# 18
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The sight of him smiling was strange and surprising. I blinked, but suddenly the Duke asked:
“So what about you?”
"Yes?"
“So far, you've only talked about other people, I'm asking what you want to do.”
I was surprised by the unexpected question.
'I? What do I want to do?
Has anyone asked me this before?
Up until now, the only person who cared about my future was me.
“Well, I… I want to be by Diana’s side and serve her….”
I stopped talking without thinking.
I don't know much, but I have heard that it is a great honor for a servant to serve his master cloy.
Not only will he get a job as a maid, but I will also get honor and rights.
Being an orphan, this may not be the position I hope for.
then.
“I think I heard from Countess Marietta that you have mana.”
While I was hesitating, the Duke tried his luck first.
“The chief mage told the duke that your mana is very pure and abundant, and thanks to this, the effect of the healing magic seems to be better.”
From his words, I finally realized why the scars on my body disappeared when I took off my clothes to wash.
I would go back and ask the Duchess.
“When you are a child, you may not understand, but having mana means having endless possibilities. It is a waste to work as a servant. In particular, your conditions are better.”
“But it is difficult to manage this on your own, you will need help.”
I knew immediately what the Duke was going to tell me.
“There are many skilled witches in the duchy, you can become a witch if you want, or you can study something else, because I will support you.”
At that moment, I felt as if I could understand a little of the actions of the Duke and Duchess, the meaning of which I had never been able to understand before.
'Did the Duke bring me here to support me from the beginning?'
However, although it was not common for commoners to be 'born with mana', it was not a rare thing in itf.
This is because it was rare only among commoners, but not common among nobles.
‘If you were to have the support of a great noble like the Duke, it would be difficult for the nobles as well.’
As I continued to think about finding the cause, I felt like my head was spinning.
“Well, what happens if I refuse? Will I go to the orphanage like the other kids?”
"What?"
“Here...I just want to work as a maid.”
In the midst of the confusion, I finally opened my mouth to speak, and the Duke gave me an expression that he could not understand.
At first glance, it seemed like disappointment had crossed my mind.
'Maybe you think I'm young and might take some chances.'
But I also know.
How many undeserved offers do I reject now?
But I had no choice but to refuse.
‘Having the support of a noble also means submitting to that family.’
The real purpose of aristocratic patronage was to create talented people active in various spheres of society, such as artists, politicians, and lawyers, and to gain their loyalty by sending them to academies or receiving other education.
‘Of course, being part of the Duke’s family is a fortune that will never come again….’
It goes against my plan to leave here one day and live freely.
I no longer want to have deep relationships with others.
I was also afraid that I would foolishly give away my heart and be betrayed.
Above all, the biggest reason for joining the Duchy in the first place was to regain Jacques' position.
'Of course, since I was little, I was planning to take care of everything while preparing to stand on my own...'
However, I couldn't get care now.
“I can take good care of Diana, no, miss! “I can serve meals, make the bed, and read books.”
“I'm also good at cleaning, I did it every day at the orphanage!”
Cleaning, disinfection, washing. …
I pleaded so hard that I could do anything if you gave it to me.
Duke Elad, who had been listening to me expressionlessly for a while, spoke up after a while.
“For now, just do what you want.”
The answer seemed a bit embarrassing, but anyway, since I had achieved what I wanted, I bowed and headed out.
Maybe because I was nervous, my body faltered.
I was so anxious that I walked without looking straight ahead, and quickly fell to the ground with a hard crash.
When I raised my head and looked up, I saw Allen standing there with a sad expression on his face.
“Ah—sorry! Young Mr. ...No, sir?”
Now that I have decided to become a maid working in this house, I must change my title.
When I returned, I thought I should call Diana “Miss,” but Allen asked with a frown.
“Why did you come here?”
"Yes?"
“This is my father’s office, so why did you come here?”
As I gaped, he gave me a startled look.
“It is not enough to take Diana and my mother. …!”
Allen, who had roughly grabbed my shoulder while shouting like that, was startled for some reason and hurriedly withdrew his hand.
I was surprised by his reaction, and I looked to see why he was doing this, and I saw that he was looking at my hand, his face distorted, as if he was in pain from my touching him.
