This could have been done easily; Eric has deliberately avoided this this whole time.
How much did he ignore me?
Of course, there was still that arrogant man who kept ignoring me.
However, if what Sardin saw was true, then Zeno was different because he did not serve Eric as his master.
'Anyway, how can I deflect his doubts and confusion?'
“Ma’am?”
The maid's voice interrupted my thoughts, and I opened my mouth with an indifferent expression.
“Anything is acceptable except seafood.
I prefer a large portion.
Add sandwiches as well, and make sure the dessert includes peaches.”
“Yes, understood.
I will bring her to the dining room.”
I laughed at the clarity of her words.
As soon as I went down to the dining room, the servants, including the head chef, would try to make me look presentable.
As gross as it was, it didn't bother me.
But the problem is that they often pay attention to my actions and try to get my attention.
This might put a damper on my plans.
I need to avoid attracting attention for now.
“No, I'll eat in my room.
Send him upstairs.”
“Yes, understood.”
Although there was a hint of disappointment, she obediently answered and left the room.
Then Sardine bowed his head as well.
“I'll leave too”
I shook my head,
“No, stay.”
“But it might interfere with your meal...
I understand.”
Did Sardine think I was staring at him?
He nodded his head in agreement.
Maybe deep down, he curses me as an evil lady who won't even let him eat.
However, there was no escape.
Not only me, as his current mistress, but Sardine's actions were also likely to be noticed at this point.
If Sardin was hovering around Zenon, he would naturally assume that it was at my command.
Currently, Zenon is stressed, trying to identify any suspicious individuals to determine the culprit.
In particular, he will be keeping a close eye on Sardin and my surroundings.
It would be nice if there was someone who could raise it without it being openly linked to me… The problem is finding such a person.
ways-
“Ma’am, I brought you food.”
Although I had asked the maid to run some errands a while ago, the voice outside the door was a man.
Normally, once a servant was given a task, he would continue working until he accomplished it...but a change...
It meant that the person outside had an interest in me, perhaps asking a favor or trying to see if there was any benefit from my compliment.
Or maybe it has to do with Zeno's machinations.
I temporarily ignored my fears and opened my mouth.
“Come in”
The door quickly opened, revealing a cart with numerous dishes covered in a silver dome.
“Madam, good evening.”
I confirmed his identity, and narrowed my eyes.
“Randon”
He was, still a thorn in my side, smiling foolishly at me.
“Today’s main course is veal steak with foie gras, which is the lady’s favorite.”
However, his eyes were piercing; He seems to really know what I like.
“As an appetizer, we prepared a sandwich, and for soup before the main course, we have tomato soup...”
“I don't think describing food is what you want to talk about, former servant.”
At my call, Randon changed his expression and nodded.
“Yes, indeed, the lady seems to know what I have in mind.”
“Sure, since your intentions in coming to me are so clear.
Is it about the terms of your return to the servant position?”
“Yes, I apologize... that's true.”
Then, I laughed coldly, criticizing his rudeness with sarcasm.
“You seem to have forgotten the reason you were fired from the servant position, which is because you neglected me.”
Perhaps because my words hit the target, Randon's face turned pale.
“I am certainly mistaken.
But… if you agree to my request, it will be beneficial to you as well, ma’am.”
"Helpful?
What will I gain from your help?"
Randon pursed his lips in response to my question, then stared at me.
“This means you will gain a true ally, my lady.”
I listened to him curiously to see what he would say, but at that moment, I burst out laughing.
“Huh, that's good!
You, who have rejected me more than anyone else, will be my ally?”
If I had been myself before, I might have believed those words.
I longed to become the Duchess of Brant so much that my eyes crossed, but I suffered from having no allies in this palace.
However, Randon had too many obstacles preventing him from becoming my ally.
I stared at him coldly and said: “The regime has changed.”
“What?
If it’s about the arrangement...”
Randon asked in astonishment.
