Chapter 8

Chapter 8

“Did you call for me, Your Excellency?”

However, Kalcion was not surprised. He did his best to keep his face expressionless.

It was also his first time to do so.

Did His Excellency ever bring a woman?

No, it’s the first time.

Did His Excellency ever come with a woman?

No, this is also the first time.

Has His Excellency ever been in the same room with a woman?

This is his first time as well.

And, has His Excellency ever done strange things with a woman?

It’s the first time.

It was all for the first time ever. Though it was just an act, Kalcion was very embarrassed inside. Acting like nothing had happened also required desperate efforts.

Selena hid when they arrived.

‘They’ll have a hard time…’

They really were professionals. Selena tried to sound as formal as she could.

“I’d like you to take me this way.”

Kalcion moved to his room, while Selena went into the bathroom.

Even if it seemed that they had seen everything they could see in each other, it was not polite to dress up in the same room. Upon arriving in the bathroom, three maids sprung up together at the same time.

“Let me dry your hair.”

“I will fix your nails.”

“I will put some perfume on your body.”

It felt like she was in a spa.

‘Well, yeah, I have the right to enjoy this.’

Selena was very pleased to her heart’s content.

It took a while drying her hair, putting on perfume, and fixing her nails.

Normally, it would not have taken this long if she hadn’t been on the mountain where she had to roll on the dirty field to save herself from the monstrous beast.

When the dirt from her fingernails was finally removed, her original sparkle of beauty came into life.

“Oh my…!”

The maids’ eyes shone with pride. It seemed that they had discovered the beauty that was hidden in their own hands.

‘Of course, the Duke wouldn’t just bring anyone!’

The same Duke who had been away from women all his life. But if it was this way, it was a far better consideration.

The fact that this shiny gemstone could change his mind was very surprising to the maids. More so that their Duke did not have any physical abnormalities.

The master’s authority was often considered as the pride of his servants. Selena was included within the scope of not hurting their pride. Now that she has been recognized, she had to do her best to keep the authority of the Duke.

“Do you have any dress prepared for me yet?”

The maids began to whisper among themselves, as if they hadn’t chosen a dress for her yet.

Just then, the bathroom door opened. Two maids that held dresses and ornaments in their hands came in. It seemed as though both the maids and Selena were blinded by the glittering objects that were just brought in.

“I-Is that…?”

“Ah…uh… Mrs. Jannet has chosen this one herself.”

Mrs. Jannet was the old lady whom she saw briefly at the gate earlier. Judging from the conversation, it seemed as if she was in charge of the overall household affairs of the castle. As soon as Kalcion got off his horse, she was the only one who approached him first.

Selena couldn’t believe that someone like her could choose a dress for her.

‘Was it under Kalcion’s orders?’

The dress seemed to be an important one as it was chosen by Mrs. Jannet.

“Wow, am I going to wear this? It’s pretty.”

As Selena muttered while peeping over her shoulder, the maids quickly lifted the dress.

“This dress was kept as a treasure as there was no one who could wear it….”

“Oh, treasure?”

“Yes, Miss. The Duke gave us a very elaborate order. This dress is made up of a fine fabric that was imported from the south. There were more than 20 different samples of fabric. Furthermore, many famous designers, who were also invited from the capital, worked on this masterpiece for a whole year.”

One of the maids explained excitedly.

“This embroidered gold necklace is a real one. On top of that, all of these sparkling gems are real.”

It was not just a dress, but a cultural asset.

“Wow….”

She admired it.

She was even more confident than anyone else in this room. She had been exposed to all kinds of costumes and designer dresses. She also once wore a national treasure-grade costume to promote the country.

The dress was so substantial that it was considered as a treasure. It was much more beautiful compared to all those numerous dresses she had worn so far. She had never seen a dress that was completely made out of human hands. She stared at the dress for a long time before she replied.

“Well, let’s try it on then.”

Selena rose from her seat and went towards the dress, supported by the maids from both sides.

At the same time, the other maid took her measurements just in case they needed to modify the dress. The dress fitted her body perfectly, as if it was made for her to wear it someday.

“This bracelet is….”

The ornaments brought were a set with the dress. Selena’s translator bracelet was luxurious enough, but it was not meant to fit with the dress.

Selena hurriedly straightened her face, covering the bracelet with her other hand. She would be in big trouble if she took it out. As long as she was still living in this world, it would act as a respiratory system to her.

“I can’t take this out. The Duke gifted it to me.”

“I see, I will not touch it.”

Ordinary people would not have any idea about it as it had been handed down only to the Dukes for generations.

