I’ll Take The Dukedom From Today - Chapter 1

Lucia Arpegio, the eldest child of Duke Arpegio, was both a powerful wizard and a brilliant intellectual. She was also an aestheticist, to the point where she refused the crown prince’s proposal because she didn’t like his face.

 

In this world where powerful magic proves a noble lineage, she was the pride of the family. The duke loved Lucia the most among his three children, but couldn’t love her senseless state.

 

“You were the chance from the Arpegio family to become the empress, but you’re crazy!”

 

“I am married and my family takes care of me.”

 

“What if a rumor spreads around the social circle that you only like men’s faces!”

 

“They can’t even say a word in front of my face anyways. Do I care about what they say behind my back?”

 

“You refused the Crown Prince’s proposal because his face was not your cup of tea?! You know how important the role of being the future empress is!”

 

“If you like the position so much, then why don’t father marry the Crown Prince! I’m sure my late mother will understand.”

 

“What?! You, you, you…!”

 

The duke’s relationship with Lucia went completely awry afterwards. However, despite Lucia’s firm opposition, the duke and the emperor pushed the marriage. This is because the emperor needed a strong wizard, and the duke needed the honor of being a family that produced an empress.

 

Lucia opposed with all her might, but it was not enough to stop the huge political tide alone.

 

So, in the end.

 

She ran away at night.

 

She didn’t even leave alone, for she went away with a family gardener.

 

As for the gardener, although he was a commoner, he was a handsome man who was praised wherever he would go.

 

Again, she was an extreme aestheticist.

 

*

 

“So… the runaway princess is my mother?”

 

The handsome baron who saved me yesterday came to my house. Since it was late, I told him to talk about it tomorrow and left, but I didn’t know that he would actually come. Besides, how did he know the location of my house?

 

It’s been about 30 minutes since I’ve started to listen to the old story, and like an exemplary student, I raised my right hand to ask a question.

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

And surprisingly, that was the answer.

 

“Is my father the gardener who ran away with her at night?”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

But, it doesn’t make sense? A noble princess rejected the prince and ran away with a gardener at night?

 

…There’s no doubt in that. Because my dad is ridiculously handsome. Of course, he died early without becoming the head of his household from poor health. However, my mother didn’t.

 

‘Hilde, your dad is incredibly handsome, and he has done his part and left.’

 

Anyways, that’s not the point.

 

“In summary, I am the only granddaughter of Duke Arpegio…?”

 

“That’s how it is.”

 

Wow, crazy.

 

‘I’m a noble then!’

 

The duke’s granddaughter! The blood of one of the four dukes in this vast empire!

 

“No wonder my skin color was a bit different, it’s because I have the blood of a noble family…!”

 

I covered my mouth with my hands and murmured this news. To be honest, I have imagined myself as a noble a few times since I was young.

 

“Do you believe me?”

 

“I am confused, but the more I hear it, the more it matches my mother’s story.”

 

“Which part? About how Lucia was a powerful wizard?”

 

“No, but your face lit up.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Perhaps it was an unexpected answer, but the handsome baron briefly lamented.

 

“My dad was really good-looking. It’s no joke. Ugh, there’s no way to prove it.”

 

“You don’t have to prove it.”

 

The baron said with an expression that says that he either wasn’t interested or he didn’t care. Well, this guy doesn’t have to wonder about another guy’s face, for looking at myself in the mirror is good enough.

 

“Anyways, the story is amazing enough. So it’s Rogen…?”

 

“Strauss. It’s Rogen Strauss.”

 

He said his name once again.

 

“All right, Viscount Strauss.”

 

Luckily, he didn’t seem to care about the name that I used to call him.

 

“Well, first of all… I want to say thank you. You literally saved my life yesterday.”

 

“I just did what I had to do.”

 

“But how did you come at such a wonderful time?”

 

In times of crisis, a gorgeous knight will appear and save the princess in a novel. Of course, it could just be a coincidence, but the timing was just way too spot on. I don’t want to question or doubt, but I want to hear the answer first.

