TGDHC Chapter 119

Chapter 119 – Moving Rooms

“I think I should move rooms,” Loic said with a confident face.

“It’s only happened once, but if I really want to erase it completely from my mind…”
He murmured something I couldn’t quite understand, then smiled and added,
“It’s better if we see each other more often.”

“What are you talking about?”

Before I could ask further, Loic gently took my hand.
“It takes several minutes to walk down the hallway from my room to yours, doesn’t it?”

That had always been true, so why bring it up now?

“I’ve been thinking a lot about how much trouble you go through every morning just to come see me. So, I’ll take this chance to move closer.”

His face brightened with excitement.

‘Is he trying to move into the room next to mine?’

But that room was small and not suitable for someone like the Duke.
Besides, the maids were often around that area late at night, so it would be inconvenient.

Still, when I saw how happy he looked, I couldn’t bring myself to ruin his mood.
‘I’m weaker to that face than I thought.’

It was only the next morning that I understood what Loic’s plan really was.

Early in the morning, I was preparing to go to Loic’s room to tie his cravat as usual.

Knock, knock.

The sound came from the terrace—the one I was already too used to.

‘Should I open it or not?’

In the end, I did open it, and there was Loic, smiling widely as he stepped inside.
He was fully dressed—shirt and vest neatly in place.

“Loic.”

I was about to scold him properly this time, but he spoke first.

“I didn’t climb over the terrace.”

“What?”

If he didn’t climb over the terrace, then how did he get here?

Seeing my puzzled look, Loic pointed upward.
“I just came down from above.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I moved my room. I’m staying in the room directly above this one now.”

“But that’s far away, isn’t it?”

My room was on the east wing, right at the end with the terrace.
From there to the central staircase was quite a walk, and then up to the third floor and down the east corridor again—it was definitely not close.

Loic tilted his head innocently.
“But I can just jump down from the terrace.”

‘He’s not even thinking about using the stairs?’

My expression must have said it all, because he quickly added, as if defending himself,
“It’s not dangerous at all. It’s perfectly fine.”

He sounded so sure of himself that I didn’t even know what to say.

“Well, it’s not close for me,” I mumbled, a little annoyed.

He might be a Sword Master who could leap across terraces easily, but I was not.

Loic’s eyes widened.
“Annette, you don’t have to move at all. From now on, I’ll come to you.”

“What if I need something?”

“Just call me from the terrace, and I’ll come right away.”

“…You still need your cravat tied.”

“I brought them with me.”

Loic pulled several cravat fabrics out of his pocket.

“You brought those?”

“I picked out a few you like.”

“Hmm… For that outfit, the dark blue one would look better than this one.”

“Wait a moment. I’ll get it.”

“Forget it. You don’t need to go back and forth so much.”

“It’s not tiring at all.”

Before I could stop him, he was already out the terrace—and then, in moments, back again holding the dark blue cravat.

Was he a monkey or what?

It looked ridiculous, but he seemed quite pleased with himself.

“Is this the right one?”

“…Good job.”

He looked so expectant that I couldn’t help smiling as I tied the cravat for him.

“There. All done.”

“Thank you.”

Then Loic looked at me with anticipation in his eyes.

“Can I kiss you now?”

He said it so naturally that I was too stunned to answer, only managing to nod.

Loic carefully wrapped his arms around me, tilting his head as he pressed his lips softly against mine.

We stayed like that for a while, breathing against each other, until our breaths grew uneven and our lips finally parted.

Loic left a few light pecks, as if reluctant to let go.

‘He seems especially happy today.’

When I looked up, he was smiling with his eyes.

“This feels nice,” he said softly.

“What does?”

“Being able to come see you whenever I want.”

Well, that was true. I could go to him whenever I wanted, but he couldn’t do the same before.

‘As much as I want to tell him it’s improper to keep using the terrace like that…’

Seeing his happy face made the words die in my throat.

