Ex-excuse me, Sir?
Turning your gaze away like that wouldn’t solve anything.
“Are you really telling me to move into the Duke’s mansion today?”
“First and foremost, all you have to do is bring what you’ll need right away from home and move into the Duke’s residence, and I’ll take care of the rest. We will also start planning the engagement ceremony as soon as feasible. So no one will dare to disdain your honor.”
Caleb stated it as if he’d already made up his mind and wouldn’t reconsider his decision.
I couldn’t say anything and simply let my mouth hang open as I heard him say that.
It was after twitching my lips a few times that I managed to find something to say.
“I truly think moving into the Duke’s residence today was a bad decision. Moreover, besides preparing my stuff, don’t you think you will have to prepare a room for me to stay first, Duke?”
“Although it is shabby, there are lots of rooms available for you to stay in right away.”
There’s no way a room at a Duke’s residence would be shabby. Even though I’ve never been there before.
“While you are staying in another room, I will have the maid tidy and decorate the other rooms for the time being.”
I could sense the urgency in Caleb’s statements no matter how I heard them.
However, no matter how many times I thought about it, moving in so soon was not the wisest choice.
“However, Duke, I don’t suppose the maids would take long to prepare the room. Moreover, I have an escort knight assigned by Count Van Der at home. So, how about we wait a few days……”
“Elena.”
Caleb interrupted my thoughts before I could finish them.
He put his large hands over each of my cheeks. His face, which had been little away before, suddenly got closer once more.
Then his forehead lightly touched mine.
It happened as I was blinking in surprise at the unexpected touch.
“I… I am afraid that I might lose you in those few days.”
His hand, typical of a calloused knight’s hand, touched my earlobe softly.
His hand was clearly rough, yet the touch that swept across my earlobe was warm and gentle. And at that very moment, I could hear his voice, gentle as the touch.
“I also don’t want to leave you to be protected by someone else. So, could you please ease my fears?”
His desperate expression, just in front of my nose, overwhelmed my sight.
Oh my goodness.
If he looked at me with that gaze, there was no way I could say no!
“Yes, I will,”
Right.
There’s no way I could say no to him.
I can’t help myself.
His face was already a cheat, more when he said those remarks with a pitiable expression.
Inside, I apologized to the Duke’s household servants.
Since it was obvious, they would have a hard time preparing a room for me to stay in.
* * * * *
It was a spur of the moment decision, but I dropped by the house to pack my belongings before heading to the Duke’s residence.
I just packed a few things, including the nightgown I’ll be wearing tonight, the outfit I’ll be wearing tomorrow, and a script play I normally read.
I considered bringing the letter birds, but decided against it because it wasn’t necessary.
And, moreover, I can always ask the servants to deliver them to me later.
I claimed I’d pack simply, with only a few things I’d need, but the luggage was pretty hefty.
So I whimpered my way out with the luggage. But as soon as Caleb spotted me, he seized the luggage from my grasp.
“Duke, I can……”
“Doesn’t it feel heavy?”
Caleb took up my luggage with ease as he stated that.
I could sense the difference in strength between Caleb and me as we walked towards the carriage.
‘I could barely carry it.’
I suddenly had a sensation of déjà vu.
Although, at that time it wasn’t Caleb who carried the luggage for me, but Rayl.
‘I wonder how everyone is doing.’
I remembered the people from the theater as I got into the carriage.
I last saw them when the play “Song About Love” was being reenacted, so it’s been a few months.
‘Previously, I had planned to return to the theater around this time.’
The idea had become a little hazy at this point. Because I moved into the Duke’s residence and there were people after me.
The plan that had previously lingered in my head reappeared.
‘I need to discuss this with Caleb.’
Before I knew it, I turned my gaze to Caleb, who was sitting across me, and opened my lips.
“Duke, I have something to tell you.”
“Please say it, Elena.”
Caleb’s permission was immediately given. However, I hesitated and was unable to say it.
Even though I was aware, Caleb will not misinterpret or belittle my decision to become an actor.
I could hardly speak it after opening and closing my lips several times.
“I’d like to work in the theater again. But, because I’ll be living at the Duke’s residence, I’m wondering if……”
“I’ll send a carriage and a coachman to take you to the theater and back. And today, I’ll assign some of our family’s knights to escort you to the theater, so you may take them with you everywhere you go.”
As predicted, that is the only way……
As it was an expected answer, I didn’t feel disappointed or anything.
However, something sparked my curiosity.
What did he mean when he said “some” of his family’s knights?
“May I inquire, Duke, how many knights you intend to bestow on me?”
“I’m thinking of sending ten people to serve as your escort.”
“T-ten people?”
“Please let me know if you think it’s lacking. I’ll add more. No! No way, Duke! I don’t believe it’s lacking in any way! Rather…… I believe two people are sufficient. Duke, don’t you think so?”
