I Ended Up Saving the Duke Who Was Meant to Die - Chapter 2.6
As much as I hated to admit it, my eyes perked up at the word ‘mission.’ It seemed absurd that such trivial matters could be considered a mission. I looked at Albert through half-opened eyes.
“Yes, if you perform perfectly, the Duke said he’ll take you to next month’s banquet.”
“Banquet? You mean where people wear dresses and dance happily?”
“That’s right. I hear there will be a grand banquet at the Imperial Palace soon.”
My curiosity was piqued at the prospect of experiencing something new. Noticing my sparkling eyes, Albert cleared his throat and continued.
“It would be troublesome in many ways if others discovered your true identity. Therefore, you must become a perfect duchess before you can appear in public. Do you plan to spend your entire life confined to the Duke’s mansion or villa without going out?”
“I don’t want that!”
“We also wish for you to be able to go wherever you desire. So, will you cooperate?”
I lost. His words made sense. Even if I suddenly appeared claiming to be the duchess, people wouldn’t dismiss their suspicions. Even with the temple’s guarantee of identity, people were naturally suspicious beings. Everyone would desire someone as handsome and well-endowed as Severus.
“I’ll try. But please don’t wake me up. Just let me know the time, and I’ll get up on my own.”
“Understood. However, when you do wake up, please pull the bell cord beside you.”
I looked at the long cord next to the bed. Apparently pulling it would summon someone. Albert nodded to the maid with a more relaxed expression.
“I… I’ll help attend to you.”
I slowly nodded. Three maids approached me, and Albert soon left the room.
It’s too ticklish.
I barely held back my laughter as the maids scrubbed and rubbed my body from both sides. They looked as serious as if they were performing some crucial mission.
“My goodness, your skin is so beautiful. It’s like an angel has descended.”
“That’s because I couldn’t go outside and get any sunlight. It’s not pretty being so pale…”
“What are you saying? My lady, you’re more beautiful than anyone I’ve ever seen!”
“But everyone was scared because I looked so pale…”
Pale face and red hair – things everyone avoided. People trembled in fear even while receiving treatment from me. Angel? More like witch, if anything. I gave a bitter smile at the maid’s words.
“Aren’t you afraid of me?”
“I was scared at first, but I’m fine now. My lady seems like a good person.”
“…A good person.”
My heart felt strangely ticklish. I submerged my face deep in the warm water. Though I disliked others touching me, these maids were okay. They were careful and gentle as if handling something precious.
‘Maybe Severus only has good people around him.’
Perhaps it’s because he himself is a good person.
***
“We need a tutor.”
“That’s not really necessary.”
“But she truly knows nothing. This is dangerous.”
Severus furrowed his brow at Albert, who had been whining since morning. She had even behaved exactly as he had instructed, so what was there to complain about?
“She’s intelligent. She’ll adapt on her own. Didn’t you say she cooperated when you mentioned it was a mission?”
“That may be true, but we can’t let others see her like this. Everyone will surely find it strange. The Imperial family already views Your Grace unfavorably – we don’t need to give them more reasons to find fault.”
Severus sighed at Albert’s words. They would find fault with whatever he did anyway. It had nothing to do with her.
“It’s not like disaster will strike just because she doesn’t receive proper attendance.”
“It will! A duchess – no, all noble ladies are supposed to find even lifting a spoon too heavy. They’re people who think they’ll die the moment they do anything with their own hands. It’s clear as day how many people will scrutinize every single one of her actions at the banquet.”
He wasn’t worried. Though there would be many troublesome things, he believed she would handle it well. She might look delicate, but she was a strong woman. She wasn’t someone who would meekly submit to others.
“Today again, she asked for Your Grace instead of the maids.”
“…Why are you only telling me this now?”
Severus jumped up from his seat. Thinking it might be difficult for her, he had only given her a light kiss on the cheek while she slept before leaving today. He found it hard to concentrate on work as she kept coming to mind.
If she had asked for him first, that was reason enough. But to tell him this only now!
“Your Grace! You don’t actually think the Imperial family will follow through with their letter regarding this matter, do you?”
“Yes, I know. I know they won’t stay quiet. But even if others find fault with me, the cause is me, not her.”
He needed to make this clear, or they would blame Irene instead of him if any problems arose. The Duke’s servants were highly loyal. Because they worried about his wellbeing more than anyone else, he was concerned.
“Adding a tutor will only increase the number of mouths we need to silence. The head maid’s teachings should be sufficient. Tell her to let me know if it becomes too difficult.”
“…No. I think Eliza will be enough.”
Albert nodded reluctantly. But perhaps the head maid Eliza could educate her perfectly.
“Don’t worry too much. Just watch.”
Severus believed Irene would do well. She was a woman who would complete any given mission somehow, no matter how absurd it seemed.
***
Wearing the dress, I examined myself in the mirror from different angles. It was unbearably cumbersome with all its trailing fabric.
But I didn’t dislike my appearance. I just finally understood why Duchesses found it difficult to even lift a spoon.
‘Perhaps it’s because the sleeves are so heavy.’
Looking at the dress overlaid with lace, I asked the maid.
“Are there any with shorter sleeves? This is uncomfortable to move in.”
This was clothing that greatly restricted movement. If someone suddenly barged in, I might have to fight them with this dulled mobility. Severus had many enemies, so it wouldn’t be strange if they attacked at any time.
Being careful couldn’t hurt, so I disliked these trailing dresses.
“Ah! How about this one?”
The maid showed me a dress with exposed shoulders. The sleeves only came down to the forearms, making it look easier to move in. Though the exposed shoulders would make it difficult to raise my arms completely, it seemed better than before.
“That looks good.”
The skirt also had fewer layers and looked lighter. Though I was troubled by their constant recommendations of bright colors, there were also darker options, so I quickly changed into the dress the maid handed me.
When I lifted my hands and waved them around, it was more comfortable than I expected. Only then did I show a satisfied face and smile brightly.
“You’ll need to wear these.”
I accepted the long gloves the maid handed me without protest. They were essential for me since they would prevent direct contact with others.
Only after putting on the gloves did I feel free.
I headed to the dining room for breakfast. I thought I would eat with him, but he wasn’t there. I asked the maid with a dejected face.
“Isn’t Severus coming?”
“He was supposed to dine with you, but he had to leave due to an unexpected guest.”
“A guest?”
A guest coming this early in the morning – are they not hungry? Even at the temple, they made sure we ate on time. Just as I was wondering if they couldn’t just eat quickly and go, I immediately understood when I saw the food placed before me.
“Am I supposed to eat all this by myself?”
“You can eat as much as you’d like.”
“But this is too…”
