Chapter 5 (Part 4)

The Duchess’s office looked exactly as Sellakia remembered it from the first time she saw it. It wasn’t as grand as Tenus’s office, but it exuded a more spacious and elegant atmosphere than the makeshift office of Aldrich, which had been converted from an administrator’s office.

“Hmm.”

Returning from Aldrich’s office, feeling drained, Sellakia collapsed into the chair in front of the rosewood desk and picked up a pen. She wanted to praise herself for overcoming the obstacle named Aldrich without any trouble and dive into bed, but she didn’t have the luxury of time.

Since Tenus had asked her to invite acquaintances, she had to write invitations, even if just for appearances.

The first person who came to mind was, of course, Chester. She had already arranged to meet him tomorrow through a letter sent before the banquet. It seemed better to tell Chester directly in person rather than sending an invitation.

“Then to Viscount Lensch…”

Should I send it?

Groaning, Sellakia clutched her forehead. This was undoubtedly an invitation that would go unanswered. Given the short notice of the banquet and the fact that the always busy Viscount Lensch was unlikely to attend personally, it was important that the invitation was from Sellakia.

Although the invitation would be delivered in the name of the Seidon Dukedom, it wouldn’t be discarded without being opened. However, she couldn’t be sure the letter wouldn’t be crumpled in the Viscount’s hands upon reading it.

Sellakia contemplated for a while, fiddling with the luxurious blue paper of the Seidon Dukedom, and then made up her mind.

If she left the Dukedom on her own accord, the repercussions would fall entirely on Viscount Lensch. However, if the Viscount showed no intention of coming or even sending a representative to the banquet, it might be considered.

Sellakia hoped Tenus wouldn’t forget that she was the unwanted child of the Viscountcy. He was someone who remembered even the trivial fact that she was left-handed, so he was worth trusting.

Lastly, she wrote an invitation to her former tutor, who had retired to a quiet countryside estate. She didn’t know his exact address, but she had previously received a mailbox number.

“Nancy. Could you send these invitations?”

“Phew. Yes!”

Nancy, who had been doing jumping jacks at the end of the office, took the invitations with a heavy breath. Sellakia handed her water glass to Nancy and then opened the ledger.

The three ledgers were the latest documents recording the income and expenses of the Seidon Dukedom’s mansion, merchant guild, and estate, spanning a full ten years.

Sellakia set aside the other ledgers and picked up the one needed for the upcoming banquet, the mansion ledger.

“…”

Rustle, rustle.

In the silence, only the sound of turning pages echoed quietly. The ledger, which she flipped through effortlessly, soon reached the last leather cover.

Resting her cheek on the ledger, which was thicker than a handspan, Sellakia let out a grand sigh.

“…I don’t understand.”

Not a single thing. Absolutely nothing.

Though she had learned arithmetic and could sum amounts, it was difficult to instantly comprehend the ledger, organized in a unique style and abbreviations.

Perhaps Aldrich’s claim that the ledger was her responsibility was a lie. In the week she couldn’t remember, the handwriting she checked in the ledger was not hers, just like the fake will.

“I had a feeling. Of course.”

Sellakia clicked her tongue briefly and then struggled with the ledger again. She had no gains. It seemed she would need someone’s help.

Someone in this mansion who could help…

“When you feel trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea, start by taking a moment to look around.”

The person who said that.

Only Tenus came to mind.

“He won’t refuse since he said it himself.”

Half-doubting, Sellakia was confident he wouldn’t refuse. This was a matter of the Seidon family, and Tenus was a diligent heir.

While Sellakia was reviewing the ledger, Nancy, who had returned from delivering the invitations, was still engrossed in stamina training with Roberta.

Nancy was even trying to lie down on the office floor now. She seemed to be preparing for push-ups.

Before Nancy could lower her body, Sellakia clapped her hands together.

Nancy and Roberta turned to her swiftly.

“Isn’t it too stuffy to train stamina in the office? Shall we go out to the garden?”

Nancy and Roberta’s faces brightened simultaneously. Seeing them looking like affectionate sisters, Sellakia burst into laughter.

* * *

Sellakia settled at a table with a good view of the wide flowerbed and the golden fish fountain. The harmony of the clear sky and the colorful flowerbed somewhat eased her mind, which had been burdened by the thick ledger. The regular sound of the fountain added to the tranquility.

“Hiyah.”

“Louder. Begin.”

“Yah!”

“Put your elbows in. One more time.”

“Hiyah!”

Nancy, swinging a practice wooden sword from somewhere, and Roberta, correcting her posture, added to the vigor.

Watching Nancy, absorbed in knight training with her chin propped up, suddenly reminded Sellakia of someone.

Sellakia suddenly turned her head abruptly.

“…”

There was no one visible on the path leading to the mansion. It seemed she couldn’t find the hidden knight using such a method. 

Would Roberta know where Mark was hiding if I asked?

While she was meticulously inspecting the flowerbed swaying in the breeze, Tenus appeared from afar, perhaps having heard from the servant she had sent.

As expected. She knew he wouldn’t refuse if it was a matter concerning his family.

Tenus, who quickly closed the distance with his long legs, turned his gaze to the noisy side while staring at Sellakia.

“Are you already tired? Your sword angle is off. Again!”

“Yiahh!”