That seemed like a considerable concession to me.
It was just recently that Dame Rutger became my escort knight, and I somehow became accustomed to having someone next to me. But ten people was simply too many.
‘There were around thirty people in our department.’
If there were ten people, then the ratio is one to three.
I wanted to believe that the amount wasn’t unreasonable.
“I apologize, Elena, but I can’t make any concessions when it comes to your escorts.”
“But I think ten people is just too much.”
“I believed ten people is not enough to protect you.”
Caleb’s expression, when he said that, looked really sincere.
“However, I know how to defend myself in my own way……”
“I am well aware of that, Elena. I’ve never forgotten that you had chastised the bullies before.”
I felt embarrassed for a second. Because it reminded me of something that happened in the past.
At the time when I took care of the bullies, Caleb testified that he did it instead of me which made the commander of the security guards astonished.
“However, I don’t think it’s a waste to stick that many escort knights to you while your life is threatened.”
I mean, I was completely aware of his intentions!
I was delighted that he cares so much about me, but it’s still too much!
‘You’re so protective!’
I wanted to shout something like that, but I couldn’t since I was afraid of hurting his feelings.
Furthermore, after I listened to Caleb’s explanation, I believe Caleb is right……
‘If there are men who flocked together like the time when I was almost kidnapped before, two people might not be enough.’
Of course, Caleb and Lord Vessel were the ones that overwhelmed the men at the moment.
However, it was possible because the two of them were Royal Knights of the Empire knights.
It wasn’t because I underestimated the skills and abilities of the Duke’s family knights.
It was because I believed no one could surpass Caleb and Lord Vessel’s capabilities.
And when I considered so, it wouldn’t be surprising if Caleb felt that even ten people weren’t enough.
But, if there is a concern……
‘That I have to take those ten people with me everywhere I go.’
Imagine if I had to take those ten people to the theater……
As I rode in the Duke’s carriage, I was sure to draw the attention of the commoners and aristocracy.
So, what do you suppose will happen if I bring those ten escort knights when I go out?
Even if a man does nothing wrong and has no ulterior motivation, he will prefer to flee.
Because if I found someone else was being escorted by ten people on the streets like that, I would run away and avoid that person as much as I could.
‘There’s also the potential that the theater owner will not allow me to perform on stage.’
It’s the worst scenario that could happen, yet it seemed all too realistic.
“How long shall I keep the escort knights with me?”
“I shall continue to do so until your safety is deemed safe.”
When will that be…..?
I finally gave up attempting to ask anymore.
‘The theater owner told me to return within a year.’
There are still a few months till a year has passed.
‘Well, I doubt I’ll be carrying those ten escort knights till then.’
As I was thinking this, I told Caleb that I’d consider going back to the theater later.
* * * * *
The carriage soon arrived at the Duke’s residence. As I stepped out of the carriage, I marveled at the Duke’s castle.
“Woah…… it’s extremely extremely large……”
I couldn’t believe an ordinary aristocrat’s residence could be as huge and colorful as the Imperial Palace. Is this the dignity of the Duke?
Caleb smiled and stretched out to me as I was admiring.
“I’ll take you inside, Elena.”
“Hold on a second, Duke. I believe it is preferable for me to bring my luggage.”
“You don’t have to be concerned about that, Elena. It will be brought by the servants.”
As soon as Caleb’s words were finished, I could see the servants opening the back of the carriage and taking out my luggage.
Only then did I feel relieved enough to enter the Duke’s residence.
The castle’s inside was as large as it appeared from the outside. There were a lot of servants.
‘Except for the butler chief, there are five other butlers……’
I remembered the butler chief and the butlers who were greeting Caleb earlier.
Indeed, Duke’s level was totally different, considering there was only one butler when the real Elena was living in the house of Viscount Oreu.
While the servants were preparing the room for me to stay in temporarily, Caleb and I had lunch and took a walk around the castle.
The garden was lovely, but I couldn’t help but become fatigued because I had been moving around so much since the morning.
Caleb inquired as I moved a bit more slowly.
“If you’re tired, would you want to come in and rest?”
“However, I believe the room is still prepared.”
“I suppose you could rest in my room, Elena.”
“In your room, Duke? Is it all right?”
“Of course it’s alright.”
When I heard his quick response, I knew the relationship between me and Caleb was real.
Indeed. I feel there would be no issue with my entering Caleb’s room because I had already decided to stay at the Duke’s residence.
Furthermore, I will simply enter his room to rest for a few hours.
“Then kindly look after me.”
Caleb gladly led me to his room.
Obviously, it was nothing at first, but the longer I walked, the faster my heart beat.
Because it was a chance for me to see where Caleb usually falls asleep.
