TGDHC Chapter 64

Chapter 64 – A Tiring Meeting 

“Is it true that… the two of them haven’t even spent their first night together?”

At Cecilia’s question, Perel’s ears turned bright red.

“Well, I… I don’t really know about that…”

He actually did know, but he couldn’t possibly talk about such things with an unmarried maid.

Seeing his reaction, Cecilia’s expression hardened as if she had gotten her answer.

“Oh my, that’s worse than I thought. Don’t tell me there’s something wrong with the Grand Duke?”

“Wrong? What do you mean?”

“Like… maybe he can’t perform as a man…”

“W-What are you saying?!”

Perel’s eyes widened in shock, almost gasping for breath.

He quickly looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then whispered sharply at Cecilia.

“You mustn’t say such disloyal things about the Grand Duke’s… heir. Do you not realize that just saying such a thing could be considered treason?”

“It’s just the two of us, so who cares?”

Cecilia rolled her eyes like he was overreacting.

‘The two of us? When did we become so close?!’

Sure, they both served their masters, but Perel definitely did not want to be lumped together with such a free-spirited maid.

“Anyway, are you sure it’s not true?”

“It’s not true!”

Perel cut her off firmly.

No matter how difficult his lord might be sometimes, he couldn’t let such misunderstandings spread.

This was a matter of pride—not just for his master, but as a man.

As he saw Cecilia still looking suspicious, Perel let out a silent sigh.

There was no helping it.

At that time, the issue between the couple wasn’t just about their first night.

Just the fact that the Grand Duke hadn’t sent the Grand Duchess away was a relief.

Though honestly, even now, they hadn’t really made much progress…

“The Grand Duke is doing his best.”

Perel, who had been trying his best to give relationship advice, felt a little defensive.

“He takes such good care of the Grand Duchess behind the scenes.”

From Perel’s point of view, it was only a matter of time.

The Grand Duke looked at the Grand Duchess completely differently from how he looked at anyone else.

He hadn’t given her flowers, but he opened up the greenhouse he had kept locked for years, just because she asked.

And not long ago, when she said she wanted to see the lake, he broke the lock and woke the court mage just to make it happen.

‘Anyway, they even had their first date successfully.’

“That’s not enough! Do you know how bad the mood was when they went outside the castle recently? The Grand Duchess didn’t show it, but she was clearly very upset.”

“…Really?”

Perel’s expression softened with concern.

Although public opinion was slowly changing in favor of the Grand Duchess, many people were still not welcoming toward her.

“What if the Grand Duchess suddenly says she can’t live here anymore and leaves? The Grand Duke needs to show his affection clearly so she can feel more at home here.”

She wasn’t wrong…

‘But getting involved with this maid feels like it’ll only make things messier.’

While Perel hesitated, Cecilia crossed her arms and gave him a sharp look, making him lower his eyes and speak quietly.

“Well… maybe you should talk to Lord Norton about this. He serves both the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess, and he’s your brother…”

“He already rejected me.”

“…What?”

Cecilia frowned and replied.

“He told me not to waste my time on useless things.”

‘As expected of Lord Norton—so wise.’

“Then maybe you should follow Lord Norton’s advice—”

“Perel, it would be smarter for you to help me.”

Cecilia’s eyes sparkled coldly.

“If the Grand Duchess leaves the castle, whose life do you think will become the most difficult?”

“Th-That’s…”

Perel imagined the situation, and his face turned gloomy.

“…What should I do to help?”

***

It was a clear spring day.

Just days ago, the lakeside had echoed with children’s laughter, but now it was quiet, filled only with the soft clinking of teacups.

Today’s tea party guests were the noble ladies of the northern houses.

They sat with their backs straight, looking very formal.

Rumors had started spreading that the Grand Duchess, despite having lived in the castle for a while, hadn’t invited them yet—suggesting she was disrespecting the North.

