“A late meal has arrived!”

“…Sir Cradoc?”

Startled by the sudden arrival, Astrid murmured softly.

“Breakfast and lunch are usually light affairs, with dinner as the main course. But as it’s late, I’ve prepared a meat dish as the centerpiece! I trust you slept well last night, my lady?”

“Ah, yes!”

Astrid quickly replied to his courteous greeting, despite the surprise of seeing him wearing an apron.

“I heard you’re tired of the Northern cuisine, which only involves roasting and boiling! And during the Grand Duke’s absence, the chef abruptly quit, claiming dissatisfaction. But honestly, the rumor is they’ve taken up employment at a marquis’ residence in the capital.”

“…Oh.”

Astrid nodded absentmindedly, and Cradoc lightly tapped his broad chest with his fist.

“I had already decided to retire after the next monster subjugation. While I could settle down comfortably as a retired knight on a pension, cooking has always been a passion of mine.”

“Th-Then… Are you saying you’ll be serving as the head chef, Sir Cradoc?”

“Indeed! My skill in feeding the knights during monster hunts is unmatched. You can rest assured, my lady.”

With surprising precision for someone of his size, Cradoc began meticulously plating the prepared dishes. His large stature made the utensils seem almost toy-like in his hands.

As it turned out, Cradoc’s cooking was as exceptional as he claimed, both in appearance and taste.

“This is comparable to royal cuisine in Hestian! You’re amazing, Sir Cradoc!”

Moved by Astrid’s high praise, Cradoc became even more enthusiastic and rushed off to prepare dessert. As they watched the retired knight’s figure disappear as quickly as he came, Caleb resumed their earlier conversation.

“So, you decided to repair the moat?”

His unexpected question brought Astrid’s attention back to the matter of moat repairs, her current top priority. Her face lit up noticeably as she responded.

“Yes! It’ll require a significant budget to draw water from the Brietta River, but hiring workers would benefit the residents. Beyond fire control, the moat could also aid in transporting goods and offer many other advantages.”

Chattering away like an excited sparrow, Astrid didn’t notice Caleb’s nonchalant reply.

“I see.”

Perhaps because of this, Astrid’s excitement dimmed, and she cautiously asked, “…Do you think repairing the moat is a good idea?”

Her earnest gaze was fixed entirely on Caleb. A faint smile played on his lips as he spoke, his tone calm.

“Use the budget as you see fit. We’ve accumulated enough from lack of proper use.”

“…Oh.”

Caught off guard by his unexpected response, Astrid struggled to find words when Elkan interjected.

“After speaking with the lady, I’ve realized she excels in fiscal management, accounting, and manpower organization. She’s even set to start potion research tomorrow.”

“…Tomorrow? Just the two of you?”

“I’m part of the knightly order, after all. Who knows when I might be called for a subjugation? Time is of the essence, isn’t it?”

“Hmm.”

The smile that had curved Caleb’s lips vanished into a neutral line. Elkan, however, simply shrugged, focusing instead on enjoying the food. The meat, slow-cooked overnight, was crisp on the outside and tender inside, melting in the mouth.

“Elkan is preparing a study-laboratory for me. Will that be all right, Grand Duke?”

“…”

Caleb, chewing his food, offered no reply. Watching his reaction, Astrid’s expression grew increasingly anxious.

‘Was my request too presumptuous?’

Her heart pounded uneasily, but Caleb’s response took her by surprise.

“Why are you asking me?”

“…Pardon?”

“You’re the lady of the house. Matters concerning the estate are yours to decide. If anything, I should seek your permission, shouldn’t I?”

“…!”

Astrid couldn’t hide her astonishment at his unexpected words. Joy, surprise, and a mix of other emotions flitted across her face. Hestian nobles might have considered such open expressions of emotion vulgar, but none of that mattered now.

‘After all, he’s already seen me at my worst—during the atonement ceremony and when I was drunk.’

What was clear was that Caleb’s seemingly offhand remark gave her strength. It made her feel acknowledged, as if her presence here had value. It made her believe she belonged.

A corner of her heart, which had been restless for reasons she couldn’t quite identify, now felt full and content.

Astrid gazed silently at Caleb. His blue eyes, holding a trace of a smile, shimmered like sunlight dancing on the surface of the sea.

In those eyes, there was room for only one man.

“…Thank you, Lord Caleb.”

“That’s wrong.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s not ‘Lord Caleb,’ but just Caleb. Doesn’t ‘Lord Caleb’ sound too stiff, Astrid?”

“Oh, yes… Ca… Caleb.”

Calling his name for the first time, Astrid’s cheeks flushed a rosy pink. Seeing this, Caleb’s eyes curved into a crescent shape as he smiled.

The warmth of his expression softened the scar running across his face, revealing a gentle countenance.

“…!”

It was the first time she had seen him smile so brightly. Astrid, captivated by the sight, found her lips parting slightly on their own.

‘His smile… it’s beautiful.’

The once stiff atmosphere had softened into something tender. Caught unintentionally in the peculiar current created by the two, Elkan grimaced.

‘…I feel like I might choke.’

Feigning indifference, he focused on his plate, secretly pressing a fist lightly to his chest.

The meat that had melted in his mouth earlier now felt stuck in his throat.

***

A month had passed since Astrid arrived at Cliff.

In what felt like both a long and a short span of time, her life had undergone many changes.

