CH 52

When Elusiana said nothing more, Louis smiled and asked a question. “Do you have any more questions?”

“If I have any questions. Ah. What do I have to do?”

“Oh my, I forgot to tell you the most important thing,” said Louis after looking at the clock on the wall once.

“It’s about time.”

“…Pardon?’

“I will guide you right away.”

Louis got up and opened the parlor room door.

Wait, Sir Butler? I asked you what I should do, but what do you mean you will guide me? Hey! Here? Could you please tell me where we are going? You should give me some time to prepare my heart! Whether or not Elusiana cried inside, Louis politely led her along.

“This way.”

Elusiana, who followed Louis into the hallway, smiled awkwardly. At that moment, Louis’s mysterious smile deepened even more.

…What is that? That sinister eye smile? It felt as if she was caught in a trap that a man-eating spider had painstakingly set. Sure enough.

“You will serve the Grand Duke.”

“…Pardon?”

“His Excellency has been waiting for a long time.”

Elusiana’s body hardened at the butler’s thunderous words. Wait, why is he waiting for me?

* * *

Knock, knock.

“Your Excellency, the Lady has arrived.”

It sounded like there was a commotion inside, and then a low voice came out. “…Come in.”

Louis opened the door and went into the office. Elusiana followed carefully.

Elusiana’s mind was a little complicated. She saved the dying man just yesterday, and that person was none other than the grand duke. She was so surprised the moment she found out about that. Her body reacted first without having time to think more.

When she came to her senses, she had already left his room, and only the mournful voice of the Grand Duke behind her… was ringing in the hallway. Having been ignored like that, no matter how much she helped him, the grand duke couldn’t have felt good.

There’s no way he’ll just get over it… Elusiana’s nervous gaze turned to the grand duke but fell to the floor without being able to reach him.

“She’s the lady of Viscount Waieos, who will assist Your Excellency from today.”

“…My name is Elusiana Lottie Waieos.”

After the introduction, Elusiana squeezed her hand into the front of her dress. She was willing to accept any punishment, but honestly, she couldn’t help but feel scared. Because Grand Duke Sestein was the second most powerful person after the emperor.

However, the grand duke only spoke very briefly. “Nice to meet you, Elusiana.”

“…?”

Louis took a step back while Elusiana was wondering. “Then I’ll leave you alone, Your Excellency.” He grinned out of the office.

Huh? Elusiana gave Louis an urgent look. Excuse me? Sir Butler! Are you leaving right away? Didn’t I just say my greeting? Shouldn’t you at least tell me what to do before you go? Right?! A silent cry was desperately directed at Louis, but he closed the door without even paying attention.

It’s been a while since she had been in a daze. Elusiana tensed up and turned her head away. She didn’t know what to do, but for now, the main task was assisting the grand duke.

But how should I assist him? Of course, he’s not asking me to help him with his work. Since I entered as a maid, should I bring something like tea or refreshments? However, to the shadow of her worries, the grand duke was busy looking at the papers. No, he didn’t seem interested in her at all.

Excuse me, Your Excellency?! Can you look at me? The situation was very funny. The butler just said what he had to say and left, but his master was the same. She was treated as if she wasn’t in there.

You’re not upset about what happened yesterday, right? Elusiana, who was glancing at him, quietly stepped back. Seeing him concentrating without even moving, it seemed he was doing something very important right now.

About an hour passed like that. The tension that was close to the edge was loosened before she knew it, and she felt heavy pain in her legs. Do I have to stand like this? My legs are killing me. Um, hey, can I lean on that wall over there?

After checking the grand duke, who was focused on papers once again, she quietly moved to the other side. But just in time, the grand duke’s hand stopped. The startled Elusiana stopped in the same position she was moving.

The startled Elusiana stopped in her moving position.

You didn’t even look at me when I stared at you. Why was he acting sensitive all of a sudden? Elusiana stuck her tongue inside and glared at the grand duke’s profile. However—

Hmm? His pale face didn’t look as good as the day before. She didn’t know if it was because of the dark circles or because of his small shoulders, but he didn’t seem to have any energy.

Isn’t he… overdoing it? He looked pretty sick yesterday too. He was like that even now. The sound of his breathing was as heavy as gold. What should I do if he suddenly collapses?

It was time when her worried gaze deepened. The grand duke, who had only scribed his signature like a machine, suddenly lifted his head as if reading her thoughts.

It was time for the worried gaze to deepen.

“…!”

“…?”

Their eyes met in the air. Surprised, Elusiana hurriedly lowered her head. This was because she never imagined she would make eye contact with him this way. Her heart thumped as if she had been caught secretly stealing something. Then the grand duke’s voice was heard.

“Continue.”

“…Pardon?”

“Have you been standing like that all this time?”

“Ah… yes, yes.”

Elusiana carefully raised her head. Aster’s two eyes trembled lightly, drawing a golden ring. The drooping corners of his eyes somehow made him look like he was going to die of regret.

What? Could it be that he completely forgot I was next to him? Elusiana involuntarily gaped.

“First of all, you’d better take a seat. Just sit on the sofa.”

Elusiana seemed to be about to burst out with a swear word for a moment, but she managed to calm down. The man in front of him wasn’t just an ordinary man, but the great grand duke.

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

“Ah, wait.”

Aster’s gentle eyes bent languidly for a moment. Elusiana, who was trying to walk reluctantly, hesitated and looked at him.

“What is it?”

“Can you walk properly?”

Elusiana’s eyebrows wriggled slightly. What does this mean? There’s no way I can’t walk because I’m not a newborn. Or… is he just making fun of me? And what’s wrong with the way he talks?

As Elusiana stared at him with wide eyes open, Aster waved his hand once and then spoke again. “You’ve been standing for a long time. There, in one place.”

“Then…?”

Do you have any problems? Asking back, Elusiana’s eyes widened with doubt.

Aster, who looked at her gently, shook his head slowly. “It’s nothing. As long as Lusi is okay, that’s fine.”

Elusiana flinched at the friendly title ‘Lusi’ and soon frowned. Wait, what do you mean? Why did you stop talking? He talked well but cut off in the middle, which made her feel frustrated, as if she had eaten a lot of sweet potatoes.

And why was he waving his hands earlier? Are there any blind mosquitoes? As Elusiana stared at his hand, Aster lowered his hands gently.

“If you still need my help, let me know. Don’t feel burdened.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Aster leaned his back against the back of the chair and smiled meaningfully. “You’re my benefactor. Isn’t that right?”

For a moment, Elusiana felt goosebumps all over her body. It wasn’t like he was going to say about what had happened, so she never thought he would threaten her like this. Maybe the grand duke was a more narrow-minded man than she thought.

…That’s it. Let’s sit on the sofa first, then think about it. Maybe it was because she had been standing for too long that she couldn’t feel the tip of her toes well. Elusiana hurried and moved her feet. No, she thought she had already moved her feet.

H-huh? Why can’t my feet move? Elusiana looked down at her motionless feet and put on a dumbfounded expression for a moment. Her feet were a bit numb, but it wasn’t to the point she couldn’t move them.

Her feet were working without problems until just a few minutes ago. Although it was only a couple of steps, it was clearly moving intending to lean against the wall over there. Bewildered, Elusiana’s scarlet eyes reflexively turned to Aster.

“Why are you like that?”

Aster tilted his head at an angle, looking at Elusiana standing awkwardly. The mischievous smile that appeared on his lips somehow seemed to have foreseen this situation in advance.