AFRPR 09

Chapter 9

Estelle looked up when she heard a loud, shocked cry from someone.

“Who…?”

She saw a young man staring at her. Estelle didn’t recognize him and looked confused.

The man snapped out of it and quickly bowed.

“I’m sorry. I’m Pippin Randell, the Duke of Winterlen’s aide.”

He had been shocked twice—first by what Estelle was doing, and then again by how beautiful she was.

Taking a deep breath, Pippin asked the most important question.

“But… what are you doing right now?”

“Digging,” Estelle answered.

“I mean, I can see that, but…”

He glanced at the shovel in her hands.

She was squatting in the garden outside the annex, digging up the ground. If not for her eye-catching pink hair, he would’ve thought she was just a maid doing chores.

“You can’t just dig anywhere like this!”

“Because of the dark magic?”

In the North, there was a river called Gehenna that flowed with magic instead of water. Digging in the wrong place could accidentally release dangerous magic from underground.

“You know that and still—?! Please stop. I don’t want to see you die in front of me!”

Pippin scolded her. Then he noticed some plants near her. It looked like she was trying to transplant them.

‘Why is she doing something like this?’

Thinking Estelle was strange, Pippin asked,

“So, why did you call for me?”

“Oh! I came to get your signature on the revised contract.”

“Let’s talk inside, then.”

As he followed her in, Pippin kept looking around.

‘Was this place always so clean?’

As a child, he remembered the annex being messy and abandoned. It should’ve been dusty and run-down—but now there wasn’t even a speck of dust.

It was even… cute and cozy.

“I just fixed it up to my taste, since I’ll be living here. Should I have asked for permission?”

“Oh, no. The Duke doesn’t really care about this place…”

Oops. He accidentally spoke too honestly.

He scratched his head awkwardly.

“That’s a relief,” Estelle said with a smile.

“Please sit. I’ll bring some tea.”

“Huh? I only came for a quick signature…”

“Well, I was going to have some tea while reviewing the contract too. Are you very busy?”

“Not really. I usually drink coffee, though…”

“No need to be polite. The other servants stop by for tea often.”

“…Then I’ll help.”

“It’s okay. The kitchen is small. It’s easier if I go alone.”

She replied kindly and went to the kitchen.

Since the annex was small, Pippin could still see her moving around busily.

Feeling awkward just sitting, he asked,

“Shouldn’t the servants be doing all this? Did you really do all the cleaning by yourself?”

“Well, I used to be a commoner, remember? I lived with my mom, so I did most of the housework.”

“…I see.”

“It’s just easier to do it myself.”

He started to feel guilty for asking.

Just then—knock, knock—someone called from outside.

“Ma’am? Are you there?”

“Yes! Just a moment!”

It was a middle-aged servant, unaware of Pippin’s presence. Their conversation could be heard clearly.

“What’s the matter?”

“Since a few days ago, Alec hasn’t been eating. I think he misses you. Could you visit him sometime?”

What?! A secret lover?!

Even if it was a contract marriage, wasn’t this too fast?

Pippin’s eyes widened.

“To think Alec would get love-sick… I guess he knows a beauty when he sees one.”

Estelle and the servant laughed cheerfully, making Pippin even more confused.

So openly cheating?!

“I’ll stop by later with some hay.”

Huh? Hay?

“Sorry to bother you. Also, the guest chair creaked last time—I’d like to fix it.”

“…?”

“Alec seems to share your taste, maybe because he’s the Duke’s favorite horse. Haha.”

Wait. Alec… is a horse?

Yes. Alec was the Duke’s precious black horse.

Realizing the misunderstanding, Pippin wanted to bury his head in shame.

But Estelle didn’t come back right away. More people came looking for her—people she had helped in some way. They all wanted to return the favor.

Now it made sense how the annex had transformed in just one week.

“Sorry for the wait. I hope you weren’t too bored?”

“A lot of people seem to look for you.”

“They’re just kind-hearted.”

Even though she must’ve been tired, Estelle smiled and poured tea for them both.

Unable to refuse now, Pippin picked up the cup. His eyes widened again.

“This smells amazing. What kind of tea is it?”

“I’m not sure of the name. I used leaves growing nearby.”

Was that what she was digging up earlier?

Still confused, he asked,

“Is it really okay to drink something grown in land full of dark magic?”

Many people refused to eat anything from the North.

But Estelle answered without hesitation,

“Of course.”

“…Really?”

“To me, it means it’s strong. If it can survive in harsh conditions, there’s no reason to avoid it.”

Pippin had grown up hearing only bad things about the North. Hearing something so positive from a newcomer made his heart stir.

‘She’s kind. Wait, no—!’

He nearly slapped himself.

Get a grip!

She’s rumored to have killed three husbands! She can’t be that nice!

Trying to stay professional, Pippin looked up—and locked eyes with Estelle’s clear, bright gaze.

She smiled knowingly.

“Did I say something strange?”

“…No.”

No wonder Alec stopped eating. Pippin’s own heart was starting to melt.

‘At this rate, I’ll disobey the Duke’s orders…’

Quickly changing the subject, he said,

“Please take a look at the contract now.”

As Estelle read the document, Pippin finally took a sip of tea.

‘Wait… this taste…!’

It was just like the tea his grandmother used to make when he was a child—nutty, with a bitter aftertaste. He had never found it again after she passed away.

And now it was here, right under his nose.

‘This is so comforting…’

The golden sunset lit up the sky. Looking outside, Pippin felt completely at ease.

‘It’s like… being back home.’

“I’m okay with this. But I need a pen to sign—”

Thud!

A loud noise.

Estelle looked up in surprise.

Then another loud sound.

Snoreee—

It was Pippin. He had fallen asleep, face-down on the table, snoring.

Later…

“Mmm… smells like Grandma’s apple pie…”

Pippin woke up to the smell and sat up in shock when he saw the dark sky.

‘Did I fall asleep?!’

The contract was signed. He quickly grabbed it.

“You’re awake?”

“I’m so sorry for showing such a messy side of me!”

He was mortified. This had never happened before.

“If you’re tired, it’s okay. I was baking apple pie. Would you like a slice?”

Gulp.

He really wanted some.

As he swallowed his drool, he realized he had already been drooling in his sleep.

Snapping back to reality, he shook his head fast.

“It’s getting late—I should return!”

He rushed out of the annex, then looked back in confusion.

He had always survived on coffee just to handle all his work—but it had left him with insomnia.

Yet somehow, after that tea… he had slept deeply. His mind felt clear.

‘Should I come again tomorrow…?’

Maybe it was the smell of that apple pie.

Or maybe… it was just the feeling of home.

‘The Duke did tell me to watch her… so this is just following orders!’

Pippin, the loyal aide who had never disobeyed Duke Lennox, was slowly falling for Estelle.

And it only took six hours to shake his loyalty.

A few days later…

“Yes! I found a gold mine!”

Estelle cheered.