~Chapter 05~
As they entered the dining room, a delicious smell filled the air.
Asthan looked over the table with a baffled expression. It was piled high with dishes he hadn’t even seen on his birthday.
I told them to save food because of shortages. They won’t come to their senses until they starve together in the dead of winter.
He was seriously considering declaring budget cuts starting tomorrow when the head maid rushed over.
“You’re here, my lady. Please, have a seat.”
She didn’t even glance at Asthan and only fussed over Gloria, which made Asthan frown as he sat down.
“Why did you wake up so late today? You made the young lady wait.”
“If she was hungry, she could’ve eaten first.”
“How could you let a guest eat alone? I’ve told you over and over, when you’re dealing with a lady—”
“I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
Asthan cut the nanny off and began eating.
He had stayed up late and woken up late, so he was starving.
He dipped a piece of bread in soup and took a bite—only to frown deeply.
I should’ve gotten up earlier.
The bread was as hard as a rock, and the soup was cold as ice.
In fact, most of the food had gone cold.
They may have prepared breakfast early, but the dining room was so large that hot food cooled quickly.
Asthan was used to it, but it didn’t seem like a pleasant experience for the guest having her first meal at the duke’s estate.
He glanced over at Gloria, struggling to cut her meat with red, frozen hands. With a sigh, he took off his outer coat.
“I told you this would happen.”
He grumbled as he handed her the coat. Gloria’s eyes widened.
“Aren’t you cold, Your Grace?”
“I am.”
“Then why…?”
“It’d be a problem if you used a cold as an excuse to stay here longer.”
“…”
“Just eat.”
Is he being kind or not? I really can’t tell.
Gloria mumbled under her breath and took the coat.
Asthan, now in just a thin shirt, quietly drank from his glass as if it was nothing.
Then, Gloria suddenly spoke.
“By the way, Your Grace.”
“Yeah?”
“Why do you keep calling me that, woman?”
“Then what should I call you?”
“Call me Lady McCain or Gloria. Or, even if it’s a bit early… wife is okay too.”
“Alright then, little miss.”
Gloria’s eyes narrowed sharply at the teasing nickname.
“Can you please stop treating me like a child? I know everything an adult should know.”
“Everything?”
The smirk vanished from Asthan’s face, replaced by a sharp gaze.
He set down his knife and suddenly stood up. The screech of the chair made Gloria flinch.
He stared down at her with eyes like a predator watching prey, then slowly bent over toward her.
“You said you know everything?”
His warm breath tickled her ice-cold ear.
Her frightened face was reflected clearly in the shiny dessert spoon.
Gloria watched him get closer and shut her eyes tightly, her heart pounding out of her chest.
Don’t get nervous. You’re going to marry him—this much is expected. Don’t act like a child.
She steeled herself.
“Open your eyes.”
His voice was flat. Gloria cautiously peeked one eye open.
“You had sauce on your mouth.”
Asthan gently wiped her lips with a napkin.
Gloria’s cheeks burst into flames when she saw the steak sauce on the napkin.
“And you still want to act like an adult?”
“…”
“Gloria McCain, you idiot! How are you going to get married like this?”
Back in her room after the meal, Gloria furiously rubbed at the spot where the sauce had been and looked miserable.
“I should’ve eaten less…”
She had promised herself she’d act like a proper lady, but after days of barely eating, she lost control in front of a real meal.
She tugged at her hair in frustration.
“He could’ve just ignored it!”
What kind of gentleman points out food on a lady’s mouth, anyway?
She pouted and blamed clueless Asthan, then stared at herself in the mirror.
Do I really seem that unappealing to him?
She looked thoughtful, face clouded with gloom.
She’d thought things would go smoothly once she reached the duke’s estate, but now even getting married seemed uncertain.
Why did I think this marriage would be simple and logical?
So Duke Schulzmeier actually cared about practical benefits in marriage.
She knew noble marriages were all about calculation, but hearing it out loud was still a blow.
There’s no time to hesitate.
According to the diary’s prophecy, she only had one year left—maybe even less.
If she didn’t marry Asthan before then…
“No. I can do this.”
Gloria shook her head hard, trying to shake off the bad thoughts.
“It’s only the second day. It’s way too early to give up.”
