Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Northern Grand Duchess's Exclusive Attendant (1)
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As her exclusive attendant, the first task given to me was none other than waking Elena.
I wondered if it was really okay for a mere servant to disturb their master's deep sleep...
"Breakfast is a tradition in the Frozenheart Ducal Family where the entire family gathers together."
After hearing Yulia's explanation, I understood. With justification like that, waking her was only natural.
I carefully opened the door without making a sound and stepped inside. There, on the large bed, Elena lay sleeping soundly.
She was hugging a large bear doll—the very one I had given her as a gift.
'Good thing she likes it.'
I had been secretly worried. What if the bear doll ended up torn to shreds and tossed in the trash—?
One might think she wouldn't do such a thing, but anyone who's read the original story would understand my concern.
No, that might even be considered mild. In the original, she once tore a gift apart right in front of the giver.
"Lady Elena, Lady Elena..."
I whispered softly by her bedside, so as not to upset her if she woke.
"Lady Elena, it's time for your night watch..."
Oh no, that wasn't right.
The situation felt so familiar that the words slipped out unconsciously.
"Ugh..."
Elena furrowed her brow and turned her head away. She looked extremely displeased.
To think even someone hearing it for the first time would react like that—what power did night watch duty hold...?
"Lady Elena, it's morning. Time to get up."
I brushed off the brief slip-up and continued trying to wake her.
Deep down, I wanted to let her sleep, but I couldn't. This was breakfast tied to the ducal family's tradition, after all.
And above all, I wanted to handle my first task as a servant perfectly.
How much time had passed since then? It was around the twentieth time I called out "Lady Elena."
"Luke...?"
Elena murmured in a small voice. Her eyes blinked slowly; she was still half-asleep.
"Yes, this is Luke, your exclusive attendant. Did you have a restful night?"
"Yeah, I slept well..."
"I'll fetch someone to assist with your preparations, so please wait just a moment."
"Okay, I'll wait..."
I bowed politely to Elena and left the room. Of course, I made sure not to show her my back as I exited.
"Luke, did something happen...?"
As soon as I stepped out, Yulia asked as if she'd been waiting. Her eyes were filled with worry.
"No. I successfully woke the lady."
"I see...?"
"Is there some reason you're concerned?"
"No, it's nothing. Then I'll go assist with the lady's preparations."
That was the end of our conversation. She headed straight into Elena's room.
Her reaction just now nagged at me a bit, but there was no need to dwell on it.
If it was something important, I'd find out eventually whether I wanted to or not.
The Elena that Yulia remembered was someone who woke at the slightest sound.
It wasn't just sharp hearing. The faint creak of a door opening was enough to snap her eyes open.
It was similar to the reactions of knights dozing on the northern frontlines.
So she was puzzled.
'What on earth could be taking so long...?'
It had been quite a while since the young servant entered the room, yet there was no sign of him.
Maybe he'd committed some grave breach of etiquette and was being scolded. It was his first day as a servant, after all.
She'd even prepared to apologize on his behalf if needed...
But the sight that greeted her soon after shattered those thoughts.
"Good morning, my lady."
"Yeah, good morning."
Elena's expression was bright. Her complexion was good, with no trace of fatigue. She looked just like someone who had slept deeply and refreshed.
It was bewildering, despite the casual greeting. Yulia had served her for nearly a year, yet this was the first time Elena had faced the morning in such high spirits.
Until now, every day had started with a gloomy face and vacant eyes.
"My lady, you look well today. Did you have a good dream, perhaps?"
"I did dream something... What was it? I can't remember."
"It must have been a good one. Definitely."
Could something big be about to happen? The change was so unbelievable that such thoughts crossed her mind.
Afterward, Yulia began helping Elena with her morning preparations.
While changing out of her nightgown into a pure white dress, Elena suddenly tilted her head.
"But where's Luke? Isn't he supposed to help me? He's my attendant."
"My lady, a proper lady mustn't show her undergarments to a man."
"I-Is that so...? But then our promise..."
"Promise...?"
"Ah, it's nothing!"
