CH 61

“The reason I asked Lady to spare some time is that I have a favor to ask you.”

“What kind of favor…?”

“As Lady said earlier, His Excellency often neglects his body.”

“Yes, that’s right. Once he concentrates, he doesn’t pay attention to what’s happening around him. That’s why I asked to reduce his work. So… is there any aide at the grand duchy?”

“His Excellency is very shy, so he doesn’t have one.”

“I see.” Elusiana nodded in sympathy with the butler.

“So I need your help.”

“My help? How can I help you?”

Her job was to prepare tea to moisten the throat or recommend refreshments to soothe hunger, ask for medicine in case of illness, and call a doctor to check the condition of the grand duke. But was there anything else she could do to help?

Louis answered with a smile as Elusiana looked puzzled. “I heard that Lady persuaded His Excellency to call the doctor yesterday, right?”

“It’s because His Excellency is sick.”

Louis shook his head. “If I had said it to him, he would have insisted that he was fine. I couldn’t even call the doctor. Lady did a great job.”

“…I just did my job.”

“You’re too humble.”

Elusiana’s expression became bewildered for a moment at Louis’s excessive praise. What is he up to? What kind of favor does he want me to do?

By the time Elusiana’s eyes filled with doubts, Louis opened his mouth again. “Could you extend your working hours?”

“…Are you asking me to work overtime?”

“To be exact, I want Lady to do it as a full-time job. I recommended this because Lady is the only one who can move His Excellency’s heart at the moment.”

It was such a sudden suggestion that Elusiana was momentarily taken aback. In the afternoon, she had to do the florist’s work in the Fragrant Garden. It wasn’t a situation where she could accept it right away because she wanted to.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s possible. I have other things to do.”

“Overtime pay is double the regular pay. I will pay twice as much for it.”

“…… you’re going to give me eight, eighty golds?”

“Yes.”

Louis replied as if it was natural. At that moment, Elusiana shouted as if she was possessed by something. “I will do it! Working full time! Just let me do anything!”

She only needed to work a half day longer but got double her monthly salary? What else did she need to think about?

At this rate, she could be freed from the slave contract in a year. I’d be an idiot if I missed this opportunity. 

Elusiana let out a silent shout, intoxicated with triumph, and Louis held out the contract with a hearty smile.

“You can sign here.”

* * *

Slit, slit.

Slit, slit, slit.

Elusiana, who sliced the steak on the white plate with a knife, sighed as she snapped one of them. I got caught again. I was seduced by the money and rushed to sign it. But when he said he would pay me 80 gold, how could I refuse it!

Looking at the situation, it is right that she is Simon’s daughter. What was the use of calculating profits? Simon was so lax at the decisive moment. What she was doing was pretty much the same.

The butler promised that he would send a maid to the flower shop as her substitute while she was on duty. So, Elusiana was currently eating with the grand duke… From now on, she would continue caring for him all day.

Elusiana, who put down the fork she was holding, spoke her words softly. “Your Excellency is not feeling well yet, so I don’t think you should move like this. If you’re having difficulty, I will bring your lunch to the bedroom.”

Aster said after swallowing a sip of water. “You said that eating well makes you better.”

Elusiana tilted her head as she smiled at Aster and raised her fork again. Huh? Did I ever say that?

Aster said, dipping the deliciously sliced meat. “Eating food with you seems to give me an appetite I didn’t have before. I’m really alright.”

“…I’m glad to hear that…”

Elusiana, who had blurred the end of her words, faced Aster’s straight eyes and lowered her head.

“I think I can eat better if you also enjoy it. Do you have no appetite?”

“It-it’s not like that. Mmmm. It-it’s delicious. Ah— really delicious.”

Elusiana quickly dipped the sliced steak into her mouth because the words he gave with a big smile were somehow intimidating. At that moment, she thought she might get an upset stomach.

