136. Duke Luave’s Residence’s Love Story (2)

Abbert looked at Sid for a long time with a stiff expression, then managed to shake his head.

“You…… you need to meet a better person. You’re going to be a nobleman soon. Besides, you’re pretty, strong, and lovable, so you’re better than me…….”

As if his heart were being ripped to pieces, Abbert was forced to turn down Sid’s enchanting offer. Theo would soon be given the title of Viscount, and Sid would become a Viscount Lady. Sid, the Queen’s sworn sister, will be courted by numerous noble men, and she might even become the Countess.

Countess…… It was a title that spanned a great distance from a very ordinary commoner stable keeper.

But Sid will definitely fit in that place. Abbert knew very well the strength and kindness that existed within her.

“I’m happy just that I was able to be with you all this time. Maybe…… I will never forget it for the rest of my life.”

Now, she was no longer a person he would dare to covet, but his voice kept trembling. And Sid, who knew all about him, covered Abbert’s mouth with her own lips, as he spewed out words that didn’t even make sense to her.

Abbert had told her to find a better person, but he rushed in as if he couldn’t lose Sid’s lips. His arms grabbed Sid’s tightly and the ointment jar in her hand fell to the floor, making a small noise. But they couldn’t hear it because they were concentrating on each other.

Sid, who had kissed him for a long time, was out of breath, dropped her lips and smiled.

“Don’t pretend you’re strong because you won’t be able to live without me.”

Abbert couldn’t answer that. He seemed to have to give up for the happiness of the one he loved, but if Sid disappeared as she said, he would not be able to live at all. He eventually decided to beg Sid.

“That’s right. I can’t live without you. But I don’t want to block your way. So…… It’s okay to marry someone else…… But don’t leave me. If you tell me to come, I will come; if you tell me to go, I will go. I won’t let anyone know. Because I’m okay with living to kill your boredom…….”

“What? Are you telling me to have an affair now?”

A moment of despair flashed across Abbert’s face. But Sid was really upset with his attitude.

“You are making me laugh! What the hell are you talking about, who do you think I am?”

Abbert’s hand, which was tightly wrapped around Sid’s shoulder, lost its strength and fell to the floor.

“Sorry…… I didn’t mean to insult you…….”

“Hey, you frustrating bastard!”

Sid tapped his chest and grabbed Abbert by the neck.

“Who the hell are you to judge my happiness? Why is my marriage to you blocking my way? You really don’t know why I haven’t gone to Lena yet?”

Sid grabbed Abbert by the neck and shook him, screaming, and Abbert, who had only been swayed as she shook him, suddenly clasped Sid’s hand and shouted.

“Then, what if you regret it later! What if you regret that you should have married a better person than someone like me! I can’t give you anything, I’m nothing!”

“Abbert……!”

“I knew what you were going to hear after marrying me! My name will always be mentioned as insults to you. No, even Uncle Theo will laugh at me. Just imagining it is miserable and terrifying!”

Abbert couldn’t contain his tears. He already knew what Theo and Sid would hear.

‘Sir Theo’s daughter is married to a commoner and a stable keeper, right? Sir Theo’s daughter was also a stable keeper, so she had a perfect husband. Oh my gosh, how could she and a stable keeper…….’

Sid will say it’s okay at first, but the more she hears it over and over, the more she will resent him. She will regret the foolish choices she made in the past. And if he had to listen to Sid’s grudges and walk away without getting her affection…… Abbert will find it unbearable.

“Why are you thinking like that, you idiot…….”

Sid turned her head away from him and gently placed her hand on Abbert’s trembling shoulder. Contrary to her simple self, Abbert was always thoughtful. That was the source of his care and kindness.

But this time, Sid could confidently say Abbert was wrong.

“Abbert. I really love you. It’s not something I say lightly.”

Abbert’s gaze turned to Sid. Although fearful and suspicious, he showed a desperate desire to believe her words.

“If I can’t marry you, I’d rather not become a nobleman. I’ll just keep being the stable keeper here with you. Would that make you feel better?”

“No, Sid, you can’t…… Her Majesty the Queen is waiting for you to come.”

“Then, just trust me. Whether I become a noble or not, I will love only you for the rest of my life. Don’t cheat on me.”

“Sid…….”

“I will take care of you. So, you too, don’t worry about useless thoughts and think only of me.”

Abbert burst into laughter at that moment. He seemed to fall in love more with Sid, who was strong and energetic as ever.

“I thought I would be the one to propose one day…….”

“Well…… I don’t want to wait for a long time, so I’m doing it!”

Sid’s voice was grumbling, but a satisfied smile spread across her lips.

* * *

It was not until a long time after the darkness had fallen, and when the Duke’s residence was slowly falling asleep, Arder returned to his room and took off his jacket with a small sigh. It seemed that he was quite tired, but it was a day filled with a sense of fullness that was good enough.

The first New Year’s celebrations after the new Queen’s accession ended a week ago, and all of the Luave family’s close relatives who had visited the mansion went home.

