# 98
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“Dumba?”
When the Duchess of Peronde was asked in surprise, she clapped her hands and said:
“Oh, look at me, I forgot to mention that.”
She said it as if it was no big deal, but I felt my heart sink.
'Will you eventually return to the kingdom? Do you really want to get a divorce?'
Contrary to my efforts to save the Duchess of Elade, I have been unable to learn the details or intervene in the circumstances of the Duchess of Berrond.
‘But since the situation is different than before, I thought it might have an effect. …’
Duchess Beronde was the first person Duchess Elade opened up to in the battlefield-like social circle.
Moreover, Aiden was Diana's first friend, and she felt sad and disappointed at the thought of them breaking up like that.
'. ...huh? But why does Aiden go to the kingdom?'
When I thought about Eden's words, I found them strange.
When Duchess divorced Fayronde and returned to her kingdom, Aiden remained in the empire.
He was the only blood relative of Duke Verande, and since the Duke did not remarry, he became the natural heir.
As I blinked at the inappropriate question, I heard Duchess Elad's worried voice.
“You are suddenly going to the kingdom. What happened?”
“It's not a big deal, I haven't been able to go since I gave birth to Aiden, so I wanted to go once. Aiden also showed great interest in the kingdom, so my husband took his leave and we all decided to go together.”
“Oh my God, the Duke is with you too?”
Duchess Elade asked in surprise.
I was surprised too.
“I said it was fine, but he insisted on taking time off and coming with me.”
“My God, the Duke must be a loving husband. However, His Highness would not allow it so easily. It only takes dozens of days to reach the kingdom.”
I nodded, internally agreeing with the words mixed with worry.
Duke Berund is an advisor who has the important responsibility of deciding on important matters for the Empire.
It wouldn't be an easy decision for someone like that to leave for a long period of time.
“No, why would Duke Peronde go there in the first place?”
I looked at her in surprise, but the Duchess of Peronde only shrugged.
“Well, I've been working without a single break so far, so wouldn't it be okay to take all this time off?”
“That's true, but... …”
“Well, I heard you said that if he continued his suspension, he would resign as Prime Minister.”
My mouth fell open as the words flowed out.
At that time, Duchess Peronde's eyes fell on me.
“Now that I think about it, in a way, our first family trip was also thanks to Leah.”
“After Ms. collapsed, Aiden and I felt depressed for a while, so my husband asked me if I wanted to go back to my hometown and make time to do this.”
Even when she thought about it now, she couldn't tell me how surprised she was at the time and laughed.
According to what was read, the Duchess of Berrond had always believed that the Duke was hesitant about her homeland, the Dampa Kingdom.
Although they entered into an arranged marriage under an interstate promise, they felt that they did not love each other.
However, in response to the Duchess's words, the Duke said….
〈What do you mean by that!? It was an arranged marriage, but I got married because I wanted to, and I hate your country. …I only avoided the topic because I thought it would make you uncomfortable!〉
It is said that he jumped up and said that...
It turned out that the Duke and Duchess of Berrond, who had been living face to face without any sincere conversation until now, seemed to gradually increase their conversation when the Duchess began to visit Elad Palace.
Later, when Aiden became interested in the Dampa Kingdom and prepared traditional snacks himf, the Duke noticed his misunderstanding and suggested that they go on a trip.
Unlike Mi Rae, who ended up getting divorced, I felt strange listening to the story of a couple who revealed their true feelings and got along well.
“Actually, my husband misunderstood him. I was so homesick that I avoided talking about the kingdom. Even though it had been several years since I had a child and lived in the empire, I still couldn’t stop thinking that I was a foreigner... “If those days continued, I might have suddenly returned to my hometown one day.”
I sighed inwardly when I saw Duchess Perronde speaking f-deprecatingly.
Because I knew she really did what she said.
Duchess Elade asked, as if she wanted to brighten the now heavy atmosphere.
“So when are you leaving?”
“I have decided to take care of my current duties and leave immediately. I want to have a good rest in the warm kingdom before winter comes.”
Winter is not far away, so the year will have changed when Duchess Veronde and Aiden return.
