I’m in the Arms of the Cursed Grand Duke - Chapter 84

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 84

Zephyrus watched as thin ice formed on the surface of the teacup in front of him. He didn’t particularly feel like stopping it.

At first glance, Liriart’s request seemed quite reasonable.

Liriart had left all her personal maids behind when coming to the Northern Region.

She needed someone to assist her.

Liriart had chosen Clemente for that role.

“Wasn’t leaving your maids behind a sign of the young lady’s will to travel alone?”

For safety reasons, they could provide a knight, but a maid was not within their scope of responsibility.

Especially Clemente?

His, the Duke’s personal maid?

“There are many other capable people. Why Clemente? She wouldn’t be much help to the young lady.”

Zephyrus openly showed his displeasure. This was an emotion he was allowed to express.

Personal service had a different meaning from general service. Such a request could be seen as disrespectful to Zephyrus.

“Work isn’t important. I need someone who will keep me warm. At this rate, I’ll end up confined to my room, unable to do anything.”

Zephyrus flinched and stared at Liriart with a gaze somewhere between wariness and anger.

“It wouldn’t be bad for Clemente either. She’d be able to see and learn the etiquette of a marquis’s daughter who dominates high society.”

“I don’t think Clemente could perform etiquette as perfectly as the young lady in just one month.”

So it was unnecessary.

However, Liriart had seen Clemente’s bewildered expression at that moment.

The fact that her face, which had been so serene just moments before, changed like that was a good sign.

Liriart covered her lips with her teacup.

“Why do you say such hurtful things? Your Highness, you’re not going to leave Clemente behind during external activities, are you?”

“…”

Silence was affirmation. Liriart carefully chose her words as she drank the ice-cold tea touching her lips.

She needed to provoke Clemente while also giving Zephyrus a reasonable excuse.

“In Clemente’s current state, Your Highness’s reputation will suffer.”

“I was told there’s no reputation left to fall.”

“Exactly. The way people look at Clemente will change accordingly.”

Having never been to high society, Zephyrus found it difficult to understand Liriart’s words. Liriart began to explain calmly.

“Even if not everything, it means Clemente should be skilled in basic etiquette. Just because your reputation is rock bottom now doesn’t mean it will stay that way forever. It won’t, which is why Clemente’s behavior is important.”

The better Clemente behaved, the better the reputation of the master who taught her would become. Similarly, when Zephyrus did good deeds, Clemente, as his person, would also receive good evaluations.

It would become a mutually dependent relationship.

“And there’s another good point.”

“…Tell me.”

“Clemente will gain the qualifications to become not just a maid, but Your Highness’s secretary and administrator.”

Zephyrus placed his hand over the teacup. Crack! The entire teacup froze solid immediately.

Administrator.

Unlike a maid who could only serve one person, an administrator could handle the internal affairs of the manor deeply.

Therefore, becoming an administrator for a noble, especially a duke, required confirmed status.

Someone like Clemente, who wasn’t registered in the Empire’s records, couldn’t become an administrator no matter how well she performed on tests.

Then what was the way for her to become an administrator?

She could receive a recommendation letter from a noble other than the noble family she wanted to work for.

Liriart was saying she would write that recommendation letter.

However, Zephyrus firmly refused.

“I don’t expect such things from Clemente. Being a maid is sufficient.”

Clemente’s mouth fell open in shock.

She glared at the back of Zephyrus’s head with an extremely annoyed expression.

‘Perfect.’

Liriart smiled softly and passed the speaking opportunity to Clemente.

“Oh my, Clemente. Why do you look like that?”

“I want to help the young lady for a while.”

“What?”

Zephyrus turned around.

He discovered the same expression Liriart had seen.

“You, why do you have that expression?”

Despite his indifferent voice, Zephyrus was already reading Clemente’s mood.

This was the first time he’d seen such an expression.

“I’ve learned well how much of a fool my master thinks I am through this opportunity.”

“I didn’t think you were a fool- I just thought you didn’t need to take a difficult path!”

