Chapter 5 – Adaptation (Part 10)

Elysia, having been disturbed by the thunder the night before, found the bright morning sun after the rain more irritating. However, today the Duke was having breakfast at the mansion, so she had to prepare and show up in the dining room on the first floor.

Normally, she would have had a simple breakfast in her room, drinking coffee to wake herself up. But now, still half-asleep, she was receiving Millie’s help to get dressed appropriately for breakfast with the Duke, making her vision blurry.

When she arrived at the dining room and sat down, the table was lavishly set with pancakes, bacon, and more.

‘Huh, that’s not there.’

Elysia looked down at the food without appetite and noticed that the usual coffee was missing. Grace, the head maid, approached with a troubled expression, having caught Elysia’s reaction.

“Due to last night’s lightning, there was a fire at the warehouse of the company that delivers coffee beans. We tried to quickly source from another company, but the roads are damaged from the heavy rain and lightning, causing traffic congestion throughout the capital.”

Elysia stared blankly at Grace.

“The coffee should arrive by the afternoon. Would you like me to prepare a different tea in the meantime?”

For Elysia, nothing but coffee would suffice. While she would drink tea without complaint at gatherings, she had a habit of needing coffee in the morning to feel awake. Having to dress up and come to the dining room without coffee after a sleepless night made her nerves edgy.

“Any tea will do.”

Grace, thinking that the Madam was considering them, continued.

“Please don’t worry about us. If you tell us your preferred tea, we’ll prepare it immediately. The Ducal residence has fifty varieties of the finest tea leaves, so we can prepare anything right away. Would you like the same tea the Duke enjoys? Or perhaps something with milk for a softer morning?”

‘Ugh… I don’t know much about tea. Just give me anything.’

Elysia blinked her tired eyes.

“I’m not well-versed in tea. Then please give me the same as the Duke.”

Cassius thoughtfully advised,

“This tea has a heavy and unique aroma that might be overwhelming for someone who doesn’t usually enjoy tea. How about I explain a few other options and you choose from them?”

Elysia’s patience finally snapped. With a headache from not having coffee, she scrunched up her face and said,

“Geez, I said it’s fine. Just give me anything.”

Cassius and Grace froze momentarily at Elysia’s casual tone. Elysia immediately realized her mistake, but it seemed too late to recover. More than anything, her headache from the lack of coffee made it hard to think straight.

“Bring something with a mild aroma.”

At the Duke’s command, the maid left.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re alright at all. Are you feeling unwell?” 

Cassius asked Elysia with apparent concern. However, to the tired Elysia, it seemed oddly as if one corner of the Duke’s mouth was slightly upturned.

‘Is he smiling? …Is this Duke amused by me? Or am I seeing things because I haven’t had my coffee?’

“…I couldn’t sleep well because of the thunder last night. May I go up and rest a bit more after breakfast?” 

Elysia couldn’t bring herself to say that her foul mood was due to missing her coffee, so she mumbled an excuse.

“There’s no need to seek permission for how you spend your time, except for official schedules.”

Cassius still seemed to be enjoying the situation somehow. Elysia wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her.

Cassius found it amusing that Elysia, who was always so polite, had for a moment shown her true colors. Her frowning expression almost made him laugh.

‘What is this? It feels like the Duke is teasing me… Something’s off.’

But her curiosity was short-lived. Deprived of caffeine, Elysia just wanted to finish breakfast quickly and return to her room, so she decided not to pay any more attention to the Duke.

Cassius watched as Elysia, who usually ate elegantly without a single mistake, chewed her food in a disheveled manner. Unconsciously, one corner of his mouth lifted again.

***

After breakfast, Elysia planned to return to her room after seeing the Duke off to the Administrative Palace. She wanted to return to her room as soon as possible, but she felt she should at least see off her fiancé, who had shared breakfast with her. She also needed to make up for her somewhat rude behavior at the dining table.

Cassius extended his hand to Elysia, who stood up with a lifeless expression. She took his hand reflexively and walked as he led her, soon noticing something strange.

‘Why aren’t we heading to the entrance but towards the East Wing?’

Cassius continued up the stairs of the East Wing and only let go of her hand when they reached Elysia’s room.

“You look a bit pale. It would be best to get some rest.”

“I was planning to see you off, Your Grace…”

“Taking care of your health is more important than seeing me off every time I go out.”

With the Duke’s courtesy of even opening her door, Elysia thanked him and entered her room.

‘Do I really look that bad…?’

Without even changing into comfortable clothes, Elysia collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep.

***

After escorting Elysia to her room, Cassius called for Pedro, the head butler, just before leaving.

“Please tend to the garden behind the mansion.”

The butler asked for clarification.

“Are you referring to the garden of the late Duchess?”

“Yes. It seems to please my fiancée. However, there’s no need to trim it like the other gardens. Consult with her and maintain it to her liking.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

Cassius was about to leave but paused, lost in thought for a moment. Pedro stood by, awaiting further instructions.

“She might want to change where she stays soon. Make arrangements so she can decorate the mansion as she wishes.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I will carry out your instructions.”

Cassius left the house, with the butler seeing him off.

***

The Administrative Palace, occupying part of the Brunchia Palace, was already bustling with many employees handling various documents and agendas. Aaron, too, had arrived early and was sorting through key documents and issuing instructions on others.

When Cassius entered his office, Aaron followed him in and closed the door. Waiting for the Duke to sit, Aaron began his report.

“There’s a movement led by Marquis Orga and Earl Kumaran to form a council composed solely of nobles.”

“Administratively, they would need the King’s permission. Are they still pursuing this?”

“So, they seem to be planning to form it as a social gathering for those with noble titles, rather than an official administrative body. We have identified some of the factions intending to participate.”

“They still seem to want to return to the old world of nobles only. They might be perceived as plotting rebellion, mistakenly thinking that His Majesty the King is lenient.”

Aaron pulled a letter from among the documents he was holding and handed it over. The envelope bore the seal of the Second Minister of Administration, not the Kumaran family crest. Cassius took out the letter and skimmed through it.

“Having refused all invitations from the Earl’s family, they now send a letter as the Minister of Administration.”

In the letter accompanying the invitation addressed to Cassius, Earl Kumaran repeatedly mentioned Aisar, the former Duke, trying to persuade him to attend. It seemed they were determined to bring the current Duke over to the side of the aristocratic supremacists.

“Respond that I will attend.”

“Yes, understood.”

Cassius then continued to receive other reports and process documents, starting his usual routine.

***

At lunchtime, the ministers and staff working at the Administrative Palace headed to the communal dining hall for administrative staff located on one side of the palace.

King Clois, who had been working in his office in the main palace, also headed for lunch. Today, he decided to dine with his sister, Princess Karinsa, for a change of pace and was heading to her palace without prior notice.

“Your Majesty!”

The maids of the Princess’s palace hurriedly ran out to the front of the palace upon hearing the King’s arrival.

“No need for everyone to come out. I’m just here to have lunch with my beloved sister. My attendant should have informed the kitchen just now. Don’t worry and go about your business.”

King Clois made his way to the garden where the Princess usually spent her time at this hour. The maids anxiously followed the King’s brisk pace.

“Your Majesty, the thing is…”

However, the garden was empty. The King turned back towards the palace.

“The weather is nice, but she’s not in the garden. Could she be in the library?”

“Your Majesty!”

Finally, the King looked back at the maids. One maid, sweating profusely, spoke in a strained voice.

“The… the Princess is not in this palace right now.”

The King’s eyes widened.

“What do you mean?”