 

“I’ve been watching you all along.”

 

Rogen answered immediately as if it weren’t a difficult question.

 

“Ever since I kicked Pinter and was dragged out in the act?”

 

“Before that.”

 

“So, since my mother died last year?”

 

“More than that.”

 

It’s scary to ask how long ago it really was.

 

‘Stalker, or what.’

 

Handsome men are welcomed with open arms, but good-looking stalkers need some thought. I crept back while staring at Rogen with a suspicious and vigilance glance, and he coughed briefly before defending himself.

 

“Seven years after Lucia’s marriage, we found her and recommended her to return to the duke, but she refused.”

 

“What? Why?”

 

I asked back in amazement but soon took a breath at a thought that came into my mind.

 

“Did they try to marry my already married mother to the crown prince?! And she didn’t like that, so…!”

 

“No way. The crown prince had already married someone else.”

 

“What? Then why…”

 

“Well, maybe Lucia didn’t want any discrimination towards her husband or Hilde in the aristocracy.”

 

‘Well, that is true.’

 

My mother was a noble, and my father was a commoner, and I was born between them. I’m not an illegitimate child or anything, but I’m sure I’ll be ignored for having mixed blood in me. If I’m going to be ignored, it would be better to live leisurely as an aristocrat and be ignored than a poor commoner.

 

“Anyways, so… since then, I’ve been watching from afar to see if you’re doing well under his command.”

 

“I guess you couldn’t miss anything since you’ve been watching. But I guess that can’t be helped.”

 

I replied sarcastically. This is because I remember my mother died from pneumonia and she couldn’t even use her hands.

 

“Then what kind of change did your heart make to help me this time?”

 

I know he was the man who saved me, but I couldn’t help myself from talking this way. I also know there was a wall between the duke and my mother’s relationship.

 

‘Well, how could you just watch your daughter get sick and die?’

 

Rogen spotted my sarcasm right away and soon turned somber and lowered his gaze.

 

“In fact, His Excellency wanted to see Hilde at least once, but I was against it.”

 

Oh my gosh.

 

It turns out that you’re not a benefactor, but a hindrance in my path?!

 

“How come?”

 

“I thought it was right to follow Lucia’s wish to not return to the duke.”

 

“Mom must’ve had her faith, but that’s not what I believe.”

 

“Does Hilde want to become a duchess?”

 

“Isn’t it natural to want to be a noble? Why would you refuse when you have the chance?”

 

“Even if the life of a noble isn’t what you would expect?”

 

Rogen’s voice raised a little. It seems like he wanted to convince me how stupid my idea was.

 

“The people of Arpegio will not be pleased with Hilde. You’ll be ignored and belittled by other nobles.”

 

“Then why don’t you give me a chance to experience and judge for myself?”

 

“You don’t know how painful it is to be shunned and insulted in a place where no one is by your side.”

 

“I know.”

 

“No, you wouldn’t say that easily if you knew.”

 

Rogen refused with a frown. His eyes were sharp.

 

‘Why is this man mad at me?’

 

Do you not want me to become a duchess? Or do you think I don’t deserve to be a noble? I was so angry at his facial expression. It’s this guy that really doesn’t know anything.

 

“If I were noble, would Pinter have been rude to me?”

 

In the end, I raised my voice.

 

“If I weren’t an aristocrat, would the lord listen to my defense? Would he free me if you hadn’t put the duke’s surname in his mouth?”

 

It couldn’t have been.

 

You don’t have to go through that, so you wouldn’t know.

 

“All I want is that kind of ‘power’. Of course, you wouldn’t know how great that seems since you already have it.”

 

Ignore? Insult? Disrespect?

 

As a young woman living alone, I already went through enough of that. But you want me to do something stupid to miss the ‘power’ of nobility that’s right in front of me?

 

I stared straight at Rogen. I also forgot that he was a noble and made straight eye contact with him.

