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11. The Truth Revealed
The sound from outside the door was a woman’s voice. Thin, sharp, yet loud enough to grate on my nerves, making me frown instinctively.
“What’s going on?”
“Not sure. Seems like a guest outside….”
Perhaps it was because our conversation had been interrupted, but Lucius’s expression also stiffened. He rose immediately and walked toward the door, only to pause at the voice that followed.
“This is the room I personally reserved—why did you give it to someone else?”
“I’m sorry, Marchioness. It was by direct order of the manager.”
“What? He gave it away himself?”
The woman’s voice, arguing with the staff, paused for a moment. Seeing Lucius’s expression harden further as he listened by the door, I called to him.
“Lucius? What is it?”
“……Nothing. It just sounds… troublesome.”
“Huh?”
That kind of coarse remark was unlike him, leaving me puzzled. Did he know the noblewoman outside? Who could she be, for him to react that way? I rose from my seat and approached him, and he let out a short sigh as he turned to me.
“Do you know her? I think I heard she’s a marchioness—what sort of person is she?”
“She’s a noblewoman from the Emperor’s faction. Her temperament, however, is… not pleasant. Far more unreasonable than most ladies of the nobility.”
“Really?”
“I suppose it’s about this room. What a nuisance. I’d rather not exchange words with her at all….”
I was slightly surprised watching him frown at the door, clearly reluctant to even open it.
“How unreasonable is she, for you to react like this?”
“She’s notorious for indulging in extravagance and acting willfully, relying solely on her family’s power. You’ll probably hear for yourself in a moment.”
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the woman’s voice rang out again.
“So he personally gave away this room? Without even telling me?”
“That’s correct, my lady…”
“Hah! And who exactly does that so-called manager think he is? Acting high and mighty just because he’s gotten a little recognition? I don’t care how grand the guest is—this is my private room. Tell them to get out immediately!”
“I-I can’t do that. The manager specifically designated them as a ‘special guest.’ We have no authority to intervene.”
“What did you say? Just who is this guest that they’re treated as ‘special’? How dare you slight me like this! Call him here! And open the door right now!”
“Y-You can’t, my lady!”
A flustered employee’s voice was followed by loud scuffling noises. The door itself didn’t open, but the handle rattled violently several times. Lucius’s expression darkened further as the marchioness’s shrill demands echoed through the door.
“…I get it now. I see exactly what sort of woman she is.”
From the exchange alone, I could tell all I needed to know. Last time it was some spoiled young miss, this time it’s a noblewoman. They really are everywhere—those archetypal nobles who thrive on causing trouble.
“But even if she is a marchioness, this is too much. Behaving like this in such a private place….”
“That’s just how she is wherever she goes. But I imagine she’s throwing an even greater tantrum because this place holds… a certain significance.”
“Significance?”
“I’ll explain later. For now, I’ll need to deal with this mess. She’s going too far today.”
With a sigh at the commotion still raging outside, Lucius finally strode to the door and turned the handle.
“You’re causing a disturbance, my lady! Please—ah…!”
“Open this door at once—w-what?”
The staff member who had been straining to hold back the marchioness faltered when the door suddenly opened. The furious marchioness also froze mid-outburst, startled by the sight inside.
Lucius stepped forward, his voice low and cold.
“What is the meaning of this noise?”
It was hard to believe this was the same man I’d been conversing with moments ago. His voice was deeper than usual, his expression sharp with anger. The chilling look in his eyes made the employee flinch and bow in haste.
“M-My apologies, Your Grace! Forgive us for the disturbance….”
“I asked what was going on.”
“T-There was… another guest who suddenly arrived, and…”
The staff member stammered, torn between explaining the marchioness’s outrageous behavior and the terror of facing Lucius’s cold gaze. He looked pale, caught between offending the marchioness or disappointing Lucius.
And then, the marchioness herself realized who was in the room.
“D-Duke Roderick… Your Grace…!”
