this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!
“No, just like I suspected, it seems like I’ll have to go with something else.” Joy, who had been seriously agonising over something for a long time with furrowed brows, shook her head violently, “Although this hairpin is pretty, it makes it feel like I’ve cared too much about it, so it won’t do.”
And in front of her was me, whose hair was full of various hairpins, all twisted or inserted into my braided hair.
“Then how about this one? It’s quite adorable, but most importantly, it goes well with Miss’s hair colour.”
“Hm, it’s alright, but… wouldn’t it be weird for it to be exactly the same colour as Miss’s hair?”
It had already been a few minutes, yet the debating of the maids surrounding me continued. Thanks to this, I couldn’t hold myself back and stood up from the chair after sitting for such a long time.
“That’s enough.”
“Gosh, Miss! You can’t!”
But my resistance was futile. Joining forces, not only Joy but my other maids all hastily pushed my shoulder back down to sit.
“You can’t miss this opportunity!”
“That’s right! From the moment you arrive at the mansion, all eyes will definitely be on you!”
No, so exactly what opportunity is it that I can’t miss…?
Although I was full of questions I didn’t understand, I wasn’t able to bring them up due to their excitement that was so overwhelming they were shaking their fists.
The reason why the usually quiet mansion had suddenly become so noisy since the morning was because of the guest that was coming today.
Upon hearing that the first guest of the Mayred Mansion was none other than the Commander of the Holy Knights, Leonon Berhardt, the employees had all become busy as if it was themselves that had made the appointment.
As soon as I had told them to pay more attention to the refreshments since the Commander would be coming, a scream that was still fresh in my ears immediately burst from Joy’s mouth, “Why are you only telling me such an important matter now, my lady!”
I wasn’t even sure how many dresses I had changed into since then until now. They had also changed my accessories several times already. If only that was it. They had tied up my hair, then let it loose, then braided it, then unbraided it.
Even a single earring or pin could go back to its original place if there was even a single disagreement.
“Dressing up today will be natural but not natural to show that there was still care put into it, simple yet tasteful, I’ll dress you up in a style that will make it hard for him to take his eyes off you once he sees you! Pure yet sexy!”
Once Joy vowed to do so, the eyes of the other maids around her also blazed with determination. It wasn’t even a hot iced americano, how does that even make sense? Listening to it made me feel so embarrassed I could feel my face burning.
“No, I’m just friends with the Commander…”
However, no one listened to my protests. In the end, I had no choice but to leave myself in the hands of the maids who couldn’t resist and ended up letting loose my hair again.
I waited for Leonon in a pale yellow dress adorned with adorable frills, with half of my hair braided up. I felt awkward since it felt different to what I would normally wear, but I had been filled with confidence from everyone spouting praises of me being pretty from their mouths.
By the time the warm sunshine of the afternoon hung low over the rose bushes by the front door, a large carriage led by two horses finally emerged.
It was the carriage of the Knights of Ecrestus.
Leonon had come just in time for our previously agreed on appointment.
The moment the wheels of the carriage had come to a stop in front of the door, Joy, who had been standing next to me, took a step back unconsciously. Sneaking a glance at her, I saw her trembling down to the tips of her fingers.
Seeing that, I ended up also becoming nervous and gulped dryly.
Soon, a knight who jumped down from the carriage opened the door with a disciplined motion, revealing Leonon, who appeared out of the carriage.
“Oh my…”
“Heavens…”
Low exclamations immediately filled the air here and there.
Behind the white uniform that was devoid of a single crease, fluttered a cloak lined with an intense red. Blond hair that was tied neater than usual glistened an extravagant gold in the sunlight.
Those blue eyes, which stood out even on his masculine face, were extremely bright and clear that it seemed as if all my worries would be washed away just by looking into them.
Above all, what caught my eye was a bouquet of red roses, the colour shockingly similar to the colour of my hair.
pls do not share this anywhere or u will always stub ur toe when u walk past a door frame !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:
And behind him stood a line of knights carrying large, pretty boxes.
