Chapter 30: A Midnight Invitation
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 30: A Midnight Invitation
“The Grand Duchess summoned Leon? For what purpose?”
The Grand Duke’s voice dropped instantly, and the surrounding air chilled. Leon, the man in question, flinched and hunched his shoulders, as did Perel. Whitley, however, remained entirely unfazed, continuing smoothly.
“She did not state her reasons, Your Grace.”
“She summoned… only Leon?”
What about me?
“That is correct.”
Whitley, clearly reading the Grand Duke’s mind, delivered his answer with a bluntness that felt almost heartless.
“W-well, then…”
Leon, sensing the Grand Duke’s obvious displeasure, spoke up hesitantly.
“Should I follow the Head Butler and see what she needs?”
“Y-yes. It would be good for Sir Leon to go and gauge the atmosphere,” Perel added in a forced, cheerful tone, trying to shift the mood while keeping a wary eye on the Grand Duke’s temper.
“The atmosphere?”
“While you’re there, perhaps you could casually ask Her Highness the Consort if she liked the gift…”
“Absolutely not.”
Loik’s expression hardened like stone as he cut Perel off.
“Don’t even open your mouth.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
With that, Leon practically bolted, scurrying after Whitley as if escaping a predator. Left alone with the Grand Duke, Perel could only swallow hard against the suffocating tension in the air.
*
“Sir Leon, welcome.”
I had expected Leon to be his usual bright self, so I was a bit taken aback by his uncomfortable expression.
“Oh dear, you must be exhausted. Did I call you too late?”
“Not at all! How could I be tired when I’m coming to see Her Highness the Consort!”
Leon waved his hands frantically in denial.
I guess my sense of internal closeness is a bit one-sided.
Seeing him glance nervously toward the door despite his words made me feel even more guilty. Strictly speaking, wasn't this like a boss calling an employee after work hours?
No, wait. I’m not his boss. So this is the boss’s wife calling him… That’s even worse.
How long had it been since I escaped the bottom of the social ladder? Here I was already power-tripping. This is why one must always stay vigilant.
“I’m sorry for calling you so late. I have something I need you to deliver.”
“It’s really fine, Your Highness!” Leon offered an awkward smile. “As for the item…”
I handed Leon the box I had prepared.
“Could you give this to Lady Marie?”
“To my mother?”
Leon tilted his head. He looked puzzled, likely because it was a high-end jewelry box.
“You can open it.”
Leon carefully opened the box. His eyes widened when he saw the flower-shaped brooch set with several small gemstones.
“Lady Marie gave me her tomato stew recipe. This is a small token of my gratitude.”
Leon stammered, “To receive something so precious for just a recipe…”
“I’m not giving it to you, Sir Leon, so don’t reject it on her behalf. I wanted to give it to her personally, but I was worried she might find it burdensome, so I’m asking you.”
The gift was a brooch I had purchased from the selection Madame Ramondria brought earlier. It wasn't outrageously expensive, but by my own calculations of the recipe's value, it was a very respectable piece.
Besides, I spent half of my remaining emergency funds on this.
Still, it wasn't a bad deal, considering I could now eat as much tomato stew as I wanted wherever I went.
After a moment’s hesitation, Leon’s face flushed with a bright smile.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I will make sure she receives it.”
“Oh, and there’s one more thing I wanted to ask.”
I brought up the question that had been weighing on my mind since visiting the inn.
“…Is the inn struggling financially?”
When I briefly explained the atmosphere I’d sensed earlier that day, Leon scratched his head sheepishly.
“Well, there aren't many travelers these days. The lunch service is priced so low that there’s hardly any profit left.”
“Then couldn't you just raise the prices?”
“The inn isn't in the best location. The only reason we get that many customers is because of the price.”
Leon added that Lady Marie’s generous nature—always giving out extra portions because she loved people—made it even harder. He waved his hand dismissively, telling me not to worry and that they were managing.
But the food is so good. It’s a problem if a place like that isn't making money…
For a moment, I started brainstorming ways for the inn to turn a profit, but I quickly cut off that train of thought.
I promised myself I wouldn't be a busybody.
After first arriving in this world, I spent a long time reflecting on my life before the possession. I wondered why my life had been so miserable despite how hard I’d worked.
I had reached one conclusion.
More than half of the problems in my life were caused by my tendency to meddle in other people's business. So, in this life, I vowed never to take an interest in or try to solve anything that didn't directly involve me.
I have enough on my own plate. I should stay out of it.
“Thank you for coming so late. You should head home now, Sir Leon.”
Just as Leon reached for the doorknob after saying his goodbyes—
Ah!
I remembered my most important errand and hurriedly called him back.
“Yes? Your Highness?”
I almost forgot the main point.
“Has the Grand Duke returned to the castle yet?”