 

Rogen was silent for a long time, and only his handsome face and his still expression remained. He didn’t even seem to figure out what he was thinking.

 

“…I know.”

 

It wasn’t too long after that he answered with a short sigh.

 

“It just happens that the story goes way back.”

 

As if he were speaking in a raised tone, he continued to talk in a calm voice again.

 

“The duke wanted to see you because you may have inherited Lucia’s magic.”

 

“That means… if I inherited my mother’s magic, he would accept me as part of the Arpegio family?”

 

“Of course, the opposite is also possible.”

 

Rogen said with a determined look as if he were denying my hopeful imagination.

 

“If you don’t have the magic, then you’ll just be watched from afar. Of course, I won’t have the chance to help Hilde like yesterday.”

 

Now, what?

 

I thought my maternal grandfather would at least be glad to see me since I’m his only granddaughter.

 

‘That’s not it, is it?’

 

He just wanted to see if I was useful to the Arpegio family.

 

‘I think I now know why my mom ran away from her home…’

 

“His Excellency does not want to see you out of affection. Even so, does Hilde want to be a member of the Arpegio family?”

 

Anyways, I guess I still have the right to choose.

 

I began to think carefully.

 

If I don’t have the magic, it’ll be enough to just see my grandfather’s bad expression and then come back to my hometown.

 

‘But what happens if I do have magic?’

 

I know I’ll be counted as a commoner from the other nobles, and I’ll be despised and ostracized, but can’t I live the rest of my life without worrying about food and clothes? If all goes well, can’t I meet a decent nobleman and live peacefully down in the countryside?

 

Of course, I know that idea is a little far-stretched.

 

As Rogen said, I don’t know much about the aristocratic circles and society. This development is simply a dreamy story. But a 20-year-old poor waitress turns out to be a duke’s daughter, and isn’t that even more ridiculous?

 

But what’s there to be afraid of possibly living a different life from now?

 

“Yes, I want to.”

 

In the end, I went straight on.

It’ll take four full days to arrive at the duchy from my village. However, Rogen didn’t want to stop at any city as if he was determined to get there in the shortest time. Since it was a day-and-night trip, he had to sleep in the wagon.

 

Of course, I didn’t sleep. When the top of the chair unfolds, it becomes an extra bed. Because of that, it was quite reasonable to put a blanket and cushion on it. As expected, it’s a luxurious carriage, but even if you run it on the unpaved road at the highest speed, the ride is still terrible like any other carriage. There’s no way I can fall asleep.

 

Above all, the biggest reason why I couldn’t fall asleep was Rogen. It’s a question of how to sleep with a stranger in a small space. It would be better to sleep together, but that is definitely not happening.

 

I’m not sleeping at all!

 

When I was asked why I didn’t sleep, I responded with the same answer.

 

‘You don’t have to worry about me. It won’t matter if I don’t sleep for a few days.’

 

I’m not worried about you!

 

You’re worried about me!

 

I don’t know if I’ll snore, grind my teeth, or talk while I sleep, but if a man whom I barely know stares at me with his eyes open, it’s impossible to fall asleep!

 

“Zzzz…”

 

I couldn’t believe in myself. I tried to avoid it, but I didn’t have the skill to stop my heavy eyelids from drooping. It was the first time I fell asleep faintly on the long trip.

 

After that, I did the entire combination of snoring, mumbling, and kicking the blanket. If you want to ask how a sleeping person knows that… I didn’t know either.

 

“Zzzz…zzzz… woah!”

 

I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t woken up from my snoring. It was the second night after the departure. When I woke up, the carriage was still moving through the night. As for Rogen, during the noisy and hectic period, he was reading by the oil lamp. His aloofness made me feel so embarrassed.

 

“Um, did you hear me snoring?”

 

I knew, but I still asked because I felt embarrassed and thought that I should still say something. Rogen looked at me for a long time and then replied as he dropped his gaze back on his book.

