Chapter 10
“Yes?”
“I’m telling you there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll handle it from here, so you can leave.”
“The matter about the new young lady…”
The man in the room asked again, startled, but the Grand Duke was more resolute than ever.
“Tell Cecelia to return to her room. I’ll take care of everything.”
“…Understood.”
Eventually, someone could be heard leaving the room. I guess I’ll have to ask the Grand Duke directly how to get back.
I was thinking that and tried to open the door, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t find the way out of the hallway.
‘Am I trapped…?’
Suddenly, I felt dizzy.
Should I use magic? I was just considering it when a thick stone wall slowly began to open.
At the same time, brilliant light enveloped my vision.
Since I had been walking in darkness for so long, the light hurt my eyes, and I quickly shut them.
“Did you enjoy the maze, daughter?”
The gentle voice and the warm light that accompanied it made it clear the Grand Duke had opened the door.
I quickly wiped my eyes and smiled brightly.
As if I had come here all on purpose.
“Ah…! Yeah! I had fun!”
I thought I heard him chuckle for a moment, but when I opened my eyes to look at him, his face was already stern again.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. So, how did you get here? It must’ve taken a while to walk.”
“Ah, I had something to tell you. That’s why I came!”
“Something to say?”
“Yes. Oh, never mind. I suddenly don’t want to say it.”
Someone I don’t even know is trying to threaten you, but would this man even believe me?
He might even think I’m trying to paint people here in a bad light.
‘He might just hate me for thinking poorly of his people.’
“Are you trying to joke with me?”
“No.”
The Grand Duke’s eyes scanned me for a while. Then he nodded as if something had clicked.
“There are things one doesn’t want to say, I suppose. But remember—I’m not a particularly merciful person.”
“Okay!”
“Then let’s get you back now.”
“Well… I don’t know the way.”
“You could’ve just gone the way you came.”
“…I don’t know how. I’ve always been locked up, so I’m not good at remembering paths.”
I had boldly said I’d find my own way out, but I had forgotten one crucial detail.
I had never made my own path before. Simply put—I’m terrible with directions.
‘I didn’t expect to be this bad at it…’
I thought I was being clever by touching the wall with my right hand as I walked, but it was too dark to leave any trace.
Besides, this was the longest I had ever walked in my life, and my legs were screaming in pain.
Just then, his eyes looking at me softened slightly.
“You’ve been locked up?”
“Yeah. So… I’m not begging or anything! But could you maybe walk me back? Or send someone else?”
“Begging…”
“I said I’m not begging! It’s just… just… well…”
As I stammered, determined not to beg, the Grand Duke nodded.
“I’ll take you.”
“R-really? You’ll walk me all the way to my room?”
He began walking ahead.
“Yes.”
“You’re such a kind person!”
“I’m not kind. It’s just that someone here would be very annoying if they saw you like this.”
As he spoke, the door opened.
But just before I stepped out, I backed away in a hurry.
“Uh… is there a place to wash up? If I go back like this, Cecelia is definitely going to say something…”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Haven’t you been fooled enough? Just move along without worry.”
“Okay!”
In the end, he took the lead.
“So, the one who gets annoying… is it Cecelia?”
“Yes. Try to get along. She’s not as bad as she seems. Her tone might be a little forceful.”
“…You know, for someone who says he’s not a good person, you’re better than you think.”
“No.”
“But it’s true.”
“I said no.”
The Grand Duke quickened his pace again as he kept denying it.
Which meant I had to hurry after him with my short legs.
The attendants standing near the room were startled by my sudden appearance, but the Grand Duke didn’t pay them any attention and kept walking.
‘My legs hurt so much.’
The pain was unbearable, like they were about to fall apart.
I had been given new clothes and shoes on the first day, but the shoes were especially big.
So with every step, they slipped around my feet, leaving blisters and cuts everywhere.
‘It would be nice if he could walk a little slower…’
But there’s no way he could know that.
He just kept striding ahead with those long legs.
A sigh escaped my lips without realizing it.
“Phew…”
And then, the Grand Duke suddenly stopped.
“What is it?”
“Uh, you see! It’s definitely not because my legs are short!”
“Hm?”
“Let’s slow down a bit. It’s my first time seeing this corridor, and I want to look around. Wow, the window’s open!”
