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Chapter 28
The most dramatic ‌‌transformation occurred between Duke and Rachel!
After that day, the Duke gradually began spending more time with Rachel.
They dined together, shared tea time, and he even gifted Rachel a custom-forged real sword.
Of course, Rachel found the ‌‌‌Duke's sudden changes awkward at first.
'So ‌‌‌that's why the Duke deliberately ‌‌‌included me in tea time and had me stay for ‌‌‌‌dinner.'
Though I could plainly see the Duke's intention to ease Rachel's discomfort by inserting myself between them, I willingly played my part.
It was for the Duke's sake, but more than anything, I wanted Rachel to be happy. ‌‌
Did Rachel sense both the Duke's efforts and my wishes?
Rachel, who once avoided spending time with the Duke, no longer showed reluctance.
'He still ‌‌‌‌‌grows quieter in the Duke's presence, though.'
Yet I heard that now he even dines with the Duke without me present.
And most importantly....
'Rachel seems to be ‌finding stability at last.'
Though he didn't realize it himself, the wariness in Rachel's usual gaze was gradually fading.
No longer struggling alone to protect himself, he was becoming a 'true child' with someone to rely upon.
It was a miraculous transformation.
"We can visit the Underground Chamber a bit later."
I quickly added this, fearing Rachel might refuse the Duke's suggestion.
At that, Rachel readily nodded to the Butler.
"Prepare everything—we'll be there shortly."
"What beverage shall I prepare for you?"
"Grape juice."
"I'll have the same, ‌please!"
The Butler, having taken our order, offered his customary gentle smile and bowed before departing.
"Come then, Rachel."
Just as I took Rachel's hand and turned toward the Reception Room where the Duke awaited us—
ɻʂʅɿʊʈʓʢʟʠ....
'Hm?'
A faint, humming sound resonated in my ears.
Or rather, it seemed to echo within my mind itself.
The direction from which that sound came—or was felt—was the window.
More precisely—
'...the Western ‌‌Forest?'
It was the Western Forest ‌‌‌visible beyond the window.
Adults forbade entry to the ‌‌‌forest west of our Village, warning that ‌‌‌monsters often appeared there.
'Something keeps calling to me....'
As I tilted my head, gazing toward the Western Forest, I heard Rachel's voice from ahead. ‌‌
"Vivian?"
"Hm?"
"What's that over there?"
"Oh, it's nothing. Let's go."
'Must be my imagination.'
There's no way ‌‌someone calling me from the Forest could reach all the way here, could they?
I shook my head vigorously and hurried to Rachel's side.
* * *
"You called for us?"
As Rachel and I entered the Reception Room, the Duke greeted us, already waiting.
"The rain is ‌‌‌‌‌coming down rather heavily, so I thought it best to wait until it subsides before you leave. Sit."
The Duke gestured with his eyes toward the sofa across from him. ‌‌‌
On the table lay tea and juice that the Butler had brought, along with pastries arranged ‌‌‌nicely as accompaniments.
I approached the sofa while holding ‌Rachel's hand without thinking, but when I noticed the Duke's gaze settling on ‌our joined hands, I quietly withdrew mine.
'It wouldn't be proper to hold hands in front of the Duke, would it?' ‌‌‌‌
Yet ‌‌‌even after I released Rachel's hand and sat on the sofa, the Duke's gaze lingered on our hands for quite some time.
The Duke began speaking only when his gaze shifted past us toward the window ‌‌outside.
"The Southern Region certainly receives ‌a great deal of rain."
"Does the Northern Region not get much rain even in summer?"
"Not to ‌‌‌this extent. Of course, we have considerable snowfall ‌‌in winter, but it's quite different from the Northern Region—I find it rather charming, though the villagers probably aren't fond of summers."
"I actually enjoy rainy days. I fall asleep easily when I listen to the sound of rain! Though it shouldn't rain during the festival..."
"A festival?"
The Duke showed interest in my words.