Yulia felt a twinge of curiosity but decided not to pry. That was the virtue of a good servant.
'Maybe it's because Luke came...?'
For a girl with no peers her age, Luke's presence must have felt incredibly comforting.
Whether he could fill the void left by the late duchess was uncertain, but...
Her mistress was healthy again.
That was enough for Yulia.
How much time had passed since Yulia entered the room?
Suddenly, the doorknob turned, and Elena stepped out.
"Good morning, Luke."
"Good morning, my lady."
Elena wore a dress the same color as her hair, topped with a thick coat. The coat was lined with fluffy fur, making it look very warm.
Soon after, I left the mansion with Elena. The chill wind hit us immediately upon stepping outside, reminding me just how warm the building had been.
Ah, how I missed electric blankets, padded coats, boilers...
Thankfully, thoughts of modern comforts faded quickly from my mind. The main building wasn't far from Elena's residence.
And in that moment, one thing that steadfastly held its ground was the steaming broth of fish cakes.
On cold days, blowing on a ladleful and sipping it was pure bliss.
If I got the chance, I'd like to make some. I wonder if Elena would like it too?
"Luke, from here on, you really need to be careful."
"Understood."
With Yulia's warning in mind, we arrived at the dining hall in the main building. A long table that could seat at least ten people dominated the vast space.
Two people had already taken their seats at the table: none other than the Frozenheart Duke and the duchess.
To be precise, the new wife. Elena's birth mother had passed from illness.
"Good morning, Father."
Elena bowed her head toward the duke in greeting. She then shifted her gaze to the duchess beside him.
"Good morning."
"Yes, good morning."
The duchess seemed to accept the greeting warmly, but it was easy to sense the negative emotions lurking beneath.
Elena was surely aware of it too. They'd even discussed it at the banquet earlier.
No need to ask what had happened between them.
Elena couldn't accept her stepmother as a mother, and the stepmother couldn't accept Elena as a daughter.
'Is this another problem I need to solve...?'
If left alone, the duchess would surely commission Elena's assassination through me.
In the original story, she used the pretext of a cure for her mother's illness.
Of course, I had no intention of accepting such an offer. It led only to a gruesome death, and the duchess wouldn't keep her word anyway.
But would she let me off easily if I refused?
'No, no. Either way, I'm dead.'
The moment I learned of Elena's assassination plot, as an insider, I was doomed.
The duchess would try to cover it up by any means, and in the end, I'd be silenced with death.
In truth, I only ever had one choice.
Prevent the duchess from ordering Elena's assassination.
In other words, mend their festering relationship with some ointment and a bandage.
It wouldn't be easy, of course, but I wasn't worried. I'd built the "secret friend" relationship for exactly this day.
Even the Northern Grand Duchess would listen to some nagging from her secret friend.
As I pondered this, several servants wheeled in carts and entered the dining hall.
They quickly set the food on the table and withdrew.
"Then let's eat."
With the duke's words, breakfast began.
The menu consisted of freshly baked bread, salad, and stew. It seemed modest for a ducal family, but considering their location at the northern frontier, it made sense.
Or perhaps it was simply a light morning meal.
'She's eating surprisingly well...?'
Unlike at the banquet hall, Elena was eating the food in front of her quite heartily.
But that didn't last long. Soon, she hit a massive wall.
"Ugh..."
The wall was a large, orange carrot. Elena glared at the vegetable impaled mercilessly on her fork.
Of course, eating a balanced diet was good for you, but a child wouldn't care about that.
They liked what tasted good and hated what didn't. That was the natural law for kids.
'No way...?'
Elena squeezed her eyes shut and brought the carrot to her mouth. She chewed it slowly and swallowed.
Incredible. Overcoming picky eating at age nine?
The protagonist of this world was exceptional in every way.
At that moment, Elena glanced over at me, our eyes meeting. She seemed eager to show off that she'd eaten the carrot.
As I started to smile back in response.
"Elena, after breakfast, send Luke to my study for a moment."
The duke's deep voice filled the dining hall.