“Oh.”
At last, his gaze turned toward me.
He looked me over from head to toe, saying nothing, as if deep in thought.
‘Of course he won’t go along with something like this…’
As expected, he said nothing and resumed walking.
But this time, his pace had slowed considerably.
At first, I thought it was a coincidence—but it really felt like he was matching my stride.
“Did you slow down for me on purpose?”
“Of course not. You’re not a special child. So there’s no reason to treat you specially.”
With that, his pace quickened a bit again, though still slower than before.
‘Well, yeah. There’s no way someone like him would do that for me.’
I followed behind him, staring at his massive figure that reminded me of a towering mountain.
What would it take for him to see that I am special?
I’m really something… I am special.
“I might get lost a little, though…”
“What was that?”
“Nothing! I didn’t say anything!”
I meant to say it to myself, but it slipped out.
“Anyway, we’re here.”
“Y-Your Grace! Or rather… Lady, what happened to your appearance…?!”
I had been staring at his back the whole way, but the sudden voice made me turn.
There stood Cecelia, clearly flustered and unsure what to do.
Just as I was about to brace myself against her fierce gaze, the Grand Duke naturally stepped in front of me.
“Your Grace? The young lady…”
“You’re wondering why she’s with me?”
“Yes. I thought she’d be in her room. And what’s with her appearance? Covered in dust…”
“Is that really what matters? What’s important is that she came back.”
Cecelia looked like she had a lot to say about my condition, but in the end, she bowed her head.
“Don’t question what I do.”
“…Yes, understood.”
“She got dirty while helping me with something important.”
“Pardon?”
“So clean her up.”
“Oh… yes, of course!”
That was the end of it.
Though there was more she could’ve said, the Grand Duke turned to leave after handing me off to Cecelia.
But then—
“By the way.”
“Huh?”
“Yes?”
“Why won’t you say it again?”
“…Say what again?”
“I was talking to the child.”
Cecelia, who had been about to drag me off, quickly stepped back.
“Ah… I see.”
“To me?”
“Yes. Why won’t you say it again?”
“Say what?”
But the Grand Duke hesitated, then shook his head.
“…Never mind. It’s nothing.”
“What was I supposed to say?”
“No need to say anything. I’ll be going now.”
Having said all he wanted, the Grand Duke turned and left.
Before I could even thank him. He even gave an excuse to cover up my messy state.
‘Maybe he’s a good person…’
I waved to him for a while.
Only when he disappeared from sight did my body suddenly lift into the air.
“Kyaa!”
“Please be quiet. Ha. For a lady of the Grand Duke’s house to walk around like this…”
It was Cecelia. Without hesitation, she picked me up—even though it was obvious her clothes would get dirty—and walked toward the door without changing expression.
“Put me down.”
“If I do, you’ll try to run again, won’t you? First, take a bath and eat something. Honestly… I’ve cared for four young masters and mistresses in this house, but you are by far the most troublesome.”
As she said that, she unlocked the door while holding me close.
“Shall I assist, Lady Cecelia?”
“No need. I’ll handle her myself. Please leave.”
The maid who had approached stepped back at her firm tone.
Only then did Cecelia carry me into the room.
“Put me down!”
“Are you really going to visit your mother looking like this?”
“…What?”
“I asked if you plan to go to her covered in dirt like that, without even knowing where it came from.”
“…”
“You’re only going to make her sicker.”
At her firm words, I had to stop struggling. She wasn’t wrong. I hadn’t seen my face or body, but judging by my hands, I could already imagine what state I was in.
Looking dejected, I went limp in her arms, and finally Cecelia carried me into the bathroom.
Only then did I see myself.
‘Gross.’
My dress, long enough to drag on the floor, was now blackened at the hem. Dust clung to my golden hair in clumps.
“Achoo.”
Cecelia quickly stripped off my clothes, which made me sneeze.
“Where in the world did you go to end up like this?! What important thing could you possibly have done…? Haa.”
“You don’t need to know.”
“…If you’re going to come back like this again, just go out naked next time.”
“…”
And with that, I was completely undressed.
She really is a woman I don’t like.
“Hah… if you go around like this, what does that make me, the one taking care of you?”
“Who asked you to take care of me?”
“…Then are you going to show this state to someone else instead?”
