My Boss is the Villainous Grand Duke - Chapter 3

As she filled the gaps so thoroughly that the absence of the departed personnel was hardly felt, the Count’s approval speed increased, and the company noticeably bustled with activity.

Elena didn’t stop there. She distributed some work to smaller trading companies with less business in the form of outsourcing, earning their goodwill. She accurately assessed the current situation and didn’t struggle by taking on all the work. Instead, she reached out to other trading companies sharing the same region.

The Count had originally thought Elena just wanted to follow the company around and learn the business. Contrary to his light expectations, when she took the initiative, the company flourished like a blooming flower.

‘Even though I said it was because the company already had deep roots, Father really…’

[I’m sending you, the most capable of my people, to repay the debt of gratitude to the Grand Duke.]

After that, the Count highly valued Elena’s abilities and cherished her even more. Yet he readily told her to let go of all company affairs and help the Grand Duke. That’s how much he valued the favor he had received from him.

Even when Elena said the Grand Duke might not welcome such goodwill, the Count disagreed.

[The reason he refused several times was because there were only a few days left until you turn 20. Isn’t he really a thoughtful person?]

When she turns 20, she’ll have to start seriously looking for a marriage partner. So, Elena only had about two years left to work outside.

[So I finished the conversation by saying you would serve him only until you turn 20.]

“No, why are you forcibly pushing me onto someone who doesn’t want it?”

No matter how grateful he is, if the Grand Duke refused, saying he didn’t like it, they could have found another way to repay the favor.

Moreover, if he had told her in advance, she would have found a way before the Grand Duke gave permission.

For a very brief moment, a feeling of resentment arose, but she knew that wasn’t right.

‘It’s not like Father forgot because he was having fun, so I shouldn’t think that way.’

Usually, when the Count couldn’t come home due to work, he would send a separate message. However, recently, he couldn’t even find time for that.

It was evidence of how busy he was, so Elena had quietly waited, only to hear about the Grand Duke like a bolt from the blue.

“Ginny.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Elena mumbled with her face buried in her arm.

“Do you think I can do well?”

“Of course. You’re Elena, after all. The Count wouldn’t send you as the Grand Duke’s aide for no reason. He must have done so knowing you’ll do well.”

“Hearing that makes me feel better.”

“It’s true. I’ve never seen anyone as smart as you, Miss.”

Well, that’s because despite her outward appearance, she was already an adult inside.

Elena met her own eyes reflected in the window.

When you’re young, you’re called a genius just for knowing how to read. But now, Elena didn’t know how well she could do compared to others.

With her elbow propped on the windowsill and her head in her hands, Elena looked outside.

‘My life changed overnight, but the world remains the same.’

As she quietly watched the passing scenery, she slowly came to a conclusion.

‘Let’s just think of it as a 2-year contract position.’

A contract position that won’t be converted to permanent.

Still, since the Count had sent her with trust, she didn’t intend to act naively. Repaying as much as she received was Elena’s bone-deep commitment inherited from the Count.

“Grand Duke Rudfelix…”

What did he look like again?

Elena pondered whether she had ever met him.

“I saw him once about 3 years ago.”

She had seen him from afar at a ball. He was too far to see his face clearly, but she could recognize him by his distinctive red hair and the black formal wear he always favored. Of course, she couldn’t see more as she was soon swept away by other people.

‘I haven’t seen him directly, but that shouldn’t matter.’

She already knew what the character looked like from reading the novel.

As she entered the Imperial Palace through the main gate, Elena straightened her posture.

Soon after, when the carriage stopped, Ginny got out first.

“Miss, take my hand.”

“It’s okay.”

Elena lightly jumped down from the carriage, landing on both feet.

Although a footstool is usually placed for nobles to descend easily when the carriage stops, Elena didn’t even wait for that. That’s why she also refused Ginny’s outstretched hand.

Elena haughtily flipped her hair and looked around while standing on the ground. Ginny, who had approached from the side, pouted her lips. She was showing her sulkiness for not taking her hand, which was proof of how comfortable she felt with Elena.

“It’s not that high, why do you need to help me? I can get down on my own.”

“What if you fall?”

“I’m not a baby, stop it.”

