Chapter 16
The butler, who had been walking one step ahead of me, stopped in front of a door.
‘So this is the Duke’s office.’
Gulp.
I swallowed nervously.
I had faced the Duke many times before, but this was my first time meeting him one-on-one.
Just as the butler was about to knock, I suddenly remembered something and hurriedly whispered,
“W-wait, Butler!”
Of course, I made sure to keep my voice low so it wouldn’t be heard inside.
The butler gave me a puzzled look, but while he did, I quickly checked my appearance.
‘The Duke doesn’t seem like a bad person, but he’s strict. I can’t let my guard down.’
After making sure that the ribbon tying up my hair was neatly in place, I nodded to myself.
“All set now. Thank you for waiting.”
At my solemn expression, the butler quietly chuckled, then lightly knocked on the door.
“Your Grace, I’ve brought Vivian.”
“Send her in.”
The Duke’s reply came immediately, as though he had been waiting.
I carefully stepped into the office.
The Duke was sitting on a sofa, and in front of him were steaming tea and refreshments.
A maid must have just brought them in.
I walked over to where the Duke was seated, but I didn’t sit down.
‘It’s proper manners not to sit until the person of higher status gives permission.’
That was etiquette my father had drilled into me from a young age—just in case I ever met a noble, so I wouldn’t get into trouble for being rude.
Instead, I bowed my head politely.
“Hello, Your Grace. You called for me?”
“How is your health?”
“Yes! Thanks to your concern, I’ve recovered.”
The Duke fixed me with his usual cool gaze for a moment—eyes that seemed to be testing me.
But only for a moment.
Soon, he gestured toward the sofa opposite him.
“Sit.”
In front of him was black tea; in front of me, a cup of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows.
‘Looks delicious…’
The sweet smell made me swallow, but again, I waited.
Until the Duke picked up his cup first.
After moistening his lips with tea, he suddenly asked,
“Do you know what His Majesty the Emperor thinks of Rachel?”
“Lady Rachel told me yesterday.”
“No, before that.”
I had just been about to sip the cocoa when I froze at his next words.
“I mean—did you know of the relationship between His Majesty and myself before you heard it from Rachel?”
I had already sent a report so the Duke wouldn’t mistake me for a spy.
Of course, I could try to brush it off with something like, ‘The knights asking about Lady Rachel just seemed suspicious, so…’
But…
‘This man won’t be easily fooled.’
And he wasn’t someone who would cut me slack just because I was a child.
So instead of fumbling with a lie, I chose honesty.
“Actually… I did know. I overheard the village elders talking.”
The Duke stirred his tea with his spoon, looking unsurprised—as though he had expected my answer.
“And what do you think of His Majesty the Emperor?”
Cough!
The sudden curveball nearly made me spit out my cocoa.
Yet the one who had tossed the bomb remained calm, sipping his tea as he pressed,
“Tell me your thoughts.”
I froze up, tense, searching his face for clues.
‘Am I… allowed to criticize the Emperor here?’
The Duke didn’t get along with His Majesty.
But still, he was the Emperor of the Empire.
Would he really want me to start insulting the Emperor the moment he set the stage?
‘Is that really the answer he’s looking for?’
Confused about the intent of his question, I managed to stammer out,
“To be honest… I don’t really know.”
“…”
“I’ve never met His Majesty, after all.”
“That’s hardly the kind of pitiful answer I was asking for, and you know it.”
His sharp response came at once.
But I didn’t falter, and continued,
“But I was taught that judging someone only by what others say is wrong. So, I haven’t really formed an opinion about His Majesty, but…”
“…But?”
Truthfully, I still wasn’t sure what answer the Duke wanted.
Did he want flattery, or was he testing whether I’d just flatter him blindly?
But instead, I chose my own path.
“One thing I do believe is that it’s wrong to punish a child for the sins of their parent.”
My values.
“And that’s why I want to stay by Lady Rachel’s side.”
My true feelings.
Not one of the two easy answers he had laid out for me.
Perhaps because my response was unexpected, the Duke gave a faintly amused smile as he asked,
“Do you pity that child?”
I didn’t answer.
I thought it might be presumptuous for a mere commoner child like me to call the young lady ‘pitiful.’
Fortunately, he didn’t seem to expect an answer, as he continued,
“I like people with their own convictions.”
“People with convictions?”
“Yes. I already have one dog to wag its tail at my mood—that’s enough.”
I kept silent, listening closely, not fully understanding the sudden shift.
“What I want at my side is not a hound, but a person.”
“…”
“Someone who can show me another path when I’ve lost my way. Someone who can stop me when I make the wrong choice. Someone intelligent, with clear convictions.”
“…”
“Of course, a dog is loyal—but you can’t expect that from them.”
From the Duke’s words radiated the weight of authority.
A man born with power, accustomed not to following but to leading.
For him, it was only natural.
“In that regard, I find you pleasing.”
“…”
“I shall sponsor you.”
…Wait, what did he just say?!
My eyes flew wide open in shock.
It was common for nobles to discover promising children, sponsor them from a young age, and later employ them as retainers.
The Duke was offering me that very thing!
“Then become a useful talent. To me, and, more importantly, to Rachel.”
His once-icy eyes had softened noticeably.
‘I thought he wouldn’t cast me out because my illness could be of help to Rachel… but I never imagined he’d offer sponsorship!’
“Of course, that means you’ll have to come to the manor every day to study with Rachel. Do you dislike that?”
His expression was calm as he asked, but strangely enough, it felt almost like he was worried I might refuse.
For a moment, all I could do was blink in shock. Then, a beat late, I shouted,
“N-no! I’d love that!”
I jumped to my feet.
“I’ll do my best, Your Grace!”
Clenching my fists in determination, I looked at him. The Duke let out a short laugh.
His face, usually cold, now bore a relaxed smile—and before I knew it, my own lips curled into a grin as well.
Not long after, I left the Duke’s office. The moment the door closed behind me, I couldn’t stop myself from stomping my feet in glee.
A victory dance of joy.
‘Being acknowledged by someone feels amazing!’
Of course, my father, Loren, and Aunt Karin had all recognized me plenty of times before.
But being acknowledged by such a strict person felt… different.
While I was still grinning like an idiot outside the office, a voice suddenly came from beside me.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah! Lady Rachel!”
She gave me a strange look, but I couldn’t hold back my joy. I ran over and threw my arms around her.
“His Grace said he’d sponsor me! That means we can study together every day now! Isn’t that great?”
As I shared my happiness with Rachel, I suddenly noticed her cheeks were redder than usual.
“Huh? Are you feeling sick?”
“That…”
Rachel opened her mouth as if to say something, but when her eyes met my face—so close to hers—she quickly looked away and pushed me back.
“…Just, back off a little first.”
