“Is the Chief Aide of the Hermann Ducal House still that commoner?”
“So it seems. His Grace said he’d only observe for six months, but it’s been ages and he doesn’t look like he has any intention of replacing her.”
“What could a commoner who hasn’t even been properly educated possibly do? I don’t understand what His Grace is trusting to entrust her with such important matters.”
The Chief Aide of the Hermann Ducal House.
She was a commoner.
From the moment she first entered the ducal household, she had been met with countless disapproving stares.
The vassals of noble rank resented that a mere commoner had taken a position that should have been theirs, while even the servants—also commoners, yet treated entirely differently—refused to respect her as an aide.
Even as the whispers about her reached her ears, Clemati walked past them all with an unbothered expression.
Her deep wine-colored hair fluttered gracefully in the breeze.
It didn’t matter if others looked down on her, even if it was the majority.
Standing before the office door, Clemati straightened her clothes once more.
The reason she could endure the constant disdain in this estate was inside that room—Duke Prox Hermann.
He alone saw her not through her status or gender, but as who she truly was, acknowledging and valuing her.
Normally, standing before this office door was the moment that excited her most, but today felt a little bitter.
There wouldn’t be many chances left to knock on this door.
Clearing her throat softly, she finally raised her hand and knocked.
Knock, knock—
“It’s Mati. I’ll come in.”
As she entered, Prox, who had been reading documents, lifted his head.
Clemati smiled gently at him before closing the door behind her.
“I will brief you on today’s schedule.”
This daily report was her favorite time.
It was the only moment she could speak with Duke Prox Hermann alone in the same space.
“In the morning, Count Britten will be visiting to inspect the dispatched knight order.”
Count Britten was known for sending his knights to prestigious houses and personally inspecting them on a monthly basis.
“Has it already been that long?”
Which meant that a month had already passed.
With each passing stretch of time, Clemati felt a quiet heaviness, knowing the days she could remain by his side were dwindling.
“And soon, the Raphaello Art Festival will be held in the capital. Before the official opening, certain families are granted the privilege of viewing it in advance. The Hermann family is included, so if you are interested—”
As she continued her report, Clemati felt Prox’s steady gaze fall upon her.
She lifted her head and met his eyes.
“Mati, didn’t you submit anything?”
He interrupted her.
The faint smile on Clemati’s lips stiffened for a moment.
“Wasn’t it your wish to have your work displayed at the festival?”
It was something she had mentioned long ago, in passing.
About three years ago, when Clemati had been attending the academy.
Aside from her studies, she had loved painting.
Of course, proper art supplies were expensive, but if one searched the market carefully, there were cheaper alternatives.
One day, when Prox discovered one of her paintings, she had been so embarrassed that she blurted out a lie.
That it was her dream to someday submit a piece to the Raphaello Art Festival.
Surprisingly, Prox still remembered that clumsy lie.
“Ah, yes. I wanted to at least submit something this year, but I haven’t had the time. I haven’t even held a brush, let alone painted.”
“You have been especially busy since you came here. Still, next year shouldn’t be as hectic. Make sure you try then. If it’s your dream, I’ll make time for you somehow.”
Prox sincerely supported even the dream she had fabricated.
Clemati lowered her head in gratitude.
“Thank you.”
She tried to hide her flushed expression behind the strands of hair that had fallen over her face.
How could she not love a man like this?
But her feelings for Prox had to end here.
This sorrow, this restlessness—they were hers alone to bear.
“And for the evening banquet…”
Steadying herself, she flipped to the next page of her documents.
“You’ve been invited to the royal palace by Princess Rachel.”
Princess Rachel, the promising heir candidate of the Carlean Kingdom.
She was Prox’s fiancée.
As time passed, that fact was what made Clemati increasingly anxious.
The moment she had always wished would never come was now right before her.
“Ah, Rachel…”
It seemed Prox had forgotten about her amidst his busy days.
“How long until her coming-of-age ceremony?”
“Three months.”
Princess Rachel was seven years younger than Prox.
The two had promised to marry four years ago, but due to her young age, the wedding was to be held after her coming-of-age ceremony.
“Once the ceremony is over, we’ll need to begin preparations in earnest. I’ve prepared a list of items to present to the palace.”
Clemati gathered the documents and placed them neatly on his desk.
“Please review and select them.”
Though she forced a smile, her chest felt as though it were being torn apart.
To personally prepare the wedding of the man she loved.
She had always taken pride and joy in supporting him as his aide, but this was the first task she wished to avoid more than death itself.
“Alright. You may leave now.”
Even at his dismissal, Clemati couldn’t move.
“There’s one more thing I’d like to say.”
She approached his desk and handed him an envelope.
Seeing the words written on it, Prox frowned and looked up.
“What is this?”
“It’s a resignation letter.”
He wasn’t asking because he didn’t know.
The words “resignation letter” were clearly written on the envelope.
“What are you doing right now?”
“I would like to resign from my position as your aide.”
“Mati.”
Prox’s confusion was only natural.
Chief Aide of the Hermann Ducal House.
Giving such an opportunity to a newly graduated commoner woman was already exceptional treatment.
Clemati had done her utmost to live up to his expectations, and the two had been the perfect partners.
And now, she was saying she wanted to quit.
Prox couldn’t think of a single reason why she would want to resign.
“Why do you want to quit?”
He asked, trying to remain calm.
“I don’t believe I’ve treated you poorly.”
“You haven’t. I’ve received more than enough. It’s just… a personal matter.”
She had thought about how to explain it, but couldn’t bring herself to say it outright.
That vague answer only irritated Prox further.
“You’ve been doing well. How am I supposed to find another aide like you if you quit so irresponsibly?”
“I’m not leaving immediately, so don’t worry. It would be best to find a replacement and begin the handover early, so I’m informing you in advance.”
At the absurdity of the situation, Prox stood up.
Clemati instinctively flinched but forced herself to stay still.
His pitch-black hair, dark even under sunlight.
His overwhelming presence, the aura he carried.
Faced with him, Clemati unconsciously shrank her shoulders.
“I will do my utmost for the Hermann family until Princess Rachel’s coming-of-age ceremony—”
“No.”
No matter how she tried to persuade him, he refused to yield.
“Tell me clearly what this ‘personal matter’ is. Unless I can understand it, I won’t allow this.”
She had expected this.
He was someone who pursued perfection, and until now, she had been the closest to that ideal.
Of course he would try to stop her.
“Do you need money? If your salary isn’t enough, I’ll raise it as much as you want.”
“No. What I receive now is more than enough.”
“Then what’s the problem? Tell me clearly.”
“I have no complaints.”
“Mati.”
The circular conversation frustrated him.
He loosened his tie and ran a hand through his neatly styled hair.
“I’m saying this because I genuinely care about you.”
His tone softened.
“Is there something you can’t tell me? Or are you unwell?”
Leaning forward against the desk, he met her eyes gently.
“If needed, I can summon the best physician in the capital. If you need help, anytime—”
“I…”
Clemati could no longer hide her feelings.
“I like you, Your Grace.”
Prox froze mid-sentence, staring at her with his mouth slightly open.
His pupils widened.
“I’ve liked you ever since we first met four years ago.”
Her voice trembled as she confessed.
She tried to maintain composure, but she could feel the heat rising to her face.
“Mati, you…”
Prox let out a hollow laugh, unable to finish his words.
A faint anger surfaced on his face.
Clemati lowered her gaze.
“You’re saying you’re going to quit as my aide over something so trivial?”
Something so trivial.
The sincerity of her four years of love was crushed in an instant.
She had expected this as well.
She knew how much he despised the very notion of love.
