Chapter 50
At the mention of a confidentiality contract, Marie became nervous. If a mere maid was being made to sign such a contract, it meant the words she had let slip were that dangerous.
“Truly, I apologize, Master… I just didn’t want Miss Sia to be ostracized by us anymore… I spoke out of turn. I wasn’t thinking.”
Seeing Marie’s genuine apology, Nox was momentarily at a loss for words. Even though they both had black hair, Sia and he were so different.
Well, Sia was gentle with everyone, unlike his own blunt self.
But still, he wished others would stop noticing her charms. He wanted her to only look at him, but more and more people kept being drawn to her.
“Master, what should we do about the other maids who were there at the time?”
“Hm…”
At this point, since the words had already spread, trying to cover it up would only make things stranger. He really didn’t want to resort to this kind of method, but…
“Marie, I’ll have to ask you to do one more thing. Whatever you need, I’ll support you…”
“Yes, Master.”
Marie swallowed hard, wondering what order she’d receive, and stared at the duke. To look directly at someone with black hair was something she could never have done before.
But she’d learned through Sia—and, really, through the duke as well—that people with black hair could be extremely kind. The fact that he didn’t dismiss her now for such a big mistake showed how gentle the duke’s character was.
“I’d like you to spread a rumor that you’ve become unlucky.”
“…Pardon?”
Marie was quite taken aback by Nox’s next words.
“Master!”
Cedric, too, raised his voice in shock, but Nox didn’t care. He’d never realized how convenient the superstition about ‘bad luck’ from being close to black-haired people could be.
After reviewing the details Cedric had given him about Marie, Nox spoke again.
“Tell your colleagues that after making eye contact with Sia, misfortune befell you. Say you were kicked out of the house you’re living in now. I’ll find somewhere else for you and your little brother to stay for the time being.”
“…Yes, understood.”
“Not just that. Spread rumors that you lost money, or that other small bad things have happened. Just make it sound like a string of unfortunate events.”
“Yes…”
Marie didn’t quite understand. Why was the duke smiling so brightly? Did he not mind the superstition about misfortune from black hair?
* * *
Nox returned to the room later than expected. Sia, who had been quietly waiting, stood up as the door opened.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Sia.”
“No, it’s fine…”
Cedric followed Nox in, pushing a trolley laden with desserts, more extravagant than usual.
“Wow, it’s even more lavish today.”
“Haha, please think of it as the result of urging the patissier a bit.”
Cedric replied courteously and set the desserts on the table. When Sia tried to help, Nox—who had come up beside her before she knew it—gently took her hand.
“Huh?”
“You’re injured, aren’t you? Just stay seated.”
“…It’s really not that bad.”
“The master is right, Miss. You shouldn’t ignore even a small wound. What if it leaves a scar?”
With Cedric chiming in, Sia was left speechless. But it didn’t feel bad. In fact, she rather liked it.
Being treated like a princess like this was something she’d never experienced at home. Strangely, it made her heart flutter.
After pouring black tea into a teacup, Cedric bowed deeply and left the room.
“You must have been startled. Calm your nerves with some warm tea.”
“Yes…”
He was always kind, but today he was even more so. Like the desserts before her, his actions were so sweet that her heart pounded in a strange way.
As he sipped tea with her, Nox set his teacup down without a sound and quietly spoke.
“From now on, you don’t need to attend to me, Sia.”
“…What?”
Wait, wasn’t that conversation finished earlier? Why bring it up again?
Startled, Sia set down her teacup and turned to him, only for a shortcake—precisely, a forkful—suddenly to be held out to her.
The cake, wafting its sweet aroma, tempted her, and Sia reflexively opened her mouth, savoring the sweetness of the cream that filled it. She took in Nox’s face, so close as he gently fed her. Before she knew it, she’d gotten used to him feeding her like this.
“Still, it would feel empty without you, so just stay by my side. That’s enough for me.”
“No…”
Sia tried to reply after swallowing, but this time a blueberry pie was offered, stopping her mouth again.
“Eat plenty and regain your strength. That’s all I want from you.”
‘No, seriously, I’m not that weak, you know?’
The princess treatment was nice, but being treated like a child annoyed Sia, and she stuck out her lips in a pout. Cream was left on the edge of her mouth. Nox casually wiped it away with his fingertip and put it in his own mouth.
“Hmm, sweet.”
Pop. Sia felt her face heat up again, turning red as if it were about to burst.
Discussion
1 CommentReactions
Er_amaral26@