Chapter 85. The Fallen Noble Lady's Date Request
The Fallen Noble Lady's Date Request
[The Maids' Gossip]
After Lady Rachel's entourage departed, the castle settled back into a lazy afternoon.
The maids paused their work and gathered in the break room for tea time. Normally, they would have chatted about the Count's nightly escapades or fabrics, but today, there was only one topic of conversation.
Nancy's surprise kiss at the castle gates.
"Nancy! That was amazing!"
Ari set down her teacup and scooted her chair forward, eyes sparkling.
"Since when have you two been like that? Huh? Tell me! What's so great about the Captain? Does that gruff man even treat you well?"
Ari bombarded her with questions without pause.
To think that Nancy—who had the dashing, sexy "alpha male" Count Lucian right beside her—had turned her attention to the stoic, bear-like Captain of the Guard.
For Ari, who prioritized a man's looks above all else, it was an unfathomable mystery.
"W-Well... It just sort of happened..."
Nancy's face turned beet red as she hid behind her teacup.
The incident at the inn during her runaway episode, the Captain's pure-heartedness when he comforted her after the Count had been rendered impotent in the carriage—it was all too embarrassing to recount in detail.
"Enough, Ari. You're making Nancy uncomfortable."
Maria laughed as she tried to rein Ari in. But even her eyes held a mix of fondness and faint envy toward Nancy.
"Still, it was surprising," Ella (Victoria) chimed in, picking up a cookie.
"You know how possessive His Lordship is. If he considers a woman his, he'd never let anyone else have her... For him to coolly give his permission like that—it's really unexpected."
Ella shook her head, recalling the obsessive love and protection the Count had once showered upon her.
"Anyway, congratulations, Nancy. Having a man who's truly yours instead of just being the Count's woman... That's not so bad, is it?"
"Congratulations, Nancy."
Sophia also smiled warmly and took Nancy's hand.
"His Lordship may seem cold on the outside, but he's truly kind-hearted. I'm sure he genuinely wishes for your happiness."
Sophia's chest swelled with emotion, touched once again by Lucian's thoughtfulness.
Then, Riri, the youngest maid who had been quietly listening from the corner, timidly raised her hand.
"Um... About that..."
All eyes turned to her.
"Could... Could I ever have something like that too?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Someday... I'd like to meet an ordinary man like Nancy did and build a family. More than being the Count's retainer maid... I'd rather just be a normal wife or mother. That's my dream..."
Riri trailed off. Though she had once tangled with the Count and surrendered to his scorching touch, at heart, she was still a girl who yearned for simple happiness.
Her innocent question left the maids momentarily solemn. The thought of whether this "harem" life they were leading could truly last forever weighed on them.
"Pfft, hilarious."
The one who shattered the mood was Bella, the succubus lounging by the window.
"All of you pretending to be so concerned and supportive... But deep down, you're just glad there's one less competitor, aren't you?"
"W-What?!"
Ari bristled, but Bella just snorted.
"That clumsy maid running off with another man means one less mouth to share the Count's seed. If you leave too, little Riri, our portions will get even bigger. I'm all for it."
Her devilish—yet painfully accurate—remark made the other maids cough awkwardly.
"Speaking of which..." Bella changed the subject.
"Don't you feel a little bad for Lady Rachel? Even though the Count's been raw-dogging her with his seed, she still hasn't gotten pregnant. If you ask me, there's probably something wrong with her womb."
"Watch your mouth, Bella!"
Maria shot her a glare, but Bella just shrugged.
"Even with the magic undone, pregnancy isn't that easy. What would a nightmare like you know about it?" Ella chided.
"Well... When you actually want it, it never comes. That's just how pregnancy is."
"In that sense, Lady Sophia is truly incredible."
Ari gazed at Sophia in awe.
"You broke through contraceptive magic and overcame the infertility curse of being a priestess. That's nothing short of a miracle."
"N-No... I was just lucky..."
Sophia blushed and lowered her head.
The conversation soon shifted back to Sophia's "miracle pregnancy" and Lucian's legendary prowess. The maids giggled and continued their chatter, mixing in lewd jokes.
Amid the lively tea time, only one person was lost in thought.
I-seo.
