Cornell abruptly closed his mouth.

“Damn it, you idiot!”

As Cornell bit his tongue and berated himself, he thought he heard a faint chuckle. He glared resentfully at his superior.

“It’s nothing. What I meant was…”

“Get out.”

Caden cut off Cornell’s words and pointed to the door.

“…Pardon?”

Cornell, flustered, blurted out a stupid response. Caden frowned and spoke coldly.

“Are you disobeying an order?”

At the low, sinking voice, Cornell felt his throat tighten. Even though this wasn’t wartime, he couldn’t help but feel a sinking fear at Caden’s voice, which was lower than usual.

Even if it was Caden, he didn’t have the right to execute someone outside of wartime. But habits were a scary thing.

When asked if he was disobeying, Cornell couldn’t dare to answer back.

“Are you going to keep doing this?! How many times has it been now? If you chase Miss Emma out too, I won’t stand for it. I’ll hand in my resignation, I swear!”

His mind was filled with protests, but he couldn’t utter a single word. All he could do was send a silent plea with his pitiful eyes.

“Your Grace, please! How can you scare off a new hire the moment they arrive?!”

But Caden couldn’t care less about what Cornell thought.

With his arms crossed, Caden closed his eyes. His attitude screamed that he didn’t care what Cornell had to say.

In the end, Cornell couldn’t withstand the pressure and had to leave the room.

Now, only Emma and Caden remained in the office.

In the strange silence, Emma stole glances at Caden’s profile.

‘So this is Caden Blackwood, the Duke of Blackwood. The man who will be my superior starting today.’

The way he sank into the chair with his eyes closed was like a painting. Even in such a defenseless state, an aura of intimidation radiated from him, making it impossible to approach him easily.

He was like an iron fortress surrounded by thorns. It felt as though taking just one step closer would result in being deeply pierced by sharp thorns.

Suddenly, a conversation she had with her senior, Noel, came to mind.

―You’re going to be the Duke of Blackwood’s secretary? Absolutely not, Emma! Think again!

―But I’ve already signed the contract. If I cancel it now, the penalty fee will be ten times the amount.

―I’ll pay the penalty fee for you!

―Senior, what are you saying?

―Emma, come with me to our principality. I’ll pay the penalty fee and find you a good job. Why on earth would you go to the Duke of Blackwood? Absolutely not! Haven’t you heard the rumors?

―They’re just rumors. I don’t want to burden you, and I don’t want to break the contract either. Besides, I can’t leave my family behind.

―Get a grip, Emma! Haven’t you heard the rumors that he’s a blood-crazed murderer? They say he goes on a killing spree whenever he can’t control his impulses.

―Do you believe in those rumors, Senior?

―Why do you think the Emperor sends major criminals to Blackwood? Everyone says they’re sacrifices to the bloodthirsty Duke…

―They’re just rumors.

―Let’s say they are just rumors. Do you think such rumors would spread without any basis? It’s a fact that he’s a war maniac who’s killed countless people. He’s a blood-crazed brute! There’s no way you’d be safe around him.

―Even if it’s true, there’s nothing I can do. I’ve already received the hazard pay in advance.

―Emma!

When Noel had tried to dissuade her from going to Blackwood, Emma hadn’t been particularly scared.

She feared the debts she had to repay immediately far more than baseless rumors. But now, standing before the Duke, fear surged over her like a tidal wave.

“A war maniac crazed with murder…”

The Duke of Blackwood was infamous for not bowing his head even before the Emperor. He was known as a ruthless murderer who would cut down anyone who annoyed him, whether they were elderly, children, or women.

Despite the gruesome rumors, people admired the mad Duke.

Caden Blackwood was a man who had risen from being a commoner to the Empire’s highest-ranking noble through swordsmanship alone. His popularity, therefore, was particularly high among the commoners.

The grim rumors surrounding the Duke… Emma had thought they were slander against a Duke who refused to flatter those in power. But now, she wasn’t sure where the rumors ended and the truth began.

At least one rumor, however, she could confirm as true.

‘If a fallen angel existed, wouldn’t it look like him…?’

The Duke was such a beautiful man that it was hard to take her eyes off him.

‘I don’t know if I should call this fearless or just plain stupid…’

A clicking sound came as he clicked his tongue. Slowly, his closed eyes opened, revealing dark pupils.

“…Eek!”

Emma hurriedly swallowed the sound that escaped her lips. She was embarrassed by the ridiculous noise she had made, but she couldn’t move under his piercing gaze.

It felt like she was a butterfly pinned to a board, unable to even tremble.

