Chapter 21

“A Lady? That’s the first I’ve heard.”

Lady… It was a word often seen in novels, but hearing it in this mansion felt odd.

There were only maids and servants here, after all.

Alicia herself was just a female employee hired by Cedric.

She looked surprised, and Armand awkwardly scratched his head.

“Haha… Well… If Master finds out I told you about the Lady, my life might be at risk. So…”

“So?”

Alicia echoed his words, and Armand changed his attitude immediately.

He clasped his hands and looked at her with desperate eyes.

“Please, please, don’t tell Master! Promise me you’ll keep it secret?”

Alicia had never seen Armand so earnest and pleading.

So much so that she wondered if he really was Armand.

Flustered, she blinked several times, and, almost hypnotized, nodded.

“Yes, yes… I’ll keep it secret.”

At her answer, a smile finally bloomed on Armand’s previously devastated face.

“Thank you, thank you! Oh, and I’ve never told anyone else about the Lady, so please keep that in mind.”

Alicia replied, “Yes, yes,” and listened closely.

Armand now spoke with a serious tone.

“In fact, Master had a younger sister, four years younger. They were very close. Famous in noble society for their sibling bond. But six years ago, the Lady died on the battlefield.”

This wasn’t in the novel.

Actually, Alicia possessed the story well before the novel began.

“When the Lady was alive, she held two banquets every season. She loved dancing and socializing.”

So different from Cedric’s personality.

Alicia thought siblings would be similar, but that was just prejudice.

Armand continued calmly.

“Originally, Master loved banquets too. He didn’t mingle or dance much himself, but he enjoyed watching the Lady’s happiness.”

“His Grace?”

“Yes. Surprising, isn’t it? Master seems emotionless and cold now, but he was the opposite before.”

The opposite?

That arrogant man actually laughed and chatted?

Alicia couldn’t believe it, forgetting even to drink her tea.

Armand noticed her disbelief and laughed.

“Haha. It’s hard to imagine if you think of Master now. I felt the same. But during the ten years I served him, he almost always smiled. Now, his smile is gone.”

“So, after the Lady died, his smile disappeared?”

“That’s right.”

Armand smiled bitterly, looking troubled.

He took a deep breath and continued.

“The Lady always planned the banquets, and every event was successful. Master was proud and enjoyed them. But after her death, he canceled all banquets except the summer one.”

Alicia listened quietly.

His sad expression showed he had more to say.

“He never told me, but I think the banquets remind him of the Lady.”

“…I see.”

It must be a trauma.

It’s rare for siblings to be so close, but Cedric was different.

Maybe he was warmer inside than he seemed.

Hard to believe, but Armand’s words made it seem true.

Still, Cedric’s arrogance probably remained even then.

That personality wouldn’t change easily.

But Alicia gained a lot from this conversation.

She learned Cedric’s emotional changes were tied to the late Lady.

Maybe this would help her understand him better.

After their serious talk, they continued planning the banquet until sunset.

* * *

A week later.

Alicia reviewed the purchase list and banquet menu based on Armand’s plan.

Almost everything was set, and she was doing the final check.

Armand said the hydrangeas planted last time had bloomed bigger and brighter than last year, predicting a more splendid banquet.

Alicia listened and neatly organized the scattered papers.

“I’ll write the report.”

“Thank you. Are you sure? You have other work…”

Armand trailed off, sounding apologetic.

Alicia shrugged and spoke as if it was nothing.

“It’s fine. I’m confident with reports like this. I write them every day.”

She finished with a relaxed smile.

“Thank you, Miss Alicia.”

Alicia accepted his thanks and stood up.

“I’ll go write the report now. When the items arrive, I’ll check them again.”

She greeted Armand lightly and left.

Her heels clicked as she left his office.

Bang!

As soon as the door closed, Alicia let out a long sigh.

“Haa.”

She hadn’t slept well while preparing for the banquet.

And she’d taken on Mikael’s lessons out of ambition.

She could have stopped caring for Mikael until the banquet, but couldn’t do it.

She worried he might stray toward villainy if left alone.

Though she saw him less, every moment with Mikael was precious.

Suppressing her fatigue, Alicia headed to her room.

‘Just hang in there. The bonus will be huge.’

She hypnotized herself, thinking of the day she’d get paid.

With that money, she could buy a house in the countryside.

‘I have to save it for buying a house. Money is useless without a home.’

Owning a home was every Korean’s dream.

She couldn’t achieve it in her past life, so she would in this one.

Thinking about her future house, Alicia clenched her fist and walked on, when someone called her name.

“Miss Alicia!”

It was a clear, calm voice.

Alicia immediately knew who it was.

It was Nina, the eldest maid.

Nina smiled brightly and hurried over with Lucy and Marzena.

Mikael was with them, too.

The child ran over, as happy as a puppy.

“Teacher!”

Hug!

Mikael wrapped his arms around Alicia’s waist, delighted.

‘Ah, so cute. What should I do?’

Seeing Mikael’s face buried in her stomach melted away all her fatigue.

Alicia smiled so wide her lips nearly reached her ears.

“Why are you here, Young Master?”

Mikael lifted his head from her stomach and looked at her.

“Well… I wanted to see you…”

Suddenly, his voice shrank.

His cheeks turned a lovely apricot pink, and he shyly avoided Alicia’s gaze.

‘Adorable.’

Alicia calmed her pounding heart.

Lucy, the most cheerful girl, spoke brightly.

“Miss Alicia! Young Master has something he wants to say!”

“Really?”

When Alicia showed interest, Mikael’s cheeks turned as red as apples.

He was so embarrassed, he kept fidgeting.

As Mikael struggled, Lucy grinned mischievously and crouched down.

She whispered quietly into Mikael’s ear.

“Young Master, if you don’t do it now, you’ll miss your chance.”

Mikael bit his lip nervously, then glanced at Alicia, slowly opening his mouth.

“Um… I… I want to go for a walk… together…”

Oh my! He was so embarrassed, his round eyes filled with tears.

His chubby red cheeks made Alicia want to pinch them.

It wasn’t a hard thing to say, but for Mikael, it took immense courage.

‘So cute…’

Alicia covered her mouth and hugged Mikael tightly.

Her heart ached from his cuteness.

She struggled to contain her urge to dote on him, barely keeping her composure.

She spoke to Mikael as calmly as possible.

“All right. Shall we go for a walk?”

When Alicia smiled brightly, Mikael’s worried face finally lit up.

“Yes!”

He smiled innocently and reached out his hand.

Just then, a tall man with a long sword at his waist approached.

“Miss Alicia. His Grace is calling for you.”

Another summons?

It must be about the banquet.

“Yes. I’ll go right away.”

At Alicia’s answer, Mikael and the girls’ faces fell.

Sadly, the walk would have to wait.

Alicia crouched and apologized to Mikael.

“I’m sorry, Young Master. Next time, we’ll definitely go for a walk together.”

“Yeah… Promise.”

Alicia nodded with a smile.

Then Lucy, frowning, spoke gruffly.

“Why does His Grace always call for you when you’re with us?”

She was upset, her lips pouting.

‘Heh. Cute.’

Lucy’s attitude was truly lovable.

Alicia smiled kindly and waved to the girls.

“Next time, let’s all go together.”

With a picnic, too.

Lucy understood and nodded, excited.

So simple and adorable.

Alicia smiled fondly and followed the man ahead.