NMRJKM Chapter 87

 

Feeling bewildered, I hurried over to him with short, quick steps. As soon as I got close, he pulled me into a tight hug and sat me on his lap.

No, this guy!

“T, there are other people watching!”

“So what?”

The aides were smiling faintly and looking away. The knights stood with their arms crossed, turning their heads to the sides.

“What are you doing?”

Carlothian then spoke to the knights.

“You two, get out.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, sir!”

The two of them immediately left the room, and I covered my face with my palms.

“What am I supposed to do sitting here?”

“Just stay still.”

“I’m bored.”

“Then read some documents or something.”

“Aren’t those family secrets?”

“Exactly.”

“Why are you showing them to me?!”

“What does it matter?”

Why can’t he just understand that it matters to me? What exactly does concern him?

I gave up on being angry at him and sighed. Then, while sitting quietly in his lap, I began to look down at the documents he was signing.

Rustle, rustle.

The speed at which he was signing the documents was so fast that I barely had time to read anything. Nevertheless, as I focused intently, trying to read the papers, Carlothian began to slowly hand them over to me. Most of the documents seemed to be reports from the lower territories.

‘When I was the Duchess, I didn’t read much about the territories because I was focused on internal affairs.’

I wasn’t sure, but I thought about it as I examined the documents closely. Maybe I should see which territories are better and later choose one to live in.

After all, once Carlothian gets married, it wouldn’t be good for him to keep me close. I should ask to be sent to a more distant temple.

As I contemplated this, I came across a document stating that they were sending quite a few fertile specialties.

“Carlothian, is there a temple here?”

“Are you talking about Daronte? It’s a pretty large territory, so there is a temple. Why, do you want to visit?”

“Hmmm, I see. No, not really.”

For now, I marked the temple in Daronte as a candidate for where I might live.

‘Actually, the best option would be to clear my name and return to my family.’

But I wasn’t sure if that was possible yet. Of course, I was motivated. But I also needed to be prepared for what could go wrong.

“I think I’ll take my leave now. This is boring.”

“Just sit still for a bit.”

“No way.”

I got off his lap and waved goodbye to Carlothian with a light step as I left the office.

As I stepped out, Sir Maicher and Sir Index were standing side by side. They asked as they followed me.

“Where are you planning to go?”

“For now, I’m going to see the maids.”

“The maids?”

“I want to ask them to get along with the new maid who just joined.”

“You don’t need to ask for that separately.”

“Of course, but now I have five personal maids.”

Wow, a sinner wandering around with five personal maids. I chuckled and went to find the maids.

“Hmm? Have you already met?”

“Ah, Miss Ariadeline!”

The maids were gathered in small groups near the living room. Among them, Stelle was sitting with a very tense expression, surrounded by my other maids.

…This looks like bullying, no matter how I see it.

“What are you all doing?”

“Oh, don’t worry too much. It’s just something that happens when someone new arrives.”

“You didn’t do that when Rodi came in.”

“Well, Rodi was already working here.”

“This person is…”

The maids rolled their eyes. Ah, it makes sense that they would be wary of Stelle since there’s a rumor going around that she tried to frame me and failed.

“Um, take it easy.”

“Of course.”

“We’re not that bad.”

I shouldn’t get involved and help Stelle here. If I sided with her, the maids would get jealous.

“Anyway, I want to go for a walk. Rodi, do you want to come along?”

“Oh, sure. It’s better for Rodi to go out for a bit.”

“Rodi, come here.”

“Yes!”

Rodi ran over to me, and I took her hand as we set out for a walk. Hmm, the girls should keep it in moderation.

Still, I don’t think the maids are bad people, so I don’t believe they’ll go too far. They’ll probably just give a light warning and leave it at that.

I returned to my room after enjoying a walk with Rodi, humming a tune.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

“Did you try to frame Miss Ariadeline?”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Three of Ariadeline’s maids—Dolly, Anne, and Mae—looked down at Stelle, who was sitting on the sofa with their arms crossed.