“What skinny bones these are. ….”
Allen, who had been looking me up and down, suddenly shouted.
“Anyway, even though Diana is kind to you, I won’t let you go if you continue to harass me without knowing your situation, do you understand?”
That was the moment I nodded that I understood.
A loud stomach growling sound echoed through the hallway.
Embarrassment spread across Allen's expression, and my face widened as well.
Deep down, I thought of Allen as Diana's second son, but what a disgrace!
* * *
It had already been a few days since I had felt embarrassed by Allen.
But I still feel ashamed when I remember that day.
“I wish you would pretend not to notice.”
Allen, who was still a young man, was not at all a gentleman who could give such consideration.
On the contrary, he was so embarrassed that even if I ignored the Duke, he shouted at me and tried to drag me into the restaurant by force.
If I hadn't woken up and met Diana and the Duchess who were looking for me, I would have been tortured with food.
“Then I had vomited and lay down sick again.”
No matter how much you hate me, you are so evil!
I trembled with fear, blaming myf for seeing Alan so young.
“What's wrong with Nona?”
“Yes? Oh, nothing...”
Anna, who was casually responding to Diana's words, quickly shook my head.
“Miss, I told you that you shouldn’t call me Noona.”
“Hmm?”
“Please call me Leah now, Miss.”
“Noona, this is impossible!”
Diana completely ignored what I said and waved the chocolate chip cookie in front of me in an easy manner.
I narrowed my eyes at this sight.
'Did you pretend not to understand on purpose? 'No impossible.'
I felt a little uncomfortable, but I was drawn to the chocolate cake that kept drawing my eyes and opening my mouth.
As I took a bite of the large chocolate-covered cake, a sweet aroma filled my mouth.
'Wow, it tastes delicious!'
Even without looking, I felt my facial expression soften.
Within a few days, I had become completely accustomed to life in the duchy.
The clothes are clean, the room is warm, and the bed is soft.
The food served three times a day was delicious and plentiful.
'Even sweets like this!'
In particular, being able to shower in a large bathtub with always running hot water has been the greatest luxury of my life.
He had drawn a line saying that one day he would leave Duke Elade and Diana's side, but he had completely forgotten the discomfort he felt and had completely adjusted to comfort.
I quickly swallowed the cake and said:
“Miss, it's time to take a nap.”
“Great, and Noona too...”
Diana, with eyes full of sleep, guided me, brushed her teeth, and lay on the bed obediently.
Diana looked like a princess on a bed with a fluttering pink canopy.
Diana quickly fell asleep after holding the cute teddy bear in her arms and patting it lightly.
After a while, after I was sure that the child was completely asleep, I went out quietly.
I usually don't leave Diana's side much, but today...
'Because it's Jack's next day!'
I had received word from the Duchess in advance, and had even obtained permission for the interview.
“I am very happy.”
Although I acted differently than in my previous life because I wanted to undo my mistakes, I had no desire to manipulate other people's lives as I wanted to.
I was very lucky that Jack was able to live his authentic life in his original place.
More than anything, the last time I saw Jack he looked like he was out of his mind, so I wanted to quickly see him healthy.
Maybe because I was in a hurry, my steps became faster.
But as I walked down the stairs and out, I backed up and stopped in my tracks.
“Hello, mister!”
I almost bumped into Allen again.
I sighed in relief and raised my head, and Allen looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"Why are you walking around alone? What about Diana?"
“Young Miss, it's nap time, so please take a nap.”
“Then what about you?”
I tilted my head at Allen's raspy voice.
Normally, Diana wasn't able to be separated from me, so it seemed that she was unhappy with me being forced to have tea and eat together, but this time, I think she was unhappy with not being with me.
“Today, I was on my way to meet a friend who came to the duchy.”
"friend?"
“Yes, ah, but I got permission...”
As I moved my fingers out of curiosity, Allen, who had been staring at me, suddenly raised his hand without warning.
At that moment, I was startled, so I squatted down and raised my arms above my head.
It was a movement close to instinct, as if etched into the bones.
Then, Elaine, who had become calm, said belatedly: “Excuse me,” and carefully lowered my arm….
"What are you doing now?"
I made eye contact with Allen, whose face was horribly distorted.