Chapter 62

Theodore opened the window and looked up at the sky. The bright moonlight shone brightly in the high sky.

No matter how hot the Florence territory is, it gets chilly at night because it’s close to the sea.

“Master, you’ll catch a cold from the chill.”

“It’s okay, I just really wanted to see the moon today.”

“Then I’ll bring some warm strawberry tea.”

Theodore nodded, and when Venable mentioned bringing strawberry tea, he naturally thought of Meia.

She always had a pleasant fragrance. When she smiled, it took his breath away, and just looking at her took all his attention, leaving him unable to think of anything else.

He never regretted confessing when they were alone in the study. Rather, he wanted to express his feelings more.

Venable brought a chair and blanket so that Theodore, sitting by the window looking at the moonlight, could comfortably gaze at the sky. He carefully observed Theodore as he brought out the strawberry tea and a trolley with some refreshments.

“Master, here’s your warm strawberry tea.”

“Yes.”

A chance encounter and exchanged glances. First love, purity, honesty, excitement, thrill—these words are difficult to express his feelings.

If he had to choose an appropriate expression, he would say ‘miracle.’

Theodore looked up at the moonlight outside the window and murmured.

“What is Lady Meia doing?”

He promised to wait, showing his shy and excited heart, saying he would confess every day.

Despite promising to wait, his anxious heart wouldn’t settle down.

He felt like a donkey chasing a carrot dangling in front of his nose. It felt like his patience was being tested to the limit, but he didn’t mind.

“The scent of the strawberry tea is particularly nice today.”

As long as that beautiful face and those eyes only looked at him, he could wait indefinitely.

Even if she rejected him, he couldn’t give up on her. No, he didn’t want to give up.

“Venable, prepare a pretty bouquet for Lady Meia for tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

Theodore continued to look at the sky before closing his eyes.

Whether his eyes were open or closed, even in his dreams, he would seek her out.

*

Meia headed to the office. Currently, Meia was overseeing the household of the Florence family.

The sudden absence of workers made Meia start her day even busier.

The inability of the accounting staff to work increased her workload, but it was okay. Working was always enjoyable, and she felt a sense of accomplishment in finding answers through calculations.

<Lady Nordic took sick leave due to health issues.>

<Then I’ll be working with Lady Jasmine.>

<I’m sorry, Lady. My daughter is about to give birth, so I must take leave as well.>

<Congratulations, Lady Jasmine.>

Additionally, according to the physician, Aethon had healed from his wounds but needed recuperation due to post-traumatic stress.

Moreover, Theodore was urging Meia to spend money freely.

<If you take charge of our Grand Duke’s household, you can spend anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 gold a day.>

Meia looked at Theodore’s face, which showed no doubt about her, and asked.

<What if I indulge in luxury? I’m very good at spending money, Grand Duke Theodore.>

Theodore, instead of being displeased by the word ‘luxury,’ replied with joy.

<Please let me know if you spend more than 100,000 gold. Spending over 100,000 gold requires a seal.>

With that, his face and ears turned red.

<Why did your face suddenly turn red?>

<When you take charge of the household, you will have equal authority with me.>

What a soft-hearted man. To be happy about becoming equals...

Meia opened the office door and looked at the documents piled up, no different from yesterday.

Today, Meia had to check the salaries and allowances the employees had received and how the mansion was managed and the costs involved.

Originally, she should have received a handover, but there was no Lady Nordic to do it.

Lady Jasmine had hurriedly left for her daughter, leaving behind only a manual.

Meia read the manual once and then put it in the drawer.

For Meia, dealing with household-related documents was as easy as breathing, so she had no problem working without such a manual. Nevertheless, she read it once just in case, but it was all familiar content.

“Good morning, Grand Duke Theodore.”

Today, Theodore didn’t come to escort her. Perhaps avoiding her out of embarrassment, she thought. But seeing him working early made her smile.

“Welcome, Lady Meia.”

Theodore shyly stood up from his seat and quickly escorted her to the desk and chair where she worked.

“Is Hemann not here yet?”

“He came and went out for something.”