It wasn’t just too luxurious for the commoners to have. It was something they couldn’t even see for the rest of their lives, so it would be better for them to just stay away from it.

Instead, the maids helped her to put on the lace gloves, the other bracelets, the necklace, and finally the earrings, one after the other.

It was not until the headpiece was placed on her head that the Lady’s appearance was complete. The maids took a step back and watched Selena, as if they were appreciating an art they had just completed.

“Oh my….”

A common response that she always used to get from her makeup artists when they were done with their work.

“Is it done?”

“Ah, yes, mi-mirror…..”

There was no mirror in the bathroom. They got flustered as it was their first time decorating a Lady in the bathroom.

“Isn’t the mirror in the Duke’s room?”

“Ah, yes, it is, but…..”

“I’ll go there then.”

The maids were not allowed in the Duke’s room.

However, the woman, who was brought by him, obviously could. She also would not have to keep her manners.

Moreover, she decided to play the role of a self-indulgent person and a wicked woman. She had the right to act like that.

Thud

She slammed the door open without knocking and entered the room. Kalcion was already dressed in his new clothes and was sitting on the sofa while reading through documents.

But he was not alone. The knight, who was called Dion, was standing next to him. Dion was now dressed in a noble uniform. Unlike when he was in armor, dressing in a suit made him look neat.

However, it was Kalcion who looked much better. As he was dressed properly now, he looked like a movie character.

‘Ah, he’d be worth it.’

Selena smiled with slight admiration. She slightly lifted the hem of her dress, gently bending her knees, as if pretending to be a princess.

“How is it?”

He should have smiled brightly and said, “You’re the prettiest person in the world.”

…..But, his eyes were ice cold.

‘Ha! That doesn’t mean I’m daunted.’

She could feel the maids fidgeting behind her.

“Mrs….Mrs. Jannet…..”

Unlike Selena, the shriveled maids, who thought they were on the verge of extinction, uttered. It was not their fault that Mrs. Jannet had chosen it. They were just here to deliver it.

“It’s no use…..right now—”

Selena ran to Kalcion and hugged him by his neck before he could finish his sentence.

The body trapped in her arms suddenly stiffened. This was the best way she could think of to shut his mouth.

Honestly, Selena was tired and just wanted to eat and rest. She understood that Mrs. Jannet used her power. She also noticed that Kalcion was not satisfied with the dress. However, she did not want him to punish any of his servants now.

“Is it useless for me to wear this?”

Selena tilted her head and faced him, her arms still around his neck. On the other hand, Kalcion was confused where he would look when her face was much closer than needed.

“Huh? Isn’t it pretty? Doesn’t it look good on me?”

When Selena put her nails on his back, Kalcion hurriedly nodded his head.

“Can I just eat and rest for some time? Duke? I look pretty, right? Please say something.”

She could imagine Dion and the maids standing with their mouths wide open.

While she asked him sweetly, Kalcion could not answer her easily.

‘Yeah, you’ll have some trouble in the beginning.’

But, at this moment, he would have to say ‘yes’.

Kalcion was as stiff as a stone.

Selena grinned as she made eye contact with Kalcion with her arms around his neck.

“So? How do I look? Pretty? Or not?”

“…..”

‘Please just say it’s pretty, would you?’

It seemed the Duke was not taught the techniques of treating a woman who was in his arms.

As Kalcion was still silent, Selena decided to raise it to a further level.

“If you don’t say I look pretty, it will be meaningless for me.”

“….Pretty.”

At least, he succeeded in drawing out a word anyway. That was a tough one.

“Your Excellency.”

She thought she had only Kalcion calmed down, but upon the familiar voice, she looked back. Mrs. Jannet was standing among the maids.

“I chose that because I thought it was the only unaccustomed dress in the castle.”

Selena turned around without loosening her arms. There was no need to pretend to be gentle in the presence of Mrs. Jannet. This man was hers. And, everyone including her, should know about it.

Kalcion replied.

“There’s no way you wouldn’t recognize it if you weren’t familiar with it.”

“It was my fault. I didn’t know what I was thinking. Please forgive me.”

“Is there any extra dress in the castle?”

“I’m sorry, Your Excellency. I’m afraid there’s no other dress but the maids’ clothing. I didn’t think the maids’ clothes would suit the one you brought with you.”

Selena didn’t miss a word of Mrs. Jannet. It was an indirect evaluation of the woman who was brought by Kalcion. A courteous but impolite remark.

Selena held her breath unknowingly. How would Kalcion react? She eagerly waited for his next reply.

Kalcion, who had been staring at Mrs. Jannet for a long time, soon opened his mouth heavily.