Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 102

Episode 102

It’s been two weeks since a free clothing store opened in the next room. 

Before I had a chance to browse through what kind of clothes it has, I came to the capital with Leonel. Upon arrival, we were immediately invited to a tea party of Archduke Landers.

“How nice to see you again. Miss Pepper.”

“Yes. I am honored, Lord Landers.”

I was breathless. There were so many nobles, and they were all looking at me and Leonel. Even Adelhardt, who was sitting in front.

“Long time no see, Nelly. Since the masquerade, right?”

Even someone I met a month ago felt like I hadn’t seen them since the masquerade. It was truly perfect acting.

It didn’t seem like acting on Leonel’s side, though. He was glaring at Adelhardt as if he wanted to devour him. His gaze was so intense that it was almost palpable jealousy.

“Is it okay to reveal it like this since it was a masquerade?”

“It’s already in the past, and once you reach my status, nobody cares.”

Leaning towards me with his upper body and his chin raised, it looked like he was throwing a challenge to anyone who looked at it.

Leonel’s gaze became even more fierce. If the intention was to provoke Leonel on purpose, it was a success.

To signal him to stop, I kicked Adelhardt’s leg under the table.

“Ugh!”

The problem was that it wasn’t Adelhardt who groaned. It seemed like I accidentally kicked an unfamiliar leg.

“I’m sorry. My leg suddenly itched…”

“Haha. It’s alright.”

The man smiled awkwardly and extended his hand.

“I’m Francis Gardner. I recently became a Marquis.”

“I’m Nelly Pepper.”

As we exchanged greetings lightly, Leonel interrupted the conversation.

“Your Highness, didn’t you mention that you had something to discuss regarding business with Nelly?”

“Right, I did.”

I took my eyes off Marquis Gardner and looked at Archduke Landers.

“She has not got any of the money from the business, is there a reason for that?”

That’s right. He said he’d give me a share. I’d forgotten in all the hustle and bustle.

“No, Your Highness, I just forgot.”

“Thanks to you, I invested in the fatigue recovery potion business and want to repay the favor.”

“I’m fine.”

“You seem to have no ambition or greed.”

I had simply forgotten, but he seemed to have misunderstood it positively, so I remained silent.

“So, I’d like to propose.”

Please, don’t make any proposals at all!

Even Lady Etkin and Her Majesty the Queen made frightening proposals. If I reject even Archduke Landers’ proposal, will I be in deep trouble?

I looked at Leonel without realizing it. He patted the back of my hand as if to reassure me.

“Could we hear your proposal?”

“Would you mind looking into the fatigue recovery potion business during your stay in the capital?”

“I don’t have any knowledge about business, Your Highness.”

“Well, how about learning? I’d feel much more secure if you took charge.”

What should I do? Learning about it could be helpful for the development of my estate. As the estate grows, there will be more opportunities to work with external merchants and guilds. Besides, it’s not too much of a burden since it’s only for the duration of our stay in the capital. 

But I don’t like the idea of spending less time with Leonel.

I glanced at Leonel with a puzzled look. He nodded as if to say, ‘Do as you wish.’

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll do that.”

Archduke Landers nodded in satisfaction. 

After that, we hardly spoke, just nibbling on snacks while listening to others’ conversations. Still, having Leonel and Adelhardt by my side made it less boring, and Marquis Gardner wasn’t a bad companion either.

However, as time passed, I could feel my energy waning. I wanted to go home. Just as I whispered to Leonel to head back to our room and he firmly held my hand, the tea party came to an end.

“Let’s go back to our room.”

I whispered to Leonel, and he gripped my hand tightly. We said our goodbyes to Archduke Landers and were about to leave the tea party venue.

“Nelly.”

Viscountess Morgane approached us. I felt a hint of annoyance but kept it in check, given the number of onlookers.

“Viscountess Morgane.”

“It’s been a while. By the way, I forgot to thank you. I dropped by without notice, and you hosted me so graciously. I’m grateful.”

The reason for her starting the conversation was painfully obvious. She probably wanted to show off our friendship in a crowded place.

“Oh, it was nothing. I just offered you a cup of tea.”

Viscountess Morgane’s expression stiffened a bit. It seemed she recalled the times she was rejected at the door. I hoped she would take the hint and not engage further.

No, don’t wait for her to leave. I’ll go instead.

I turned to Leonel. He was giving Viscountess Morgane a cold look.

I wanted to say we should go but Viscountess Morgane spoke again.

