Chapter 66

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 66

Chapter Title: A Lavish Dinner Surprise

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Thus, that evening.

Having unexpectedly ended up having dinner with the duke, the moment I stepped into the dining room, I let out a small gasp of admiration.

“Wow.”

The table was laden with so many dishes that I worried it might collapse, and every single one was something I loved.

Even the desserts prepped on a small tray in one corner of the dining room... and the decorative flowers were all to my taste.

Honestly, I'd still been a bit sulky from that whole 'revised room and board fee' business earlier, but I bit back the smile threatening to escape my lips.

'Well, since when have I ever had any backbone anyway?'

My gaze was stolen by the massive roasted pork leg in the center, and like a moth to a flame, I walked toward the table.

Only after taking my seat did I finally look at the duke.

“Wow, is today some special occasion? Is it my birthday or something?”

I grinned widely, not even bothering to hide my delight.

The power of all those perfectly tailored dishes wafting their irresistible aromas was tremendous.

'Did the head chef go all out? Or... Bonita's influence?'

I pegged Bonita as the prime suspect lately—she'd been paying me extra attention.

Whenever I was agonizing over pointless worries or staying up late, she'd stick by my side.

'Oh, and there's even pumpkin soup!'

The soup bowl set right in front of me as an appetizer was neatly filled with bright yellow pumpkin soup.

But.

Why did my face suddenly feel like it was stinging?

I cautiously lifted my head and spotted the duke still staring right at me.

...Meaning, from the moment I entered and sat down, he hadn't touched the food or said a word—he'd just been watching me.

'What... what does he want?'

As I eyed him intently with spoon in hand, I noticed something odd.

His face looked somewhat worried, or maybe angry.

Even that was hard to spot unless you looked closely; at a glance, he was expressionless.

That expression somehow...

“Um, excuse me.”

My foot started twitching under the table, so I set down my spoon and spoke up.

“Do you have something to say?”

“...Me?”

“Yep?”

Of course you do?

It's just the two of us here—did you think I was asking our ancestors up in heaven?

But instead of blurting that out, I flashed an awkward smile.

“Were you asking if I have something to say to you?”

“...So, do I need to have something to say?”

The issue should be with the one who stared first, but the duke was acting like I owed him words.

A displeased look was about to cross my face when—

“Ah...”

Something clicked.

Ahem. Clearing my throat, I stood from my chair and offered a polite bow.

“Uh... It's an honor to share such a splendid dinner with you, Your Grace.”

I hadn't bothered with little courtesies like that in ages, so it felt incredibly awkward.

But he just kept gazing at me steadily with that inscrutable expression.

“Splendid, you say...”

“......”

What was his problem now?

If he'd just tell me the right answer, it'd be so much easier.

I couldn't tell if the duke was speaking in that classic noble lady code or just beating around the bush like any highborn aristocrat.

Thankfully, though, he soon relaxed his stiff expression.

“Does 'splendid' mean it's to the princess's liking?”

“Y-Yes, of course! It's all exactly my taste. From the appetizers to the perfectly paired wine.”

Truth be told, the sight of the food had melted my mood from the start.

I swept my eyes over the mouthwatering spread once more and nodded at the duke.

Pfft.

Only then did a hint of a smile touch his face.

'What the heck, that's scary.'

His handsome smile was enchanting, but lately his moods had been swinging wildly, and it worried me more than ever.

What if... he was dealing with too much stress from work and it was messing with his head?

“But, Your Grace.”

“Hm?”

“How have you been feeling health-wise lately?”

I'd better avoid blunt terms like 'mental health' or 'your head' to be polite.

“Are you worried about me?”

“Yes, kind of...”

If Liam were sitting here instead of me right now, every priest in the capital might've been summoned to the duke's residence by nightfall.

Because the duke's lip had curled suspiciously the instant I asked.

“Y-You're really okay, right?”

“Yes, I'm fine. Nothing bothering me.”

I couldn't exactly contradict him there, so I nodded vaguely and changed the subject.

“Um... the steak's doneness seems perfect today.”

“I see. I consider doneness quite important for steak myself. They nailed it—perfectly even. How's the seasoning?”

“Good.”

“Seasoning is the core of any dish. The chef achieved exactly what they intended, with impeccable execution.”

As our brief chat wrapped up and the mood started to settle, the duke turned to me with a question.

“Anything new going on lately?”

“Ah, lately?”

Actually, there was one thing on my mind.

That same topic I'd vaguely brought up before.

“There's this talent I want to scout for the comic book business, but I'm not sure how to go about it.”

“Scout?”

“Ah, Baroness Pavron.”

I gave him a quick rundown of everything that had happened.

“...The problem is, I'm not sure if Baroness Pavron would come all the way to the duchy.”

“Why would Baroness Pavron need to come to the duchy?”

“Well, to make the comics...”

“From what the princess described, it doesn't sound like close collaboration is necessary.”

Oh, right?

It was an angle I hadn't considered.

For a story writer, not an illustrator who needed to collaborate hands-on, there was no need to be in the same space.

As various work arrangements from my old knowledge flashed through my mind, it felt like a lightbulb went off.

“Security would be the main concern, it seems.”

“Ah...!”

How had I not thought of this sooner?

I beamed and grabbed the freshly served dessert plate.

“Princess?”

“Dinner was absolutely delicious tonight. Oh, but I just remembered something urgent, so I'll head out first!”

The key to important tasks is acting on inspiration right away.

It was a shame to leave food behind, but oh well.

I gave the duke a quick nod and bolted from the dining room.

Oblivious to the fact that his gaze followed my back for a very, very long time.

My biggest worry had been housing for the baron and his wife.

If I recruited Baroness Pavron as a story writer, they'd have to relocate.

Given the kind baron's nature, he'd probably refuse out of guilt.

Plus, they'd be too far from Marchioness Embrose.

But, but!

'What if remote work is an option!?'

No reason it couldn't be.

So the morning after the idea hit me, I hopped on a teleportation circle and headed straight to the Pavron household.

...My motion sickness seemed to be getting worse, but that was a problem for later.

“I'm so glad you're feeling better, Baroness.”

“My word, Lady! Visiting me again like this. And this is...!”

Her face lit up at the sight of the new-design thermos, slated for next month's launch.

“What ever shall I do to thank you?”

Was it my imagination, or had her eyes been glued to that thermos since she spotted it?

Anyway.

I gazed warmly at her, now recovered enough to chat on the sofa instead of her sickbed.

“No need. I'm just relieved to see you so much better.”

“Marchioness Embrose helped me a great deal.”

We exchanged light chit-chat for a bit.

“So, what brings you all this way?”

Anyone could tell it wasn't just a sick visit.

I met her eyes squarely and got straight to the point, calm and steady.

“Please join the production of Safety Rules of the Haunted Duke's Castle, Madam.”