Repetitive Routine.
Once again, the same day began without fail. When the sun rose, I woke from sleep, quickly washed up, had a light breakfast, took a short walk, and then enjoyed some time with Valerie or engaged in healing.
“Your complexion has improved a lot.”
“Really?”
During the healing time, meant to remove the dark magic lingering in my body, Karl didn’t just take Valerie and me to the hidden palace to distance us from the unknown source of the dark magic.
After ensuring our safety, his determination to uproot the danger entirely led him to bring a few members of the Ministry of Magic with him to this hidden location.
Of course, even after making them sign a non-disclosure agreement, I was still uneasy, so I even made them wear blindfolds and masks.
“You look especially radiant today, more than usual, in addition to being pretty. Your face, I mean.”
I smiled awkwardly at Leev’s exuberance and rubbed my cheek.
Celeste, blessed with near-perfect beauty, was truly stunning—perhaps due to the setting that everyone would fall for her, except the male protagonist.
Her face had a natural glow even without makeup, and her lips were a vibrant red and moist as if freshly painted. Hearing that she looked even more radiant lately made me smile.
“Or maybe not? From the day after you didn’t leave your room with the Grand Duke for three days, it seems like your complexion has been improving…”
Ah, so she was teasing me. I shot Leev a sidelong glance for bringing up Karl.
“Stop it. I think it’s about time you dropped it.”
“My goodness, how could I tease the Grand Duchess? I’m merely admiring the wonderful example of marital bliss you and the Grand Duke set for all of us…”
“I said stop.”
When I put down the book I was reading and shot her a fierce look, Leev finally fell silent, looking a bit sheepish.
Since that day, Hannah and Leev have teamed up to tease me relentlessly. It was beyond embarrassing for a Grand Duchess.
I even pondered when I’d finally gather the courage to confront them.
“Then I’ll let you rest, Your Highness. Is there anything else you need?”
I shook my head at Leev, who hurriedly gathered her things. I didn’t need anything; I just wanted to be left alone in peace. The healing magic required more stamina than I had anticipated.
The staff from the Ministry explained that normalizing every single cell in my body would tire me out, and even lying still exerted a similar energy expenditure as intense exercise.
As a result, despite doing almost nothing since morning, I felt utterly exhausted.
“Lunch time has already arrived.”
After eating, it’s time to eat again. There wasn’t a moment for my stomach to empty.
Even if I wanted to skip this meal, I couldn’t starve with Lady Cecilia’s fuss and threats about meals while being here for recuperation.
I started to think that starving isn’t the only form of torture; constantly being fed could also be torturous. As I pondered this quirky thought, a lavish spread appeared before me, just like now.
“I’ve prepared the meal, Your Grace.”
“This… isn’t it too much?”
“I’ve prepared it with items that are good for replenishing energy.”
When will I eat all of this…? Preparing so much food for just one person feels like such a waste and extravagance.
Of course, leftovers from the higher-ups are taken back and shared among the attendants, but food really should be eaten fresh and warm, shouldn’t it?
It seems unappetizing to share cold food that someone else has left over. With a sigh, I reluctantly picked up a fork.
Clink. A quiet meal began, watched by two attendants standing at a distance. I knew Lady Cecilia wouldn’t back off until at least one plate was cleared.
As I ate silently, thoughts of Karl naturally came to mind.
Perhaps it was because all my interactions with him happened here, at the dining table. Remembering that day made my face heat up unexpectedly, and I gulped down some cold water.
***
“Your telegram has arrived, Your Majesty.”
Every day, around one or two hours past noon, a telegram arrives with updates on Celeste’s condition.
Today, as always, Clovis rushed in, pulling the telegram from the receiver.
“Please, open it quickly!”
His flared nostrils and sparkling eyes seemed oddly unsettling to Karl. That eager expression made him reluctant to fulfill Clovis’s expectations by quickly opening the telegram.
“Does it say the Grand Duchess is well today as well?”
“Hmm.”