Since I had stories to tell about the festival, I eagerly added an explanation.
"Yes. A festival is held every summer. People dress up as demons and ghosts, and there are many delicious things to eat, so it's wonderful."
"Ghost costumes, eh? That does sound amusing."
"So, would it be alright if I went to see the festival with Princess Isella?"
As I sent a subtly hopeful look, the Duke regarded me with piercing eyes and asked.
"Is this something Rachel also desires?"
In truth, I ‌‌had pestered Rachel about it, but ‌‌since he agreed to go, it counts as something he wanted.
"Of course. Princess Isella also said she wanted to go."
I ‌‌lied without batting an eye.
When I first met ‌‌‌the Duke, I never could have imagined doing such a thing, but now I'd grown shameless enough for this.
It was a change that came from becoming friends(?) with the Duke.
"You're not pestering him into reluctantly going along?"
Gasp. How did he know?
I felt caught by the ‌‌‌Duke's sharp suspicion, ‌‌but I quickly composed my expression and protested.
"No, that's not it!" ‌‌
"I said ‌‌I wanted to go see it."
Fortunately, Rachel came to my defense.
Perhaps because my relationship with Rachel was gradually improving?
The Duke, observing us with eyes that had grown considerably softer than before, asked.
"When did you say the festival was?" ‌‌
"In a fortnight! Oh, Duke, if you're curious, why don't you come along with us―"
"No need. The two of ‌‌‌‌you go ahead."
"Wow! The Duke is the best!"
"Always ‌‌‌spouting honeyed words." ‌‌‌
Even as the Duke glanced at me with obvious affection, his lips curved into a subtle smile as he spoke.
Observing me fidget with delight, the Duke set down his cold teacup and shifted the conversation.
"By the way, Vivian. You mentioned your father operates a Bakery, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"As it happens, the Chef needs an assistant. I ‌‌‌was thinking of hiring your father for the ‌position." ‌‌
Caught entirely off guard by this unexpected proposal, my eyes widened in astonishment.
Rachel, who hadn't been consulted about this beforehand, wore an equally surprised expression.
"My... my father? As the Chef's assistant?" ‌‌‌‌
"Yes. Of course, only if your father is willing."
I hesitated.
In truth, if the Duke wished ‌‌‌to find an assistant elsewhere, he could easily do so. ‌‌
Yet the fact that he was offering ‌‌‌‌‌this opportunity to my father first meant he held me in considerable regard.
'If Father becomes a servant ‌‌of House of Edelwein, he won't need to travel back and forth between home and the Villa on rainy days like today.'
And more than that...
'The salary of a servant at Duke's Residence would surely exceed the Bakery's income.'
Unlike some lesser noble ‌houses, House of Edelwein possessed wealth rivaling the Imperial Family itself, so this was certainly true.
In other words, this was an extraordinary opportunity.
But...
"I'm truly grateful for your consideration, but I'm afraid ‌‌‌‌I must decline that offer."
The Duke, as if he'd anticipated my refusal, asked without apparent displeasure.
"Your reason?"
"Well..."
I fumbled for words briefly before ‌‌‌‍answering honestly.
"It's awkward ‌‌‌to say myself, but my father simply lacks talent in baking and cooking..."
No matter how consumed by ambition and greed I might be, I do possess a conscience.
"You're not being falsely modest?"
"Wouldn't a daughter who loves her father take special pride in him before others?"
What I meant was that Father's abilities were too lacking for even love to defend.
Upon hearing ‌‌‌‌my words, the Duke burst into hearty laughter.
"I expected your refusal, but the ‌reason was unexpected. Now I'm curious to taste your father's bread for a different reason."
Then he ‌‌posed another question.
"Does your father have any other work he enjoys, or talents he possesses?"
The Duke seemed determined to employ my father at ‌‌Duke's Residence one way or another.
His question left me pondering.
'What is Father good at...?'

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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official ‌‌‌‌‌site: valirscans.org
---------------