Stelle shrank back, trembling under their fierce gazes.

“Why did you do something like that?”

“W-well, I can’t really explain…”

“Okay, whatever. Let’s say it was something the higher-ups ordered. How dare you come here so shamelessly?”

“I-it’s a matter of life and death…”

“Oh~. It’s a matter of life and death? If Miss Ariadeline had been framed that day, she wouldn’t be alive right now!”

As the saying goes, like master, like servant, May, the maid, yelled and flexed her biceps, which were hardened by mopping.

“My, my family’s life was on the line. I, I’m sorry…”

“Your family’s life was on the line?”

At that, the three of them paused to think.

“If it’s family, then I guess it can’t be helped.”

“Seems that way, right?”

While Stelle was stunned, the three nodded and looked down at her. Their gazes were definitely softer than before.

“You did well.”

“We’ll be watching you.”

“I really don’t know what Miss Ariadeline is thinking.”

“She’s a soft-hearted person. We need to take good care of her.”

Stelle swallowed hard and quietly slipped behind the retreating maids. Fortunately, they didn’t say anything more to her.

When they returned to find Ariadeline, she was playing with Rodi on the bed.

Even though Rodi was still young, it was surprising to see her rolling around and playing on the same bed as a maid.

Stelle’s eyes widened in shock. Meanwhile, Ariadeline greeted them cheerfully.

“Oh, everyone, come on in! I have some snacks. Would you like some?”

Ariadeline was like an innocent girl. The maids, as if they were used to it, gathered on the sofa and started sharing cookies.

Wow, the maids are eating cookies in the duchess’s room, together with the duchess herself. 

‘Oh no,’

Ariadeline… As Stelle was just observing, Ariadeline gestured for her to come over.

“Come and have some too.”

“Um, it’s fine. I’m comfortable standing.”

“Don’t say that.”

Ariadeline stood up and made Stelle sit next to her. Rodi, who always occupied that spot beside Ariadeline, wore a strangely wary expression.

Stelle chewed on the cookie being stuffed into her mouth with a bewildered look. Just as she was about to swallow it…

Creeeak.

“Ugh!”

The door opened. For a moment, Stelle felt as if her throat had completely closed up and jumped up, placing her hands on her stomach.

“What are you doing here?”

It was the Duke. Duke Denaves! The Duke who is known to be ruthless!

Stelle looked at him with tear-filled eyes while chewing the snack in her mouth. Carlothian glanced at Ariadeline, who was picking up a cookie, with an indifferent expression, as if he didn’t care whether Stelle cried or ran away.

“Just sharing cookies with the kids.”

“I’m sure our kitchen doesn’t have anything like that.”

“It’s probably because you don’t eat it. The chef’s skills are outstanding, you know.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Ariadeline took a bite of the cookie, leaving half of it in her mouth, and gestured to Carlothian.

Carlothian leaned forward, placing his hand on the back of the sofa where Ariadeline was sitting.

Then, Ariadeline offered him the half-eaten cookie, putting it into his mouth.

Stelle tensed up. No, how could she give something like that to the Duke!

But what happened next was surprising. Duke Denaves casually chewed the cookie and swallowed it without any fuss.

What? Is this really okay?

Stelle blinked in disbelief. Meanwhile, Carlothian spoke.

“Everyone out.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Understood.”

The maids, pulling Stelle along, left the room while warning her.

“From now on, you must never interrupt. The Duke will be very angry.”

“Is Miss Ariadeline going to get scolded?!”

Stelle exclaimed in shock. The maids shushed her, exchanging glances and then bursting into laughter.

“Well, she might get scolded.”

“Anyway, don’t come near here for a while.”

Following the maids who left the room without a care, Stelle’s steps were hesitant. However, her gaze remained fixed on the door.

For Stelle, Ariadeline was a lifesaver and someone who had saved her family.

Stelle ignited a fire in her heart.

‘Miss Ariadeline! Just trust me. I will support you no matter what.’

Until you can take back your position as the duchess!