Chapter 9
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 9
“Ah, Lady Tulia. You’ve come again today.”
Luc Kelposher, the Chief Aide to the Grand Duke of Frezier, smiled as he stepped out of the office.
Tulia, who had been staring out the window while holding a basket no larger than her palm, turned to Luc and returned the smile.
“Hello.”
“It puts me in a difficult position if you don’t speak comfortably with me, My Lady.”
“Hi.”
Luc chuckled and replied, “Yes, hello, My Lady.”
“Have you had lunch?”
“Of course. Have you eaten?”
“Mhm.”
To Luc, Tulia was a peculiar existence—like a single tulip blooming in a vast, white snowfield.
The way she treated him, a direct descendant of the Frezier line, like some ‘grandfather she happened to know’ was proof enough of that.
Of course, many sought to win the favor of Luc Kelposher, the Chief Aide to Grand Duke Asis Frezier. However, seeking favor and acting with genuine intimacy were two entirely different things.
It was especially striking considering that Tulia Frezier had shown absolutely no interest in Luc Kelposher for the past several years.
Is it because I scolded those maids the other day?
Luc had no way of knowing why Tulia Frezier was suddenly looking at him with eyes so full of affection and trust. Not that it felt bad, though.
Furthermore, to be perfectly honest, he felt sorry for her. Tulia acted as if Luc Kelposher was the only person in this entire Main Castle she could talk to.
And that’s likely the truth.
It was a bitter thought, but not something Luc could fix immediately. Perhaps because of that pity, his eyes lingered longer on her appearance.
Her accessories and clothes are quite... modest.
Her jewelry and dress were barely passable. It was a clear sign that no maid with professional skills had been assigned to her.
And her hair...
He felt truly sorry, but this was...
Is that ‘hit-by-a-bomb’ look the latest trend?
Absolutely not.
It wasn't as if she had just come out with her hair down without any styling. It looked like she had tried her best to be presentable, but that hair... It wasn't something a young lady of a proper noble house would wear—in fact, even a commoner with any sense wouldn't be caught dead in it.
It seemed Tulia hadn't even been assigned a maid who was in their right mind.
Half of the internal affairs of the Grand Duchy were held in the grip of Viscount Lilius and his wife. Even though their son, Tedric, had been scolded by Grand Duke Asis and had his Lineage Pendant temporarily confiscated, that wasn't enough to strip them of their administrative authority.
If this Grand Duchy were just some common noble house, it might be different. But the management of this massive household—a place where 'enormous' didn't even begin to describe it—was a matter on par with changing the Prime Minister of a kingdom. It was the kind of thing the Council of Elders would take an interest in.
The Grand Duke hasn't gone so far as to issue an order like that yet.
Still, the Lilius couple was currently keeping their heads down, wary of the Grand Duke’s mood.
This was the Main Castle, and there were many eyes watching. They couldn't persecute Tulia openly, but until just a few days ago, she had been like a ghost within the family. It was realistically difficult for her to whine about not having a single proper maid to help her dress.
In fact, Viscount Lilius and Viscountess Aubrey were likely counting on that. They needed to find a flaw in Tulia to regain their advantage.
Wait. Something is strange...
Luc Kelposher looked at Tulia again.
Unlike Grand Duke Asis, who had no interest in his grandchildren, Luc, as an aide, always kept track of the traits of the Frezier direct line.
Tulia Frezier was someone who valued appearances so much she wouldn't leave her room unless she was perfectly adorned. The rumors that she loved luxury didn't come from nowhere.
So why did Tulia come out so confidently with that bomb-site hair? The old Tulia would never have shown herself like this. If anything, she would have thrown a fit about not being sent a proper maid...
I wonder what His Grace will think of this.
Luc smiled and asked, “Lady Tulia, did you bring homemade jam again today?”
“Yeah. Though I’m sure Grandfather won’t eat it...”
Luc only smiled at her words, unable to disagree.
Grand Duke Asis Frezier, a man regarded as having power rivaling the Emperor, was someone who received all sorts of rare and precious tributes every single day. He was not a man of such a tender personality that he would personally taste jam gifted by a granddaughter he hadn't spared a glance for until a few days ago.
He didn't tell me to throw it away, but he hasn't touched it once.
However, after glancing at Tulia’s jam, Grand Duke Asis had made a passing remark.
“It seems that little Tulia girl resents me quite a bit.”
At that time, the aides in the office had broken into cold sweats and laughed awkwardly.
Certainly, today as well...
The jam Tulia brought didn't look to be in very good condition. Seeing her bring this in so consistently, it seemed Tulia Frezier truly was the daughter of Marquis Aster Frezier, a man with the heart of a beast.
“Ahem.”
Shaking off his thoughts, Luc Kelposher smiled.
“Isn't a modest gift like this nice once in a while?”
“Right?”
“Of course, Lady Tulia.”
As Tulia smiled back, her pink bomb—no, her pink cloud of hair—puffed and bounced.
“By the way, My Lady. Would you like to return to your quarters now? The head meet—ah, excuse me. The council meeting is about to end, and many vassals will be coming out.”
It was a tactful way of suggesting she shouldn't be seen by the vassals with her hair like that for the sake of her pride... though he couldn't even imagine how her 'pride' worked anymore.
So it’s that time.
A spark lit up in Tulia’s eyes.
“Okay. I’ll head back.”
Luc failed to see the devious smirk that crept onto Tulia’s lips as she turned away, thanking him for the information.
* * *
The Grand Duke isn't eating the jam I give him.
As expected of the head of a Great House, he was a wise man.
Looking at Luc’s face, he seemed inwardly apologetic that he couldn't guarantee the Grand Duke would eat the homemade jam, but I actually found it a relief.
I worked hard on it, but with a Skill Stat of -10, I’m not sure if anyone would be okay after eating it...
It was much better for him to simply recognize the fact that I was consistently bringing gifts I made myself. A clumsy but sincere gift.
Despite his cold impression, Grand Duke Asis Frezier was a character who was weak to that sort of thing.
Well, it is very clumsy...
The Grand Duke has eyes; he’ll know just by looking. He’ll see that the apple jam I make isn't fit for human consumption. It’s jam made with a -10 Skill penalty, after all. Even the color is murky.
Still, they say most nobles are terrible at cooking. If I keep bringing jam, I might be able to scrape together some Favorability.
Besides, thanks to coming every day, I finally figured out the time when the vassals come out.
Starting next week—no, starting this week—rotten fruit will stop being delivered to my kitchen.
* * *
Just as Tulia expected, a few days later.
Viscount Lilius returned to the couple’s bedchamber, his face flushed bright red.
“You! Just what on earth are you doing?!”