~Chapter 74~
The survey didn’t take long since it was mostly yes-or-no questions, and responses were counted by a simple show of hands.
Thanks to the three personal maids working together, it was completed quickly.
Ancia, still blushing from earlier, let out a quiet sigh and said,
“From now on, I won’t act mean on purpose anymore.”
“My lady, nothing you’ve done so far could be called truly mean.”
“If you get any kinder, you might grow wings.”
Please stop. Ancia was so embarrassed she could barely lift her head.
Bianca, out of nowhere, pressed a cold water bottle to Ancia’s cheek and pouted a bit.
“Everyone loves the lady, but I’m still your favorite maid, right?”
“Nope, I am. I was your personal maid before you.”
While Bianca and Ellie bickered, Julie fanned Ancia gently with a handkerchief.
The scene was peaceful—but Ancia knew time was short.
The festival prep needed to start today.
The finer details would be settled in meetings, but the more data they had, the better.
Ancia expected things to get busy once the festival proposal was approved.
But she didn’t expect even head maid Rosa to start cooperating without resistance.
That morning, Rosa came to Ancia’s room, more polite than usual.
“I heard you proposed the festival for the sake of the territory. As someone who has served the duke’s house for years, I want to help.”
Then she recommended a building that would work well as the festival headquarters.
It was a bit off from the central plaza but open on all sides—perfect for versatility, Rosa explained. When Ancia gave no response, Rosa added:
“Everyone is running around, busy with monster subjugation and the festival. Shouldn’t those of us protecting the duchy do what we can?”
Her serious words caught Ancia off guard.
Maybe Rosa truly cared more about the duchy than she hated Ancia? If she was that committed, maybe she could be trusted—at least a little.
As Ancia hesitated, Rosa pushed harder.
“You should visit the place today. It’s a great property. Someone else might snatch it up if you wait.”
The classic “last chance” sales pitch. Ancia gave a small nod.
“I was planning to visit the town anyway. I’m looking forward to checking it out—thank you.”
“It’s an emergency, so I’m just doing what I can. I’ll take my leave now.”
Though she sounded sincere, Ancia didn’t fully believe her.
Rosa’s kindness couldn’t be that simple. Just yesterday, she ignored Bianca completely—even when Bianca hid behind Ellie and looked heartbroken.
“What’s her real intention in recommending that building?”
If this were a full sale, she’d look over the fine print—but it was just a temporary rental. What harm could there be?
She couldn’t think of any. Maybe checking it out in person would give her a clue.
“Julie, could you help me get ready to go out?”
“My lady, aren’t you going to check the survey results first?”
“Oh, right!”
Most servants had returned home the night before and visited nearby shops in the morning to collect survey responses from locals. While Ancia planned to use hired help later, she figured locals would give more honest feedback.
She needed to read the results before moving forward.
“I’ll check those this morning and go out this afternoon.”
“Then please take your medicine first.”
Ancia spent the morning organizing the extra info they gathered. Just as lunchtime approached—and she was hoping to see Rishar—he actually showed up.
“My lady. Could you spare some time for me today?”
“Ah—Duke!”
Despite his busy schedule, he came well-dressed and smiling. Ancia brightened and rushed over.
Compared to how he used to avoid or awkwardly retreat from her, this was a completely different Rishar. It warmed her heart.
“If you’re not too busy…”
“No, I’m free. But… wait…”
She scanned him playfully and smiled.
“Are you asking me out on a date?”
For a second, Rishar’s pupils shook—Ancia caught it and smiled like she’d seen nothing.
“Now that I think about it, we’ve never even gone out together. Sorry about that.”
“Oh! I was just kidding—really.”
“Still… I know you always hold back and try to be considerate. I should’ve done better.”
He could be so smooth at times, and suddenly so serious the next.
But Ancia liked that sincerity.
She blushed, and Rishar gently brushed her cheek with his fingers.
“I was planning to inspect a festival building today. I thought we could go together and get your opinion.”
Ancia had planned to go anyway, so she stood up quickly.
“Sure! I’ll get ready right away.”
“I know women need time to prepare. Take your time and send someone to get me when you’re done.”
“Okay. I’ll be quick!”
As soon as he left, everyone’s eyes lit up.
“Get me ready in 30 minutes.”
“We’ll make you look elegant but easy to move in.”
“A bit of skin showing might help set the mood in the carriage, don’t you think?”
“Ahh! My lady, it’s so romantic!”
Even Ancia blushed at their excitement.
Thanks to her skilled maids, she was fully dressed in less than 30 minutes.
She looked elegant yet lovely—noble and charming. Her light makeup matched her green eyes and platinum hair, and her accessories were perfectly balanced.
Ancia gave herself a thumbs-up in the mirror.
When Rishar came to pick her up, he was stunned into silence.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her on the way to the carriage. Even the maids walking behind blushed—and so did Ancia.
At the carriage, Rishar helped her in—but paused, hesitating to close the door.
“Duke?”
Was he not coming? Maybe he planned to ride the black horse behind them?
But then, as Ancia smiled her most genuine smile, he couldn’t resist.
Instead of riding, he got in the carriage.
“D-Duke…”
Before she could finish her sentence, he leaned in and kissed her.
He braced against the wall, careful not to crush her. Though he seemed bold at first, his kiss was actually gentle.
When Ancia opened her eyes in surprise, he whispered:
“Your lipstick might come off…”
“Ah…”
“Unless… you don’t mind?”
With each sentence, he gently kissed her again, as if asking permission.
“You don’t even need makeup to be beautiful.”
With that, the carriage door shut—and she was wrapped in his arms.
Outside, Julie and Ellie quietly checked the makeup touch-up kit.
