The Otaku Duchess (2)
Chris stepped into the mansion under Sebas's guidance.
Even from the outside, it was a magnificent fortress that made the word "mansion" feel inadequate—the sheer scale set it apart.
And once they ventured deeper inside, its grandeur became even more overwhelming.
As she followed Sebas, Chris glanced sideways at the maids lined up along both sides of the red carpet.
She had no idea how to react to their perfectly synchronized bows of greeting.
Tsk, wonder if it'd have been better if I'd possessed some duchess instead...
No, wealth and fame would naturally follow as she soared to success from here on out.
And she already had a solid plan to butter up the duchess who would kick it all off.
Just mentioning the book had gotten her inside, so the girl must have been pretty desperate.
But what to do about this.
She had zero intention of handing it over easily.
Chris swallowed a chuckle and climbed the stairs to the second floor behind Sebas.
The stone steps thudded lowly with each footfall.
Thump, thump. Trying to act more formal, Chris shortened her stride to muffle the sound, but her steps refused to cooperate. She clicked her tongue, staring down at her own feet.
Along the landings hung flags emblazoned with the family crest and portraits of ancient knights. She flinched, shoulders jerking.
The heavy gazes sized up the visitor like she was on trial, leaving Chris feeling like a criminal by the time they reached the second-floor corridor.
Already giving me a stomachache...
She vowed to wrap this up quick and bolt straight to the bathroom—then Sebas halted.
"The guest room is here."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
Sebas opened the door, and a faint tea aroma wafted out first.
Her eyes followed the scent to a round table, where a single girl sat.
"Welcome. A precious guest has arrived."
Mirabel's amethyst eyes lingered on Chris for a moment before a shadow fell over them.
"I heard you brought Reinhardt's Commerce Chronicle."
"Yes, I heard the duchess was quite the connoisseur of stories."
"...Connoisseur."
Mirabel's gaze dropped briefly, then returned to Chris.
"Hearing it put that way makes me feel embarrassed for no reason."
The duchess's eyes held Chris steady.
"Why don't you sit and join me for tea first?"
Her fingertip brushed the teacup lightly.
Clink.
The soft sound rippled gently through the guest room.
A pale amber tea steamed faintly from the cup, carrying the fresh, citrus-peel scent of bergamot black tea—the latest fad among kingdom nobles.
"......"
Chris sat wordlessly across from her.
Sebas withdrew quietly, and soon another cup was placed before her.
Chris lifted the steaming teacup.
The aroma wasn't bad.
Honestly, it was pretty damn good.
To a modern everyman used to chugging americanos, even this fragrant tea felt like a luxury.
But Chris's face showed no particular emotion.
She took a light sip and set the cup down.
Well, she's probably dying for it inside, even if she pretends otherwise.
She'd clocked the duchess's lingering stare and the way she was timing her words ages ago.
No way she'd drag this out with tea talk.
She'd have to cut to the chase eventually.
A brief silence fell.
Mirabel's finger traced the rim of her cup.
"Now that you've had your tea, shall we get to the point? Did you bring Reinhardt's Commerce Chronicle?"
"Of course. Can't really talk business without the real thing."
"Then could you show it to me?"
Without a word, Chris reached into her bosom and pulled out the book, placing it on the table. The worn parchment binding and faded emblem were fully exposed.
Mirabel's eyes locked onto it. For a split second, her aura shifted palpably.
"......"
Instead of reaching out, the duchess scanned the edges and binding with her gaze.
"It's genuine. Parchment binding, the handwriting on the spine..."
Her narrowed eyes swept over it again before she added quietly,
"I've been searching for this book for a long time. I can tell just from the binding."
Mirabel's voice stayed composed, though a hint of excitement crept in.
"I need this book."
Chris inwardly let out a short whistle of admiration.
Oh, more straightforward than I thought?
She liked the no-BS attitude.
Her lips quirked up—she figured it was finally time to drop her offer—but an inexplicable unease braked her.
But... was the duchess always like this?
In the original story, she was no refined lady; more like a spoiled, willful tomboy.
Not someone who'd negotiate this calmly, at least.
What the...?
Chris's interest piqued a bit.
"Duchess."
She ventured lightly,
"I heard a story from your childhood... They say you were a famous tomboy who often forgot her table manners."
"......"
After a beat of silence, Mirabel gave a small laugh.
"That's probably..."
She lifted her teacup, gaze drifting toward the window.
"...an old story. I'm receiving education these days."
"Education?"
"Etiquette as a noble."
Her tone betrayed no emotional fluctuation.
"Dignity as one of the chosen, table manners, how to pour tea, how to conduct oneself with others... that sort of thing."
She listed them casually, but a subtle weight crept into her voice toward the end.
"And above all..."
She paused, lifting her eyes from the cup to meet Chris's.
"...preparations to become a woman fitting for one particular man someday."
Chris's eyebrow twitched upward.
...One particular man?
The phrasing snagged oddly in her ears.
But Mirabel's expression remained serenely unchanged.
"I can't keep acting like a spoiled child forever. Shall we return to the main topic now?"
"Sure, whatever..."
Chris brushed off her unease as imagination and took another sip of tea.
If the duchess was about to lay her cards on the table so bluntly, she was ready to counter with her own conditions.
But the duchess, sipping her tea calmly, grinned and said,
"So, here's the thing... I'd like you to give me that book for free."
"Pardon?"
The utterly absurd proposal left Chris blinking rapidly.
The duchess repeated clearly,
"I mean, just hand over the book."
"Are you joking right now?"
"Of course not. I'm the youngest duchess, but I'm no fool who jests with a guest."
"Hah, well... Duchess. With all due respect, I went through hell to get this book. I deserve proper compensation, don't you think?"
Only then did Mirabel hum thoughtfully, pressing a finger to her lips.
"Compensation? I have that."
"I'm not after money."
"Not that kind."
Mirabel shook her head slightly.
"I have a different kind of compensation."
"Which is...?"
"As a duchess, I promise you this. Right here, today... I'll let you leave unscathed."
Chris furrowed her brow, utterly baffled.
"Wait, what does that even—"
But moments later, a chilling pain surged through her gut.
Gurgle!
The storm of abdominal cramps forced Chris to double over.
"Duchess... excuse me, but could I use the bathroom just for a—"
She gritted out the plea, and Mirabel tilted her head.
"Hm, that's a problem."
"......"
"I did tell you."
Mirabel took a sip of her tea.
"Hand over the book, and I'll let you go."
Those words clicked something into place in Chris's mind.
Sure enough, her eyes fell on the teacup—and then on Sebas standing guard at the door. It all became crystal clear.
This fucking bitch... she drugged it?
Chris bared her teeth, squeezing out her remaining strength.
"...Duchess. I'm a pretty tough adventurer myself."
Cold sweat beaded from the pain, but she forced a grin.
"That book? I snatched it from some dingy ruin chamber in a famous relic site." Clutching her stomach, she caught her breath and growled low. "Didn't you figure I'd be somewhat strong?"
"Who knows. Hard to say..."
Mirabel added shamelessly,
"But I do know your sphincter muscles are weak."