The Duke’s Awakening
I didn't jump out of my sickbed right away. I intended to stay in bed for a week, feigning a slow recovery. This would give me the perfect cover to gather information on the Taron Duchy. Elenore, Caladia, and Berzena would roam the estate, reporting back everything they saw and heard through the communication bugs. I would synthesize and organize that data, storing it in my memory. Of course, they couldn't catch everything. To prepare for the possibility of someone asking about something I didn't know, I had already laid the groundwork when I met Lady Diana earlier.
"I've been lying down for so long that my memory... it's a bit hazy. I feel like I can only recall about half of things."
I had adopted the "amnesia" act—a universal weapon that could easily break through any situation. If I didn't know something, I simply claimed I couldn't remember, and seeing my condition, no one doubted me; they accepted it as a matter of course. After all, I had spent years as a vegetable. It was only natural.
"Still, I can't get used to this face, just like when I was Director Tramson."
I propped my upper body up in bed and peered into a hand mirror. The man staring back was a man in his early sixties with a head full of white hair. Still, my skeletal structure remained as sturdy as a young man's; even if I couldn't defeat the passage of time, a hint of masculinity remained. My face, with its square jaw, exuded charisma. My hair was slicked back. It was the very definition of a stern, dignified, and serious face. I felt that if I said just one word, people would tremble and obey. Plus, with the background of being a Duke, their fear would only double.
"Oh, wait."
I hurriedly peeked inside my underwear.
"Damn, this cock is impressive too. Yeah, you need at least this much to make it useful."
Thinking of Elenore’s naked body, I stimulated myself, and it seemed to be about 16 centimeters. It was smaller than my original dick, but it was more than enough.
"But... is there anyone to use it on?"
It seemed like only Lady Diana was an option. That was a bit of a shame.
Lying in bed all day wasn't boring. Lady Diana had immediately announced to the world that her husband had awakened, and from then on, visitors began to pour in. There were so many that it was annoying to deal with them, but it was useful to know who was in this house and what kind of people they interacted with.
"Father!"
The children Ilias had fathered with Duchess Diana also came to visit. There were two sons and four daughters in total. Since they were all married, they brought their own children along for the visit.
"I'm so glad you've woken up! Sob!"
The eldest daughter, in her early thirties, burst into tears. I comforted her with a warm, satisfied smile.
"You've all grown up so much."
The daughters all had husbands with good backgrounds, and the sons were sturdy knights. They all had square jaws, just like their father.
"We will visit often, Father."
After the children left, unexpectedly, the First Princess, Esmeralda, paid a visit.
"I heard you had awakened, so I came to see you. How is your health?"
"My body moves well. I think I'll be fully recovered if I rest a little longer."
Esmeralda, whom I hadn't seen in three months, was still young and beautiful. Seeing the vibrant, bright atmosphere around her, she seemed to be doing well.
"It's been a very long time since I saw you when I was young. I am currently staying at the Duke's residence."
"I see. You are welcome here."
"The Duchess has been taking such good care of me, so I am always living here with a grateful heart."
We exchanged light conversation, and then she left. Toward evening, the head butler visited.
"Duke, please look over the ledgers. Grasping the state of the household as soon as possible is the priority."
"Give them here."
It was like handing over the household's vital secrets to a thief. I scanned the ledgers, quickly grasping where the Duke's income came from and where the expenses primarily went.
"Why do we buy so much cheese?"
"Your adorable grandchildren are cheese thieves, sir."
There were even records of purchasing Lurkers—Earthling slaves. We had bought ten just this month to use for manual labor. And the Duke's family was even running a brothel.
'Now that's surprising.'
It wasn't a place for commoners, but a high-end establishment that only nobles could use.
'Heh, I'll have to visit later. I'll bombard them with my 16-centimeter old man dick.'
The butler continued to explain various household matters.
"You will need to appoint new people to several vacant positions, such as the gamekeeper or the soldier training officer. Her Ladyship has been handling everything, but she keeps calling in people from her maternal side... it's a bit problematic."
"If there's anyone you'd recommend for each position, draw up a list of candidates. I'll review it and decide."
"Understood."
The next day, famous figures from the territory came to visit one after another. Among them was a middle-aged, bald merchant named Lambas, who was quite plump and had a particularly unpleasant, heavy scent of perfume. He brought a pile of expensive gifts and made a peculiar request.
