CH 8

Lily had seen IlDexter before.

“You were the one who opened the gate when I visited the castle yesterday, weren’t you? I didn’t say hello. I’m Lily. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He was also the man who dissuaded Blake from taking her to the bathroom.

“It wasn’t the right time to make a statement. Haha.”

And he had known Lily for a long time.

IlDexter’s white face meant that he was one of the few pure-blooded Imperials of the winter castle.

When he lived in the capital, his father was a merchant selling jewels to the nobility. So there was no way he couldn’t recognize the most beautiful flower of the Imperial society.

It was also nighttime yesterday, and he didn’t notice her because of her hat and scarf…………

Now that he looked at her more closely, she was incredibly beautiful.

But he didn’t have time to blush.

The servants were guarding every corner of the room, and how scary they looked.

“While the aide is treating Miss Lily, let’s make a plan to show our Master an example.”

“Yes!”

The maids were still angry even after hearing all the details of the incident from Lily. But they decided it was his fault, since Blake was hiding and startled Lily and caused her to fall. 

“But in what way? Miss Lilly said no rebellion.” 

Honestly, they couldn’t even set up a head-on confrontation with Blake. But that didn’t mean that the servants were weak, of course.

But Blake was also their master, a man who didn’t need to catch his breath after beating all of them.

“Why don’t we keep an eye on the master?”

IIDexter raised his hand to Lily’s ankle, pretending not to hear the servants’ plans for rebellion. A light shimmered.

Lily marveled.

“Oh, you’re a sorcerer!”

“I’m not so good as to be called that. I shouldn’t be. Still, I’m the only spellcaster of the winter castle, so I have an advantage in promotion. Come to think of it, I’m not the only one anymore.”

He was the only one who knew Lily was a sorcerer.

It was because he was from the capital.

Surely he also mistakenly assumed that Blake knew about Lily’s abilities.

“You’re not half bad at cutting bandages, either.”

“I minored in medicine in college. If you need anything at the castle, just call me. I’ve learned just about everything there is to know.”

A university big enough to have a medical major was only in the capital of the empire. Lily wanted to know why this man was living in the capital and why he came to the dukedom.

That was how high the mental barrier was between the pure Imperials and the Upus.

“The necessary treatment is done, Miss Lilly. If you don’t do rough activities for a week…..what is it again?”

The servants looked at IIDexter with horrified glances.

“Aide, let’s help each other in similar circumstances.”

“Don’t talk sloppy like a back street robber. What is it?”

“Make the Master have breakfast in the dining room today. At that time, we plan to give him a silent hint.”

“I don’t wasn’t to say things that block my promotion path.”

“Aide, I know you’re a person who is always talking about promotion, but it is not more important than your life.” (*They threatened him )

It was very hard to say no. IIDexter was annoyed and he sighed heavily and nodded. 

***

Blake was in his office.

He started the day at dawn, running into Lily in the stable. After that, he was just processing some paperwork here and there in the territory.

“Is it time to have breakfast soon?”

As he let go of the pen in his rough hand and saw IlDexter just standing there.

“IIDexter, let’s eat here. Tell the cook to bring us something simple.”

“Excuse me, my lord. Let’s go to the dining room…. It’s been a while since you’ve been there.”

IIDexter recalled the appointment with the servants. He laughed, trying to hide his cold sweat. Blake raised one of his dark eyebrows in question.

They all knew that after Blake’s father passed away five years ago, he has been eating in his room as much as possible.

“…. will be a regular banquet soon. Everyone will be in a hurry and the paperwork needs to be taken care of in advance.”

“I think so too. But still, we should eat properly. Your Excellency must live in good health indefinitely if I am to be promoted.”

Blake’s handsome face curled into a merciless crumple. Why is IIDexter behaving so strangely? He didn’t look ill or anything, seeing as how he wanted to be promoted, promoted, promoted as usual.

Normally IIDexter would have brought him a simple meal without complaint.

Blake decided to go to the dining room even out of doubt.

The castle had a small space for the people of the Duke’s family to dine.

It was winter all year round, but still well lit with warm sunshine.

In front of the fireplace, there was a pile of wood in the shape of a triangular column lying on its side. In the middle was a long dining table that could seat eight people.

