Chapter 22 - Evening Party is an Option (2/2)

“?”

Eh? The entrance way flowers? I incline my head to the side blankly, then

“They were the same as yesterday”

The Duke’s said, looking down elegantly at his tea cup as he brings it to his mouth.

I am surprised at the Duke noticing that the entrance way flowers had not been changed!

Today was the rainy day schedule, so I could not do the household things. But I am a little happy he noticed those pretty flowers!

“Ah, yes, that is so. Because today I could not go to Bellis’s area”

I am surprised and answer while unintentionally staring at the Duke but,

“Is that so?”

Hmmm, the Duke said while draining his tea. More than that it seems it is the conversation end.

Oh. It seems the Duke dislikes Bellis. Previously when it is a Bellis conversation, it felt like he became ill humoured. He is a good-looking mutual, I wonder if there is somehow the existence of a rival-like mentality? I think perhaps it is the Duke’s one-way traffic.

And, like that, the cup is returned to the saucer and,

“Well then, good night”

Saying that preparations were made for him to return and he returned home.

The next morning, I turned up in the servants dining room to take breakfast and Carthame rushed over.

“Mada~me, I am sorry”

He says and quickly giving my hand a chu [T/N: kissing noise]. It is a firm chu with a extremely exaggerated grief-stricken expression. As usual, an elegant technique. Already I do not notice it. Finally it seems I have adapted!

I firmly recover the hand that Carthame has taken,

“Well, it is not Carthame’s fault. Oh-boy. From now on I have to enjoy the conversation”

What is this forced feeling, having to forcibly enjoy it, I wonder how do I do that?

“I cannot fill it bit by bit to the degree I have up until today, but we will prepare as much as we can”

Carthame says while winking at me hanging my head.

“Yes, please do so”

Today trustworthiness can be seen, in Carthame.

The style of dinner being eaten here everyday, and after that returning to the detached building has not changed. And as usual with the ‘yes, today also was strange~’ feeling,

““““Have a good night, master!””””

The servants smiling faces, are always top grade☆

The detached building’s Calendula, has come intruding here several times since then.

At first, for sure, she kept up a smiling face, but lately she is not even hiding the displeasure. I have been caught at the entrance way again, but within Calendula, I am probably categorized as ‘a useless young girl’. I am only told to go call Lotus or Dahlia. And she does not recognises me as the mistress herself at all. Well, recognising would be more strange. Because at any rate the uniformed me is a young girl who is extremely ordinary and has no merit anywhere.

Calendula surely wants to say ‘this, thieving cat!!’ to the Mistress (me). Me, who thinks I want to hear those rule of right and striking words, is probably idly curious?!

But if I let her say that after this, it will be a ‘I guess this somber and large cat is a hindrance here but I am tied firmly like a pet cat~’ feeling. Ah, normal cats are not tied.

Well, at present that kind of fighting scene does not develop.

Because the capable Lotus always turns her away at the front door. Ah~, every time I am sorry.

Or perhaps I should say, around this time today I think if they are fighting (this, is everyone at the main residences opinion) the Duke should quickly reconcile and return over there.

But.

The Duke’s whimsy is still continuing contrary to our speculation, and further development is expected.

I hear of the Duke’s return and go towards the entrance way, the Duke hands over one letter envelope.

“What is this?”

The envelope is a pleasant-to-touch, high quality white paper, pretending to be commonplace. The address is to the Duke. Turning it around looking, it is sealed with gold beeswax.

This seal, is a coat of arms I have seen somewhere~ ……that’s not it, isn’t this the royal family’s coat of arms! This is not a certain shojo manga. I do not have any relationship with the royal family and such, so I look up at the Duke in a hurry from the super famous coat of arms I know,

“It is a written invitation from the royal palace. This time it has been decided to hold a evening party, and the invitation has come for you and I”

The Duke informed me with a faint smile

“Huh?! A evening, party?

Pachi, pachi, pachi! I blink repeatedly.

I mean, it has been just 4 months after getting married. However, we have never gone out to such a meeting. Did they invite the wrong people?

I have become very blank.

“Yes that is right. So you will come with me?

He said extremely naturally with a gentle smile but.

“U~mmm, but I wonder is this an option?”

I unintentionally ended up answering this way.

Author’s note:

The Duke is struggling at the  main house (haha)