The servant holding the black horse shifted nervously, but a knight mounted the horse and gave the signal:
“We’ll move slowly.”
There was no reply from inside the carriage—but the loyal knight gave the order, and they began to roll out.
Only when they arrived at the plaza did Ancia finally pull herself together.
“Duke, people saw us!”
“Is that a problem?”
Rishar looked completely unbothered. Lipstick now lightly stained his lips, which made Ancia flush even more. She tried to wipe it off with her fingers—but he grabbed her hand and kissed it.
“You’ll just dirty your hands. I’ll mess it up again anyway.”
“Duke…”
“My lady. Would you say my name?”
His low, deep voice whispered near her ear—and her whole body went weak.
If she hadn’t been in his arms, she might have collapsed.
Her face, already red, felt like it might burst into flames.
“Duke, um…”
Originally, she asked him to wait six months because of the original novel’s storyline.
But now, everything had changed. Her heart was fully open to Rishar.
After being kissed so thoroughly, it was more than just “a little open.”
Still, the memory of his shirtless body from their wedding night flashed in her mind. It had been… a lot.
She had to keep things on track.
“Remember our agreement? From the wedding night…”
“I remember. Six months. I’ve never wanted winter to pass faster.”
“Ahh—this man’s way too persistent…”
Rishar, once obsessed only with monster hunting, was now way too affectionate—and Ancia could only scream inside her mind.
Somehow, while lost in his warmth, they arrived at the central plaza.
Last time, it felt far away—but with Rishar, the ride felt short.
“Send the maids in.”
“Ah, yes.”
After Rishar stepped out, Julie and Ellie entered the carriage with their makeup tools. Ancia awkwardly smiled.
But besides her lips, nothing else needed touching up.
While they fixed her lipstick, Ancia couldn’t hide her blush.
Only after the maids exited did she finally step down, cheeks still red.
When she took Rishar’s outstretched hand, her face blushed again.
Even just walking beside him made her heart pound. She felt conscious of every step.
Now that she had admitted her feelings, every moment with him felt like a rosy dream.
“Wait—I’m the one who asked him to wait… What am I doing?”
They were here for work—but she hadn’t heard a single thing.
“Duke, what exactly should I be looking at?”
“Anything that seems off. The captain and aide say it’s fine, but it’s good to have various opinions.”
“I see.”
So I’m supposed to nitpick, huh? That’s a villainess’s specialty…
Oops. She didn’t need to act like a villain anymore.
She shook her head and looked around—only to realize all eyes in the quiet plaza were on them.
“Right… of course everyone’s staring. The duke and duchess are out together.”
She straightened her posture and smiled sweetly.
While Ancia glowed with grace, Rishar—twice her size—looked like a moving ice sculpture.
In the distance, she spotted Eve in front of the dress shop, looking teary-eyed with excitement, being held back by her maid.
The sight made Ancia smile naturally.
Her radiant smile drew every gaze like sunlight.
She didn’t have to act like a villain anymore, so she smiled like the bright, innocent girl she once was.
Everyone here was a potential festival attendee and customer.
To make the festival work, she needed their goodwill.
Meanwhile, Rishar, watching her with a serious face, had to fight the urge to take her back to the carriage so no one else could see her.
His icy aura spread behind him like a chill.
Even without turning around, Ancia could feel it.
Locals would stare at her, dazed, then see Rishar, freeze in fear, and hurry away.
Ancia gently squeezed his hand.
“Duke. The townspeople’s cooperation is crucial for the festival, right?”
“Yes, very.”
“Then… maybe soften your expression?”
“Are you saying I need a mask?”
“If you keep scaring everyone, maybe!”
She looked up and smiled at him. Rishar gave a small, surprised smile back.
They walked further in and found the three-story building, surrounded by wide alleys—just as Rosa had described.
Good thing they came early.
“What do you think, my lady?”
It looked clean and just the right size.
When she looked to Rishar, he answered calmly:
“We agreed to pay 1% of the festival profit… Why are you pouting?”
Oops. She hadn’t realized she was doing that.
Embarrassed, she pressed her lips together, but Rishar leaned in closer.
“Were you hoping for another kiss?”
Ancia’s face turned bright red.
“Wh-when did I say that? And how much more are you going to do this?!”
She wanted to complain that the carriage kiss was enough, but realized the surroundings had gone quiet.
The staff and guards behind them all pretended they hadn’t heard anything.
Only Bianca peeked with a red face—until Ellie pinched her and she quickly looked down.
“Ugh… This was supposed to be our classy first outing as a couple…”
Ancia sulked as she slowly stepped into the building. Rishar whispered behind her:
“Don’t pout, my lady. It makes me want to kiss you again.”
“Duke!”
Her cry of protest only made him smile.
He was back to his usual blank expression, but Ancia knew what she’d just seen—and it was wonderful.
“Duke, let’s focus. If we finish here quickly, we can go home and rest.”
“You’re right.”
His wife was wise. Better to finish quickly and get time alone at home—or even on the carriage ride back.
So Rishar focused.
He already knew all the building’s details from the reports. He brought Ancia because he wanted her to feel involved.
He didn’t want her hiding behind his achievements.
“It’s a bit older inside compared to how it looks outside. But it’s still usable.”
“It’s near the central plaza, so they probably cared more about appearance.”
The owner, who had been waiting, answered Ancia’s questions directly.
She asked about breaking down some walls, entrances, and room usage upstairs. The more she checked, the more confident she felt.
As she began inspecting the interior more actively, Rishar stepped back a bit.
The hallways were narrow—and he didn’t want to distract her. Whenever he got too close, he couldn’t stop himself from touching her.
Watching the escort knights follow her properly, Rishar glanced over the aide’s report.
