Actually, I couldn’t understand it either.
There were clearly designated working hours and holidays for the numerous servants employed by the duke.
But neither of them mattered much to me.
It was because Diana seemed unwilling to be away from me.
Of course, I didn’t have much to complain about since I didn’t have much work, but this time it couldn’t be helped.
‘I have to sell my magic stones!’
Unable to go out with Diana and unable to afford a late outing due to my age, I was pondering what to do this holiday when I happened to learn that the entire duke’s household had been invited to the imperial banquet.
Since it was a meal attended by the emperor, I couldn’t bring a servant separately, so staying alone in the mansion was just right for going out.
‘And normally, I should report my outing to the housekeeper…’
Feeling a little embarrassed, I headed straight to the Duchess.
<Hmm, going out? It’s better to talk to the Duke about that.>
Honestly, I had expected immediate approval, so I was a bit taken aback by the Duchess’s response.
But since I couldn’t refuse, I waited for the opportunity to meet the Duke face-to-face, constantly hoping for it. And finally, this moment came.
However, the Duke still looked puzzled.
If permission wasn’t granted this time either, I had resolved to leave without it, even if Diana had classes all day and couldn’t accompany me.
“Holidays are your free time, so if you want to go out, you should. But that day… Although the capital’s security is good, you’re still too young, so it might be better to go next time…”
“Oh! Don’t worry about that.”
Desperate, I shouted at the Duke, despite his reluctant expression.
* * *
“So… you’re saying… you want to go out just with Jack?”
In response to Lia’s subsequent explanation, the Duke asked, bewildered.
Lia’s nodding head explained it all:
It just so happened that on the upcoming holiday, Jack, who was Lia’s fellow ward and apprentice knight at the orphanage, was also off, so they decided to go out together.
In truth, even for other servants, permission to go out was more about managing the comings and goings of the mansion’s staff than truly seeking permission.
“Especially since Lia is so young, they’re just using safety as an excuse.”
“…Just the two of them.”
The boy named Jack, who had recently become a pageboy under Teis, was quite well known to the Duke.
Despite being the same age as Allen, Jack was dignified and mature. Although he started learning swordsmanship late, his skill far surpassed that of an apprentice knight, making him a strong candidate to become a core member of the Lexion Knights in the future.
Honestly, if Lia had still insisted on going out alone, the Duke would have considered assigning a guard, but with Jack accompanying her, he couldn’t help but nod in agreement.
Of course, Lia had already anticipated that the Duke wouldn’t let her go alone and had agreed to go out with Jack.
Realizing that there was no other choice but to grant permission, the Duke swallowed his reservations and reluctantly consented, understanding that his wife had deferred a difficult decision to him.
Since Lia’s outing and her companion were both significant considerations, it was understandable that he wasn’t eager to give his approval easily.
But with no grounds to refuse, the Duke eventually spoke up.
“Alright. But make sure you come back safely, and don’t stay out too late.”
“Yes!”
Lia’s face lit up with the answer she desired.
“But…”
Stopping Lia, who was about to leave after bowing respectfully, the Duke called her back.
“I believe I told you not to call me ‘master’ before, didn’t I?”
“Huh?”
“I told you to just call me ‘Duke.’ So why do you keep calling me ‘master’?”
Lia awkwardly smiled at the Duke’s words.
All the other servants of the Duke addressed him as ‘master,’ and the Duchess was referred to as ‘madam.’ So, Lia’s insistence on calling him differently was puzzling.
The Duke knew Lia’s thoughts, but he couldn’t bring himself to say, “You’re different from other servants.”
He couldn’t treat a child he had considered adopting as just a servant, and since she didn’t want sponsorship herself, he was at a loss about how to handle Lia in the future.
Although he was actively looking into finding a new adoption placement, he couldn’t find a suitable one, and time was passing without a clear solution.
While he had kept Lia as a maid for now, he knew he would have to make a decision soon.
“Alright, you may go.”
As he watched Lia’s troubled expression, the Duke gestured for her to leave. Lia bowed once again and left the office with light footsteps.
Seeing her go, the Duke let out a sigh, feeling even more conflicted.
‘Come to think of it, Lia was the one who recommended him to the knighthood.’
Although he had heard that Jack was talented in swordsmanship, he hadn’t thought much of it.
