In the Nest of the Fallen Serpent - Chapter 25
Chapter 25
The butler, instead of speaking rashly, subtly adjusted his monocle and signaled to Moritz, who stood behind their master.
However, the aide, who should have offered an explanation, feigned ignorance, subtly averting his gaze.
‘Hmm?’
Alois grew even more perplexed. Then, his eyes widened as he saw who emerged from the carriage.
‘He brought a lady?’
This was unprecedented. The Duke had never been close to a woman. There had been a betrothal forced upon him in his youth, but it was a loveless arrangement, broken the moment he abandoned his royal title.
Since then, he had been utterly alone. Considering that most nobles his age were married with several children, his master was remarkably steadfast in his bachelorhood. This, then, was surely an exceptional event.
“Your Grace, the one who accompanied you is…?”
Alois addressed Hilde with a respectful title for this very reason.
“My slave.”
“Pardon?”
“A useful find among the captives.”
Alois was inwardly flustered by the unexpected answer.
‘But… throughout countless wars, you’ve never shown the slightest interest in prisoners.’
Moreover, the woman called a slave wasn’t dressed like one at all. The soft dress draped over her small frame was clearly made of the finest silk.
He calmly tried to discern his master’s intentions. “Your Grace, by slave, you mean…?”
“Didn’t I say I needed someone to attend to me?”
He had once suggested a trustworthy boy as a personal attendant, but his master had flatly refused, preventing him from raising the subject again.
‘Ah, perhaps.’
The old butler considered a possibility. The purpose of a comely slave was generally similar, and it was common for nobles to keep bedroom slaves. So, his master had taken a woman. In that case…
“I’ll see to her training.”
While Alois was lost in thought, the Duke’s gaze had shifted to Greta, the head housekeeper.
“Yes.” True to her unflappable nature, her expression remained unchanged. “Where shall she stay?”
“Isn’t the adjoining room vacant?”
The Duke’s immediate reply surprised Alois once more. Even Greta’s eyes widened slightly this time.
“Do you mean the room next to Your Grace’s bedchamber?” At Greta’s clarifying question, the Duke’s brow furrowed. “Is there another adjoining room?”
“No, Your Grace. I will prepare it as you command.” Greta, quickly regaining her composure, answered promptly. Alois waited for her to withdraw before respectfully addressing his master.
“Dinner and a bath are prepared. Please, relieve yourself of your travel fatigue.”
The Duke started to walk, but not before turning his head slightly to give an order.
“Follow me.” The small woman hesitated, then hurried after him.
‘She’s certainly not a lady of noble birth.’
Alois, having observed her receding gait, turned to Greta. Then, he exchanged a glance with Moritz.
“I’ll attend to His Grace’s meal. I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Let’s discuss the details later.”
He nodded briefly and hurried toward the entrance hall. Overseeing his returning master’s first meal was the butler’s most important duty. And perhaps… he might glean more information about the new slave there.
***
As Alois, the butler, entered the mansion, the assembled servants retreated like an ebbing tide. Greta turned to Moritz.
“Lord Lemon, I have arranged a meal for the knights in the banquet hall.”
In truth, the troops deployed in this war weren’t the Duke’s elite forces. The Duke had initially intended to set out alone, but their earnest pleas for a minimal escort had changed his mind.
Nevertheless, every knight of House Oaklien had returned alive, without a single casualty. Furthermore, the Emperor hadn’t dared to touch Bertolph while the Duke was away, making it a perfect outcome.
“You’ve all worked hard. Thanks to you, His Grace is safe, and the Bertolph territory remains peaceful.”
As Greta bowed her head in gratitude, Moritz returned the gesture with a knightly salute. The knights behind him followed suit.
“Thank you, Madam.”