This year, with Damien and Evelynn, the New Year’s celebrations passed more easily than last year. Although Evelynn had been in her sick bed for over 20 years, her hospitality and coordinating skills were still outstanding. Thanks to this, the most difficult thing during the New Year’s celebrations was to manage his emotions, which burst into tears whenever he saw her and Damien smiling next to him.

“Really, that’s great.”

Arder, who had been loyal to the Luave family for many years, spoke to himself with a happy smile. Comparing the past, when it always seemed to be walking on thin ice after Kahel was cursed, and the present overflowing with laughter, he was so satisfied that he thought that he had no regrets.

Another thing that pleased him was the marriage of Sid and Abbert. As the Queen’s sworn sister, Theo was given the title of Viscount, and the last name he would use was ‘Belrose’, which Lena had used until recently. And now, it was Sid’s turn to become ‘Lady Belrose’. She knew how much attention she would get once she entered the Palace.

However, Sid threatened to marry Abbert before entering the Palace. Her words were harsh, but no one objected to her decision. The Queen welcomed her with her arms open, and her father, Theo, of course, believed that Abbert would be his son-in-law.

“Who is going to handle that tomboy if not Abbert? What kind of resentment will he hear after marrying a noble?”

The image of Theo shaking his head when Sid kicked the crotch of the stable keeper who was arguing with her came to mind, so Arder chuckled slightly.

Anyway, thanks to this, Abbert had to listen to the words of ‘the guy who picked a good girl and hit the jackpot’, but looking at him these days, it seems like he doesn’t even listen to that kind of thing. It’s been 10 years since Abbert worked in this mansion, but he’s never looked as happy as he is now. Arder was delighted that Abbert, who was sincere and kind, seemed to be getting the result of the good deeds he had accumulated over the years.

Originally, Theo and Sid had to prepare their own wedding ceremony, but since they had not yet received the title and did not know much about these events, the Luave family decided to arrange their wedding. He was busy with that, so there was no time to rest even after the New Year’s celebration was over.

As he took off his vest and unwrapped the cravat, he was thinking about what to do tomorrow when he suddenly heard a knock. It was a little late for anyone to visit, but the butler, who oversees almost everything in the Luave mansion, had no day or night. He hurriedly put on his vest again and opened the door with a natural attitude.

“Ah, Nelia…… !”

The person waiting at the door was Nelia, the chief maid. He wasn’t very unfamiliar with her visit because they met often, but every time he met her so unexpectedly, it felt strangely more welcome.

“What’s the occasion?”

“I’m really sorry for being late, butler. I think I need to revise the food order sheet a bit. I know it’s rude, but because the vegetable vendor stops by early tomorrow morning…….”

Nelia looked really embarrassed, fiddling with the papers in her hand. Seeing that she was also dressed in a comfortable gown and only a shawl, it seemed that she had run to check the order for the last time before going to bed.

“You don’t have to be so apologetic? Come in.”

Arder greeted her with a soft smile.

Nelia Russ was the chief maid of the mansion after she entered a little over two years ago. She was said to be the daughter of a fallen noble, and since she was young she had taken care of her sick mother and three younger siblings, so she never married even at the age of forty. In the meantime, her mother passed away and her siblings got married one after another, so she has time now, but she was still immersed in her work. Maybe, it’s because she doesn’t know what to do if it’s not work.

Thanks to Nelia, Arder also became quite comfortable. The chief maid who worked before her, made many mistakes in the orders and books because she was too old, and it was Arder’s job to correct those mistakes.

Nelia had little to say, but her work was as meticulous as his, and she excelled in directing the maids. So Arder cherished Nelia.

“There are more people who have applied for vacation after the New Year’s celebration than expected, so I think we can reduce the amount of food supplies this week a little more. And the laundry soap I bought as a trial last time was very good, so I would like to buy five more this time.

“Hmm. I think it’ll be fine. However, it would be better to order radish according to the existing order form. It’s a good ingredient to keep for a little while, and now is the best time to eat it.”

“That’s true, too. Then, shall we order additional cabbage and pickle it?”

“That’s a good idea.”

The two put their heads together, and slightly revised each item in the order book.

Nelia’s style of working was similar to Arder’s, so it put him at ease as he talked to her. As a result, there were many cases where a talk that started as work turned into a private conversation.

“I don’t know if there will be a shortage of fruit wine for Miss Sid and Abbert’s wedding reception. At the tasting, everyone seemed to like fruit wine more than grape wine.”

“Oh, it suits my taste quite well.”

“Which one did you like best?”

“The apricot wine was especially good.”

“Then, when the apricots are sprouting, I will put it in the butler’s food separately.”

Nelia said with a soft smile. It may be a greeting for her, but Arder felt better about being treated like a special person. He smiled, thanking her, and then his gaze fell on the safety pin holding her shawl in place.

She could have bought a few brooches since she was the chief maid of Duke Luave’s residence, but he had never seen her wear a pretty brooch or hairpin. Considering that her maids, who earn a lot less than her, also wear hairpins and brooches with faux jewels, it’s not that she doesn’t have enough money to buy them. Probably, she just doesn’t buy anything for herself…….