B Chapter 30

Very long ago, he briefly liked his wet nurse, but of course it wasn't a serious emotion. It was the obsession of a six or seven-year-old child with severe emotional deprivation. Then after an unfortunate incident with his mother, he stopped looking at women at all. Even seeing beautiful women stirred no feelings.

But as he grew older, his father and retainers pressed him to marry. To him, who gave no thought to marriage, let alone building a family, his father forcing a family heir upon him was incomprehensible. Beyond unpleasant, it grew increasingly repulsive. He felt like a stud horse.

Of course, the maid couldn't know such circumstances. Men of the Empire easily fooled around with their lower halves. Whether noble or commoner. Since many people she knew did so, it was understandable that the maid opened the bedchamber door. But Alessandro had no intention of giving up half his bed to strangers he'd never seen before. None at all.

Knock knock.

At another knock, both he and the maid, who jumped up as if startled, made eye contact.

"Your lordship, sorry for the late hour. This is Count Lambut."

Chloe was openly relieved. She knew she couldn't write her letter properly while watching his mood. He chuckled and closed his book, standing up. Opening the bedchamber door and going out, the count was fidgeting restlessly.

Duncan's letter had been bewildering, but the Grand Duke's reaction was even more unexpected. The beauties he had sent—Lorence and Amy—were among the finest in his territory. Lorence was even such an exceptional beauty that nobles from other territories sent marriage proposals.

The count decided to speak honestly after seeing the Grand Duke's stern face. Without omitting anything, he explained the entire situation from Duncan's letter to all circumstances. His father ordered women to be brought to the bedchamber, while his son refused—whose tune should he dance to? He was utterly perplexed.

"...If you prefer women of different tastes, please let me know."

The Grand Duke said he'd stay only three days, so he intended to accommodate his preferences as much as possible.

'Surely he doesn't want my daughter...?'

But even after the count finished explaining his position, the Grand Duke remained silent. Nothing could be read from his expressionless face. To the count, this looked like someone burning with shame and anger, exercising patience inwardly.

'I'm being treated like a breeding stallion to the end.'

The last place Alessandro met Duncan was at the grand ducal residence. After Duncan announced Alessandro's marriage at the imperial palace.

'He'll marry within the year, though there's no bride yet.'

Because of this, Alessandro participated in the ceremony as if fleeing. He repeatedly stated his position that since the Empire had unified the continent, he had fulfilled his role, but Duncan wouldn't listen.

'Whether you remarry or adopt an heir.'

He said it didn't matter. No matter how much others revered this noble house, Alessandro had no desire for this family. His only wish was one thing. When the ceremony ended, he wanted to leave for some unknown countryside and live quietly alone...

'Is this your answer, Father?'

He had vaguely expected it, but thought that having left the capital, even the all-reaching Duncan couldn't do much.

'There's no place his influence doesn't reach.'

Alessandro let out a short sigh.

"I understand your position, Count. But there's already a guest in my bedroom."

"Pardon...?"

The count asked back in a hollow, almost groaning voice. Creak. Alessandro opened the bedroom door.

"Come here."

Chloe, who had been watching the door from a distance, was flustered by the sudden call. It was a gentle voice she had never heard from him before.

'Is he calling me right now?'

Their eyes met through the door crack that was open just the width of a finger. Urged by his gesture to come over, Chloe approached the door hesitantly. The Grand Duke standing outside the door then gently took her hand.

"Are you embarrassed?"

The gentle voice continued. Chloe, who hadn't heard the previous conversation because the door was closed, couldn't understand what this situation was about at all. The person holding her hand and making eye contact was definitely the Grand Duke, but...

'What's with this gentle voice?'

Her captured hand couldn't even flinch.

'What kind of hand is this big?'

The man's thick, long fingers covered her wrist.

"You should answer."

His voice was affectionate, but his eyes were still cold.

'I don't know what's going on, but...'

Frightened by the subtle pressure, she answered hastily.

"...Yes, yes."

Count Lambut was startled when he saw the small, white girl's hand. Though he couldn't see her face or body because of the door, judging by her hand and voice, she was definitely a woman.

'But I didn't receive any reports that the Commander was with a woman.'

In any case, it was his mistake. The count bowed his head deeply.

"I apologize, Commander."

He had bothered the Grand Duke who was already spending time with a woman.

"I've made a grave error. There will be no further disturbances."

"I plan to spend the night with her for three days. It's my good fortune that there's such a gem of a woman in your territory, Count."