Ex-excuse me, Sir?
Turning your gaze away like that wouldn’t solve anything.
“Are you really telling me to move into the Duke’s mansion today?”
“First and foremost, all you have to do is bring what you’ll need right away from home and move into the Duke’s residence, and I’ll take care of the rest. We will also start planning the engagement ceremony as soon as feasible. So no one will dare to disdain your honor.”
Caleb stated it as if he’d already made up his mind and wouldn’t reconsider his decision.
I couldn’t say anything and simply let my mouth hang open as I heard him say that.
It was after twitching my lips a few times that I managed to find something to say.
“I truly think moving into the Duke’s residence today was a bad decision. Moreover, besides preparing my stuff, don’t you think you will have to prepare a room for me to stay first, Duke?”
“Although it is shabby, there are lots of rooms available for you to stay in right away.”
There’s no way a room at a Duke’s residence would be shabby. Even though I’ve never been there before.
“While you are staying in another room, I will have the maid tidy and decorate the other rooms for the time being.”
I could sense the urgency in Caleb’s statements no matter how I heard them.
However, no matter how many times I thought about it, moving in so soon was not the wisest choice.
“However, Duke, I don’t suppose the maids would take long to prepare the room. Moreover, I have an escort knight assigned by Count Van Der at home. So, how about we wait a few days……”
“Elena.”
Caleb interrupted my thoughts before I could finish them.
He put his large hands over each of my cheeks. His face, which had been little away before, suddenly got closer once more.
Then his forehead lightly touched mine.
It happened as I was blinking in surprise at the unexpected touch.
“I… I am afraid that I might lose you in those few days.”
His hand, typical of a calloused knight’s hand, touched my earlobe softly.
His hand was clearly rough, yet the touch that swept across my earlobe was warm and gentle. And at that very moment, I could hear his voice, gentle as the touch.
“I also don’t want to leave you to be protected by someone else. So, could you please ease my fears?”
His desperate expression, just in front of my nose, overwhelmed my sight.
Oh my goodness.
If he looked at me with that gaze, there was no way I could say no!
“Yes, I will,”
Right.
There’s no way I could say no to him.
I can’t help myself.
His face was already a cheat, more when he said those remarks with a pitiable expression.
Inside, I apologized to the Duke’s household servants.
Since it was obvious, they would have a hard time preparing a room for me to stay in.
* * * * *
It was a spur of the moment decision, but I dropped by the house to pack my belongings before heading to the Duke’s residence.
I just packed a few things, including the nightgown I’ll be wearing tonight, the outfit I’ll be wearing tomorrow, and a script play I normally read.
I considered bringing the letter birds, but decided against it because it wasn’t necessary.
And, moreover, I can always ask the servants to deliver them to me later.
I claimed I’d pack simply, with only a few things I’d need, but the luggage was pretty hefty.
So I whimpered my way out with the luggage. But as soon as Caleb spotted me, he seized the luggage from my grasp.
“Duke, I can……”
“Doesn’t it feel heavy?”
Caleb took up my luggage with ease as he stated that.
I could sense the difference in strength between Caleb and me as we walked towards the carriage.
‘I could barely carry it.’
I suddenly had a sensation of déjà vu.
Although, at that time it wasn’t Caleb who carried the luggage for me, but Rayl.
‘I wonder how everyone is doing.’
I remembered the people from the theater as I got into the carriage.
I last saw them when the play “Song About Love” was being reenacted, so it’s been a few months.
‘Previously, I had planned to return to the theater around this time.’
The idea had become a little hazy at this point. Because I moved into the Duke’s residence and there were people after me.
The plan that had previously lingered in my head reappeared.
‘I need to discuss this with Caleb.’
Before I knew it, I turned my gaze to Caleb, who was sitting across me, and opened my lips.
“Duke, I have something to tell you.”
“Please say it, Elena.”
Caleb’s permission was immediately given. However, I hesitated and was unable to say it.
Even though I was aware, Caleb will not misinterpret or belittle my decision to become an actor.
I could hardly speak it after opening and closing my lips several times.
“I’d like to work in the theater again. But, because I’ll be living at the Duke’s residence, I’m wondering if……”
“I’ll send a carriage and a coachman to take you to the theater and back. And today, I’ll assign some of our family’s knights to escort you to the theater, so you may take them with you everywhere you go.”
As predicted, that is the only way……
As it was an expected answer, I didn’t feel disappointed or anything.
However, something sparked my curiosity.
What did he mean when he said “some” of his family’s knights?
“May I inquire, Duke, how many knights you intend to bestow on me?”
“I’m thinking of sending ten people to serve as your escort.”
“T-ten people?”
“Please let me know if you think it’s lacking. I’ll add more. No! No way, Duke! I don’t believe it’s lacking in any way! Rather…… I believe two people are sufficient. Duke, don’t you think so?”