Nodding, he folded the telegram again. The daily telegrams always contained similar content, reporting on Celeste’s activities and condition from the previous day.
It stated what time she awoke, what she ate, what she did next, and the results of the healing magic that day.
Though the contents were repetitive, the anticipation of the telegram might also stem from a growing longing for Celeste as time passed.
Before Karl could even put the telegram down, Clovis swiftly opened the paper and organized it neatly. It was always Clovis’s job to sort through the updates regarding Celeste.
Seeing the pile of telegrams, stacked to about the thickness of his palm, Karl suddenly felt the weight of the time spent apart from Celeste.
“I can’t understand why you smile just from these updates about the Grand Duchess.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Even now, the corners of your mouth are turned up.”
Karl hurriedly straightened his face, realizing he was smiling without noticing it.
“You seem to think you’ve caught another opportunity to tease me. Whatever you plan to say, it would be wise not to say it, Clovis.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Clovis, who had been preparing to tease him, stiffened.
How did you know? I hadn’t even started yet. Our Grand Duke is indeed quick-witted…
“What about the black market situation? It should be time for some developments.”
Karl skillfully shifted the conversation. Clovis relaxed, quickly recounting the events of the previous night and the plans ahead.
“Yes, Your Majesty. We have received reports of black market activities opening in various locations, and we are preparing the necessary troops.”
“What about the Kellever Square?”
“The Kellever underground market is expected to open today at the earliest, or by tomorrow at the latest.”
“It is the most important place. We must be thorough to avoid any mistakes.”
“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”
“Are you going to station secret troops on Kellever Square starting tonight?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I will join in on this.”
“It’s not necessary for Your Grace to move personally…”
“This opportunity may never come again. We can’t afford even the slightest mistake, so I must act directly.”
The situation requires responsibility for the safety of the Duke. Clovis seemed to contemplate something and then nodded.
“If Your Grace joins, the search team will proceed with greater caution. You are indeed wise.”
“Enough with the late flattery.”
“Did… it show?”
Clovis, who had frequently teased the Duke lately, was attempting to flatter him with a few words.
Caught off guard by Karl’s keen insight and sharp awareness of his intentions, Clovis sheepishly scratched behind his ear.
“What’s the next agenda?”
“Yes, after inspecting the repairs of the Rahat area embankments, you need to approve the commercial transaction agency sales report.”
“Move out.”
“Yes.”
Karl quickly found the next task without delay. He never wasted even a few minutes.
While there were many tasks to handle daily, considering how many bureaucrats often procrastinate or pass responsibilities to subordinates due to their own fatigue, Karl was undoubtedly an admirable and respected Duke.
As Karl left his office, Clovis followed with a file in hand. While walking down the hallway, Karl continued to receive reports about matters in the capital.
“By the way, it’s strange that the bedroom construction hasn’t been finished yet.”
“Yes. That’s why I had already mentioned that Your Grace would personally inspect it. If you take action…”
“They’ll at least pretend to hurry.”
“Yes, that’s correct. Also…”
Karl, who had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped.
“Who is this? Is it not my niece?”
The person who appeared right across was Franz. Clovis hurriedly lowered his arm holding the folder and saluted. Even at the sight of Franz smiling slyly, Karl had no response.
“My dear nephew doesn’t seem too pleased to see me.”
“What brings you here?”
“Well, I suppose it’s because I am a duke just like you? Wherever you go, I can go as well, Duke Albrecht.”
“That’s not what I was asking about. You have no business here, do you? There’s nothing you can do in this place. By failing to grasp this simple point, you’re making a fool of the Habsburg family, whose sharpness is one of its greatest boasts.”
“What?”
Karl, having been lured into such a mere provocation, smirked before leaving without a word.
Irritated by Karl’s lack of basic courtesy, Franz looked back as if he were about to shout something, but a whisper from Stilikov advised, “Your Highness, it would be wise to lower your voice. First, let’s address the reason you’re here…” After that, he barely managed to calm his breath.
