Episode 10
‘What the… He’s pretending not to care but actually looks super curious. He’s like a nosy little puppy.’
I held back a laugh and kept my eyes on the book.
“Ahem.”
Frederick cleared his throat. I looked at him with a face that said, “What now?” He put his book down on the table and turned his upper body toward me.
“Who are you?”
Seriously? He’s curious but still being rude. Whatever, I’m getting paid for this hour. I should just answer him properly. I do a good job when I’m paid, after all.
“I’m Delphine.”
“I know.”
Frederick looked super annoyed.
“I know. I mean, why is the Duke’s daughter here?”
“To earn money.”
Frederick looked dumbfounded.
“Why would you need to earn money? You’re a Duke’s daughter.”
“Because my family doesn’t have money. Not everyone’s good at investing in trading ships like you. My family went broke from a bad investment.”
“……”
Frederick looked really surprised, like he wasn’t expecting that answer at all.
He got up from the sofa and sat down closer. Now there was about a meter between us.
It was my first time seeing Frederick’s face from the front. His side profile looked sturdy yet gentle, but from the front, his features were delicate. His lashes were thick and curled, and his skin was flawless. His pink lips stood out against his pale skin.
‘Wow… Is staying home the secret to great skin?’
I almost drooled. No matter how rude he was, staring at that sculpted face made me feel dazed.
“What are you doing?”
Frederick leaned back a bit and asked. He definitely noticed me staring.
“Admiring your face. You’re good-looking.”
His face instantly turned bright red. He looked away and touched his face.
“What? You’ve probably heard that a million times. Why are you acting like this?”
I couldn’t help but say it out loud.
“What the heck!”
Frederick shouted. He actually looked kind of cute and sulky.
I wanted to tease him more, but I held back. His face was already red enough—if I pushed more, he might explode.
I reached for my book again.
“I’m not done talking yet.”
‘Oh, right. I’m getting paid to talk with him.’
I put the book down and rested my arm on the back of the sofa.
“Fine, go ahead. Ask whatever.”
Frederick’s face had returned to its normal color, but he frowned deeply.
“Why do you have to earn money? You’re a Duke’s daughter. You could just marry a rich Duke.”
“I could, yeah.”
“Then why don’t you?”
“I can’t.”
He looked confused.
“I said I can’t. I probably won’t get married.”
“……?”
Ugh, do I have to talk about Leo now? It’s such a depressing story. I really don’t want to bring it up.
But Frederick was obviously waiting for me to explain.
‘Ugh… whatever. Everyone already knows. It’s just gossip at this point.’
“You know Leo? Leonard Marbo?”
As soon as I said “Leo,” Frederick’s expression froze. He crossed his legs and leaned back slightly.
“I know him.”
“Well, yeah. I was supposed to marry him. But we broke up.”
“……?”
Frederick’s eyes widened. He shook his head slowly, like he couldn’t believe it.
“You and Leo? Since when?”
Sigh. This kid has so many questions. Is my private life worth my paycheck? On second thought… yes. Yes, it is. Hehe. People already know anyway.
“A few years ago. Right after he broke up with his ex.”
“You mean Lady Charlière?”
I nodded. At that moment, Frederick’s hand dropped.
That cursed name slipped from between his lips.
“Charlière…”
His expression changed completely. Clearly, there was something between them too.
‘No way… Is he involved with her too? Is Delphine just some kind of recycling bin for Charlière’s exes?!’
“Charlière…”
Frederick muttered her name in pain and stayed silent for a while.
He sat on the single sofa, leaned back, and covered his eyes with both hands.
“…….”
A few minutes passed. Watching him sit there frozen made me feel a little worried.
‘Right… he’s a bit emotionally fragile, isn’t he? This is kind of concerning.’
I got up from my seat and stood next to his sofa.
“Hey, you okay? Sir! Are you alright?”
Frederick didn’t answer. Was he lost in his own world?
I gently touched his arm. He flinched, dropped his hands, and looked at me. His eyes were shiny.
Wait—did he cry? Now I feel bad.
“Are you okay?”
He shook his head. His face looked like a soaked puppy… so pitiful.
He stared at the carpet and murmured like he was talking to himself.
“What would you do if you were me? You love a girl, wait for her for years… Then she says she has to marry someone else because of her family. But turns out, that wasn’t the truth.”
His words were jumbled. His mind seemed messy too.
‘So let’s get this straight… He thought Charlière had to date Leo because of family issues, but found out that wasn’t true. And now she still didn’t come back to him. That’s what hurt him.’
What are the chances? I’m stepping on Charlière poop again.
But this poor soul in front of me was the bigger problem. He looked like his whole world had crumbled.
‘And wait—Leo told me the exact same story! That he and Charlière were in love, but had to split up because her family forced her to marry into the royal family. That they still had a good relationship afterward…
Wait. Is this a love triangle? Two guys? That’s a whole fishing net, not just a love triangle.’
I really wanted to spill everything right now. But Frederick looked like he might pass out if he heard that.
So I gave a cliché, moral-sounding answer.
“I don’t know what to say. In the end, only you know how you really feel.”
Frederick stared at me with watery eyes, then looked away.
“Why did you break up?”
“With Leo?”
Ugh, I’ll have to talk about Charlière again…
But if I mention her now, Frederick might actually have a meltdown.
I’ll just give him a vague answer. It’s not a lie, anyway.
“There were lots of reasons. But after we broke up, I realized we just didn’t match. I didn’t want to marry someone just because of family stuff. So yeah, now I’m here earning money. Makes sense, right?”
“You didn’t want to marry someone because of family stuff… There is a way to avoid that. Even for a Duke’s daughter. I wonder if Charlière could’ve done the same…”
Frederick was talking to himself again like he was in a daze.
So dramatic. Of course, seeing his angelic face and teary eyes made me feel bad.
But come on! I come all the way here and still have to hear about Charlière? She’s the lead of this story, sure—but does Delphine have to suffer no matter what?
My blood was boiling, but I decided to comfort him for now.
I put my hand on his shoulder. Frederick looked up at me with wide eyes, like a bunny.
‘This kid really makes you want to protect him.’
“……!”
Then something unexpected happened.
Frederick placed his hand on top of mine. Despite his soft appearance, his hand was rough.
The moment wasn’t really romantic.
It felt more like… solidarity.
What the heck? Are we becoming sworn brothers now?
I scooped up a big spoonful of cream soup and popped it into my mouth. The thick, warm cream filled my mouth and slid down my throat so smoothly.
‘Ahh, I feel alive again. Eating really is the best stress relief.’
I scooped another big spoonful.
‘Frederick is a strange guy.’
What happened in his study earlier was definitely weird. Frederick wasn’t… normal.
Well, I guess that’s understandable. He hasn’t left the house in years and probably has poor social skills. He doesn’t have any friends his age in this place either. Maybe I feel familiar to him just because we’re close in age.
“……”
I set down my spoon and looked at my hands. I was still thinking about that moment when he touched mine.
It wasn’t like my heart fluttered or anything, but… I guess it felt like we were comrades. I wanted to help him.
‘Yeah, I’ll just think of him as a lost little puppy with no social skills.’
No need to overthink and stress myself out. Besides, he’s not going to die next month or anything, so it’s fine.
I finished my soup, and Ecor came to take the plate.
“The main dish today is grilled mullet.”
Ooh, sounds tasty! I love fish and meat.
The grilled mullet was light and clean in flavor. I ate it slowly and enjoyed every bite.
“No dessert for me.”
“Yes, my lady.”
