Chapter 56
｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Translated by Sienna ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Vanier’s mother was the caregiver for the late Princess Amila Peregrine.
Thanks to her mother, Vanier possessed more basic knowledge and cultivation than ordinary commoners.
However, after her mother passed away, she became the orphaned Vanier, who had no choice but to work as a maid for a wealthy commoner.
Even though they were fellow commoners, they treated Vanier as inferior.
‘They may have money, but they are more ignorant than me!’
Vanier found this humiliating.
So when Count Drave came to visit her, she was overjoyed.
He was a distant relative of the late Duchess Peregrine, as well as a doctor who owned a large medicinal herb garden.
Although his family’s status was not on a large scale, he was still a nobleman.
Vanier wondered: Could he be her real father?
It was like a scene from a dream, where a noble father came looking for her.
‘In the end, I wasn’t his real daughter; he just wanted to use me as a caregiver.’
Nevertheless, thanks to the Count, she was able to enter the ducal residence.
Without a recommendation letter, it was extremely difficult for a commoner to become a servant at a ducal residence.
This was all thanks to the connections her late mother had managed to build.
So, Vanier felt a little guilty for resenting her late mother.
‘Although I’m being treated like a servant, it’s only temporary.’
Although she was technically serving him, it felt more like she was his granddaughter.
The people of Peregrine do not know the Duke’s health condition.
She read letters for him in lieu of his dim eyes and helped him walk. She also prepares his meals, choosing a few ingredients recommended by his physician, Dr. Drave.
This was something even his family couldn’t do.
‘Indeed, it was a good choice not to read the letters in full.’
When Count Drave told her not to read the letters in full, she was honestly a little scared.
But now, seeing the current situation, she felt the Count’s idea was right.
The Duke was not pleased with Daphne’s obsession with the young lord of Evans.
However, if she suddenly came to her senses and decided to break off the engagement, the Duke might finally open his heart.
‘That can’t happen.’
With what mindset did she come to this manor?
How agonized she felt every time she was treated like a mere servant!
If she had been born a noble, she wouldn’t be a worthless caregiver, but a proud noble lady.
‘Yes, like that woman, Daphne.’
So Vanier kept all news about Daphne hidden.
The timing was also good, as the butler, worried about his lord’s health, intentionally didn’t mention Daphne’s suicide attempt to avoid shocking the duke.
As a result, Daphne ended up visiting without clearly announcing her intentions.
Conversely, the Duke remained a clueless grandfather, unaware that his granddaughter wanted to break off her engagement.
‘The rift is already deep, so it’s only a matter of time before it cracks completely.’
“Please, have a seat, Your Grace.”
Vanier skillfully pulled the chair out.
A table full of fresh, appetizing food was laid out.
“I’ve prepared mainly fresh salads. Meat isn’t good for your health, so it’s best to have a simple dinner like this, and also…”
Vanier proudly explained how beneficial the prepared dishes were.
But for some reason, Duke Peregrine didn’t look happy.
After all, at his age, even eating can become tedious.
Moreover, given that he had recently been eating a vegetable-centered diet for health reasons, his enjoyment of food must have diminished even further.
‘Honestly, I’d love to prepare lots of greasy foods, such as meat, to ruin his health.’
However, if she did that, the attending physician, Count Drave, might misunderstand.
Besides, if she acts too suspiciously, she might even lose her position as a caregiver.
To be seen as the only person who truly cared for the Duke, she had to put up with such frustrations.
“Please, have your meal, Your Grace.”
“…”
The Duke reluctantly picked up his utensils at Vanier’s urging.
“Excuse me.”
Suddenly, the head chef entered the dining room and started placing food in front of the Duke.
The Duke narrowed his eyes slightly.
“…what is this?”
“It’s the menu you requested. It was added at the last minute, so it’s a bit delayed.”
The chef said nervously.
“This is ridiculous. How can you expect him to eat that?” Vanier snapped incredulously.
The new dishes the chef brought were overcooked vegetables, soft fruits, and eggs—completely different from Vanier’s carefully planned menu.
She forced a calm expression and asked, “Isn’t there some mistake? I never ordered this.”
“But…”
“Who would want to eat something that doesn’t even look fresh?”
Though her tone seemed polite, the underlying sharpness was unmistakable.
The chef clenched his fists in frustration, feeling humiliated.
Despite being a servant herself, Vanier treated the other servants as if she were their superior.
However, the servants of the mansion believed that Vanier was favored by the Duke, as her role as a caregiver was kept secret.
Vanier let out an obvious sigh, as if she had expected this.
“Please clear this away. The Duke won’t be able to eat it anyway…”
At that moment, hurried footsteps were heard coming down from the open doorway.
