“Miss, please wake up.”

A voice broke through my hazy consciousness. But I didn’t understand what I was hearing and buried my face in the pillow.

When someone says ‘Miss’ they usually mean Miss Veronica. No one would call me ‘Miss.’

Besides, there was no one who would come to wake me up…

When I thought that far, a sudden realization hit me, and I opened my eyes.

As my dark vision brightened, I understood where I was and what situation I was in.

“You’re awake, Miss?”

A woman in a maid’s uniform asked me in a gentle voice.

I nodded at her awkwardly.

“Yes, yes.”

The woman smiled softly at my awkward response.

“You don’t need to speak so formally. My name is Avina Green. I work for the Berzel Duchy. Please call me Avina.”

Avina’s polite words made me smile awkwardly.

I wasn’t used to being treated like this by anyone.

The people at the Maynard estate were kind, but I was still a maid who served others.

As a result, Avina’s politeness made me uncomfortable.

“You don’t need to speak so formally. And calling me ‘Miss’… I’m just a maid too.”

I revealed that I was a maid, worried that Avina might have misunderstood something about me.

After all, I would return to my original position in three months, and I couldn’t let them misunderstand me.

It would be very awkward if we met in different circumstances later.

It was better to clarify now.

However, Avina wasn’t particularly shaken by the fact that I was a maid.

“I already knew. The Master told me in advance.”

Avina smiled. Her narrow eyes were charming.

“You knew?”

“Of course. I heard you served Miss Veronica at the Maynard estate.”

From Avina’s words, it seemed she had been properly informed.

Even so, she maintained a polite attitude as if she were dealing with a noble lady.

It felt like I was receiving undeserved treatment.

But since Avina was acting on Alex’s orders, I couldn’t just demand she treat me casually.

If Avina treated me casually and Alex found out, it would be troublesome for both of us.

I thought it would be better to talk to Alex about this separately and got up from my seat.

“I’ve prepared some water for washing up.”

Avina soon presented a basin of water in front of me.

The ornate basin looked expensive, and the clear water inside seemed hard to find outdoors.

I tried hard not to be conscious of Avina holding a towel as I slowly began to wash my face.

Since I had tossed and turned late into the night and barely fell asleep at dawn, my head felt heavy even after waking up.

The cold water on my face made me feel a bit more refreshed.

After finishing washing up, Avina handed me a towel.

I took the towel and wiped the water off my face, and then she handed me clothes to change into.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll close the curtains.”

Avina said and drew the curtains over the carriage window.

Meanwhile, I blankly checked the clothes Avina had prepared.

“These… are really my clothes?”

The clothes Avina brought weren’t the ones I had packed when leaving.

They were a blouse and flared skirt made of luxurious fabric, though not overly ornate.

They looked expensive at a glance.

“The Master prepared them as a gift before you arrived.”

“Al… Duke Berzel?”

“Yes.”

Even though I had my own clothes, he still prepared these as a gift…

If it was something prepared in advance, was it also a form of repayment?

For now, I changed into the clothes Avina brought.

They felt soft and comfortable, as expected from expensive fabric.

Feeling curious, I looked down at myself after putting them on.

“Miss, it’s time for breakfast. Shall we go outside?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Avina opened the carriage door and stepped out first. As I tried to follow her, she reached out her hand to help me down.

The unfamiliar kindness felt awkward. But it wasn’t unpleasant.

It was just unfamiliar and awkward because it was my first time receiving such treatment.

After getting off the carriage, I saw people moving around. And on one side, Alex was watching them.

With Avina accompanying me, I approached Alex.

“Master, I have brought the Miss.”

Avina spoke to Alex, who then turned to look at us.

“Good job. You may go.”

“Yes, Master.”

Avina bowed politely and left.

Alex watched her leave and then turned to me. His stern expression softened instantly.

“The clothes suit you well.”

At Alex’s first words, I pursed my lips before speaking.

“Thank you for the clothes. But why did you prepare them for me…?”

“You once gave me clothes too.”

Alex’s words reminded me of the time in the warehouse.

As expected, it was a form of repayment.

Actually, if it was repayment… shouldn’t it be to Derrick, who lost his clothes unexpectedly?

But I shook my head.

I had already apologized to Derrick for losing his clothes and gave him new ones, so it should be fine. I shuddered, remembering how exhausting it was to stop strange rumors from spreading back then.

“Although the clothes were quite shabby back then. And small.”

“That was…”

Alex sounded dissatisfied, but I had done my best back then.

During the rainy season, not only were the clothing shops closed, but everyone stayed indoors. There weren’t many ways to get men’s clothes in that situation.

I had given him the cleanest-looking clothes I could find.

At least it was better than wearing wet clothes or nothing at all.

“I went through a lot to get those. Do you know how embarrassing it was to give Derrick new clothes and deal with the strange rumors?”

“Derrick? That name was mentioned at the Maynard estate. There were rumors about you and him…”

“Ah! No!”

I cut off Alex’s frowning response with a shout.

“It’s not like that! Derrick is just a childhood friend, and the rumors started because I was hiding you!”

As I protested in frustration, Alex narrowed his eyes, seemingly judging the truth.

I met his gaze confidently without avoiding it.

My bright eyes would only reflect the truth.

Alex watched me quietly and then smiled.

“Since you say so, I’m sorry. This outfit isn’t enough, then.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“By the way, how do you like the clothes? I chose them thinking they would suit you.”

“You picked them yourself?”

“Yes, while thinking of you. Do you like them?”

“…I like them.”

These clothes made from luxurious fabric were something I couldn’t easily buy with my salary.

In fact, the design was pretty, and they fit me better than I expected, so I was secretly pleased.

“Thank you. I’ll wear them well since they’re a gift.”

“I’m glad you like them. You must be tired from sleeping late.”

“I’m a little tired, but I’m okay.”

“Alright. But if you get too tired, let me know. It’s important that you travel comfortably, not just that you reach your destination. Let’s go.”

Alex said and started walking first. I quickly followed him.

We arrived at a makeshift dining area in the tent.

We had eaten outside yesterday, but breakfast seemed to be served indoors, albeit in a makeshift setup.

Alex approached the table first and pulled out a chair.

As I stared blankly, Alex spoke.

“Sit.”

“Ah, yes.”

I cautiously approached and sat down. I still wasn’t used to being escorted by someone.

Alex only sat across from me after confirming I was seated.

Soon, the meal was served on the table.

“That maid will assist you, Claire.”

Alex said skillfully.

“Avina?”

“Yes. If you feel uncomfortable with anything, you can tell her.”

“Got it.”

“And just in case, you can call me Alex in front of the people from my household.”

“Isn’t it a bit awkward to do that in front of people?”

It felt uncomfortable to call him Alex in front of others.

While I could call him Alex in private, it didn’t seem appropriate for a maid to casually call a Duke by his name in front of others.

It would be troublesome if rumors spread. For both me and Alex.

“It’s fine. In front of my household, no one will mind.”

Despite my concerns, Alex was firm.

“I’ve already told you once. I want you to call me Alex. I understand you’re worried about causing trouble, but within my household, no one will have an issue with it.”

“……”

When I hesitated to respond, Alex looked up and met my eyes.

His blue eyes were calm without a hint of disturbance.

Then, his eyes narrowed mischievously. I realized he always had this look when he’s making a playful joke.

“Since you’ll be my wife eventually, it won’t be a problem for you to call me Alex.”