TGDHC Chapter 42

Chapter 42: The Outsourced Job

‘So that’s the kind of expression he makes when it’s just the two of them.’

Perel observed his lord leaning in close to the duchess in a manner he had never seen before, clumsily fitting his bulky frame into a tiny chair.

“Sir Perel!”

The duchess spotted him and waved with a smile.

At her words, the Duke, Loic, slowly turned his head toward Perel with an expressionless look only Perel could read, muttering under his breath:

“You’re back early.”

With just that one line, Perel understood.

Because he returned too quickly, he had accidentally interrupted the Duke’s precious private time— and now his lord was genuinely annoyed.

“You’d better go now. Didn’t you say you have a meeting?”

Loic hesitated for a moment, reluctant to leave, but finally stood up like he was being pushed out.

Perel scratched the back of his neck helplessly, following behind his master, who was obviously pleased but gave him a disapproving glare.

Just earlier, before greeting the knights, Perel had been nervous about when the Duke might send the duchess back to the capital.

But now…

‘That worry was completely unnecessary.’

To think his master would show such obvious affection…

Maybe, just maybe, spring was finally coming into his lord’s life.

***

The preparations for the tea party were going smoothly.

There was plenty of time to prepare everything because the invitations had to be sent out at least ten days beforehand.

In that time, Ramondria had finished tailoring the dress perfectly.

— “It’s exactly what I wanted. I absolutely love it!”

The dresses were luxurious yet boldly simplified, exuding elegance with a modern twist.

Ramondria blushed at the praise and lowered her head.

— “It’s thanks to Your Grace’s excellent taste. I’ve learned so much.”

— “Aren’t you being too modest?”

— “I mean it sincerely.”

When I rolled my eyes at her flattery, she squeezed her hands together and said:

— “Thanks to you, I’ve realized what I was missing. I’ll do my best if you give me the chance again.”

It felt a bit too determined for a simple dress order, so I could only nod awkwardly.

All the noble ladies I invited sent back replies that they’d attend, of course. Even Maisel, whom I reluctantly included, responded—though her reply came the latest.

Just as I was reading her overly polite letter, Leta called out carefully.

“Your Grace.”

Simply put, I had hired Leta as my personal maid.

At first, I only wanted to distance her from Marzella.

It was obvious that once her punishment ended, the head maid would come up with her own way of making her pay. If I ignored it, Leta might end up being beaten or locked up.

— “What about assigning her dishwashing duties for a week? The kitchen storage is under my control,” Whitley had suggested, quickly understanding my intent.

— “But we can’t have her do that forever,” he added.

— “If you’re planning to keep her close, you could make her your personal maid.”

Leta? As my personal maid?

Since I’d be staying for a year, it was about time I had someone of my own.

Even if I hired a lady-in-waiting, I’d still need someone to assist me with daily tasks, morning and night.

But thinking about Leta’s blunt expression and tone made me hesitate a little.

Wouldn’t it be better to have someone more cheerful?

No—unearned friendliness is something to be wary of.

As long as she does her job well and isn’t two-faced, that’s enough.

Besides, it’s much safer than picking a maid who might report everything I do to Marzella.

After thinking it through, I asked Leta if she was willing. Surprisingly, she accepted without hesitation.

Actually, she even looked happy about it.

Seeing her usually troubled face brighten and hearing her repeatedly promise to do her best made me feel guilty for doubting her.

And now, I was quite happy with the decision.

Having a dependable and competent maid made my daily life so much better.

“Your Grace, the painting should be nearly finished. Shall I bring it to you?”

Even though she said she’d bring the painting, it seemed she’d also prepared for me to come see it myself.

Ah… I love this kind of service. So luxurious. It’s thrilling.

“No, I want to go see it myself.”

Wearing the warm indoor shoes, I headed to a small room in the East Wing.

It was the room next to Perel’s office, which he once said was vacant.

As I approached, I heard voices from inside through the open door.

“So this is what you meant by painting? You’re pretty good!”

“Right? Surprising how much I can do with these tiny hands, huh?”

I recognized the voice—it was familiar.

When Leta opened the door fully, I saw Morina working on the paintings.