That seemed like a considerable concession to me.
It was just recently that Dame Rutger became my escort knight, and I somehow became accustomed to having someone next to me. But ten people was simply too many.
‘There were around thirty people in our department.’
If there were ten people, then the ratio is one to three.
I wanted to believe that the amount wasn’t unreasonable.
“I apologize, Elena, but I can’t make any concessions when it comes to your escorts.”
“But I think ten people is just too much.”
“I believed ten people is not enough to protect you.”
Caleb’s expression, when he said that, looked really sincere.
“However, I know how to defend myself in my own way……”
“I am well aware of that, Elena. I’ve never forgotten that you had chastised the bullies before.”
I felt embarrassed for a second. Because it reminded me of something that happened in the past.
At the time when I took care of the bullies, Caleb testified that he did it instead of me which made the commander of the security guards astonished.
“However, I don’t think it’s a waste to stick that many escort knights to you while your life is threatened.”
I mean, I was completely aware of his intentions!
I was delighted that he cares so much about me, but it’s still too much!
‘You’re so protective!’
I wanted to shout something like that, but I couldn’t since I was afraid of hurting his feelings.
Furthermore, after I listened to Caleb’s explanation, I believe Caleb is right……
‘If there are men who flocked together like the time when I was almost kidnapped before, two people might not be enough.’
Of course, Caleb and Lord Vessel were the ones that overwhelmed the men at the moment.
However, it was possible because the two of them were Royal Knights of the Empire knights.
It wasn’t because I underestimated the skills and abilities of the Duke’s family knights.
It was because I believed no one could surpass Caleb and Lord Vessel’s capabilities.
And when I considered so, it wouldn’t be surprising if Caleb felt that even ten people weren’t enough.
But, if there is a concern……
‘That I have to take those ten people with me everywhere I go.’
Imagine if I had to take those ten people to the theater……
As I rode in the Duke’s carriage, I was sure to draw the attention of the commoners and aristocracy.
So, what do you suppose will happen if I bring those ten escort knights when I go out?
Even if a man does nothing wrong and has no ulterior motivation, he will prefer to flee.
Because if I found someone else was being escorted by ten people on the streets like that, I would run away and avoid that person as much as I could.
‘There’s also the potential that the theater owner will not allow me to perform on stage.’
It’s the worst scenario that could happen, yet it seemed all too realistic.
“How long shall I keep the escort knights with me?”
“I shall continue to do so until your safety is deemed safe.”
When will that be…..?
I finally gave up attempting to ask anymore.
‘The theater owner told me to return within a year.’
There are still a few months till a year has passed.
‘Well, I doubt I’ll be carrying those ten escort knights till then.’
As I was thinking this, I told Caleb that I’d consider going back to the theater later.
* * * * *
The carriage soon arrived at the Duke’s residence. As I stepped out of the carriage, I marveled at the Duke’s castle.
“Woah…… it’s extremely extremely large……”
I couldn’t believe an ordinary aristocrat’s residence could be as huge and colorful as the Imperial Palace. Is this the dignity of the Duke?
Caleb smiled and stretched out to me as I was admiring.
“I’ll take you inside, Elena.”
“Hold on a second, Duke. I believe it is preferable for me to bring my luggage.”
“You don’t have to be concerned about that, Elena. It will be brought by the servants.”
As soon as Caleb’s words were finished, I could see the servants opening the back of the carriage and taking out my luggage.
Only then did I feel relieved enough to enter the Duke’s residence.
The castle’s inside was as large as it appeared from the outside. There were a lot of servants.
‘Except for the butler chief, there are five other butlers……’
I remembered the butler chief and the butlers who were greeting Caleb earlier.
Indeed, Duke’s level was totally different, considering there was only one butler when the real Elena was living in the house of Viscount Oreu.
While the servants were preparing the room for me to stay in temporarily, Caleb and I had lunch and took a walk around the castle.
The garden was lovely, but I couldn’t help but become fatigued because I had been moving around so much since the morning.
Caleb inquired as I moved a bit more slowly.
“If you’re tired, would you want to come in and rest?”
“However, I believe the room is still prepared.”
“I suppose you could rest in my room, Elena.”
“In your room, Duke? Is it all right?”
“Of course it’s alright.”
When I heard his quick response, I knew the relationship between me and Caleb was real.
Indeed. I feel there would be no issue with my entering Caleb’s room because I had already decided to stay at the Duke’s residence.
Furthermore, I will simply enter his room to rest for a few hours.
“Then kindly look after me.”
Caleb gladly led me to his room.
Obviously, it was nothing at first, but the longer I walked, the faster my heart beat.
Because it was a chance for me to see where Caleb usually falls asleep.
