The Duke of Roger’s estate wasn’t far from the Grand Duke’s residence.
After about 30 minutes in the carriage, the front gate of the Duke’s mansion came into view.
“…It’s beautiful.”
The well-kept path, the gardens stretching out on either side, and the perfectly aligned trees.
The building itself, painted in ivory with a green roof, exuded a warm and welcoming atmosphere, much like the Duke himself.
‘Does a house really reflect its owner?’
While I was busy admiring the mansion through the carriage window, we arrived in front of the main building.
The Duke of Roger was already there, waiting to greet me.
The carriage door opened, and he approached, extending his hand.
His wavy brown hair swayed gently in the early summer breeze.
“Welcome, Your Grace, the Grand Duchess.”
“Thank you, Duke Roger, for inviting me.”
His dark green eyes curved into a friendly smile.
“Oh, no, thank you for accepting my invitation so readily.”
Taking his hand, I stepped down from the carriage. I was about to walk into the main building when the Duke tightened his grip on my hand.
“Excuse me, Your Grace.”
I turned to see him hesitating with an awkward expression on his face.
“Is there a problem?”
In response to my question, he opened his mouth but then briefly averted his gaze, looking embarrassed. He cleared his throat.
“Well, I had originally planned to serve you a wonderful meal in the glass conservatory, but about an hour ago, the chef injured his hand badly while preparing the ingredients.”
My eyes widened in surprise.
“Oh no, is he seriously hurt?”
The Duke shook his head.
“No, fortunately not. But without the chef, it seems the lunch I had planned won’t be possible…”
The Duke’s face showed visible discomfort, clearly not having anticipated this situation.
‘This is a first.’
I blinked in confusion, then glanced at the main building of the Duke’s estate before speaking.
“Then perhaps we should just—”
“No, no!”
The Duke quickly waved his hands, startled. His dark green eyes were wide with alarm.
“That’s not what I meant. I was just wondering if, with your permission, I could take you to a nearby restaurant instead.”
“But…”
“I know it’s terribly embarrassing and improper of me, but could you give me another chance?”
His voice was cautious, and he anxiously watched for my reaction.
His gaze met mine for a brief moment before it wandered to the floor, then to the side, and finally back to me, restlessly darting around.
Watching him nervously lick his lips several times, I raised my eyebrows.
‘He really seems more like an awkward puppy.’
The extravagant outfit Vivi had dressed me in to ensure I didn’t “lose” felt almost ridiculous now.
That aside, going out to eat together felt distinctly different from a simple invitation to a meal at his estate.
Typically, leaving one’s residence for a meal implied a more intimate outing, not just a formal social engagement.
It seemed that the Duke was aware of this distinction, given how uncomfortable he looked.
His head bowed slightly, his soft eyes hidden behind his wavy bangs, frowning and then relaxing again.
‘I could just politely refuse and go back…’
But watching him fidget like a nervous dog made me soften.
It felt as if invisible ears and a tail were drooping as he anxiously waited for my response.
‘Is this really the person I’m supposed to be wary of?’
No matter how much I tried to imagine him as the unpredictable figure Ian had warned me about, I just couldn’t picture it.
In the meantime, the Duke glanced up at me cautiously.
“So, would that be alright with you…?”
His dark green eyes shimmered in the afternoon sunlight.
Despite the fact that his gaze was physically higher than mine, it felt like he was looking up at me.
It was hard enough to keep my composure around him, given that his appearance was already exactly my type, but seeing that face made it impossible to refuse.
After a brief silence, I reluctantly nodded.
“…Alright then, let’s do that.”
Even though I wasn’t particularly close to the Duke and probably wouldn’t be, considering my relationship with Ian, I found myself agreeing.
The Duke’s face lit up noticeably.
A moment ago, he’d looked like a downcast puppy, but now it seemed like his invisible tail was wagging furiously like a propeller.
“Then I’ll escort you in the Duke’s carriage.”
He eagerly took my hand and led me away.
I followed him, somewhat bewildered, glancing back at the Grand Duke’s carriage that had brought me here. I tilted my head in confusion.
“But I already have a carriage.”
“I couldn’t possibly escort a distinguished guest in any other carriage. It may not be as grand as the Grand Duke’s carriage, but I assure you, the Duke’s carriage will be comfortable for you.”
“Oh.”
Well, that would indeed be strange.
Understanding quickly, I followed his escort toward the carriage.
It seemed everything, including the horses and coachman, had been prepared in advance before I arrived.
After seating me in the cream and warm green carriage, Duke Roger sat across from me.
When we were outside holding hands, I hadn’t noticed, but now, sitting face to face in the confined carriage, his warm scent washed over me.
It was the exact opposite of the cool fragrance Ian carried, and without realizing it, I subtly leaned back.
‘This is…’
It felt somewhat embarrassing.
Just as I was beginning to feel the awkwardness and heat rising, he smiled brightly.
“Then, let us go, Your Grace, the Grand Duchess.”
❖ ❖ ❖
The place we arrived at, after riding in the Duke’s carriage, was a high-end restaurant that had recently gained a lot of fame in the capital.
It was particularly known among nobles for its exquisite sous-vide dishes.
As I got off the carriage, escorted by Duke Roger, I glanced at the restaurant sign and widened my eyes.
“…Is this the kind of place where you can make a same-day reservation?”
From what I’d heard, even royalty needed to book at least a month in advance to dine here.
Duke Roger chuckled softly at my question.
“Well, as it happened, I got lucky.”
Was this really something that could be arranged by luck?
Regardless of my doubts, Duke Roger very politely took my hand and led me inside the restaurant.
As soon as we entered, a middle-aged man, who looked like a manager, rushed over like a bullet.
“Duke Roger, welcome.”
“Baron Viche, how have you been?”
“Thanks to you, always well. And your companion is… gasp, Your Grace, the Grand Duchess?”
The man, introduced as Baron Viche, gasped as he saw me standing next to Duke Roger.
As he alternated between looking at the two of us in shock, Duke Roger smiled again and spoke.
“As you can see, I’m hosting Her Grace, the Grand Duchess today, so I’d like you to take special care of us, Baron Viche.”
Snapping out of his surprise, Baron Viche hurriedly nodded.
“Oh, of course! There’s no question about it! Your Grace, Duke Roger, and Your Grace, the Grand Duchess, please allow me to show you to your seats.”
Bowing repeatedly, Baron Viche led us to the inner part of the restaurant. It was a window seat, one of the brightest spots in the restaurant.
‘A window seat, even when the place is full?’
I glanced at Duke Roger in astonishment, but he simply gave me his usual gentle smile.
Then, he released my hand briefly and gestured for me to sit as he pulled out my chair.
“Ah, thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
He pushed my chair in just as I sat down, then took his place across from me.
Unlike Ian, this really felt like being “escorted,” and it gave me a fresh feeling.
‘How is he more like the male protagonist than the actual male protagonist?’
It was surprising that Duke Roger wasn’t even introduced as a secondary male lead in the original story.
“All of the dishes here are good, but I recommend the B course. The chicken dish in the middle is especially delicious.”
“Then let’s go with that.”
I closed the menu I had been looking at and nodded, and Duke Roger immediately called over a server. As I casually glanced around the restaurant, I noticed something — there had been a subtle, lingering gaze on us since earlier.
♧♧♧
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