episode_0186

After it was confirmed that the banquet would be held, one more task was added to my daily routine.

Handling business related to the banquet. Come up with a concept, choose decorations, write invitations, etc… … .

Of course, I have no complaints because I volunteered to do it, but the increase in work itself was not a very pleasant feeling.

Crunchy――

Today, as I was processing documents with a quill pen, I stopped my pen for a moment and looked toward the door when I heard the faint sound of footsteps coming from outside the room.

I told you not to pass by here while I was at work unless you had something special to do… … . Could it be Liev?

smart–

[Duke, this is Riev. Could you please spare some time?]

Sure enough, it was Liev who came to visit me.

After confirming that the other person was Liev, I responded by moving the pen again.

“Please come in.”

[Then, please excuse me.]

When Riev said that and opened the door to the office, a sweet and sour smell filled the office.

The smell was similar to the orange juice Hermel used to drink, and I stopped moving my pen at the smell and looked up.

“I don’t remember asking you to bring refreshments.”

Thinking about Hermel was certainly happy and satisfying, but it was also painful and painful, so I frowned at the subtle sweetness that reminded me of Hermel.

Then Liev, who was carrying a tray containing a tea set, let go of the tray for a moment, bowed down, and apologized politely.

“It seems like you’ve been spending every day just doing office work for the past month, so I prepared this on my own in the hope that you would get some rest. If you don’t like it, we’ll take it away right away.”

“… … .”

After thinking about it for a moment, I remembered that I would have to face Hermel again soon anyway, so I grabbed the pen again.

okay. In preparation for that day that will come someday, I need to practice maintaining my composure and hiding my emotions in front of Hermel.

“… … It smells sweet. What car is it?”

“Mandarin tea purchased from a wandering merchant said to be from the East… … . They call it green tangerine white tea. I heard that it is good for relieving fatigue and for beauty.”

“Green tangerine… … .”

Was tea made from young fruits from tangerine trees? I thought it had a citrus scent… … .

“I’d like a drink, please.”

“Yes.”

I turned to the paper to move the pen again, but the sweet citrus scent escaping as the tea was pouring made me stop.

“Here it is.”

Riev said that and set down the teacup in front of me. The clear, light-colored car had a subtle citrus scent.

The citrus scent I felt every time I breathed in—it was just a scent, but it brought back sweet memories of that day and made it impossible for me to concentrate on work.

In the end, I could no longer move the pen and had no choice but to stick it into the ink bottle.

“It smells good.”

“Thank you.”

I held the teacup and took a sip of the tea in the cup.

The slightly sour scent gave a pleasant stimulation, and it was refreshing, soft, and sweet.

The taste and scent reminded me of Hermel in many ways, and I blinked as I touched the teacup.

“… … This car. How much did you buy?”

“I didn’t know if you would like it, so I only bought sheep for us about ten times. I bought it just yesterday, so the vendor is probably still there. Should I buy more?”

“It will be used as a gift, so make sure to bring a box full of it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I took another sip of tea and closed my eyes, enjoying the scent of tea tickling my nose.

I really want to spend time enjoying this car to the fullest, but I can’t do that.

I put down the teacup and looked at Liev.

“So, you probably didn’t come to see me just for a cup of tea. Either everything I asked you to do has been completed, or there has been a setback. What’s going on?”

“I was waiting quietly because I wanted you to rest a little longer… … . I guess that would be difficult.”

Riev smiled bitterly and said this, then took out a piece of paper from under the tray and showed it to her.

The paper she showed was a report containing the details of the work and its cost.

“All preparations are progressing smoothly, and thanks to the Duke giving specific issues, I think we will be able to complete preparations for the banquet about four days earlier than the planned two weeks.”

“Is that so? I just chose the most appropriate combination based on the banquets my mother has hosted.”

“Hehe, you are humble. However, it is true that the air-conditioning device the Duke designed played a significant role this time. Thanks to this, we were able to hold a very special banquet called the Midsummer Ball.”

That’s because there was someone I wanted to dance with–no, that’s enough.

I brought the tea to my mouth without saying a word.

Riev smiled slightly, then took out another piece of paper and placed it in front of me.

