Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 82

Episode 82

Alexandra Lewis Graham.

She, the queen of Attenu, was leisurely walking through the estate. It was quite rare for the queen herself to personally inspect the estate. 

While it was an honor for the family, Leonel’s face remained expressionless.

Duchess Etkin looked at his face and gave a sly smile. 

“Oh, Duke Altwood, are you nervous?”

“Yes.”

Leonel’s brief response seemed to quench any interest from Duchess Etkin’s expression. She walked to the queen’s side, fanning herself gently with a fan, and said things that might have had the Queen stuck with her.

“Your Majesty, please have a look at this. They say no estate workers have died from heatstroke after setting up those tents.”

“Whose idea was this?”

“It was Nelly Pepper’s idea.”

Leonel noticed a subtle uptick at the corner of Alexandra’s mouth. It was a satisfied smile.

This situation also pleased Leonel. If the queen had her way, she should take it, and she would be lenient as much as she liked.

The queen had a personality where she relaxed when something pleased her. At the same time, as much as she liked it, she could be generous. While he was struggling to find the right way to subtly praise Nelly, Duchess Etkin seemed to take on that role.

“Once she became the estate manager, she even replaced all the farming tools, and the conditions have improved.”

“Hmm.”

“When I came, I noticed that all the livestock was moved outside to raise them.”

“They already introduced what the capital is adopting.”

“I heard that they introduced it around the same time. Perhaps you planted a concubine in the palace, Duke Altwood?”

Duchess Etkin scratched Leonel’s feelings one more time, but his expression remained unchanged.

“I just put a capable person in charge of the estate.”

Alexandra paused for a moment and gazed at the distant wheat field.

“Is that also the work of Nelly Pepper?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The landscaping and road on the way here are magnificent. Is that also Nelly Pepper’s design?”

“Yes.”

“The newly revised report format as well?”

“That was a task Nelly assigned to her supervisors.”

“There seems to be no falsehood in the rumors.”

Alexandra nodded in satisfaction.

She walked slowly, surveying her surroundings.

“When Devondus Altwood was in charge, it wasn’t such a bright and lively atmosphere. Is this also Nelly Pepper’s doing?”

“I believe so.”

“I like it.”

From the look in her eyes, it seemed that the queen intended to bring Nelly into the palace, no matter how long it took.

This time, she wasn’t going to be snatched away, but who knew what would happen next time?

Watching Leonel, who clenched and unclenched his fists in tension, Duchess Etkin smiled gracefully.

“If you want to keep Miss Pepper by your side for a long time, Duke Altwood, you’ll have to endure some hardship.”

Leonel swallowed hard, looking at Duchess Etkin, who was showing a cheerful expression.

* * *

Rolling around, killing time, a knock was heard.

“Miss Nelly, dinner is ready.”

“Yes!”

I answered, but I hesitated more than that because I knew that the nobles were gathering.

If I went down early, I would have to greet people every time they entered. The atmosphere would be very awkward, so I deliberately went down slowly.

‘Levance is here. Thank goodness.’

Arette was next to me, but it felt awkward, so I greeted those I made eye contact with and found my place.

The queen will occupy the high seat, with Leonel to her right. Next to him, Levance, Arette, and then myself were seated.

‘I’m glad I’m not too close to the queen. It’ll be less intimidating.’

After taking my seat, it wasn’t long before the queen, Leonel, and Duchess Etkin entered. Everyone who was sitting rose and curtsied.

As soon as the queen sat down, those who had stood took their seats.

“Nelly Pepper.”

I straightened my posture as I was suddenly called.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Being alone, all eyes were on me. It felt like I was making eye contact with everyone…

Instead of engaging in a staring contest with strangers, I decided it was better to look at Leonel.

After a brief moment of hesitation, I turned my head. Leonel was already listening to the queen’s words, but her voice was too soft for me to hear from my position.

He couldn’t help but summon Levance with my expression that conveyed my disapproval.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Switch places with Nelly.”

I had liked being moderately distant, so why…!

As soon as Levance stood up, the queen gestured to his seat with her eyes. I walked slowly and exchanged seats with Levance.

“Have you prepared the wine?”

The queen asked the question as soon as she sat down.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Once the queen took a sip of water, Leonel made a gesture to the butler.

The food began to arrive shortly.

As the servant poured the wine, the queen raised her glass immediately. I took a sip first.

Normally, I would have just taken a sip and put the glass down, but this time, I desperately swirled the wine in my mouth to stall for time.

It seemed to have a hint of fruit and a slight earthy smell. No, was it a woody aroma? It also had a scent that was reminiscent of something being burned.

It was supposed to be good wine. In my confusion, I glanced at the queen.

Her expression didn’t change, making it impossible to discern her thoughts. I whispered to Leonel.

“Leonel, can you smell anything in the wine?”

I had intended to speak to him alone, but the queen and Duchess Etkin also looked at me.

I tried my best not to make eye contact with the two of them. Leonel, however, seemed to think that I was putting on an act. He chuckled briefly and responded.

“What smell?”

“I smell earth or wood… It’s like a smoky scent. Is it okay to drink this?”

Instead of answering, Leonel looked at the queen. My gaze followed naturally.

“This is the scent that comes from aging in oak. The manager seems to know nothing about wine.”

So, it wasn’t a bad wine! Well, high nobles wouldn’t lie about such things.

