Chapter 3
“Good work coming all this way.”
Duke Lilywood spoke in a low voice, swirling a wine glass instead of using cutlery.
Lauren shook her head. A faint change crossed the duke’s smile. It was so subtle it would have been easy to miss, yet for some reason, Lauren saw it with perfect clarity.
“I should have sent someone to fetch you… but—”
“No, it’s really fine,” Lauren replied quickly.
She had departed not from the baron’s estate, but from a shabby inn. If the duke had sent people to escort her, it would have felt burdensome. Besides, she didn’t have much luggage, and not needing to worry about attention had made the journey alone rather convenient.
“How is your room? Do you like it?”
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
It was, without exaggeration, an overly fine room. A suite complete with a dressing room and bathroom—there hadn’t even been rooms that good in the baron’s estate. And she even had two personal attendants assigned to her.
But what she liked most was that the room wasn’t overly extravagant. Floral wallpaper and gilded decorations weren’t to her taste at all. The cream-colored room, modest yet warm, paired beautifully with furniture that still held the grain of natural wood. Though she had only been there a short time, it already felt comforting.
Duke Lilywood watched Lauren quietly as she ate. When she paused her cutlery and wiped her mouth with a napkin, he set down his now-empty glass and stood.
The way he brushed back his hair felt strangely impatient.
“I’m sorry to bring up work right after a meal, but it seems better to clarify things first.”
Lauren nodded and followed him out of the dining room. When she glanced back, his untouched meal remained where it was.
‘He only drank a bit on an empty stomach… is he going to be alright?’
While she briefly worried, he walked ahead without slowing. Lauren quickened her steps to catch up.
“Sorry, I feel a bit dizzy.”
He led her to his office.
“Dizzy?” Lauren blinked.
The room looked nothing like someone who was dizzy worked in.
Desks and tables were buried under stacks of documents, and empty wine bottles and glasses were scattered everywhere. How could anyone even function like this? It was almost unbelievable.
“Sit over there.”
He gestured to an armchair near a low table while sweeping aside a pile of documents. Lauren wanted to scold him, but she didn’t yet have the right to do so. She pressed her lips together and sat obediently.
After dumping more papers onto the desk, Duke Lilywood checked a cabinet and rang a bell. Calvin appeared beyond the door.
“Tea and some alcohol,” the duke said.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Soon, drinks were brought in. In front of the duke was a bottle of golden liquor and a finely cut glass. In front of Lauren, a teacup with gold trimming and a teapot were placed. The butler efficiently gathered the scattered empty glasses and left.
Soon, only the two of them remained.
“I don’t really drink tea, so I’m not sure what’s good. I hope it suits you.”
Seated on a long chair, the duke poured himself liquor and leaned back deeply—his posture in stark contrast to Lauren, who sat upright with perfect composure.
Lauren held her teacup with both hands and took a sip while waiting for him to speak. A soft floral aroma brushed against her nose. The warmth eased her tension, and she let out a small, unintentional breath.
“As you can see, things are in quite a state. I need a capable administrator.”
The duke tilted his head, as if acknowledging the chaos around them.
It was indeed a disaster. It was hard to know where to even begin. Still, he couldn’t be handling all of this alone… right?
As if reading her thoughts, he continued.
“I’ll introduce you to my deputy tomorrow. Though… he’s not much help either. He’s a soldier like me.”
That much was obvious from the office alone.
Lauren nodded quietly. There was going to be a lot of work. At the very least, she would start by organizing the scattered documents. She hoped at least the deputy would be someone she could communicate with.
Then came the real topic.
“About the marriage.”
Finally.
Lauren set down her teacup and straightened her back. Time was running out. She had to finish everything before her uncle realized she hadn’t returned and sent people after her. Otherwise, her entire plan would collapse.
“It seems we won’t be able to hold a proper ceremony right away. There’s too much to prepare,” the duke said.
Fine by her. She didn’t need unnecessary formalities.
“If you’re alright with it, we should start with submitting the paperwork first,” he added.
Relief washed over her.
That was exactly what she wanted.
But she made sure not to show it.
“Very well. That sounds like the best course of action.”
The duke quietly studied her before pulling out a plain white envelope from his desk drawer. Inside was a marriage document. His name and signature were already filled in.
He slid it toward her.
Lauren took out her fountain pen with slightly trembling fingers and wrote her name in the empty field. It was only writing her own name, yet her hand shook so much she had to hold her breath.
Only after finishing the final stroke did she exhale deeply.
Once the ink dried, she handed the document back.
The duke watched it for a moment, then folded it and returned it to the envelope. He rang the bell again, calling Calvin, and handed it over.
“Process it immediately.”
A short command.
Lauren tilted her head slightly.
‘It can’t possibly be processed this quickly at this hour.’
The duke smirked faintly, as if amused.
“The faster, the better. Wouldn’t you agree?”
She nodded.
He leaned back again, fingers tapping lightly over his folded arms.
“Soon enough, the Emperor will hear about my marriage. A rushed one like this will cause quite a stir.”
His brow furrowed slightly, green eyes sharp like poisonous leaves.
Lauren bit her lip thoughtfully. She had expected this from the moment she agreed to the marriage. A man of his stature would naturally attract imperial attention, especially from those hoping to marry him to a princess.
“We should align our story accordingly,” she said.
“Yes. A pair of lovers so desperately in love they eloped,” she added lightly.
The duke exhaled through his nose, swirling his drink.
Lauren raised her teacup calmly.
The next morning, Lauren met the duke’s deputy in the office.
He had described him as a “soldier like me,” and indeed, the state of the estate suggested it was largely managed by Calvin the butler and this deputy.
“My name is Leti Torres.”
A tall man with red hair and blue eyes, wearing a friendly expression, smiled brightly and offered his hand.
It was uncommon for men to offer handshakes to women, but neither the duke nor his deputy seemed to care.
Lauren shook his hand firmly. His grip was rough—definitely the hand of someone who held weapons rather than a pen.
“I heard about you from Astor. I look forward to working with you.”
At the mention of Astor, Leti’s eyes widened slightly before breaking into a grin.
“Madam, I’ve been told you’re a skilled administrator. Please, save me from this mountain of paperwork.”
Lauren chuckled softly.
Leti pulled out a chair for her at the duke’s desk. She glanced briefly at Astor—who was lounging casually on a long chair in nothing but a shirt, reading through documents—but he didn’t intervene at all. True to his word.
“Normally I’d show you around the estate, maybe take you shopping for things befitting a duchess… but, well…”
“In this state?” Lauren interrupted, narrowing her eyes at the chaotic office.
Leti laughed awkwardly as she sorted through the documents Lauren began pulling together.
Her eyes narrowed.
There were far too many reports on taxes and subsidies. Even worse, documents related to war aftermath—years old—were still left unfinished.
“Well… we’ve been handling urgent matters first, so…”
Leti trailed off, avoiding her gaze.
Lauren tilted her head.
What could possibly have been more urgent than flood relief requests still waiting from months ago?
“Where are completed documents stored?”
“I’ll bring them right away.”
Leti returned a while later carrying a large box. He set it down with a heavy thud.
The duke looked mildly exhausted just seeing it.
Lauren, barely suppressing a smile, began sorting through the documents at remarkable speed.
Astor and Leti both watched her in surprise as her hands moved quickly through the stack.
