~Chapter 09~
Eloise, her gaze elsewhere, was suddenly yanked by Devon’s hand and found herself pressed against his chest.
Her face flushed crimson with shame as she struggled to break free, but Devon only tightened his grip around her shoulders.
“What are you doing? Won’t you let go?”
“Just wanted to see your face once, and you’re making such a fuss. You can’t pay back that money anyway. So, I might as well be your husband … ugh!”
Before Devon could finish, Eloise rammed her head into his face.
He had his head bowed, so she struck his nose perfectly and wriggled free from his embrace.
Devon clutched his nose, groaning in pain.
Though no blood flowed, the throbbing ache made him wince.
Eloise glared fiercely at him.
“Should I report you for insulting a noble?”
“Hey! I cut you some slack because you’re cute, and this is how you repay me?”
As Devon stepped forward, raising his fist, Eloise squeezed her eyes shut and instinctively shrank back.
She braced herself for the blow, but as time passed and no fist came flying, she cautiously peeked open one eye.
Someone was gripping Devon’s hand tightly.
A man she’d never seen before stood there, his long blond hair tied back and deep green eyes locked on Devon’s wrist.
Devon struggled and growled at the man.
“Who the hell are you? Let go of my hand! Ah!”
The man twisted Devon’s wrist tightly behind his back.
The pain twisted through Devon’s shoulder, forcing a scream from him.
Like a child being held captive, Devon was immobilised as the man calmly turned to Eloise and spoke.
“I’m here to buy cabbage.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll buy all the cabbage in the field.”
The man counted the remaining cabbages with his eyes, then glanced at Devon.
“Are you here to buy cabbage too?”
“What? No! Let go of my hand!”
“If you’re not buying, then leave. You’re in the way.”
The man shoved Devon aside, and he tumbled to the ground.
His sprained arm wouldn’t straighten easily.
Devon glared at the man, then spat out a threat at Eloise.
“I’ll be back next month.”
The man looked at him.
Defeated, Devon grabbed his money pouch and hastily mounted his horse, retreating like a beaten dog.
Eloise stood stunned, watching him go.
The man turned his attention to her with a composed voice.
“I’ll take care of the cabbage.”
“Oh! Yes, I’ll get it for you.”
Eloise gathered the cabbages into a sack and handed them over.
“Thank you. And… thank you for what you just did.”
She was grateful for his driving Devon away—who knew what humiliations she’d have endured otherwise?
The man spoke casually.
“I was ordered to remove anyone interfering with the cabbage purchase.”
“Excuse me? What does that mean?”
“I have something to deliver here. Goodbye.”
With a soldier’s crisp salute, he handed Eloise a letter and a pouch of coins, then turned to leave.
Loading the cabbages onto his horse, he expertly rode off with a grace that made Devon’s riding skills look clumsy by comparison.
“Who on earth was that?”
Eloise watched his retreating figure, then opened the letter he’d given her.
Her eyes widened as she read the sender’s name.
“Duke Kalen Elias!”
***
Dressed neatly, Eloise made her way to the Elias estate, clutching the letter from Kalen she’d received the day before.
As she arrived, the butler, Carl, greeted her as though he had been expecting her.
This time, instead of the garden pavilion she’d visited before, she was led to the sitting room in a separate wing.
A faint nervousness stirred within her.
While she’d often been in the ladies’ reception rooms during tea time, this was almost the first time she’d been in a space reserved for the men.
“Please wait here a moment.”
The two-story-high ceiling gave the room a slightly intimidating aura, but the antique furnishings soothed her nerves little by little.
The furniture and decorations seemed rather modest for a house of the Elias family’s prestige.
Then again, all the large portrait frames were gilded in gold, so “modest” might be a stretch.
The intricate carvings on the table reflected careful craftsmanship.
The chair she sat on was comfortable and plush.
As she bent down to examine the delicate carvings on the armrests, the door opened and Carl entered.
“The Duke is here.”
At the announcement, Eloise sprang to her feet.
The first two times, she had barely registered what was happening, but this time was different.
She’d heard there was a line of succession to the throne—third or fourth in rank, something high up.
Meeting someone so far removed from her world, someone she would likely never cross paths with in her lifetime, naturally made her nervous.
