“Such talk about ‘other intentions.’ You know well that the Duke is not that kind of person, so why say something like that?”
Clématty felt uncomfortable with this maid.
All she wanted was to end the conversation quickly and leave.
So she tried to gently warn her, but the maid instead grabbed the hem of Clématty’s clothes and clung to her insistently.
“That’s something you can’t know. When feelings spark between a man and a woman, do you really need a reason? I’m just telling you to be careful about late-night visits to private spaces.”
The maid looked to be at least ten years older than Clématty.
Perhaps, as someone who had lived more life, she was trying to advise her based on her own experience.
Clématty forcefully shook off the maid’s hand gripping her clothes.
“Don’t go around saying things like that. The Duke is not someone who would do such a thing—you know that, don’t you?”
What she said was meant as self-defense, but the words struck her own heart like an arrow, piercing sharply.
“Right, especially since his partner is none other than Princess Rachel?”
Only then did the maid step back in agreement.
Clématty mulled over her own words, feeling an uneasy sensation.
Was it really okay to maintain such a relationship with a man who was only three months away from marriage?
Was she, because of her selfish feelings, hurting everyone involved?
Returning to the annex, Clématty re-stitched the buttons of the uniform shirt she had torn open the night before.
Since the wrinkled shirt couldn’t be worn again, she placed it neatly in the laundry basket and put on a fresh, stiff one.
Once outside, Clématty carried on with her duties as usual.
She personally checked the carriage he would use that day to ensure there were no issues, and visited the pantry to review the nutritional meals prepared for him.
While moving busily like that, she checked the time and let out a deep sigh.
It was about time for Prox to wake up, finish his preparations, and be waiting for her in the office.
Clématty headed toward the main building with heavy steps.
At the entrance, she noticed the servants moving in a rush.
“Oh my, don’t just stand there—come help us quickly!”
“Did something happen?”
“The master is extremely irritable today. He’s been walking around the entire estate picking faults with everything, and everyone’s scrambling. I don’t know what got him so angry this morning.”
Hearing the maids, Clématty felt a prick of guilt.
Irritable since morning…
Could it be because of last night?
Perhaps he was dissatisfied with their encounter.
Thinking she might be the cause of his bad mood, Clématty lowered her head.
She changed direction instead of heading straight to the office.
She went to the pantry again and made a request to the kitchen staff.
It was a simple request, and the head chef quickly prepared what she needed.
Clématty carefully passed through the busy servants and climbed the stairs.
Then she stood nervously in front of the office door, holding a silver tray.
Knock knock.
“This is Martie. I will come in.”
Taking a deep breath, Clématty entered the office.
Although last night had changed their relationship significantly, she tried to maintain her composure.
“This is chamomile tea good for calming the mind. I requested it from the pantry this morning, and they also added acacia honey and grapefruit syrup.”
She placed the teacup on the edge of Prox’s desk.
She could feel his gaze traveling from her fingertips up to her face.
But Clématty refused to meet his eyes.
If she did, she was sure her mind would go blank again.
“I heard you were in a bad mood this morning.”
“….”
“If your nerves are on edge, you may not be able to handle your work objectively. So I thought it best to help you calm down.”
Clématty bowed and took a step back.
After listening silently, Prox let out a cold laugh.
“Martie.”
His deep voice sounded different than usual.
She was trying to ignore what had happened last night, but he deliberately brought it up.
“You’ve been my assistant for four years… and you still don’t understand me?”
“Huh?”
“You don’t know why I became irritable the moment I opened my eyes this morning?”
Clématty blinked in confusion, still staring at the floor.
“Well… I…”
Before she could finish, Prox slammed his hand on the desk and stood up.
The chamomile tea on the desk trembled.
He walked over quickly and stopped right in front of her.
“I woke up… and you were gone.”
Bang.
Clématty was pushed against the wall.
With his arm braced beside her, she had no choice but to look up at him.
“Without my permission.”
Now their eyes met.
There was no rationality left in his deep blue gaze.
Clématty understood what state he was in.
“You left my bed just like that, Martie.”
He was shaken.
Very much so.
Why? Why?
Was that really the reason he had been angry since morning, snapping at everyone?
He wasn’t angry at night—he was angry in the morning.
Clématty felt confused.
Why would something so trivial cause so much chaos?
The Prox she knew was always rational and composed.
Not someone who would lash out emotionally over something like this.
“I-I thought… I should wake up earlier and do my duties. That’s my job as an assistant…”
She couldn’t finish.
Because he closed the distance again.
Her breath caught as his scent filled her senses.
Prox lowered his head beside her ear.
“Did you not want anyone to see you leaving my bedroom?”
He stripped away her carefully constructed excuses.
And… he was right.
She did not want anyone to know she had been in the Duke’s private chambers.
A common-born woman like her, in his bedroom—what would people think?
“That is also… true…”
Clématty lifted her head, but froze when she met his cold gaze.
“Why is a smart person suddenly unable to understand simple things?”
She knew exactly what he meant.
Don’t you understand? You shouldn’t have done something that upset me over something so trivial.
“You don’t need to care about anyone in this estate. I told you that.”
Clématty’s shoulders slumped.
It wasn’t that simple.
She had more to say, but she bit her lip and stayed silent.
“From now on, don’t disappear before I wake up.”
He frowned as he looked at her lowered gaze.
Then he hooked a finger under her lip, pulling it away.
“I found it… quite unpleasant.”
But Clématty frowned too.
“That… I cannot do.”
It was the first time she had ever resisted him.
She met his gaze directly, eyes sharp.
“I don’t care if I’m insulted. I’m used to not being well regarded in this estate anyway. But you—”
Prox watched her with interest.
Her expression, her tone, even her defiance.
“You must not be treated that way.”
Prox’s lips twitched into a faint smile.
So that’s what you were thinking, Martie.
As always, you notice things I don’t.
You’ve always helped me when I was in need.
He had always thanked her properly before.
But this time, he didn’t feel like it.
Since realizing she had developed feelings of love for him, he no longer wanted to give her empty, polite words.
