“It seems so. The impression is similar, and isn’t she riding in a carriage with a duke, even though she’s a maid?”
“So, is that Ciello, the one we commissioned for the task…Did she cut her hair? It was long.”
The two people who were hiding looked at Ciello’s portrait torn from the newspaper and murmured.
“Looking at the height, it seems right. She’s a woman who makes a living by hiding, so she’s not noticeable, but I remember when I see her directly.”
“But looking at her outfit, it seems she has completely gone over to the duke.”
“I thought she would be the savior of Peregrine…She has become a dog that sells the country and feeds on the empire’s feed.”
They gritted their teeth. The young man opened his mouth.
“Isn’t it fortunate that she at least stuck to a decent duke?”
“No. He’s a duke who commits debauchery but strangely receives the emperor’s protection. We need to be careful.”
“But the atmosphere was a bit strange earlier…There were also words in the newspaper, maybe they’re not really in that kind of relationship?”
At the young man’s question, the other two clicked their tongues.
“Stupid. Do you believe such nonsense?”
“Looking at her state, the emperor probably already knows that she is the culprit of the theft case. Maybe he’s using the duke to lure her.”
“Yeah. She’s not ordinary either. Whether she really stole Serpiente or not, she’ll be tearing the duke apart using that as an excuse.”
Their expressions were filled with deep contempt. The young man asked.
“So, what are you going to do?”
“We have to get Peregrine back. Whether it’s a treasure, land…or a person.”
“For the liberation of Peregrine.”
“For liberation.”
Soon, the shadows dispersed into the crowd. There was no trace left where they had disappeared.
****
The carriage carrying Ciello and Estribal stopped in front of the mansion.
“…Ciello.”
There was no answer. Estribal looked at Ciello with cold eyes. Ciello was nodding off with her head tilted to the side.
“Marriage alliance…The power of the 1st princess…Hazel Duke… Hazelnuts… Delicious…”
Ciello was mumbling in her sleep, even mentioning her taste. Estribal murmured with a stern expression.
“When telling you a story…Ciello. Wake up.”
Estribal reached out as if to shake Ciello awake, but stopped without touching her. He withdrew his hand without touching Ciello.
Contrary to his low voice, the corners of his mouth were curved in a teasing smile.
“Ciello. It’s mealtime.”
“Oh, dinner! Uh…huh?”
Ciello, who woke up with a start, looked around the inside of the carriage with a blank face. Estribal chuckled.
“Were you that bored?”
“No, no. That’s not it…”
“Enough. Get down.”
Ciello followed him out of the carriage into the mansion, scratching her cheek awkwardly.
Estribal was silent all the way down the corridor. Ciello, who had been watching him, spoke first.
“Um…Are you angry?”
“…Angry.”
“No, Duke. But I thought you would talk about a great magic! A wonderful war! Something like that when you mentioned the succession to the throne. But you only talk about difficult politics…”
Estribal’s steps slowed. He opened his mouth in a subdued voice.
“War is not at all wonderful.”
His voice was low, but the end was cracked and sounded somewhat poignant. Ciello, who was taken aback by his distorted expression as if suppressing something, hastily added.
“So… I mean, it would have been nice if you could at least talk about your exploits, Duke!”
“…Enough. What exploits.”
Estribal, as if trying to suppress his emotions, retorted more curtly and headed towards the dining room. Ciello quickly moved her feet to follow him.
“Oh, are we eating together today?”
“Do you dislike it?”
“No. Of course not!”
The dining room door opened and Estribal sat at the end of the long table. Ciello followed him without hesitation and sat right next to him.
“Hmm?”
The Duke showed a puzzled expression. The servant, who was naturally going to set the tableware opposite the Duke, also paused with their eyes covered.
“Why… why? Did I do something wrong?”
Ciello, who didn’t seem to realize her mistake, craned her long neck and looked around.
“…No. It’s nothing.”
Estribal tapped the table between him and Ciello with his long fingers. Then, the servant, who sensed the master’s intentions, silently moved and set the tableware in front of Ciello.
“The servants tell me, you really enjoy mealtime in this mansion.”
“Is that a hint that I’m eating too much?”
“…What do you think a duke’s house is? No matter how much you eat, it doesn’t make a difference.”
“It’s really nice. I was very conscious when I was in the orphanage.”
“Ah. I was a bit surprised when I heard the report that you ate a whole chicken in a Poulet au Vin in one meal.”
Ciello’s eyes widened.
“Wait a minute. You said it doesn’t make a difference!”
Her eyes, sharply raised, shook with an incongruous embarrassment.
“What do you think a duke’s house is? Everything that happens here is reported to me.”
