Bedroom?
Clemati felt her heart drop.
She knew what that meant.
“What do you mean by…?”
Startled, she quickly turned and asked, but Prox only tilted his head with a carefree expression.
“We’re lovers starting today. What lovers do is pretty obvious, so why are you acting surprised?”
The color drained from Clemati’s face, turning it pale white.
Seeing her flustered, Prox twisted his lips into a mocking smile.
“What, were you expecting something like dates? Sorry, but I’m publicly engaged, so that would be difficult.”
At his unusually sarcastic tone, so unlike his usual self, Clemati stiffened and looked up at him.
Prox hadn’t made this proposal to fulfill what Clemati wanted.
His goal was to completely shatter her illusions, so he had no choice but to be harsh from the start.
“But going in and out of your bedroom…”
Clemati hesitated.
If she were to frequent the duke’s bedroom, it would inevitably spread through the servants’ gossip.
His chambers, located on the highest floor of the estate, were only accessible to the butler and a select few assigned attendants.
As his aide, she was never allowed into his private spaces beyond the office or meeting rooms.
For such an aide to enter his bedroom…
There were already rumors that the Duke of Hermann doted excessively on his commoner aide, with people spreading nonsense about their relationship.
Until now, she had been able to remain dignified in front of those who looked down on her because she had nothing to hide, backed by her competence.
But if it became known that she was entering his bedroom, those baseless rumors would become accepted as truth.
In the end, she would be reduced to a sly commoner woman maintaining her position as chief aide by attending to the duke at night.
Only then did Clemati realize something had gone terribly wrong.
“You don’t need to worry about the eyes of the retainers or servants. If they value their lives, they’ll keep their mouths shut.”
But Prox had no intention of reconsidering.
He reached out and gently caressed Clemati’s pale cheek.
“If you understand, then make yourself look nice and wait.”
He intended to hold her in his arms and make her painfully realize just how filthy and ugly love could be.
She could hardly remember how she spent the time until night fell.
As his aide, Clemati followed Prox through all his schedules.
Whether discussing the dispatched knights with Count Britten, inspecting the territory beyond the gates, or finally heading to the royal palace at Princess Rachel’s invitation—
Clemati followed behind him and did her best to support him.
Her body, accustomed to work, moved reflexively whenever he needed something, but her mind was filled with distracting thoughts.
Would she really spend the night with him after all this ended?
It felt utterly unreal.
Though she had secretly imagined such things over the past four years, now that it was becoming reality, she couldn’t even picture what would happen.
Even when he reached out to her for documents, her mind wandered into strange thoughts.
If she spent the night with him… would those hands run over her body?
As those unfamiliar thoughts kept branching out, Clemati felt more exhausted than usual.
“At least it’s close, so that’s a relief. No matter how well they treat me, staying at the palace comes with its own burdens.”
As their wedding approached, the royal family had arranged a temporary residence for Prox in the capital, expecting frequent visits. But Prox always declined, saying he had too much work and would return to his estate.
This time as well, he merely shook his head at the suggestion to stay, and after finishing dinner with Princess Rachel, wore an unreadable expression.
One thing was certain: he never looked excited or expectant when meeting his fiancée.
Then again, it wasn’t a marriage born of love.
It was a match arranged by the kingdom to honor his contributions and elevate the Hermann family’s status and power.
To Prox, Princess Rachel was like a reward bestowed by the king, a symbol of honor.
Even knowing that, Clemati had so many questions she wanted to ask.
How was the dinner? Did he talk a lot with Princess Rachel? Had they grown closer than before?
Normally, as his aide, she would have asked such things and checked on his condition, but today she couldn’t bring herself to say even a word.
On the way back, her chest felt tight.
Because the “tonight” he mentioned was drawing closer.
When they arrived, Clemati stepped down from the carriage first. Then she approached Prox, who followed with a tired expression.
The day’s schedule was over, so it was time to say her farewell.
With others watching, perhaps she could excuse herself naturally here.
“You’ve worked hard through today’s schedule. I hope you have a peaceful night—”
“Matty.”
Prox cut her off, his eyes narrowing.
“Starting today, you’ll stay in that annex as well.”
“…Pardon?”
He gestured with his chin toward one of the unused annex buildings.
Blinking in confusion, Clemati followed his gaze.
The Hermann estate, lavishly rewarded by the kingdom, was grand enough to leave several buildings unused.
And now, Prox was assigning one of them to his aide, Clemati.
“With your workload increasing, you should stay somewhere nearby. Things could come up while you’re away, and it’s inconvenient for you to keep coming and going.”
It was as if he had seen through her attempt to slip away, firmly catching her.
“The maids will bring your clothes and necessities. I’ll assign attendants to you as well.”
Clemati looked up at him with a resentful gaze.
But Prox only shrugged casually in response.
Was he really planning to take her tonight?
Wasn’t that just meant to scare her?
Clemati suddenly wanted to take back her impulsive confession.
But there were too many eyes around them.
She could only look at him in confusion, unable to speak.
“You should answer, Matty.”
Whether he understood her predicament or simply chose to tease her, he pressed her in front of others as if demanding obedience.
“…As you command.”
Letting out a deep sigh, Clemati headed toward the annex.
She understood what he meant.
He intended to call for her whenever he needed her, even beyond work.
And that contract began now.
As instructed, the maids brought her clothes and bathing items.
Every time someone entered her room, Clemati flinched.
Though they didn’t know her relationship with Prox, she felt guilty, her heart racing.
They likely thought she was simply staying close to handle the increasing workload efficiently.
“What on earth are you planning?”
Muttering to herself, Clemati washed up.
Though it was her usual routine after work, she felt unusually conscious of it today, her heart pounding as if it might burst.
She even avoided looking at her reflection, hiding in the steam.
After bathing, she opened the window and let in the cool air, waiting for the moon to tilt further across the clear night sky.
When everyone fell asleep, she would quietly leave the annex and head to his chambers.
Could she avoid being seen?
Surely guards and attendants would be stationed near his quarters.
Unable to risk it, Clemati changed from her shift into her formal uniform.
It would be better to appear as though she had business.
Clutching a file under her arm, she steadied herself and left the annex.
Walking calmly into the estate, she climbed the stairs with confidence.
Hesitation would only draw suspicion.
“Miss Aide.”
Halfway up the stairs, someone called out from behind.
Startled, she turned, forcing her expression to remain composed.
A maid stood below, looking up at her with a puzzled face.
“That way leads to the master’s bedroom, doesn’t it?”
