Chapter 60
The famous restaurant on Lundberry Street, known as Thiago’s Kitchen, operates entirely on a reservation basis.
The owner, Thiago, greeted the Duke of Rockford and what seemed to be his fiancée with a relaxed smile, despite their unexpected visit.
He had a special room always reserved for occasions like this, ensuring they were well accommodated.
As the fiancée entered first, she remarked, “There are so many cushions.”
This was typical for a cozy and private room often used by high-ranking individuals when they brought guests.
Thiago, thinking quickly, responded internally with a playful remark.
The Duke appeared startled upon seeing the enclosed space.
“Enjoy your time.”
With a subtle smile, Thiago bowed and prepared to leave when an unexpected command came from behind him: the door should remain open.
This raised questions for Thiago—was the Duke perhaps forced into this engagement without affection? Did he want to keep the door open to avoid being alone with her?
It was curious that he seated his fiancée right next to him at such a large table. Nevertheless, Thiago skillfully maintained his composure as he exited the private room.
Once outside, he quickly gestured to a staff member.
“Go tell Sophia that the Duke is here with his fiancée.”
“Yes!”
The staff member hurried off to inform Madame Sophia at her jewelry store.
Upon hearing that the Duke and his fiancée were visiting her brother’s restaurant, Sophia’s eyes widened with excitement.
“Everyone get ready to welcome His Grace! Clear out the second floor and bring that!”
After successfully selling the most expensive diamond necklace in just thirty seconds during Walter’s last visit, she had begun stocking even more expensive jewelry in anticipation of this occasion.
If she succeeded in selling again today, it would accelerate the opening of her second store by six months. A triumphant smile spread across her face as she completed her preparations.
* * *
Hermia’s hand froze mid-air above the beautifully plated dessert. It happened the moment she heard Walter mention he might know where the cursed author was.
“If the author is in a mining town… we might be able to catch him.”
“Probably,” Walter replied as he filled her glass with drink.
The staff had been dismissed after he instructed them to keep the door open, allowing them to serve while sneaking glances inside.
“I believe there’s a high chance we can catch him there since there’s no risk of being tipped off by his tribe,” he continued.
This was one of the most hopeful pieces of news amidst recent troubles for Hermia. With a brighter expression, she asked,
“Have you sent your subordinates?”
“I plan to go myself”
“Oh, okay. You’re going yourself… Wait, what? When?”
“I’m leaving tomorrow without delay. I wanted to discuss it with you today…”
“Tomorrow? Wait!”
Hermia exclaimed in surprise, pulling back slightly before whispering urgently.
“There’s a ball in two days! Didn’t you receive the invitation from Her Majesty?”
“I did”
Walter replied calmly, as if it were no issue. He had consistently received invitations from the queen and had declined several times before; this time would be no different.
However, Hermia’s blue eyes widened in disbelief at his nonchalant response. She nearly dropped her fork as she processed his words.
She had planned to announce their engagement at the ball, and Walter’s immediate departure left her flustered. Desperately trying to think clearly, she came up with an idea.
“Hey, this is our first invitation since our engagement. Isn’t it proper etiquette to greet His Majesty together?”
Her quick thinking seemed reasonable enough that Walter paused for a moment.
“That is…”
“Are you embarrassed to introduce me to Her Majesty?”
“Of course not”
Walter replied instantly, his voice firm. Encouraged by his response, Hermia pressed on.
“You can send your subordinates to catch the author instead. Or you could leave a bit later; now that we know his name and face, is there really any need to leave tomorrow?”
She spoke calmly so as not to appear pushy or demanding.
“For now, let’s go together to the ball.”
Walter stared at her small white hand resting on his palm. It felt like an unconscious gesture; even when they had held hands earlier, he sensed a growing closeness between them since the curse incident.
He couldn’t shake off the feeling that they were becoming closer rather than drifting apart despite having done something that could easily lead to an annulment of their engagement. Hermia understood him and even offered gentle words of comfort.
