Chapter 5 – Adaptation (Part 12)

Fortunately, the coffee beans arrived at Duke Grendel’s residence just in time for lunch. After having coffee, Elysia felt very refreshed. After a leisurely lunch, she went out to the garden, where Pedro, the head butler, informed her that, by the Duke’s order, she could now freely use the previously closed-off garden at the back of the mansion, further lifting her spirits.

Pedro offered to help tidy up the garden and asked Elysia,

“You may arrange it according to your taste. The gardener will prepare it as you instruct. Would you like to replace the garden table and chairs that were originally there?”

“No, they look fine. I’ll use them as they are.”

“We will manage it regularly along with the other gardens from now on. Of course! We will ensure that no one disturbs you and the Duke during your walks so you can enjoy your private time.”

‘It would be even better if you could keep the Duke away too.’

Swallowing those words, Elysia responded with a gentle smile.

“And the Duke has said that you may change the house as you wish. Where would you like to start?”

“…Did the Duke really say that? Isn’t the current mansion a reflection of the tastes passed down from the previous Dukes?”

“Indeed, it was decorated according to the instructions of the former Duke. However, the current Duke simply maintained it as it was because he saw no need for changes. All of us servants have been eagerly looking forward to the day when the future mistress would give the Ducal residence a new life.”

Elysia was about to say that she couldn’t undertake the enormous task of giving this grand mansion a new life. However, not only the butler in front of her but also the head maid nearby, the guard at the entrance, and the gardener who had come to receive instructions were all looking at Elysia with eyes full of expectation.

‘Everyone was tired of this demon’s castle… They were waiting for someone to lift the curse… It’s a beautiful story. It’s beautiful, but… The fact that I have to be the one to lead it is not so beautiful…’

Elysia felt quite burdened by their expectant gazes, but she couldn’t bring herself to refuse and answered.

“Shall we start making some changes little by little…?”

“Yes, Madam! We’ll begin preparations right away!”

***

Ronan Hass of the Haas Trading Company was contemplating as he looked over the items in the newly organized special utility goods warehouse.

‘Hmm… What would be good to take? More importantly, when would be a good time to go? Although our dealings with the Ducal household are regular, they’re not frequent. What excuse should I use to visit again?’

At that moment, there was a knock on the warehouse door. Upon Ronan’s invitation to enter, an employee from the trading company came in with a letter.

“Master of the trading company, there’s a new request from the Ducal household. It’s a message from Pedro the butler, saying that the lady-to-be will be redecorating the interior of the Ducal household. They’ve sent a list of expected necessary items, and since the quantity is quite large, they hope our company can handle connecting with the relevant suppliers. I’ll prepare a list of suppliers, so please review it.”

‘It’s here!’

“Prepare the list as meticulously and quickly as possible, and give me the list of items. Also, send a message saying that the Haas Trading Company will visit the Ducal household directly to consult with the lady and proceed with the work, asking when would be a good time. Tell them we’re available anytime, whether now or in the middle of the night.”

“Yes!”

Watching the employee run out to send the message, Ronan smiled broadly.

***

“I’m very pleased to meet the Duchess of Grendel in person and discuss the work for the Ducal household.”

“I’m not the Duchess yet. I’m merely a fiancée.”

“In that case, I’m very pleased to be sitting across from Miss Serenze, the fiancée of Duke Grendel.”

Elysia felt uncomfortable with Ronan, who was smiling while sitting across the table in the Ducal reception room.

Redecorating the entire interior of the Ducal residence would be a very tiring and bothersome task, so Elysia decided to handle it quickly by making only the minimal changes that would show she had done something. Therefore, upon receiving the message that the Haas Trading Company could visit, she replied for them to come as soon as possible.

She thought they’d just send a suitable employee to recommend stores, but no sooner had she sent the reply than Ronan Hass came in person. Given that the head of the trading company himself had come, it was obvious that he intended to make a big deal out of it. He might suggest all sorts of things and use that smile to stir up the servants as well.

‘I was just planning to change a few curtains and call it a day, so why is he here himself?’

“This isn’t a job that requires the head of the Haas Trading Company to come personally.”

“How could that be? The Grendel family is the kingdom’s foremost nobility, so we consider anything related to the Grendel family a significant matter. I heard the Duke has given you full authority, Miss, so wouldn’t you want to make changes generously this time?”

Elysia snorted at Ronan Hass’s subtle provocation to spend lavishly to avoid being called stingy. If Elysia were the type to fall for such a trivial trick, her life up to now would have been much more difficult.

“The Duke said that to save face for me as his fiancée. However, I have no desire to make extravagant displays with someone else’s family money.”

Ronan’s smile widened at Elysia’s inadvertent mention of “someone else’s family money.”

‘She doesn’t consider herself part of the Ducal family yet.’

Ronan thought about pointing this out to see how Elysia would react, but since he wasn’t yet closely acquainted with her, he decided to follow her lead this time and observe the atmosphere.

“You are very considerate. Then let’s get to the main point. How much do you plan to change?”

“I’d like to avoid creating too much work for the servants by changing too many things. For now, I’m thinking of replacing the reception room, a few dining rooms mainly for external guests, and the textiles on the walls near the central entrance.”

“Are you not going to change your own room?”

‘If I change my room, I’ll have to change the Duke’s room to be fair, and if I touch the Duke’s bedroom, I’ll end up having to adjust the entire mansion to match, won’t I?’

“There’s no inconvenience. I’ll instruct Pedro, the head butler, to pass on the detailed explanation for each space. Should I visit the trading company myself to choose the fabrics?”

What Elysia mentioned was far less than what Ronan was aiming for. However, knowing that forcing more onto someone who had firmly made up their mind would backfire, Ronan suppressed his regret.

“It would be perfect if the Duke came in right now.”

As if responding to Ronan’s thoughts, the door to the reception room opened, and Cassius entered. With the right person arriving at the right time, Ronan almost felt like bowing deeply to the Duke. Standing up immediately, Ronan greeted Cassius with a genuinely heartfelt smile.

Aaron, who followed the Duke into the mansion, flinched upon seeing his brother’s face.

‘That’s the expression he makes just before pulling off something big!’