“Will you be staying at the palace during the New Year’s ball period?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be staying at a nearby luxury inn. I’ll leave the address for you. Come over for tea.”

“No, it’s alright.”

Politely declining, I held Leonel’s hand. He whispered to me so quietly that only I could hear.

“You can be ruder if you want.”

“But Archduke Landers is watching. How can I?”

“Are you afraid of him too?”

“I could get into serious trouble!”

Leonel burst into laughter, and his unexpectedly loud laughter drew shocked glances from everyone.

Feeling my face grow warm, I quickly retreated with Leonel, as if fleeing to our room.

* * *

I spent a few hours each day at the fatigue recovery potion production facility, learning about various aspects such as how to procure materials, how to turn a profit, and how it’s distributed. 

Handling the ledger was something I was already familiar with, so I didn’t need additional training. After a few days, I would occasionally be responsible for supervising the facility to ensure that no issues arose.

The work itself wasn’t difficult, but the fact that this was the capital was the problem.

“Nelly, Her Majesty wishes to see you.” 

Lady Etkin informed me.

Whenever someone of high status, like Lady Etkin or Archduke Landers, called me, I couldn’t come up with any excuses. Today, it was even Her Majesty herself. If it were anyone else, I might have tried to find a way out.

As I reluctantly got up, Leonel held my hand.

“Shall I go with you?”

“Please do.”

He stood up and walked alongside me.

“It’s hard to face them. If I knew this would happen, I would’ve never come to the capital.”

“But Her Majesty insisted you come.”

“Have you forgotten why I am raising an estate?”

“Because you don’t listen to anyone?”

“You know me well.”

Leonel playfully chuckled and kissed my forehead while we walked. 

We arrived at the meeting room where I would meet Her Majesty once again. Just the thought of seeing Her Majesty made my knees weak. I nervously swallowed and watched as the doors opened.

I noticed knights standing in rows around the room. Was it always like this? The atmosphere seemed a bit ominous.

I glanced at Leonel, but he showed no sign of concern. His calm demeanor provided some comfort.

As we walked in slowly, Lady Etkin and Adelhardt were there. Adelhardt shook my hand briefly while holding his arm out. He didn’t look particularly serious.

Alright, maybe I don’t need to worry.

“Nelly Pepper, get down on your knees.”

Should I be worried? Without even glancing at Leonel, my legs weakened and I knelt on the floor.

Why all of a sudden? Did I do something wrong? The hand politely placed on my knee trembled slightly.

Then, I felt Leonel sitting down beside me. Perhaps he was here to plead for forgiveness on my behalf. I turned my head to look at him.

Sitting on one knee, he whispered.

“Nelly, it’s better to kneel on one knee.”

I adjusted my posture as he instructed, raising one knee while still bewildered. 

When I looked up, Adelhardt and Lady Etkin were both tilting their heads in the opposite direction, struggling to suppress their laughter.

As I was left in confusion, Her Majesty approached, holding a sword. Wait, a sword?

My heart pounded in my chest.

“Nelly Pepper.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

My voice quivered as I responded.

“I appoint you as a Baroness.”

“Please spare… Yes?”

The sword Her Majesty held touched my shoulders in succession.

“Still a bit petite. You may rise.”

Leonel took my arm and helped me to my feet. I couldn’t fathom why I had received this honor all of a sudden.

I dared not stare directly at Her Majesty, so I looked at Adelhardt, who seemed to know more and appeared the most approachable.

But the Queen’s response came before his.

“I instructed Annabella and Landers to ask you twice what you desired, and you had no response.”

I wasn’t sure whether she was asking a rhetorical question or genuinely inquiring about my desires.

“Since you lack ambition, I decided to grant you this title.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

My face must have shown my puzzlement, considering that I was wondering if it was the right time to inquire about something.

“I see that you’re overwhelmed by the gesture.”

I felt a bit embarrassed since I had just been wondering if I needed a title.

“I will soon deliver the appointment letter and the list of your vassals. You may withdraw.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After paying my respects, I left with Leonel. As we walked a little away from the door, I grabbed Leonel’s arm.

“What on earth just happened?”

“You have accomplished something worthy of recognition.”

“But why a title all of a sudden?”

I muttered absentmindedly, but a refined voice from behind me broke the silence.

“Don’t feel bad, it’s better to be a noble than a commoner if you’re the duke’s lover.”

Lady Etkin approached and spoke warmly.

“And since you gave one to that one, you should give one to this one.”

I didn’t understand the meaning behind her words. 

As I pondered, Lady Etkin left with a meaningful smile.