Chapter 3
Chapter 003.
A clerk kindly approached me as I lingered in front of the luxurious-looking cafe.
"We are closed today due to a full-day rental."
I was newly impressed by the fact that the entire cafe had been rented out.
As expected, the scale of the Dukedom is different.
"Ah, I was invited by the person who rented this place. I have an appointment here."
The clerk looked slightly flustered and asked cautiously.
"Excuse me, what is your name?"
"Merian Button."
"Do you have anything to verify your identity?"
She examined the student ID I presented with a very serious face.
The student ID was magically protected, making it impossible to forge.
After confirming, she bowed deeply.
"I will guide you."
I was the one who was embarrassed by the excessively polite treatment.
Nothing has been officially announced yet, but I'm being treated like a member of the Dukedom.
I passed through a corridor displaying expensive antique art and treasures, and the guide stopped in front of an antique door.
"This is the place."
When the door carved with red roses opened, I saw two people sitting in front of a purple crystal table.
Mom swept her bright red hair to the side, revealing her white, slender neck, and sat close to her companion.
She smiled at me.
"Come in."
The man with a dignified appearance slightly distanced himself from Mom as I entered.
Mom only wore a faint smile at his actions, without saying anything in particular.
'This is a bit surprising.'
She didn't like it when people were unnecessarily polite or changed their attitude because they were conscious of others.
It was quite strange that she was being so quiet even though the other person was distancing himself, conscious of me.
"I'm sorry that our first meeting is like this. I should have invited you to The Duke's Residence."
At the Duke's words that broke the silence, I finally came to my senses, grabbed the hem of my dress, and bowed my head in greeting.
"Nice to meet you, Your Grace. I am Merian Button."
"I am Decarus Miller. I told my son to escort the Lady, but it seems our paths crossed."
"Ah, no."
He put down the glass he was about to drink from and looked at me with a puzzled expression.
I replied politely.
"He is coming in the Macha now. I think he's almost here."
Duke Miller was silent for a moment before asking.
"Was the Macha not to your liking?"
"That's not it, but it's a two-seater Macha, and it's a bit cramped and difficult for four people to ride, so I said I would walk first. He must have had a hard time coming in the cramped Macha to be considerate of me."
"A two-seater?"
A strange look crossed the Duke's face again as he repeated the words.
He had clearly provided the Dukedom's Macha, which could easily accommodate six people, not four, so he looked puzzled as to why they ended up in a two-seater Macha.
Before I could explain further, someone burst open the door.
"Father!"
"Show some manners, Orion."
He flinched at the Duke's stern voice as he strode in.
Then, he turned his head and looked at me with an indescribable expression.
'He must have suffered a lot in the Macha.'
His hair was a mess, and his clothes were wrinkled.
The insignia on his shoulder was also slightly crooked.
I offered him an apology.
"I'm sorry. The Macha was so poor. I usually like to travel simply."
The Vice Duke, who boasted beauty despite his disheveled appearance, shook his head with a tired face at my words.
"It's not exactly the Lady's fault, as things got twisted due to the unscheduled visit."
Considering his appearance and the power he possessed, there was no reason for him to bow down to me, but he attributed the cause of the problem to himself.
Then, without mentioning it further, he slowly sat down.
As if all the right and wrong had been judged by this.
Once everyone was seated, the attendants placed plates of food in front of us.
Mom must have been hungry, as she ate elegantly without even introducing me.
It was the Duke who spoke up instead of her.
"I heard that you are already about to enter the Academy's senior class at the age of sixteen."
"There are many exceptionally talented friends among my classmates. I think it's thanks to those friends who led me well..."
"Not everyone becomes excellent just because their classmates are outstanding, so there's no need to be so humble."
The Duke nodded at Orion's words.
While the two of them were praising me, Mom picked up the remaining salad on her plate and put it in her mouth, adding a word.
"She seems to find that fun. Solving complex codes and reading books is just boring to me."
"Mom, you're not interested in that kind of thing."
Her and I had distinctly different areas of interest.
While I found joy in reading and solving complex problems, she liked art such as music and painting.
She was also knowledgeable about antique art and often interacted with conductors and composers.
'Of course, and then she falls in love again...'
Fighting as if the house would collapse, then reconciling or breaking up.
I quickly snapped out of my thoughts and began to slowly attack the food.
The dishes placed on the plate were all excellent, but they were not to my taste, as I was used to spicy food.
In addition, the awkwardness of this place further dampened my appetite, making me feel like I was chewing sand.
"It seems like it doesn't suit your taste."
