CH 74

“This is…”

Asella’s face turned pale and her words trailed off. The old butler hurriedly asked at the sight of her face.

“Is there anything you don’t like about the room?”

“…”

She had prepared herself to some extent since she saw the room prepared for Mariel. But now, Asella realized it was a fruitless effort.

That was how unimaginable the space was. It was so much more glamorous than she had ever imagined that she was at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, the butler was getting more and more anxious.

“We didn’t know what you liked, Your Highness. We arranged it arbitrarily, but we can change anything to suit your taste.”

He continued talking, becoming restless because of his hostess’s lack of response.

“If you let me know what is lacking, I will rectify it immediately.”

It had been almost 20 years since they had a hostess in the Grand Ducal residence.

Over the past month or so, when their master had decided to get married, the servants of the Grand Duke had prepared this space with painstaking attention to detail.

In addition to the existing rooms, they expanded the space by opening up the adjoining room and erecting a wall to separate the reception room from the bedroom. Everything was replaced, including the wallpaper, window frames, and even the door, leaving only the framework.

The furniture, bedding, curtains, and even small accessories used were all carefully selected of the highest quality material, no detail was neglected no matter how small, to the extent that it was comparable to walking into the Imperial palace with their attention to detail.

From the tables to the crystal vases filled with fresh flowers, he poured his heart and soul into each and every item of furniture.

“Your Highness…”

The butler’s mouth went dry with nervousness as he looked over at the still stiff-faced lady. As time passed, his mind turned white as if it had been bleached.

‘I’m in trouble!’

It had been almost thirty years since the elderly man had served in the Benvito household.

He served the current Grand Duke, of course, as well as his predecessor, from the time he was around Mariel’s age. As such, it was essential for him to be sensitive to his master’s feelings and respond tactfully.

He swallowed his saliva unconsciously.

The Benvito bloodline had been merciless, cruel, and ruthless for many generations. His master, Calix, in particular, was a man born with a particularly strong bloodline trait, and his outstanding ability was not to be underestimated, nor was his temper.

‘His Lordship won’t forgive this…’

He had certainly seen it earlier when he greeted the Grand Duke and Duchess.

His master’s gaze, which had been cold and chilly, surprisingly softened only when it turned towards his wife. At first, he thought it was an illusion and doubted his eyes, but it was not.

Thanks to this, he could be sure. Going forward, the fate of everyone in this residence depended on a single word out of the Grand Duchess’s mouth.

The old butler closed his eyes. He barely parted his lips, feeling as if he were about to step into the fires of hell.

“Your Highness, please, if there is anything wrong… please say something ….”

“Oh, apologies.”

Suddenly, Asella, who came to her senses, finally opened her mouth.

“It’s so beautiful it feels too much for someone like me..”

“No, it’s not! Not at all!”

Asella’s eyes widened as she saw him exclaim loudly.

“His Excellency’s orders were to make sure you have everything you need. Anything! Even the tiniest little thing, please just say the word.”

“I will..”

The old butler finally took a breath, and his stressed stiff face finally loosened. Just in time, he heard a rustling sound coming from outside the open door when a woman entered the room with a smile.

“Ah, I see you have finally arrived, Your Highness.”

Just as she was about to open her mouth to ask for an explanation, someone appeared.

Asella was meeting this person for the first time.

She was a beautiful woman with pale blonde hair neatly brushed back, had brown eyes, a mesmerizing shade, similar to ripe chestnuts in a cold winter, and wore silver-rimmed glasses.

She was well-dressed in a simple navy blue dress without any extra accessories, but upon closer observation, the dress was made of high-quality material. The skirt was clean and wrinkle-free, and the collar was perfectly angled.

She was probably in her early thirties at the most. She was dressed in seemingly simple attire, but her sharp gaze made a strong impression on Asella.

“Your Highness, I greet you for the first time. I am Margo Romaine. It is an honor to welcome you here.”

It was a perfect greeting from a noble lady, without a single inch of error. 

And her name.. confirming Asella’s thought that the person before her wasn’t a normal woman…