“But…”

A noble young lady who dislikes being waited on so much! The problem is that Ginny has nothing to do by Elena’s side.

Elena pushed Ginny back into the carriage.

“Go on now.”

The Imperial Palace was not a place for Ginny to enter together. While it was fine for her to show her uniquely bubbly personality when they were alone, the Imperial Palace would absolutely not tolerate such an attitude from her.

“Alright.”

Ginny glanced at Elena once more before getting into the carriage.

“If you need me…”

“I can eat and go to the bathroom by myself, so don’t worry.”

Isn’t it enough if I can eat and relieve myself well?

Elena shot a glare, suggesting that if Ginny hesitated any longer, she might sit right there and do her business. Finally, Ginny gave up and closed the door.

After watching the carriage leave, Elena entered the separate palace where the Grand Duke was said to be.

“Since he wasn’t happy about taking me on as an aide…”

Maybe she’d be sent back as soon as she entered?

‘It’s not great for a noble young lady to walk out on foot,’ Elena thought as a man was coming down in front of her.

‘Oh my goodness.’

The heavenly staircase connected to the earth. The one descending the cloud-like stairs gracefully was an angel.

‘He’s human.’

If not an angel, then at least a creation made with God’s full love. That’s how beautiful the approaching man was.

‘It’s breathtaking.’

His long, slanting eyes were filled with allure, and his neat, well-defined lips held seduction.

The high bridge of his nose revealed as he slightly turned his head, and his flowing jawline as if carved, were also dizzying.

Even the mesmerizing gaze looking at her…

‘It’s completely different seeing him in person.’

Elena, who had only seen his appearance in books, as though she learned about love from books, was at a loss due to the disparity.

Everyone who conversed with the Grand Duke must surely have a strong heart. Otherwise, it seemed impossible to stand properly face-to-face with a fluttering heart.

As Elena quietly gazed at the Grand Duke’s face, one of Rudfelix’ eyes, who had descended the stairs, narrowed.

Following his habit when displeased, his aide, Quiet, stepped back to avoid any sparks flying his way.

Rudfelix quietly looked down at Elena’s small, pale face.

A strange silence fell as their gazes intertwined.

Elena made her impression of the Grand Duke internally.

‘I’ve never seen such a beautiful man before.’

Shocked as strongly as when she first entered the novel, Elena forgot that she should greet him first.

Light was emanating from the Grand Duke. His seductive lips parted.

The moment she saw his white, even teeth, his low voice struck Elena’s heart.

“Are you Count Jellisto’s daughter?”

As the cold voice came from between his pretty lips, Elena’s reason was slowly returning.

Although he wasn’t being rude, his gaze looking down at her was full of annoyance, like he had unexpectedly been burdened with a lump of flesh.

Elena lightly grasped the hem of her skirt and bent her knees as she greeted him.

“I am Elena of the Count of Jellisto family.”

“Yes, I see.”

That was it. He glanced at Elena once and immediately turned his head towards Quiet.

At that moment, his sharp jawline was fully revealed, and Elena subtly stepped back.

Having lived thinking that people’s faces were all more or less the same, the shock brought by the Grand Duke’s face was immense. It was difficult to maintain composure.

‘My heart is pounding.’

“What on earth is going on?”

At Rudfelix’ icy, piercing tone, Quiet’s shoulders flinched.

He knew what his superior was talking about.

“She… is said to be 18 years old.”

“I know that too.”

‘But does this face look 18?’

His silent words became thorns, pricking at Quiet.

Quiet pushed up his glasses and looked at Elena. His superior was looking at her as if she were a baby who had just started walking. Of course, there was some exaggeration in his superior’s view. But even to his eyes, she didn’t look 18.

“It’s because I have a baby face.”

Elena smiled and interjected into the two men’s exchange of glances.

“A baby face?”

“It means I look younger than my age.”

“That’s right. A capable person has come who can relax the other party’s heart with a youthful face.”

Quiet repackaged Elena’s words in his own way and passed them to Rudfelix.

Whether to take on an aide or not was Rudfelix’s decision. Of course, Quiet, who had a lot of work, was in a situation where he desperately needed Elena.

Rudfelix crossed his arms, openly showing an expression of dislike for his first impression of Elena.

“It would be better to come back when we officially recruit an aide.”