Chapter 86
Fortunately, Elaine seemed to think Dimitri was joking. She laughed brightly like an innocent girl.
“I’ve heard that the Duke of Blois has a taciturn personality, but it’s actually quite amusing to meet you in person!”
“I’m not kidding…”
Tugging the solemn Dimitri away and sending him to the back, I smiled at Elaine.
“He’s a delightful person once you get to know him!”
“I’ve heard that you’re a devoted couple, and the two of you look really good together.”
“Thank you.”
I hurriedly clung to Elaine and pushed her into the mansion before Dimitri could intervene.
“We’ve got the largest room on the third floor ready for you.”
“I came here unexpectedly, but thank you for being so welcoming.”
“Not at all. If you need anything, please talk to the butler. He’ll assist you.”
“Thank you.”
After guiding Elaine to the third floor, I came down to find Dimitri, who was facing off with Cadis while snarling at each other. No, more precisely, he was threatening Cadis, who lowered his gaze as a sign of surrender.
“To step into this place twice without fear. Do you want to die?”
“I’m only following orders.”
“Don’t you have any pride?”
“It’s my pride to carry out orders…”
I sighed inwardly and grabbed the two of them by the shoulders to spread the distance.
“That’s enough, Dimitri.”
“Are you taking his side again, Rowaine?”
“What do you mean by taking sides? I greeted the First Princess and thought it would be nice to rest together while having some refreshments since I was tired.”
It was only then did Dimitri’s momentum subsided. With the intention of taking Dimitri like this, I firmly crossed my arms and spoke briefly to Cadis next.
“Go and unpack with the knights who came with you. The butler will guide you the way.”
“I…!”
Cadis fidgeted and tried to follow me, but I stopped him by holding up my hand as a sign to wait.
Later.
As I shook my head with that meaning, he stood in place and looked at me sullenly. Until we disappeared up the stairs, he stood still as if rooted to the spot, staring at me endlessly.
‘…Somehow, it feels like I’ve done something terrible.’
In the evening, there was a lavish banquet that showed off Blois’s wealth.
It was more of a dinner arranged to showcase Elaine to the influential figures that the imperial couple had invited rather than to entertain her personally. They wouldn’t know how lavishly Blois treated the nobles or how many days they spent preparing meticulously to avoid any mishaps.
‘Even if she is considered a nuisance within the royal family, it doesn’t mean that the entire royal family would allow outsiders to disregard her.’
Elaine, with a joyful and spirited demeanor, laughed gleefully like a fairy as if all of this was exciting and enjoyable. At the age of twenty, she was still considered young, but she seemed truly naive and innocent, like a child who didn’t understand the ways of the world even for her age.
I watched closely as she shyly said, “I’m not good at drinking…” and declined the expensive wine, opting instead for a low-alcohol peach champagne. While observing this, I called the butler over and whispered a specific instruction.
“If after the dinner the princess… then, use the excuse of… to…”
At my words, he caught a glimpse of Elaine, who seemed slightly tipsy from drinking champagne and in a cheerful mood. It was a puzzled look, but he simply nodded.
“Yes.”
I focused again on the sound of Elaine chatting away like a chattering lark about the things she’d seen since coming to Blois. Her innocent pink eyes sparkled with vibrant energy as if they were filled with starlight.
Everything she said was so trivial that Dimitri had long since lost interest and was stifling a bored yawn while Madam Elbas listened with a forced laugh once in a while. As for me, I pretended to listen while focusing on the various fancy dishes the chef prepared in the kitchen.
The only one truly paying attention to her story was Grandma Rosanne.
Such a boring yet splendid dinner ended peacefully.
After returning to my room to rest following dinner, it wasn’t long before I received a report from the butler.
“As you instructed, it has been done.”
“You did well.”
The butler, who bowed and turned to leave, paused for a moment and asked me.
“By the way, may I ask how you knew that the Princess wouldn’t fall asleep right away?”
I shrugged my shoulders and shook off any lingering concerns.
“It’s just… because she looked so excited.”
“I see. Well, have a good night.”
After seeing the butler off, I smiled contentedly and flopped down on the bed. The words I ordered to the butler were, “If the Princess finds it difficult to fall asleep after dinner, bring her a bottle of the finest wine from the cellar on the pretext that it will help her sleep.”
It was because…
‘She may have acted like an innocent little girl, but Elaine is actually a great drinker.’
In the original story, she was someone who loved alcohol very much.
