Chapter 10
The duke had a terrible imagination.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t clearly picture the child sitting before him, happily nibbling on cake.
How frustrating.
The only reason he had wanted his eyes healed was because his blindness made fighting the monsters descending from the northern mountain range inconvenient.
For the first time, however, he found himself bothered by something else.
He couldn’t see someone.
A week passed.
After examining the duke’s eyes, Liriette smiled.
“The poison is completely gone, and the wound has fully healed.”
“…”
“Please try opening your eyes slowly.”
At her gentle prompting, the duke concentrated.
Ever since the monster’s venom had rotted away his eyes, no matter how hard he tried, his eyelids had refused to open properly.
Today was different.
There was no pain. No resistance.
His eyelids lifted effortlessly.
Brilliant blue eyes, as vivid as polished sapphires, were revealed.
The overwhelming beautyāand intimidating intensityāof his gaze stole Liriette’s breath for a moment.
Slowly, the duke lowered his eyes toward the child standing before him.
Pale silver hair.
A small, round, white face.
Her nose and lips were tiny, while her large sky-blue eyes dominated her delicate features.
I expected someone much more mature from the sound of her voice.
She looked nothing like he had imagined.
Liriette appeared astonishingly young and innocent.
The only thing he’d guessed correctly was her size.
“So tiny.”
“…!”
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he murmured,
“Smaller than a squirrel.”
Liriette had always been secretly self-conscious about being smaller than other children.
Without thinking, she shouted,
“No matter what, I’m bigger than a squirrel!”
The moment the words left her mouth, she clapped both hands over it.
Oh no.
I’ve gotten too comfortable after seeing him these past few days. I actually yelled at the Duke…
Afraid he might be angry, she nervously watched his expression.
But the duke didn’t become angry.
Instead, with a surprisingly gentle gazeāthough his face remained as expressionless as everāhe said,
“Thank you.”
“…”
There wasn’t even a trace of arrogance or insincerity in those sapphire eyes fixed upon her.
Only pure gratitude.
Just like in her previous life.
Liriette’s heart trembled.
I really was right to come to the Duke.
The corners of her lips slowly lifted into a radiant smile.
“I’m so happy your eyes are better, Your Grace.”
“…”
The duke stared at her for a long moment.
Then he reached out and rested a large hand atop her small head.
He gently stroked it once.
Startled by the unexpected touch, Liriette’s face turned bright red.
Yet she didn’t pull away.
It feels like… he’s praising me for doing well.
The awkward but strangely pleasant head pat lasted for several moments before he finally withdrew his hand.
Looking down at her, he said,
“You healed my eyes. Now it’s my turn to repay you accordingly.”
He paused.
“But before that, there’s something else we need to do.”
“…?”
Liriette blinked in confusion.
The dining room of Windsorice Castle had an impossibly high ceiling.
A magnificent chandelier adorned with gold hung overhead.
An enormous table was covered with an extravagant feast.
Blade steak topped with bell peppers and broccoli.
Breaded pork cutlets.
Hamburg steak made from minced meat mixed with breadcrumbs.
Roasted chicken glazed with the castle’s special sauce.
A hearty stew filled with large chunks of potatoes and sausage.
It looked like a banquet prepared for dozens of guests.
Yet only two people sat at opposite ends of the long table.
The tiny Liriette.
And the towering Duke of Windsorice.
Blinking at the overwhelming spread, Liriette thought,
Right… I made a promise to the Duke a few days ago.
When he’d asked why she refused to eat meat, she’d answered that once his treatment was complete, she would eat whatever he served without complaint.
But I never agreed to eat this much!
There was enough food to make her feel full just by looking at it.
Feeling utterly overwhelmed, she heard the duke simply say,
“Let’s eat.”
Liriette clenched her tiny fists.
No matter what… he prepared all of this just for me.
Besides, other than sharing cake after each treatment, this was the first proper meal they’d had together.
The least she could do was eat sincerely.
She bowed deeply.
“Th-thank you for the meal!”
After greeting him, she stretched her neck like a baby giraffe, trying to inspect all the dishes.
The table was so enormous she couldn’t see everything at once.
And they’re all meat dishes… I can’t even tell what’s what.
Seeing her bewilderment, the duke said,
“It seems you’re not sure where to begin.”
“I’ll help.”
“Yes.”
She answered automatically before realizing what he’d said.
“…Huh?!”
Even Liriette, who wasn’t a noble, knew the proper etiquette.
Serving food was the job of servants.
Nobles never did such things themselves.
Especially not someone at the very top of the aristocracy like the Duke of Windsorice.
Ignoring her astonishment, the duke calmly rose from his seat.
He picked up a plate.
With graceful, precise movements, he began serving food.
A few moments later, he placed the plate in front of Liriette.
Every dish had been portioned into bite-sized pieces.
Still stunned, she finally managed to say,
“Th-thank you very much.”
“Think nothing of it.”
With long strides, the duke returned to his seat across the table.
Holding her fork, Liriette stared at the plate.
It was entirely filled with meat.
She swallowed nervously.
I’ve always eaten small amounts of sugar and salt, so I wasn’t too worried about eating cake.
But meat…
The prohibition against eating meat was one of the temple’s oldest and strictest commandments.
If she ate it…
Would the Goddess truly become angry and strip away her divine power?
Until now, she’d thought she wouldn’t mind losing it.
But now that it might actually happen…
She was afraid.
Then determination filled her bright blue eyes.
I don’t want to spend my life being bound by this power anymore.
The Duke’s eyes are healed now.
So even if I lose my divine power… that’s okay.
Resolving herself, she picked up a small piece of fried chicken and placed it in her mouth.
It was the very first meat she’d ever eaten.
The unfamiliar aroma and flavor might have repulsed her.
Knowing that, the castle’s chef had prepared it with extraordinary care.
He had done everything possible to bring out the meat’s tenderness and rich flavor.
It worked.
Liriette’s face lit up.
It’s delicious!
It was a taste completely different from cabbage or carrots.
Filled with wonder, she eagerly speared another piece.
This time, it was a slice of hamburg steak covered in rich brown sauce.
She bravely took a bite.
Once again, her face blossomed into a radiant smile.
Wow… this one’s delicious too.
What Liriette didn’t know was that everyone watching was celebrating together.
Simon stood quietly at one side of the dining room.
The maids secretly peeked through the doorway.
The chef and kitchen maids received updates in real time.
All of them shared the exact same thought.
Lady Liriette is eating meat!
And…
A faint smile also appeared at one corner of the duke’s lips.
It was the same smile he only ever wore after defeating powerful monsters in battle.
Watching Liriette’s cheeks puff out as she chewed the meat, he thought,
She looks exactly like a squirrel stuffing its cheeks with acorns before winter.
Meanwhile, Liriette found herself watching him.
How can he eat so much while looking so elegant and graceful?
Every priest she’d known at the temple had eaten very little.
The High Priest himself filled his table with extravagant meals every day.
Even so…
It was nothing compared to this.
Sensing her gaze, the duke asked,
“Do you have something to say?”
Liriette answered honestly.
“You eat an incredible amount.”
He could tell there was no mockery or criticism in her words.
Her innocent eyes were too sincere.
So he calmly replied,
“I’m big.”
“So I need to eat this much.”
It wasn’t entirely true.
The duke was indeed far larger than an ordinary man.
But even considering his size, his appetite was extraordinary.
Still, Liriette nodded in complete understanding.
That’s right.
His Grace is as big as a bear.
Of course he’d need to eat a lot.
