# 9
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Evelin straightened her back, which had been hunched as she looked at the drawings, and glanced at Dyffrin.
“I was just… looking at Rykal’s drawing?”
“At this time?”
Evelin understood what he meant, and realized that others might misinterpret the situation.
It was late, all the house staff were in their rooms, and she was alone in a room with Rykal.
However, the door was wide open, making it unlikely that they were doing anything secret.
“I went out into the hallway to close the window, and then I heard some noises coming from Lord Rykal’s room, so I came to check.”
“Then I saw his drawing on the desk.”
Devrin, who had been staring at Evelin, turned his gaze to Rykal. Caught up in the scrutiny, Rykal looked a little confused but quickly calmed down and spoke.
“As Lady Evelyn said.”
However, Dyffrin's facial expression did not soften.
Evelin and Devrin stared at each other, as if in a silent battle. Then Devrin dropped his head first with a sigh and said.
“Okay, now get out of Rykal’s room.”
Evelyn shrugged and left the room. Devrin slammed Rekal's door shut with a loud thump.
I stared at Dyffrin intently.
He was acting this way because of something so trivial.
Looking back, it was weird.
In the original story, Devrin did not care about anyone Evelyn met or talked to, even if it was another man.
But I soon understood his behavior.
‘Diffrin was someone who valued his honor very much.’
He was probably worried that if the maids saw his wife alone with another man late at night, it might lead to bad rumours.
However, with all the maids already in their rooms, there was no need to worry too much.
This time, he was overly sensitive.
'Honestly…'
Evelyn clicked her tongue inwardly and went back to her room.
* * *
About a week after Rykal began staying at the Ducal Palace, Evelin became very close to him.
Her knowledge that he had a hobby like drawing played an important role.
But with Dyffrin being strangely cold lately, Evelyn and Rykal found themves sharing a hidden sense of companionship, trying to avoid Dyffrin's mood.
In addition, Evelyn finds that she and Rykal have more in common than she thought.
For example, liking drawings and stray cats.
She discovered this when she saw Rikaal cutting chicken meat to feed the stray cat on their way back from walking.
There were also some unexpected aspects, such as Rykal's reading of poetry.
At first, she couldn't believe it.
“…a collection of poems to soothe a mind tired of a demanding boss?”
After lunch, she noticed a book on the table and assumed it belonged to one of the maids, so she reached for it.
But before she could, Rikaal hurriedly approached and snatched the book.
When she saw this, Evelin realized.
‘…It was Rikal’s book.’
Given Rikal's deadpan and expressionless way of speaking, she never imagined he had an emotional side. It was really surprising.
Evelyn began to see Rykal in a more positive light, and Rykal seemed to feel the same way.
At first, he was wary of her like a wild cat, but gradually he began to lower his guard.
Eventually, they got to the point of having tea together and chatting about various things when Dyffrin wasn't around.
Just like now.
“I never would have imagined that the person sitting down to feed the cats would be you, Rykal.”
Evelyn said with a laugh in her voice, and Rykal responded with an embarrassed expression.
“...Please let's stop talking about that. I don't usually like cats. It's just...seeing her all wet like that, walking around, makes me feel sorry for her.”
'Lie.'
Unbeknownst to Rykal, Evelyn saw him feeding stray cats several times.
But she kept it a private secret. If you mention this fact, Rykal will stutter like a malfunctioning robot.
“I found this side of you very cute and surprising too.”
Evelin smiled, and Rykal watched her face calmly for a moment.
“I was surprised too...”
Evelin stopped with her teacup half-lipped and asked
“Hmm?”
“The Evelyn I had in mind was not like that.”
“What kind of person do you think I am?”
“A good person, but… sensitive and emotional… a rather tired person.”
He thought she might have been like Cinderella who got lucky and ended up alongside Dyffryn.
Evelyn already knew how Rikal looked at her in the original work, so it wasn't a surprise.
Now, she no longer had any resentment towards him.
Just as she had her prejudices towards Rykal, he had his own towards her as well.
“But now… I realize that I judged you too hastily, Lady Evelyn.”
Rykal bowed his head respectfully.
"I'm sorry."
Evelin waved her hand dismissively.
“No, don't apologize. I'm always grateful to you for helping Differin so well.”
Dyffrin and Rykal were inseparable like a needle and thread, and Rykal always supported Dyffryn loyally.
“But it's been a bit weird lately...”
For some reason, their closeness no longer seemed as special as it once did.
