---
Benedict rubbed his chin, imagining Elena's bright smile, pleased to hear that she had suggested meeting.
'Anyway, thanks to her, she's been a big help in many ways.'
As Victor mentioned, the estate's finances had improved greatly, and the Archduke's family, including his soldiers, were enjoying a hearty meal.
This far exceeds what was agreed upon to acquit him of the murder charge.
So, he felt he needed a simple response.
“Tell Elena to meet me in the Archduke’s garden.”
“...!”
Victor covered his mouth with his hand upon hearing the strange instructions from his master's mouth.
His eyes quickly filled with tears.
How could someone who had only known war suddenly ask his girlfriend out on a date?
"Something wrong?"
Benedict stared at Victor, whose eyes suddenly filled with tears.
Victor waved his hand quickly.
“Oh, no.
I'm just touched that you two are dating and having a great time.”
“It's not a date.”
Benedict's voice was stern, sharp.
It cannot be considered an appointment between an archduke and an archduchess.
But he looked at Victor.
Then he asked in a very casual tone, but with just enough light pressure to force the other person to answer.
“What do you usually talk about on a date?”
Victor tried to stifle a laugh.
While he was very good at hiding on the battlefield, he was not an expert at hiding his emotions.
“Like.
We ask each other how we are and check up on our social relationships.
Being with someone shows your personality.
Of course, the topic of conversation is not that important.
At that time, even just a simple talk about the weather made me happy!
Haha.”
“I see.
Don’t get me wrong.
I was just curious because you brought up dating.”
“Of course, of course.”
Victor smiled, feigning ignorance.
“By the way, should I have a special attendant on standby?”
“Hmm.
This is not good.”
Benedict added quickly, coughing, worried that a maid or a soldier might follow them.
It was clear that Elena wanted some time alone.
“Make sure you tell her to go out alone.”
After speaking, Benedict licked his lips, feeling his mouth dry.
So, this was not a meeting that involved any personal feelings.
It was just a small reward for Elena's excellent performance.
∗ ∗ ∗
Victor suddenly came to see me early in the morning.
“The Archduke wishes to see your happiness.”
"I-Me?
Suddenly?"
I opened my eyes in confusion, having just finished my morning preparations with the help of Mrs.
Perona.
It was very rare for the Archduke to come to me so early in the morning.
It was unusual for a client to come to me this early in the morning.
Mrs.
Perona, standing next to me, tilted her head.
“Master said he has an appointment today.
Will you accompany him, Master Victor?”
"Oh, that's not it.
He canceled his appointment."
"Yes…?"
I involuntarily took a deep breath.
The Archduke had canceled his appointment and was urgently looking for me.
My anxiety was increasing.
Victor's expression became meaningful when he noticed my eyes twitching slightly.
He lowered his voice, as if conveying something extremely important and private.
Then he bowed his head deeply, put his hand to his mouth and whispered to me.
“He told me that you should go out into the back garden of the palace alone.”
“...!”
My heart sank for a moment.
Do I go out into the backyard alone?
A shiver ran through my body, as if some bullies had threatened me.
I felt like they were saying in the background, 'I'll take care of you, follow me outside.'
'Is he trying to recount what happened yesterday?'
I closed my eyes tightly.
Or is he trying to file a lawsuit on a case in which there has been little progress so far, other than overhearing the conversation?
'Huh, I've dealt with this kind of customer before.'
I calmed myself down.
In my past life, I was threatened by gangsters.
When dealing with a customer who has a complaint, the most important thing is appearance.
In other words, I have to show how seriously I am working to resolve his complaint.
First, I held on tightly to the hem of my loose-fitting dress.
Then I ran as fast as I could towards the backyard of the palace.
How much did I run?
'He's here first.'
I saw a man standing tall at the entrance to the park.
I quickly smiled brightly.
No matter how angry I was, I couldn't help but smile.
“Ha, Archduke, Ha, Your Excellency.
You said you wanted to see me, Ha, right?”
اقتربتُ منه، وحاولتُ أن أبتسم ابتسامةً مُشرِقةً وأنا ألهث.
To those who saw me, I looked like someone who immediately ran to him.