 

“It was fine.”

 

What does that even, that’s not the answer. Now it bothers me even more! Just tell me I snored and I was loud!

 

I lowered my head while clasping my face. I didn’t have the courage to face Rogen. When I met him on the first day, I thought all he would see is the mess I showed in front of Pinter and his dad, but now that’s not all. Damn in. I’m so embarrassed to where I feel like I can’t live anymore.

 

Moreover, I’m showing all kinds of embarrassment, and I’m so angry that Rogen has never shown even one weakness in front of me. He’s constantly elegant, neat, well-mannered, and handsome to the point people wonder how that’s possible. How does his hair still flicker without getting greasy?

 

‘It’s unfair.’

 

There’s nothing to complain about because of the inequity of genetic traits. Well, I’m glad he’s not at least going around while talking about me.

 

…I hope not.

 

It would be weird if he looks like that and is a big-mouth.

 

‘I’m not going to sleep until I get there. I’ll never sleep.’

 

I stared over the carriage window with my eyes wide open. However, the sound of the horses’ hooves, which can be heard constantly while watching the night scene made me fall asleep again. I had no choice since it’s not like there’s anything to hide anymore.

 

*

 

I’ve been out of my mind ever since the carriage entered the capital where the duchy is. The pavement was clean, people were dressed in colorful clothes, a busy market, and rows of high-end shops…

 

It’s not that I didn’t know the village I lived in was rural, but it was when I saw this place with my own eyes and compared them, I realized that where I used to live was very rural.

 

That was why everyone said ‘go to the city, you’ll succeed!’

 

‘…Ah! This is not the time to think.’

 

I quickly straightened up and sat down as if trying to shake off my petty thinking. From now on, I’m the only granddaughter of Duke Arpegio, and I can’t afford to spend my life on employee salaries.

 

“You don’t have to be nervous already. It’ll take a while until we arrive.”

 

As I suddenly straightened my back, Rogen said that. I think answered with the most mellow voice I could muster.

 

“A self-proclaimed aristocrat must maintain grace wherever she is.”

 

“If you want to maintain elegance, you’d better get your messy hair straightened first.”

 

“Ugh.”

 

He really doesn’t let it slide once.

 

I’ve been sleeping in the carriage for a few days and my clothes are all wrinkled and my hair… But even if the most elegant lady were to be stuck in a carriage for this long,  wouldn’t she look like this too?

 

‘Except, of course, Rogen Strauss.’

 

He still looked dignified while I was crumbled up in a mess. It’s unfair.

 

“My mom said that elegance comes from the inside, not the outside.”

 

I brushed my hair with my fingers while saying so as an excuse. But it was difficult as the tangled hair won’t come out since it was curly. When Rogen saw that, he smirked and moved to sit next to me. As a tall man in the narrow carriage, the view was full of him in an instant.

 

Ugh, I wish he wouldn’t have moved all of the sudden. If a handsome face approaches you without notice, it’ll strain your heart. And what is that sweet scent coming from him? Did he put on perfume while I was sleeping?

 

‘…Wait a minute.’

 

Do I smell? I haven’t taken a shower in two days.

 

“Look over there. I’ll brush it for you.”

 

Rogen said while pulling out a hairbrush off the shelf under his seat. Luxurious carriages are sure different no matter what.

 

“Well, my hair is messy.”

 

“I know.”

 

“But it’s embarrassing…”

 

“Well, it’s fine.”

 

Rogen answered casually and started brushing my hair.

 

By the way, the hairbrush touch was somehow pleasing. Come think of it, it’s also the first time someone has combed my hair since my mother died. Whenever Rogen’s cold fingertips touched the tip of my ear, I got goosebumps on the back of my neck with a strange feeling of unfamiliarity.

 

“Is this the skill where you’ve only brushed once or twice?”

 

I talked to him out of embarrassment, but unlike me, Rogen replied in a calm tone.