Today, however, his mind was filled with various thoughts.
‘Perhaps they’re just close friends?”’
They had relied on each other at the dismal orphanage and had come to the Duke’s estate together. It wouldn’t be unusual for them to have special feelings…
‘Hah! They’re still just kids. What am I thinking?’
Shaking his head ruefully, the Duke dismissed the notion.
But despite forcing a laugh, the uncomfortable feeling didn’t go away.
It felt like hearing that his daughter was going on her first date.
‘I thought I had at least ten more years before feeling like this.”’
And it wasn’t like he was just watching a daughter; his head throbbed at the thought.
Suddenly, he was reminded of his eldest son at the academy.
* * *
“Miss, I’ll be back…”
“Aww, big sis…”
Jack sighed softly as he watched Diana, who was on the verge of tears, and Lia, who was unsure of what to do, rolling her feet while being escorted outside.
Even though they were only going to be apart for less than a day, they acted like lovers facing a tragic separation.
Allen’s reaction, quite upset, claiming that deliberately scheduling our visit to the palace on the day of their outing was quite understandable.
Especially since a few days ago, Allen, who was trembling with anger and trembling, had yet to show himself, blaming Lia for having to call each other ‘sweetie’ and ‘darling.’
Of course, Lia seemed completely unconcerned, asking why a lord should escort a maid on her outing.
“Lia, it’s time to go.”
As there happened to be a servant going to the Capital Square for work, they decided to ride a carriage out.
Seeing the groom gesturing from afar, when Jack spoke, Lia sadly kissed Diana’s cheek with a lingering look in her eyes.
“Miss, I’ll really go now. Have a good time at the palace today.”
“Yeah. Have a good time too, big sis…”
Watching Lia, who looked regretful until the very end, turn around and join Jack, Diana sighed.
“…Uh.”
Despite being the one urging them to go, when Lia approached, Jack stiffened noticeably.
Although he pretended to be calm, he was quite tense.
Since a few days ago, when Lia unexpectedly came to the study, suggesting they go out together, he had been on edge.
And Teis, his stepfather, had said something that made his heart race.
“Isn’t this an opportunity, Jack? Lia was the one who asked you out first, so you have to do well.”
“D-D-Date… no, it’s not like that!”
Just as he was beginning to vaguely realize his own feelings, Jack was taken aback to think that Teis, who had been beside him, might have noticed too.
Embarrassed, he denied it with a wave of his hand, but Teis smiled even wider and handed him the allowance he had missed last time.
“…Thank you. I’ll use it well.”
Jack, too, hesitated before accepting the allowance.
Although he was bothered by Teis’s persistent teasing about the money the Duke had given him, he remembered how he had only mooched off Lia during their last outing.
Since it was obvious that if he gave her the same allowance again, she wouldn’t take it, Jack was determined to pay for everything himself this time.
But as they sat side by side on the swaying carriage, he began to feel the reality of their private outing, and his palms started to sweat.
“It’s just a simple outing…”
In fact, other than Lia, he rarely went out, and besides the Academy Festival, he had been outside the Duke’s estate several times to observe apprentice knight training and guard duties.
Although he had been shown around the Capital by Teis during the adoption process and taken to various restaurants, it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.
While the voice of Teis, shouting, “Have a good date!” continued to echo in his mind, Jack deliberately ignored it and turned his gaze to Lia.
Then something caught his eye.
“What are you holding…?”
Perhaps due to nervousness, he had been watching Lia for a while, but he only now noticed the large bundle she was carrying.
Lia, who had been quietly passing it off, awkwardly replied.
“This? I brought various things just in case. Umbrellas, outerwear, stuff like that.”
“You’re not a peddler…”
Startled, Lia, who had been swelling with pride at the thought of selling magical stones, marveled at Jack’s sharpness and apologized.
“Sorry. If it’s embarrassing to carry them together…”
“N-No, it’s not like that!”
Realizing that he had unintentionally reproached her, Jack quickly changed the subject.
“You’ve never toured the Capital before, right?”
“Huh? Uh… yeah, that’s right.”
“I did last time. I know a few nice restaurants around the square. And there’s also a dessert café famous for the chocolate you like…”
“…Ah.”
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Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
If you like my work please support us in Patreon. Next post will be released on April, 6.
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