Chapter 28 - It’s Not A Gift (1/2)

Chapter 28 – It’s Not A Gift

“…My apologies, Lady Maristella.”

Claude took out a handkerchief with an odd look and wiped his mouth.

What? What was wrong with him?

No, more importantly, how could this be—He still looked cool even after spurting out the tea.

“Is there a problem, Duke?” I asked in a confused voice, wondering how someone could remain so good-looking no matter what they did.

“Pardon? No, no, yes!”

What was that about…?

Instead of smiling at his unexpected bungling, I was rather puzzled. Claude was friendly, sly and pleasant, but he wasn’t a clumsy fool, and it felt like he had suddenly become one.

“There’s a problem?” I repeated.

“No, not a problem, rather…” Claude’s voice trailed off as he furrowed his brow. “This was sent by Xa—no, the Crown Prince?”

“I’m not sure,” I said, and when I turned to Florinda, putting her in the spotlight, she quickly explained.

“Soon after the Duke came up to your room, My Lady, Sir Dilton arrived from Thurman Palace. When you were invited to Thurman Palace, he thought you liked tea, so he brought a lot that was good for mental and physical stability.”

“Ah, I see…”

I didn’t know that Sir Dilton was here. If it weren’t for Claude, I would have talked to him myself. I felt a pang of guilt.

“So Sir Dilton is gone now?” I asked Florinda.

“The Countess wanted to serve him a cup of tea, but unfortunately he had an urgent matter and left,” she replied a little regretfully. “Anyway, it looks like previous tea leaves at a glance, so I brought it for the Duke to taste.”

I looked at Claude, who had done a spit-take of the tea earlier, and spoke to him in a worried voice. “Ah, does the tea not suit your taste, Your Grace?”

Claude’s face suddenly flushed red in embarrassment. “Th-the tea?” he stammered.

“Yes. You spurted it out as soon as you drank it…” I said with a serious look on my face. I thought the tea was delicious myself, but taste was a matter of personal preference. “If you didn’t like it, I can ask for another type of tea.”

“Ah…” Claude gave a short sigh and shook his head. “No, My Lady. It’s not that the tea didn’t taste good. It was just that it was too hot…that’s why I spurted it out. Just that.”

“Ah, I see.” I don’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but I was relieved because at least he didn’t mean that the tea was bad. Somehow I was glad that I had another comrade who recognized the wonderful taste of this tea.

“Actually, I enjoyed drinking this tea when I was invited to Thurman Palace. Do you like this tea too?” I said excitedly this time.

“…I really like it,” Clause said with a beautiful smile, then spoke again, this time more cautiously. “You must be close to the Crown Prince.”

It was an ‘oops’ moment when I heard his remark. Claude might have misunderstood. I shook my head quickly.

“Not at all. I caused him an inconvenience and needed to throw away my handkerchief. He called me to the palace once for that.”

Come to think of it, I wondered why the Crown Prince didn’t send the handkerchief. He could just pass it to Lord Dilton. Did he change his mind?

“I see.”

Claude’s face suddenly brightened when he heard that. I thought maybe there was something to be pleased about what I said, but it wasn’t that either. What was it?

“You must like tea,” he commented.

“I don’t like it that much, but if there’s something that suits my taste, I only drink that.”

“The Escliffe mansion always has excellent tea leaves. I will send it here sometime.”

“Ah, thank—”

…No, but why?

“It’s fine, Your Grace. Such a gift is too much for me,” I declined, somewhat confused.

“It’s not a gift, Lady Maristella.”

If this is not a gift, then what? A bribe?

“Then?” I asked, feeling bewildered.

“Technically, this is also compensation for mental damage. After your exhaustion from the carriage accident three months ago, I will calm you down with the tea.”