‘Starting tomorrow, come to my study every day at 11 AM.’

That’s what Ilion had told me when we parted yesterday. The clock now showed 10:30 AM, and I was blankly staring out the window.

“When that minute hand stops at the top of the hour, I’ll die.”

When I muttered this melodramatic line like the last falling leaf, Lily sighed as if she couldn’t believe me.

“You should be grateful it ended here. Considering what happened yesterday, it was fortunate that you weren’t kicked out…”

“So you think so too! Yes, this is strange. That I wasn’t kicked out!”

“You should realize how much the Duke cares for you.”

“What? That’s not it.”

As I shook my head in denial, Lily looked at me with pity.

“Oh dear, our poor Miss with no dating experience… Not even recognizing the Duke’s favor.”

Hey, isn’t that comment crossing a line? When I glared at Lily with sharp eyes, she shrugged.

“You should have seen it yourself yesterday, how the Duke carried you in his arms when you fainted. What a shame.”

That was only because there were knights around and people watching, so he had no choice. Lily had already fallen for Ilion’s lie and believed he deeply loved me.

The world should know Ilion’s true nature! It’s unfair that only I know this!

“Anyway, work hard helping the Duke and try to score some points. Well, it would be even better if you two spend some quality time together.”

“Quality time? Are you joking?”

I rubbed my arms as if getting goosebumps.

“Come on, Miss. What exactly about that handsome Duke displeases you so much?”

When did I say I was displeased?

Considering his personality was a bit flawed, but he was infinitely gentle to the woman he loved, there couldn’t be a better man than him.

If only he didn’t turn around with that perfect face and commit treason.

Additionally, considering that Ilion would never like me, he was just a pie in the sky for me. A pie with an expiration date not far off.

“Lily, what if you had a disease that might kill you soon, and a man appeared like destiny who could cure that disease?”

“There you go, changing the subject again.”

“Just answer for now.”

“Well, I’d be extremely grateful, wouldn’t I?”

“And what if he was incredibly handsome?”

“In that case, there’s nothing to think about. I’d marry him!”

Her tone suggested it was such an obvious answer.

“What if another man liked you?”

“Is this other man a prince or something?”

Were you thinking of considering it if he was a prince?

“…No, just an ordinary village youth.”

“How could an ordinary youth compete with a man of destiny? I’d definitely choose the man of destiny.”

Right, this is the normal response.

Ilion never regretted his choice until the moment he died. He said the moment he met the saintess was the happiest moment in his entire life.

Knowing such feelings, he wasn’t someone that I, a mere ordinary person, could covet. Above all, I couldn’t break his curse. So, to put it bluntly,

“It’s not that I’m displeased with the Duke, it’s that I know my place.”

“Oh, come on, Miss. What’s wrong with you? More importantly, this isn’t the time for this. Quickly, sit down. I’ll fix your hair again.”

Lily, misunderstanding my words, pulled me along.

“It’s fine, let’s just go.”

“Don’t be like that! Who knows? Something might happen.”

“Just out of curiosity, what do you mean by ‘something’?”

“Oh, you know what I mean.”

Lily said this while winking.

No, I really don’t know?

***

I had visited the study many times before, but it was usually with the purpose of irritating Ilion, so I never stayed long.

Because I always employed a hit-and-run strategy, I didn’t even know the layout of the study properly.

Looking around again, the study was quiet like its owner, and so boring that it made me itch.

If there was one thing I liked, it was that the sofa was soft? Well, even that lost its appeal after sitting for about 10 minutes…

I leaned back on the sofa, looking at the pile of documents covering the table.

I was asked to sort these by type, but I had no idea where to start, so I was just staring at them.

It wasn’t a paid job, so I wasn’t exactly slacking off work, more like… playing hooky?

Anyway, he didn’t say I had to finish it all today, so I was planning to pretend I couldn’t do it and just kill time before going back.

“Seems like your hands are quite free.”

Ilion commented, seemingly displeased with me having a staring contest with the documents for a while.

“You told me to sort them, but I don’t know how to categorize them.”

“Sort them by topic.”

That’s what I’m asking, what’s the standard? I pouted while skimming through the documents.

First half-year Knight Order activity report, Beryl Plains development plan, Baldor maritime dragon sighting report… All sorts of documents were mixed together better than bibimbap.

