Chapter 54

I skimmed through the papers I’d snatched from his hands.

The contents were surprisingly organized and reasonable. Every expense was clearly calculated, showing exactly how much would go where.

A little excessive maybe, but considering the knights’ morale, there was no real reason not to approve it.

After finishing the review, I stretched my hand out again.

Meaning he should hand over the pen.

“Madam, the thing is…”

Sir Stephan, who’d been practically glowing with excitement a moment ago, suddenly froze.

Just like yesterday’s hopeless bureaucrat, he hadn’t brought a pen or ink.

They’d come all the way here lying in wait to ambush me for a signature, yet forgot the most important part?!

I was one second away from exploding when a quill was gently set on my palm.

The tip held exactly the right amount of ink. Perfect.

“…”

I met Baron Conte’s eyes as he offered a faint, eager smile.

A sight deeply harmful to my vision, but the combination of a perfectly prepared pen and that soft shuffle-shuffle sound of ink against the quill calmed the fire boiling inside me.

I guess I really did need at least one quick-witted attendant in my life.

“Where were you lazing around this whole time? From now on you stick to me like glue, got it?”

“Then… Madam, does this mean you’ll take me back?”

“Huh?”

“Uhhuhhk, I swear to the heavens! From now on, no matter what storms may come, I’ll be your loyal foot-wiping servant forever!!”

I hadn’t even scolded him that much, but Baron Conte threw himself at my leg, eyes shimmering with tears.

He didn’t let go even when I kicked at him.

And while that desperate man clung to me, the Duke watched in silence, his mouth curling in a very ominous way.

“So this is your taste in men…”

It’s not!!

* * *

Elicia decided to change her plans and stay in the camp one more day to deal with the mountain of pending paperwork.

Baron Conte, for once, stayed faithfully by her side.

If she frowned, he’d immediately toss a sweet dessert into her mouth. If she yawned, he’d appear with a gigantic cushion so she could lean back and rest comfortably. If she didn’t like something in the papers, he’d scold the knight who brought them.

And normally, knights would never quietly listen to a lower noble scolding them, but under the Duchess’s authority… well…

“Wait, no, this isn’t right.”

The baron had been smiling proudly, then suddenly shook his head hard.

Of course, being back on the winning side made him happy, but this wasn’t the same feeling as before.

His Madam wasn’t just a good master to cling to.

She was the one who’d taken him back without a word, even after he’d fled like a coward during the lawsuit incident. A true magnanimous saint of northern Lombard, someone worthy of real respect.

Ah, things were different now.

Baron Conte was finally serving her sincerely, wishing only for her happiness.

‘Huhu.’

Stroking his neatly groomed beard, he looked around.

The gate of the military camp was crowded with knights sending the Duke and Duchess off.

The Duke usually hated fuss, traveling with only a few attendants, so this crowd was clearly gathered for the Duchess.

Even those brutish knights are falling for Madam’s charm.

…Or so he thought, until a sudden doubt crossed his mind.

‘No matter how you see it, Madam’s a good person. Sure, her mouth is a bit… no, extremely sharp, but she’s not some heartless monster like the rumors say.’

And it looked like the knights felt the same.

Not just Sir Stephan, who practically clung to her saying he’d visit her soon. Even other knights were wearing confused expressions.

Is the rumor really true? That she’s awful? Because she sure doesn’t seem like it.

They all had the same face.

“Madam, when will you visit again? Tomorrow? The day after? Should I just come to where you are instead?”

“I’m never coming back! And don’t you dare come! F*ck, grinding people through paperwork all night like a threshing machine, I’d rather jump into hell than come here again!”

“Haha! Madam, I love you!”

The administrative knights who’d tasted proper efficiency for the first time in their lives had clearly lost their minds.

Though the truly dangerous one was the Duke, whose eyes gleamed sharply as he pinpointed the knight who’d shouted love at his Duchess.

‘And it seems the two of them aren’t on bad terms either.’

