Chapter 23
With trembling hands, Susan grabbed Stella’s arm.
“Stella, you’ve finished eating, right?”
“Uh… not yet…”
“Let’s take the rest up to your room.”
“Why?”
“I have to go somewhere urgently.”
“But you haven’t even finished half of your meal…”
As Stella mumbled, glancing at her sister’s plate, Susan, unable to bear it any longer, abruptly stood up from her seat.
“This is enough for me. Now, let’s go.”
“Oh… okay, sister.”
Without a word of apology to me, Susan left the dining room. Of course, she didn’t forget to give instructions to the servants as she left.
“Here! Take the remaining food to Lady Stella’s bedroom.”
“Yes, Miss Susan.”
Thanks to that, I could finish my dinner in peace, alone. Since I thought it would be good to eat well before consummating the marriage, I chewed thoroughly, paying attention to digestion.
After leisurely enjoying dessert, I headed to the kitchen to discuss tomorrow morning’s menu. Since both Stefan and I needed to eat foods that were good for pregnancy.
Contrary to my expectations, the kitchen was still bustling with activity. I thought the head chef would be free since the Duke’s family had all finished their meals, but he still looked busy.
“Is there still much work to do?”
“Oh my, what brings you to the kitchen, Young Madam…”
“You’ve worked hard, chef.”
“Oh… not at all, it’s no trouble.”
“Your skills are very good. Thanks to you, I enjoyed my dinner.”
Though it was a formal remark, the chef seemed deeply moved. It must have been the first time he’d received such praise from any member of the Duke’s family.
The chef, who looked on the verge of tears, took off his hat with his plump hands and bowed his head.
“Th-Thank you, Madam, for saying that.”
“I’ll be counting on you in the future as well.”
“If there’s anything you’d like, just let me know. I’ll prepare something splendid.”
“Actually, I’ve come to ask for a favor…”
At my words, the chef raised his head abruptly. His round face and shining eyes were almost overwhelming.
“Please command me, Madam.”
“From tomorrow, for the next three days, I’d like fresh fruit juice prepared for our breakfast. Could you also prepare broccoli soup and yam salad?”
“Everything is possible, but the Duke always drinks coffee in the morning—will fruit juice be alright?”
“It will be fine. I’ll explain it to him.”
“Understood, Young Madam.”
“And could you prepare salmon steak for tomorrow’s dinner?”
“I’ll go to the fish market early tomorrow morning to get the freshest salmon.”
“Thank you, chef.”
I lightly patted his shoulder to express my gratitude. As I was about to leave the kitchen, a name that caught my ear made me stop in my tracks.
“Emily, did you hear what the Young Madam said? Prepare to go to the fish market early tomorrow morning.”
“Y-Yes, chef.”
At the mention of the name Emily, I hurriedly turned back. I couldn’t let her slip away now that I’d finally found her.
“Oh, I almost forgot something.”
“Please, go ahead, Young Madam.”
“Could you make hot chocolate in the style of coffee?”
“Are you thinking of offering it to the Duke instead of coffee?”
Instead of answering, I smiled and nodded, making the chef’s face tense up. He seemed to think that it was impossible to take on such a task given how busy he already was.
At that moment, Emily cautiously stepped in.
“I… I think we could make something that tastes similar to coffee… with dark chocolate.”
“Emily, who said you could…”
While the head chef scolded Emily, I stared intently at her face. Her red hair, brown eyes, and the freckles scattered across her pale face looked endearing. However, seeing her so timid and stuttering, a pang of sadness tugged at my heart. It reminded me of how I used to stutter in front of Rita in my past life, making me pity Emily for stuttering in front of the chef.
‘Emily, this time I’ll save you. And you’ll help me too.’
I wanted to embrace her tightly and tell her that we should get along well from now on, but there were too many eyes watching. Besides, there was still a long way to go if I wanted to make her truly my person.
“Your name is Emily, right?”
“Y-Yes, Madam.”
“The chef is busy, so why don’t you try making the dark chocolate tea?”
“M-Me?”
Emily looked up at the chef with a bewildered expression. Naturally, she would find him more intimidating than me, even though I was now the Duchess.