 

“I did brush it a lot.”

 

“Hyuk, what kind of?! Ouch!”

 

“Look ahead. It’s all messed up.”

 

I tried to look back in surprise but Rogen lightly pressed the back of my head.

 

“I once had a dog with a long-hair breed in my family.”

 

“Dog? You’re comparing me to a dog?!”

 

“I just answered your question.”

 

‘Oh, I don’t know if I should be offended or relieved.’

 

In the meantime, he stopped combing. After he had brushed it, I felt pretty good because my hair slipped down without getting caught with my fingers. Even if I comb hard in the mornings, my hair quickly gets messy when I work in the restaurant. Since it’s also curly, it gets poofier too.

 

However, I couldn’t comb my hair frequently while working, so I had to tie it tightly. It’s been a long time since my hair has been this wavy. I talked to Rogen as he sat back in his place.

 

“You’re really good.”

 

“I’m flattered.”

 

“What are you lacking? Is there anything you can’t do?”

 

“There is not.”

 

“Wow, I hate you.”

 

You’ll see. One day, I’ll find out his weakness. That’s fair, isn’t it?

 

“By the way, will I be able to see my mother’s brothers at the duke’s residence?”

 

I heard from Rogen that she had an older and younger brother. I don’t think they’ll welcome me, but I don’t want to make a bad first impression. I was wondering how to say hello for the first time, but Rogen blew that away.

 

“It’s social season, so everyone’s down at the townhouses.”

 

“So the rest of the family don’t know that I’m coming?”

 

“Yes. Not yet.”

 

“Then I’ll only see the duke today.”

 

“Are you disappointed?”

 

“It’s a pity… or not…”

 

I said while slurring the words at the end.

 

I only had my mom and dad in my family, but now they’re all dead. In fact, I have more family left, and I was only a little excited to think that I might meet them today. However, Rogen flatly denied my regret with an expression of indifference.

 

“There’s nothing to be disappointed about. It would be better to not meet them because they won’t be very nice to Hilde.”

 

“Can you not make that decision? Maybe everyone will fall in love with my cuteness.”

 

“Yes… What… It’s good to have hope…”

 

Rogen replied with a dead look.

 

Why is he so negative?

 

‘I don’t even know if I’m on my own side or not.’

 

‘Let’s not be discouraged.’

 

At least the duke will welcome me. Of course, there will be a premise that I need to inherit my mother’s magic well.

 

I looked out at the window again. The scenery of the bright big city that I have never seen before even in my dreams quickly passed by. It felt strange as if I was coming out of a reality alone and heading towards a completely different world where I could never have imagined.

 

My heart is pounding again.

The magnificent mansion was a long way past the main gate along with the brick road that was lined with shrubs. The sound of the horses’ hooves was cheerful unlike earlier when it was on the unpaved roads. In the garden, lilacs bloomed.

‘Here’s the dukedom…!’

Everything was colorful and beautiful, so it would even be a waste to blink. I wish I had inherited magic from my mother. I wanted to live here no matter what.

“We’ve arrived.”

As the wagon stopped, Rogen spoke while checking outside of the small window. Soon, the driver opened the carriage door and placed a shallow staircase at the carriage. Rogen got out of the carriage first and then held his right hand towards me, who was still sitting inside.

“Watch your step.”

Hm…

All right. I need to get it together. I can’t just keep looking around amazingly.

I took Rogen’s hand and stepped carefully down the stairs and got out of the wagon. In fact, these escorts were only necessary for girls with long dresses. I didn’t need one because my dress was short enough to reveal my ankle, but it didn’t feel bad.

When I got out of the carriage, the butler who was standing at the front entrance of the mansion approached us with two maids.

“Welcome. We’ve been waiting.”

The butler bowed his head to Rogen and then to me. The maids followed. It felt strange when other people bowed to me, so I felt embarrassed. Do nobles always feel this way?

“Has His Excellency arrived yet?”

