Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Two-Shot
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Aiden had been shown to the guest room, and as she headed to her own quarters...
A small room with its door ajar came into view.
The only guest staying in the Grand Duke's palace tonight was Aiden.
'That's strange? This area only has guest rooms?'
Puzzled, Luna secretly peered through the gap in the door.
"The Grand Duchess is really drinking alone with her secretary? Why?"
"Right? I heard he's capable and all. Who knows?"
It was hard to understand why they were cleaning so late at night, but the maids were tidying the room and furniture with their tools.
As they cleaned, they gossiped, and one maid spoke up with a sly expression.
"Maybe there's something between them?"
Luna flinched at the casual remark.
But unlike her, the other shook her head.
"Nah, no way! Their faces don't match at all."
"True... He's not exactly the Grand Duchess's type."
'Aiden's plenty fine!'
The words nearly burst out, but Luna kept her expression calm.
Compared to Luna, one of the world's top beauties, it was natural for Aiden to fall short.
Unaware of her watchful eyes, the maids giggled among themselves.
"Right? He's nowhere near the Imperial Crown Prince or the Tower Lord's Disciple. Even that stoic Black Knight has a handsome face."
"Yeah! And he's super rich with noble blood to boot."
All three men outranked Aiden in lineage and status, so the maids weren't wrong.
'But Aiden's talented too.'
With that thought, Luna listened to their chatter with a slightly grumpy gaze.
"So why are those two drinking together?"
One maid's question was answered by the other.
"I heard he brought a ton of merchant guilds to the Grand Duchy this time?"
"Heh? He's more capable than he looks? Merchants are coming here?"
"Yeah, I heard the Vain Guild and several others are setting up in Vain."
"Where'd you hear that?"
"You know Jin, Sir Charles's squire? He's my boyfriend. He told me last time we met."
"Huh? Why are you dating that playboy?"
Jin's girlfriend replied to the maid's question.
"He's hot? And his future's secure. Why don't you give up on your crush on the Grand Duchess?"
"W-what? I just admire her! It's not a crush!"
Seeing the maid's flushed face, Luna moved.
-Creak.
As the two maids talked, Luna pushed the door slightly to make her presence known.
"Eek! Grand Duchess?!"
"Ah!"
She gave the flustered maids a cold glance.
"This is where guests stay. Don't carelessly spread what you see and hear in the Grand Duke's palace."
The maids bowed their heads under her sharp red eyes and apologized.
"We're sorry!"
"We'll be careful!"
Luna snorted at their words and headed to her room.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ugh... It's hot."
I woke to the warm heat.
"Where am I?"
Sunlight streamed through the window.
My head throbbed; I pressed my forehead with my hand.
Yesterday... I met Luna... drank, lay on the sofa—that much I remembered.
"Where is this place?"
Disoriented in the unfamiliar space, my throat was parched.
Luxurious interior.
A roaring fireplace.
As I puzzled over the location...
-Knock knock. Secretary Aiden, still sleeping?
At the knock, I got out of bed and opened the door.
"Oh? You're up."
A girl with brown hair and freckles.
"The Grand Duchess summons you."
"Ah? One moment?"
I peeked outside; the familiar Grand Duke's palace corridor stretched out.
Guess... I passed out here yesterday?
Having downed strong liquor all at once, and unsure how to face Luna, my face burned.
Yesterday... she seemed to prepare a lot?
Caviar and various side dishes flashed in my mind.
But I blacked out drunk so fast? Is Luna mad?
As I wallowed in confusion, the maid looked troubled.
"Secretary Aiden, the Grand Duchess calls you for breakfast."
"Ah? One sec? I'll wash up quick!"
I said that and hurriedly freshened up, following the maid.
"There's no etiquette in keeping the Grand Duchess waiting."
Her crisp voice embarrassed me.
"But meeting the Grand Duchess unwashed isn't etiquette either, is it?"
To my retort, she...
"Hmph, smooth talker."
She glared once, then knocked on the large door.
"Secretary Aiden has arrived."
-Let him in.
With Luna's permission, the door opened.
Luna sat at the center of the grand table.
Her expression blank, she said,
"Sleep well?"
I bowed and replied,
"Yes... Thanks to you, I rested comfortably."
"Good. Then come eat."
Breakfast laid out on the table.
An excessive spread before me, but just a sandwich and tea for Luna.
"Uh... I can't eat this much."
"I know. But I didn't know your tastes, so I ordered a variety. Leave what you don't want."
I ate while watching her nonchalant demeanor.
As breakfast ended, maids brought tea and pastries.
As I blew on the hot tea before me and took a sip...
"I prepared sincerely to bond yesterday, but someone fell asleep and ruined it."
She turned her head slightly, feigning indifference; my stomach twisted.
"Caviar's too extravagant even for me unless it's a special day..."
At that, I looked sheepish.
"That... I'm sorry."
Luna asked with half-lidded eyes,
"Fine. Anyway, where's this place called Seoul?"
Come to think of it, yesterday and today—why the fixation on Seoul?
To her silent gaze, I evasively replied,
"It's my hometown. A city with a great river and beautiful night views."
She tilted her head slightly toward me, intrigued.
"Really? Then what's the Republic of Korea?"
"It's a nation at the end of the Eastern Continent. Probably hard to know from here."
I'd heard nobles travel from West to East Continent, but not deep into it.
The East was vast, divided into three cultural spheres.
So hard to know all its nations or places.
"Hmm? Is that so?"
Luna hummed softly.
"Then when did you come to the West Continent?"
"A few months ago."
She frowned faintly at my answer, asking with empty eyes,
"Oh? But your accent's fluent, like a long-time local."
Luna despised lies.
Of course, she and her retainers fibbed mutually, but she basically hated skilled liars.
Probably trauma from her trusted regent's betrayal...
"I arrived recently, but I'd mingled with West Continent folk in the East for years beforehand. So..."
Now for the acting.
I continued with slightly misty eyes.
"When my family fell and I had to leave the Republic of Korea, I got interested in the West Continent and drifted here."
"Really? West Continenters went to where you lived?"
I nodded firmly to her doubt.
"Yes, they took care of me since I was young—such kind people."
Perfect acting and logic.
Even if she nitpicked, without deep East knowledge, it'd be near impossible.
Long tales risk exposure, but short ones are hard to disprove.
After that, Luna peppered me with questions.
From my background to favorite colors, family size...
I answered easily.
But...
She blinked and asked,
"But aren't you curious about me?"
"Ah? Of course I am."
Honestly, not really.
I already knew her novel backstory, likes, and dislikes.
Seeing her frown slightly, I figured I had to ask.
"What's your favorite food?"
'Sandwich.'
"Sandwiches—they're easy to eat."
She'd always valued efficiency.
It fit her dislike for long meals.
"I see."
Our chat paused briefly.
We both toyed with our teacups' spoons.
But she broke the silence.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?"
"No? Not at all."
Actually, extremely so.
She's my boss, and we'd shared our first times.
Though I was stuck here for money.
If my plans failed, I'd resign and leave that day.
I'd saved enough by then.
"Good. Then come to my room tonight too."
Her unexpected words left me blank.
"Pardon?"
"In vino veritas, right? You passed out too fast yesterday, so we couldn't talk deeply. Tonight then?"
How many times had I been screwed since coming here?
And tomorrow was work.
"But tomorrow... I have to go in?"
"Take the day off. I'll tell the secretaries."
Her firm gaze drew a deep internal sigh.
But what could I do? Boss says jump...
"Haha... How could I refuse?"