~Chapter 14~
Ruby had expected Duke Lux’s cold reaction, so she wasn’t hurt.
“I wanted to thank you for the last time.”
“Last time?”
“Yes. For sending your personal doctor to me and worrying about me.”
Duke Lux glanced at her again.
“I never did that.”
Ruby looked at Balt. She wasn’t sure if Balt had lied or if the Duke was lying.
But Balt only looked troubled.
From his expression, Ruby guessed the one lying was probably the Duke.
“Still, thanks to that, I got treated by a good doctor, and now I’ve completely recovered.”
“You do look fine.”
The Duke glanced briefly at her leg again.
Balt gave Ruby a small push from behind, so she stepped closer.
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
She bowed her head deeply, so she didn’t see his expression.
When she looked up again, his face was back to its usual indifferent look.
Still, Ruby decided to be bold.
“Grandfather, can I come closer to you?”
“Why?”
He looked suspicious, as if he didn’t trust her.
“As a way of thanks, I’d like to give you a massage. I’m not just smart—I’m good with my hands, too.”
She opened and closed her hands with a grin.
“Why don’t you let the young lady give you a massage? Didn’t you say your shoulders have been stiff lately?” Balt added.
“Why would I—”
But Ruby had already moved closer.
“Don’t worry. I’m not strong like Sasha, so it won’t hurt.”
“Hmph. Fine, try it.”
The Duke looked displeased but still offered his shoulders.
Ruby remembered how her father used to massage her mother every day, and she began to massage his shoulders.
At the same time, she glanced at his desk—this was her excuse to look around his desk, and it also gave Balt a chance to check the study.
To avoid suspicion, Ruby put all her effort into the massage until sweat appeared on her forehead.
“How is it?” she asked when her hands began to tire.
The Duke snorted.
“This is nothing.”
“Really? Then I’ll try harder.”
Ruby made small fists and tapped his shoulders firmly.
Even though his voice sounded dissatisfied, he let her continue without stopping her.
“Where did you learn this?” he asked suddenly.
Ruby hesitated, then answered honestly.
“My father used to give my mother a massage every day.”
She felt his body stiffen slightly, but kept going.
“Do you feel less tired now?”
“…Well, somewhat.”
At least he didn’t seem to dislike it.
“If you ever feel tired again, I can do this anytime,” Ruby said, hinting she wanted to stay in the mansion.
“We’ll see.”
He didn’t let her comment slide, reminding her that her time to prove herself was almost up.
Ruby sighed inwardly but replied confidently, “It will happen.”
“You’re bold. If you’re done, leave now.”
She had thanked him and also signaled to Balt by shaking her head that the key wasn’t here.
“Goodbye,” she said, leaving the study.
The Duke didn’t reply and returned to his papers.
Far enough away so the Duke couldn’t hear, Ruby asked, “If it’s not in Grandfather’s study, where next?”
“The storage room, I think.”
They searched the storage room, the backyard, and everywhere else Balt had been—but found no key.
“It’s rare for something to stay lost this long. Could someone have taken it?”
If so, it would be a big problem.
Balt had met many people that day, so it would be hard to know who picked it up.
No one had said they found a key.
“I’ve troubled you too much. I’ll look for it alone now,” Balt said, sounding ready to give up.
“But you can’t delay finding something so important,” Ruby insisted.
Balt had said it was more important than gold or jewels, so Ruby guessed it might hold land deeds or important documents tied to the Duke’s wealth. She didn’t want to give up.
After thinking hard, she came to a conclusion.
“There’s only one place we haven’t checked.”
“Where?”
“Your room.”
“Would I really leave it there without noticing?” Balt sounded doubtful.
“People often overlook things close to them. Let’s check.”
Ruby led Balt to his room—it was her first time visiting the servants’ quarters.
Balt’s room was one of the largest but had only a bed, a wardrobe, and a desk. The only extra was a private bathroom.
The plain room made Ruby wonder if Balt ever really relaxed or if he just worked all the time.
Balt searched everywhere. Ruby, not wanting to go through his belongings, stood at the entrance and gave suggestions.
“Nothing here,” Balt said after checking all the drawers.
Ruby pointed. “Did you check the wardrobe?”
“The wardrobe?” He clearly didn’t expect it to be there.
“We should check everywhere with even a small chance.”
Balt listened and searched the wardrobe. While shaking out the clothes, a key fell to the floor.
“Oh! This key—”
“Did you find it?”
“Yes, it’s exactly the one I lost.”
He picked it up with a bright smile. It was small—only the length of two finger joints—and old, with peeling paint.
“I’m glad we found it.”
“How did it end up here? Anyway, thank you, Lady Ruby. I have you to thank for finding it.”
He bowed deeply, but Ruby crossed her arms and looked at him suspiciously.
“What is it, my lady?”
“For all that running around, we found it far too easily.”
“You’re right. I should have checked my room first.”
“I think you had another reason.”
“What reason?”
Ruby tapped the floor with her foot.
“You wanted to introduce me to the mansion staff.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I think you left the key here on purpose and used the search as an excuse to take me around and let people know me. You see me as someone who’ll stay here for a long time, right?”
Balt only smiled without denying it.
“And if I lose my bet with the Duke, having more staff on my side would help, right?”
Balt wanted to help Ruby in his own way.
She had realized it halfway through but had gone along with it, taking her time searching.
“You must think I can win everyone’s hearts quickly.”
“You’re very lovable, my lady. Anyone who meets you would like you.”
Ruby thought he trusted her too easily.
“Things aren’t always that easy.”
“I think you’ve already made a strong impression.”
“Thank you, but you don’t need to secretly help me like this again.”
“Then can I help openly?” he asked shamelessly.
Ruby laughed a little.
“I’ll try winning people’s hearts after I’m officially allowed to stay here. Thank you for helping me this time.”
It was a polite refusal.
Balt looked unhappy.
“To me, you and your siblings are like a new source of joy. I don’t want to lose you.”
Ruby was grateful for how much he cared, even though they hadn’t known each other long.
But to stay here, she needed Duke Lux’s permission—not just Balt’s. Even if all the staff supported her, the Duke might not care.
“I’ll make sure I can stay here by my own strength. Thank you for worrying.”
She clenched her fist with determination.
Balt gave her a resigned smile.
“Then I’ll just have to trust you.”
“Yes, please trust me.”
Touched by her determination, Balt patted her head without thinking.
It was treating her like a child—disrespectful if she were truly his future master—but Ruby didn’t dislike it. She was actually thankful.
Someday, she would repay his kindness.
With that thought, she left Balt’s room and headed back to her own.