Leonon spotted me and strode toward me with a big smile. The scene was like a harmonious picture with beautiful fresh greenery.
Soon after, a large bouquet of flowers popped out in front of my eyes. At the same time, a soft, friendly voice settled in my ear.
“Thank you for inviting me today.”
When he held out the bouquet of flowers, the fragrant scent trembled at the tip of my nose.
“Thank you for com…ing.”
I managed to reply, concealing my ever-red face. The eyes of the maids standing next to me were so hot that they almost stung.
“P-Please, come inside.”
I hurriedly led Leonon into the mansion, leaving the eyes of everyone else behind.
“I’m sure you’re busy, so I hope I’m not a disturbance.”
“Disturbance? Of course not, I was the one who invited you first after all. Oh, that’s right. Would you like to take a look around the mansion first before they serve the refreshments?”
“Of course. I’d love it if Miss Lorella could give me a tour as well.”
At that, I gave the bouquet to Joy, who was following after me, and turned slightly to the drawing room.
Joy, who received the bouquet, disappeared with the maids who were still lingering around, saying that she would prepare the refreshments in the drawing room. Then Leonon also dismissed the knights who were still holding the large gift boxes.
At some point, it became just me and Leonon in the empty hallway.
Perhaps it was because we hadn’t seen each other in a long time, or maybe because I hadn’t completely forgotten about the incident that happened at the Knight Headquarters.
My heart continued to race and I kept biting my lips unconsciously, perhaps out of anxiety.
“This is… the hall on the first floor. Behind it is a corridor that allows you to enter into the backyard.”
Even my voice started to tremble. I doubt it’d get better, even if I coughed to clear my throat. However, Leonon, who was slowly keeping pace with me, didn’t show any sign of noticing and just accepted my words with a sweet voice, “What a nice place with a simple yet comfortable atmosphere.”
“To be honest, it used to be more splendid. Compared to it at the time… it’s quite a dreary sight now.”
I had tried to patch it up when I had time, but the interior still remained relatively empty. To the point where it was quite embarrassing to call this a mansion of the nobility. Moreover, I couldn’t erase the idea even more since I had personally seen just how gorgeously antique and splendid the Holy Knights Headquarters were.
Of course, I knew very well that Leonon wasn’t the type of person who would judge others solely by their material possessions, but… somehow, I still felt a little inferior and smiled awkwardly, but Leonon shook his head firmly.
“Rather than a blindingly extravagant mansion, I prefer the cozy and comfortable feeling it gives off now. Since the house normally follows the owner’s feelings as well.”
Perhaps it was because of his sincere words. I raised my head that had gradually drooped.
As I turned my eyes to him, his warm eyes, that didn’t seem to be able to be found anywhere else in the world, met mine.
That was an uncommon occurrence. What Leonon had said was to be considered. I didn’t believe him blindly. At least because I knew he wasn’t someone who would just spout nonsense.
I smiled brightly at Leonon. When he saw my smile, he smiled softly, as if responding.
As my mind became less bogged down, my qualms about guiding him to every corner of the mansion also disappeared.
Perhaps because the atmosphere had also become comfortable, the conversation continued naturally like flowing water.
“How have you been?”
“Thanks to your concern, I’ve been well. Although I wrote about it shortly in my letter the other day, I went to the palace and wrapped it all up safely. I’d like to thank you once again.”
I bowed to him sincerely. It was only natural for me to do so since it may well have been impossible without Leonon’s help.
“Don’t be like that. It wasn’t something that was so great to be deserving of such a bow.”
Leonon held me up by the shoulder as if he were flustered.
“It was a great deed for me. I can’t imagine how great a deed must be for the Commander to accept such a greeting.”
“Well… who knows.”
My gaze met Leonon’s once again as he scratched his cheek, seemingly embarrassed by my joke. We burst into laughter at the same time as if we had agreed on the timing.
“Oh, right.”
While we were walking a roundabout way around the mansion to go back to the drawing room.