"The honor is mine. Then please have a pleasant night."

"I don't need any service. I don't want anyone other than this woman entering my bedroom."

"Understood."

The count, who had bowed politely, quickly left the scene. Only then did Alessandro release the hand he was holding. Even after he casually entered the bedroom, Chloe remained completely frozen.

'Me, me? He's going to spend the night with me...?'

The conversation between the count and the Grand Duke just now was shocking itself. Her mind went blank like a white sheet of paper.

'What is he planning to do with me?'

However, the Grand Duke didn't even glance at her shocked state and passed by. Then he sat on the sofa and opened his book again. Chloe stood awkwardly in front of the door, unable to leave or sit back at the desk, just watching his mood.

"Sit down."

With his eyes on the book, he commanded indifferently as usual. Chloe reluctantly pulled out her chair and sat down with a tearful expression.

'What did he talk about with the count? What is this situation, really?'

"What are you doing?"

Chloe, who had been blankly trying to organize her thoughts, quickly raised her head at his sharp voice.

'Let me quickly write the letter and get out of here.'

Pulling herself together, she concentrated on the letter. Fortunately, no one else came looking for the Grand Duke's bedroom. Only the sounds of pen scratching paper and pages turning could be heard in the quiet bedroom.

A while later, after finishing the letter, she blew on it—whoosh—to dry the ink and secretly glanced up at the Grand Duke.

'Can I leave now?'

It was already late. The castle seemed quiet as if all the employees working there had fallen asleep.

"Are you finished?"

"Yes."

The Grand Duke still didn't take his eyes off his book, though he had almost finished reading one volume too.

'Like a ghost. How does he know I'm done without even looking?'

Chloe was reminded of the embarrassing situation from earlier. She felt heat rising to her face again. She had forgotten about it while concentrating on the letter...

'He won't ask me to stay, surely.'

She felt needlessly anxious, even though she knew there was no way that would happen.

"Then is there anything else you need?"

At the presumptuous tone that came out unconsciously, Chloe gasped and covered her mouth. Didn't it sound exactly like a merchant selling goods?

"No, that, what I meant was...?"

She quickly tried to change her words, but it still wasn't the tone a maid should use with her master.

"No, that's not it, um, are you... uncomfortable anywhere?"

It was an even more uncomfortable way of speaking.

'Why do strange words keep coming out of my mouth!'

Chloe wanted to cry. Finally, Alessandro closed his book and stared at her. His maid had her face red up to her ears and was hanging her head low. A chuckle escaped him. His head had been aching and he'd felt unpleasant because of Duncan all along, but suddenly his mood completely cleared.

'Pfft.'

He could guess why the maid was acting this way. They had talked about spending the night together in front of the door... Looking at the maid trembling pitifully, he felt like teasing her, but also felt sorry for her. There was something about this maid that made him want to tease her unnecessarily, giving even him, who had no mischievous streak, such impulses.

But Alessandro hardened his expression, worried that one word from him might frighten the young girl.

"I have territory inspection tomorrow morning, so you stay in the castle."

"Yes, understood."

"Go and rest comfortably."

"Yes."

Chloe, who had slightly raised her head, watched the Grand Duke. He was approaching the bed as if to retire for the night, taking off his upper garments. Chloe bowed toward his back and quickly left the bedroom. He never turned around.

The suppressed laughter burst out.

'I've never seen her move that fast.'

Behind the closed door, only the sound of the maid's rapidly receding footsteps remained.

Alessandro had breakfast with the count's family. Afterward, he was scheduled to inspect the territory with the count, with the purpose of the knight order keeping the count occupied to verify private soldier training.

'The count's territory isn't bad.'

The territorial residents were very favorable toward Count Lambut, their lord. The village formed clusters along the river, and as he had seen on the way here, the farmland was well-managed too. The market was also bustling with activity. Besides the large market, there were many small markets scattered around, which meant the territorial residents' lives were quite comfortable. Heavy taxes were imposed on merchants who practiced usury, while light taxes were taken from small farmers. This level made the count quite an excellent lord.

Around noon, the Grand Duke, having finished his brief inspection, returned to the castle. Chris immediately ran to him upon his arrival.

"Your Grace, this is a grave matter."

His friend's face was serious. Chris was the Grand Duke's irreplaceable friend, but he always maintained propriety in public places.

"What's the matter?"

"Sir Rohan's maid and Doctor Smith have died."

Alessandro's face crumpled at the sudden tragic news.