The comic book publishing business was going smoothly.
The blackout curtain business, which was conducted by Mrs. Linney, has now settled down into a factory system, which has rendered its personal supervision unnecessary for me.
Likewise, the cup and thermos works with the Mage Tower, using Bartanium, were going without any problem.
At first glance, everything seemed fine.
but.
But why did I feel so frustrated?!
“Waaah!!!”
Even burying my face in bed and screaming didn't relieve my completely blocked feeling.
I, who used to find the greatest pleasure in not leaving my room even with one foot!
Me, who was perfectly content to spend the whole day lounging in bed trying new types of sweets!
Why was I now staring endlessly at a closed door?
Of course, I've spent some time thinking about why that is.
Anyway, I had a lot of time to waste these days.
And so, I came to a conclusion.
“I must be a very responsible person.”
Not being able to get the work done I was responsible for was driving me crazy.
In the past and even now, my constant juggling of various tasks and voluntary work as a workaholic is evidence of this.
“Of course, it's not all bad…”
At least, my body was definitely recovering, as if that's what it needed all along.
Day by day, my shoulders, which felt as if they were weighed down by a ghost, became lighter.
The problem was that, psychologically, I felt like I was constantly being stalked.
What if all the work I've been putting off suddenly piles up and collapses on me?
I wanted to open the door forcefully and rush out at this very moment, but I couldn't.
Because just a few days ago, I succumbed to my impatience and tried to sneak out – running straight into Ian, who was standing guard outside my door.
With an unusually stern face, Ian blocked my path.
“Escape is not an option.”
“Oh, no, I was just going for a walk...?”
“Your personal maid is currently absent. Please wait.”
“Even though it's just a normal walk!?”
I still can't forget the intense look that pierced me at that moment.
Lo and behold, he had once asked to work part-time, and now he was standing guard outside my room at all times – it was very strange.
He extended his working hours, but that certainly didn't mean he was working 24/7. How is this possible?!
Did he leave his primary job?
Then again…given that Ian had lost a friend of his in a similar situation, perhaps I was unintentionally triggering his trauma.
Well, let's assume that's the case.
Anyway, these days, everyone, including Bonita, treated me like I was a fragile piece of tofu that could fall apart at any moment.
But I couldn't stay like this forever.
“Sigh...”
I was now in a situation where I had to wait for Bonita just to get some fresh air.
But since I knew that this “restriction” stemmed from a feeling of anxiety…
I decided to stay in my room a little longer.
“Be patient!”
.
.
.
That's what I thought - just an hour ago.
“So, do you like the smell of tea?”
Why did my quiet walk turn into a tea session with the Duke?
“Yes, of course...”
I smiled awkwardly and swallowed the warm tea.
Bonita finally came back after what seemed like an eternity, and it was nice to leave the room together.
But the moment we took just a few steps, we encountered the Grand Duke near the hall.
“I see you went out for a walk.”
Before I could say a word, he spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment, and then immediately extended his arm, offering to accompany me.
And Bonita, who usually stuck to me like glue, just—
"Oh ho ho! Have a good time!"
-He gave me up to the Grand Duke.
Thus began the arduous journey. But why did this horrific outing turn into an uncomfortable tea session as well?
...There's a lot to explain, but first, it was because of my slip of the tongue.
“I was re-reading some of our old letters, and suddenly an idea came to me – why don’t we hire Golbru mercenaries again for the next castle wall construction project in the Grand Duchy?”
“…I don’t remember discussing the castle wall construction project with the princess. How did you know about that?”
“Oh, I heard the assistants talking about that casually. It got me thinking.”
I answered without thinking deeply, but the Grand Duke’s expression turned… strange. As if he was upset.
“...Ha. The princess seems unable to get work off her mind. You are dedicated to work, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
“In that case, why don't we have a proper discussion about it?”
“Wait, what?!”
And so, suddenly I found myself invited to a tea meeting by the Grand Duke who looked a little displeased. To alleviate the awkward situation, I tried to speak again.
“Hmm, but you said we’d talk about work…?”
“Drink tea first.”
“Yes sir.”
When your employer issues an order, you must implement it.
I picked up the teacup I had just set down and took another sip to soothe my sore throat.
...huh? This tea is actually very good.
“This tea smells absolutely amazing. Is it a product you import or distribute regularly?”
"It was a gift. Supposedly excellent for recovering from exhaustion."
“Oh, I see...”
There was silence after my words.
Because I had nothing to say, I glanced at the Grand Duke's face.
“He seems a little less upset than he was before.”
But somehow, starting a conversation now is even harder.
Also, I thought his skin had improved since installing the blackout curtains, but…
Why does it look like that?
The dark circles around his eyes had deepened noticeably since the last time I saw him.
His skin was rough, like someone who hadn't slept for days, and his pupils were slightly unfocused.
The sheer exhaustion was evident on his face...it reminded me of an office worker who works endless overtime during the day and works a second job delivering packages at night.
Is he exhausting himself with work?
According to aides, the Grand Duke was a tireless workaholic.
I never saw him rest either.
He only left his office to eat or to head to battle during a wave of monsters.
“Hmm… are you okay?”
"What do you mean?"
“You don't look so good...”
“I'm just a little tired. Nothing.”
Maybe it wasn't me who needed the rest, it was him.
While I was seriously considering this, the timing couldn't have been better – dessert arrived.
"amazing."
Even before the tray was fully set, a rich, sweet scent wafted through the air and made my mouth water.
The actual dessert was more tempting. The elegant vanilla pie, studded with tiny dots of vanilla beans, looked so delicious that it was impossible not to salivate.
"Help yourself."
"Yes!"
At the Grand Duke's request, I quickly began eating my portion with a fork. The texture was perfect, and it melted in my mouth – a taste I will never forget.
“It's… amazing.”
I was so immersed in the sweets that I momentarily forgot all the embarrassment. Then the Grand Duke spoke.
They said it would suit the princess's taste.
"Huh? My taste?"
Who said that?
I raised my head and looked across the table. The Grand Duke, who had not even touched his tea or his sweets, was watching me intently.
"They analyzed the desserts you ordered more than twice to determine your preferences. The result is the vanilla flan you are eating now."
As I was listening, I quickly noticed something strange.
“Thank you... but, um... why are you analyzing my taste in sweets?”
“To take better care of you.”
“…but why?”
I was just a guest. No, I wasn't even a guest, I was more like an inmate.
Either way, for the Grand Duke to go so far as to analyze my sweet preferences… absolutely defies my understanding of common sense.
“Besides, you even reduced my accommodation fees because I was sick and using less services.”
Was that yesterday?
Liam brought me an invoice with a note stating that the monthly accommodation fee had been reduced by 40%.
"The Princess has been ill and using fewer services. His Highness the Grand Duke has ordered a temporary reduction in accommodation costs, as he suspects that inadequate home care may be a contributing factor to the illness."
Thinking about the whole situation, his kindness seemed even more strange.
This was the Grand Duke – someone who was supposed to treat me
Coldly and indifferently.
The Grand Duke, who was supposed to be busy exploiting me as much as possible - why was he so generous?
As I sat there, my expression growing more puzzled, the Grand Duke watched me silently before finally speaking.
“Is this a problem?”
His question surprised me.
His face showed that he was someone who didn't really understand the matter.
“It's not a problem, but... why all the trouble?”
“…Because I care about you.”
His serious countenance and frank answer left me completely speechless.