I stared at him and said arrogantly:
“If you really want to be my ally, show honesty first.”
After Randon heard my words, his expression became serious, and he asked cautiously: “Madam, what do you mean by honesty?”
“Well, that's what you have to understand.”
In response to my answer, Randon sighed, finished setting the table, and bowed his head.
“I will engrave your words in my heart, my lady.”
I laughed at his gesture, and thought: 'There's no need to take it seriously.
By honesty, I mean I'll use you when I need you.'
The problem is that using Randon carries many risks.
If I revealed any of my true intentions, he would likely be disgusted.
He is Eric's loyal servant, and he does not trust me.
As I was thinking about how to use Randon, the captivating smell of food stimulated my senses, so I said to Sardin: “Sit down.”
"Yes?"
I laughed at Sardin's questioning expression, as if he did not understand what I said.
“There is a lot of food; let's eat it together.”
His eyes widened in surprise at my suggestion.
“How dare I do something like this...”
His expression looked as if he had seen a ghost.
'No, why is eating together so important?'
I felt annoyed for some reason, so I shouted at Sardin.
"Stop that nonsense and eat.
You won't get any good food in the dining room anyway."
“How could I...”
Even though Sardin was more skilled than most knights, and was my assistant as a duchess, in the end he was still a slave.
It was clear how the defeated nobles or free servants in this palace would treat him.
“And you have been craving fried pheasant leg for a long time.”
As if I had hit the nail on the head, he cleared his throat and blushed.
“If you say so, madam, I will eat with gratitude.
But I will not forget my humble position.”
Unable to argue with his stubborn words, she handed him the plate.
“Take this and eat.”
“Isn't that steak?”
As if asking why the main course was being served to him, she frowned.
“I didn't feel like eating something fatty today.
So eat it.”
Maybe he didn't want what I offered, Sardine frowned.
“Thank you”
Honestly, when he frowned, I thought about saying something.
'Well, he said thanks, so I guess I'll take it.'
Instead, Sardine took the plate, went to the corner, sat cross-legged on the floor, and began to eat.
'Why does he have to eat so annoyingly?'
After a moment, I looked at the delicious sandwich.
“I'll eat first”
Before I could start taking a bite of the delicious sandwich, the door suddenly opened, and someone entered.
"You!"
When I saw Brant's mother addressing me so frankly, I frowned and tried to get up.
At that moment, Randon came in and intervened.
“Ma’am, this is inappropriate!”
Although he showed courage, he was quickly slapped with a slap.
“Randon, how dare you stop me from entering this house?”
“I apologize, but it looks like the Duchess is eating...”
“Duchess?
How dare you address someone like that in front of me...”
At that moment, I interrupted her.
“Ma’am, what brings you to my room?”
Brant's mother stared at Randon, still looking angry.
“You must be in a hurry if you didn’t even knock on the door, so why don’t you dismiss the servants and talk to me?”
Brant's mother clicked her tongue when she saw Sardin get up from the ground.
“Tsk, these humble people...”
She quickly sat down in the empty chair across from me.
“I want to talk to you for a minute”
“Okay, go ahead.
But keep it short; I'm in the middle of a meal.”
In other words, I wanted her to get straight to the point.
She raised her eyebrows again, looking annoyed by my behavior, but she quickly calmed down and spoke.
“I heard that the Empress is going to give you a Jade Mine.
Is that true?”
And so you know something I haven't told anyone yet, I thought of Madeleine and lifted the corner of my mouth.
“Well, her mouth is very light.”
“Yes, you're right.”
Then she smiled and said to me, “Give me this mine.
I know a place where I can trade it for a good price.”
Although my mother-in-law's words were better than my real mother's, he was still rude.
'It seems she wants to include my personal belongings in the deal with Madeleine…'
Given her personality, whether I flatly refused or tried to make excuses, I would likely end up as a disobedient daughter-in-law.
So, I chose a different approach – to handle things with the grace of someone you can't easily ignore or disobey.