How thirsty she must have been, sipping champagne while pretending to be innocent, even though there was plenty of alcoholic food on the table.
‘She’s really good at acting.’
Elaine was the heroine in the original story.
In other words, it meant that he was a smart and tough character who overcame all kinds of adversity and made this world her own. Pretending to be innocent was a way of protecting herself when she had no standing.
‘It must be for the purpose of not becoming a target of suspicion and making people lower their guard.’
It was amazing.
To think that a smart, bold and charismatic girl could play such a delicate and naive girl… If I hadn’t known, I would have easily been deceived. And even though I knew, I was still deceived for a little.
‘Have a good night.’
Since I’ve sent a whole bottle of one of Dimitri’s favorite wines, she must be having a satisfying night.
The next day, I quickly finished several documents that needed to be taken care of and then peeked to see what the kittens, Sasha and Coco, were up to. Fortunately, Esca handled the cats remarkably well, and he mentioned that there was no mischief-maker like Dimitri.
‘Maybe he was more of a nanny than a friend…’
…For example, a big brother like a dad with a big age difference? Since I didn’t know what Dimitri was like as a kid, I couldn’t understand why Esca would scowl and make such a comment about Dimitri’s behavior when he was younger with such a straight face.
Anyway, I returned to the main building, relieved. I had to prepare a welcome tea party for Elaine next. In the main hall of the main building, I ran into Lucy, the maid, who seemed a little nervous.
“Lucy, are the preparations going well?”
“Yes, Madam. As you ordered, I’ve set up a table in the greenhouse.
“Let’s place the seating arrangement in a visible area and keep an eye out for anyone who might get lost because we don’t want to create an embarrassing situation for our guests.”
“Yes.”
“And the chef?”
Just then, the chef came running up to me with a tray.
“Madam!”
“Are the brandy snaps and mille-feuille ready? They need to be especially perfect. I consider them to be Blois’ pride.”
As I spoke earnestly, the chef, whose face was flushed red from the heat of the brazier, smiled sheepishly.
“Of course! They’re my specialty, haha! Would you like to try one?”
At his words, I picked up a few neatly arranged pastries from the tray he presented with a proud expression on his face and took a bite.
“Hmm! Mmm! Of course. The only person I can trust is the chef.”
“Aihuu, the Madam always exaggerates like this.”
The preparation for the tea party was perfect. Even though it was my first time, the staff assisting me were veterans, so thankfully, my shortcomings weren’t noticeable.
Soon, guests were arriving.
I stood at the entrance, welcoming the guests. Young men and women, who were still unfamiliar with hiding their emotions, gathered in the greenhouse of Blois, as their excited expressions were clearly visible.
And among them was Dieppe Leon, Madam Elbas’ nephew.
As I welcomed the last guest and took my seat, I discreetly observed Dieppe. He skillfully led the atmosphere with his eloquent speech, attracting the attention of the people around him effortlessly.
Perhaps seeing me staring at him, Elaine quietly whispered to me.
“He seems like an interesting person.”
According to the butler, the wine bottle was completely empty in Elaine’s room, but she didn’t show the slightest sign of a hangover. Rather, it was more of a satisfied expression about me providing good wine.
Still, she made a small excuse.
“Last night, I couldn’t sleep and wandered around the hallway, though somehow there was a misunderstanding. The butler thought it would be helpful and brought me wine. I was really grateful, but I spilled almost all of it by mistake. Even with my limited knowledge, I could tell it was good wine. I must have gotten drunk, and when I opened my eyes, it was already morning.”
I realized what she wanted and answered like I didn’t know anything.
“Oh my, you spilled it all? I’ll tell the butler to bring another bottle tonight. There’s nothing better than wine when you can’t sleep.”
Perhaps, she was so happy that she momentarily forgot she was supposed to pretend not to be good at drinking. Elaine lightly clapped her hands but then quickly lowered them, realizing her mistake.
“Well, that wasn’t my intention, but I can’t refuse your goodwill gesture, can I…”
I thought it would be a good idea to tell the butler to bring her two bottles today.
At that moment, Dieppe, who seemed to have about twice as many teeth as others*, noticed us whispering and asked.
[ T/N: The phrase “ ” (literally, “having about twice as many teeth”) is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is quick-witted, clever, or sharp-minded. It implies that the person is intellectually astute and capable of understanding things faster than others. The expression highlights the metaphorical idea of having more teeth to signify having a sharper mind or wit. ]
“Are you two having an interesting conversation?”
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