Daniel returned to the castle with a complex expression on his face. After being gone all night, by the time he returned, the sun had just begun to rise.
He was a little tired, but as long as he had something bothering him, he wouldnât rest till he had carried out a certain amount of investigation.
After passing through the spacious lobby on the first floor, he went up the stairs to the second floor. Of course, the aideâs office was close to Leonâs office.
However, he met an unexpected person in the hallway on the second floor.
Daniel was a little embarrassed but slowed down his footsteps. They also noticed Daniel and stopped, but they looked somewhat restless.
Daniel felt bitter and approached politely.
âHello, you woke up early.â
The person glanced at Daniel and bowed their head slightly without making eye contact. Daniel seemed to know why.
âWhat I told you beforeâŠâ
When Daniel brought up the past, the person turned their head and looked away from him. However, as he continued, she looked at Daniel with a surprised expression.
âIâm so sorry. I apologized then, but I apologize again. I didnât know you were going to be the Grand Duchess⊠If you canât forgive me, Iâll accept any punishment.â
Daniel bowed deeply and asked Dana for forgiveness. Dana opened her lips and spoke in a small voice.
âI see⊠Stop it.â
When his request for forgiveness fell, Daniel raised his head and looked at Dana.
He didnât notice it earlier, but Dana was hiding something behind her back. Daniel was very curious about what it was.
If she hadnât been the one, no, if it had been a few days earlier, Daniel would have immediately questioned what was hidden behind her. However, she was now the prospective hostess of Tertius Castle and was in a position to become the next Grand Duchess.
Daniel held back his curiosity and lowered his gaze. He couldnât be rude again.
âThank you so much. Iâll be on my way now.â
He purposely skipped the title. It wasnât enough to be called âLadyâ, and it didnât seem to fit in.
Daniel passed Dana and tried to go the way he was originally going. At that moment, a whispering voice caught him.
âExcuse me, Aide.â
âWhat?â
While lowering her voice to prevent anyone else from hearing it, Dana made eye contact and asked Daniel clearly,
âInstead of forgiving, Iâd like you to let me know a few things.â
Daniel replied to her obediently, thinking he was negotiating a lot today.
âWhat are you curious about?â
âWhy is Leon getting married to a merchantâs daughter? Nobles marry each other.â
âWell, thatâs what His Highness, the Duke, the father of His Grace, has been thinking for a long timeâŠâ
âI heard about that. I know the previous head of Deniz. But you donât promise to get married just because you know each other.â
Daniel only answered as he knew, but Dana asked a little more as if she wasnât satisfied.
âHonestly, I donât know that either. His Grace was also curious, but His Grace the Duke did not tell us the exact reason.â
He could have known if he dug into it and investigated it, but he couldnât find out what his superiors were trying to hide without an order.
Daniel stayed still for that reason. But Leonâs case was different. There was no way Leon would have done that out of extreme respect for his parents, but he remained indifferent.
At that time, he was never going to marry Dana Deniz, and now he was definitely going to. It was only a choice of what was important to him, but it was not important enough to dig into the secret.
âThen Iâll ask you another question. Dana Deniz⊠Didnât she have any other family members? Mother or brother.â
âThe mother died when Miss Deniz was very young. Since then, Russell Deniz hasnât remarried, so I know sheâs the only daughter.â
This time, Daniel answered coolly, wondering if the question was very difficult. Daniel felt proud, but Dana didnât look very happy even though her curiosity was resolved.
She frowned and tilted her head. Daniel waited for her for a while and opened his mouth again.
âDo you have any more questions to ask?â
âWell, this is just a personal question.â
Werenât the questions sheâs asked so far personal? Daniel wanted to ask questions too, but he endured it well this time.
âLeon, what does he like?â
By comparison, Danaâs question was a bit more inclusive than Marvinâs question before returning.
But their expressions were very similar, so Daniel wondered whether to be irritated or not.
âFor example, what?â
âIâve known Leon for quite a while but I donât know what he likes and what he hatesâŠâ
âHis Grace is not a person who expresses his likes and dislikes greatly.â
At Danielâs answer, Dana slightly smacked her lower lip and spoke again.
âWhen did Leon look the happiest?â
Heâd been by Leonâs side for quite a while, but as much as could remember, heâd hardly ever really liked anything. If he had, would it be this woman before him?
However, Danaâs eyes looked so desperate for an answer, so Daniel fabricated memories and created an answer.
âHis Grace likes to hunt. He looked especially happy when he caught a big deer.â
âHunting⊠Deer⊠Ee?â
Daniel told her about the moment when Leon looked good, and Dana, who heard that, spoke with a blank face,
âHunting⊠â she muttered.
Daniel waited for Dana, who was worried with her mouth closed, and carefully asked first,
âMay I leave now?â
âYes, thank you. You can go.â
Dana came to her senses and finally let Daniel go. After bowing, Daniel quickly walked down the hallway he was going.
As she walked from time to time, she wondered if Daniel would turn around and glance behind him. The situation wouldâve been embarrassing.
Dana loosened her hand and peeked at the object she had been holding the whole time.
âDid he see it? He probably didnât, right?â
Sighing and muttering, she still looked relieved.
She was very tired now, but she refused to sleep and was on her way to Leonâs office by dawn. Danaâs small hands were crumpled with underwear the size of two palms.
âI almost got caught.â
It was the underwear Leon peeled off during the affair in the office just yesterday. Tired from their serial lovemaking, she suddenly remembered before falling asleep in bed.
If she left it in the office, it was obvious that the maid who cleaned in the morning would eventually find it.
It had been a long time since the servants around her got used to it, but Danaâs position was different. It was very embarrassing to be known in that manner, the fact that she had s*x in the office.
So, at a time when Leonâs servants had not yet woken up, Dana quietly went to his office to retrieve her underwear and was returning when she met Daniel and her shame doubled.
By the way, hunting⊠What did he mean by he likes big deer?
Danaâs face was flushed, and Leon sat up as she walked into the bedroom.
Leon misunderstood Danaâs expression and almost asked to arrest Daniel right away. Fortunately, Daniel was saved thanks to Danaâs proper explanation.