DSMBL Chapter 08

Chapter 8 

Luna broke the silence and said, “Then, I’ll bring the food.” 

“Okay.”

Shortly after, the dishes began to arrive one after another. Watching the table gradually fill with food, I found my mouth gaping open without realizing it.

Is that a salmon dish? Is that duck? And what on earth is that?

I didn’t know exactly what everything was, but one thing was certain—this house… really knew how to cook. Starting with the most eye-catching dishes, I began tasting each one. Not a single thing was disappointing.

“This is absolutely delicious.”

The flavors melted in my mouth was like something straight out of a Michelin three-star restaurant. Honestly, even when I’d had meals in the bedroom before, I’d thought the food was good. But that had only been the tip of the iceberg. Right here, this was the real deal.

The salmon steak, with its burst of refreshing flavor, had just the right amount of fat and a perfectly balanced taste. The bird-like dish that I assumed was duck was flawlessly smoked, brimming with rich juices. And that incredible sauce? What more is there to say?

The vegetables, crisp with every bite, were fresh, and their dressing was tangy and sweet enough to increase the richness of the meal. The bread… It was like paradise. The moment I spread some jam onto the butter-scented bread and took a bite, it felt like my mouth was melting.

Ah, I’m so happy.

“…I really enjoyed that.”

I nodded after cleaning my plate completely. It was the kind of meal that made you regret leaving even a single drop of broth behind.

It feels like a waste of talent to use such skills only within the confines of this mansion. Before leaving, should I sneak into the kitchen and learn how to make a few of these dishes? I have a feeling I’ll miss this food once I leave. Skills like these deserve to be shared widely.

If possible, learning these recipes and opening a restaurant might not be a bad idea. Skills are everything, after all. Besides, all I have outside of here is the title of Duchess. If I leave without any usable skills, I’ll likely starve to death. Should I find an opportunity to ask the chef?

Not a bad plan. If I recall correctly, in most stories, working as a head chef for a high-ranking noble family pays better than running a restaurant outside. I should look into the wages here… or perhaps learn to cook and pursue that entirely.

I mean, it’s not like I was bad at cooking in the past, right? Back at the orphanage, once I grew older, I frequently helped out in the kitchen. I’ve got some experience under my belt.

While lost in such thoughts, Luna cautiously asked,

“Was there something about the meal that didn’t please you?”

“Huh? Of course not. Pass along my thanks to those who prepared it. It was an absolutely delicious meal.”

“…You want me to thank them?”

“Yes. It’s a real talent to be able to create food like this. Please let them know I’m truly, truly grateful for giving me the opportunity to enjoy such amazing dishes.”

To learn their craft, I need to build a goodwill first. They might become my future teachers. Once Theo is feeling a bit better, I’ll talk to Cassius and start learning how to cook.

“…I’ll be sure to relay your words.” “please do.” “Yes, Duchess.”

Humming a tune, I rose from my seat. Now that I was fully satisfied, it was time to visit Theo. As I cheerfully left the dining hall, I suddenly paused at the doorway. “…Which way was Theo’s room again?” “Pardon?”

I must’ve accidentally said my thoughts out loud. Luna looked at me in surprise, and I quickly explained.

“You see, I’m actually terribly bad with directions. It seems I’ve forgotten the way since I haven’t been here for a few weeks.”

I smiled awkwardly.

Oops. Did I just say that out loud? Luna looked at me in surprise as I explained, “I’m actually really terrible with directions. I haven’t been here in a few weeks, and it seems I’ve forgotten the way.”

I smiled awkwardly. Ugh, this isn’t easy. I still haven’t fully memorized the route between my room and Theo’s. What was the architect thinking when designing this mansion?

Seriously, they should’ve considered the people living here!

“…I’ll guide you.” “Thanks.”

Luna’s expression turned a bit flustered. Why is she reacting like this—oh, right, I’m Charlotte.

