Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Northern Grand Duchess's Exclusive Attendant (2)
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After the traditional ducal breakfast, I first returned to the mansion with Elena. Even if the Duke had summoned me, I couldn't just send Elena back alone.
Of course, Yulia was with her, but she was there to assist me, not to replace me.
"Luke, come with me."
"Yes, milady."
I followed Elena into her room.
Once inside, Elena hopped up and plopped down on the bed, her short legs swinging back and forth.
"You're going to see Father now, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"You have to be careful. He's super scary when he's mad."
"I'll keep that in mind."
There was no real reason for the Duke to be angry at me. After all, I hadn't done anything wrong.
Unless our secret friendship got exposed, that is...
I didn't want to witness the Duke's wrath if I could help it. Not today, and not ever.
It would surely be my last day on earth.
"Milady, as your secret friend, may I say just one thing?"
"Uh, sure? What is it?"
"You looked incredibly cool eating that carrot this morning."
"Right?! I eat carrots so well...! Onions too...! And also..."
Elena folded down her fingers one by one, listing off the vegetables she knew. Unfortunately, she didn't even make it past one hand.
Maybe from today onward, Elena would start liking vegetables, even just a little.
A healthy body houses a healthy spirit, or so they say. The healthier Elena became, the softer her vicious future personality might turn out—music to my ears.
A terrifying attendant who could even fix a nine-year-old's picky eating. That was me.
"Then I'll be off, milady."
"Okay, see you."
I gave Elena a quick bow and slipped out of the room.
Carefully closing the door without a sound, I found Yulia watching me as if she'd been waiting.
"Luke, heading out now?"
"Yes, that's the plan."
"Do you know the way?"
"Yes, I do. Milady showed me personally yesterday."
"Hmm... Still, if you get lost, ask one of the servants around."
"Noted."
I appreciated the concern, but I didn't think it'd be an issue. Unlike a normal nine-year-old, I was an extraordinary one.
Something as embarrassing as getting lost would never happen...
Never...
'Where am I...?'
I'd made it to the main building just fine, but after that, things went wrong. I was sure the office was straight down the left hallway, but there wasn't an office in sight—just some warehouse.
No wonder no one answered no matter how much I knocked. It was empty inside.
'Might as well head back.'
I turned right around and retraced my steps. Before long, I was back at the main building's entrance.
I never imagined I'd actually get lost...
Maybe I should ask a servant after all. It was a bit humiliating, but I couldn't afford to be any later for my appointment with the Duke.
Humiliation won't feed me, but the Duke will.
I scanned the area and, luckily, spotted a servant nearby.
"Excuse me."
"Yes, what can I...?"
The servant, who had been dusting the window frames, turned around. She blinked in confusion, then slowly lowered her gaze.
"Did you call for me, by chance?"
"Yes, I did."
"What can I do for you?"
"I'm Luke, the new exclusive attendant for Lady Elena. I've forgotten the way to the office and was hoping for some help."
"I see. So you're the new servant for the lady..."
The servant's lips curved upward slowly. For some reason, that smile felt incredibly ominous.
Gulp.
Everything's fine, right...?
"I'll show you the way then. Follow me."
"Thank you."
I followed her, but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling.
Come to think of it, my parents always said never to follow strangers...
Should I bail now...?
It wasn't long before she stopped walking.
"Here we are. This is the family head's office."
"Thank you."
"My name's Sein. Come find me anytime you need help."
With that, Sein walked off.
Unlike my worries, nothing happened, but that smile of hers lingered in my mind.
I should stick close to Elena for a while...
'Time to meet the Duke, then.'
I took a deep breath and slowly raised my hand.
"It's Luke Nineheart."
"Come in."
I knocked, and a voice replied immediately from the other side.
Without hesitation, I opened the door and entered the office.
"Luke Nineheart pays his respects to Duke Frozenheart."
"Good, good. Nice to meet you."
The Duke's office was a bit different from what I'd imagined. Piles of documents everywhere, and a massive map of the North hanging on the wall.
It looked less like an office and more like a military war room.
Then again, with all the clashes against the barbarians up north, that made sense.
"Have a seat over here."
"Yes, Your Grace."
I sat in the center of the long sofa, directly across from him, as instructed.
Of course, I didn't relax—I kept perfect posture. Lounging just because you're told to is for amateurs.
Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything.
"Thank you for coming to our house. But first, I should apologize. I'm sorry for summoning you so suddenly."
"It's no trouble. Being called by milady is an honor for me."
"If you truly mean that, then I'm all the more grateful."
Not exactly sincere, but...
Regardless, it was easy to see he wasn't a bad person. Apologizing to a subordinate isn't easy.
You think it's not? Yeah, right. My office life proves otherwise.
The conversation continued after that.
He mentioned sending an altar priest to Elena's mansion today, asked if my bedding was comfortable. He seemed determined to accommodate me.
I had no idea why he'd go this far for one servant, but no reason to refuse. Not that I could anyway.
"You know, this reminds me of when I met your father."
"My father...?"
"Yes, back when I was captain of the 2nd Knight Order. Your father, Deren, was quite the knight back then..."
The words "Knight Order" hit me like a brick, my mind going blank. I'd just endured endless knight stories from Yulia yesterday.
Do all knight order folks do this...?
Knight orders—military in general—are nothing but trouble.
How much time passed? It felt like blood was about to pour from my ears.
"Oh dear, I've gone on too long. Elena must be waiting."
"It was an honor to hear such fascinating knight order tales."
"I'll tell you more next time then. Elena hates them, you see."
No, please spare me that.
Of course, I couldn't say it aloud. He was the Duke, after all.
Time to butter him up...
"It would be an honor, Your Grace."
"Good, I'm glad. You may go now."
I stood, bowed politely,
and was about to leave when a voice called from behind.
"Luke, take good care of Elena."
"I will do my utmost."
I bowed once more and exited the office.
Thankfully, I remembered the way back and soon reached Elena's mansion.
"Milady, it's Luke."
"Come in."
I knocked, and her voice came right away.
But for some reason, it sounded off. Like she was seriously sulking.
Did she get mad because I took too long?
Thinking that, I entered her room and found her with lips pursed in a pout.
"I'm back."
"You're late...!"
"Sorry. His Grace shared stories from his knight order days..."
"Kn-Knight order...?"
Elena's face twisted in horror. She really, really hated knight order stories.
I had no idea how many he'd told to provoke that reaction, but...
For once, I agreed completely. I wanted no more knight stories either.
"Oh, right. Yulia mentioned earlier. You want to do swordsmanship... or something?"
"Yes. I learned a bit from my father back home, so I want to train more."
Yulia must have looked into it while I was gone.
If only I'd had a mentor that dedicated during my office days...
Not that it mattered now, but the thought crossed my mind.
That's when Elena hopped down from her chair.
"Then let's go together! I wanna try it too! Swordsmanship!"
Seems our secret friend wanted to play together.