“This is the uniform the Duke requested. The design, fabric material, finishing, lining, everything has been prepared. It is said that as long as the duke signs, he can start working right away.”

The paper Riev handed over depicted a pure white dress shirt and vest, as well as a cape and pants draped over the shoulders.

The time had come to finally get out of this damn dress, and although I had accomplished one of the items on my bucket list that I had been longing for, strangely enough I didn’t feel very happy about it.

It would have been better when I drank tea earlier… … .

“It’s not a bad design.”

I put down the paper with the drawing on it, said that, and picked up the pen.

Just as I was about to sign the paper, Riev, who had been standing still, spoke up.

“Duke, may I ask you one thing?”

“Something.”

I put down the pen for a moment and looked at Riev as I said that. She paused for a moment at my words and then cautiously opened her mouth.

“Can you tell me why you chose the uniform rather than the dress?”

“Because I decided to live as the head of the family, not as a woman. This uniform embodies my will.”

“… … I see.”

Contrary to what I thought he would do to persuade me by talking around things like, “Shouldn’t you get married?” or “Shouldn’t you have a baby?”, Liev very clearly acknowledged and accepted what I said.

It was quite unexpected. Because she had served the Rochelle family for a long time, and because I had seen her loyalty to the family, I could not help but question her reaction even more.

Feeling a little intrigued by that, I looked straight at her and said,

“That’s unexpected.”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought Liev would definitely persuade me. Now, I’m the only one who will inherit the Rochelle family, so I’m going to carry on the family, and I’m going to wear a dress instead of a uniform, and things like that.”

Were my words too direct? Riev looked at me with wide eyes, like a startled owl.

She blinked for a moment, then smiled kindly and answered my question.

“Hehe… … . I’m sure that’s what I would have said in the past when I didn’t know about the duke.”

“You mean not now?”

“Yes. Not now. Today, I left behind everything I wanted to do, what I wanted to eat, and the dreams I wanted to achieve, and I met the Duke who is dedicating himself to his family. How could I, serving such a devoted Duke, dare to go against his will?”

She looked at me as softly and kindly as the warm morning sunlight and as firmly as an old tree.

“However, if this old man dares to offer one piece of advice for the duke… … . Please don’t overdo it. Before you are the head of a family, the Duke is a person.”

Liev’s words turned the light-hearted question into a heavy burden.

Of course it wasn’t her fault. Because she just gave it back with goodwill and trust.

It is said that something can be seen only after it is achieved and after it has passed. It’s exactly like that. How many people are there already? … .

“Haha, it would have been great if I could have met Riev a little earlier, but it’s a shame.”

“I have always been by the Duke’s side since he was a young lady. Of course, it just wasn’t the time for me to be called.”

The words that you were always by my side became a sharp root that pierced my heart.

I laughed bitterly at those words, shook my head, picked up the pen, and finished signing.

“You rested too long. I need to get back to work soon.”

“Hehe, this old man took up too much of the Duke’s time. Sorry.”

Riev smiled lightly, took the documents I had signed, and folded them in his arms.

“How would you like some tea?”

“Pour another drink and take the rest with you.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Riev refilled the half-empty teacup, placed the tea on the tray, bowed his head, and tried to drag the tray out.

As I was looking at the teacup and thinking about the conversation I had with her a while ago, I blinked at a person that suddenly came to mind and called Liev over.

“Riev.”

“Yes, Duke. Is there anything else you would like to do?”

“Who will you entrust with the uniform plan?”

“I was planning on leaving it to Mrs. Amelia like I always did, but… … . Why are you doing that?”

I responded to Liev’s words with a small smile.

“I think it would be better for Mrs. Amelia to leave the dress to another seamstress, rather than the uniform.”

“Other seamstresses… … . Is there anyone you have in mind?”

“Yes. I am the owner of a small store in the royal capital. The name is David. Last time I saw it, it seemed like they were really good at making clothes.”

“David… … . David… … . Yes, I understand.”

“Oh, and one more thing. Please send it to an outsider and do not let anyone know that I entrusted it to you.”

Riev blinked at my words, unable to understand my intention, and then answered lightly.

“Yes, I will follow your orders.”

He smiled willingly.