From Walter’s perspective, Hermia was an exceptionally generous and broad-minded woman—wise, rational, straightforward, and unpretentious. She was unlike other women who tried superficial tactics for attention; sometimes her bluntness even felt hurtful.
Even if they weren’t engaged, Hermia Vansen was someone he couldn’t help but like as a person.
‘No way’
He thought quickly dismissing such notions.
There is no man who wouldn’t be captivated by her pure face and sparkling eyes. If there were, it would probably be George, the carpenter working at the Duke’s castle.
Seeing her confidently place her hand over his, Walter felt like he could glimpse beyond the towering walls of his heart.
This hopeful sign brought Walter immense relief. It was a great fortune that he hadn’t taken his own life after fainting.
Hermia, noticing his silence, seemed to think he was still hesitant and shot him a bright, eager look.
“I want to visit the palace. With you, Duke.”
Even though he knew it was a foolish thing to say, Walter couldn’t help but blurt out the special word: with you. At the palace.
She was right. It was only natural to greet His Majesty before their marriage. If it was part of the duties that came with the title and rank bestowed by his lord, he should follow through.
Despite having power that didn’t require justification, he found himself creating unnecessary reasons.
He’d defended against ambushes and stealth attacks with ease, yet here he was, crumbling from just a glance. Yet, he didn’t mind this helpless surrender; his answer was already decided.
“…Alright. Let’s go together.”
Not only did he agree, but he also smiled warmly in response to her beautiful grin. This smile was a weak one that he didn’t even realize he wore.
Hermia asked him like a teacher guiding a young child.
“You promised. What did you say about going back on your word?”
“That it’s a disgrace for a man.”
“Good.”
Finally satisfied with his answer, she withdrew her outstretched hand and finished eating her orange mousse cake.
It was sweet—so sweet and soft that her lips curled up endlessly.
“Oh. Since you said you don’t remember, you probably don’t know Mel came to the mansion.”
“I do. I received a report.”
Walter noticed yellow cream on her lips and grabbed a linen napkin.
“Right. Canty must have told you everything. Do you know if Mel ran away too?”
“I know that as well. I received a report on that too.”
As he pondered whether cleaning her mouth would be gentlemanly, Hermia suddenly burst out in anger.
“That jerk ran off with my necklace!”
“…….”
“Oh.”
There was no need to wipe her mouth anymore since she had covered it with her hand and then removed it, taking the cream with it.
Walter found the scene oddly amusing. He made a mental note to joke about it with Henry later—something like, ‘Cursing helps clean your face.’
Even if it wasn’t funny, he’d still tell it.
“It’s alright. My subordinate followed him, so we’ll find out where she went soon.”
As he said this cheerfully, Hermia’s gaze turned serious as she whispered earnestly.
“Does that subordinate have a gun?”
“He probably does…”
Walter replied vaguely. They had been issued personal firearms, but given their preference for swords over guns, it was uncertain if they would carry them around.
“If it’s not a gun, Mel might kill him the moment she catches him.”
“Why is that?”
“Because her curse makes her ridiculously strong.”
Through Hermia’s serious tone, Walter gained a clearer understanding of what had been reported as “immensely strong.”
After that, Hermia enthusiastically recounted stories about kicking apart broken floorboards and throwing large safes like teddy bears.
However, she kept quiet about the gold bars hidden underground. She planned to keep that secret until she officially received a proposal—considering it a kind of insurance for herself.
Walter’s reaction changed when she explained how Mel had escaped from the Duke’s family.
“It doesn’t make sense that seeing a portrait would bring back memories. It’s not some third-rate novel.”
“My grandfather killed Melissa’s parents…”
Seeing Walter grow serious made Hermia wave her hand dismissively.
“Delusions. I have them too… often. Wild, ridiculous thoughts.”
She expected him to think it wasn’t a big deal like she did, but Walter seemed different. The furrow in his brow lingered for quite some time.