My hair was tangling in the wind, and sweat was dripping on my forehead.
The Archduke, standing opposite me, looked at me with a somewhat complicated expression.
“So far...”
He mumbled quietly, then turned his head, as if his throat was choking, to clear his throat.
Perhaps the apparent feeling of suffocation was just an illusion.
He continued in a slightly lower voice.
“There was no need to run.”
“The Archduke rarely comes to me first.
That's why I hurried.”
I smiled at him gently and confidently.
This was the type of service that rushes to the customer's call, ignoring everything else.
He hesitated for a moment at my appearance, then took a handkerchief from his pocket and presented it to me.
“From now on...
I will try to create occasions like this.”
“Huh?”
I was horrified as I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the handkerchief he hesitantly handed me.
He would hold 'customer feedback' sessions regularly from now on.
He seemed dissatisfied with my work.
“So…don’t exaggerate.
No matter how happy you are, if you trip and fall and get injured, it will be a disaster.”
“…..?”
He muttered something I didn't quite understand, then walked forward slowly.
I blinked, feeling confused, but I quickly followed him.
Then I carefully asked him what was happening.
“Then...why did the Archduke want to see me here...”
“I heard that Lady Perona planted flowers in the garden.”
"Yes?
Oh, yes, I did."
I nodded vaguely, and he was saying what I already knew.
After the Archduke's financial situation improved slightly, Lady Perona aspired to make the garden as beautiful as any noble home.
Thanks to this, the trees planted in the garden were in full bloom.
The Archduke walked quickly towards the flowering area, his face frowning.
“I thought the back garden would be best.
Women, after all, love flowers.”
“Um…is that..true…?”
I narrowed my eyes at this unexpected turn of events.
So, if I guessed correctly, he must have called me here because he thought the back garden was the most beautiful part of the Archduke's house.
He continued his walk into the garden.
The deeper we go, the more beautiful it becomes and, at the same time, more secretive.
'Isn't the garden a bit romantic?'
Delicately carved heart-shaped bushes, and statues placed here and there in dramatic poses, evoked the feeling of a romantic display garden.
Lady Perona seemed to like this sort of thing.
Under a strangely pruned tree, the Archduke spoke.
“This… How are you these days?”
I had to think about his question a little, trying to understand its true meaning.
It wasn't a literal question, we only met yesterday and went to a dance together.
In the end, I concluded that his question was intended to assess the progress of the case.
“Yes, yes.
There seems to be something going on between the Empress and Vivienne’s father, Baron Haydn.
They seem to have a grudge between them, and I plan to find out if there is any past.”
He seemed strangely distracted while I was talking about the case.
No, he seemed like he was barely listening.
He fidgeted, as if deep in thought, and for some reason, his face flushed and he cleared his throat.
“Hmm.
How are your social relationships?”
I suddenly felt like he was asking a random question.
What about his strange, reserved tone?
I frowned for a moment, thinking he was asking what social strategy I planned to use to solve the case.
“Well, it seems like it would be difficult to get close to the Empress in the high class, so I think it would be better to target Vivian.
I have to find a way to build a network with her.”
“…the weather is beautiful today.”
“Wait, what are you talking about?”
The Archduke continued to talk off topic, and I finally exploded.
My stuttering and anger made him stand still, facing me.
He looked at me with a puzzled look.
“No...”
My eyes met his, and he suddenly looked away.
His gaze seemed to be on a statue of a couple exchanging kisses, before he turned to me in amazement.
“If you keep doing this, I'll be in trouble too.”
I screamed, tired of this incomprehensible, evasive speech.
“….”
But instead of answering, the Archduke maintained an awkward silence.
I looked up and saw his gaze fixed on my lips, burning with a strange flame.
At the same time, his protruding chin slowly twitched, swallowing his dry saliva.
A warm breeze blew between me and Archduke Richard, standing face to face.
A strange chill ran down my spine.
“Ah...”
At one point, I found myself hesitating and taking a step back.
I had a similar feeling from last night's party.
The Archduke, staring at me intensely, seemed lost in thought.
His arm slid towards me, as if he was unconsciously extending it.
“...!”
At that moment, my body leaned towards him, and I unconsciously closed my eyes.