I was speaking seriously, but it seemed my expression was somewhat comical. Ludger let out a laugh.
“No, I’m not joking! I’m prioritizing my well-being!”
“…Alright. I understand. Since you know, don’t get too worked up. It might not be good for your recovery.”
Ludger patted my shoulder and tried to calm me down.
“But if a situation arises where you might have to betray me by selling out my identity for the sake of security in the future, it would be appreciated if you consult me before that happens.”
“I have no idea about the identity of the Young Duke, so you don’t need to fret!”
As I pushed forward my act with utmost sincerity, Ludger laughed again. Seeing that smile, I felt a bit more at ease.
Because I could feel how much he had been worried about me and felt a sense of responsibility when I was injured.
Even if Ludger were the villain, his concern came across as genuine.
I hoped that my answer would ease Ludger’s burden even a little.
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but our Young Master lost his parents, the Duke and the Duchess, during his childhood.”
“That was…. because of a demonic creature.”
Of course, that wouldn’t mean that the fundamental trauma he had would disappear.
Which left a bitter aftertaste.
***
Afterward, we had the remaining meal. Ludger still didn’t seem to have much of an appetite, so he ate half-heartedly.
I enjoyed the dinner more than before, as I had moved on from liquid food to something with more substance, along with some side dishes.
As a knight, one naturally learns to eat whatever is available, whether it tastes good or not. Which means whenever the opportunity arises, you must store your strength any way possible.
After finishing the meal, I glanced at the situation. Now that we had talked and eased our minds… couldn we discuss going to work tomorrow?
However, I was still under Ludger’s orders. The command not to bring up work matters was still in effect.
‘Should I just close my eyes and charge in?’
While I was agonizing, Ludger got up from his seat.
“Well, since you’ve finished your meal, I think it would be best if you rest now. Please make yourself comfortable.”
“Um… well… yes… I suppose I will…”
“….”
Ludger looked down at me for a while, then turned his head to the side and burst into laughter.
I looked at him in puzzlement, but he stopped laughing quickly and said.
“Oh, pardon me. It’s quite clear what you’re thinking.”
“It can’t be….”
“Yes, you must be thinking of wanting to go to work tomorrow. I just wanted to tease you a bit since you were so restless.”
‘This guy….’
I wanted to run up to him and pinch his cheek for teasing me, regardless of our social status. How can he tease people like this!
“The healer said you are almost healed and there’s no problem with your health, so do as you please.”
“I understand. Then I’ll take your advice to heart and make sure to go to work first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Yes. I’ll inform the maid to attend to you tomorrow.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary to attend but… Yes, thank you.”
“Then, rest well.”
“Oh, one more thing!”
“Hmm?”
“Can you please tell me what’s the current situation with the Ruby Knights? How was the aftermath of the demonic creature handled? And what about the reason the demonic creature appeared in the capital so suddenly…..”
As I bombarded Ludger with questions, his expression gradually grew increasingly worse. Oh no.
“…Sir Clara.”
“Yes….”
“I have no intention of forcing you to act upon my order, and I have no intention of preventing you from going to work either, unless you are completely healed.”
“….”
“But that doesn’t mean I’m suggesting you take on work while you’re supposed to be resting.”
“Understood. I’ll just shut up and rest.”
With his stern expression softening, Ludger sighed and added.
“Sir Clara… You have such a strong sense of responsibility.”
“I wasn’t always this way… It seems years of public service have turned me into something akin to a workaholic slave…”
Ludger burst out laughing again when I blurted out the nonsense I had been thinking about when I was alone. It seemed our humor matched, which was a relief.
“Nevermind…. Alright. For now, just rest well today, and think about work when you go to the knights’ office tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
“Please hold out your hand.”
“….?”
I blinked and extended my right hand.
Ludger gently took my hand.
Then pressed his lips lightly to the back of it….
The back of my hand felt as if it were on fire, and my face seemed to flush just as intensely.
As I sat there with my mouth slightly open, Ludger lifted his gaze slightly.