I suddenly remembered yesterday’s incident while chatting with him and began to boast to him about it.
“Yesterday was my first time going to a social gathering.”
“A social gathering?”
“Yes, I was invited to a ladies’ tea party that I had come to know about while working.”
Although it may not be a big deal to Leonon, I still wanted to boast about it. At last, I finally felt recognised as a dignified person rather than just a mere figurehead duchess.
“I made a lot of good friends. We decided to meet up often in the future.”
“I heard that it’s hard to run a store, but thankfully something good came out of it. I’m glad.”
Despite it not being an interesting topic for him, Leonon still paid attention to what I said and asked, “What do you usually talk about in those sort of meetings?”
When I glanced at him, wondering if he really was curious about this sort of conversation, he added with a smile, “Although it might be obvious for you, I’ve never been to a women’s gathering, so it’s only natural for me to wonder what you usually talk about.”
“There wasn’t really anything special. Oh, about the Holy Knights Commander…”
“Pardon?”
In that moment, I hurriedly shut my mouth. I almost let slip that everyone had praised that he was sweet, handsome, and the type of man who would probably pluck a star from the sky for the woman he loved.
“Um, they talked about the banquet that would be held at the imperial palace in a while.”
As I quickly retracted my words, Leonon thought for a moment and nodded, “You mean the banquet that’s being held to celebrate our victory.”
“I heard that it’s apparently going to be the most splendid banquet since the founding of the country! Everyone was envious. Even I wish I could go to such a place at least once.”
“Do you… want to go?”
I nodded my head at his words, “Of course. I was also curious since everyone had been looking forward to it so much. When I was in the north… there was never an opportunity for me to go to such a place.”
However, there were only a limited number of invitations. But that was only natural, since not only would the emperor and empress be in attendance, but also honoured guests that were coming from foreign countries.
It was impossible to dream of attending unless you were in one of the aristocratic families that dominated the inner circles of high society, or if your household had made meritorious contributions in the war.
We arrived in front of the drawing room, talking about various topics.
The wide open door showed a table spread that was several times stronger than usual. The bouquet that Leonon had brought was also separated into several large vases and arranged tastefully. Next to it were the pretty gift boxes that he had brought, stacked next to each other one by one.
“Please, come in.” I stepped aside while saying so, but didn’t sense anyone.
As I turned my head, Leonon, who was standing a few steps behind me, looked at me with a pensive expression on his face.
“…Commander?”
“Oh, my apologies.”
He immediately apologised when I called out to him softly. Then, as if it had been nothing, he strode inside.
In front of a table filled with exquisite and appetising refreshments, Leonon said he hoped that I would like at least one of the gifts. At the same time, with a soft smile on his face, he encouraged, “Why don’t you open them right away?”
He must have noticed my probing gaze that seemed to wonder what the hell was in so many of those boxes.
I began to open the boxes that he had sent to me one by one.
At first, I had been very happy, but the more boxes I opened, the lower my head would be. And it was no wonder it did, because those boxes were filled with extravagant and beautiful presents.
“W-Why did you get this much…”
“Because I didn’t know what you would like.”
From colourful candy and nutty luxurious chocolate to sweet liquor with a mellow citrus scent, beautiful gloves with lace so tightly woven it was scary to wear them, a parasol with rose patterned embroidery, to a small jewellery box embedded with real jewels.
I had just been trying to keep my promise of having you over for a cup of tea, but somehow, the belly button became larger than the belly.
배보다 배꼽이 더 큰
used to describe when something secondary overshadows the primary.
e.g. repair cost of a phone costing more than buying a new phone
When I looked at him with pursed lips, Leonon smiled sweetly, “It’s in return for the gift you gave me last time. I chose it myself, so I hope you like it.”
All I had given was a feathered pen which could be found anywhere, yet the return gift was this big. However, what made my smile bigger was the fact that he had chosen all of this himself.
“So many things… you chose personally?”