Is this what it means to lead the largest merchant group and knight order in the empire? At this point, it’s more like forced work addiction.

Anyway, what can I do when an evil employer who doesn’t even pay me is pressuring me to work? I sighed and slowly started sorting the documents.

“At that rate, how long do you think it’ll take to finish?”

Ilion approached me from behind as I was separating the documents one by one.

“I’ve never done this kind of work before. I can’t help being slow. Please understand.”

“At this rate, you won’t be able to return to your room.”

His tone clearly felt like he was teasing me.

“…Oh my, will you let me go once I finish all this?”

“I’ll think about it.”

Hearing his words, I started organizing the documents as if I had boosters attached to my hands. This is related to the merchant group, this is related to the knight order, this is…

I finished in less than an hour what would have taken half a day at my previous speed, and Ilion stared at me.

“I’m done, Duke. Can I go back to my room now?”

“You seem to have quite a talent.”

“Oh ho, it’s all because I want to be helpful to you, Duke.”

“Is that so? Then, could you do this as well?”

“What? You clearly said earlier that if I finished this, you’d let me go back to my room…”

As I made a timid protest saying this wasn’t fair, Ilion retorted.

“I said I’d think about it, I don’t think I ever said I’d let you go.”

“……”

This guy. Are you playing with me? I took a deep breath to control my rising anger and snatched the documents from Ilion’s hand.

“Duke, a letter has arrived from the Sternran family.”

While I was working like a machine, Sebastian entered the room.

Ilion took the letter from Sebastian and let out a soft sigh.

“Is it a rejection?”

“Yes. As we expected.”

“What’s this about?”

I was about to die of boredom anyway, so thinking this was a good opportunity, I poked around, and Sebastian kindly explained.

“Actually, we asked the Sternran family for help in creating a road for transporting goods while developing the mine, and this is the response to that.”

“A road?”

“Yes. The existing road is too narrow and rough, so we want to make a safer road, but to do that, we need to go through the Sternran family’s territory.”

“And that was rejected?”

“Yes.”

Oh dear. That’s too bad.

I looked at the situation from a step back, as if it were someone else’s problem.

“But why was it rejected?”

It should have been a proposal with no downsides.

“Well, I think it might be because the Marquis Sternran didn’t get along well with the previous Duke.”

“Ah.”

It was quite a childish reason, but on the other hand, it was understandable.

If they don’t get along, there’s nothing that can be done.

Rather, Marquis Sternran was wise. It’s going to be confiscated anyway.

But it seems Ilion couldn’t give up easily. After staring at the letter for a while, he ordered Sebastian.

“Sebastian, send a letter to the Sternran family. Tell them I’ll visit personally.”

“You’re going to resolve this in person?”

“Yes.”

Does that mean… in other words, he’s going out?

I looked at Ilion with sparkling eyes, like an employee hearing news of their boss’s business trip.

“Oh my, are you leaving now?”

Perhaps because the joy in my voice was too obvious, Ilion looked at me and asked.

“Why are you so happy?”

“Happy? I was just feeling sad at the thought of not being able to see you, Duke.”

“That’s perfect then. You can come along.”

“…What? Me too?”

Why me all of a sudden?

My plan to see Ilion off and return to my room to rest was cracking.

“You said you’d be sad not seeing me.”

“But do I really need to go?”

“I think it’s natural for the owner of the mine to go.”

Wait, was that still mine? I thought I had already handed it over.

“Well, will I be of any help if I go? I think it might be better if you go alone, Duke…”

“I’m not expecting much help by taking you along anyway. But the person directly involved should show sincerity by going to make the request in person.”

“……”

It was natural for Ilion to have low expectations of me, but hearing it directly from his mouth made me feel strange.

No, why am I even considering this?

If his expectations of me are this low and trivial, I just need to live up to those expectations.

I clasped my hands together and looked at Ilion.

“Oh my, I didn’t know your expectations of me were so high, Duke. Then, I’ll accompany you to live up to your expectations.”

“I didn’t say I had expectations…”

“Ah ah. But since we’re meeting the Marquis, I should dress up, right? Maybe I should wear the dress I had made recently.”

“……”

Ilion’s expression hardened at my fuss.

Oh dear, it’s too late to regret now.