Her days were packed from morning until evening with an unrelenting schedule. After a simple breakfast with Caleb, Astrid would head straight to her newly established office.

Her mornings were consumed with organizing the long-neglected ledgers and rearranging dusty records to make them easier to access.

Afternoons were spent meeting people or touring the castle grounds, keeping her on the move and busy.

Although she hadn’t officially taken on the role of the grand duchess, Astrid was already effectively the mistress of Cliff.

There wasn’t a moment for idle thoughts.

‘Would it be presumptuous of me to step forward like this? Would people criticize me for overstepping before I’ve even become the grand duchess? Could I be accepted as a grand duchess, as his partner?’

The trivial worries that had plagued her for a month disappeared without a trace amidst her busyness.

There was, however, one thought she couldn’t shake from her mind.

‘What does Caleb think of me?’

It was a question that surfaced whenever she had a moment to herself. Astrid wasn’t oblivious to her own feelings. Spending time with Caleb naturally led her to recognize and accept them.

At eighteen years old, Astrid’s life, which had just begun to blossom, had been unexpectedly graced by spring.

It was her first love.

‘I’d like it if he felt the same, but even if he doesn’t, that’s okay.’

Even if their feelings weren’t entirely mutual, it was clear that Caleb had some affection for her. For now, that was enough.

‘If we spend more time together, maybe one day he’ll come to like me more…’

This simple, earnest hope was all Astrid wished for. Although Edith chided her for not being more ambitious.

For Astrid, being able to be with Caleb and being accepted as part of Cliff was more than enough.

The problem was that whenever she saw Caleb, her feelings became all too obvious. Even without intending to, her gaze would follow his every move.

‘They say men don’t like clingy women.’

Given how apparent her feelings were, it was only a matter of time before Caleb himself noticed.

‘Would he get angry? Laugh it off? Or feel uncomfortable?’

She imagined various reactions but couldn’t predict which it would be. Suddenly, a conversation she had with Edith a few days prior came to mind.

“Do you like him that much?”

“Huh?”

“Your gaze always follows Lord Caleb. They say love and a cough are impossible to hide.”

“…Love? Is that what it looks like to you?”

“It’s not just me. Everyone in Cliff can see it. Even Matilda talks about how happy she is for you. She says the late grand duchess would be pleased too.”

“Does that mean… Caleb knows as well?”

“Probably? Unlike the loud and oblivious men of Cliff, Lord Caleb is quite perceptive, despite his appearance. Even if he doesn’t know now, he’ll realize it soon.”

“…!”

“Be confident! The way Lord Caleb looks at you… how should I put it?”

“…?”

“It’s like he’s looking at something adorable! You know, like a small, cute child or a fluffy animal.”

“…Ah.”

“Oh my! Lady, it’s too early to be disappointed. Love always begins like this!”

Ever since she gave her heart to Caleb, it felt like she was constantly drunk. Her cheeks would flush at random moments, and her heart raced painfully, like that of a person with heart disease.

‘For it to be obvious to anyone who looks…’

It was a mortifying situation, especially for someone soon to become a grand duchess. Instead of earning the respect befitting her status, she had become the subject of teasing.

Whenever she and Caleb were in the same room, people would glance at her face. They would subtly mock her flushed face and stiff posture, sometimes even nudging her to “accidentally” bump into Caleb.

Even the kitchen maids offered her words of encouragement when she walked by. While these actions were all done out of goodwill, the embarrassment was entirely hers to bear.

“…Sigh.”

As Astrid let out a small sigh, Edith, who had tied her hair into a high ponytail, nodded with satisfaction.

“Perhaps it’s because you’re still young? This style suits you so well. It’s the epitome of freshness! You’re more refreshing than lemon pie, orange peel cake, or cherry tarts, My Lady.”

“…Thank you, Edith.”

Despite Edith’s over-the-top praise, her expression remained sincere. They had grown close, but moments like this still left Astrid feeling awkward.

Edith, however, didn’t care about Astrid’s reaction. She was too busy admiring her “creation.”

Today, Astrid was dressed in men’s attire, a first since arriving at Cliff. Astrid suggested this outfit, believing it would be practical for visiting the construction site filled with mud, water, and gravel.

Though it was a male outfit, Edith couldn’t resist adding her own touches. She cinched a thick belt tightly around Astrid’s slender waist and paired it with tall leather boots, accentuating her long legs.

“Edith, are we ready? Lord Caleb must be waiting. Let’s go, My Lady—oh my!”

Matilda, who had stopped by to check on things, covered her mouth with her hand in surprise.

“Is it that strange? Maybe this isn’t the best idea…”

“That outfit—it belonged to Lord Caleb when he was around ten, didn’t it? He grew so fast that none of his clothes lasted more than a year. This one is practically brand new. Edith, how did you come up with this? It looks wonderful on you, My Lady.”

“Thank you, Matilda.”

‘So these are Caleb’s old clothes…?’

Astrid glanced down at her outfit, a hint of dismay on her face. But she was the only one concerned about where the clothes came from.

“Melissa told me while organizing the wardrobe under your orders. We couldn’t throw out perfectly good clothes, nor could we save them for a child who hasn’t even been born yet.”

“Edith! A child?!”

Astrid jumped up, her face turning bright red. She looked like a blushing boy, as if on the verge of bursting like a ripe tomato. Edith and Matilda chuckled softly at her reaction, their smiles filled with affection for Cliff’s young mistress.