Chapter 51: Outside the Bedroom, As Emilia (1)

“Well then, I will take my leave.”

After finishing his report, Sir Durraton left, and Rosel completed his final review of the documents for the development of the western territory.

Before he knew it, the evening had arrived, and the sky was turning red.

Zichelle entered the office, pushing a two-tier handcart.

On the second floor, food had been prepared for Rosel.

On the first floor, food had been prepared for Emilia.

“Lord, it is time for dinner.”

“Oh, has it already gotten to that time?”

Rosel closed the approval papers and stretched with a long yawn.

He had been quite tired, and small beads of perspiration had formed beneath his eyes.

“Work is important, but please take care of your health as well, Lord.”

“Haha, with so many people to look after, how can I rest easily?”

“Still, what will you do if you collapse?”

At Zichelle’s sincere concern, Rosel smiled kindly.

Whenever Rosel looked tired, Zichelle would often worry about him.

Since Rosel had no parents, Zichelle and Gellion were like parental figures to him.

Sometimes, they offered him concern and comfort, and other times, he sought their advice.

“Haha, it’s not that bad.”

Rosel smiled, watching Zichelle place the food on the coffee table.

Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, he let out a soft exclamation.

“Ah.”

“Is something the matter?”

“Zichelle, I’m sorry, but could you prepare the meal in the kitchen instead?”

“Huh? Are you no longer eating in your office?”

Rosel looked at the food prepared on the handcart downstairs and said.

“…Is it alright if we eat together?”

At the word “together,” which lacked a subject, Zichelle looked at him for a moment before quickly understanding and smiling.

“Of course, Lord.”

When the self-portrait of Choi Yun-seo was asked if it could be taken by its owner, Emilia naturally accepted.

Since the owner wanted it, how could she refuse?

And for some reason, Emilia felt a strange sense of happiness when she heard Celia’s testimony that she had looked at the portrait with misty eyes.

Although the face of Choi Yun-seo, which was different from the one in this world, felt awkward, the fact that Celia had looked at it so emotionally meant that she accepted her true form.

“Still, it’s a little embarrassing.”

Knock knock knock.

At that moment, a knock was heard, and Emilia tilted her head in confusion before opening the door.

It was 6:30 PM.

At this time, Zichelle’s knock for dinner should have been heard, but instead, it was the Lord’s knock.

‘What’s going on?’

When she opened the door, as expected, the Lord was standing there.

“Ah, Emilia. Did I interrupt?”

“Ah, no. I was just here. What’s the matter?”

Emilia, facing Rosel, shyly averted her gaze.

She felt a little embarrassed. She was facing the Lord, who now knew her true form.

While Celia, the young lady, had said she liked it, it made Emilia even more embarrassed.

“Ah… um, I was wondering if it would be alright to join you for dinner.”

“Lord…?”

Emilia looked at Rosel with a surprised expression. It wasn’t just because of the offer to eat together.

It was because of the way Rosel had spoken.

Since they had first met at the s*ave auction, the Lord had always spoken in a rigid, condescending tone.

Of course, it was a polite tone, but it was one that kept a clear distance between master and s*ave.

But just now, the tone was friendly, as if speaking to someone on equal footing. It was as if he were speaking casually to a friend.

Emilia was surprised by this.

She had never been spoken to like this before.

The change in tone made her look at Rosel with wide eyes.

Rosel smiled awkwardly and spoke.

“…Did my tone seem a bit strange?”

Emilia shook her head. Yes, it was awkward. It was a 180-degree difference from the tone she had always heard.

But it wasn’t strange.

In fact, it felt great. It made her feel closer to the Lord.

“No… I was just a little surprised.”

“It was a bit sudden, wasn’t it? If it’s weird, I can go back to my old tone…”

“No, no…! I like it as it is…!”

Before Rosel could even finish asking if he should go back to his old tone, Emilia quickly interrupted.

She thought that every little thing like this affected the development of their relationship, and she didn’t want to go back to the way things were before.

Just as she was gathering courage, she felt the Lord was also trying to show courage, and she didn’t want either of them to step back.

“Good…”

Rosel smiled at Emilia’s words.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard you say that since you came here.”

“…Huh?”

“I mean, saying you like it.”

“Ah, well… because I like you, Lord… Eek!”

Without meaning to, Emilia blurted out her true feelings and screamed, quickly covering her mouth.

Her emerald eyes widened in shock and trembled like a leaf in the wind.

But once words were spoken, they couldn’t be taken back.

