Chapter 8
I accidentally spoke out loud because I was too focused on my thoughts.
“Hmm.”
Leonian leaned his elbow on the sofa, resting his chin on his hand, and stared at me.
“N-no, that’s not what I meant! I didn’t mean I wanted to kiss you! I was just thinking about something else and misspoke. I would never have such disrespectful thoughts!”
“Hmm.”
I clasped my hands together and fidgeted.
My face burned with embarrassment, like it might explode at any moment.
It was just the two of us, and his intense gaze made me avert my eyes, looking around nervously.
Cold sweat formed, and the back of my neck tingled.
“Since earlier…”
“Y-yes?”
“Aren’t you making it a bit too obvious?”
“…Pardon?”
“That you like me. It’s my first time seeing a maid confess love at first sight so openly. Still, such a sudden confession is a bit troublesome.”
He said it as if he found it amusing.
Wait… is he saying a mere maid is daring to covet him?
I blinked, then quickly waved my hands.
“N-no, that’s a misunderstanding! Lady Bianca always speaks highly of you, so… I mean… what I said earlier about kissing didn’t mean that…!”
Ugh, this isn’t it.
“I understand, so there’s no need to force an explanation. I’ll overlook your rudeness.”
He watched me with interest.
Understand what exactly?!
At this rate, instead of gaining affinity, I might get punished for insulting a noble.
Time to retreat.
I lowered my head deeply.
“I-I’m sorry…”
I shut my eyes tightly as I heard him laugh again.
“I’ll accept the reply.”
At that, I quickly stood up and bowed.
“Then I’ll take my leave! I apologize for taking your time. Goodbye—”
The gift already ruined my chances of gaining affinity anyway.
I’ll try again next time.
“Eat it before you go.”
“…Pardon?”
He pointed at the basket again.
“You said you like sweets.”
“….”
Is this… a trap?
“The gift your master sent is too excessive for me to accept. Eat it all before you leave.”
I tilted my head and thought for a moment.
Judging by his expression, he was simply passing his displeasure with Bianca onto me.
Which, honestly, made sense.
She rejected his invitation with that ridiculous excuse, and then sent this as a gift.
If anything, ending things like this was rather gentlemanly.
But from my perspective…
The smell of the cookies was amazing.
I wasn’t offended at all.
In fact, I was starting to feel hungry.
I even considered hiding some in my skirt to share with Betty later.
Who knows?
Maybe eating them would restore HP.
To test it, I secretly pinched my thigh hard.
[You have taken damage to your thigh. HP -2. Please take better care of yourself.]
Tears welled up slightly.
“…Should I eat them?”
I asked again, just in case.
“Go ahead.”
He even nodded.
“…Really?”
“Yes.”
He said to eat them.
So I reached into the basket and grabbed a cookie.
Crunch.
‘This is really good!’
It was packed with butter—crispy and melting in my mouth.
Unfortunately, my HP didn’t increase.
I took another bite.
The large chunks of chocolate broke apart, filling my mouth with a rich, nutty flavor.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
Without realizing it, I finished one and reached for another—
“Ha.”
A laugh came from across the table.
I froze mid-bite and looked up.
Leonian was covering his eyes with his hand, laughing like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Ah… I got too carried away.
Embarrassed, I lowered my head and brushed the crumbs off my lips.
“You’ve made enough effort. That’s enough.”
He stood up, brushing off his clothes.
I looked up at him, still frozen.
“Tell your master I hope her… ‘condition’ heals before the next banquet. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
Before I could respond, he turned and walked away.
I stared blankly at him—
Then he suddenly stopped and turned back.
“We’ll meet again soon.”
“Yes! Thank you—…wait, what?”
Without answering, he left.
I looked down at the basket in confusion.
Meet again soon?
Is he planning to visit Bianca?
He didn’t seem angry anymore… but not exactly pleased either.
Surely it’s not because I ate the cookies.
As expected of a main character—impossible to read.
The important thing is—
I’ll get another chance to complete the hidden quest.
Soon, the head butler Sebastian returned, helped me leave, and handed me a return gift Leonian had mentioned.
The basket looked far more refined.
At least it didn’t seem like a trap like Bianca’s.
I’ll find out when I deliver it.
“Please travel safely.”
I looked at the basket—probably destined to be discarded—and bowed.
“Thank you. Goodbye!”
Then I quickly left.
If he changed his mind and decided to torment me, I’d be in trouble.
“Are you finished?”
“Sir Millard! Yes, I delivered everything.”
“Shall we head to the market now?”
I nodded, feeling much more relaxed.
“Yes, could we go to the shops?”
“Of course. Please get in.”
As I stepped onto the carriage, I glanced back once more at the tightly shut gates.
Then I got in.
On the way to the market, I fell into deep thought.
How am I supposed to build affinity with a duke?
The difference in status is way too big.
And I’m not even a maid from his household.
He said we’d meet again, so he doesn’t seem furious…
But my affinity didn’t increase at all.
I couldn’t think of any solution by the time we arrived.
The marketplace was bustling.
Shops lined both sides of the wide street—clothing stores, food stalls, adventurer shops, and general stores.
I even spotted several places that might sell fatigue potions.
“Sir Millard, if you need anything, feel free to go. I’ll handle my errands nearby and come back.”
“It is my duty to escort you. Please don’t worry about me.”
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
I meant for him to rest…
Well, nothing I can do.
“Then… I’ll go into that shop over there.”
I pointed at a store with a sign showing a bright smiling face.
[Top-quality products and services for adventurers!]
“Yes, I’ll follow.”
We approached the shop—
But someone blocked the entrance.
A man stood there, smiling with his eyes so narrow they looked almost closed—like a fox.
Above his head floated a yellow exclamation mark.
That meant one thing:
A bonus quest.
He looked like he’d speak the moment I stepped closer.
‘People always say… don’t mess with characters who have closed eyes.’
Even though I was curious, I deliberately turned away.
“Sir Millard… I changed my mind. Let’s go somewhere else.”
“Yes, I’ll follow.”
“Thank you.”
Instead, I chose a smaller, more worn-down shop filled with various items.
“I’ll be quick. Please wait outside for a moment.”
“Take your time.”
After nodding, I stepped inside.
“Welcome!”
I approached the counter and took out my money.
“Um…”
“What are you looking for?”
Behind the shopkeeper were countless items—beginner adventurer kits, materials, and potions.
“Do you have something like… a trainee fatigue recovery potion?”
The shopkeeper’s face lit up instantly.
“You’ve come to the right place! We just got some high-performance items!”
He pulled out a flat wooden box.
Inside were five small, ruby-red potions.
Wait… these aren’t yellow.
“These are very popular among adventurers because they’re easy to carry. There’s only one box left—you’re very lucky! This is the highly sought-after Advanced Adventurer Fatigue Recovery Potion (MAX)! The Advanced Adventurer Fatigue Recovery Potion (MAX)!”
Why does a simple potion sound so grand…?