Because it was a long journey that could last for several months, I felt regretful and disappointed.
At that time.
“So, Leah told Aiden not to have any expectations, but since we're talking about this, I'd like to ask you.”
“Are you okay?”
"Yes ."
Duchess Perronde, who was unusually hesitant, said something unexpected.
“I heard from Aiden that you are very interested in the surrounding kingdoms, would you like to go with us to Damba?”
* * *
Not only did Duchess Veronde's surprise offer surprise me, but so did Duchess Elade.
Of course, without hesitation, I immediately declined the offer.
〈Sorry, I have to take care of the lady.〉
I felt sorry for Aiden, who had a very expectant look in his eyes, but I couldn't be separated from Diana.
Fortunately, Duchess Perronde nodded, as if she had already anticipated my answer.
Then he left the Duke's house, leaving a greeting and saying that he looked forward to it, saying that he would bring many gifts when he returned.
I thought it would end in a short incident.
“What? What do you suggest to Leah? Are you asking someone to accompany you to this far away place?”
“So, every time you visit, you target Leah!”
. …For the Duke and Duchess of Elad, this seemed to be a bigger and more serious matter than they thought.
While eating dinner, the Duke's face turned cold when he heard something the Duchess said.
“Are you saying he's always been like this?”
“Yes, but he didn't say it out loud, but today, when I got upset and asked him what he meant, he said that it doesn't matter whether Leia serves Diana or Aiden because she's not a lifelong contract employee.”
The Duchess spoke angrily, as if her anger had not yet subsided.
Although he had fully recovered his health, his excitement still worried me, and while listening to the story of the Duke and Duchess, the tips of my ears burned red with embarrassment.
As Duchess Perronde said, I am just an ordinary maid, not a maid with a subordinate contract like a butler.
It was not uncommon for maids and servants to receive letters of recommendation and move to other families.
I know now that the Duke and Duchess of Elade care about me, but it's still weird to see them so excited, it makes me feel special.
“Anyway, you did a good job, Leah. You won't have to think so hard about it again if you cut it in one piece like this.”
The Duke praised me and advised me that the next time I heard something like that again, I should reject it immediately.
I thought about who would suggest this to me, but I said: “Yes.”
I nodded.
That's when the Duke smiled as if he was satisfied with my mild reaction.
“But you've read a lot about other countries in books, don't you want to go there?”
Allen said suddenly.
“Do you really want to go to the Principality of Pylos?”
“You're not leaving Diana behind, are you?”
". … certainly."
Diana shouted in response to Allen's muttering.
I stopped for a moment without realizing it, but Diana didn't notice and smiled triumphantly.
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess exchanged glances with strange expressions.
“That's right, Leia can't be separated from Diana, she already chose it a long time ago, so there's no need to think about it.”
“Of course even in the Principality of Pylos, there is no Diana there.”
The voice and conversation seemed harsh for some reason.
The Duke said, tilting his head.
“So, Leah, don’t be upset.”
“No?”
"Isn't the academy's graduation ceremony coming soon? I'm obviously in the principality to see the Archduke. ... Oh, no."
I looked at the Duke in confusion as he spoke to himf and then closed his mouth.
Although I couldn't understand the Duke's words, I was happy to remember Ascart for the first time in a long time.
“Tsk, when you graduate, I will be in the academy, that’s good brother, now he can see Diana every day!”
However, I couldn't say anything and lowered my head in response to Allen's next words.
When I thought of Lucio, my heart felt tight and my head felt confused for some reason.
Dinner ended only after a few more words were heard from the Duke and Duchess.
Diana went to bed early, probably because she was tired, so I went straight back to the room.
But I couldn't sleep easily.
After losing my thoughts for a while, I finally got out of bed and headed to the main library.
I kept putting it off and putting it off, but now it seemed like it was time to confirm the truth I had been ignoring.
The unlit, empty library was quieter than ever.
“Heh.”
To relax, she took a short breath, walked up the stairs, and reached for a fuzzy book.
And after a while.
“As expected, Darryl’s owner was…Lucio.”
I closed my eyes tightly.