Rosel blinked in surprise, as if his brain had short-circuited, then, like Emilia, his cheeks turned bright red.

Then, he cleared his throat and looked away.

Since Emilia had entered the mansion, this was the first time Rosel had looked away in embarrassment.

“…Ahem.”

“No, no! That’s not it…! It’s not that I like you, Lord, I mean… not like that…!”

Emilia hastily tried to explain, but the situation only got worse.

Why did such an awkward remark suddenly slip out?

She blamed her mouth for speaking without passing through her brain.

Of course, Rosel actually wanted to see this “human” side of Emilia, but still…

And it reminded him of when she first arrived.

Back then, her eyes had been dull, and her pale face showed no emotion.

Now, the once pale face had color to it, and it was almost unfamiliar to see the rosy glow on Emilia’s face.

“I mean, I like you as my Lord…! So, like with respect… I like you, not in a romantic sense, it’s just…!”

Emilia rambled, trying to fix her slip of the tongue, but her face was still bright red and wouldn’t calm down.

If Rosel hadn’t extended his hand, Emilia might have stayed like this all night.

“Uh, I mean…!”

Emilia, flustered and adorable, tried to calm down, and Rosel gave a proud smile before extending his hand.

Emilia, now somewhat resigned to the situation, placed her hand in his, looking at him with embarrassment.

Though her eyes were confused, her hand naturally reached for him.

“Lord…?”

“Let’s go eat, Emilia.”

At that moment, Emilia’s trembling eyes finally found some steadiness.

‘What have I done…! How could I say something like that…’

As Emilia walked toward the dining area at the end of the opposite corridor, where the Lord’s meals were prepared, she berated herself internally.

‘I hope he doesn’t think it’s strange… I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn… this is the worst…’

Since entering the mansion, it was the first time Emilia was leaving her room to eat.

Even though it was still on the third floor, it was to the kitchen on the opposite side, a place she had never visited.

This was surprising and a new beginning, but after making that slip of the tongue, all her thoughts were consumed by it.

Of course, it wasn’t just an accidental slip. She really did like him.

Who wouldn’t like Rosel, the handsome, kind, and charismatic Duke?

It was easy to understand how Biela had fallen for him.

But she didn’t want to reveal these feelings yet.

She worried that the Lord might feel awkward about it.

So, as she walked, her head down in worry, Emilia suddenly bumped her head into Rosel’s back.

“Ouch…! I-I’m sorry…”

Rosel stopped walking, and as she had been lost in her thoughts, Emilia bumped into him.

Seeing her fumbling and rubbing her forehead, Rosel smiled fondly.

“Haha, what are you thinking about, Emilia?”

Since Zichelle and the other servants were in the kitchen, Rosel spoke to her with his usual formal tone, as he would when others were around.

It was okay to speak casually, but everything had its time.

For now, this level of distance felt more natural in front of the servants.

“Ah, no…”

“Good, don’t feel pressured. Just relax and eat. Be brave.”

“Yes…”

And so, Rosel and Emilia entered the kitchen.

Zichelle had already prepared everything, and the long dining table was set with various dishes.

Zichelle stood in the middle of the table, while two other servants stood behind each chair.

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

The servant pulled out a chair, and Rosel sat down first. Emilia hesitated before following him, sitting across from him.

“Th-thank you.”

At Emilia’s thanks, the servant gave a slight bow before stepping back.

On the table, the red grilled salmon that Emilia had eaten the first day was now steaming and looked appetizing.

When she first ate it, the salmon had been cold, but now, it was freshly prepared, steaming hot.

As she stared at the salmon, memories of the first day flooded her mind.

Back then, she had to eat it secretly in her room, but now she was able to eat it in the kitchen.

She couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed, unsure if she deserved this happiness.

“…Why do you look like that? Emilia.”

Seeing that she seemed hesitant, Rosel asked with concern.

Everything now was part of Emilia’s journey back to being a warrior.

She was no longer living as a s*ave, but as a woman who could stand tall as a human being.

That was why she had asked Zichelle to arrange this setting.

It was to show that the looks she received weren’t full of judgment or pity, but just indifference.

She hoped that she could lift her head up without fear of scorn.

After all, Emilia the warrior was someone who deserved to live proudly.

A moment later, Emilia finally lifted her head, and Rosel smiled warmly.

Of course, it wasn’t just him smiling.

Zichelle and the servants were also smiling gently.

“…It looks so delicious, Lord.”

“Good, I’m glad. Let’s eat, Emilia.”