The door opened, and Carlen stepped inside.
His face came into full view.
Those honey-colored eyes against the fair skin gave off an almost mystical aura, despite his somewhat pale complexion.
His straight nose and firmly pressed lips gave him a stubborn air, but it was a far more appealing image than the affected arrogance seen in most nobles.
Even his simple walk carried an undeniable grace.
People who were born dukes simply seemed to have a unique quality.
After the butler placed the tea on the table and quietly left, Carlen approached with a slight bow.
“If you’d let me know when you were coming, I would’ve sent a carriage.”
“There wasn’t anyone but me to do the informing. Still, thank you for the thought.”
Carlen’s expression flickered subtly—an uncharacteristic slip for a man who clearly knew her situation but still offered the customary politeness.
But just as quickly, he erased the expression and stepped forward to pull out Eloise’s chair.
Once seated, she exhaled quietly, unseen by Carlen.
Now was the moment to speak about her purpose.
She placed the letter on the table.
“You sent a contract.”
“It was necessary.”
“Mm. But the price… It’s a little off.”
“What do you mean? It should be correct…”
Carlen tilted his head in confusion, and Eloise took a deep breath before explaining calmly.
The cost of cabbage varies slightly based on its quality and size. Since it was a mid-sized premium cabbage that day, each head received two bronzes. It’s also a market price.
Either way, it’s a bit higher. But the contract you drafted was for a direct sale, so the price should be a bit lower for the same quality cabbage.”
“Oh, I see. I hadn’t considered that.”
“There’s another issue, too.”
“What is it?”
“Our garden isn’t very large, so our yield is limited. Meeting the quantity you specified might be difficult.”
Elle’s expression was deeply earnest as she explained, her tone deadly serious.
“The Duke ate so much! Half the dish was gone! The cabbage you brought is of excellent quality. I must have more. Which shop do you get it from?”
Carlen benefited from Joseph’s tearful insistence on buying the cabbage again.
The cabbage, in his opinion, was only a pretext for her reading the letters.
He hadn’t expected Elle to take it so seriously.
Seeing her so serious, Carlen decided to engage properly.
He nodded.
“Then let’s do it this way. Miss Moora, you decide the quantity and delivery schedule. We’ll pay according to market prices each time.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Relieved, Eloise took a sip of tea and asked the question burning in her mind.
“There must be an abundance of cabbage in your lands, Duke. May I ask why you insist on buying from me?”
“My taste buds prefer it.”
Eloise had been expecting some lengthy explanation, but the simple, blunt reply left her momentarily speechless.
“Is that the only reason?”
“Do you need another?”
“…”
With a man so resolute, it was easy to imagine he truly only wanted her to read the letters.
She moistened her dry lips with her tongue and took another sip of tea.
Her throat and lips had gone dry from the tension.
Now, it was time to bring up the real matter.
Having finished her cup, she spoke with quiet determination.
“And about that job you proposed the other day…”
“I’m listening.”
Eloise inhaled deeply, her shoulders rising and falling, then fixed him with a firm gaze.
“I’ll do it.”
“A welcome decision.”
“But there’s a problem.”
“Let’s find a compromise. Tell me.”
Carlen straightened up, his eyes locked on her.
He was confident he could persuade her no matter what issue she raised.
Her aquamarine eyes glimmered with a sharp, clear light.
“The amount you’re offering is the problem.”
“I can raise the payment to whatever you wish.”
“No, it’s too much.”
“…Pardon me? What did you say?”
“One gold coin per letter read is too expensive.”
Carlen paused, perplexed.
‘Did she just say it’s too much? Not that she wants more, but that it’s too high?’
He’d never heard that before and found himself momentarily dumbfounded.
“The kind of talent you’re seeking… Yes, you’re right, I am quite suited for that. Still, charging one gold coin just to read a letter seems greedy to me.”
“Do you have a price in mind?”
“About ten silver coins would be good.”
“Ten silver coins…”
That was only a tenth of his offer.
There was no reason to refuse—not because of the amount, but because her agreement was what he truly wanted.
“Very well. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“I would appreciate a carriage to be arranged for coming and going. It’s quite far from my home to here.”
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