‘Thankfully, Cecilia warned me early, so I was able to send out invitations before things got worse.’

Still, the noblewomen remained stiff and cold, acting like they weren’t willing to bow to a young noblewoman from the capital.

As I nervously tried to read the room, someone finally broke the silence.

“I’ve heard so many stories about the Grand Duchess’s tea parties. I’m glad to finally attend one.”

It was the Marchioness of Territo, the mother of the Norton siblings. She was clearly trying to support me, as her children served me.

She added that the Grand Duchess’s tea set arrangements have been very popular among young ladies lately.

Some of the older noblewomen, seeing her lead, began to join in.

“Apparently, it’s considered outdated now to serve tea buffet-style.”

I had worried that older ladies would prefer the traditional buffet, but Cecilia insisted that older noblewomen were even more obsessed with trends—so we served individual tea sets instead.

I was glad I followed her advice.

“Your Grace, if it’s not rude to ask, where did you have your dress made? Was it in the capital?”

One of the younger noblewomen finally asked, thinking the atmosphere had lightened a bit.

“No, it was made in Kouter.”

That answer surprised a few of the ladies.

“Kouter? Then your dress is from Blenheim?”

“Did you follow the latest capital trends?”

“No, all the designs were by the dressmaker herself.”

The source of my dress seemed so shocking that even the quiet noblewomen began joining the conversation.

Apparently, because there were fewer dress shops in the North, noblewomen often competed to get good dresses.

When one mentioned ordering from Rondoris, others nodded in agreement.

“In the end, you have to go to Rondoris if you want something nice.”

I frowned without realizing it.

How could they say that in front of the Grand Duchess of Blenheim?

The Grand Duke was working so hard to host a delegation…

“Is Rondoris really that beautiful?”

I meant it as a subtle criticism, but they must have taken it as curiosity.

One lady began praising the scenery of Rondoris, and others eagerly joined in.

‘Ugh, don’t they realize how insensitive they’re being?’

“I mean, Blenheim is far more beautiful, especially with its untouched nature.”

Just as I was about to speak up, the Marchioness of Territo jumped in at the perfect moment.

“Even that famous Minaret Lake isn’t as impressive as ours.”

One of the officials’ wives agreed, and the other ladies nodded.

It seemed they were quite fond of Valpide Lake’s scenery.

‘Is that so?’

I glanced at the lake.

Surrounded by the northern mountains, it truly was beautiful.

If connected well with Goldrein, this place could become a tourist spot—offering both nature and shopping.

‘Though there’s still a long way to go.’

“Goldrein feels a bit down these days, doesn’t it?”

When I said that, the ladies quickly glanced to the side.

Their eyes landed on a richly dressed woman sparkling with jewelry under the sunlight.

She was the wife of Baron Gelfry, who had gotten a seat at the tea party thanks to her husband, the head of the merchant guild.

Her red lips moved.

“Goldrein is full of high-end shops. Commoners can’t easily shop there, so you probably felt that way.”

Her rude tone made a few noblewomen frown, but no one spoke against her.

‘So the merchant guild really does have that much influence…’

Her bold response made my head ache.

The real reason for Goldrein’s downturn was things like interference with inn businesses.

“Well, many people I know prefer buying directly from Rondoris merchants instead of shopping in Goldrein.”

The Marchioness of Territo said firmly.

“Goldrein shops are just too expensive.”

“Yes, I actually had a bad experience recently…”

Now that the conversation had opened up, a few ladies began sharing complaints about overpriced goods or delayed deliveries from Goldrein.

“Isn’t that because the merchants have to pay high fees to the guild?”

One lady subtly aimed a criticism, and Gelfry’s wife’s face twitched with displeasure.

“Are you saying it’s the guild’s fault—!”

Just as her voice rose in irritation—

“So, Your Grace, how do you find spring in Blenheim? It would already feel like early summer in the capital.”

Countess Avoir, who had been quiet until now, gracefully interrupted the conversation.