Chapter 20: It’s On My Mind (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 20: It’s On My Mind (1)
The next morning, I knocked on the Grand Duke’s door without fail.
The only difference from yesterday was that my knock wasn't followed by the sound of a loud thud from within.
On the contrary, the Grand Duke opened the door immediately, without even the sound of a footstep, as if he had been standing there waiting for me.
“Good morning, Your Grace!”
“Good… morning.”
It seemed he had slept well last night. His skin had a pale, healthy glow.
Beneath his lightly swept-back hair, his porcelain-smooth forehead and handsome features stood out. He must have been about to tie his cravat again, as the fabric was already draped around his neck.
Since his hair was slicked back so neatly, I thought it would look lovely to pop his collar and tie a small ribbon knot.
I expected him to put up a fight, but after a moment of hesitation, the Grand Duke obediently leaned toward me. Thanks to his cooperation, the ribbon knot was finished in no time.
Ah, he’s so pretty.
I was admiring the way the loops of the ribbon puffed out when I looked up and met his eyes. It seemed he had been waiting for the right moment, as he spoke up hesitantly.
“I am sorry about yesterday.”
“Yesterday? For what?”
“For falling asleep like that…”
“But I went there specifically to help you sleep, didn't I?”
“...Still... it was rude of me.”
“Well, if you’re apologizing because you didn't do anything to me…”
“I-if you are fine with it, then that is enough.”
Seeing the Grand Duke’s pale cheeks flush red like an apple made me feel like today was going to be a very productive day.
Just like yesterday, I dragged him along to start the morning with a hearty meal—this time, a mushroom soup the chef had prepared with great ambition.
It was a thoroughly satisfying meal, topped off with a dessert piled high with strawberries.
*
“I just came by because I was bored…”
Not long after our meal, the Grand Duke’s brow furrowed when he saw me appear in his office.
“I have work to attend to this morning.”
“I didn't mean to disturb you.”
I held up the book I had brought with me.
“I just thought I’d read a book here.”
“A book?”
The title All About the Latest Capital Fashion was printed in large letters on the cover. The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes as if the sight were absurd.
“Where did you get a book like that?”
“Whitley found it for me in the library.”
“...There was such a book in the castle library?”
“It seems a bit old, though.”
I checked the publication date.
“Ah, it came out eighteen years ago.”
“I suspect you know far more about the capital’s trends than the person who wrote that book.”
But that’s Annette, not me.
Besides, I had a specific reason for choosing this book.
“It shows various ways to tie a cravat.”
Leaving the Grand Duke seemingly speechless, I sat down on the wide canapé sofa in front of his desk.
“Don’t mind me; just go about your work.”
When I turned my attention to the book as if I had no intention of bothering him further, the Grand Duke’s lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but he eventually gave up and returned to his duties.
The office grew peaceful, filled only with the occasional scratching of his pen and the sound of turning pages.
By the way, what is up with these illustrations?
I hadn't come with high expectations in the first place.
I simply had no other way to find different cravat styles besides a book. I had accepted this one because it was supposedly the only book in the entire castle related to fashion.
However, the fashion illustrations inside were incredibly crude.
The models' proportions were all wrong, and the detailed depictions of lace or sleeves were awkward beyond belief.
They must have stiffed the illustrator. Why does the art look like this?
At least the pages describing how to tie a cravat were understandable, thanks to the text accompanying the drawings.
I’ll have to practice these on the Grand Duke later.
Since the tea table was so low, I had nowhere to rest my elbows, and it wasn't long before my neck began to feel stiff.
As I stretched my neck this way and that, I glanced at the Grand Duke, who was now fully immersed in his work.
With his dark eyes set beneath straight, clean brows, he had a truly captivating face. The high bridge of his nose complemented his sharp gaze perfectly.
I could look at that face forever and never get bored.
As I stared at him absentmindedly, our eyes met.
“Do you need something?”
“No, I was just looking because you’re so handsome.”
“...Please go back to your book and stop minding me.”
The Grand Duke bit his lower lip and gripped his pen again.
Though he tried to act otherwise, his movements had become somewhat awkward, clearly conscious of my gaze.
The sleeves of his white shirt were folded twice and fastened with double cuffs.
Even in today’s somewhat stoic attire, which didn't even show his wrists, the Grand Duke looked magnificent.
I think it would look even better if the sleeves were a bit more voluminous.
What was the fashion for men in the capital like again...?
Since transmigrating into Annette, I hadn't attended any balls or social gatherings, so I didn't have any men to use as a reference. After searching for a point of comparison for a while, I thought of Ferdin, the eldest son of the Marquis.
