Chapter 13
Chapter 13. The Next Day
She had seen the elderly butler standing at the end of the corridor, and yet he was still not entering. Judging from the food cart next to him, it seemed the Duke hadn’t eaten yet.
“Ms. Eugenie. The master has not given permission to enter.”
“What?”
That’s odd. The Duke usually ate around the same time as her, so he should have finished long ago. She couldn’t believe he hadn’t eaten yet.
He had hearing sharper than most people, so he should have heard the footsteps or the knock. Yet he hadn’t said a word. Could he still be in that strange state like yesterday?
Hoping that wasn’t the case, Eugenie knocked.
“My lord, it’s me.”
Just like Alfred said, there wasn’t even the faintest sign of movement from inside.
“Hmm. I’m going in.”
Though there was no response, Eugenie boldly opened the door. There were important matters like the mining operation, but also reports of mutant wolves appearing near the border, which he had to deliver to the Duke.
“Um… Your Grace?”
As she entered the office, Eugenie nearly fainted in shock. The Duke looked terrifying, sitting at his desk in a daze.
Maybe it was the sunlight at his back, but his gleaming eyes made him look like someone who had just returned from massacring dozens of people.
“What is it?”
Did he stay up all night again?
She wasn’t imagining it—the Duke’s voice sounded a little hoarse.
“Th-this is the list of mining locations and contractors you asked for yesterday. Also, while there are no signs of enemy movement, there have been reports of mutant wolves near the border.”
“Leave it.”
“Understood. Also, I believe Alfred brought breakfast outside… would you like to eat—”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Yes, sir.”
The conversation ended there.
Leaving the documents and the map on the desk, Eugenie stepped outside and cautiously asked the butler who was waiting.
“Alfred, did something happen to the Duke yesterday?”
“No, nothing… Oh, though last night, the master stayed up quite late and drank warm tea. I wasn’t sure what he was waiting for.”
“The Duke drank warm tea?”
“Yes.”
“That’s strange.”
As far as Eugenie knew, Duke Drischke only ever drank alcohol or cold water. He rarely touched anything hot unless it was food.
Could someone else be in his body?
“Did he meet anyone last night? Did he… ask you to summon a woman or anything?”
“No, not at all. He gave me no such instructions.”
So he stayed up all night alone. But why? And now, he seemed like a man who was sharpening his sword in fury.
She was too afraid to ask him directly what was wrong, but ignoring it didn’t sit right either.
“Um, what about breakfast?”
“He said he didn’t want any.”
“I see.”
At Eugenie’s words, the butler made a bitter face and quietly wheeled the cart of cold food away. Seeing the butler so dejected, Eugenie sighed and scratched the back of her head.
‘Haah, I’ve got so much to do….’
It was just a gut feeling, but he didn’t think the Duke was acting this way because of border issues, money, or territory. It had to be something personal. But even the butler, who served him most closely, didn’t seem to know anything—how frustrating.
‘Maybe I should look into that writer, Eva.’
He didn’t know if it would help, but he felt like he had to do something. Eugenie turned and headed for the mansion’s library.
Once Eugenie’s footsteps faded away, Nox gave the map and the mining contractor list a quick glance before tossing them back onto the desk.
The sunlight streaming onto the floor made the office look bright—and it brought someone’s face to mind on its own.
Nox scoffed outright.
“Hmph! Like I’m the one who’s missing her.”
This was about pride.
He was a Duke. She had the nerve to kidnap him and toy with him however she wanted, then throw him away. Of course she owed him an apology.
The problem was, he didn’t know where the Magic Tower was.
“Whatever, I’m definitely not waiting around tonight. I’m going to sleep.”
Though no one had asked, Nox snapped with a shout, wiping his exhausted face with his palm.
Then, as if trying to forget that face, he began going through the stack of documents on his desk—eyes sharp, reading, checking, and signing.
“Why was this handled like this? Who’s responsible?”
“And what kind of nerve does it take to bring up last year’s issue now?”
As he deliberately expressed his emotions while working, thoughts of anything—or anyone—else gradually faded away.
Later, the butler returned with a sandwich, which Nox used to satisfy his hunger. He spent the rest of the time working, and before he knew it, the sun had started to set.
Having been glued to the chair like part of it, the towering stack of paperwork had been reduced to just a few pages.
Normally, it would have taken over two weeks just to go through it all. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad way to work after all.
“Master. Perhaps it’s time to rest now.’
The butler, standing beside him, offered a warm, exotic tea, saying it was good for his tired body.
Whether it was healthy or not, the unfamiliar blue-green color was enough to make him recoil. Nox frowned and shook his head.
He didn’t even like warm drinks to begin with, and after drinking tea all evening yesterday, he was sick of it.
Realizing how late it had gotten, Nox stood up.
“I’m going to sleep. Make sure no one comes in.”
“Understood.”
Nox even added that no one was to come up to the third floor at all, then left the study.
The butler followed him to the bedroom, confirming that the master had changed into sleepwear and lay down in bed before leaving the room. Seeing him resting properly, the butler was relieved, thinking the master might be in a better mood tomorrow.
Once the butler left, Nox shut his eyes tight like he was determined not to open them until the sun came up.
Even with a grimace, buried under the covers, he tried to sleep, but…
‘Sleep won’t come.’
