Chapter 26

Chapter 26. While the count was away from the mansion

Clatter.

The spoon slipped out of her hand, hit the soup bowl and fell to the floor. Henelone, whose face was bright red in embarrassment, looked around quickly. She saw that there was no one listening, so she gritted her teeth and whispered to Heinz.

“Why are you talking like that?”

“Then I’ll say it again. While we were clinging to each other like dogs…!”

“Stop! Stop! I understand! Heinz! Please!”

She hurriedly raised her body and covered Heinz’s mouth, but then she slumped down in her seat. Her face was so hot it felt like it was going to explode.

Heinz looked at Henelone’s red face and sneered.

***

“Okay, it’s over…..”

Henelone slumped down on the floor with her gaunt face and muttered helplessly. Weeding work that lasted three days ended today. Even while weeding was going on, it seemed like new weeds were growing day by day, but Henelone did her best to ignore them.

‘It would be better to spend my own money and hire someone.’

It wasn’t something two people would do. Fortunately, Heinz’s hands were fast, so they were barely able to finish it. In the meantime, Henelone stayed as far away from him as possible and helped him weed with a sickle, garden shears, a hoe, and all the other blades she could find. I can say I helped… right? Henelone glanced at the weeds on her side, which were jagged and messy, unlike the evenly cut weeds. She simply shook her head.

Whatever it is, as long as I cut it.

“Drink.”

Heinz, who had entered her room, came up to her holding a glass of water. He was wiping the beads of sweat that had formed on the nape of his neck. The water droplets on the surface of the cup were moistening his hands.  Henelone, her face set awkwardly, took the cup carefully.

After eating at the restaurant, the relationship between the two became a little awkward. No, Heinz looked no different than usual, but Henelone screamed inwardly from the awkwardness.

Duke Heinz Woodward.

It was a name that no one from the Günther Empire wouldn’t know. About 10 years ago, the Kingdom of Leeds, which was in turmoil over the succession issue, suddenly invaded the waters of the Günther Empire. The Günther Empire, which was not accustomed to naval battles, was helpless against the reckless attacks of the Kingdom of Leeds. Especially as they were armed with new battleships.

It was Duke Woodward who saved the Günther Empire from war clouds. Duke Woodward, who led the pirates, helped the 2nd Prince and achieved a great victory at Brenicke Bay. Not only that, but he joined hands with the Harfield Kingdom, which was targeting the Kingdom of Leeds, and completely destroyed them.

Hero of the sea. Brenicke’s warlord.

That was what Heinz was referred to. Of course, his reputation was slightly tarnished due to his feud with the second prince, but no one was saddened by the death of the former emperor who practiced tyranny. Heinz, who was appointed Duke after the rebellion, came to rule over Brenicke in the south, where he had won a great victory.

The richest territory in the empire. It is home to the empire’s largest trade port and coastal port. All materials distributed throughout the empire go through Brenicke. It was a fact everyone knew.

But to think that such a duke works as a security guard for such a shabby old library… 

Henelone could not come to her senses from the unbelievable fact. Besides, she did all sorts of things with him. How could she not feel awkward? As she was chewing on the cup, Heinz made eye contact with her.

‘Oh, it’s awkward…!’

Henelone hastily avoided her eyes and gulped down the remaining water in her cup. Heinz’s gaze fell on the side of her face. As she was breaking out in a cold sweat and trying her best to pretend not to notice, she heard a voice of salvation.

“Hello~ There’s a delivery from Olga Bookstore!”

I’m alive! Henelone’s face lit up at the sound of a voice coming from outside the stone wall. A man pulling a cart entered the garden, carrying four wrapped bundles in the cart. Henelone, with a bright smile on her face, quickly got up from her seat.

“Shall I put it in the library?”

“Yes!”

Henelone quickly stepped forward and answered the man’s question by hurriedly nodding her head. If Heinz didn’t have a bundle of books in his hands, she did. If he picked up the book and helped her put it away, she might feel like her blood would dry up from the overwhelming awkwardness.

“Well, I have to organize my books! Heinz, you worked hard, so please rest in the garden…!”

“…Sure.”

Heinz soon nodded his head and walked under the willow tree. Henelone glanced behind him with an anxious expression and ran into the library like flying.

***

“Phew.”

Finally, Henelone, who was left alone, finally calmed her anxiously beating heart. She didn’t want to face Heinz for a while. Aside from the things she had done with him, she couldn’t figure out how to treat him because of their drastically different social status.

An imperial hero and a humble baron’s daughter. Her outfit, which she had put so much effort into over the past few days, suddenly became ridiculous. Maybe she thought that she might have a good relationship with him, even though she showed such a promiscuous appearance at the first meeting. Henelone, who was fiddling with the wrapping paper with a dark look on her face, bit her lip and shook her head.

‘Let’s put an end to this foolish illusion. It’s not going to work anyway.’