Chapter 2 – Part 8

“Lieselote.”

The man, who surrounded himself with the dazzling city as a backdrop, sat in front of the desk and called her.

“Come closer.”

Liese approached the duke with as calm a step as possible.

After carefully placing a tray on a corner of the clutter-free desk, she poured tea into a cup.

Clear tea water flowed delicately into the cup. During this time, the duke’s blue eyes fell on various parts of her face. It was an undoubtedly uncomfortable gaze.

“You’ve been working in the orchard again today, haven’t you?”

Marcus asked in a leisurely tone, as if he could sense the fragrance of flowers mixed with the scent of grass. His voice was particularly languid in the morning.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“What are your plans for the summer there?”

Although the abrupt question was ominous, Liese made an effort not to show any unease as she finished pouring the tea. After politely taking a step back, she stood in front of the desk.

“During the summer, we harvest fruits and complete the pruning work. The workload may increase a bit, but it’s not significantly different from now.”

“Alone?”

“Thanks to hiring additional hands to help with the work until the harvest season, I am not alone.”

“It seems like you’ve gained more workers and have more free time.”

“It’s thanks to your generosity, Your Grace.”

Marcus stared at her intently. He did not touch the tea that was cooling down. Liese discreetly lowered her eyes and let out a nervous breath.

‘Why did he call me again?  ‘

As a person with the status of a duke, he surely didn’t just summon her to inquire about the orchard’s schedule. Judging by the thickness of the documents on the desk, he had a busy schedule.

The clear and authoritative command came when Liese was silently contemplating her predicament.

“Raise your head.”

“…Yes?”

“Look at me.”

Liese finally lifted her gaze from the floor. The ashen color intertwined with her piercing blue eyes, straight out of thin air.

Unwavering and direct, they searched her face intently. She felt like she was being watched, like she was being scrutinized for her pouting intentions toward the Duke. The semi-forced eye contact went on for quite a while.

As Liese lingered in silence, Marcus sat cross-legged and lightly drummed his index finger on the end of the armrest. It was his habit when he was deep in thought.

Even with the woman in front of him, who was obediently following his orders, Marcus couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. It didn’t take long for him to realize the source of his irritation.

He had summoned her as soon as he realized it was time for her to start working, but he hadn’t given her any instructions; he had his own duties as a duke to attend to. This was no time for leisurely chats with a maid.

An excuse to keep her by his side…. There was no such thing as a good excuse to keep a woman.

It was strange. There was no need in the first place for an excuse to hold on to a doll that would move as told. The woman’s location was wherever Marcus designated it, and if he wanted to, she had to stay by his side and act as a waiter until her shift was over.

But even that didn’t feel right. It was none of his business whether or not she stood at a distance for five hours, but what was so unsatisfying about it?

A thin wisp of smoke rose from the ashtray. Marcus stroked his chin lazily, then spoke.

“Do you have any plans to attend the social gathering?”

Although somewhat impulsive, the question arose entirely from curiosity about the woman.

“By social gathering, are you referring to the upcoming summer social gathering?”

“That’s right.”

Liese wore a slightly perplexed expression.

“I cannot attend, Your Grace.”

“Despite your appearance, you are the granddaughter of a Viscount, and I can send you an invitation if you wish.”

“I appreciate your consideration, but I have no choice but to decline the option of attending.”

“Why?”

Marcus asked with a dry tone. He seemed genuinely curious. Unsure of where to begin, Liese smoothed her breath softly.

“I’ve heard that there will be charity events and balls throughout the summer to commemorate the end of the war, and it would be rude to enter such places unadorned. I can’t afford a ball gown or jewelry, and… I don’t have a partner to accompany me.”

Liese was a little embarrassed to admit that she sounded like a damsel in distress. She even hesitated at the last part, but her face was as serious as ever.

The duke, who, unlike her, had never had a partner to adorn his side or a lack of the finest tailoring in his life, finally agreed.

“Well then. It seems improper to attend a ball reeking of manure while wearing work clothes.”

“…Thank you for your understanding.”

“On the contrary, it sounds like you’d consider attending if the conditions were right.””

“No. Even if everything was in place, I don’t think I could attend.”

As Liese finished speaking, something crossed her mind. The thought that had been on her mind day and night emerged at just the right moment.

She knew better than to ask a high-ranking noble, especially one who had discovered her vulnerable situation, for a favor. Even if it was a mistake, breaking into the duke’s territory with a firearm in hand meant that she had to do whatever he asked to avoid repercussions.

Nevertheless, there was something that she absolutely had to address. Otherwise, Liese might succumb to the anxiety that gnawed at her.

“If you don’t mind me asking, Your Grace…”

Liese cautiously opened her mouth with a soft voice.

“I have something I’d like to ask. Would you be willing to listen?”

“Go ahead.”

Contrary to the sleepless night of contemplation, Marcus readily granted permission, or more accurately, it seemed more indifferent.

Liese, glancing at the thick stack of documents, the cooling tea, and the cityscape beyond the window, took a deep breath. Determination sparkled in her eyes as she focused once again on her gaze towards the Duke Marquis.

“The Duke is probably aware as well. I am a temporary servant, meaning I’ll be out of work before social season.”

Marcus, leaning his cheek against his index finger, waited for her next words. Liese calmly moved her lips.

“It’s up to you to decide whether or not to hire me full-time, but I have no intention of doing so. The reason I initially applied for a short-term contract as a maid was because of the compensation for the workers in the orchard. Taking care of the orchard is more important to me than anything else.”

Liese interlocked her fingers politely below, revealing an expression of determination as her gaze returned to the Duke.

“I want to take care of the orchard properly, especially when summer comes. There is no one else to take care of the family estate…”

“You talk too much.”

Marcus cut off his words and slowly leaned his upper body forward. His half-moon eyes froze cold as he stared at Liese.

“Get to the point; you’re afraid I’ll find you after the contract is up.”

Liese bit back a grimace. The aura of ferocity in the duke’s imposing face made it impossible for her to respond in the affirmative.

Ever since her experience at the shooting range, she’d had nightmares about being trapped in the man’s unyielding grip and wondered if she’d never escape.

That the Duke would find her after her contract was up. She was afraid of that.

She was afraid to speak, but the responsibility weighed heavily on her. With House Brennan barely hanging on by a thread, her role as matriarch was of the utmost importance.

“What the Duke said is correct, so I beg your indulgence in allowing me to leave the manor on schedule once my contractual duties are completed.”

“That’s not even funny.”

Marcus chuckled sarcastically.

“Did you think I would beg you to stay in the mansion, clinging to your coattails?”

“No, not at all, Your Grace.”

“You fancy yourself a very interesting woman, but look at you. I don’t know what you believe in or why you’re so self-conscious.”

Liese blinked her wide eyes. She remained silent in anticipation, wondering if that meant she would have nothing to do with him after she left the manor.

Marcus’s spirits plummeted as he read the color in Liese’s tiny face, like a ghost.

“I thought you were stupid, but you realize that I can wring your neck and hand you over to the city police right here.”

“I know I’ve broken the law, so even if I had a hundred mouths, I would have nothing to say, but I never meant any harm to the Duke, and I ask you to consider the feelings of a grandfather—a man who wanted to keep his granddaughter safe, even to the point of giving her an old pistol.”

“So what you’re saying is that I can do as I please with you while you’re at work?”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

“I suppose that means I can test you to see how far you can take that weak body of yours.”

A shiver ran down her spine, wondering if he was going to put her through another grueling shooting activity, but she stood her ground.

“Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it.”