Chapter 61: Lakeside Date (2)
“I told you before, he’s a rude and difficult man. Meeting him will only ruin your mood.”
“But still…”
I’ve never seen a wizard in my life!
“I heard he’s very skilled. I’m just curious.”
“He’s not that impressive,” the Duke replied with a slight pout.
But under my questioning gaze, he finally admitted,
“…His material transformation magic isn’t bad.”
“Material transformation magic?”
“It’s the ability to create magical tools.”
“Oh! Sir Perel mentioned that.”
I remembered asking Perel about the wizard’s role at the Duke’s estate.
— “Anyway, there’s no one in the empire with more mana than the Duke. But only a wizard can create weapons strong enough to handle that mana or make magic stones to place at the borders. His healing magic is also quite advanced.”
Perel also said that the wizard was difficult to deal with but was one of the best in the empire.
That’s why the Duke had no choice but to sign a contract with him for a large sum of money.
— “As for his daily life? He usually spends his free time making magical tools. He creates lots of interesting things.”
Apparently, most of the lights in Blenheim were made by that wizard too.
I looked at the glowing lights decorating the forest path.
“He really is skilled.”
“Visitors are often amazed. Normally, you’d need five times more magic stones to make lights this bright.”
I nodded in agreement.
“And he has a great sense of design, too. Did he make this lamp?”
The table lamp looked like a designer piece with its detailed glasswork and fancy gold ring.
“How can it be so beautiful…!”
As I reached out without thinking, I accidentally hit the teacup.
“Ah!”
The cup tipped over, and the tea spilled on my hand and the table.
Luckily, it wasn’t too hot.
“Are you alright?”
The Duke quickly pulled out a handkerchief from his inner coat and gently held my hand, carefully wiping away the water.
“Are you burned anywhere?”
“I-it’s okay. The tea had cooled down.”
The Duke leaned closer, holding my hand.
He carefully checked each of my fingers to see if my skin had turned red. His gentle touch made my face heat up.
Our faces were close—too close.
‘This is too much!’
I didn’t know whether it was my hand or face that was burning.
After he finished wiping my hand, the Duke raised his head.
His breath felt warm against my skin.
His damp gaze fell from my eyes to my lips.
He slowly licked his lips.
It felt like… our lips might touch.
My heart pounded so loudly, I thought he could hear it.
“Ah.”
I quickly snapped out of it and pulled back.
The Duke blinked slowly, as if he was slightly disappointed.
Why is the Duke acting so relaxed today? Even when I got off the carriage earlier, he was different.
Feeling embarrassed, I gently pulled my hand away and asked,
“U-um, Duke, why didn’t you use the handkerchief I gave you?”
“Ah.”
The Duke flinched, surprised.
He was holding a plain handkerchief with no design.
“Did you not like my gift?”
“N-no, that’s not it.”
He swallowed hard.
“It’s just that…”
Just what?
I gave him a sideways glance, and the Duke quickly pulled another handkerchief from inside his coat.
It was the one I gave him, neatly folded with a golden emblem embroidered on it.
“You carry two handkerchiefs?”
As our eyes met, the Duke opened his mouth.
“It’s just…”
“…?”
“It’s too precious.”
“What?”
“I didn’t want to use it and get it dirty…”
His voice was soft and low as he touched the handkerchief.
“But I always carry it with me.”
His quiet words tickled my ears in the worst (or best) way.
This sly Duke…
My heart beat like crazy.
‘Saying things like that with such a handsome face is cheating!’
He was acting like I was the most special person in the world.
“Just use it freely.”
I barely managed to get those words out.
“I’ll make you another one.”
“…Thank you.”
Looking a bit shy, the Duke turned his face toward the lake.
I followed his gaze and saw the moonlight sparkling on the gentle waves.
Even though I tried to sit calmly, my heartbeat echoed all the way to my ears.
Why was I feeling so fluttery?
The Duke’s proper manners, like escorting me politely, pulling out the chair for me, and carefully wiping my hand—things I would’ve thought were just old-fashioned before—now made my heart race.
