CH 8

There was a sharp edge to his tone now, and Rosalie thought he had a valid suspicion. The average noble family did not use a commoner as their General Administrator, and if they did, most commoners were falsely accused and cast out.

Rosalie spoke firmly, looking Erudit in the eyes.

“I chose you, Erudit, because I like you, as I’ve said before. I will never do such cowardly things.”

Erudit quickly scanned Rosalie with his silver eyes behind his glasses. Rosalie realized she was being scrutinized, but she brushed it off as if she hadn’t noticed.

“Is there something you don’t like?”

Rosalie asked Erudit, who was hesitating.

“It’s good. Can I start working tomorrow?”

Erudit nodded his head. Currently, the treatment of the Duchy of Judeheart was the best in the business. The salary was nearly double that of any other noble family, and there was no other place that would appoint Erudit, a novice, as their General Administrator.

“If you need a place to stay, you can use one of the empty rooms in the duchy’s mansion.”

“Thank you. I’ll bring my luggage tomorrow morning.”

“Then let’s go to work tomorrow afternoon.”

“Thank you for your consideration. See you tomorrow.”

Erudit rose, bowed slightly, and left the office. Rosalie offered to call for Dolan, but he declined, and she didn’t bother to see him off.

As Erudit left the office, he smiled and muttered softly.

“How interesting.”

Erudit glanced at the thick office door and muttered once more, adjusting his glasses. Many things left an impression on him, like the way she used a stiff tone like a knight.

“Were the rumors about the Duchess being ridiculously timid false?”

Contrary to the negative rumors that tore her down, Erudit found Rosalie as a person who was more regal and dignified than anyone else and displayed qualities fitting of a Duke. Additionally, he liked that despite being a high-ranking noble, she treated him, a commoner, as a talented individual.

Strangely enough, to Erudit, Rosalieseemed like a skilled leader who had experienced everything on the battlefield.

“Are you the person I saw earlier?”

A brightly smiling Sonia appeared in front of Erudit, who was making his way across the garden.

She wore a pale green dress with cute ruffles, and a single yellow flower that looked like it had just been plucked from the garden was tucked into Sonia’s brown hair, enhancing her sweet appearance.

“Yes.”

Undaunted by Erudit’s slightly chilly response, Sonia smiled and spoke softly.

“Did you have a good conversation with Rosalie? She’s a bit timid, so I’m worried. If there’s anything else you’d like to say, I can relay it to her.”

Behind his glasses, Erudit’s eyes swept over Sonia.

‘Is that person the famous prince’s friend?’

Sonia had a reputation for her beauty and kind personality in the empire. Also, her title as Derivis’s close childhood friend made her even more famous.

However, Rosalie had left a deeper impression on Erudit, so Sonia’s presence did not feel particularly striking.

“I think I’ll be fine. Then, bye.”

Erudit said with a smile and started walking past Sonia, and she looked at his back with a disapproving glance.

Feeling Sonia’s gaze from behind, Erudit shook his head from side to side.

‘People like that are easily swayed by emotions and make mistakes. It’s different from Duchess Judeheart.’

That’s how Erudit’s evaluation of Sonia ended.

After Erudit left, Rosalie finished her tea and rose to leave her office. As she did so, she looked at her empty teacup and muttered to herself as if suddenly remembering something.

“Come to think of it, Erudit also liked Sonia’s kindness.”

Rosalie turned to leave the office, unperturbed by this sudden revelation. She didn’t care who Erudit liked, as long as he did his job well.

As she opened the door to the office, she was momentarily surprised by the unexpected face she saw.

“Hello, Duchess.”

Derivis was leaning against the wall in front of the office.

“What are you doing here?”

“Will you lend me a horse?”

When Rosalie tilted her head at the sudden request, Derivis continued.

“I’m going horseback riding, will you join me?”

The invitation was intriguing, but there was no way that Rosalie, who had never ridden a horse before and whose old body was far from athletic, would be able to do it.

Derivis, who hadn’t missed the momentary glint in Rosalie’s eye, smirked.

“I would like the Duchess to show me to the stables.”

Though she wondered if it was necessary, she swallowed her annoyance and took a step as the man in front of her was a guest and the Crown Prince. 

They headed together to the stables in the corner of the mansion.

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“You can use any of the horses here.”

Rosalie, who had finished speaking, was about to turn around when Derivis’s voice caught her.

“Do you want to ride a horse?”

As someone who enjoyed all kinds of physical activities, Rosalie was somewhat interested in horseback riding and hesitated. Derivis went inside the stable and came back with a sturdy brown horse, holding the reins with ease and only a stirrup instead of a saddle.