Standing on either side of her were Perel and Leon, both watching the easel with curious expressions.

“How’s it going?”

“Your Grace.”

The two men straightened up when they noticed me.

“I can understand Leon being here, but what is our dear secretary doing loafing around?”

I raised an eyebrow playfully. Perel cleared his throat, flustered.

“Ah, my apologies, Your Grace. I was just passing by and got curious…”

Morina, Leta’s younger sister, was staying at the ducal estate.

She was painting illustrations of the dishes served at Marie’s inn.

Madam Marie had enthusiastically agreed to my suggestion of putting up illustrated menus around the inn.

She firmly insisted on covering the cost herself.

Honestly, I’m just curious to see if this idea will catch on.

Morina had agreed even before I mentioned any payment.

Leta, on the other hand, looked anxious that her sister might mess up. But the young artist simply kept repeating she’d do her best, like she couldn’t believe she got the job.

Since she probably didn’t have a proper workspace, I let her use the small room next to the office. It had only been three days since I supplied it with paints and materials.

“There are at least forty dishes on the menu—have you drawn them all already?”

“She’s got surprisingly skilled hands for someone so young.”

Leon chimed in proudly, as if showing off.

He’s a kid too, though…

Morina, looking a bit shy, glanced at him with the same amused disbelief I felt.

“What do you think, Sir Leon? Does the drawing look as good as the real food?”

A lot of the drawing was actually based on Morina’s imagination.

Still, she had asked Leon to check now and then to make sure it didn’t look too different from the actual dishes. Judging by Leta’s words, he had been helping quite a bit.

“Of course, Your Grace. Look at this.”

“W-wait, that one’s not finished yet…”

Morina quickly reached out, but the drawing on the desk was already in Leon’s hands.

“Oh, is this chicken?”

“It’s grilled chicken legs. It’s one of our popular dishes. I’m sick of it just from the smell though.”

“Why’s that?”

“When I was little, it was always my job to brush on the marinade,” Leon said with a wrinkled nose.

“Let me see.”

I leaned in to take a look at the drawing.

“I-I’m not used to using paint yet…” Morina said, watching my expression carefully.

Perel, Leon, and even Leta stepped a little closer, all curious to see how I’d react.

‘Oh?’

Just as I thought, Morina had a good eye. The clean base sketch and added shading gave the chicken skin texture, and the drawing was charming.

For someone who wasn’t used to paint, her color choices weren’t bad either. But the coloring still looked a bit flat.

‘A little more detail would make it much better.’

“Would it be alright if I touched it up a bit?”

“O-of course!”

I took the brush from the nervous Morina.

Everyone’s eyes were full of curiosity, wondering what the Grand Duchess was going to do.

‘It feels awkward to do it myself, but…’

I should be able to manage something decent.

With a brush dipped in darkened paint, I shaded the edges of the chicken leg to add a bit of a charred look.

The added shading made the drawing look more three-dimensional.

‘Not bad.’

Feeling more confident, I added a shiny gloss with white paint and brushed over the vegetables and potatoes to show they were cooked.

I was so focused that I didn’t realize how quiet it had gotten around me.

‘Did I do something weird?’

Just as I hesitated and put the brush down, unsure—

“Wow!”

Leon let out a small gasp of amazement.

“It really looks like the food is right in front of me!”

“Don’t tease me, Sir Leon.”

Relieved by his exaggerated flattery, I gave him a playful glare.

“I mean it! Just looking at it makes me hungry.”

“If we hang pictures like this, anyone would want to come inside,” Perel added.

Even if they were just trying to be nice, I had to admit—the food looked way more delicious now.

And that made sense.

I knew exactly how food illustrators brought out key points in drawings.

“So? Do you think you can do the rest like this?”

Morina, who had been staring open-mouthed at the drawing I touched up, clenched her fists and said,

“I-I’ll give it a try!”

Her determined eyes looked very promising.

I could already picture the drawings hanging all around the inn’s dining area.

And customers crowd in after seeing them.

That feeling of excitement when a plan is going exactly how you imagined—it had been a long time since I felt that.

‘This is definitely going to be a hit.’

Watching Leon’s bright, amazed face, I smiled to myself with satisfaction.