Chapter 8 –  The Gathering (Part 5)

After about two days of being bedridden, Elysia’s fever gradually returned to normal. Her other symptoms were also subsiding, though it would take more time for her to fully recover. During this period, Elysia indulged in laziness, sleeping late and enjoying the time to recover both physically and mentally from the strict schedule and early mornings of life in the Grendel Ducal Mansion.

Daisy hardly left Elysia’s side, attending to her needs. However, to avoid upsetting Millie, Daisy had Millie bring meals and snacks to the room, giving the three of them moments to chat together.

What surprised Elysia was that Daisy, unlike her behavior at the Serenze household, didn’t nag her even when she was lazing around.

“Daisy, back at the Serenze house, you scolded me for pretending to be sick and told me to get up and eat properly in the dining room, even though I hadn’t even been sick for a week. But here, you don’t do that?”

Taking advantage of Millie’s absence, Elysia questioned Daisy, who sighed dramatically.

“That’s because when you were at the Serenze house, you spent every single day being lazy. But now, once you recover and I leave, you won’t have the chance to relax like this again. So, take this opportunity to be as lazy as you want. If you overwork yourself and end up looking like a dried-up mummy before your wedding, it’ll be a disgrace to the Serenze family.”

“You never miss a chance to nag me!”

Though Elysia grumbled, she was secretly glad to have Daisy around and didn’t complain further.

“But what do the servants of the Grendel household think I’m sick with? They say people here rarely even catch colds. I feel like my body aches and fever from overexertion and exposure to the cold must seem incredibly trivial to them. Yet, they’re treating me like I’ve caught some kind of deadly disease.”

“Still, seeing how well they’re taking care of you puts my mind at ease. Your mother must be worried, but she’ll be pleased to hear that everyone here is so attentive to you. And seeing how the Duke comes by every day to check on you, he may seem cold on the outside, but he’s quite caring.”

“Oh, Daisy! Please don’t leave me alone in the room when the Duke comes by. It’s so awkward, and I don’t know what to say!”

“Oh my. Even if you haven’t had the wedding yet, you’re practically husband and wife. How could I intrude? Use this opportunity to get over your shyness and find some good qualities in your future husband.”

Elysia let out a small sigh. While she enjoyed indulging in laziness for the first time in a while, the Duke’s daily visits to her room to check on her health and spend time with her made her uncomfortable.

Daisy, while still wary of the other servants in the Grendel household, always left the room when the Duke arrived.

On the evening of the day Daisy had boldly requested permission to personally care for Elysia, Cassius visited Elysia’s room again. He handed Daisy the potion he had received from Emilliano and explained how to use it.

Since then, he had come by every day to check on Elysia. His expression was always so serious and somber that even Elysia had to admit that he hadn’t taken her to Fjord Mountain to punish her.

‘He must have thought that someone as healthy as him wouldn’t be affected by it. Well, the scenery at Fjord Mountain is famous for a reason.’

Although she had fallen ill, Elysia couldn’t deny that Cassius had taken her there with good intentions.

Her resentment toward him had disappeared, but the time Cassius spent in her room was still filled with awkward silence.

Cassius was weighed down by guilt for causing Elysia’s illness, making it hard for him to start a conversation. Meanwhile, Elysia couldn’t find any common topics to talk about with him.

‘Will there ever be a day when I can talk to the Duke comfortably without feeling awkward?’

Knock, knock.

At the sound of a knock, Daisy opened the door to greet the visitor. It was Millie, carrying a small tray of snacks. After placing the tray on the table, Millie pulled a small letter from her skirt pocket and handed it to Elysia.

“This is a gift of sweets from the head of the Haas Trading Company. They’re from a bakery on Central Fountain Street that also supplies the royal palace.”

Elysia smiled at Millie’s explanation.

“Did he send enough to share with others again?”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Then go ahead and enjoy some yourself, Millie.”

Despite Elysia’s permission, Millie hesitated, wringing her hands as she stood there. Elysia looked at her curiously.

“Millie?”

When Elysia called her name, Millie spoke with a determined expression.

“Madam, please be cautious of that man. He’s a notorious womanizer. He’ll win your favor, toy with you, and then throw you away!”

“Pfft!” 

Elysia nearly spat out the tea Daisy had just poured for her. She was surprised by Millie’s unexpected remark but also found it hilarious.

Ever since Ronan Hass learned of Elysia’s illness, he had been checking on her daily, sending small gifts and lighthearted letters to cheer her up. He sent bright floral arrangements, snacks from famous bakeries, teas said to be good for the throat, and other thoughtful items to lift the spirits of someone confined to their room.

