
“Ah… the wrist…”
His hand was large—so large that her own seemed to vanish inside it. Warm, steady, and much firmer than she’d expected.
She’d assumed his hands, like those of a man who only ever held a pen, would be delicate—but no.
She could feel the rough patches, the hardened calluses from things far beyond ink and parchment.
Suddenly conscious of her own less-than-soft hands, El instinctively twisted free.
Then, without another word, she threw the stick just as he had shown her, flicking her wrist high into the air.
The stick flew far—much farther than before—and Odin and Sif took off like arrows to retrieve it.
“Wow, it really went far! Using the wrist makes such a difference!”
“It’s not about strength. It’s technique.”
“Ah, technique! I’ll remember that.”
While El was doing her best to shake off the awkwardness of the moment, Kalen looked completely unfazed.
He stood there calmly, as if nothing had happened.
El focused hard on the dogs instead, trying to distract herself.
Maybe I’m the one who’s sick, not him…
Shaking her head, she reached for the stick that the dogs had proudly returned.
The only thing she needed to focus on when it came to Kallen was reading him letters.
That was all.
And right now, her job was to play with Odin and Sif and enjoy the moment.
“Alright, let’s throw it even farther this time! Hup! Good boy, Odin!”
Again and again, she tossed the stick, and each time, the dogs raced each other to retrieve it, tails wagging wildly.
The wind tousled her hair, and her dress was now dusted with grass and dirt from the run.
But El didn’t mind one bit.
She was having too much fun to care.
Meanwhile, Barrett, standing stiffly nearby, couldn’t hide the faint twitch in his expression.
He glanced over at Kalen with a look of disbelief.
The Duke is smiling.
He’d seen his master smile occasionally while playing with the dogs—but not like this.
This was unmistakable: a smile with depth, a smile with feeling, curving his lips clearly.
And more than that—his gaze wasn’t on Odin and Sif.
It was on the young lady.
Not the dogs—her.
***
They must have played for over an hour.
El, now completely drained, rubbed her trembling arms.
Kallen picked up the stick and handed it to Barrett.
“That’s enough. Take them back.”
“Yes, sir. We’ll take our leave now.”
Though Barrett answered cheerfully, he glanced sideways at his master again.
Still smiling.
That bright, sunlit smile—like a shimmer of the afternoon light.
How strange…
With growing curiosity, Barrett clipped the dogs’ leashes back on.
“Goodbye, Odin, Sif! Let’s play again soon!”
The dogs barked in response, and Kalen gave a small nod as well.
Once the dogs had disappeared from view, El let out a deep breath and turned to him.
“Shall we go back inside and read the next letter?”
“You should change first.”
“My clothes? Oh, dear…”
They weren’t torn, thankfully, but they looked just as disheveled as last time.
Grass stains and wrinkles everywhere.
“I guess I got a little too into it.”
“Good thing we have a change of clothes ready.”
Inside the guesthouse, Kalen personally led her to the bath.
“Take your time,” he said, gently.
“Thank you. I’ll be just a moment.”
There was something strangely intimate about changing clothes in someone else’s house.
El washed her face and hands quickly, then changed into the outfit that had been prepared for her.
After brushing her hair neatly, she glanced at her reflection in the tall mirror.
The dress was a little loose, but it allowed her to move freely—and more importantly, it was beautiful.
She gently smoothed a hand down the fabric, heart fluttering.
“I have a dress of my own now.”
***
Contrary to expectations that she’d take a while, El arrived at the library before him.
“You’re here already? The dress looks lovely. Thank you.”
Her soft, bashful smile filled his vision.
“…”
Kalen looked away and sat down.
“Shall we begin the letter?”
“Yes.”
El took her seat and began to read.
Strangely enough, there were no interruptions or questions this time, and the letter was finished rather quickly.
“That concludes the letter. You didn’t have many questions this time. You understood it all, right?”
“I did. I should write a reply.”
Caught off guard by her promptness, Kalen quickly unfolded his stationery—but not a single word came to him.
He hadn’t paid attention to the letter; nothing had registered.
As he hesitated, El peeked at his blank page.
“You’re not going to write another strange reply, are you?”
“My replies have never been strange.”
“Mm-hmm, sure. Oh! I heard you’re attending the Crown Prince’s party.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Oh, here and there.” She smiled. “It’s a great opportunity. You’ll be able to meet the ladies you’ve been corresponding with—find out if conversation flows, if hearts align. So go, and do your best. Alright?”
Kalen didn’t answer.
He just stared at her.
“You’ll definitely meet someone wonderful. Just reach out first. If you do, there’s sure to be a young lady who’ll take your hand.”
He still said nothing, but a faint shadow passed over his face.
Hmph. He really doesn’t look thrilled about it.
El let out a subtle sigh.
***
Today had been nothing but play, and yet she was heading home with a full day’s pay—and a brand-new dress, too.
“It kind of feels like I’m cheating…”
She murmured to herself as she left the guesthouse and walked toward the carriage.
Just then, someone called out from behind.
“Lady Moira.”
That voice—Lisa.
El turned at once to see Lisa peeking out from behind a large tree, beckoning her over.
Ah, right.
She’d nearly forgotten—her secret side job, playing Lisa’s spy.
El put on a smile and walked over.
As always, the two of them slipped into the greenhouse and took a seat at the tea table.
Lisa’s eyes sparkled as she asked eagerly,
“So? Did he read the letter and write his reply today?”
“Yes, he did. Quite well, actually.”
Truth be told, El had no idea what he’d written.
But she figured it was better to tell Lisa something she’d want to hear.
“Oh, and… he talked about the party.”
