Chapter 20 – An Unknown Secret

“…….”

Alicia couldn’t answer right away.

The authority of a Duchess, second only to the Duke, given to her?

Why?

Why to a mere tutor?

Why her?

Cedric’s secretary, Armand, was available.

‘Shouldn’t Armand, the secretary, be in charge?’

Alicia wondered why Cedric wanted to give her the Duchess’s role for the banquet.

Normally, Cedric would have asked Armand.

Why was he entrusting this to her?

She was just a tutor hired by Cedric.

Suddenly, a scene from the novel [My Childhood Friend Became the Villain.] flashed through her mind.

‘Could he mean the annual banquet at the ducal residence?’

Mikael’s family, the Kaspar Duchy, was famous for not mingling with other nobles.

Ordinary nobles held two or three banquets during debutante season.

But the Kaspar Duchy was different.

Only once a year, a grand summer festival banquet was held.

Given the timing, summer had just begun, and invitations from other families were arriving.

Spring debutantes had already happened.

Everyone was eager to show off their wealth and beauty.

The hidden motive was, of course, to find a suitable husband quickly.

In that situation, the Kaspar banquet was one of the most important events.

Everyone gathered desperately to catch Cedric’s eye.

To be chosen by the empire’s top bachelor.

The famous Kaspar garden ballroom was considered the best banquet in the empire.

Even the Emperor attended every year, according to the novel.

Being asked to manage such an important banquet felt overwhelming.

What if she ruined a banquet attended by the Emperor?

Suddenly, it felt like she’d been handed a huge project, and she couldn’t sit still.

Alicia swallowed nervously.

Her hands trembled, but she calmed herself as if reciting a spell.

‘Calm down. Calm down, Alicia. Just refuse. Calm down.’

She composed herself, put on an indifferent expression, and spoke bravely to Cedric.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. It’s too much for me.”

She bowed deeply and apologized.

“….”

But something felt off.

Cedric said nothing.

Alicia glanced up at him, watching for his reaction.

‘…What’s this?’

He was completely ignoring her.

He just kept reading papers.

She hadn’t spoken quietly—he must have heard.

He was absorbed in the papers, not looking at her.

Alicia corrected her posture, embarrassed, and cleared her throat.

“Ahem…”

“Oh, sorry. What did you say?”

Ah! He really didn’t hear, or was he pretending?

Cedric’s actions were always unpredictable.

He looked at her, as if asking her to repeat herself.

Alicia swallowed nervously again and spoke.

“…I don’t think it’s my job.”

Even after hearing her answer, Cedric’s face showed no emotion.

Only a cold air lingered.

A few seconds of silence passed.

Cedric remained busy with his paperwork.

Waiting for his response in the awkward silence made Alicia anxious.

The longer the quiet lasted, the faster her heart raced.

She fidgeted like a child.

Then Cedric spoke indifferently.

“I was thinking of giving you a bonus. Too bad.”

Bonus?!

Alicia’s ears perked up.

Cedric continued, making sure she heard.

“I was going to pay you four times your salary.”

Four times?

Then she had to do it.

Yes, of course. Money was most important to her.

If she earned enough, she could escape the ducal residence sooner.

Suddenly fearless, Alicia spoke.

“No, I was short-sighted. I’ll do it.”

“I knew you’d come around, Teacher.”

“Huh?”

“You’re a very amusing woman. All for money.”

So arrogant.

He didn’t know, but money was very important to her!

How could a rich man like him understand someone in her situation?

Alicia’s pride was wounded, and she spoke with a pout.

“For commoners, money is essential, Your Grace. You wouldn’t know, living so comfortably.”

After finishing, she politely announced she’d leave, and turned away primly.

Her heels clicked as she walked to the door, and Cedric’s voice called out.

“Tomorrow at 9 a.m. Come here.”

His voice had an odd hint of amusement.

* * *

“Interesting.”

Cedric muttered to himself as soon as Alicia left his office.

He felt a strange enjoyment whenever he met her, and wanted to call her more often.

Of course, it wasn’t romantic.

It was only for a bit of fun in his monotonous, busy life.

Alicia probably thought she worked hard to hide her feelings.

But her emotions often showed easily on her face.

Especially when he unexpectedly provoked her.

Just like now.

The expression Alicia had just shown was very colorful.

A frown that looked annoyed.

It was the first time Cedric had seen that face.

He always thought she only made calm, relaxed expressions, but she could look like that, too.

Cedric recalled Alicia’s face from moments ago.

“Really amusing, Teacher.”

He chuckled quietly.

His lips curled into a mischievous smile, as if he couldn’t help himself.

Everyone else trembled in fear of him, but Alicia was different.

She was clearly scared, but still boldly spoke her mind.

Whether bowing politely or turning away after the greeting,

Cedric couldn’t forget Alicia’s pouty expression.

Her angry eyebrows.

The glare in her eyes and the slightly protruding lips.

He’d only seen her face briefly, but remembered it vividly.

It was probably hard for Alicia to hide such instinctive expressions.

Cedric thought Alicia was so perfect, she could hide even momentary feelings.

Like noblewomen who excelled at ventriloquism or covering emotions with a smile.

But instinct was hard to conceal.

That made Alicia very interesting to Cedric.

Even a commoner maid couldn’t show emotion in front of a Duke like Cedric.

He realized it was a mistake to think she was just a diligent worker.

What expression would she make next?

Should he tease her more?

Or say something to wound her pride?

Cedric was busy thinking of ways to amuse himself with her.

Muttering quietly, he said,

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

* * *

The next day.

Alicia arrived at Cedric’s office at 9 a.m. as instructed.

But the person in the office was Armand, not Cedric.

Armand greeted her with a bright smile.

“You’re here.”

“It’s been a while, Armand.”

Alicia smiled as she greeted Armand.

He replied with a smile and guided her to a seat.

Alicia sat on the sofa as directed and continued their conversation.

“Master has left urgently for the Imperial Palace by order of the Emperor. So I am here in his stead.”

“I see.”

“Please feel free to listen while having some tea.”

A servant, who looked to be in his forties, poured hot tea into Alicia’s cup.

The tea was freshly brewed, with steam rising.

Alicia drank the tea as Armand suggested, listening carefully to his words.

“The banquet will be held at the end of next month. I’ll inform you of the exact date after discussing with Master.”

Sip.

Alicia cautiously drank the hot tea and nodded, showing she understood and was listening.

Seeing her reaction, Armand continued.

“This time, Master wants the Kaspar garden to be the highlight.”

Alicia set her teacup quietly on the table as she listened.

“In that case, since it’s a summer event, flowers related to summer would make a good theme.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. Master isn’t very sensitive to those things, so he hadn’t thought of a theme like that.”

He was always busy leaving everything to me and not caring.

Armand muttered the last words under his breath.

“I thought His Grace would want to be involved in every detail of such a big event, but apparently not.”

“Master dislikes banquets and festivals. He manages all other affairs, but this is the one thing he leaves alone.”

This was an unexpected answer.

To think that someone as perfect as Cedric was indifferent to such a major event.

He was known for being quiet and cold, but Alicia expected him to be meticulous, especially for an event attended by the Emperor.

So all the banquets from the novel must have been prepared by Armand.

He really was impressive.

Just enduring and working beside that difficult personality was remarkable.

“May I ask why His Grace dislikes banquets?”

It was a random question, but Alicia asked out of curiosity.

Armand, who had been speaking smoothly, became subdued and spoke quietly.

“That… it’s because of the late Lady.”

Alicia tilted her head at the word ‘Lady.’

She had never read about a Lady in the novel.