Among the snacks Ronan sent were some of Elysia’s favorites from her time at the Serenze household, revealing that he had likely gathered information through the Serenze family’s maids. His letters, though formal, included trendy jokes and lighthearted gossip from social circles, providing Elysia with amusement as she lay in bed.

To show her gratitude, Elysia had sent a brief reply yesterday, wishing for the prosperity of the Haas Trading Company. She had given the letter to Millie to deliver, not thinking it was something worth hiding. However, Millie had been worrying that this could be the beginning of a romantic entanglement.

“Millie, don’t worry. Unless every man in the world disappears and Ronan Hass is the only one left, there’s no chance I’d ever fall for him.”

Elysia added silently to herself.

‘Even if he claims to be a one-woman man when he’s in love, someone who changes women so frequently will never break that habit. And just being the Duchess is exhausting enough—getting involved with Ronan Hass? Ugh, that would be even more exhausting.’

Despite Elysia’s reassurances, Millie was still worried that her kind-hearted Madam might fall prey to Ronan Hass’s charms. Millie clasped her hands together and looked at Elysia with a troubled expression. Feeling sorry for her, Daisy joined in.

“Millie, our Madam may look soft, but she has strong principles. Besides, she’d never get involved with someone so troublesome, no matter how much anyone pushes her. So, stop worrying and have some tea while you’re here.”

“What? I couldn’t possibly drink tea in the same room as Madam…”

Elysia waved her hand dismissively, as if to say there was no need to worry about such things.

“Goodness, didn’t Ronan Hass send enough for the servants to enjoy as well? Stop worrying and sit comfortably on the sofa to eat some. Look at Daisy—she’s already serving herself tea and enjoying it without me even saying anything.”

At this, Millie’s ears turned red, and she spoke in a small voice.

“Madam… In that case, could you treat me the same way you treat Daisy? I’d like to be a close, personal maid whom you can interact with comfortably…”

Hearing Millie’s request, Elysia thought about it. Since she hadn’t been thrown out of the mansion even after drunkenly pointing fingers at the Duke, it seemed there wouldn’t be any issue in becoming close to her personal maid.

“Really? Then I’ll treat you like I treat Daisy. But don’t start nagging me like Daisy does.”

Millie nodded enthusiastically at this, delighted, and began eating the snacks Daisy handed her while sitting on the sofa.

***

To congratulate Marquis Orga on his appointment as Minister of Finance, Earl Kumaran visited the Minister’s office located within the Administrative Palace. Earl Kumaran looked around the office with a sense of deep satisfaction.

“You’ve finally claimed this office as your own. However, since it’s been vacant for so long, the furniture and fabric seem outdated. I’ll arrange for a complete renovation.”

Marquis Orga raised his hand to stop the Earl.

“I think it’s better to leave it as it is. Although I was appointed as Minister of Finance thanks to Duke Grendel’s recommendation, King Clois likely doesn’t fully trust me yet. He will undoubtedly be watching my every move.”

“But isn’t it fine now that Duke Grendel seems to understand our cause after the last meeting? Especially since we emphasized it was the will of his predecessor, he wouldn’t dare oppose it.”

“No matter how well Duke Aisar educated his son, he’s no longer alive to influence him. The current Duke is weak and has a long-standing friendship with King Clois, so he won’t be able to sever ties with the royal family so easily. If only Duke Aisar had lived a little longer, he could have finished his son’s education before passing the title to him. It’s truly regrettable that he left us too soon.”

Marquis Orga’s eyes gleamed like those of a snake. He felt nothing but dissatisfaction with the current Duke, who, despite being far inferior to his predecessor, had risen to the position of First Minister of Administration. Without Duke Aisar to control him, it was necessary to bring Cassius entirely under their control.

“It would be helpful to have a solid connection to ensure he’s firmly on our side.”

At the Marquis’s musings, Earl Kumaran frowned.

“If he were to marry our Sera instead of that insignificant daughter of the Serenze family, that would be the most secure connection. Not only would it reassure those who share our cause, but it would also provide him with a strong backing. Why on earth did he hastily decide to marry such a woman?”

Earl Kumaran clicked his tongue in frustration. Marquis Orga fell into thought for a moment before speaking.

“Even if they plan to marry, the engagement can still be broken. Isn’t it still an engagement period? They didn’t fall madly in love before getting engaged, so breaking it off wouldn’t be too difficult.”

“Would someone like Duke Grendel, who is so rigid and values honor, easily agree to a broken engagement?”

When the Earl expressed his concern, Marquis Orga smiled.

“Can’t we simply create a reason that forces them to break it off?”

At this, Earl Kumaran’s face brightened. The two began an intense discussion on how to achieve their goal.