Chapter 85
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Vacation Life with the Grand Duchess (5)
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“If something comes up, I’ll call for you.”
“Yes, I’ll be waiting.”
Elena returned to the annex and headed straight to her room.
I bowed toward her retreating figure in greeting, only raising my head once the door had fully closed.
‘Did something good happen, by any chance…?’
From the moment she slipped out of the duke’s study until she reached her room, a faint smile had played across Elena’s face. There was a high chance something pleasant had come up during tea time with the duke.
Whatever the personal reason, her good mood was nothing short of ideal. It was perfect as her attendant—and even better as her secret friend.
Thanks to it, I’d gone into town alone without getting my cheeks pinched, reaping the full benefits.
That was when it happened.
“Luke, come in for a moment.”
Suddenly, Elena’s voice came from beyond the door. She must have found the gift I’d prepared.
Brimming with eager anticipation, I stepped into the room.
There she was, sitting primly on the edge of the bed. And on her lap rested a large bear plushie.
What else could it be? It was the gift I’d prepared for Elena.
Her gaze shifted from the bear to me.
“Luke, what’s this?”
“I was strolling through town when this bear plushie caught my eye. It brought back fond memories of the one I gifted you as a child, so I bought it on impulse.”
“Then why is it on my bed?”
“It’d be ridiculous for a guy like me to carry around a bear plushie. If it’s not too presumptuous, perhaps you could use it as a decorative accent?”
The size and appearance were strikingly similar to the one I’d given her back then. The only difference was the ribbon around its neck—blue instead of red.
I’d wandered the town endlessly to find it. I’d even dipped into my emergency savings, which stung even if I didn’t show it. It had been my precious pocket money.
‘Still, if Elena accepts it happily, I won’t regret a thing.’
As that thought crossed my mind, Elena carefully lifted the bear and placed it gently beside her pillow.
A bright smile lit her face, so it seemed my feelings had gotten through.
“Fine. I’ll accept it as a gift.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
“But I have a question.”
“Yes, I’ll answer anything.”
“Does putting it here mean you snuck into my room while I was out?”
Is that how it came across…?
Well, it wasn’t wrong. I had entered her room without permission, after all.
But did she have to point it out right now? The mood was warm, she’d accepted the gift—couldn’t she just let it slide?
Regardless of my thoughts, my body was already bowing. Servants had no options.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m kidding. It’s you, so I don’t mind.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“I mean it.”
Elena flashed a beaming smile.
That concluded our conversation. I left the room promptly, and we didn’t cross paths again until dinner.
Time passed, and late into the night...
Studying by the light of my magic stone lamp, I closed my book and rose. To start physical training at dawn tomorrow, it was time to sleep.
‘She should sleep well tonight...’
Naturally, I meant Elena. It might not match the one we’d shared for ten years, but it was similar enough. She’d surely sleep soundly tonight.
Pushing aside what might just be wishful thinking, I lay down and was about to close my eyes when...
The door creaked open, and I sensed a presence.
“Who’s there...”
I jolted up in surprise and came face-to-face with the intruder.
Blue eyes gleaming in the moonlight. It was none other than Elena.
“You could’ve sent a telepathic message. I would’ve come to you.”
“It’s late. I couldn’t summon you like that.”
Elena brushed past me and perched on the bed. A fresh herbal scent lingered where she’d passed, tickling my nose.
“Luke, I need to talk.”
Trouble swirled in her eyes. After all our years together, I could tell even if she hid it well.
Come to think of it, I’d sensed the same at dinner. I’d waited for her to bring it up, and now it seemed the moment had arrived.
“It’s about the conversation I had with Father over tea today...”
Elena began in a calm tone.
Her voice held no trace of playfulness, drawing me in to listen intently.
She explained that the duke seemed intent on giving me a new opportunity. My talent was top of the Swordsmanship Department—too good to waste as a servant.
She truly cared for me, after all. Hearing that, she couldn’t help but worry.
“Up close, he might get you into the family’s knight order. Farther afield, he could write a recommendation for the Imperial Knights. It’d let your talent bloom.”
“I want to serve you for life, my lady.”
There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in my reply.
It was only natural. The Frozenheart knight order meant real soldiers clashing with hulking barbarians on the northern front.
The Imperial Knights? Full of highborn nobles who could swing a sword. A baron’s son like me knew what awaited.
I’d barely swing my blade—more like slave labor. And no secret letterbox there, either.
Serving Elena wasn’t easy, sure. I had to cater to our reed-thin lady’s whims and laugh off her over-the-top pranks.
But it beat any knight order. No life-or-death risks, no absurd superiors.
After all I’d built, ditch the pension lottery that was Elena for the army? Not even over my dead body—or blind eyes.
“I learned the sword to protect you. The blade embodies my conviction—lose that, and it loses its path.”
“Do you really, truly mean that?”
“Even if the world ends tomorrow, I won’t take it back.”
“This chance might never come again.”
“I’d prefer it never does. I don’t want to hear it again.”
Who’d want to keep hearing recruitment pitches?
Did my answer please her? Elena smiled faintly and slowly bowed her head. Her fingers fidgeted with the bedsheet.
“Truth be told, I said the same. I don’t want to let you go. But it felt too selfish, so I...”
“Your will is my will, my lady. No choice of yours could be selfish.”
“Then it was needless worry...!”
Elena shot to her feet.
I blinked in confusion, staring up at her.
“Good night...!”
With that brief farewell, she bolted from the room.
I stared blankly at the closed door before stretching both arms skyward.
‘Long live Lady Elena! Hooray! Hip hip hooray!’
At least for today, she was no less than a goddess to me.
Time flew by, and a week into vacation...
During our usual routine, Elena set down her teacup silently and spoke.
“Luke, how about visiting your family home for once?”
“The Nineheart Barony...?”
“Yes. You hardly write letters, from what I see. Showing your face occasionally wouldn’t hurt. The Baron of Nineheart is Father’s old friend, too.”
The suggestion was so out of the blue, I was at a loss for words. I’d never even considered going back.
But there was no reason to refuse. Returning home meant a vacation for me.
“If I go, who will attend you, my lady?”
“What are you saying? Of course I’m coming too.”
The cheers ready to burst from my lips drooped and trudged back down into the depths.
Of course. What vacation for an unpaid slave? Be grateful she wasn’t working me harder.
“We’ll leave tomorrow morning, so prepare in advance.”
“Understood.”
At this point, it felt less for me and more for her own whim...
I thought it, but kept it to myself. The outcome—me going home—remained unchanged.
A little more time passed, and the next morning...
After breakfast, Elena and I left Frozenheart Ducal Castle, arriving at the Nineheart Barony estate just before lunch.
Who could’ve guessed?
“...”
“...Miss Evi, why are you here?”
I’d never dreamed the Swordsmanship Department’s sole female classmate would be this close—let alone at my family home.
Why was she really here...?