“Yes, he’s in the study. He told me to take you to a small drawing-room when you arrive.”

‘If there’s a small drawing-room, then there’s a big one too.’

It would’ve been nice if he had called me to a large drawing room since it would be his first time seeing his granddaughter. My maternal grandfather seems to have a surprisingly petulant temper, even though he is a duke.

Rogen must’ve felt the same way I did, for his expression got a little dark.

In other words, he’s drawing the line as if saying ‘you’re not at the stage to receive that kind of treatment yet’.

Well, I’m not the only one discouraged by this.

“You can’t give a large drawing-room, but can you give me a bathroom? I haven’t been able to wash up all this time, so I would like to at least do that first.”

I raised my shoulder high as if I were asking for a right. The butler, maid, and even Rogen looked at me with their eyes widened. Did I speak too confidently for the first time? Should I have been a little more modest?

“…Or, is the bathroom too much? Well, I guess I’m fine.”

I added with a grin. Then their eyes even widened more.

‘Well, this is surprising.’

A commoner girl is talking about being considerate of the duke’s difficult position.

“Bathroom… Yes, of course, I can show it to you.”

The butler belatedly said after finally coming to his senses. As expected, he’s no different since the first thing you see is him regaining his posture.

“I’ll show you to the bathroom first so you can wash up and change.”

After saying so, I turned towards the mansion as the butler guided me. The maids headed towards the carriage’s compartment to carry the luggage in. I was walking along with the butler until Rogen grabbed me by my arm.

“What?”

I frowned and asked, wondering if he was going to nag again. He then whispered to me in a small voice.

“If you find any servants rude or unreasonable, please let me know.”

“…Are you worried about me?”

I asked back in a dazed voice. I was genuinely surprised. I thought you would get in trouble for saying rude things.

“I told you. The people in this mansion won’t do you any favors.”

“I know that. By the way, do you think I’ll just hold myself back if something does happen?”

I asked while nodding my head. Rogen frowned and thought for a moment. Maybe he’s thinking about the time I kicked Pinter between his legs.

“…Don’t hit the servants in any case.”

Rogen’s expression grew darker to see if his expectations were right. I can see what this guy thinks of me, and this is why first impressions are the most important.

“You think I’m some kind of thug?”

What? Look at this guy. He looked back at me with a question on his face. I hit him on his side with my elbow pretending it was a mistake. I didn’t poke that hard, but Rogen frowned slightly. Leaving him behind, I hurried along with the butler.

*

The bathroom was perfect for quick preparation. In the center, there was a bathtub made of white pottery. It was big enough to go in and stretch your legs. There were white towels and several glass bottles on the shelf next to it, and when I looked carefully, it was a high-quality fragrance with different flower scents.

“No wonder all the nobles smelled good…”

Come think of it, I think it’s about two months’ salary for a bottle of refined milk.

“Don’t tell me, you don’t always use this every time you take a bath, do you?”

I carefully placed the glass bottle I picked up back on the shelf. After that, I dipped my hands in the bathtub and checked the temperature of the water. It was just right.

“I don’t think it’s going to bother me.”

Rogen scared me so much to where I was ready for cold water, but I can’t believe it’s warm. On one side of the room, there’s a partition taller than my height. Considering how there’s a basket on the other side, it must be a space for changing clothes.

I then took off my outfit and hung them over the partition. I couldn’t put them in the basket because I didn’t have any clothes to change into right now. Then, I soaked myself into the warm bathtub. It felt like my whole body was melting.

“Ah… this felt good…”

I then washed my face with the palm of my hand. There was a faint scent of flowers in the water too. I don’t know if it’s just my feeling, but I think my skin is getting smoother.

“What even is this soap? It’s bubbling as well!”

There were even petals embedded inside. It’s pretty and useless, so I know it’s a noble thing.

Cool, this is the life of a nobleman.

“Ah…!”

It’s the best!

I’ll become a noble no matter what!

“Excuse me.”

“Woah!”

