Cassard checked the clock on the desk and leisurely rose to his feet. There was quite a backlog of work in the Lindcom estate, and between that and reviewing the case records, time had quickly slipped away even with only a little concentration.
Had she gotten up? She must be hungry after sleep. Should I have food prepared?
She looked slender to begin with, her wrist and waist seemed no more than a handful; she probably didn’t eat properly in prison. Suddenly feeding her meat might cause a problem, so it would be better to prepare something light like porridge.
At the Duke’s summons, the steward of the Lindcom estate, Peron Mak Danan, rushed over, out of breath.
“You called, Your Grace!”
“…….”
As Cassard silently looked at him, Peron blinked his eyes in apparent confusion and corrected himself.
“Did you call, Your Grace?”
He was quite different from the calm temperament of the steward Twan, who mainly looked after the Conwell and Baltimore estates and managed the affairs of the Blahnath family.
It had been 5 years since the Blahnath family was granted the Lindcom estate, meaning Peron’s lack of experience was apparent.
“I’m, I’m sorry…….”
Peron almost tearfully bowed repeatedly. Cassard, not understanding his attitude, tilted his head and asked.
“What are you sorry for?”
He had yet to say anything, yet Peron was apologizing; Cassard asked in an emotionless tone. Peron, in a panic, rolled his eyes and fell to his knees.
“I’m, I’m, I’m sorry for being sorry! I heard you don’t like mistakes…….”
He had put it euphemistically, but the Duke had drawn his gun over a guard’s minor indiscretion in the dungeon the night before, so steward Peron had thought he might be next.
Not finding it funny, the Duke merely looked down at him with a blank expression.
Their lord was known not to smile, but Peron really felt like crying. He wasn’t asking to be treated indulgently, but there wasn’t even a hint of a smirk or small talk.
Does he talk with that scary face and you’re not mistaken? Are aristocratic officers like that?!
As he had these futile thoughts, the elegant sound of the Duke’s footsteps on the carpet stopped right in front of Peron, who was clutching his head.
“Prepare easily digestible food and bring it to the bedroom.”
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]Peron, despite his earlier dazed behavior, must have managed the mansion thoroughly, for the seldomused bedroom door opened smoothly without creaking.
He had never paid attention to these small details before, but now that a woman was sleeping there, it became quite concerning.
However, once he opened the door, he realized there was no need to worry.
“You are awake.”
The woman, who was sitting blankly with her hair flowing like soft waves, turned her head to look at him.
“…….”
“What about the meal?”
She shook her head gently. Because of her slender build, her light movements looked like a butterfly.
“Let’s eat first.”
“I…….”
Her voice, already pleasant to hear, seemed even clearer after a deep sleep. Her pumpkincolored eyes once again gazed at him intently.
He had felt it from the moment they met, but that staring gaze could easily deceive men.
Standing a few steps from the bed, Cassard listened silently, and the woman seemed to hesitate before finally asking.
“Am I… free now?”
“I wonder. What do you think?”
She looked at him blankly for a moment, then suddenly widened her eyes in confusion and fumbled between her collarbones.
“Looking for the necklace?”
“Oh…… How……?”
Cassard chuckled at the woman’s furrowed brow and tilted head. I told her first, but it seems she doesn’t remember.
“I told you. I would find it.”
“……You found it?”
With anxious eyes and trembling eyelashes, she looked worried. He wanted to return it right away but felt strangely reluctant, and as he was pondering, Peron knocked on the door.
“Let’s eat first.”
“The necklace…….”
The woman got down from the bed and cautiously approached Cassard. Such a lack of caution.
Surely unaware of the thin sheet of fabric that barely covered her, the curves of her body were clearly visible beneath her chemise, even down to the bruised, white thighs that caught the eye everywhere.
Meanwhile, Peron knocked softly and opened the door.
“Entering, Your Grace.”
Since he was asked to bring it to the bedroom, it was proper to enter without being told, but… Cassard concealed his discomfort, simply angling his body to block Peron’s view of the woman.
“Leave it on the table and leave.”
Peron was somewhat dull, but he was quite perceptive in interpersonal relationships.
Through the overlapping bodies, he could glimpse the woman’s bare legs, the Duke’s back that wouldn’t allow a glance, enough to sense a strange atmosphere.
It was evident that since the time she was imprisoned, the prisoner who was talked about for her beauty had caught the Duke’s eye. What he knew through this was clear. The Duke was a beast without blood or tears, to the extent of taking a woman who had killed his father as his wife.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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