Currently, there was only one member of the Upus family, Blake. So he naturally thought there would be no one else in the dining room.

However, as soon as he entered, he made eye contact with Lily, who was sitting on the chair across from him.

“…”

If the man was really a wolf, he would have revealed his teeth and howled.

It’s only been a little while since they promised not to see each other anymore!

Lily also noticed his sharp gaze and laughed. She joked in a playful voice.

“I’ll tell you up front, it wasn’t my will. I confessed a few hours ago that I liked Lord Blake.”

“Then whose will is this?”

The culprits were now appearing. The fierce maids!

“…And to tell you in advance, I definitely tried to stop them.”

Lily smiled awkwardly.

II Dexter who followed Blake said, “Me too. So you shouldn’t penalize my promotion later.” Then he quickly left the dining room.

Finally, the maids stomped their feet as the plan unfolded.

It began with the pre-meal.

“Appetizers, Miss Lily.”

A variety of glasses were placed in front of Lily.

Champagne, some colorful dried fruits, even a water glass to wash her hands.

finger balls to wipe her hands.

Blake was sitting across from Lily. He had an exasperated expression on his face and was roughly sarcastic.

“What do you mean appetizer?”

Here, in the winter castle, meals did not go around in vain. It was not enough to serve a variety of food at once and eat plenty at once.

Appetizers were a formal course meal! It was what the nobles of the capital were trying to show off!

“What kind of wind is blowing that makes you serve appetizers?”

“A warm spring breeze called Lady Lily, my lord.”

The maids responded naturally. The accent became very harsh when pronouncing “master.”

“That’s for you, Master.”

A bowl similar to Lily’s was placed in front of Blake.

But the inside was strange.

Lily’s finger bowl was a standard one with a piece of lemon floating in water. But Blake’s was….

There was no water, just a whole lemon.

Blake looked at his bowl and laughed in vain.

The lemon in the bowl was still in its yellow skin. ‘How the hell am I supposed to wash my hands with this?’

“I’m wondering what all this is about.” 

The maids turned their heads away, pretending not to hear what Blake said. 

Instead, they spoiled Lily even more.

“Do you need anything else, Miss Lily?”

“I don’t but… I think Lord Blake is calling you.”

Blake called again.

“Yeah. Even one person recognizes me. Hey.”

“…..”

“Hey, the servants who were tricked by outsiders. Why don’t you take a look at me for a moment?”

“….”

“Oh, my god.”

Blake raised his right hand in frustration. It was a gesture that asked what everyone was doing.

But this was all just the beginning.

In fact, the maids’ plan was simple.

This meal was to tease the Master.

Then, from then on, they would be a little more careful and gentle with Miss Lily. 

“Gloria, Gianna! ……. I must have died!”

It was pretty scary to see Blake so angry.

If it was outside, all the beasts of the snowy mountains would have run away.

And yet, the maids remained silent. Rather, they were giggling.

“Okay, it’s all good.”

Blake shrugged his shoulders and told Lily. 

“It wouldn’t matter if I was a ghost. But it’s a lot to ask when I haven’t left a will yet. Miss, perhaps you would like to take some of my assets with you? It’s a bit much.” (Blake)

“That’s a bit humble for the master of a dukedom where most of the magical resources are buried.” (Lily)

“I stand corrected. It’s a lot.” (Blake)

Blake shook the lemon bowl. He also called the maids about five more times. When all actions were useless, he eventually muttered in a low voice.

“It’s an order, but lastly, I want you to call IlDexter. It’s been a while since I’ve issued a letter of dismissal.” (Blake)

Then finally one of the maids answered.

“What can I do for you, Master? Master was the one who surprised Miss Lily and made her fall, and not only that, Master was the one who made her come back to the castle alone without proper treatment!”

“Thank you for your very kind explanation. I know what you’re doing right now.” (Blake)

Then a few more arguments back and forth. Lily calmed the people down.

“Come on, let’s all stop now….”

But both Blake and the maids were busy shouting with veins popped up on their foreheads. Lily’s words were not heard.

“…Lord Blake? Gianna? Hey.”

It was an environment where a gentle voice was buried.