“Yes, I do not know at all!”

Was I too confident?

I watched the queen’s expression as she savored the wine. It seemed I needed to convey my ignorance a bit more.

“It’s about the same, and I don’t particularly like it because it gives me a bad hangover.”

“Is that so? Not knowing how to enjoy such fine wine. You seem like someone who doesn’t understand joy.”

Yes, that’s right. I’m someone who doesn’t understand joy!

I almost burst into laughter at the words I had heard from Hadiger last time. I turned to Leonel with a face that said, “I’m all set.” However, his expression was very subtle.

After that, dinner went smoothly. I quietly ate while listening to the conversation when suddenly the topic shifted towards me.

“I’ve always thought that exotic crops grew well here, but it seems it’s because the manager is named Pepper.”

The queen said while looking at me as I chewed my food.

“Your ancestors were recognized for their success in pepper cultivation and were granted the Pepper title.”

“Is it a lineage that is good at growing crops?” 

Duchess Etkin interjected the queen’s words.

It was tempting to argue, “It’s not a lineage, it’s a coincidence!” But I swallowed my words.

“Your father also received a title related to agriculture, didn’t he?”

I didn’t know if he received one related to agriculture, but he was a noble.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Excellent.”

Did having a good lineage mean anything? Objectively, it seemed positive, but I couldn’t help but misunderstand it as something I gained nothing from.

Perhaps they think I adore landmines or make liquid fertilizers!

I was so anxious that I didn’t know if I was eating the steak prepared by the Braushtete chef or if I was watching it with my eyes. I simply finished dessert quietly and resolved.

‘After dinner, there will be a ball, right? Since the guests are all here, I’ll go to my room and stay there.’

And that’s when I realized that life doesn’t always go as planned.

I did manage to escape the ballroom and make it to my room, but it wasn’t my room. Furthermore, the queen was in front of me, and Leonel was beside me.

I had been drawn in by the queen’s suggestion to have tea after dinner.

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

As the butler was setting down tea, the queen broke the ice.

“Nelly Pepper, come to the palace and work for me and my people.”

“…But I don’t understand joy?”

The queen looked at me and suddenly burst into laughter.

“If you didn’t know wine, you wouldn’t have swirled it around in your mouth.”

Well, it was an attempt to stall for time, though.

“You wouldn’t have been able to properly perceive the subtle oak aroma.”

That was also an attempt to stall!

“You knew that I liked wine, didn’t I? You didn’t want to come to the palace, but you couldn’t tolerate bad wine, could you?”

I could have tolerated it, and it’s gone now. Should I be honest?

Leonel discreetly nodded when I looked at him.

“Lowering oneself to escape the situation is honorable and wise. So, it cannot be missed.”

“This is…”

“Work in the palace. This is an order. If you defy, you surely know what punishment awaits you, don’t you?”

Why does it always end up like this?

Tears are about to fall due to repeated failed strategies.

Even if I go to the palace and cannot work, I will die. It would be better to go to the palace than to refuse the command here.

If you hold a grudge against the Queen’s orders and work, everything will turn out well for the things you want to destroy, right?

With a resigned heart, my nose sniffling, Leonel’s voice interjected.

“I cannot allow that, Your Majesty.”

The Queen took a sip of tea and stared at Leonel.

“Cannot allow? Since when did I need Duke Altwood’s permission to use a person?”

There was no sign of anger. The Queen’s voice was no different from when she exchanged pleasantries, and her expression remained regal and impassive.

But the content of her words was unsettling.

‘What if she’s angry?’

Well, it’s Leonel, the Duke; he won’t die. But one gesture from the Queen and my neck will be in the guillotine!

I realized it would be unwise to further provoke the Queen, so I tugged Leonel’s sleeve under the table. He didn’t even look at me. Instead, he took my hand and… 

Wait. He took my hand. I turned to him in surprise, but Leonel was still gazing at the Queen.

“She is my estate manager.”

“And the Duke is my vassal.”

I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying due to the intertwined hands. 

Maybe we’re just holding hands due to tension. So, I let it be. When you’re cornered, you want to hold onto something, after all.

Just how frightening must the Queen be?

“What does the manager think?”

I snapped my head up, startled.

“What?”

“Do you have enough courage to defy, or is Duke Altwood’s command more valuable than your life?”

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s a matter of life and death.”

Leonel’s grip tightened.

“But if possible, I would like to stay here.”

“I heard the prince has something he must do here, is that what it is? Tell me, and I will help you.”

No, how did she know? Did the Prince say something? Was his tongue so loose?

‘When I talked to Leonel, I completely avoided that topic.’

I turned my head in confusion, unable to speak properly. His bright red eyes stared at me intensely. It was the same expression as always, but it felt as though he was demanding something from me.

“That is…”

I started to speak, but I couldn’t find the right words and ended up biting my lip. Leonel interjected again.

“Your Majesty, you are being cruel.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t have much time left. Your Majesty knows that better than anyone, don’t you?”

What is he talking about? Not much time left? Was he always tired because of an illness, not his duties?

I turned my head in shock.

“Leonel, are you dying?”

He didn’t answer with a grimace or a smile. Instead, the Queen spoke.

“Not immediately. There are still five years left.”

The corner of her mouth lifted slightly. She smiled at the mention of Leonel’s limited time.