Ferdin was certainly a central figure in the capital’s social circles. It was safe to assume his attire represented the very latest trends.
He probably gets his clothes made at the most prestigious boutiques, right?
Even to me, someone who knew little about the fashion here, Ferdin’s style had seemed sophisticated and elegant.
Compared to that, the Grand Duke’s clothes were, to put it kindly, classic—and to put it bluntly, plain.
However, since a handsome face is the ultimate fashion accessory, his stunning features and great physique made anything he wore look good.
Of course, Ferdin wasn't exactly lacking in the looks department either.
Come to think of it, I hadn't even told Ferdin that I received his gift.
Shouldn't I at least send a thank-you letter?
But what if sending a letter made the Grand Duke suspect me of being a spy? And would Ferdin even bother to read a letter from me in the first place?
As I was lost in thought, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
At the Grand Duke’s permission, the door opened. The person who entered was Leon.
“Commander, about the—Your Highness!”
Leon, who had been striding into the room, widened his eyes in surprise when he spotted me in such an unexpected place.
“Sir Leon.”
I offered him a welcoming smile.
It always felt good to see this genial young man.
Leon kept nodding to me in greeting as he approached the Grand Duke.
“This is the training schedule you asked for.”
“Wait a moment.”
While the Grand Duke reviewed the documents, Leon kept stealing glances at me. He clearly looked like he wanted to talk, so I spoke first.
“I visited your inn a few days ago. Did you hear from your wife?”
As if he had been waiting for those words, Leon’s face lit up.
“My mother has been bragging about it non-stop.”
Though he lowered his voice for fear of being scolded by the Grand Duke, Leon’s tone was full of excitement.
“She said she had a meal with Her Highness the Consort.”
“It was a very pleasant time.”
“Don't even get me started. My mother was so thrilled that Your Highness praised her cooking that she’s been cooking non-stop for a week. The whole neighborhood has been having a feast.”
Haha. I couldn't help but burst out laughing at Leon’s exaggeration.
Encouraged by my reaction, Leon, who had been standing before the Grand Duke, gradually drifted closer to the sofa.
“I don't mean to brag, but my mother’s inn is quite famous for its food.”
“It was so delicious that I’ve been thinking about it lately. May I go back to eat again sometime?”
“Of course, Your Highness! It would be an honor anytime!”
Leon shrugged his shoulders, then suddenly raised his eyebrows as if he’d just had an idea.
“If you ever need to go to Gold Lane again, I’ll escort you. I know the surrounding shopping districts like the back of my hand.”
“Yes. Sir Norton seemed quite flustered by it all.”
Pfft. Leon suppressed a laugh as he spoke.
“Sir Norton was probably just as lost as you were. He rarely leaves the castle. Instead, I’ll find plenty of shops that Your Highness might like.”
“Leon.”
“Yes, Commander!”
The excited Leon snapped to attention instantly at the Grand Duke’s low voice.
“Come back in an hour.”
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
“You may leave.”
At the Grand Duke’s cold, monotone command, Leon took the hint and made his exit.
Even as he walked away, I felt like I could see a tail wagging behind him, so I gave him a knowing smile.
Thud.
“It seems you’ve become quite close with the knights.”
Once Leon was gone, the Grand Duke spoke in a noticeably lower voice.
“Oh, Sir Leon? We came to the castle together.”
“And you became that close in such a short time?”
“Oh, come on. A week is a very long time. Besides, we ate together the whole way. We must have shared at least twenty meals.”
“...You ate in the same place as the knights?”
“We had snacks together, too. Oh, did you know Sir Leon is an amazing cook? I bet he could make a tree branch taste good. His seasoning is incredible.”
“Though I’m sure you know that much better than I do, Your Grace.”
Feeling a bit awkward under the Grand Duke’s silent stare, I changed the subject.
“By the way, how old is Sir Leon?”
“Why do you ask?”
“He looked young to begin with, but maybe because he’s not wearing his pauldrons, he looks even more youthful. Isn't he just so cute?”
“Cute…?”
“Is 'cute' not the right word? Would it be rude to say that to a knight?”
“I heard she was like this to everyone…”
“That fellow… has lived long enough.”
“I-I see.”
“He is not at an age to be called cute.”
The Grand Duke’s mouth set into a hard line as he spoke. A chilly atmosphere began to settle in the room, so I held my tongue.
Is his pride wounded because I called his knight cute?
Having nothing more to add, I quietly turned my eyes back to the crude illustrations of men’s formal wear.