At those words, Leon’s face lit up.
“Yes, yes! He just returned!”
“He didn't seem to have any other plans for the evening. It looked like he had plenty of free time. A lot of it!”
He’s young, but he’s certainly quick on the uptake.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
When I gave him a grateful wink, Leon let out a bashful laugh and scratched his head.
“I’m so glad. Well then, I hope you two have a wonderful time!”
Leon left the room with a refreshed smile, looking like a man who had just set down a heavy burden.
Is he that happy just because I’m looking for the Grand Duke?
I suppose the knights worry about their superior being lonely. To be fair, even I found the Grand Duke a bit pitiable. He held the highest rank in Blenheim, yet he had zero social life. He probably didn't have any acquaintances, let alone friends he could open up to. His daily routine seemed to consist of nothing but work and training.
His life is just as boring as my past life was.
But now, I was going to make things fun for him!
On the surface, we were a married couple, but the Grand Duke and I were strictly in a contractual relationship. And in that contract, the Grand Duke was clearly the one in power—the 'Client.'
And he’s a 'Unicorn Client' at that—generous, no power-tripping, and a total feast for the eyes.
Even with a loyal client, one must put in the effort to maintain the relationship. I seemed to be the only person who could provide a breathing room in the Grand Duke’s dry daily life, but since he was never the type to approach first, I had to be the one to step up.
He did tell me not to come to his room at night, but…
He said not to come to him; he didn't say we couldn't see each other at night. I could just invite him to an open space, right?
Looking out the window, the moonlight made the scenery outside look particularly poetic tonight.
I feel a bit bad for working Whitley so hard at this hour, but…
After a moment of deliberation, I summoned the loyal Head Butler once more.
*
“Your Highness, will this suffice?”
“Yes, it’s perfect! You’re the best, Whitley!”
“I am glad to hear it.”
The old butler wore a proud smile.
I sat down at the tea table set up in the glass greenhouse. On the trolley beside me, a selection of gentle herbal teas perfect for nighttime and matching refreshments were beautifully displayed. Whitley had personally prepared everything after I mentioned I wanted to have tea with the Grand Duke in the greenhouse garden.
“Now, could you go and relay the message to the Grand Duke?”
“I shall go at once.”
With a determined expression, Whitley left the greenhouse.
I looked around. The scenery inside the glass greenhouse was mystical. The moonlight streaming through the domed glass windows cast a soft glow on the wildly growing vines. The trees hadn't been pruned, but the greenhouse, filled with nameless green plants taking root everywhere, had a charm of its own.
When Whitley had given me the tour of the castle, it had been locked, so I’d only caught a glimpse of it in passing. I’d liked it so much that I’d wanted to come inside at least once.
I had to pester Whitley to open it for me, though.
To be honest, the chances of the Grand Duke showing up were fifty-fifty. Despite his appearance, he was quite soft-hearted, but he could also be incredibly cold and distant when he wanted to be. He had been quite firm when he told me not to visit him at night.
It’s fine. If he doesn't come, I’ll just drink it alone.
But the greenhouse was so beautiful; it felt like a waste to see it by myself. Should I have gone and dragged him here myself instead of sending Whitley?
I sat there wondering for how long? It felt like less than ten minutes before the Grand Duke appeared in the greenhouse.
“Your Grace!”
“Have you been waiting long?”
The Grand Duke’s tone was calm, but his chest was rising and falling faster than usual.
“You could have taken your time. Did you run here?”
Seeing him brush back his disheveled bangs, I couldn't help but let out a silly giggle. I had clearly heard his urgent, running footsteps suddenly slow down to a stroll right outside the entrance, but his attempt to act cool was actually quite cute.
“I hope I didn't interrupt your rest?”
“I was just about to have a cup of tea myself.”
Outside the greenhouse, deep darkness had already fallen.
I knew it!
So he didn't mean we couldn't meet at night? I just wasn't supposed to go to his room!
I mentally slapped my forehead at the realization. I wouldn't have to worry too much about winning him over in the future.
Even as he spoke firmly, the Grand Duke’s face looked somewhat excited. Thinking I’d made the right choice in calling him, I personally poured him a cup of well-steeped herbal tea.
The Grand Duke’s profile glowed in the moonlight as he took a sip of tea while surveying the greenhouse. As he tilted his head slightly, his sharp jawline stood out attractively.
I’d felt it the first day we met, but the Grand Duke at night felt quite different from the Grand Duke during the day. Was it because of his lowered bangs? Or the loose shirt he was wearing? His slightly relaxed, heavy-lidded eyes were almost… seductive.
Just looking at his face washes away the day’s fatigue.
Let’s be honest. Me, providing breathing room for the Grand Duke? No. It was more accurate to say that the Grand Duke was a ray of light in this boring life of a possessor.