HDFL 06

Chapter : 06

“This estate is almost as grand as the Governor’s Residence.”

On an artificial island where land was worth a fortune, it was rare to see a garden this spacious. The enormous fountain standing before the mansion’s main building was even larger than the one at the Governor’s Residence, which had once been called a palace.

The rose- and hydrangea-filled garden was in full bloom, and the private dock beside the guest house looked extravagantly luxurious even to Lucrezia, whose line of work often required her to slip discreetly in and out of noble estates.

“They said he was an imperial knight favored by the Emperor… Looks like he’s as rich as a tycoon.”

She didn’t mind clients with deep pockets.

The only thing that bothered her was that his greatest backing was the Emperor himself. Still, with the capital so far from Benin, she doubted she would ever find herself in danger.

Taking a deep breath of the faint scent of roses drifting through the estate, Lucrezia steadied herself and headed straight for the butler’s office where Derek was waiting.

When she arrived, the same haggard-looking man who had greeted her yesterday welcomed her again.

“So, you really came. I was hoping we’d never have to meet again.”

“…What exactly is that supposed to mean? You’re the ones who told me to come.”

“Strictly speaking, it wasn’t me. It was His Grace’s order. Your name was Lucrezia, wasn’t it? Don’t misunderstand—I have nothing personal against you. I merely wished to offer my condolences to someone who will soon end up just like me.”

Did I ever tell him my name?

“That’s strange. Did the guild tell him last night?”

Then again, it wasn’t surprising that a duke would thoroughly investigate the background of anyone entering his service.

Putting Derek’s peculiar greeting aside, Lucrezia decided to focus on business.

“Before we begin, I’d like you to clearly explain the scope of my duties. As someone who’s only temporarily employed, it’s something I need to know.”

“His Grace will be arriving shortly. I think it’s better if you hear it directly from him.”

Since Derek offered nothing more, Lucrezia resigned herself to waiting on the sofa in the butler’s office. By the time she had finished the tea a servant politely served her, word arrived that Kallian had returned to the private dock attached to the guest house.

“Please come to His Grace’s office. I’ll show you the way.”

“How thoughtful.”

Letting out a quiet snort, Lucrezia followed behind Derek.

As they walked through the corridors, she could feel the servants stealing curious glances at her, but she paid them no mind. At the moment, she occupied an awkward position—neither an employee nor a guest.

A short while later, after climbing a flight of stairs and reaching the area outside the study, Kallian appeared before them.

“Our welcome guest has arrived. Come inside.”

Temporarily granted the status of a visitor by the master of the estate himself, Lucrezia entered the study with a hint of nervousness.

“He said there’d be a test. What kind of ridiculous nonsense is he planning now?”

If that shameless man made any outrageous demands, she had already decided she would refuse outright.

But Kallian’s first words were completely unexpected.

“I’ve heard Benin has many beautiful landmarks. I’d like to tour the city first.”

“…You’re asking me to be your guide?”

“No need to look so serious. Acting as my guide is part of the contract, isn’t it?”

He wasn’t wrong.

After giving a small nod, Lucrezia boarded his private boat, and together they headed back toward the city.

“If this was the plan, he could’ve just met me in the plaza.”

The unnecessary travel time irritated her, but she wisely kept those thoughts to herself.

The vessel was incomparably larger and cleaner than the one she’d taken to the estate earlier. As she stepped aboard, she couldn’t help admiring how conveniently the mansion connected directly to the sea.

Even the Governor, reputed to be the wealthiest man in Benin, would probably struggle to enjoy this level of luxury.

“I’ve heard this city experiences flooding from time to time. Does it happen often?”

“Not around this season. The biggest floods usually come in autumn. The entire city ends up underwater, so boots become essential. We call it Acqua Alta.”

“So it’s caused by the high tide. That must be quite a hardship for the residents.”

“When flood season arrives, people lay long wooden platforms across the plazas and main streets to use as temporary walkways. For longer distances, everyone simply travels by boat, so it’s actually less inconvenient than you’d expect.”

The elevated wooden walkways weren’t the work of the current Governor.

They had been one of Duke Berna’s greatest achievements.

In truth, they were nothing more than simple temporary bridges assembled from wooden planks, yet that alone had greatly improved life for the people of Benin.

Remembering the wooden walkways that had become one of her fond childhood memories, Lucrezia felt a quiet sense of pride before shifting her gaze toward the scenery beyond the bow as the boat entered the Grand Canal.

“Do you already have somewhere in mind? There are so many places worth seeing… If there’s anything that interests you, I’ll take you there first.”

“The district with the largest plaza should do. I have a feeling I’ll find what I’m looking for there.”

“Good choice.”

She was curious about what exactly Kallian wanted, but she chose not to ask.

He was the sort of man whose every action defied prediction. If she questioned him and he suddenly demanded something impossible to obtain, she would be the one left struggling.

“That’s the private dock reserved for the nobility. We’ll leave the boat there and continue on foot.”

“Very well.”

Unlike the previous night, Kallian obediently followed her suggestions.

If he stayed this cooperative, perhaps working beside him wouldn’t be so difficult after all.

Just as Lucrezia finally began to relax, Kallian suddenly stopped in front of a particular shop while walking through the plaza.

It was an elegant boutique frequented mainly by young noblewomen.

“Why is he interested in a place like this? Is he looking for a gift for the real lover he left behind in the capital?”

The duke studied the display window with remarkable seriousness.

She stood awkwardly beside him, unsure whether to speak, when he finally found a boutique to his liking and motioned with his chin.

“This place will do. Come with me.”

“…Yes.”

Is he planning to ask my opinion while choosing a present?

If he had investigated her background, he would surely know she hadn’t grown up in an environment that cultivated refined taste.

“At most, he’ll probably have me carry the packages. There’s no way he’d actually ask me to choose a gift.”

But the assumption she had dismissed as impossible shattered the moment she stepped inside the boutique.

Wearing his usual arrogant expression, Kallian summoned the boutique’s owner and calmly instructed her to bring out clothing that would suit Lucrezia.

Not only dresses—but jewelry and shoes worthy of accompanying them to a formal party as well.

“Um… Your Grace… Is your sweetheart perhaps about the same size as I am?”

“What did you say?”

“If you simply need someone to try the clothes on first, surely it doesn’t have to be me. For example… one of the attendants over there…”

She spoke as carefully as possible, afraid of offending him.

Instead, the duke gave an incredulous laugh.

“None of this is for anyone else.”

He slipped an arm around Lucrezia’s shoulders like a devoted lover and whispered in a voice so sweet it sent chills down her spine.

“It’s all for you, Lucrezia.”

He smiled faintly.

“Surely you weren’t planning to play the role of my lover looking that pitiful. It’ll take quite a fortune to wash away all the slum grime that’s soaked into you.”

The unexpected insult made Lucrezia’s cheeks flush a vivid red.

Knowing she would be visiting a noble’s townhouse, she had risen before dawn to carefully press her old clothes. Her outfit was certainly plain even by commoner standards, but it was by no means filthy as Kallian claimed.

“If this were any other situation, I’d have given him a piece of my mind.”

She glared at him resentfully.

Kallian, however, looked completely indifferent to how she felt. Calmly taking a seat on the sofa, he unfolded a newspaper as though nothing had happened.

Left standing alone in the middle of a luxurious boutique she had thought she’d never set foot in again, Lucrezia wore a dazed expression.

At that moment, a sophisticated-looking madam with striking makeup approached her.

“My, my… Such a beautiful young lady wearing clothes that are little better than rags. Even I can’t help feeling sorry for you.”