‘Fine, he’s a Sword Master—no one will notice anyway.’

‘And to think he’s happy just because he can come see me.’

Who else but my Duke would say something like that?

I leaned forward and gave him another quick kiss before pulling away.

Because of that, we ended up leaving for breakfast ten minutes late.

The envoy left much more politely than when they had arrived.

When Loic and I saw them off in front of the main building, Count Paccio personally thanked me, saying he’d been treated very well thanks to my hospitality.

He even bowed in the Empire’s style rather than that of Rondoris.

When I first met him, he had looked down on me as a young and inexperienced lady—but now, seeing his changed attitude, I couldn’t help feeling proud.

‘And Perel said the negotiations went even better than expected. Good.’

With everything going smoothly, it seemed like the perfect time to move forward with the second marketplace by the lake.

But before that, I needed to deal with the guest currently sitting across from me.

In the garden of the annex, I was having tea with the Marchioness.

When she set down her teacup, I decided to speak frankly.

“The envoy has left, so perhaps it’s time for you to prepare to return to the capital, Mother.”

The Marchioness glared at me.
“You’re so heartless, dear. Poor Raphael will miss me.”

“He already told me his vacation is ending soon.”

At that, the Marchioness pouted but then suddenly smiled with mischief.
“Should I just stay here longer?”

“Please don’t say such scary things! I take it back, I was wrong.”

“You know I can’t stand the heat. It’s cooler here than in the capital.”

She chuckled, waving her fan playfully.

“And the knights here are so handsome! It’s nice just to look at them. How are they all so tall and broad-shouldered?”

“…That’s your reason?”

“Well…”

Her sharp eyes softened slightly.
“Here, I don’t have to worry about the Marquis or Ferdinand’s moods. And I don’t have to deal with Ladriel’s mockery. It’s… peaceful.”

Her tone almost sounded sincere, but I cut it off neatly.
“You love balls, Mother. There aren’t any here.”

“Then we can host one! You’re the Grand Duchess, aren’t you?”

She looked thrilled by her own idea.
“Then I’ll become the Grand Duchess’s mother—the new queen of Blenheim’s social circle.”

“You dream big, Mother.”

I couldn’t help a small laugh at her boldness.
“Unfortunately, Blenheim can barely afford to invite one theater troupe right now.”

“Theater troupe? What troupe?”

I hadn’t planned to mention it, but she was too curious to ignore.

Since investing in Alchent’s magazine company, I’d been getting regular updates from him.
At first, Alchent had planned to expand his business in Rondoris, the heart of opera, but he later agreed to my suggestion to help build up Blenheim’s cultural scene instead.

The problem was that no theater troupe wanted to perform in the north, no matter how much money we offered.

‘I’d even hoped to bring one in during the envoy’s visit, but it didn’t work out.’

It was a shame—this land was wealthy, and people here were eager to spend money, yet artists ignored such a golden opportunity.

“Cariso?”

“Yes. Have you heard of them? They’re supposed to be quite famous.”

“Of course I have! Don’t tell me you don’t know Cariso?”

The Marchioness looked at me in shock, as if I had no culture.

“I know roughly,” I said quickly.

They were the troupe with the famous opera singer Kochbiel, who had been hugely successful for the past three years.

Alchent had tried to invite them for a special performance on their way through Blenheim, but the director, Samuel, had already refused twice, saying their schedule was too full.

‘Maybe I should look for another troupe instead.’

“Oh! I actually know Director Samuel!”

“You do?”

“I met him once at the opera theater.”

Her voice was full of excitement.

“I could write him a letter of introduction!”

“You only met him once, Mother.”

She lifted her chin proudly.
“Yes, but that one time was when I went with Her Majesty the Empress. He wouldn’t dare ignore my name.”

“Why are you suddenly offering to help?”

“In exchange, take me to the performance.”

It wasn’t exactly reliable help, but I had nothing to lose.

“That’s all you want?”