Reluctantly, the chef nodded, and a bright smile spread across Emily’s face.
“I-I’ll do my b-best, Young Madam.”
“Good, bring the chocolate tea to me every day for approval.”
“M-Me, p-personally?”
“Of course. The person who makes it should bring it and explain it themselves.”
“O-Okay, Young Madam.”
“I’m counting on you, Emily.”
I emphasized her name and gave her a warm smile. It must have been satisfying for her that the Duchess not only remembered her name but also created a valid reason for them to meet daily.
‘Let’s do well together, Emily.’
After my first encounter with Emily, I quickly left the kitchen. There was no more time to linger there.
***
Stefan was already in the marital bedroom, repeatedly checking the time on his pocket watch, trying to calm his impatience.
‘How long does it take for her to finish a grand dinner alone…’
It had been over an hour since Susan had rushed in, making some absurd tattletale and then leaving.
“Brother, did you like the meal that sister-in-law prepared?”
Eating steak without his usual red wine was such a chore that he didn’t feel like responding to Susan’s chatter. But what she said next was even more ridiculous.
“Enjoy the meal and make sure you succeed on the first try.”
Finally, Stefan shot a glare at Susan, and she started making even more ambiguous remarks.
“Blood is thicker than water, so I’m on your side, brother. I just couldn’t stand the idea that someone might think you’re inadequate.”
“…What on earth are you talking about?”
“If you don’t want to keep having these obligatory bedtimes, you need to get it right in one go. Got it?”
Stefan felt like he should be the one blushing at her shameless words. He wondered where she had even heard such nonsense.
“Brother, you’re not seriously inexperienced, are you?”
“You’re getting bolder by the day.”
“Then you can do it in one shot. Please succeed within three days, please!”
“Susan, get out right now. Stop being a nuisance while I’m eating.”
“Make sure sister-in-law never says such things again. I’m counting on you, brother.”
As Stefan watched Susan leave after saying everything she wanted to say, he realized that the source of her words was Rachel.
‘So she dares to think I’m inadequate…’
It was Rachel who insisted they must consummate the marriage and share the bed for three days straight. Yet here she was, not even showing up in the marital bedroom. What was she trying to prove with such brazen behavior?
Though anger boiled within him, he was suppressing it and waiting patiently, knowing what Rachel might say if they didn’t consummate the marriage tonight either.
‘Let’s see just how impressive her preparation is.’
At that moment, he heard someone enter the bedroom. The sound of fabric brushing against the floor as they walked softly, like a stealthy cat, reached his ears.
Stefan, who had stepped out of the bar area and into the bedroom, focused on Rachel’s attire. However, seeing her completely unprepared appearance only fueled his frustration. So, he deliberately spoke to her in a familiar tone.
“Madam, where have you been so busy?”
Startled, Rachel froze and forced a warm smile.
“I was discussing the menu with the chef. Did I keep you waiting long?”
“It certainly wasn’t a short time. Many people have come and gone already…”
Rachel, realizing that Susan was among those Stefan mentioned, gave a significant smile. She was grateful that Susan had promptly delivered the message she had let slip.
“I plan to make some minor adjustments to your routine for more efficient management. It’s all for your health and the future of the Edmond family, so please understand.”
“Even with that explanation, it seems you’ve crossed a line with your disparaging remarks about your husband.”
“Disparaging? It was merely a metaphor. It seems you’ve misunderstood.”
“…That wasn’t your intention?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Stefan, with his crimson eyes scanning Rachel up and down, gave a cold smile. He then turned his back and looked out the window.
“Then I will believe you.”
Only then did Rachel’s eyes fall on Stefan, who had perfectly completed all preparations. His silver hair, catching the moonlight and naturally disheveled, and his casual nightgown made him appear quite attractive.
The broad shoulders and strong physique hidden beneath the nightgown, along with his long, perfect legs, made Rachel blush involuntarily.
‘No statue in the world could be as perfect as that…’
Rachel was unaware that her satisfied smile was visible to Stefan through the window.
“Madam, what are you doing? You should prepare quickly.”
Prompted by Stefan’s gentle question, Rachel hurriedly blurted out the words she had been holding back.
“Sir, would you like to bathe together?”
