The Hungry Tyrant's Bedroom - Chapter 29
“On the night of the wedding, I sincerely apologize that the maids under my command searched Your Highness’s body.”
At the unexpected remark, Floria’s hands, which had been moving busily, came to a halt.
“This isn’t an excuse, but I truly did not know about it. It must have been an order from other nobles, concerned about His Grace the Grand Duke’s safety.
It was my fault for not managing things properly.”
She looked far older than Floria’s mother, her hair white and sparse. According to another maid, the head maid had been in this castle since she was very young.
It was Grace who had practically raised the Grand Duke, and even nobles didn’t dare act carelessly around her.
Floria was rather surprised—the stern-looking head maid was actually apologizing to her.
As Floria hesitated, unsure how to respond to her apology, the elderly maid continued speaking.
“The Principality of Sief has waged fierce wars against surrounding nations for several years.
Things have calmed somewhat recently, but there was a time when even spies aiming to harm His Grace infiltrated the castle.”
So they couldn’t trust a princess from an enemy nation.
“If His Grace were to hear such things, he’d be furious, saying he’s perfectly capable of protecting himself. But many people worry about him. I, too…
when he went off to war and didn’t return for months, I’d worry something might have happened.”
Floria nodded at the old woman’s words.
She felt wronged—she had never even imagined hiding a weapon or trying to harm the Grand Duke—but perhaps things were different in the context of a brutal war.
“However, regardless of the Principality of Sief’s situation, what happened to Your Highness should never have occurred.
All the maids involved that night have been expelled from the castle.
I will make sure the remaining maids are more careful so this never happens again. I’m truly sorry.”
The head maid bowed her head.
That time had been unbearably miserable.
She had been cast out by her homeland, and even in the principality she had married into, despite being its mistress, she was treated with contempt.
If it hadn’t been for Aidan, who had sent those maids away, there’s no telling what might have happened that night.
But… the sincerity in the head maid’s voice was unmistakable. Faced with such a heartfelt apology, Floria’s heart began to melt.
“…I accept your apology.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you for your forgiveness.”
Silence fell once again within the room.
Rolling a sweet candy around in her mouth, Floria endured the awkward atmosphere.
The head maid, quietly watching the innocent Floria while holding the tray, finally opened her mouth.
“His Grace is a lonely man.”
“……”
“He doesn’t have many people he can trust. He was never particularly close with his father or siblings, and then they all passed away at once during an epidemic…
These days, the surrounding nobles support him, but when he first inherited the title, there was a lot of gossip. Not to mention the neighboring countries.”
“His Grace is a strong man.”
Even if surrounded by enemies, he was a man who could endure.
The Aidan she had met was a man without blood or tears. A person to whom the word “loneliness” didn’t seem to apply.
The man she actually encountered was the same—strong and unyielding like steel.
But perhaps that wasn’t how he appeared to the head maid.
“Even a strong person needs someone they can trust.”
The head maid, who had always seemed stern, now spoke with concern and sympathy for the Grand Duke in her voice.
At her words, Floria gave a gentle smile.
“He’ll be fine. He has someone like you to worry for him.”
“No… Strangely enough… Your Highness is different. The Grand Duke I know doesn’t care about people.
I thought he only cared about governing the country and what lies beyond its borders.”
She tilted her head slightly, as if confused, her expression thoughtful.
“Strangely, you’re different to him. His Grace treats you specially.”
At those words, Floria furrowed her brows.
Different…? What does she mean by that?
“Please take good care of His Grace.”
But what could I possibly do?
Floria still didn’t know.
‘Strangely, you’re different to him. His Grace treats you specially.’
That’s what the head maid had said…
But somehow, the meaning of “special” felt a little off.