Maybe it's just her imagination, but lately Devrin would often give Rykal short answers or stare at him for no reason.
The problem was that his gaze was strange, and it felt like a sharp stare.
“Lord Dyffryn is an admirable person. It is a great honor for me to be able to help him.”
Rikal said with a rare smile, with a hint of pride at the upturned corners of his mouth.
“But it's a bit difficult, isn't it?”
Evelyn muttered, and Rykal responded with a soft laugh.
Evelin was thinking of Rekal's smiling face, which gave off a completely different atmosphere, when a maid hurriedly approached and bowed.
The maid was not from the duke's residence, but a maid that Rykal had brought with him.
“Sir, I have an urgent matter to inform you.”
“What's wrong?”
“Well, you see...”
The maid whispered something in Rykal's ear, and his expression darkened.
When the maid bent down and stepped back, Evelin asked.
“Is something wrong, Rykal?”
Rykal looked down and said.
“The maid who took care of my grandmother every day has disappeared.”
“Disappeared…?”
Rykal pressed his temples, as if he had a headache.
“She must have been afraid that my grandmother’s condition had deteriorated recently.”
“So, did she run away?”
“I can understand the fear of the plague spreading, but she should have at least found someone to take care of Grandma...!”
Evelin felt uncomfortable, even though it wasn't her business.
“I think I should take care of my grandmother myf today.”
“But Rikal, didn’t you have an important appointment this afternoon?”
“But… I have no other choice.”
It would be really hard to find someone else now.
Since the exact mode of transmission of the plague was unknown, everyone avoided those infected.
Evelin sighed inwardly and said,
“I will go in your place.”
She should have acted like Rykal, who pretended not to notice the messy ledgers. But after she had become closer to him recently, she couldn't do that.
Rykal's eyes widened at Evelyn's words.
"What…?"
“I will go to your house and take care of your grandmother.”
“But...”
“It's hard for you to find a replacement right away, isn't it?”
She couldn't force the other maids to risk their lives and go
Evelyn knew a lot about the plague.
As long as she was careful of the patient's blood, there was no risk of transmission. Since she couldn't share this information publicly, it was best for her to go herf.
“I will check on her condition and let you know in the evening.”
Evelyn stood up to leave, and Rykal followed suit.
“No, Lady Evelyn. This is my responsibility.”
“Rekal, you should only do what you can do. I can take care of your grandmother, but meeting important guests of the empire is something I cannot do.”
Evelin's firm words made Rekal open his mouth slightly and then lower his head.
“…I’m sorry. So, just this once, I will ask for your help, Lady Evelyn.”
“Sure. I'll keep this a secret from Dyffrin, so don't worry.”
Although Rekal said it was okay, Evelin knew that if Devrin found out, Rekal would definitely be reprimanded.
No matter how indifferent Devrin was to her, he would not be happy to know that his assistant had asked his wife to do such a task.
Especially since Devrin had recently been looking at Rekal with displeasure for some reason.
Evelin asked the maid to bring her coat and then looked at Rekal.
“Rekal, can you tell me where your grandmother’s house is?”
* * *
Rykal's house was not far from the Duke's residence.
Perhaps because the only person there was Rykal's sick grandmother, it gave the exterior of the house a somewhat gloomy atmosphere.
Evelin carefully opened the door with the key that Rykal had given her and entered.
“He said her room was at the far end of the second floor.”
She took the soup the maids had prepared and walked up the stairs. Arriving at the room on the far side of the second floor, Evelin took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
“Hello, Mrs. Merkel?”
There was no answer from inside. Evelin wondered if it was because her voice was different from the usual maid voice?
Knock, knock.
Evelyn knocked on the door again.
“I am Evelyn, sent by Count Recal. I have come in place of the maid.”
However, there was no response from inside.
“There is no other choice.”
Feeling nervous, Evelin turned the doorknob. Fortunately, it wasn't locked.
With a creaking sound, the dimly lit room appeared. Evelin swallowed nervously and slowly stepped inside.
"my lady…?"
On the bed lay an elderly woman, Rykal's grandmother, Mrs. Merkel.
But she was sweating profuy and breathing hard, and was clearly in serious condition.
Evelyn approached the bed and put her hand on Mrs. Merkel's forehead. As expected, it was burning inteny.
Moreover, despite the disturbance, she did not open her eyes or move at all.
Evelyn felt anxious and shook Mrs. Merkel's shoulder.
"Ma'am...! Please wake up!"
Still no response yet.