“May the peace of the night descend upon you.”
I barely managed to respond to his old-fashioned night greeting with a stammering tone.
“…May sweet dreams visit you in the pitch-black darkness.”
It had been so long since I used such aristocratic formalities that I was unsure if I had gotten it right, but fortunately, perhaps I was correct, he just smiled without saying anything.
“Then please, rest well.”
With those words, Ludger left the guest room.
All that was left was me, and my head overwhelmed by the excessive stimulation.
‘I’m not a real noble lady, so why bother treating me as such!’
Well, perhaps he didn’t mean anything, perhaps it was just his way of showing politeness, given how perfect he was even during the escort.
There was no need to display such heart-stirring beauty this way, right? If anything, it felt like a crime against my heart that would surely get him arrested.
‘The romance novels I read in the past had the plot where the female lead reincarnates as an extra instead of the main character, and tames the antagonist.’
Haha, that’s just wishful thinking.
In the first place, there was no way I would have caught the eye of someone when there was a lovely and charming beauty like Elisa.
So from now on, I’ll just moderately monitor him in the name of communication and play the role accordingly to prevent Ludger from going astray.
However, if he continues with such flirtatious behavior….
‘Haa, I guess I should have dated properly at least once. If I had, I wouldn’t have been so flustered by such meaningless behavior.’
However, as a poor public servant trapped in an endless cycle between the ‘knights’ office ↔ home’, I lacked the enthusiasm for romance. The only person who almost became a love interest was Gustav.
‘Ugh, disgusting.’
That thought immediately reaffirmed my decision. Rather than dating a brat like Gustav and becoming a puppet in his hand, I’d live as an old maid for the rest of my life.
My wariness toward Ludger was only natural.
A man who had a dual identity and was a villain on top of that, no matter how handsome he was, it was a big no-no for me.
‘People should be honest and kind no matter what.’
I could still vividly remember how much I suffered because of that two-faced bastard Gustav.
And that crazy bastard, Gustav, has been acting up again recently. The very idea of having romantic feelings for him was so disgusting.
Thinking about Gustav calmed me down, almost to the point of sinking into tranquility. Though it was still early, I decided I might as well get some sleep.
After crawling slowly into the blanket, I inadvertently stretched out my right hand.
It had felt so strange when Ludger touched it earlier, but now it seemed like nothing.
***
The next morning, I woke up early.
Since I was going to go to work earlier than my original time anyway to check on the work situation, I decided not to fall asleep again and get ready for work.
I was the type of person who moves alone, taking care of things on my way. But the problem was this was someone else’s house.
What I was wearing now was a chemise that was close to being pyjamas. I had no clue where my clothes were, so what could I even do? (I think they were stored separately when I changed into a dress at the boutique.)
In the end, I reluctantly used the mansion’s communication stone to call the maid.
As expected, servants are early risers. The maid, neatly dressed, arrived promptly at my room.
“Greetings, Captain Clara. Would you be getting ready for work?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll assist you with your bath.”
‘Ugh….’
Even during my days as a pretend noble lady, my family was poor, which meant I had never received such service, so I naturally felt uncomfortable.
But on the other hand, it was part of her job… If she ends up being misunderstood later for not doing her job properly…
As someone in the same labor class, I couldn’t let such a situation arise.
In the end, I experienced the feeling of being a pampered dog undergoing grooming as I got cleaned up and dressed.
I was told that the clothes I had worn were already taken back to my home. Consequently, I was able to wear the high-end outfit provided by the Duke’s residence.
It was the boutique’s workwear which was only worn by those from wealthy families among the knights. I had thought I’d never wear such expensive clothing in my lifetime. I was stingy about spending money on clothes, but the future is unpredictable.
“The carriage is ready. Would you like to depart right after breakfast?”
“Yes, please.”
“Understood.”
After finishing a meal with even less liquid food than the night before, I headed for outside.
Having been transported unconscious (?), this was the first time I had seen Duke’s residence beyond the room I had been in.