"Your Grace, the Duke. I have a serious favor to ask of you. Among the Lurker wenches I employ, there is one who is exceptionally good at administrative work. She's so talented that I want to make her a supervisor. However, our society doesn't allow Lurkers to hold high positions, so I'm facing difficulties in running my business. I would appreciate it if you could show special consideration so that she doesn't suffer any disadvantages just because she's a Lurker. I have never seen a young wench so good at administrative tasks, including accounting."
"You want to give a Lurker the position of supervisor?"
Thinking I was offended, the merchant flinched.
"I, I have asked Duchess Diana several times, but I was refused every time... This is my last attempt! If Your Grace refuses, I will never speak of it again! B-but my business would run so much better if I could have that Lurker wench manage people... I beg you!"
He bowed at a 90-degree angle, groveling.
'This is exactly what I wanted.'
I chuckled inwardly. Merchants sense changes in the world faster than anyone else. He felt it, too. That Lurkers were, in fact, high-quality human resources who had received advanced education. Excellent talent was an essential element for business success. From a merchant's perspective, they couldn't afford not to use them. The world was changing like this, but only those in power feared change. Only that bastard Emperor was resisting it.
"Very well. Use that girl as a supervisor."
"Oh! Th-thank you, Your Grace! Thank you so much!"
"If you want to use other Lurker children besides her, feel free to appoint them to high positions as you please. You don't need to go through the trouble of coming to ask me."
"I am moved! I-I will send that Lurker wench, Han So-young, to greet Your Grace soon! It's fine if you keep her with you all day! Enjoy yourself to your heart's content! She will be happy, too!"
"Han So-young?"
It's been a while since I heard a Korean name. Nice.
"If you need anything in the future, please let me know at any time! I will go to the ends of the earth to get it for you!"
The merchant left with an excited face. Judging by his extreme agitation, that woman named Han So-young must be truly excellent at her job.
'Did she work as an accountant back on Earth...'
I thought for a moment before lying back down on the bed. I was tired after meeting people all morning. A yawn came naturally. From then on, I refused all visitors and fell into a deep sleep.
"Hmm..."
How long had I slept? When I opened my eyes, it was still broad daylight. The room was bright with sunlight streaming in through the window. I must have slept for an hour or two.
Rustle. Rustle.
I heard someone moving around nearby. Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I looked around the room. A young maid was holding a duster, cleaning the precious ornaments. She must have come in while I was sleeping.
"What is your name?"
"Y-Your Grace."
She turned around in surprise. She bowed her head, bringing her hands together in a gesture of respect.
"It's Betty."
"Are there still guests outside?"
"No. Her Ladyship sent everyone away. Because Your Grace was tired..."
"Is that so? That's good."
I lay flat and stared at the ceiling. My mind was blank from just waking up. The maid named Betty stood facing me for a moment before she caught on and turned back to cleaning the ornaments. But as she turned, I felt her glance toward my lower body.
'Is there something there?'
I looked down inadvertently. My mouth fell open slightly without me realizing it. My dick was hard and erect, pitching a tent. This fellow had such strength that it was lifting the blanket up, creating a mountain.
'I'm very proud.'
I felt satisfied, as if I had shown the maid my strength. I looked to the side. In the distance, Betty was reaching up to clean a picture frame on the wall. Every time her hands moved, the hem of her black skirt swayed. Her waist was thin and slender. The ankles revealed beneath her skirt were also thin and white. Her appearance felt unexpectedly erotic, making my dick even harder.
"..."
Watching the young maid's back, I suddenly felt the urge to pee.
"Betty."
"Yes?"
"Bring me that chamber pot in the corner."
"Yes, I understand."
While she was bringing the bucket-style chamber pot, I kicked off the blanket. I instructed her while lying down.
"I need to pee. Take care of it for me."
I pointed to my pants, where my dick was standing tall, as if asking her to peel them off. A startled Betty hesitated, not knowing what to do.
"Y-Your Grace, I am in charge of cleaning... I will run and call the caregiver immediately."
"Ahem, be quiet. You do it. Hurry up, grab my dick and aim it well into the pot. I won't say it twice."
My voice as a Duke carried an authority that could not be resisted. Her fingers trembling, she carefully took off my pants. When she even removed my underwear, my hard dick popped out like a spring.
"Oh my."
Betty shyly averted her gaze, glancing at my dick from the corner of her eye. She had a look of wonder, as if amazed that an old man had such strength. I could see the curiosity and lust in her eyes.
"I, I will go lock the door for a moment."
She ran toward the door and latched it in a hurry.