Considering how I used to act like a heartless machine, it’s no wonder she’s startled by my sudden politeness.

“Th-thank… thank you?” “Yeah, thank you.”

Of course, I was grateful to Luna for being such an excellent guide in this place where there was neither navigation nor smartphones.

Thanks to her, I managed to find Theo’s room without getting lost for once. Theo was asleep when I arrived. I thought I’d heard that he’d woken up already.

Luna closed the door and left. Was she giving me space out of consideration? Judging by how she stuck to me like glue, it seemed she knew I could use divine power.

I glanced at the closed door, then went to sit by Theo’s side. He still couldn’t stay awake for long, huh? I carefully brushed his hair.

Still, his complexion seemed better than before.

Taking his hand gently, I transfer my divine power into him. My strength immediately drained away.

“Hah—”

No matter how well I eat, this always leaves me exhausted. Leaning my head against the edge of the bed, I tried to catch my breath.

Luna rushed to support me, her face full of concern. I gazed at her with half-lidded eyes.

“Duchess? Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine…”

I mumbled weakly. No matter how many times I do this, I can’t get used to it.

“Just… just let me rest for a bit…”

I lay there on the bed for a while, catching my breath. Once I felt I could breathe properly again, I straightened up. I adjusted Theo’s blanket and gently stroked his hair.

“Have sweet dreams, Theo.”

Stumbling out of the room, I turned to Luna and asked, “…Could I get something else to eat? Where was the dining room again?”

I could feel her giving me a strange look.

Ugh, this is so embarrassing! Eating so much and immediately asking for more and even more humiliating not to remember the way back. But what could I do? This is who I am.

When I gave her an awkward smile, Luna said, “I’ll escort you back to the dining room.” “Thanks.”

Once again, Luna turned her head with a subtle but odd expression. I wished we could get along better.

But I guess Charlotte’s reputation was too deeply entrenched for us to easily grow close. Suppressing a sigh, I followed her lead.

***

A week later.

Rumors began to spread throughout the mansion. The rumors were that the Duchess had completely changed into a different person.

“Changed, you say.”

“Some of the servants are frightened. There’s even talk that the Duchess might have gone mad.”

Cassius raised an eyebrow.

It was a bit of an exaggeration, but he could understand why they’d think that.

After all, Theo, who had briefly woken up only to fall back asleep, had awakened again after just a week.

Charlotte was truly healing Theo.

On top of that, she had reportedly started thanking the servants as if it was natural to her.

Did she even know how to say words like ‘thank you’?

This was the same Charlotte who had once treated the servants like dirt under her nails.

“I suppose she should be examined. Send the family physician to Charlotte as well. Have her undergo a mental evaluation.”

Charlotte had claimed that her awakening of divine power had cleared her mind, but was that really true?

Or had she actually lost her sanity?

Cassius rubbed his face, his expression conflicted.

“Yes, Your Grace!”

Cassius raked a hand through his hair. If Charlotte really had lost her mind, was it too much to hope that it wasn’t as bad as it seemed?

He simply couldn’t let go of the sweet, tempting hope that Theo might truly recover.

In a low voice, Cassius issued another discreet order to his aide.

“And look further into divine power.”

“…Pardon?”

Cassius had once poured all his efforts into finding someone with divine power to save Theo. In the end, he had failed and gained nothing from that.

“Investigate the people who had divine power. Look into how they awakened it, their lifespans, and any side effects.”

“…Understood, Your Grace.”

The aide bowed deeply.

Cassius hesitated for a moment before adding one more instruction.

“Look into supplements. Ones that can increase a woman’s stamina. Consulting to a Miller might be a good idea as well.”

“…You mean for the Duchess?”

Cassius nodded.

Luna’s reports, which mentioned how drained Charlotte looked after using divine power, that had been bothering him.

And the fact that someone who once ate like a bird was now eating that much concerns him.

He wanted to help Charlotte, even just a little.

Even if it was just the tiniest bit.