Umm. What is this? Why does it melt so quickly? Isn’t this really delicious?!  Contrary to the internal circumstances that seemed to make her sick, she easily swallowed the food.

It was the time when she used her fork seriously.

“Elusiana.”

“…Umm, yes?”

Elusiana, who puffed up her cheeks, raised her head. Aster finished his meal, leaning his elbows on the table and resting his chin on it. She wiped the sauce off her mouth with a napkin and looked at him with her eyes wide open.

“Why are you being like that?”

“I was told you were going to stay with me from today.”

Although his choice of words was a little strange, she nodded because it wasn’t wrong.

“Yes. I will be staying by your side until late afternoon. Do you feel uncomfortable?”

“That can’t be true. I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

As he said so, Aster folded his eyes and smiled. Around the time when she thought that his friendly gaze was somehow familiar, a golden ring gleamed in his eyes.

…Uh? As? At that moment, his image overlapped with Astein watching the sunset from the top of Windy Hill. The golden sun soaked in the blood-red eyes. The eyes she thought were the most beautiful and unforgettable were right before her. It was identical to the eyes of a man she missed so much.

No, it can’t be. This man wasn’t Astein. As’s eyes are red and dark like blood… They are like rubies. On the other hand, the grand duke’s eyes were aloof but cold, looking as if they could burn everything. As if they contain all the hot heat in a well-refined shell. They were similar but had different feelings.

…Who looks like who?  Elusiana’s eyes widened in surprise at the thought she had. It doesn’t make sense. Their hair color is different in the first place. As’s hair color is black… and the grand duke has bluish-silver hair. And his face is completely sweet… Huh?

For a moment, the panicked Elusiana turned her eyes. Different? Where? How? No, why did I think his face looked like Astein’s?

She didn’t remember. The shape of As’s thick eyebrows, the sharpness of his eyes, his sharp nose and red lips, even the outline of his handsome face. Why! Why?… I’m sure I remembered it not too long ago. Why on earth?!  Elusiana’s scarlet eyes shook madly as she stared at Aster’s face again.

“If you’re done eating, would you like to take a walk with me? The weather outside is so nice.” Aster smiled, leaning his head with his chin resting. “Is there something on my face?”

“N-no. It’s not like that. That’s…”

“But why are you staring at me like that?”

Elusiana, who closed her mouth tightly, bit the tender flesh inside her lips. I thought of someone who looked like His Excellency. However… I don’t know. What did that person’s face look like? I can’t remember… at all. She really remembered nothing.

“Elusiana?”

Elusiana, who managed to swallow the tears that filled her throat, answered, avoiding her eyes. “Ah, right. Did you ask to go for a walk?”

“Are you okay? You look so pale.”

“Haha. I-I must have eaten in a hurry. I feel bloated. Walking for a while will make me better.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Would you like to go right away? As Your Excellency said, the weather outside… is really good.”

Elusiana stood up first. Aster, staring at her quietly, stood up and held out his hand. “I will guide you. This way.”

Elusiana, who stared at Aster’s hand, held his hand. It was a very strange thing. They only touched each other’s hand, but her raging emotions subsided. She only felt the warmth.

* * *

“Hup. Hup. Hup.”

Noel, who roughly swept away the thick drops of sweat, sheathed his sword.

“That’s it for today.”

Only then did relief appear on the face of the knight facing him. The knight’s face looked pale as if he had crossed the Jordan River.

“Thank you for your hard work, young Master.”

“Yes, take a rest.”

The knight bowed his head briefly, stepped down, and Noel moved into the shade. The waiting maid brought cold water and a towel.

“Thank you.”

Noel, who swallowed cold water, wiped off his sweat with a white towel. It was still midday. Even though he swung his sword for a long time, the sun seemed to have no intention of setting.

“Tsk.” Noel turned his head as he clicked his tongue. “Prepare some bath water.”

“Yes, young Master.”

The maid walked away and quickly disappeared. Walking after her, Noel looked up at the sky once more. When will this damn sun set?