“I like being able to do more things for my master. I can do it. That etiquette? I’ll master it all.”

“No. Clemente, think carefully. You’d be separated from me for a month? I’ll need you in the future too. Don’t you know that?”

“I think it would be a good opportunity for both master and me.”

Clemente was stubborn. No matter how she thought about it, she felt she shouldn’t miss this opportunity.

Of course, there was the fact that Zephyrus had dismissed her learning ability, but Liriart’s words about becoming an administrator had stimulated Clemente.

Maid. Of course, that was fine. It was comfortable to just stay by Zephyrus’s side and do what she was told.

Usually, she would have wanted to remain a maid unconditionally.

However, there were things she couldn’t do with a maid’s status, weren’t there?

In the Northern Region, Clemente had often entered meetings together, either by the Duke’s authority or under the excuse of special circumstances.

But the atmosphere would be different once they left the domain.

There would be limits to the spaces a maid could access.

“I’ll of course remain master’s maid, but I also want to have the qualifications to act confidently when needed!”

“No, you can’t…”

You can’t. He just needed to say one more syllable, but seeing Clemente’s eyes full of expectation, his lips wouldn’t part.

She already seemed full of motivation.

“…There are conditions.”

“What are they?”

“What conditions!”

“You must dine with me once a day. I’m only lending Clemente when the young lady goes out. And lastly.”

Liriart and Clemente’s gazes turned toward Zephyrus’s lips.

“Don’t feel burdened. If you can’t do it, tell me anytime.”

At the words directed to Clemente, she lowered her raised eyebrows and nodded.

“Understood. Oh, right. I’d like to start assisting the young lady from the day after tomorrow.”

“Would you tell me the reason?”

“I have something to do. It’s a matter of someone’s life.”

Zephyrus realized what she was referring to. He had been planning to finish work quickly today and go out with the knights anyway.

“Do that. Your master is me. You don’t need to ask the young lady’s permission.”

“Yes. That much is fine. Then, I’ll take my leave now. Next time, I’ll bring the annulment papers with me.”

“Do that.”

Liriart smiled brightly and left the room.

‘Those two, something about their atmosphere has changed.’

Her intuition was whispering. In the midst of running hard to obtain the marquis title, she felt she would see some exciting scenes to relieve her fatigue.

**

Three people gathered to find the land blessed with fairy power.

Zephyrus, Clemente, and Gwen.

It was Gwen again after all.

Since he couldn’t even say what they were looking for due to the contract, he had chosen the most manageable person.

“Your Highness! I’m the commander of the Azure Knights, the commander! Do you know how much paperwork I have to process? You must know!”

“I understand the lieutenant does it all anyway.”

“Even so! I’m the one who stamps the documents!”

“I know the lieutenant stamps them when you’re not there. And this is an order. Will you disobey?”

“…No. Yes.”

Gwen pouted her lips. He wanted to give her a smack and send her inside.

However, the one in need was Zephyrus himself.

‘What would Clemente do at times like this.’

After pondering for a moment, Zephyrus slowly opened his mouth.

“I only have you to rely on, so that’s why. I’m sorry for making you follow my unreasonable demands.”

Clemente in situations like this always honestly conveyed her true feelings.

“…What? Your Majesty, what did you eat wrong?”

Gwen almost dropped her sword. She thought it would have been a disgrace as a knight. That’s how shocking Zephyrus’s honesty was.

“…You won’t hear words like this from me ever again, so keep that in mind.”

“Ah, ah! I’m sorry! I have committed a mortal sin, Your Majesty!”

Clemente giggled as she watched the two men.

‘The power of fairies.’

What could that be.

It was like finding a needle in the desert, but she had to accomplish it.

‘Let’s just try to find some clues today.’

While Zephyrus was working, she rummaged through books and discovered traces of fairies.

South of the highest mountain in the Northern Region.

There was no way to know if it was true, but she decided to start from there.

Even then, Clemente didn’t know.

As much as the dwarves. No.

That she would meet a being that looked even lonelier than them.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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