Lucius clicked his tongue at the sight of her, clad in a gaudy crimson dress. She flinched at his sharp eyes. Standing beside him, I couldn’t help but be struck by how imposing he looked—so much so that it reminded me of the “villain” image painted of him in the original work. I was seeing many new sides of him today.
His expression softened slightly when he glanced at me, but hardened again as he faced the marchioness.
“Did you perhaps leave your manners at home, Marchioness Even?”
With his arm around my shoulder, he fixed his gaze on her. She recoiled and hurriedly bowed.
“M-My apologies. I greet Your Grace, the Duke, and Your Grace, the Duchess.”
Despite her formal bow, Lucius’s gaze remained sharp. She fidgeted nervously, unable to meet his eyes directly.
“I already heard enough through the door. No need to explain further. You came here to dine, I presume.”
“Y-Yes…”
“Then why not use one of the many other empty rooms? What business do you have here? Whether you strut about in this restaurant or elsewhere is of no concern to me, but surely you should have considered there might be other guests present. Such carelessness is unbecoming.”
“I-I didn’t realize you were here, Your Grace… Forgive me…!”
Her once-brash attitude had completely vanished, leaving her trembling and biting her lip in front of Lucius.
Of course she hadn’t expected him to be here. Still, her behavior had gone far beyond acceptable. Whatever sway she held in this restaurant, her conduct revealed her true nature.
The Even Marchioness, was it?
The name rang faintly familiar, though I couldn’t quite place it.
She stood there flustered, stealing glances at Lucius, who looked more forbidding than usual. Judging by how terrified she appeared, her fear of him had yet to fade—just like the other staff around us, who hardly dared to breathe.
“Step aside.”
“Manager…!”
Through the tense silence, the manager appeared, pushing through the gathered staff. His forehead was slick with sweat, as though he’d rushed here. Upon seeing Lucius and the marchioness, he quickly bowed deeply to us.
“I deeply apologize, Your Grace, Duke Roderick, and Your Grace, Duchess. This is entirely my fault. The marchioness had not been scheduled to visit today—she must have come suddenly because of the new menu.”
“Y-You…!”
“It was my negligence for not anticipating this. I beg your forgiveness.”
At his words, the other staff followed his lead, bowing in unison. The marchioness, who had been ready to raise her voice at him, faltered and clenched her fan in frustration.
Lucius spoke, his tone icy.
“Even so, I didn’t expect the Marchioness of Even to behave in such an unruly manner. This room must be quite special to provoke such conduct. There are plenty of other reception rooms, after all.”
“……”
“Had I been alone, perhaps I would have overlooked it. But you seem to have chosen the wrong day. Today, I brought my wife here to enjoy a quiet meal. To be interrupted in this way… I cannot simply let it pass.”
“Eek…!”
His presence grew even more intimidating, making the marchioness gasp and nearly drop her fan. Her hands trembled as she struggled to cover her mouth.
Honestly, I was just as annoyed that our lunch had been interrupted, but Lucius looked even angrier than I felt. It was the first time I’d seen him like this, and while it was impressive, I worried for the staff, who looked as if they couldn’t even breathe.
“I will personally inform the Marquis of Even about today’s incident.”
“Y-Your Grace…!”
“Tiana, let’s move. I don’t wish to remain here any longer.”
Ignoring the pale-faced marchioness, he took my hand and began to lead me out. As we passed her and the crestfallen staff, I noticed the manager standing firm, his violet eyes fixed on us.
“…Lucius, wait a moment.”
Unlike the trembling marchioness, the manager’s gaze was steady, unwavering. There was still a hint of fear and guilt toward Lucius, but no avoidance—only a strong, resolute stare.
I found it oddly compelling, and before I knew it, I had caught Lucius’s arm and stopped.
“Tiana?”
At his puzzled look, I smiled faintly.
“There’s no need for us to leave. The one who should be leaving… is someone else. Don’t you agree?”
“……!”
The manager, meeting my eyes, flinched ever so slightly.