The kitchen assistants standing outside the door began to murmur.
‘Who’s disturbing this quiet mealtime…!’
As Vanier turned her head with irritation, her face grew cold.
“Oh, I’m not too late.”
It was none other than Daphne who entered the dining room.
Her slightly damp hair and the scent of fragrant oil made the kitchen assistants stare at her in awe.
‘…What?’
Vanier, momentarily forgetting to control her expression, looked at Daphne with a stiff face.
‘What is that woman doing here?’
Could it be that she intends to have dinner with the Duke?
‘No matter how shameless she is, there are limits! How dare she…’
At that moment, Daphne’s eyes met Vanier’s, as if on cue.
Vanier deliberately displayed an uncomfortable expression, signaling for Daphne to leave.
However, Daphne was unfazed.
“I was worried you might have started eating while I was freshening up, but I’m glad I’m not too late.”
With that, she sat down opposite the Duke.
Her natural demeanor made it seem as if they had planned to dine together.
“…what are you doing now?”
Sure enough, the Duke frowned and asked in a cold voice.
His voice was so icy it could make one’s hair stand on end, but Daphne responded nonchalantly.
“I’m here to have dinner, too.”
“Then why are you doing it here…”
“I couldn’t even have a proper meal on my way here.”
“…”
“I was so hungry and didn’t want to bother the kitchen staff by asking for a separate meal, so I asked them to prepare my food along with yours.”
At that, the Duke suddenly closed his mouth.
He stared at Daphne for a long moment before picking up his utensils, as if granting her permission to join the meal.
Vanier couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
The Duke of Peregrine was known for not dining even with his own sons.
‘But how could that wretched woman…?’
Vanier secretly clenched her fist tightly. She needed to control her emotions. After all, what significance could one meal possibly hold?
Just as Vanier was thinking about this, Daphne, who was holding her utensils, spoke to the Duke.
“Grandfather.”
“…!”
“…!”
Everyone present widened their eyes at Daphne’s words.
Even his son, Lyas, calls him “Your Grace” rather than “Father.” In the Peregrine family, affectionate terms have long been extinct.
Yet Daphne remained completely unbothered.
“This food looks more appetizing; would you like to try it?”
She even offered the Duke the meal she had planned.
The Duke’s eyebrows twitched.
“…Switching the food, what are you plotting?”
“I’m not plotting anything. It may not look fresh, but the chef has put a lot of effort into making it.”
Right?
Daphne glanced at the chef, and he hastily nodded his head.
“Besides, this might be easier on your stomach.”
“…”
Vanier let out a small, incredulous laugh at those words.
There was no way the carefully selected meal could be replaced with a hastily prepared one.
But.
“…”
But the Duke showed no sign of refusal. He simply stared intently at Daphne.
His gaze was so intense that it felt like it could choke her, yet Daphne just smiled warmly.
Eventually, the Duke spoke.
“Do as you please.”
Everyone’s mouths dropped open.
Not only had Daphne dared to use the unexpected title “Grandfather,” but she also made the audacious suggestion to change his meal.
Yet, instead of anger, the Duke responded with permission.
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
As if unaware of the shock around her, Daphne stood up and switched the food.
Vanier clenched her skirt tightly, trying to control her emotions.
‘The Duke usually doesn’t eat much.’
And the food would undoubtedly taste terrible, so it was only a matter of time before he put his utensils down.
Sure enough, the Duke soon set his utensils down.
“Is it not to your taste?”
“…”
Daphne asked, but the Duke didn’t reply.
“I’m sorry. It seems it didn’t suit you. I worked so hard to prepare it…”
Daphne lowered her eyebrows in a pitiful manner, and Vanier scoffed inwardly.
‘Offering such mushy food to the Duke with a poor appetite. Is she stupid?’
At that moment, the Duke opened his mouth slowly.
“… because I’m full.”
“Yes?”
“I’m full. Isn’t the portion too large?”
The Duke pointed to the piled-up dishes. He looked at Daphne as if to say there was no other reason.
Daphne smiled brightly.
“Oh, the portion is a bit large, isn’t it? I requested generous servings, just like I used to have with my family at home. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“…”
Daphne spoke cheerfully, and the Duke said nothing more.
However, the sight of them appeared as that of an affectionate grandfather and granddaughter.
Vanier clenched her fists tightly. Despite all her efforts, she couldn’t gain even a fragment of the attention that Daphne received so easily.
Rage welled up inside her, but she forced herself to calm down. After all, this would be the first and last meal they shared.
But it didn’t take long for her to realize her mistake…
“I’m here, Grandfather.”
…not long at all.
