MPAWD 97

Chapter 97

Lucy looked at Dino with a stern expression and asked,

“No, it’s nothing.”

He shrugged his shoulders and picked up his fork.

“But, may I ask why His Grace, the Grand Duke of Cretain, is here? What about the duchy?”

Seeing Dino speak so rudely to Lucas, Lucy felt a wave of anxiety.

For a commoner to behave so arrogantly toward a noble could itself be considered an act of contempt toward the aristocracy and might result in severe punishment.

“Then I’m curious why you are here yourself,” Lucas said.

Fortunately, Lucas didn’t seem particularly bothered by Dino’s insolence.

“I wanted to step out of the countryside and try my hand at business in the big city. So I bought a house here, but a small accident happened, and the house completely collapsed.”

At the mention of a collapsed house, Lucy looked up at him in surprise.

“So now I’m building a new one, but since I have nowhere else to stay, I’m temporarily living here.”

“Your house collapsed?” Lucy asked in shock.

“Yes. At first, I thought I could just repair a few spots, but as soon as I started, the whole thing fell apart. So now I’m building it anew.”

Lucy was dumbfounded at how casually Dino spoke such a huge thing while eating his food.

Hadn’t he said he only needed to stay a few days while the repairs were being made? But now he was building a completely new house.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier? You only mentioned minor damage. But if you’re rebuilding…”

“Guess I’ll have to stay a little longer, then?”

Lucy wanted to ask more but stayed silent, aware of Lucas’s presence. She decided to save the details for later.

Lucas frowned and addressed Dino.

“If it’s because you have nowhere else to stay, I can find a suitable place for you.”

“I appreciate it, but I feel more comfortable staying here,” Dino replied.

Lucas frowned and lowered the fork he was about to pick up.

“It’s for my convenience. If you want a comfortable place, how about my townhouse?”

Dino suddenly laughed, shrugging his shoulders.

“Hahaha! I don’t see why Your Grace would feel uncomfortable with me staying here. But are you serious? I’m honored, but I’m not very close to the authorities. Surely, if it’s Your Grace’s townhouse, officials will be coming and going all the time?”

“Even so, it wouldn’t look good for others if you stayed alone where the young lady lives. I’ll find a suitable place for you.”

Lucas maintained his composure and calmly persuaded Dino despite his rudeness.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll stay as quietly as possible, like I’m barely here,” Dino said.

Lucas gripped his fork tightly in response.

Finally, Lucy stepped in between them.

“Lu-Lucas, your food will get cold! I’ll handle the matter of Dino staying here.”

“But Lucy—”

“Thank you for your concern. Please, continue eating.”

Lucy cut him off, pointing at the food.

“And Dino, before being kicked out, at least show some courtesy to His Grace. Besides, he’s my guest!”

Lucy’s gentle but firm warning made Dino quiet, and he began to eat.

“Hmm, by the way, I heard that a company called Navid Trading recently accomplished something significant, and the Emperor plans to hold a banquet to commend them,” Lucas said unexpectedly.

Lucy paused mid-cutting her steak.

‘Why mention Navid Trading all of a sudden?’

She looked up with a blank expression.

“Navid Trading? That’s the first I’ve heard of them. But just how significant is their achievement that the Emperor is holding a banquet?”

“They developed a new strain of grain and agreed to supply it to the royal household at a low price.”

“I see. That’s really impressive.”

Lucy widened her eyes, feigning astonishment.

“Indeed. It’s quite an achievement. The owner of Navid Trading seems remarkable as well. So, would you accompany me as my partner to the banquet?”

“Ah, I… I’ll have to check my schedule first…” Lucy hesitated, avoiding a direct answer.

She had only just heard about the Emperor holding a banquet to honor Navid Trading. Since no official invitation had arrived, she couldn’t give a definite answer.

‘So he already recognized me, huh?’

Thinking she was refusing, Lucas softened his tone.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to pressure you! It’s fine if you decline. Since the schedule isn’t official yet, take your time.”

Lucy nodded slightly.

Another long silence followed. The meal ended awkwardly, but Dino didn’t seem to want to leave.

“You came to see the townhouse? I haven’t properly explored it yet either. Lucy, why don’t you show me around with His Grace?”

Dino spoke up after hearing that Lucas had come to see the townhouse.

“Don’t you have plenty of time to see it later?” Lucas asked coldly.

“Who knows when I’ll be kicked out? I’d better see it while I can,” Dino joked.

“I thought you said you’d be staying here for a while?” Lucas asked incredulously.

“Lucy glares at me like that. I wouldn’t be surprised if I get kicked out anytime,” Dino said, grinning at Lucy.

“Dino, do you have errands today? I heard from Anna you go out every night. I can show you the townhouse later, so go if you have things to do,” Lucy said with a sigh.

But Lucas shook his head.

“No, we might as well explore it together since it’s come to this.”

He couldn’t bear the thought of Lucy and Dino wandering the mansion alone while he wasn’t around.

In the end, the three of them got up to tour the townhouse.

‘Sigh… I thought there’d be more private moments with Lucy in the capital, but there are too many interruptions,’ Lucas thought.

As Lucy led them through the townhouse, Dino followed closely beside Lucas, whistling and grinning the whole time.

Lucas sighed inwardly. His hope for a quiet dinner with Lucy was dashed once again.

Meanwhile, Joanna attended a tea party hosted by the wife of Chancellor Duke Miller.

She had managed to obtain the rare tea leaves the duchess favored and brought along an expensive gift she had prepared in advance.

“Viscountess Becky, how do you grow more beautiful by the day? Can’t you let me in on the secret, just a little? Hohoho!”

“If it’s a secret, perhaps it’s the devoted love of His Highness, the Fourth Prince?”

The ladies at the tea party teased Joanna, laughing merrily.

“Duchess Miller is rumored to be in such a harmonious marriage. You two are truly lovely. Perhaps that’s how the duchess maintains her youthful looks!”

Joanna complimented the duchess, praising her beauty.

“You are too kind!” the duchess replied.

As the mood warmed, Joanna prepared to discreetly present her gift.

At that moment, the duchess leaned toward the group and whispered conspiratorially,

“Have you all heard? About that woman…”

Joanna paused, putting away her gift, and listened with curiosity to gain favor.

“Which woman are you referring to?”

“Diallo. Apparently, Lucy Diallo has returned!”

“Lucy Diallo… could it be…?”

The ladies murmured, startled by the news.

‘Lucy Diallo?’

Hearing the unforgettable name, Joanna stiffened.