Chapter 102

“Wait a moment, Lionel.”

Clarette calmly grabbed his hand. Of course, a single act of resistance couldn’t stop Lionel, so she gently pushed against his chest and spoke clearly.

“No, I really don’t think we should right now.”

“Why?”

“There are a lot of people who know I’m here. Just on the first floor, I met about five people.”

“Really? Then I’ll just hurry…”

“No. I don’t like finishing quickly.”

Clarette’s firm declaration made Lionel’s hand pause. He looked down at her with an incredulous expression.

“Clarette, really? You actually like it when we take our time?”

“Um… Yes, I suppose so. Anyway, cleaning up afterward takes effort, so if we’re going to do it, it’s better to do it properly…”

“What, it’s because cleaning up is annoying? That’s your reason?”

Lionel’s eyes drooped in disappointment. Clarette hesitated, then quietly added,

“And… it feels good. When I’m close to you.”

“What kind of good feeling?”

“How am I supposed to explain all that?”

“Why? I can explain. When I’m with you, during…”

“Stop! I don’t need to hear it!”

Clarette pushed Lionel away, her playful side coming out as she sat up. He let himself be pushed, still holding her and laughing.

“Alright, I’ll wait for now. Anyway, you want it to last because it feels good, right?”

Clarette finally nodded, her face bright red. Lionel embraced her and whispered softly,

“I want to leave soon. So we can spend time alone again.”

* * *

“What? You want to go alone with Miss Sollier?”

Oliver, the butler, couldn’t hide his shock at Duke Valentin’s sudden declaration during breakfast. He glanced at Clarette, who sat awkwardly, as if she were asking for permission to marry.

No matter how he thought about it, this young painter didn’t seem suited to be the Duke’s attendant.

“Master, last time in Tivenny, you stayed in the city so there was nothing to worry about… but the eastern woods you’re heading to now have absolutely nothing. The only place to stay is an old house, so it will be uncomfortable. Wouldn’t it be better to bring a maid?”

Oliver tried to persuade gently, but Lionel refused lightly.

“No need to worry. As long as we bring enough food and clothes, we’ll be fine. It’s only two weeks.”

“Clothes are one thing, but you’ll need someone to cook the food.”

“Oh, cooking.”

Lionel stared at Clarette, whose face had turned pale, and nodded.

“Clarette will do it all. She’s lived alone for years, so feeding me for two weeks shouldn’t be hard.”

Technically, it made sense. Though Clarette herself didn’t look very confident.

As Oliver glanced at her uncertainly, Lionel gave a firm order.

“Alright, Oliver, go pack my things. Two types of uniforms, bring the medals, and just in case, prepare the hunting rifle…”

While Lionel gave Oliver instructions, Clarette sat nervously, lips pressed tight.

‘I have to cook for Lionel…?’

Clarette counted the dishes she could make and felt discouraged. Her cooking was closer to survival—bare minimum, not something to enjoy or serve to others.

“I understand, Master. If you insist, I’ll prepare the carriage fully so you won’t lack anything.”

In the end, Oliver couldn’t break Lionel’s stubbornness and quietly withdrew. Once the dining room door closed, Clarette spoke cautiously.

“Lionel, I can’t cook.”

“Hm?”

“Well, it’s edible, but… it becomes something with its original taste, rather than proper food…”

Clarette recalled the day she made potato gratin for Thiago at fifteen. He had slowly finished the plate, then cooked real potato gratin for her the next day.

After that, Clarette stopped studying cooking.

“Clarette, don’t worry about food.”

Meanwhile, Lionel smiled and spoke brightly.

“I was planning to cook anyway.”

“What? You’re going to cook?”

Clarette was surprised, but Lionel spoke as if it was nothing.

“You need to paint. If you hurt your hand cooking, that’s a disaster. Knives are dangerous, and so is fire. So you just paint. I can handle everything else.”

“Is that really okay? You’re the Duke, after all. I can’t ask you to cook…”

“You undress me and tie my hands, but you worry about cooking?”

Lionel teased, smiling with his eyes. When Clarette closed her mouth, looking troubled, he reassured her,

“Of course, I’m not a great chef. It’s more like survival cooking from the military. Making something edible out of whatever’s available.”

Isn’t that the definition of cooking? Clarette was grateful that he would step up for her without a second thought.

“Then… I’ll ask you, Lionel. I survived in the atelier eating my own cooking, so I can eat anything.”

Lionel smiled at her, so small and hesitant.

“Don’t worry, just relax. This is our summer vacation, just for us.”

* * *

The eastern woods of the Valentin Duchy were connected to the vast forests of the Crowley Earldom.

“In the distant past, there was only the Valentin Duchy, without the Earldom. All those hills and woods used to be our land.”

As they rode the carriage into the woods, Clarette listened to Lionel’s story. Now that he was Duke Valentin, he cared deeply for his domain and knew more than ever.

“The abandoned church in the woods was built about a thousand years ago, they say. There’s a legend that Saint Dimitri built it.”

“That’s right. But Saint Dimitri only appears in some records, so it’s unclear if he was real.”

“Clarette, do you know much about Ensila Order’s doctrine or scripture?”

“A little. My father went to church every Sunday. My mother was a devoted believer, so he followed her wishes. I just tagged along when I was little.”

“I see. When I first met you, I thought you might be very religious.”

“Why? Did I seem strict?”

“A little…?”

Actually, a lot.

Lionel recalled the past and smiled softly.

Who would’ve thought he’d grow so close to her, who used to respond stiffly to every joke? That he’d want to be alone with her so desperately. That she’d become so precious and dear he’d want her by his side forever.

“Oh, that’s the house.”

The carriage arrived in front of a two-story villa-like house. While the coachman and servant carried their luggage, Lionel and Clarette looked around the house.

In front was a small lake with a rowboat. The grass nearby was freshly cut for the Duke’s visit, and the house was surrounded by tall trees.

“When I came to paint the background, I slept here for a few days. It was messy then, but the Head Maid sent people, so it should be clean now.”

“I didn’t even know this house was part of the Valentin family’s assets. Maybe it’s so old it was left off the list.”

Lionel looked up at the old house, which seemed hastily repaired. He understood why Oliver had been so nervous about him staying here.

When the coachman and servant finished unloading and left, Lionel and Clarette entered the house together.

As Lionel, with his large build, stepped into the entryway, the floor creaked loudly.

“It’s clean, but we’ll have to be careful. It’s really old.”

“But the inside floor looks properly repaired. New curtains, and… ah, the kitchen is clean too.”

The kitchen was stocked with food for several days. The supply wagon was scheduled to come every three days, so Lionel checked the ingredients without worry.

“We can cook simple meals with what’s here. Stew, meat pie, pasta.”

“…You can make all those?”

“Yeah. That’s easy.”

Clarette quietly closed her mouth.