‘It must be the atmosphere.’
I quickly drank the tea he had poured again.
This lake was just too beautiful.
Even someone who had no interest in romance would feel something here!
‘If this were the modern world, the lakeside would be filled with cafés and restaurants. It’d be packed with couples, and you’d have to line up for street food too.’
If this place weren’t private Duke’s land, it could easily become more famous than Goldrain.
I imagined neon signs covering the lake’s beauty.
It was a surprisingly nice picture.
Though I felt a little silly for thinking about business even now…
‘Still, I’ll remember this moment for a long time.’
The Duke and I stayed by the lake for a while longer, enjoying the night breeze.
***
“It’s a ring.”
A tiny ring made of wildflowers was placed on my pinky finger.
I smiled at the little girl with clear brown eyes.
“It’s so pretty. Thank you.”
The shy girl gave a small nod and ran back to the other kids.
My fingers were already covered with flower rings and my wrists with a few braided flower bracelets.
“I’m sorry. The kids insisted on giving them to Your Highness,” Jerome said awkwardly.
“It’s fine. I really like them.”
Jerome’s face lit up.
“Now go and get something to eat. The sandwiches are quite good.”
“Thank you!”
Smiling brightly, Jerome joined the kids by the lake.
The children were happily playing tag and ball on the grass.
The Duke had happily allowed us to bring the orphanage children to the lake.
— “You don’t need to ask me for permission about such things. I’m grateful that you care about the children.”
When I worried about how to bring them, the Duke even offered all the estate’s carriages.
Thanks to him, the children enjoyed a grand outing in carriages marked with the Duke’s emblem.
And because Berni packed lots of snacks, the children kept eating as they played.
‘I should thank Berni later.’
“Your Highness, is something bothering you?”
Cecilia asked carefully.
“Is it because of what Sir Leon said earlier?”
“Hmm, I’m a bit worried about the inn.”
I sipped the tea Leta gave me.
Marie’s inn was now the hottest place in Goldrain.
The couple running the restaurant had even hired four new workers.
The restaurant was so packed that people had to wait in long lines.
Thankfully, I had introduced the idea of numbered waiting tickets, so now customers would visit nearby shops while waiting—giving a boost to the local economy.
‘The problem is the Merchants’ Guild.’
All shops in Goldrain were registered with the Guild.
While they claimed to protect merchants’ rights, lately they had been sending unreasonable warnings to Marie’s inn, telling them not to attract too many customers.
“Why do they hate seeing people succeed?” Cecilia pouted.
“They said an inn shouldn’t have such a popular restaurant. What kind of excuse is that?”
Cecilia was also upset for another reason.
The Merchants’ Guild had sent a warning to Alchent, the editor of Northern News, saying the inn was getting too much promotion through their articles and it was unfair to other restaurants.
They used the existing contract as an excuse for now, but eventually, Cecilia would need to find a new recipe provider.
“Their demands are silly, but you can’t rely on Madam Marie forever.”
“Then should I look for another restaurant?”
Cecilia asked weakly, nibbling on a cookie.
“I think it’s time to accept public entries.”
“Public entries?”
“Your column ‘Cecilia’s Recipes’ is well-known now. I bet many chefs or restaurants would want to be featured too.”
Seeing how successful the inn had become, others might send in their recipes to promote themselves, or proud housewives might enjoy having their name published.
“That’s true. I should write a new ad right away.”
Cecilia looked excited and went to get a pen and paper.
‘I’m not too worried about the recipe column…’
But how do we deal with the complaints about the restaurant?
“If the restaurant’s success is the only issue, why not make the inn as well-known as the restaurant?”
If the inn’s lodging business grew to match the restaurant’s popularity, the Guild would have no reason to complain.
How do I attract more guests to stay overnight…?
‘Maybe a vacation package like a “hotel + experience” would work?’
I was deep in thought when—
“This feels like a romantic couple’s night, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. With this many people, the whole town will be buzzing!”
Two maids giggled nearby while preparing drinks, watching the kids play.