Theodore, who was hesitating, returned to his seat and took out a large bouquet, approaching Meia again.

Seeing Theodore clumsily carrying the bouquet, Meia’s mouth curled up in amusement.

“What’s with the bouquet?”

Theodore handed the bouquet to Meia.

“Thank you for helping with the work. And… I like you.”

Meia looked up at Theodore, who confessed while handing her the bouquet.

‘What should I do with this man?’

“They say liking someone is a blessing. Thanks to you, Lady Meia, I’m blessed every day.”

“What if I take all that blessing away from you?”

Theodore immediately answered Meia’s question.

“I think it would be sad if there’s nothing left to take. If there are any blessings left, I’ll give them all to you. Thinking that you are blessed makes me very happy, Lady Meia.”

Besides her parents, it was the first time she received such unconditional feelings, but it didn’t feel bad.

It felt even more thrilling than when she first cast a flying spell and flew up to see a rainbow.

Sitting down, Meia looked through the documents one by one. The budget used by the Florence Grand Duchy in a year could be considered enormous. It’s a large sum that some might never touch in a lifetime.

But for Meia, 10 million gold was a sum she had handled many times.

As Meia scanned the documents, she held a quill and marked a ‘V’ while slightly furrowing her brows.

The accounting staff would soon sign the dismissal agreement and leave the Grand Duchy. However, there were still unresolved issues, so she asked Theodore not to dismiss them immediately.

“There’s a rat wherever you go.”

At Meia’s murmur, Theodore immediately stood up from his seat, looked around, and asked.

“Is there a rat in the office?”

Theodore, surprised by the word ‘rat’ from Meia’s mouth, widened his eyes and began searching for the rat.

“Not that ‘rat.’ Grand Duke, would you like to see this?”

Meia approached Theodore with a handful of documents, showing him the parts she marked with a V.

“I think the moment you recognize something as a problem, it becomes a problem.”

If you didn’t know it was a problem, it wouldn’t be exposed and thus wouldn’t become a problem.

However, the moment you think of it as a problem, it becomes a problem.

“Discovering a problem means you can’t return to before it existed.”

Theodore attentively looked at the documents.

“Honestly, I thought tables or sofas were often changed.”

“Yes, of course, they can be changed, but shouldn’t all the sofas and tables be luxury items? But I don’t see them as luxury items.”

From her words, Theodore immediately grasped the issue.

“Someone embezzled.”

“Do you believe me?”

“Of course. In a liar’s true heart, the desire for gain is evident. But you gain nothing by telling me about someone’s embezzlement. And…”

“And?”

Theodore quietly approached, leaned over, and looked at the documents. His arm touched her shoulder.

Every time his low breath touched her ear, Meia’s heart pounded.

“My father taught me to always believe the words of the woman I like.”

Heat rushed to Meia’s cheeks.

“Got it.”

Watching her reddened ears, Theodore suppressed the desire to press a kiss on her soft cheek. He slightly tilted his head and looked at her eyelashes.

“Where would you like to start investigating?”

Meia made a face like a child who found a delightful toy.

Meia began explaining the parts she checked in the documents to Theodore with a bright smile.

“Even the Empress of a wealthy empire with four seasons doesn’t change furniture this often. Of course, some people collect furniture as a hobby, but the Florence Grand Duchy has no mistress, so changing it this often doesn’t make sense.”

Even when Meia was at the Hatzbellua Ducal House, they didn’t change tables or chairs this frequently.

Since they were luxury furniture from renowned artisans, there was no need to change them.

And if they had to change furniture, it was used to help the needy through charity auctions.

And for tea parties, if held in the garden, they would purchase new tables and chairs matching the concept for the number of guests.

The Florence Grand Duchy has no hostess to hold tea parties. Yet, overall, chairs and tables are frequently changed.

Every time they are changed, it incurs a tremendous cost. Moreover, the fabric, towels, food expenses, and other budgets were inconsistent.

“I want to know the exact costs of the items I checked. The prices of goods might differ from those in the Carpen Empire.”

“Understood. I’ll have Hemann investigate and report back.”