“Why? Are you afraid I’ll eat you? Unfortunately for you, I’m a gourmet. I have no intention of picking up and eating something tasteless, so get out of my house immediately…”

“Shall I prepare your bathwater first?”

“…What?”

Her voice was trembling, but her tone was clear.

Caden stared at the small woman standing before him, trembling like a newborn lamb.

‘She’s small and scruffy, and what is she even saying?’

He doubted she could even breathe properly in front of him, let alone act as a secretary. But the country bumpkin before him was far bolder than he had expected.

“I heard your previous secretary… ahem, resigned a week ago, Your Grace. Wouldn’t it be better to wash off the blood first?”

“…”

“If it’s alright with you, I’ll instruct them to prepare your bathwater. I’ll make sure it’s scalding hot, just before it burns. Since you dislike floral or citrus scents, I’ll add a subtle forest-scented aroma oil instead.”

“…Huh?”

“I’ll also have towels and a robe dried thoroughly in the sun prepared for you. I know you can’t stand anything even slightly damp.”

“…”

Caden’s sharp gaze bore into Emma. An overwhelming pressure descended on her small frame.

She tried to act confident, but she was terrified. Even so, Emma didn’t stop.

“The air and temperature in the office aren’t exactly comfortable. Since you prefer cooler conditions, I’ll ventilate the room. I’ll instruct the maids to clean immediately, ensuring nothing is out of place. If you’d like, I’ll personally organize your desk.”

“…”

Caden continued to silently and intently stare at Emma. Even under his heavy gaze, Emma didn’t stop talking.

“I’ll also prepare food for you to eat right after your bath. Since it’s too early for dinner, I’ll have some tea and meat pies prepared. I’ll make sure no sweet desserts ever appear on the table again. Does that sound alright, Your Grace?”

Once she started speaking, the words flowed out without hesitation. Emma listed all the plans she had prepared in her mind. All of this was the result of her efforts.

On the way to Blackwood from the Academy, Emma had relentlessly gathered information from Cornell.

She had asked about the scope and types of duties, the Duke’s preferences, things to avoid, the layout of Blackwood Castle, its personnel structure, and even how many horses were in the stables. She had memorized it all with determination.

The previous secretary had already fled, and there was no one to hand over the responsibilities. She had no choice but to survive on her own. She had to appease the Duke and carry out her duties without any mistakes.

Excuses like “it’s my first time” or “I lack experience” wouldn’t work with a demanding superior like the Duke.

Fortunately, once she started discussing work, her frozen lips began to move smoothly.

Emma Brown was a professional. Being the top graduate of the Imperial Academy, with an all-A-plus record, wasn’t something she had achieved by luck.

‘Even if you’re standing in front of a predator’s jaws, as long as you keep your wits about you, you won’t get eaten.’

This belief, which had supported her throughout her life, moved Emma’s lips.

“…Your Grace?”

She spoke at a pace that sounded neither rushed nor hesitant, ensuring her words were clear and precise. She avoided unnecessary embellishments.

Emma cautiously called out to Caden, who remained silent with a furrowed brow.

“Start with that.”

At his curt response, Emma’s eyes widened.

Was it her imagination?

His voice seemed slightly softer. As she felt his slow, deliberate gaze sweep over her, Emma asked, “What exactly are you referring to? Are you talking about my attire, perhaps?”

“That too. And those stupid glasses. They’re annoying.”

Emma instinctively raised both hands to adjust her glasses.

“I apologize, Your Grace. Without my glasses, I can barely see. If they bother you that much, I’ll find a mask to wear…”

How ridiculous.

The confidence she had when talking about bathwater and ventilation was nowhere to be found. Now she looked like a kitten guarding its food, afraid her glasses would be taken away.

“…Ha. Just leave.”

“I can’t! As I mentioned, if you fire me today, you’ll have to pay the penalty fee, Your Grace…”

Now she was resorting to threats. Caden glared directly at his insolent secretary.

“Do you have a death wish?”

“…Gasp!”

Emma clamped her hands over her mouth. She shook her head desperately, conveying her will to live.

A deep crease formed between Caden’s brows.

“Don’t ever talk back to me again.”

“Yes, sir!”

Emma responded as energetically as a new recruit. She felt like cheering just for the fact that she hadn’t been fired.

“If you understand, go prepare the bathwater. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Looking exhausted, Caden closed his eyes again.

The tense atmosphere in the room gradually dissipated, replaced by a languid air.

“Yes, Your Grace!”

Perhaps he liked her spirited reply. With his eyes still closed, Caden gave a barely perceptible nod.

‘Victory! I survived the pressure interview with my superior!’

Suppressing the laughter threatening to escape, Emma left the office. Her steps felt as light as if wings had sprouted on her feet.