If he thought there was no benefit to the marriage, she just had to show him there was. If he didn’t want her, she’d make it so he had no choice but to want her.
She decided not to rush and instead make a plan to win him over step by step. With new determination, she swung open her door.
Just then, she saw Logan walking down the hallway—perfect timing for finding an ally.
“Excuse me, do you have a moment?” She asked.
“Of course, I’ve got plenty of time. What can I do for you, my lady?”
“I wanted to ask you something.”
“Ask away. I’ll answer as honestly as I can.”
Logan made an exaggerated bow like a gentleman asking for a dance.From beneath his raised sleeve, a rough amethyst bracelet sparkled.
Gloria shyly asked, “What kind of woman does the Duke like?”
“…Excuse me?”
Logan, who had been smiling playfully, looked stunned.
“I thought it might be rude to ask him directly. Does he like cute girls? Pure girls? Or maybe mature women?”
“So you want to know the Duke’s type.”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… the Duke’s type…”
Logan frowned and fell deep into thought, like it was the hardest question he’d ever been asked. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
“The Duke likes pretty women.”
“Oh, I see.”
Gloria nodded seriously, then asked again.
“What about me?”
“How could I say that myself?”
“It’s okay; I won’t get mad. Be honest.”
Gloria looked at him with determined eyes, urging him to answer.
Logan licked his lips nervously and said, “Out of all the ladies I’ve seen, you’d be one of the top two in beauty.”
“Really?”
“Of course! I’m not the type to lie.”
Logan grinned, clearly trying to flatter her.
Gloria was tempted to ask who the other one in the top two was, but she held back. Instead, she smiled sweetly.
“Do you think the Duke would agree?”
“Well, any man would. Honestly, when I first saw you, I thought, ‘Why am I not the Duke of Schulzmeier?’”
“Oh my.”
Gloria giggled at the compliment, even though she knew it was exaggerated. Still, if he was willing to praise her so kindly, he’d make a good ally.
As she laughed brightly, Logan laughed along—until a cold voice cut through the air.
“I didn’t know you were aiming for the Duke’s title, Logan.”
“Y-Your Grace?!”
Asthan had appeared silently, glaring at Logan with sharp eyes.
“To think someone so close to me was after my life… I almost got stabbed in my own home.”
“What are you talking about?! I wasn’t thinking that at all!”
“Then what was that I just heard?”
“Well, I was just saying how jealous I was that such a lovely lady was asking you to marry her…”
Logan glanced at Gloria, trying to cover up the situation.
But Asthan didn’t like the way their eyes met. He stomped hard on Logan’s foot.
“Stop talking nonsense and get out of my sight.”
“Yes, sir! Really, jealousy makes men say stupid things…”
“Logan.”
“Going! I’m going!”
Even as he ran away, Logan couldn’t stop talking. Asthan rubbed his forehead in frustration.
I told him to light the fireplace, and he just piled on wet logs. And now he’s running his mouth here, too. This man’s completely lost his mind.
Asthan looked around the room with a critical eye. The cleaning wasn’t up to par either.
All this chaos just because of one uninvited guest… I’ll need to retrain everyone.
Just as he was making that mental note, he felt a sharp stare from the left.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I was just wondering—what kind of woman do you like?”
Here we go again.
Thinking she was as persistent as a rusty nail, he answered with a mischievous tone.
“I like women who are older than me.”
“Hmm… That’s going to be tough…”
Gloria pouted, having hit a problem that effort alone couldn’t fix.
Asthan felt an odd sense of satisfaction as he walked past her calmly. The little lady, who would never be older than him, followed right behind.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“The library.”
“To read?”
“Let’s say yes.”
In truth, he had just come out of his room because Logan filled it with smoke from wet logs. But Asthan didn’t feel like explaining, so he kept it short.
“I’ll come too!”
Gloria ran into the living room to grab the book she’d been reading in the morning.
Asthan walked to the library at a much slower pace than usual, pretending not to notice her.
He sat down on the sofa with a random book, and Gloria sat beside him, seriously opening her own book.
…But the title was “101 Ways to Be a Proper Duchess.”
Why was that kind of book even in the library?
He turned his eyes to the book in his own hands.
“A Gentleman’s Conduct: Social Etiquette and Escorting in High Society.”
Seriously… What is this house?
