And that too, in a healthy and happy state. Aria’s contribution to all this was undoubtedly significant.

“Your Grace, do you have something to say?”

Suddenly, Aria asked with curiosity. Only then did Theodore realize that he had been staring intently at Aria.

And for quite a while, at that.

“Ah… I was going to say that the food is really delicious.”

“You’re too kind.”

Fortunately, Aria seemed to have emerged from her earlier gloomy mood and responded in a pleasant tone.

“Anyway, please eat a lot. That’s why I made so much.”

“Understood.”

Theodore faithfully followed Aria’s words. He ate his fill to the point of feeling full for the first time in a long while. When he stood up saying it was time for him to leave, Aria and Elodie saw him off to the alley.

“…Ah!”

It was when they had taken a few steps out of the entrance. Aria staggered greatly and sat down on the ground. Theodore’s eyes widened.

“Are, are you alright?”

“Yes.”

Aria nodded hurriedly. When Theodore touched the ground, he found several large dents.

“During the day I can see them so I avoid them… But at night I keep tripping like this.”

Aria shook her head.

“It can’t be helped. Who would care about the road conditions in such a small town?”

Theodore swallowed a bitter laugh. It was an accident that could have resulted in a broken leg, yet she thought it couldn’t be helped. Aria was someone who didn’t care much for her own well-being, more so than she appeared. But he said nothing and just helped Aria up.

“Thank you for today.”

“I enjoyed having a guest after a long time, so don’t feel too burdened.”

Aria chuckled.

“But don’t come too often. Your Grace is too conspicuous, and I think reporters might swarm again.”

Theodore’s eyes narrowed.

“…I’ll take care of that myself.”

It seemed that he had discovered two things he needed to ‘take care of’ today.

***

The sun rose. When I woke up, Elodie was still sound asleep.

“Sigh…”

I sighed while rubbing my stiff shoulders. After finishing a pile of dishes before sleeping, my whole body was sore. Still, since today wasn’t a holiday, I couldn’t afford the luxury of lounging in bed. Just as I was forcing my reluctant body to get up. Bang! Bang bang!

Sudden loud noises echoed from outside.

‘What’s making such a racket?’

I frowned and looked out the living room window.

‘…!’

My eyes widened involuntarily. At a glance, more than ten skilled workers had gathered and were busy tearing up the road.

‘Surely, until yesterday, I hadn’t even heard news of any construction plans…’

Of course, I could guess who was behind this without having to ask.

‘It must be Duke Baniche.’

I shook my head. No matter how much he loved his daughter, to think he’d decide to tear up the entire road just because I stumbled a bit.

“…Aria, why is it so noisy?”

Elodie came out to the living room, rubbing her eyes. It seemed the loud noise had woken her up.

“It’s because of construction. Is it very noisy?”

“Yes.”

Elodie nodded.

“Should we leave early today?”

“Let’s do that.”

I quickly prepared a simple salad and the stew left over from yesterday. Despite the meager breakfast compared to usual, Elodie ate well without complaint. On the way to the cafe, I realized one astonishing fact.

‘They’re not just tearing up the road in front of our house…’

Not only the road from home to the cafe, but all the nearby roads were in the process of being torn up. I was inwardly worried about the financial state of the Baniche duchy.

“…?”

I blinked. Elodie had suddenly gripped my hand tightly and hidden behind me.

‘Ah.’

I let out a small gasp inwardly. I saw Theodore Baniche leaning against the cafe’s main gate, his aristocratic chin slightly raised, staring into space.

‘…Indeed, he is handsome.’

I had to admit. Duke Baniche had looks that seemed to elevate the quality of the entire space just by his presence. Perhaps he heard us approaching. He flinched and reacted, and before his gaze even reached us, his mouth opened.

“Elodie!”

This man, must surely have some kind of Elodie-detecting device…

Elodie reflexively grabbed my skirt tightly but didn’t hide completely like before.

“Good morning, Elodie.”

“…”

Instead of answering, Elodie just mumbled. It seemed she was still shy despite playing so well yesterday. Fortunately, the Duke, who would have shown signs of being hurt in the past, didn’t seem to mind much this time and greeted me instead.

“Miss Bertin, I’m indebted to you from yesterday. Thank you again.”

“It’s nothing.”

I smiled slightly and passed by him, grasping the padlock hanging on the shop’s door handle. Theodore Baniche perceptively moved away from where he had been leaning until just now.

“I also had an enjoyable evening thanks to Your Grace. Especially Elodie, who was very excited, and…”

I swallowed dryly. My body had momentarily stiffened due to the fresh and clean scent emanating from Theodore Baniche.

“Miss Bertin?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

As we entered the cafe, the usual peaceful space greeted me. It would have been even more peaceful if not for the noisy construction sounds. The Duke opened his mouth with an apologetic face.

“I didn’t expect it to be this noisy… I’m sorry.”

“It’s natural for construction to be noisy. Rather, I should be thanking you since we’ll be able to walk comfortably on the roads soon.”

“I called in a surveyor to inspect the entire village. It seems some problems could have led to major accidents. I can’t understand why it was neglected for so long.”

The Duke, speaking with a slightly flushed face, looked as excited as he did last evening. Just as I was about to reply that in such a small village, the taxes collected wouldn’t be enough to cover road repair costs… A small bell rang.

It seemed to be a passing customer who didn’t know we weren’t open yet. I turned around and automatically opened my mouth.

“I’m sorry, but we’re not open yet. Would you mind waiting… Oh, it’s you, ma’am!”

I thought it was a stranger, but it was the old lady who often visited the shop, much earlier than usual. If it had been another customer, I would have asked them to wait, but I couldn’t keep this kind person who often looked after Elodie waiting.

“I’ll prepare it right away. Would you like your usual?”

I paused for a moment. The old lady’s expression was very different from usual.

‘What’s this?’

It was as if she had seen a ghost…

‘She’s looking at the Duke.’

I felt a chill. Come to think of it, this was the first time the Duke and the old lady had met. Perhaps something unpleasant had happened between them without my knowledge?

The old lady’s lips trembled as she stepped back. I carefully called out to her.

“…Ma’am?”

“I, I just remembered something urgent.”

Just as the old lady was uncharacteristically stumbling over her words, Duke Baniche strode forward. Their gazes met in mid-air under a heavy silence.

‘What’s going on here…’

I opened my mouth to break the awkward silence but quickly closed it. A word that made me doubt my ears flowed from Duke Baniche’s mouth.

“…Mother.”

My head rang at the slightly hoarse voice.

‘Mother…?’

I looked back and forth between the old lady and Duke Baniche. Come to think of it, everyone only called her ‘ma’am’ or ‘that old lady’, and no one knew her name.

The old lady herself skillfully avoided answering whenever asked for her name. I had guessed there was some unusual past, but I never imagined she was the Duke’s mother. Looking closely, the old lady’s eyes, tinged with red, were identical to Duke Baniche’s.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The old lady turned her head gracefully, but she couldn’t hide her moistening eyes.

“My son died several years ago.”

“…”

Duke Baniche stared at her with a speechless expression. I swallowed dryly. Although I didn’t know the exact situation, it was clear this wasn’t a conversation to have in front of Elodie.