After a long silence, Kalen opened his mouth.
"You...You don't seem to want to talk to me, at least for now. No matter what I say, you won't listen."
"Did you know that now?"
"Even if I showed good intensions, you wouldn't accept it."
"...What are you up to?"
Only then did Kalen fully understand. No matter what he said, no matter what he gave, Kanna would never accept it. On the contrary, she would be suspicious and only increase her vigilance.
"I am here..."
Kalen stopped breathing once, then exhaled. It was very easy to cool down.
"I have come to offer you a deal."
"A deal?"
Kanna listened intently. She seems to have found something worth talking to.
"Say it."
Deal, contract. Kanna deals with others only with such things.
Kalen said, clearing his throat.
"Please continue to look after Luc's health."
"What? You still don't believe that she's been cured?"
"It's not like that. Lucy..."
Kalen let out a low sigh and continued.
"Lucy is not a particularly healthy child. Her physique is also small for her age, and her heart is weak."
"What happened?"
"She is the child of a maid. Brother or mother, especially Isabelle... They are not very friendly towards Lucy. On the contrary, there are many times when their behaves violently. That's why I'm always depressed."
Kanna seemed to know what Kalen as about to propose.
Lucy is seven years old. When a growing girl is stressed, of course there is a problem with her growth.
"Please make a restorative medicine that can strengthen the mind and body. Also, she's a kid who puts up with it even when she's sick, so please check her health often."
"What is the price?"
"I will give you whatever you want."
"Two thousand gold a month."
It was excessive compared to the work she was doing, but it was on the small side for a noble woman's monthly living expenses, so she went out strong on purpose. No matter how much she call, the opponent will cut anyway. However,
"Great."
"What?"
"Two thousand gold a month, and?"
What is he talking about, son of a bitch?
"It's not 2000 silver, it's 2000 gold. 2000 gold, in a month."
"There is no difference between 2000 silver and 2000 gold. If you want 2000 silver, I will give it to you."
"..."
Ah, right. The opponent was Kalen Addis.
"Is there something more?"
"...Give me an exclusive maid. Someone with proper skills and character."
"All right. And?"
"..."
"What else do you want?"
"Are you really going to listen? Why?"
"It's for Lucy."
So, he is asking for Lucy. Because she'll do anything he want?
'It must mean that Kalen cares for Lucy that much.'
Kanna crossed her arms and thought deeply. Why does Kalen care for Lucy so much? Did he bullied her like that when she was younger?
'Shouldn't have been half as kind to me as he was to Lucy.'
If so, she might have had some good memories in this house.
There was no choice but to twist the belly. Kanna refrain from glaring at Kalen and clenched her fists.
"Escort."
"Yes?"
"Escort me to the Her Highness's birthday banquet."
If she enter with Kalen as escort, it will be of great benefit to her. But for Kalen, it must be as terrible disgrace. Kalen hates her enough to lock her in the cellar because he doesn't want escort her. So, this was both for herself and him.
She thought Kalen would reject this. However,
"Okay."
After saying that, Kanna hurriedly declared as if she was afraid to change his words.
"Write the contract right now."
"...Really?"
"Come on, let's write the contract."
"..."
It was suspicious, but it was a good thing for herself.
Kanna wrote the contract on paper and signed it. When she holds out the paper to Kalen, he signs as if he's been waiting.
"The deal is irrevocable now. The maid will be sent to you tomorrow."
***
"My name is Leah Marwin, who will serve the Duchess in the future."
The next day, the maid came to visit.
"If there is anything you want me to do, please tell me at any time, Ma'am."
Kanna liked her maid at first sight. Even at the sight of Kanna's dark hair, she never once frowned.
'Should I have a look to see if her skills is good?'
Kanna ordered as she sat down in front of the dressing table.
"Cut my bangs."
By the time the shaggy bangs were cut off at the border of her eyebrows, Kanna and Leah were both surprised at the same time.
"Leah, you cut my hair well. It's look natural and pretty."
Leah didn't answer right away. Even her mouth was slightly open, she stared at Kanna in awe, the hurriedly bow her back, realizing that she was rude to her.
"Sorry. Because you are so beautiful..."
Kanna chuckled and held out a paper. I was paper on which materials for beauty care such as hair and skin were written.
"Buy what is written here. Find a good dressing room."
There are two weeks left until the banquet.
'I'll have to manage it diligently until then.'
***
"What?"
Orsini Addis held his stomach and burst into laughter.
"Kalen, you are out of your mind. Why the hell do you have to take such an insult!"
Today is the day of the 2nd Princess's birthday banquet.
After preparing first, Orsini waited for Isabelle and Kalen in the lobby. Most of the time, the three of them entered the banquet together. However, Orsini could not hold back his laughter after hearing what Kalen said.
"Why are you doing that? Kanna, did she find your weakness?"
"It's not like that."
"But why are you escorting that hunk of filth? Doing so will only hurt your reputation!"
Goosebumps rose on Orsini's shoulders. The thought of entering with that ugly filth makes Orsini sick, but to Kalen, it's a reality.
"Brother! Did you wait?"
Isabelle approached, looked into Kalen's eyes, and quickly crossed Orsini's arms.
"Brother Orsini, how I look like today? Am I pretty?"
"Isabelle, did you hear about it? I heard that Kalen escort Kanna."
As soon as Isabelle heard the story, her complexion turned white. She looked at Kalen in disbelief, but couldn't say anything. Just hiding her clenched fists in the hem of her dress. But in the end, She couldn't stand it and threw a word out.
"... I don't want to enter with Kanna sister."
"Mee too. Kalen, if you really want to do that, then we'll go separately."
As Orsini joined in, Isabelle's face straightened. But Kalen wasn't interested in what they said from the starts.
"Do whatever you want. I will go with Kanna sister."
Isabelle and Orsini left first, and Kalen sat on the couch and waited. During that time, he thought about Kanna. The total numbers of parties Kanna has participated on so fall will not be less than five. Her father's order to stay out of sight was also an order, but she didn't like being among many people from the beginning.
'It's a matter of course. Do you have a strong negative perception of the black color?'
Kalen sighed. It's already been two weeks since Kanna left the door. She haven't seen Kanna's face for the past two weeks. He went to see Lucy all the time, never bumping into her. She only goes in time for his training or office hours.
'Could she be avoiding me?'
So, he don't know if the banquet is being prepared properly. Leah, the maid, seemed to be busily preparing various things, but she didn't ask anything. If they get caught doing background checks, Kanna will be ever colder. Even so, it still looks like ice.
Cool Kanna, cold sister.
'What did that mean?'
Lately, Kalen's mind has been very complicated. And she couldn't understand herself. Is it because of the guilt of childhood misdeeds? Is it because of Kanna, who has no intention of accepting an apology?
If that's all there is to it, there's no reason to be so upset. Kalen knew very well that he was neither affectionate nor nice. On the contrary, in the world, she was evaluated as cold-hearted because she looked exactly like Alessandro. Besides, he had no interest in Kanna from the beginning. But now why?
Kalen's eyes grew dry and hard. With each thought of her, she grew more and more obnoxious.
'Why am I wasting my time with these thoughts?'
To question oneself, to have thoughts that are out of control. This is just disgusting. It was when I decided that I would not even pay any attention to her once this escort job was finished.
"Kalen."
Kalen, who was resting on his chin, turned his head. He froze as it were.
"Did you wait for long time?"
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