“The weather’s nice.”

When Rosalie didn’t move her legs willingly, Derivis urged her on, nodding his head towards the horse.

“Get on. I’ll just pull the reins.”

After some hesitation, Rosalie finally moved. She was about to jump up, but realizing she was dressed in a dress, she frowned slightly.

It was a small frown, but Derivis, who hadn’t missed it, let out a small chuckle.

“I’ll give you a ride. Excuse me for a moment.”

Derivis gently wrapped his arm around Rosalie’s waist and lifted her effortlessly onto the high horse’s back. Despite being thin, Rosalie was surprised at Derivis’s strength, which easily lifted a person onto the horse’s back.

“Slowly at first, so you can get used to it.”

As Derivis led the reins, the horse began to move slowly. After about a lap, Rosalie began to feel accustomed to the movement of the horse, but also felt bored.

“Do you want to try running?”

Knowing that she hadn’t changed her expression much, she licked her lips, sensing Derivis’s gaze on her.

“…Yes, after all this walking, I’d like to try running.”

“You’re greedy, but a beginner can’t run without a saddle.”

Rosalie nodded regretfully, and Derivis smirked for a moment before mounting behind her. The horse stamped its feet in surprise at such a swift and agile gesture, and Derivis skillfully pulled on the reins to calm it down.

“Didn’t you say that you were only going to pull the reins?”

After the horse calmed down, Rosalie glanced at him. Derivis only laughed shamelessly.

“Well, since the Duchess wants to run, it can’t be helped.”

As Derivis deftly took the reins of the horse, Rosalie naturally fell into his arms.

“Giddy up!”

With a shout, Derivis began to drive the horse in earnest. 

It was a bit chilly, but a pleasant breeze was blowing. Rosalie looked ahead, her hair fluttering in the wind.

Although Rosalie felt slightly uneasy about the fast-paced horseback riding, it wasn’t too bad because of Derivis’s strong arms around her. As the scenery around them passed by quickly, they soon came upon a vast field of reeds.

“I didn’t know there was a place like this in the Duchess’ estate.”

“…Neither did I.”

The field of reeds, which shone brightly under the clear autumn sunlight, was as beautiful as gold. Derivis gradually slowed down the horse’s speed and rode it gracefully through the reeds.

“I’d like to dismount for a moment.”

Since she was riding without a saddle, her back felt sore. 

Derivis dismounted from the horse and tried to reach out to Rosalie, but she had already jumped off the horse and was patting her dress.

He withdrew the hand he had tried to reach out to her with. As the wind blew strongly enough to make ripples of waves in the reed field, he closed his eyes with a good feeling.

“From ancient times, it was said that the wind blows away worries and troubles.”

As he murmured, Rosalie felt a steady breeze. It was definitely refreshing, indeed.

“I don’t know what your worries are, but I hope they are resolved soon.”

Derivis smiled, surprised at such a tasteless consolation.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re very interested in my worries.”

“…Even if you ask me, I can’t solve them for you. But if you’re looking for comfort, I can ask.” 

Derivis smiled once more and shook his head. It was a blunt response that he preferred more, rather than the usual pretense of concern and assurances when people claim they could fix his problems without being able to.

They stood in silence, feeling the wind blowing through the reeds. Derivis occasionally glanced at Rosalie, but she didn’t give him a single glance.

“What made you change so much?”

As they rode together again, Derivis asked, looking at Rosalie’s small profile.

“…Why do you ask?”

“Somehow, I feel like if I say it’s only due to simple curiosity, I don’t think I’ll get an answer.”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm, but the reins are in my hands, Duchess.”

Rosalie turned her head to look up at Derivis. He smiled crookedly, and even shook the reins as if they were a lifeline.

Unwilling to be swayed by his antics, Rosalie sighed and grabbed the reins. Derivis’s eyes widened in surprise at her sudden behavior.

“We’ll return to the duchy.”

The reins were pulled and the horse began to run as Rosalie deftly handled the reins skillfully with her excellent athletic ability.

“It’s difficult to get an answer from the Duchess.”

Rosalie pretended not to hear him over the sound of the wind. Derivis didn’t know what expression Rosalie was wearing because he couldn’t see her face as she stared ahead. 

Gradually, as the mansion came into view, Rosalie tugged slightly on the reins to slow down the horse’s pace.

Watching her, Derivis guessed that Rosalie would learn horseback riding quickly.

As the horse galloped toward the mansion, Sonia waved.

“Rosalie! Devi! Where have you two been?”