Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 1

Episode 1

‘It feels like I’m going to die.’

Already, I’ve stayed awake for two days and nights. Yet, the documents were still piled up like a mountain.

‘I have to attend the harvest festival banquet as well.’

Just as I finished my thoughts, the maid Mary entered the room as if out of nowhere. I had been nodding off while being dragged around and had somehow ended up in a dressed-up attire. And then, almost as if pushed, I went out of the room.

I don’t want to go. I just want to sleep.

As I walked with a choked voice, in the distance, I saw Duke Leonel Altwood.

Instantly, my mind cleared.

“Duke!”

He stopped and turned around at my call. His neatly combed black hair revealed a straight nose and red irises beneath.

“The estate manager, I presume.”

Yes, that’s right, the estate manager!

I grabbed onto his clothes impulsively. I was desperate to the point of clinging without any sense of formality.

“Duke, please give me a break. I’ve been working tirelessly day and night. At this rate, I might die.”

“You’re not going to die.”

Ugh, can’t smack a Duke, can I?

As my heart pounded, I tried to stand my ground, but I heard laughter ahead.

“You’re like an angry hedgehog.”

“Are you mocking me?”

I asked politely, but I was ignored. With determination fueled by frustration, I tapped Leonel’s back as he walked away with energy flowing through him, then shook my fist at him. Quick on the uptake, Leonel turned around. I threw my restraint away and stuck to his back.

“Just, just one month. Just one month of rest!”

“One month?”

“Okay, then three weeks! No, no, two weeks! Just two weeks. I’m going to die. Look at the bags under my eyes. My feet ache, and I can’t even sleep properly. And here! I even bit my lip!”

Leonel stopped in his tracks. Seizing the moment, I pulled my lip to show him. He stared at my stretched lips and took a step closer.

My field of vision was completely obscured by his triangular body. Overwhelmed by an odd sense of pressure, I swallowed dry saliva as Leonel bent his waist.

“I don’t know.”

A strikingly handsome face, almost enough to steal one’s soul, came suddenly close. His breath reached my lips, that’s how close he was. Startled, I stepped back, and Leonel came a step closer. 

Then he extended his large and rough hand and gently pressed my lower lip. The inside of my lips was revealed under the soft pressure.

“It’s not a lie.”

All my attention was focused on his hand touching my lips. My heart was pounding heavily, and my face was getting hot. I staggered back and tried to speak as casually as possible.

“W-Well, I mean…”

Leonel stared at me intently and then opened his mouth.

“One month is too long.”

Is he granting me the vacation? My face flushed, and upon seeing my reaction, Leonel furrowed his brow.

“How about 3 days?”

“But you can’t go anywhere in just 3 days.”

“Why do you need to go somewhere? Rest within the castle.”

I need to say something reasonable!

There isn’t a single person in the estate who works half-heartedly. Everyone is busy, so how can I be the only one allowed to leisurely around? Go outside for some fresh air and run into colleagues who look like they’re about to drop dead from exhaustion. I’d probably end up working too, without even realizing it!

…Could it be that he’s aiming for that?

Leonel would probably still have an ulterior motive even if I confronted him about it. With a bitter heart, I tried to glare at him but ended up forcing a smile.

“Please, just give me a little more time. I’ll rest somewhere nearby and come back!”

“If you go out, can you guarantee you’ll come back?”

I’ve heard that some of the previous estate managers who took vacations didn’t return. Of course, I hadn’t entertained such thoughts.

But those people were the ones who fled within less than a month. There isn’t an estate manager who has endured as long as I have. I had pride in that fact and wasn’t so irresponsible as to run away. 

Besides, I had nowhere to return to.

Furthermore, I also felt gratitude for being accepted despite having no experience. However, now the feeling had mostly faded due to how difficult the work had become! I had heard both negative and positive things about Leonel and the estate’s people, but where could I possibly go?

“Of course!”

“How can I believe that?”

…Did I hear that correctly?

My face, which had just brightened, cooled down abruptly. But soon enough, it brightened again for a different reason.

“You’re asking me how you can trust me right now?”

Leonel showed an unusually flustered expression.

“I… I…”

“I’ve worked my hardest in the Altwood Duchy for three years. Have I ever disappointed you, Duke, even once during that time? Or have I been lazy?”

“Nelly Pepper.”

“How can you say that?”

The Duke seemed like his words were caught in his throat and he remained quiet.

As if challenging him to come up with an excuse, I looked at him, but his lips remained sealed. I walked past him with determination and entered the dining hall, plopping down in my seat. Come to think of it, the Duke’s seat was always to my right.

We just argued, and we’re supposed to sit together!

Frustrated, I grumbled to myself, and then Levance, who was seated on my left, leaned in my direction.

“Duke Altwood seems a bit uneasy. Did something happen?”

I’m the one feeling more uneasy here!

I glared at the seated Leonel. In my heart, I wanted to curse at him loudly. But with so many guests around, I couldn’t afford to lose my composure.

‘Calm down. Just calm down.’

Taking a deep breath, my anger began to subside, although I still felt the need to vent.