For some reason today, the Duke and Duchess got into the same carriage together.

So Baron Conte naturally got shooed off to the coachman’s seat, but honestly, he was happier that way.

Old habits die hard.

Even after swearing loyal, detached service, his eyes still wandered toward the juiciest opportunity.

* * *

Meanwhile, Nero sat on Elicia’s bed, grooming himself diligently.

“Meow.”

[Such fuss.]

“Meow meow meow!”

From the servants, he’d heard that Mom would return to the castle today.

Wanting to look extra cute and pretty for her, Nero cleaned every spot he usually ignored whenever grooming felt annoying.

His pitch-black fur gleamed like glossy silk.

As much as Elicia adored Nero, the servants also cherished him wholeheartedly.

Once, he’d wandered hungry on the streets, but now he lived with comfort beyond imagination, sharing one body with two different souls.

“Meow.”

[It’s hard to groom yourself because you got fat. Of course you did, you’ve been stuffing your face with every gourmet treat you find.]

“Meow!!”

[Shut it! While you were feasting, I starved! Damn Lombard bastard kept stopping me whenever I tried to eat properly…!]

No matter how much Morcathus grumbled, Nero just kept grooming himself.

Mom was coming home soon, and that was the only thing that mattered.

Yes, he was upset that she’d left him behind, and yes, he’d sulked for days. But right now, he just missed her touch.

He wanted her to pet him forever.

[…Wait.]

Morcathus’s pupils narrowed sharply.

His violet eyes reflected invisible waves in the air.

[An intruder.]

Nero, who’d been about to lick his butt, froze.

Morcathus continued.

[Someone dares to challenge me on my own territory.]

“Meow?”

[Good. Our tearful reunion will have to wait.]

By accepting the great demon Morcathus’s soul into his small body, Nero shared not only his mind, but also his heightened senses.

Someone dangerous had entered the territory where he and his mom lived.

He couldn’t sense it as clearly as Morcathus, but it was definitely a threat.

[Let’s go.]

Nero jumped down from the bed.

As he trotted across the luxurious room, the shadow of the little cat suddenly vanished into thin air.

* * *

We finally returned to our beloved home.

Without waiting for the staff to greet me, I marched straight up the stairs, patting my chest.

“Haah, I thought awkwardness would kill me.”

The Duke, who usually treated me like background furniture, insisted on riding back together because he had to return to the castle anyway.

That part? Fine. It was a Lombard carriage, after all.

I almost got myself a carriage under my own name, but money was money, so I dropped it.

‘Eli, are you alright?!’

Anyway, on the way home, the carriage wheel hit a huge rock.

I flew up, almost smacked into the ceiling, when the Duke suddenly grabbed me, pulled me into his arms, and shielded my head with his hand.

It all happened in a blink.

‘T-thank you. You saved me.’

‘Are you hurt anywhere? Your wrist looked strained for a moment.’

‘I’m fine. I’m more worried about you…’

‘Master! Madam! Are you unharmed?!’

At least we didn’t crash.

But the coachman saw us practically glued together. And behind him, Baron Conte was peeking, smirking like he’d just witnessed the scandal of the century.

‘Thank the heavens something came up for the Duke.’

Right before reaching the castle, he suddenly claimed he’d forgotten something back at the camp and jumped off the carriage.

Whether it was true or if he just felt awkward, I had no idea, but thank goodness he left.

I’d been dying the whole ride, cheeks burning like fire.

‘Focus.’

I still had nightmares of the past.

I’d wake up screaming, clutching Nero while silent tears fell.

This Duke felt different from the Edwin of long ago. Sometimes… the hatred felt faint.

But even so…

“Madam! Madam!”

Lost in thought, I looked up when thunderous footsteps echoed ahead.

Berry came charging like a brown bear, which was startling enough, but the real shock was her scream right after.

“It’s terrible, Madam! Nero, Nero’s gone missing!!”