"I'm just a little nervous."
The Duke, who seemed solemn and rigid, was surprisingly friendly.
He was a gentleman, but I would say he was less bound by formalities and rules than I had expected.
The Duke smiled and said.
"There's no need to be nervous."
"That's right. There's nothing to be nervous about. It's not your wedding."
Mom added from the side.
'Even so, you tend to get nervous when you meet the Duke of the Empire, Mom.'
I smiled silently and chewed and swallowed the food.
It was our first meeting, so everyone was clearly being cautious.
Mom was the only one who was enjoying the meal with satisfaction, savoring the taste in this situation.
In the end, I couldn't relax until the end of the meal, and I was still hungry when the last dessert came out.
"I think it's enough to have introduced each other today. There's no need to do too much at once. Let's create another opportunity to see each other next time."
"You don't have to do that."
In fact, I hoped they wouldn't.
My head was already complicated because the exam was coming up soon, so it would be better to finish everything that needed to be said while we met.
"Well, I'll discuss that with this person."
The Duke smiled, leaving room for my words, and glanced at Orion.
"I was going to order Orion to escort you to your home so that you could become more intimate."
The Duke stared at me and smiled faintly.
"But it seems like you wouldn't want that, so we should wrap things up here today."
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Grace."
I left Mom and the Duke to continue their conversation and left the room.
I gave a tip to the servant who escorted me outside and slowly walked home when I heard a hurried voice from behind.
When I turned around, I saw Orion approaching quickly.
I was puzzled, but I bent my knees slightly to the person who had followed me.
"Escorting me is fine."
I saw knights running frantically from behind.
Orion shook his head as if he was frustrated.
"That's not it..."
As he hesitated to speak again, I finally realized something and put my hand in my pocket.
I wondered why he couldn't speak easily.
Well, it would be embarrassing to bring it up first.
"Here."
I was thinking about getting some snacks on the way back, so I'm glad he told me early.
I took out the clinking coins from my pocket and handed them to him, and he looked blank.
He looked at the silver coin placed on his hand, then at me, and then back at the silver coin.
"The Macha rental fee. I forgot to give it to you since we rode together."
His mouth dropped open.
The knights who had caught up and were standing next to him covered their mouths.
"Dutch pay is important."
I don't have any siblings, but I'm glad I experienced Academy life.
A person who eats together and doesn't pay is not even human.
"That's not it..."
"Ah, did you come because the conversation we had earlier wasn't finished?"
"That's right. I'm talking about the story we were telling in the Macha earlier."
He nodded as if he finally understood.
I had also carefully considered the matter while eating, so it was easier to talk.
"I've been thinking about it."
"About what?"
"It would be better to have the contract notarized by the Magic Tower. A blood oath is also good, but these days, blood oaths tend to discolor over time, so everyone avoids them..."
"No!"
"Do you like blood oaths?"
"No!"
The two knights couldn't even lift their faces, trembling all over, bent over.
The Vice Duke sighed as he looked at me, like a shrimp, as if he had a disease.
"Lady."
"Yes."
"I think it would be good for the two of us to have a proper conversation sometime."
"Is that so?"
"I really think we need to talk."
I nodded obediently to him, who was speaking with a haggard face.
I didn't know what kind of conversation was needed between us, but it was easier to listen to what the other person was asking for in these situations.
"Yes, please contact me anytime."
He stared at me for a moment, then took something out of his arms and handed it to me, confirming that I would cooperate as much as possible.
It seemed to be a crystal ball for contact, but it was smaller and more brilliantly lit than what I usually saw.
"I will contact you later with this."
"Ah, yes."
He confirmed that I had it in my hand and slowly turned away from me with a faint look.
For some reason, his shoulders seemed to droop as he turned around.
I glanced at him and moved my steps, confirming that he had completely disappeared from my sight.
I took out the necklace from inside my clothes and opened the locket, and after a few buzzing sounds, a familiar voice was heard.
-What is it? At this hour.
A cracked voice as if he had just woken up made me feel happy.
I threw out the words, imagining the face with a frown.
"I'm hungry."
- So what.
"I'm outside and I don't have any money."
- How come.
"I spent it all on the Macha fare."
- Good job.
I laughed at the sarcastic voice.
The other person was silent for a moment, then asked with a sigh.
The low voice was now clear as if he had fully woken up.
-Where are you.
I am just grateful that he always grumbles but comes out.
I was quickly overcome with hunger because of the stormy day.
'I have to eat something delicious.'
I have to give myself that much of a reward for my hard work today.