I leaned toward Levance. He brought his ear close to my mouth. I whispered a stream of curses about Leonel, and Levance’s smile gradually stiffened. Meanwhile, my anger lessened a bit. Then, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.

“Come on, Levance, could you secretly stamp an approval seal on the vacation authorization form for Duke Altwood?”

“If we get caught, I’m dead.”

“You rejected it last time too. Just this once, okay? Only this time. If I can’t go on vacation, I’ll die.”

“It’s not possible.”

His response was as sharp as a knife. With a tinge of resentment, I jabbed his side. It was when Levance skillfully evaded my touch and let out a playful chuckle. Then I heard Leonel’s voice.

“Levance.”

Levance composed his expression and turned his body.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“I have something to discuss, so switch seats with Arette.”

To ask us to switch seats right before the dinner started. Levance seemed taken aback as he awkwardly took his new seat. Leonel’s voice sounded once again, this time as a warning.

“Levance.”

Only then did Levance rise from his seat, and in his place came Arette Dexter, who had been seated to the Duke’s right.

In an instant, the surroundings fell quiet.

The commander of the knights, Arette Dexter, was excessively reserved. Over the past three years, I could count the conversations I’ve had with him on one hand. There wasn’t much to say to him, and it was amusing how we were the only ones quiet amidst everyone else’s chatter.

I was awkwardly slicing my meat when I couldn’t resist breaking the silence.

“The weather is nice, isn’t it?”

Before I even finished speaking, lightning flashed outside the window. However, Arette nodded his head.

“Haha. Seems like you like rainy days.”

“I dislike them.”

“Ah, I see. Well, well.”

Silence settled in once more.

Alright. Let’s just give up on a conversation. I should just focus on eating.

I closed my mouth and moved my fork and knife. A little while later, the meal was over. Unlike the plates of others, only Arette’s and mine were empty. As I sat there quietly, listening to the noise around me, drowsiness started to overwhelm me. I was nodding off when a maid placed dessert in front of me.

“Ah, thank you.”

I mumbled my gratitude and looked at the dessert. On top of the milk pudding was a strawberry compote that Leonel couldn’t resist, despite his aversion to desserts.

Sure enough, Leonel was staring at me, almost salivating, as if he couldn’t wait until his dessert arrived. He looked like he couldn’t bear the wait for his dessert to come out.

Honestly, I had to admit, he looked kind of cute.

‘Anyway. I can’t stay mad just looking at that face.’

I smiled as if sighing, and a faint smile graced his face too. It seemed Leonel was signaling his form of reconciliation.

Alright. I won’t be stubborn about this.

I gestured toward the untouched salad in front of Leonel.

“Want to trade for the salad?”

“…Sure.”

Leonel brought a salad with pudding and handed it over. Although I wasn’t very hungry, I took a fork and loaded a full bite of salad since I was feeling a bit bored.

I put the bite in my mouth and chewed it slowly. It had a tangy, sour, and slightly sharp taste that hit me unexpectedly. Was it always this flavorful? While it had a unique taste, it wasn’t unpleasant. Strangely, it suited my taste buds. I took another bite, and Leonel smiled softly from beside me.

“You’re enjoying it.”

Saying that, he passed me the salad that a maid had brought.

“Thank you.”

I mumbled my thanks and resumed eating the salad. Just as I thought, it was unique in flavor. While savoring it with admiration, the dinner came to an end. Some people left, and some stayed to engage in conversations. I observed the people while sipping on wine. Gradually, I felt my body getting heavier.

‘Could it be the exhaustion catching up due to the alcohol?’

My head throbbed as if it might shatter. The headache that often came after staying up for several nights hit me suddenly. A sudden wave of intense fatigue washed over me. While I had stayed up late for work before, I had never felt this exhausted. Or had I? Yes. Yesterday, I pushed myself a bit harder than usual.

‘I should go inside and take some medicine quickly.’

I tried to get up from my seat, but my vision suddenly went blurry.

“Huh?”

In an instant, I felt like I was falling backward. I attempted to move, but my body wouldn’t respond. It was as if heavy rocks were tied to my limbs.

It was just before I expected to collapse that I closed my eyes tightly. A firm arm wrapped around my waist.

“Nelly!”

I opened my eyes at Leonel’s voice. Breathing was difficult. It felt like someone was squeezing my lungs. It reminded me of the times when I worked for three days straight without proper sleep or food. Was I dying? At such a young age? To overwork?

At that moment, the restless days flashed before me like a montage, and anger surged through me.

With all the strength I had left, I grabbed onto Leonel’s collar.

“Your Grace, live… vengeance…”

I wanted to say that if I survived, I would surely seek vengeance, but my voice choked abruptly.

At that moment, my heart clenched tightly.

Look at this. I said it felt like I was going to die!

Tears streamed down due to the injustice and fear. Beyond my blurred vision, I saw Leonel’s eyes widening in astonishment.

“Damn it!”

Leonel scooped me up in his arms.

My breath grew shallow, and my strength waned.

‘No, I can’t. I don’t want to die. Please, let me live.’

I prayed desperately, but my eyes gradually closed. Leonel’s urgent voice, searching for a doctor, faded away with each passing moment.