Chapter 17

– Chapter 17 —

As soon as Erin woke up, she extended her short arms and legs and began to stretch.

After twirling her arms, hip, and neck, she felt refreshed.

This was something she always did when she woke up.

Once she stretched her body, her head felt clear and it was easier to start her day.

Erin, in her own way, was mentally preparing herself for the future.

Especially today, because she was going to have breakfast with the duchy couple.

This was the day she had to be even more thoroughly prepared for.

Once Erin finished her exercise, Mona spoke.

“Whitney made a report to the duke yesterday.”

“Really?”

That was all Erin responded with.

Erin seemed to show no concern for what Mona said.

“That’s why you have to be on your best behaviour during today’s breakfast.”

“I understand.”

Erin responded with a bright smile. But it seemed like Mona’s frown only deepened.

Truthfully, Erin had no plans on keeping Whitney’s mouth shut.

Rather she was curious.

Just what kind of reaction would the duchy couple show.

And Erin was planning for what happens after that.

“But you have such a relaxed look on your face.”

“Because there is something more important than Whitney.”

“Something more important?”

“Yeah!”

Although Mona was still worried, Erin confidently left her room.

Erin didn’t go to the dining room right away.

She was heading to Aiden’s room.

“Aiden. Did you sleep well?”

It was the first time she had visited him this early.

He was all ready to go, and after seeing Erin, Aiden’s eyes turned round like a rabbit’s.

“I just came to greet you.”

Truthfully, she came because she was worried about Aiden.

After the duchy couple returned, it seemed like Aiden had become nervous.

That’s why she came to see Aiden first before meeting the duchy couple so that she could try to lighten the atmosphere.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Yeah!”

His round eyes turned into crescents as he nodded his head up and down.

Aiden’s face completely relaxed in an instant.

She was worried that Aiden’s face would still be tense, but instead, it was relaxed and laughing. This made her feel content.

She wanted to protect him so that he could continue smiling even as they ate with the duchy couple.

“Shall we go now?”

Erin and Aiden began heading towards the dining room where the ducal couple waited.

The ducal couple was perfectly prepared despite the fact that it was still morning.

It seemed like the two weren’t talking before Erin and Aiden had arrived.

It was as if this happened frequently, and the awkward silence continued to fill the air.

“Did you sleep well?”

Although Aiden had a smile on his face the whole way here, his face hardened as soon as he entered the dining room.

Only Erin was smiling.

“Yes, good morning.”

The duchess made a formal smile and nodded her head.

Without saying a word, the duke slightly glanced in her direction to show his acknowledgement

From his expressions to his movements, not a single flaw could be found.

Once Erin and Aiden sat down, the food came rushing out, as if it were waiting for them.

First, the soup and salad were served.

It was different from what Erin and Aiden usually ate, despite being breakfast, it seemed like a full-course dinner.

“Now, let’s eat.”

Breakfast was quiet.

Only a few words were exchanged but even those were very brief. The majority of the sound came from the clanking of the tableware.

Erin continued her meal while observing the three people.

“Mother, this is the first time we’re having a meal like this with you and father.”

Erin said with a bright smile.

“I see. Enjoy the meal.”

The duke did not reply at all.

Since the duchess replied, though her responses were formal, Erin was able to at least avoid making it seem like she was talking to herself.

“The salad is very good.”

Without giving up, Erin continued to talk.

“I’m glad that it suits your taste.”

“……. Haha. Thank you for the meal.”

Using all her effort, Erin was able to get a few more words out before she shut her mouth.

Although the duchess responded in a friendly manner, she had no thoughts of wanting to continue the conversation.

It definitely was not a good atmosphere for a conversation.

Throughout the whole meal, not once did Aiden raise his head to look at the ducal couple.

He simply continued eating with blank eyes. It seemed like such a natural response from him as if it were something he had always done.

Although it was a very awkward and uncomfortable meal, no one seemed to share the same sentiment.

Since this was the first time Erin had experienced such a quiet meal, she felt as if she was suffocating

However, to the three people, the quiet meal was like an everyday occurrence.

Not a single thing happened, and breakfast ended like that.

The meal was different from her initial thoughts, Erin felt useless since nothing happened.

Feeling suffocated from staying in her room, she went out to the garden for a walk whilst trapped in deep thought over breakfast.

I was feeling nervous too. But the duchy couple showed no interest towards Aiden.

She remembered the empty eyes Aiden had during breakfast.

Still, it was her first time seeing Aiden in a while.

She could have at least asked him how he had been.

