Moreover, he obediently changed into each outfit I handed him. Every time he came out with a new outfit, I would clap my hands and make a fuss.
It was the proper behavior for a maid.
“It suits you so well, Your Highness.”
“Then let’s go with this one.”
“No, please try this one too.”
Though he looked reluctant, he took all the clothes I handed him. I immediately began selecting the next outfit.
Because I had taken things out carelessly, the already disorganized luggage was becoming increasingly chaotic.
How did Irena manage to organize everything so neatly while choosing dresses? As I was pondering this, the Grand Duke came out wearing clothes haphazardly.
With buttons not properly fastened, it seemed he, too, had figured out the routine after five outfits.
“How is this one?”
“Hmm. Something’s not quite right. Try this one on.”
“I like this one.”
“Hmmmm, no, that’s not it.”
“Lora.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He deliberately lowered his voice as he called my name. But not finding it threatening at all, I just smiled brightly.
A few seconds of a staring contest ensued. The winner was, of course, me.
The Grand Duke finally took the formal attire from my hand. Only after trying on several more outfits could we decide what to wear to the party.
“This one is definitely the best, Your Highness. Let’s go with this.”
The one selected was the black uniform he had worn first. The Grand Duke ran his hand over his face with a defeated expression.
“Lora.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If you were going to choose this, why did you make me try on all those clothes?”
“I was simply fulfilling my duty as a maid.”
When I shrugged my shoulders, he let out a deep sigh. His expressions had become more varied lately.
“Ah, Sion and Demian are coming too, right?”
“Yes. But at the banquet,”
“Yes, yes. I won’t acknowledge them.”
The two had also decided to join the expedition, blending in with the Grand Duke’s entourage.
I had hoped they would return to the mansion as well. But their determination to not leave me alone was so strong that my attempts to dissuade them were futile.
“I don’t understand why they insist on coming to such a dangerous place.”
I sighed as I opened the door.
Outside, Rik and Ante were waiting. I exchanged brief nods with them, then moved behind the Grand Duke and stood with a bow.
The Grand Duke’s expression as he looked at me was peculiar. I felt like I both understood and didn’t understand the reason.
“What is it, Your Highness?”
“…Nothing.”
His voice lacked any strength as he answered. Ante, who had been waiting, looked at his wristwatch once, then at us, and tilted his head.
“You took longer than usual with your preparations today.”
“There was a reason for that.”
The Grand Duke gave a vague answer and walked away. Ante and Rik sent me curious glances, but I deflected them all with a bright smile.
“Grand Duke Kalschmitz has arrived!”
“Waaah!”
Ah, that startled me.
It was the loudest announcement I had heard so far.
“Is this a special feature of Adelbalk parties? Is this normal?”
“It’s more specifically a characteristic of the night before an expedition.”
The party was refreshing.
Rather than the elegant parties of nobles, it had the atmosphere of a rough warriors’ festival.
In other words, it was all about alcohol, alcohol, and more alcohol. When oak barrels appeared at a noble’s party, that said it all.
“Aren’t we leaving tomorrow? If they drink like that…”
“It’s a northern tradition.”
What kind of tradition is that? Perfect for total annihilation.
Whether I grumbled behind him or not, the Grand Duke also raised his glass with a pleased expression.
At that moment, one of the knights, with a heavily intoxicated face, shouted toward the Grand Duke.
“Your Highness! Please say a few words!”
I stepped back in shock, and the Grand Duke smiled slightly. He, who never gave even the slightest opening to others, was unprecedentedly relaxed today.
The Grand Duke raised the glass he was holding.
“To victory.”
“To victory!”
The voices of numerous men echoed throughout the banquet hall, creating reverberations.
I thought it was like a company dinner. It overlapped with the company gatherings I had often seen before becoming Lora.
The nobles and knights from the capital awkwardly raised their glasses, unfamiliar with the atmosphere.
Before I knew it, I too began to be absorbed in the belligerent and excited mood.
There were many strong, good alcoholic drinks that were hard to find at noble parties. I started sipping diligently as I followed the Grand Duke. Perhaps because it was tradition, the Grand Duke didn’t stop me.
Just then, two people wearing robes like mine caught my eye. That large bear must be Sion, and the tall, slender one beside him must be Demian.
I looked around the chaotic surroundings once and slightly waved my hand.
They seemed to have seen my greeting, as they nodded. I could see their lips tightening slightly under their robes. They must have noticed the glass of alcohol in my hand.
After that, I continued to follow the Grand Duke and drink diligently. Until I was tipsy enough that my body swayed back and forth.
It was amusing to see Demian in the distance raising his hand nervously every time I staggered.
Eventually, I started giggling uncontrollably. The Grand Duke personally escorted me back to the room.
“Rest, Lora.”
“Where are you going, Your Highness?”
“Your voice doesn’t sound like someone who’s drunk at all.”
He uncharacteristically let his words trail off. I burst out loudly. My mood was drawing an enormous graph.
“I’m scared! What if that tattooed man comes again?”
“…I’ll be in the drawing room.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
Only after getting confirmation from the Grand Duke about three times did I stagger into the bedroom.
As I had decided earlier in the day, the Grand Duke’s bed was mine.

***

“Mmm.”
Half-asleep, I heard conversation sounds coming from the drawing room. It seemed the Grand Duke had called his close aides for discussion. I repeated the cycle of falling asleep and waking up several times.
I frowned at the rustling sound of something and finally half-opened my eyes. The surroundings had already grown dark.
“Are you awake?”
“…Yawn, yes.”
I could see his silhouette in the darkness. He was rummaging through the luggage I had left in disarray, taking something out.
That must have been the source of the rustling sound. In a state between sleep and intoxication, I stared blankly at him.
The Grand Duke took out some clothes and placed them on the sofa. Then, he slowly began to unbutton his uniform jacket.
Thanks to the moon hanging in the window, even the minute movements of his fingers were backlit.
When his hand reached the last button, I closed my eyes again. Then I just mumbled.
“Your Highness, I can see everything.”
“Sleep, Lora. I’ll be right beside you.”
“May I sleep here?”
“Yes.”
“What about you?”
It was a question of courtesy.
The Grand Duke said with a sound like air escaping that he would go to the drawing room. Come to think of it, he also had a forced march starting tomorrow.