“Ah…”
Ciello pouted her lips. Estribal chuckled and took the napkin out of the ring and put it on his lap.
The food that was served soon was more carefully prepared than usual, and the shape was beautiful and the scent was excellent.
If it was the usual Ciello, she would have mercilessly picked up the fork while drooling. But Ciello, who was embarrassed by the conversation just now, first set the manners and spoke modestly.
“Thank you for helping me out of the blue today.”
“Don’t misunderstand. It was a visit that was already scheduled. If one was observant, one would naturally have suspected your background. I predicted that far and introduced you to the world…”
“Hey.”
Ciello shook her head and glanced at him.
“At times like this, just say so and accept the thanks.”
“What?”
Ciello’s innocent eyes twinkled.
“In fact, I was a little disappointed. The best I’ve ever dressed up is today, but it’s a waste to just look at that Reposa girl, isn’t it?”
“…It’s only been a month since I tried to kill you. Aren’t you afraid of me?”
Ciello calmly put the terrine in front of her into her mouth.
“You can’t kill me now, what?”
“Really…”
The duke clicked his tongue and stabbed the terrine with a fork. The duke, who put food in his mouth with a mechanical movement, froze for a moment.
“This is…”
Heat spread on Estribal’s face that could not be hidden. He had forgotten. If the sense of taste was also lost under the influence of the spirit, it was natural that it would return by Ciello’s side.
He chewed the food very slowly and swallowed it. Ciello looked at him with a subtle expression.
“It seems more delicious to eat together. Right?”
It was clear that Ciello was looking at him, but he couldn’t deny it. He was helpless.
“…Yes. That’s right.”
Estribal swallowed another bite and nodded silently.
In front of Ciello, who was choosing her words while watching his mood, a gorgeous main dish was served. Ciello’s face became serious.
“But, Duke.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Yes.”
Ciello said in a serious voice.
“How do I eat this without alcohol?”
“What did you say?”
The servant who was serving the food also paused. But Ciello boldly grinned.
“Duke, you’re not saying you can’t drink, are you?”
He was taken aback. This tiny woman dared to expect him to get drunk. What to do, what to hear.
The trivial provocation was amusing, so he opened his mouth.
“…Bring a suitable drink.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t be disappointed in advance. Don’t expect my mistake.”
Soon, a whiskey of the same pumpkin color as his eyes was placed on the table. It was a Single Malt Whiskey.
“People who get unnecessarily messed up are not liked by this Duke, so consider this a warning.”
“Wow. You must drink well? I’m just average.”
A round glass with ice was placed in front of the two. Ciello twinkled her eyes with an amused expression. The Duke filled the glass with the bottle he held himself.
“There’s no reason to drink… if you don’t get drunk.”
Estribal lightly shook the glass and brought it to his lips.
The meal of the two, accompanied by alcohol, began in earnest.
And a little later.
“…Excuse me, Duke.”
This time it was the opposite when on the carriage.
Ciello looked at the Duke with stunned eyes. A faint smile hung on the corner of his mouth, which was slightly lowered.
“Hmm.”
“…You said you don’t get drunk.”
“Ah…That’s right.”
His usually cool voice stretched out a bit and left a lingering sound. Ciello opened her mouth in astonishment. No matter how much it was a Single Malt, he was like this after just one drink.
How could she get him drunk without getting drunk herself? Should she dilute her own alcohol? Should she secretly switch it with a similar-colored tea? Her past worries felt futile.
“Do you dislike it?”
The Duke slowly raised his head and looked at Ciello. His face, which was as affectionate as when fitting the dresses, contained an unusually affectionate gaze.
“Ugh…”
Ciello glared at him and backed away.
“Don’t attack people with your face. Can you please tell me why the person who absolutely doesn’t get drunk is like this?”
Estribal, facing the retreating Ciello, sent an unmistakable look of regret and replied.
“I really don’t get drunk. Originally.”
“Originally, you mean?”
Ciello furrowed her brows and fell into thought. His actions passed through Ciello’s mind. The way he avoided contact with her to an excessive degree, the situation where he didn’t even know the color of his own eyes.
When he smelled the flower scent, when he ate the food. All those attitudes where he found everything unfamiliar.
“That’s right. You make me drunk…”
“Wait a minute!”
Ciello cut off his words. Estribal looked at Ciello with eyes shimmering like golden alcohol.
“You’re disappointed. My words are uncomfortable for you.”
“No. I want to guess.”
“What.”
Ciello did not answer his question. Instead, she cautiously reached out towards his face. Then, even though he was drunk, his body flinched. But Ciello did not withdraw her hand.
“You can avoid it if I’m wrong.”