“That’s right. Do you perhaps…”
I waved my hand hurriedly since I could see the worry in his eyes.
“I really like it!”
Although he was normally friendly enough, I wasn’t aware that he had such a meticulous side of him.
“I’ve never seen such pretty things before! They’re all to my liking!”
When I spoke with a big smile and an excited voice, the person who was taking care of the tea beside me nodded indiscriminately, “Then that’s a relief.”
Only then did a natural smile bloom on Leonon’s lips.
“So turns out listening to my older sister’s nagging does help sometimes.”
“Then your sister’s nagging must be quite severe then.”
“Don’t even mention it. If you don’t listen to her properly, then she’ll just keep talking until you do.”
Leonon, who was lifting his teacup, replied in a rarely curt voice. I laughed out loud unconsciously upon seeing that sort of appearance on him for the first time.
Our conversation kept flowing. The atmosphere around us continued to be amicable, so I was completely unaware of the fact that Joy and the other maids had come to sit with us as well.
Our topics of conversation were endless, and thanks to that, I could hear a lot about Leonon that I usually didn’t get to hear.
“Have you really never spoken casually with a girl?”
“That’s right, I’ve never.”
Surprised, I asked again, but his answer was consistent. Leonon seemed to think again and shook his head, “Of course it was natural to not speak informally to my tutor who looked after me when I was young, but I never even spoke casually to my nanny either. It’s the same when I speak to other men as well. Of course, the only exception being the knights I’m closer to.”
Hearing that, a mischievous thought crept into my mind for some reason.
“Then try it on me.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s an opportunity for me to hear the Commander speak comfortably, unlike how you usually do, so of course I can’t miss it. Come on.”
“But what should I say…”
“There’s a lot of things to say. Even the most insignificant things are fine. For example, ‘The flowers are pretty, Lorella,’ or ‘What’s the name of this tea?’ etcetera…”
It was honestly shocking to me, who didn’t even hesitate to speak informally to Periot. Of course, although speaking informally is not a very sophisticated way of speaking, I felt more comfortable speaking like that as a person who had come from a different world.
But I couldn’t believe there was a person who had been using honorifics for their entire life.
“The flowers are pre…”
Leonon rubbed the back of his neck that was turning red and opened his mouth, but eventually couldn’t get the rest of the words out and retracted his words, “…pretty.”
he’s switched back to formal speech
My laughter flowed out at the sight of such a respectful him. Although it started off as a joke, I became more and more excited to see it.
“It must be hard since it’s your first time, right? In return, I won’t forget this historic moment where the Commander spoke informally for the first time.”
As I encouraged him like that, Leonon blinked slowly.
Then, as if he had made a big decision, he put down the teacup and opened his mouth while looking at me, “…Pretty.”
informal speech
“Look at that, you can do it!”
It was when I burst into laughter feeling a strange sense of victory.
“You’re prettier, Lorella.”
“…Pardon?”
A low voice that seemed to emphasise each syllable echoed gently in my ears.
“I said, you’re the prettiest.”
author’s note
let’s keep going
naver comments
sara****
“i said, you’re the prettiest.”
wow no matter how i look at it, leonon is definitely the male lead. i’m buying all of leonon’s shares!!! black haired male lead? since when was that destroyed?!!!!
mou
that’s righttttt let’s keep going~~!!
wonju
author nim, you know that the black hair male lead blond hair second male lead was already destroyed a long time ago, right? aside from not knowing what is mom did, i don’t need a male lead who imprisons my unnie and doesn’t recognise his own wrongdoings, so i’m ordering a commander male lead
i’ve been going thru something recently so i havent been able to update, but uni holidays are going to be here soon so hopefully more updates?
ALSO I’M BUYING LEONON STOCK RN BC WTF WAS THAT HAGLIKSFJISFJ GOT ME KICKING MY FEET AND GIGGLING BC WHGLISDKJFF IM BUYING IT IM BUYING IT EVEN THOUGH SPOILERS BUT TO LIVE IS TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT
Thank you for the update!💓