I was being too enthusiastic and almost screamed without realizing there would be people around. I dipped myself in the bathtub and looked where I could hear the voice with only my head sticking out.

A woman in a suit was seen standing behind the partition.

“There’s something I can do for you.”

What can you do to help an adult take a bath alone?

“No, it’s okay.”

I answered. I didn’t want to ask someone I’ve never seen before to help me.

“Yes, I see. I’ll wait in the next room, so call me if you need anything.”

“Yes, thank you…”

When I replied, the woman’s body completely disappeared on the other side of the partition. Wait. There’s a door there? Where the hell did she come from?

“I’m… going to be quick and then get out of here…”

I’m so nervous because I don’t know when and who else will come in. I hurriedly washed up, left the bathtub, and wiped the water off my body and hair. But, when I walked over to the partition to change my clothes,

“…What? Where are my clothes?”

The clothes that I had hung over the partition disappeared! That thief!

Of course, it’s not a real thief, for they wouldn’t have taken my clothes and left a silk dress here that was even more expensive.

“Don’t tell me I need to change into this…?”

I think the maid who left a while ago left this here.

There was no other alternative, so I took the silk dress that was hung gently and changed into it. Fortunately, it wasn’t too difficult or complicated to put on. The problem was something else.

“…It’s big.”

Whose clothes are these?

It’s big. It’s way too big.

The shoulder part rolled down and the skirt dragged on the floor. Moreover, it was designed to have a tight front, so if you don’t have the chest part, the entire dress will fall down.

I can never wear this! I’d rather wear a sack!

“Excuse me… uh maid?”

I called the maid who had visited me earlier. There’s no way for me to know where she came from. I’m at loss.

“Um, maid! Hello? Help!”

It’s not very good for me to be shouting in the air, but it worked.

“What’s the matter?”

“Oh my gosh!”

The wall suddenly opened and a polite maid appeared. I was wondering where the hell she came in from, and there was a small door in the wall. Why did they make the door look like a hidden picture?

However, that’s not the point.

“I can’t wear this because it’s too big. Where are the clothes that I wore earlier?”

“Oh my. I already sent them to the laundry room.”

“Huh?! Well, then my bag…”

“I sent all the clothes you brought to the laundry room.”

“What, how come you didn’t say anything…”

I’m in trouble. I don’t have anything to change to.

“And what about other clothes? I’m sure there should be something smaller?”

The maid spoke with one hand on her cheek and an embarrassed look on her face.

“The only clothes you can wear now are maid clothes. Should I bring that?”

…Wait.

‘It feels like you’re trying to screw me over.’

Not all the women living in the Duke’s place are huge, so how can there not be anything that can suit me?

“Did His Excellency order you not to lend me clothes?”

“No, it’s not that. All the dresses in the mansion are now either in the laundry room or the repair room.”

“Huh? How is that even possible?”

“It’s social season, so most dresses went to the townhouses, and it’s time to fix them. All the women’s clothes went to the laundry room this morning.”

Oh, right.

“But I didn’t expect it to be this big… What should I do? I can get you a new dress tomorrow, so now you should wear a maid’s dress.”

It makes no sense. I feel like someone needs to hit me.

‘Even the maids are fed heavily in aristocracy.’

I took a deep breath. I knew I wouldn’t be able to butter up this shitty situation.

“What shall we do?”

The maid urged me with an abominable look. I feel like she was waiting for a disappointing answer like ‘I can’t do this’ to fall out from my mouth. I thought for a moment and looked at the maid and asked.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“What? Well, I’m… Dorothy.”

When I asked for her name, she stuttered back while looking a little embarrassed. Maybe she thinks I will tell on her. But, she didn’t really do anything wrong in this situation. It’s not like she didn’t give me any clothes at all, but she did it in the best time for everything is being washed or repaired.

“All right Dorothy. I’ll have to wear something else, so please listen to me and bring it.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m going to dress up like a maid as you wish.