/
I had doubted my own ears.
‘No, I mean, if you’re going to be like that, wouldn’t it just be more comfortable to guard the relic yourself?’
However, I couldn’t possibly express such thoughts.
I had just nodded, telling my father that it was a good idea.
To me, the duke was akin to a company CEO.
How could a mere employee at the bottom of the pyramid talk back to her boss?
Thus, I had to carry on the responsibility of coming to his office to confirm the condition of the sacred relic.
But then, ever since the first day…
—Just in time, the tea is ready, Milady. Please drink some before you leave.
—No, you don’t need to serve me any…
—Now, now. Please don’t say no.
Graham held me back from leaving, making me settle down on the sofa at one side of the office.
Since I wanted to look good in front of people, it was difficult to turn him down.
‘Besides, he’s the Duke’s right-hand man. I gotta look good in front of him.’
So, I sat down on the sofa just as he asked. Faced with a steaming cup of tea, I tilted my head to the side.
‘Why is there only one teacup?’
And, the question was quickly answered.
“Drink it and leave.”
That’s what the duke said, still sitting behind his office desk with his eyes affixed on the documents he was reviewing.
‘Hm. I guess I’m having teatime alone.’
If it’s going to be like this all the time anyway, wouldn’t it be better to just let me return to my room and drink tea there?
As I was unable to comprehend anything that’s happening right now, it was about time to finish drinking my tea.
“Ke-hum. You can take this and eat some, too.”
The duke tapped the edge of a plate of refreshments in front of him.
I looked at where he was tapping, hesitating to get the plate of cookies.
“…Uh, I’ll eat well?”
Then, the same thing happened the next day. And two days later. And also three days later.
One cup of tea at the reception area of the office.
Some refreshments that the duke would take out belatedly, saying ‘Ke-hum, take this and eat some, too.’
Fortunately, as today was the fourth day, it was the last day I’d have to do this.
“You’ll be having class today, Milady?”
“Yes. My teacher will be here soon.”
“Then, it will be the last time for you to come to the office regularly,” said Mister Graham, shaking his head.
“You’re sad?”
“Of course, Milady.”
At his sincere reply, I felt myself smiling slightly.
Funnily enough, I got attached to this head butler in the past few days.
Throughout all the awkwardness I had to endure here in the duke’s office, as I was subjected to a solo tea time all four days, Graham stood by my side and made an effort to talk to me. His presence greatly alleviated my ridiculously awkward and desolate experience here.
“I’m sorry Graham, but I actually think it’s fortunate. To be honest with you, I was worried that I might be taking too much of Father’s time.”
“Not at all, please don’t worry about that. Do come often for refreshments again. It’s a very great pleasure for me to talk to Your Ladyship.”
Really, I’m sorry, but that’s going to be difficult to do.
This isn’t a teahouse, Mister Graham.
Glancing sideways to gauge the duke’s mood, I changed the topic.
“By the way, Father seems to be in a bad mood today. Did something happen?”
“Hmm, it’s hard to say. Nothing… quite happened, it’s just that he’s busy as usual.”
“It’s because he’s busy?”
“Yes. He’s been working nonstop for the past four days.”
“Ah, certainly. Father did seem to be terribly occupied throughout the four days.”
“Isn’t that right? Even though you’ve come here like this, Milady, His Grace was so busy with work that he couldn’t even make time to have tea with you.”
Graham replied with a grin.
‘No, but uh… Isn’t your voice kind of loud…?’
Contrary to my worries though, the duke didn’t react at all, as if he didn’t hear any of what Graham said.
‘Wow, he must be seriously focused, huh.’
In any case, I’m glad that he’s not actually in a terrible mood.
In truth, there’s something I had to tell him today.
However, it’s been so awkward, so I couldn’t find the right time to talk to him.
By this time, though, I was worried in a different sense.
‘Can I even talk to him when he’s that busy?’
Lowering my voice to a hush, I timidly spoke to the head butler.
“Um, Graham.”
“Yes, Milady.”
“Since Father’s so busy… It’s going to be difficult to ask a favor, right?”
“A favor? You’ll be asking His Grace?”
Graham asked back, eyes widening in his surprise.
“Yes. I’d like to ask Father to sell off my jewelry. I tried to do it myself, but I’ve got a lot of shortcomings in that regard.”
“Ah, on the day that you brought back the sacred relic, too. You were trying to sell your jewelry, weren’t you, Milady?”
“Ahaha, yes. I actually went to a jewelry store, but it wasn’t easy to sell the items personally, so…”
While I answered with an awkward smile, I was momentarily hit with a realization as soon as I blurted out these words.
Come to think of it, do I even really need to ask the duke for help?