Plus, she was certain that Whitney had made a strange report regarding her and Aiden yesterday.

Wouldn’t it have been normal for the couple to ask them about that matter?

There’s a huge difference between listening to Whitney’s report and listening to Aiden personally……

Is it really because they have no interest in Aiden and don’t care about anything Whitney says?

So getting mad or even saying a few words of advice is a chore to them.

If that’s the case, I would rather get scolded.

Erin pouted her lips.

With a look of discontent, she lightly kicked the tree in front of her.

Since she knew her leg would hurt if she kicked it harder, she did so very lightly. She was imitating the action of kicking it.

It was then. She heard an unfamiliar voice from behind.

“Erin.”

Behind Erin was the duchess, Isabella.

į “…… Mother.”

Surely I didn’t curse about the duchess while I was talking to myself.

After looking back at her actions, Erin turned around and greeted Isabella with respect.

While receiving her greetings, Isabella stared blankly and half-heartedly.

Erin, who felt guilty, had an awkward expression on her face.

“I brought very expensive tea from outside the territory. It’s something that only grows out there.”

“……. I would like to try it!”

Erin, who wanted to share a conversation with the duchess, took the opportunity right away.

“Okay. Then come visit my room this afternoon.”

Without realising it herself, Erin was staring at the duchess.

A formal smile, a gaze that was looking down on Erin…

It doesn’t seem like a bad sign?

It wasn’t obvious at first glance, but her eyes seemed droopier than usual, making her look less cold. Or maybe that was just Erin misunderstanding

Erin’s mouth opened in a hurry.

“Yes! Mother!”

Isabella slowly disappeared.

She unexpectedly got an invitation to the duchess’s room.

Although Erin continued to ponder about why the duchess would ask for her separately, nothing came to mind.

So she stopped thinking about it.

If I keep thinking like this, my thoughts are just going to head to useless things.

Since she didn’t have an answer, it would be better to just go without thinking.

Rather than that, it was important because this was a personal meeting between her and the duchess.

It wasn’t possible for a proper conversation to happen during breakfast.

So this was her chance to be able to talk to the duchess, one on one.

It’s not good to be greedy for everything all at once. Since it’s my first time, let’s go lightheartedly.

So Erin headed there lightheartedly with only thoughts of drinking tea together.

Once Erin arrived, the room was already prepared as if there was going to be a small tea party.

It seemed like the duchess really only called her for a drink of tea.

“Welcome.”

“Thank you for inviting me.”

Erin greeted her with a bright smile.

“Now I can see you properly.”

“I was waiting for your return, Mother.”

The duchess may have said her greeting as a formality, but Erin’s greeting was sincere.

“Has your stay been uncomfortable at all? You were probably unfamiliar with the workers too.”

“No, everything has been nice and comfortable so far.”

“I should have called for you the moment you arrived at the duchy to help with various things, but I had no time because I had to go somewhere in a hurry.

“If you still have things you’re curious about even now, don’t hesitate to ask me.”

“Thank you for caring. But the workers have helped me a lot so far.”

Thinking this was the right time, Erin complimented the workers.

She had to be mindful in case the bad relationship between Whitney and the workers worsened.

“Still, I’m relieved to hear that you’re settling in well.”

“Yes, everyone seems very friendly. Thanks to them, I’ve been able to stay comfortably despite not knowing much.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Even as Isabella listened to Erin, she managed to maintain a calm composure.

Without cutting Erin off, Isabella waited. Then, with her eyes on her teacup, she spoke.

“It seems the tea has been decently brewed.”

Even before Isabella spoke, a maid was already pouring the tea.

The tea had a light green tone to it.

The special tea that could only be found in a different territory outside of Leinster just looked normal to her.

“Try it.”

She took a sip from the cup.

She first took a whiff of the tea, then swirled it around her mouth, trying to mimic savouring the taste.

Apparently, it was a method to help people enjoy the taste of tea more, but truthfully she wasn’t really sure.

At least she was able to imitate the action because her body still had memories of learning etiquette in the past.

“How is it?”

There was no change in her expression or tone, but it seemed like the duchess was expecting a good answer.

The tea didn’t have a taste that would surprise her. Instead, it left a soft aftertaste in her mouth.

However, the tea was too bitter to call it

tasty.

“I don’t know a lot about tea yet, so I still feel a little awkward with tea that isn’t sweet.”

Erin said truthfully.

She didn’t want to tell lies about the taste to try to suck up to the duchess.

“I see.”

A small smile grew on Isabella’s face.

“Then stop drinking that tea.”