The combination of Nancy, swinging a wooden sword in a maid’s outfit, and Roberta directing her, was curious in many ways. Perhaps he might scold the maid’s antics.

“Here we go again.”

However, Tenus, sitting opposite Sellakia, merely clicked his tongue.

“Manage your maid well. Belfona might recruit her as a gladiator.”

“Gladiator?”

Sellakia tilted her head at the cryptic words. Tenus, seemingly uninterested in offering further explanation, moved his gaze straight to the ledger on the table.

“You brought the ledger.”

His words, laced with a hint of laughter, sounded like praise. Sellakia felt emboldened. She erased from her mind the moments when she felt like a coward, finding high heels to avoid being intimidated and breathing cautiously lest her pounding heart be heard.

As if nothing had happened, Sellakia straightened her shoulders and feigned arrogance.

“Well, it was nothing special.”

“Nothing unusual happened?”

“Just that I suggested to Aldrich that we get along…… is that special?”

Sellakia’s words trailed off.

In truth, she was belatedly regretting her unnecessary bravado. She hadn’t realized she still had such a spirit left after living quietly for so long. Somehow, her plan to quietly slip out of the mansion like a shadow was increasingly going awry.

“Your capacity to embrace your enemy is remarkable.”

Contrary to her expectations, Tenus nodded without adding anything further. She checked his demeanor, suspecting sarcasm, but he was calm beyond measure.

Capacity.

Thinking of it that way, it seemed her foolishness was being wrapped in grandeur.

“No matter how great the capacity, I couldn’t learn to read the ledger on my own.”

Sellakia, feeling a bit smug, gestured to the ledger. Tenus’s expression became peculiar.

“So, you want me to teach you the ledger?”

“Did you think I called you to enjoy the flowers together?”

“…”

This time, Tenus, who ought to have retorted, didn’t say a word. He merely cast a meaningful glance.

“What else can I do? I can’t learn from Aldrich.”

Sellakia gently pushed the ledger towards Tenus with both hands.

“I know you’re busy. Just teach me the basics of reading and writing it, and I’ll take care of the rest. I won’t keep the ledger for long anyway.”

“Alright. It’s better to learn properly this time.”

Tenus added, without taking his eyes off Sellakia.

“If possible, let’s enjoy the flowers together.”

Despite his stern demeanor, Tenus didn’t spare a glance at the flowerbed as he pulled up a chair and sat down.

For a moment, the scent that had tormented Sellakia all night subtly tickled her nose.

“Bringing the mansion ledger…”

As his low voice drew closer, her mind momentarily went blank.

“…Sellakia.”

“Uh, uh… what?”

She answered absentmindedly before snapping back to her senses.

Just a few hours ago, in the Duke’s office, it was hard to recall how she had stayed alone with Tenus in that enclosed space. Perhaps focusing all her attention on his wound had unexpectedly helped. At that time, sharing the space with Tenus hadn’t been as uncomfortable.

Sellakia discreetly moved her chair back to match Tenus’s proximity.

“Wait… I was thinking of something else. Continue.”

Tenus noted the increased distance. Sellakia considered making an excuse, but he picked up the ledger with one hand without comment.

“There are three ledgers in total. Besides the one you brought, the others record the expenses of each merchant guild and estate.”

“Judging by the names of the merchant groups or the details of the castle wall construction, it seemed so. That’s why I only brought the mansion ledger. This is the urgent one for me.”

Tenus nodded and opened the ledger.

“It uses abbreviations, but it’s not difficult.”

His long fingers carefully pointed out the listed items in the ledger. The enigmatic characters transformed into familiar words through Tenus’s voice.

Sellakia focused on the content of his words, trying to concentrate on the information rather than his melodious voice.

“Regarding income and expenses, just keep the calculations in mind. The detailed items needed for the mansion and kitchen will be submitted by the head servant, head maid, and head chef in budget proposals.”

“How about the food for the banquet? Shouldn’t it be prepared considering the preferences of the retainers?”

“You don’t have to worry about it; the chef will handle it. He’s been in charge of the Ducal kitchen for over ten years, so you can trust him.”

“What about decorating the banquet hall?”

“You can leave it to the butler and the head maid.”

“Is that all?”

Just delegating to others. She was all set to struggle alone, but somehow it felt anticlimactic.

“It seems like I have nothing to do.”

She thought she would finally have a useful role, but it turned out otherwise. Sellakia’s shoulders, which had been tightly drawn, slumped.

Seeing her sea-green eyes, which had been sparkling intelligently, lose their light for a moment, Tenus let out a breath of disbelief.

“So, were you planning to do everything yourself?”

“You told me to fulfill my duties. I was going to if necessary.”

“Remember your role. This mansion is maintained by the hands of the servants, not you. The Duchess’s role is to manage and supervise so they can perform to their fullest potential.”

“…I know that much.”

“There’s a list here of those who can assist you.”

The ledger, which had made swift progress, had reached its end. There, the names of each servant, their assigned areas, salaries, and the date they joined the mansion were detailed.

Despite his indifferent expression, Tenus explained meticulously in a gentle tone, proving to be an unexpectedly good teacher. If he stood at the academy’s podium, his distracting appearance and voice would ruin the students’ grades.

Having never been to an academy, it was hard to imagine that scene. Instead, Sellakia recalled the time she had lessons with her private tutor.

Back then, they also had lessons in a sunlit garden like this.