She fiddled with her teacup, staring blankly into space. Though her ears caught the maids' gossip, her mind was entirely occupied by complex equations and plans.
Lady Rachel is gone... She won't be back for over a month.
The castle's biggest watchdog—and brake—had disappeared.
This was an opportunity.
Based on my research into His Lordship's physiology and the composition of his semen...
I-seo bit her lip, her expression serious.
With Rachel absent, she could finally resume the experiments she had postponed. The thought of calling Lucian into her lab and testing new tools made her heart race.
I need to prepare quickly... I'll summon the Count to the lab. Time to try out some new equipment.
A dangerous glint flickered in I-seo's dark eyes.
While the maids' gossip was lighthearted, her mind was already envisioning Lucian strapped to an examination table.
[Afternoon - The Office]
"You called for me, my lord?"
Ella cautiously opened the office door and stepped inside.
Lucian, buried in paperwork, looked up and greeted her. His expression was softer and more solemn than usual.
"Come closer, Ella. No... Victoria."
Her real name—spoken for the first time in ages.
Ella's shoulders twitched. Lucian only used that name when something significant was about to happen. With a nervous heart, she approached his desk.
"Sit. I have news for you."
Lucian slid a royal-sealed letter toward her.
"During the suppression of the recent rebellion... it was revealed that Viscount Gamon, the one who framed your family, had joined the rebels."
"W-What? Viscount Gamon...?"
"As their house collapsed, old ledgers and secret correspondence surfaced. Proof has been uncovered that your family, the Elrheims, were falsely accused of treason due to Gamon's schemes."
Ella's eyes widened. Her hands began to tremble.
"His Majesty was furious upon hearing this. And... word has come that he is actively considering the restoration of House Elrheim."
"A-Ah..."
Ella covered her mouth.
This was the moment she had dreamed of. The annihilation of her house—the day she went from noble lady to fugitive, then to a lowly maid. The day her unjust suffering would finally be undone.
"My lord... Lucian...!"
Tears she had held back burst forth like a broken dam.
She rose from her seat and threw herself into Lucian's arms.
"Sob... Thank you... Thank you so much... It's all because of you... Sob!"
Lucian held her tightly as she wept, recalling the days he had sold his lands and struck dangerous deals with political enemies just to save her.
Now, she could return to being the proud noble lady—Victoria—once more.
After crying in Lucian's embrace for a long while, Ella lifted her tear-streaked face.
Her eyes were swollen, but even then, she looked delicate and beautiful.
"My lord... I have a request."
"Name it. Anything."
Ella smiled shyly and placed a hand on his chest.
"Take me... hunting."
"Hunting?"
"Yes. Do you remember? The first time we met..."
Her eyes grew distant with nostalgia.
Back when she was still a reckless young lady, the Count had visited her family's estate. They had gone riding together in the Elrheim hunting grounds—just the two of them, alone in the quiet forest.
The crisp wind as they galloped, the stillness of the woods when they were left by themselves.
And there... Lucian had taken her virginity. That intense, scorching first experience.
"Lately... I keep dreaming of those days. I miss the glamour of that time, but more than anything... I miss that day in the forest with you. It aches."
Ella fiddled with his collar and pleaded in a coquettish voice.
"The Eckhart fief has good hunting grounds too, doesn't it? Let's go on a date there. To celebrate my family's restoration... I've prepared a special event just for you."
"An event?"
"Yes. Something I think you'll... really enjoy. A token of my gratitude."
She leaned in and whispered into his ear. Though the details were unclear, the sultry glint in her eyes and her flushed cheeks made it obvious this wouldn't be an ordinary hunt.
Lucian chuckled.
Though he was swamped with work restoring his territory, he couldn't refuse Ella's childish pleading. Besides, he
was
curious about this "event" of hers.
Well... She might leave soon to reclaim her noble status. This could be our last memory together.
He stroked her hair and nodded.
"Fine. I'll clear my schedule tomorrow. Just the two of us."
"Really? Yay! I love you, my lord!"
Ella jumped up in delight.
Lucian figured it would be good to enjoy the fresh air for once—and to help rebuild the pride of "Victoria," which had been suppressed for so long.
"Look forward to it. I'll make it even more thrilling than that day."
Her whisper sent a shiver down his spine.
[Images: 667-675]