Soon, the sound of Duke Hart’s footsteps followed by the opening and closing of the door was heard.

Only then did Nelia turn around. The Duke had wrapped himself in the blanket and left, leaving the bed empty.

‘Phew, really.’

She stayed here to help Duke Hart, and he was constantly overstepping his boundaries.

His handsome face and cunning behavior made her consider letting it slide.

But she would take this opportunity to warn the Duke once and for all.

Nelia made up her mind firmly.

When she went down to the library, the Duke who had already arrived was working.

Nelia glanced at the Duke and sat at her desk. It felt awkward because of what happened in the morning.

The Duke also did not utter a word, as if he felt the same.

Nelia tried to shake off her thoughts and finished the work she couldn’t finish yesterday.

Scratch, scratch.

The only sound was the quiet one of the pen moving over the paper.

“Nelia. I’m sorry, but can you do this for me?”

“Yes.”

A curt voice flowed from Nelia’s mouth. Her gaze was also not on Duke Hart, but on the paper handed to her. She turned swiftly and sat back down at her desk.

That was how the day went by.

Even at lunch, when Duke Hart made an effort to start a conversation, she responded in curt answers.

The more she did that, the Duke’s expression seemed to turn more and more gloomy, but she was not going to fall for the Duke’s tricks.

In the end, Duke Hart who could not bear it any longer brought up the incident from the morning again.

“Nelia….”

“Yes.”

“Can we talk for a moment?”

Without waiting for an answer, the Duke approached.

He kneeled down in front of Nelia’s desk, lowering his gaze.

“I know you’re very angry with me.”

“……”

“You might think it’s an excuse, but when I turn into a snake, there are times when I can’t control my body or mind well.”

His face, usually adorned with a smile, was now serious, and sincerity was felt. But it was also something unknown.

He was very good at acting, after all.

“I wasn’t feeling particularly well yesterday, and I thought I wanted to feel human warmth, so I guess I moved on my own.”

“……”
“Let me say again, I truly regret it.”

Nelia’s heart stirred for a moment at the desperate voice.

But a mistake does not mean one is free from guilt.

Even if she calms down later, it was outrageous to forgive in less than half a day.

“……I understand.”

The Duke momentarily showed a bright expression.

“Thank you, Nelia…….”

“But please wait until I calm down.”

When a condition was attached afterwards, the Duke once again wore a gloomy expression.

“Can you do that?”

“Yes…… I understand.”

Knock, knock.

“Duke, it’s about time you should go.”

With the knock, a man’s voice was heard. It was Duke Hart’s assistant. She had seen him a few times while working as a maid.

He used to go to the palace instead of Duke Hart to deliver tasks or convey messages.

“Nelia, I’ll be back.”

The Duke slowly rose from his seat.

Nelia simply nodded without saying anything. The Duke wore a weak smile and left.

Alone, Nelia felt rather comfortable.

Looking at the Duke who looked like a deflated puppy, she felt like she would soon utter comforting words.

‘It cannot be, it must not.’

Nelia reaffirmed her thoughts and resumed her work.

Work that had become familiar to her hands now felt quite enjoyable. Even if it was only very simple work.

So she focused on her work for a while.

Again, there was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?”

A baritone voice was heard from outside the door.

“I am Count Clint.”

Count Clint?

His visit was after a long time. But the Duke was not present at the moment.

Nelia got up from her seat and opened the door.

“Hello, Count Clint.”

“Nelia, it’s been a while.”

The Count showed his usual refreshing smile. Holding the doorknob, Nelia spoke with a confused expression.

“You came to see the Duke? What to do……. he is out at the moment.”

“Then it’s even better.”

Count Clint entered without hesitation. He was dressed casually today.

“Where has Duke Hart gone?”

“I think he went to the palace.”

She usually asked the Duke where he was going when he went out, but she didn’t ask today so she didn’t know.

When his assistant called him, he always went to the palace, so that’s just a guess.

“I suppose it’s about time he had to go to the palace. He won’t be able to use his foot as an excuse anymore.”

“Excuse……?”

The tone was strange. It was as if Duke Hart was feigning illness.

“……Ah. No, isn’t it thanks to his foot that he has been comfortable in the mansion these days? That’s what I’m talking about, haha.”

Count Clint laughed awkwardly. In contrast, Nelia’s eyebrows rose quite sharply.

Soon, an uncomfortable voice flowed out.

“The Duke was not comfortable. He had a hard time walking. Even though he recently removed the bandage, they said he might have sequelae because of damage to the nerves.”

Without realizing it, Nelia defended Duke Hart. And this story was also true.

For a moment, she felt like she had been too rude, but Count Clint was grinning.

“Nelia, you really think a lot about Duke Hart.”

“……I just told you the facts I felt and saw.”

Nelia spoke as if making an excuse.

“Yes, whatever you say.”

The maid who knew a guest had come brought tea.

Nelia poured tea with her clumsy skills.

She thought all she had to do was lift the teapot and pour it into the cup, but seeing Duke Hart pour tea elegantly made her feel selfconscious.

Moreover, because the Duke always took care of her, she never got used to pouring tea.
Nelia, feeling embarrassed, handed the teacup to Count Clint.

“Here.”

“Thank you.”

Count Clint received the teacup with a gentle smile and slowly sipped the tea.

As expected, his actions were filled with refinement. It seemed that the bloodline of a Duke’s household made a difference.

‘Come to think of it, if it’s the bloodline of the Duke’s household…’