TCDSS 05

Chapter 05

“E-Excuse me, Lady Sasha…”

“Lady Sasha, please stop. That’s something we should be doing…”

In the hallway, Sarah and Mina stood helplessly, peeking into the reception room.

Inside—the largest reception room on the first floor after the study—Sasha was moving briskly in all directions, wearing an apron and holding a neatly folded cleaning cloth in her hand.

Status or rank didn’t matter to her; she didn’t have the kind of charisma to immediately command subordinates anyway. What she was good at was working. Besides, after that last rumor, she figured it would be beneficial to get closer to the maids.

Judging by their reaction, it seemed like this also served as a bit of punishment for their earlier gossip… Ah, maybe she should’ve started with the second-floor library instead.

“This seems like a place that doesn’t get cleaned often. I’m not taking your work—I’m just lending a hand.”

Seeing them trembling as if they’d committed a crime, Sasha tried to reassure them with a casual remark as she continued wiping down the table between the sofas.

Even though she came and went every three days, she didn’t stay long, so the reception room had more dust than expected. It probably wasn’t cleaned often since it wasn’t used much.

As she wandered around, the Ignote ducal estate felt strangely empty despite its massive size and grandeur. There seemed to be fewer staff than expected—and no family members, either.

It was said to be a house with a long, distinguished history.

“Is there… no family at all?”

Murmuring to herself, Sasha absentmindedly moved the cloth across the already-clean table.

Come to think of it, aside from entering and leaving the banquet hall on the wedding day, she hadn’t done much. No one had been introduced to her, and she hadn’t greeted anyone unfamiliar beyond the guests at the banquet. Even the wedding itself had been very simple.

“Is it always like this here?”

Tilting her head, she began wiping the sofa with a dry cloth.

As if worried she might dirty something Sasha had cleaned, Sarah and Mina—who hadn’t even dared step inside—finally rushed in, gasping.

“L-Lady Sasha! Please give us the cloth!”

“We’ll take care of this. Please return to your room…!”

“I told you, I’m just helping—why are you so shocked?” she thought. Well, noble ladies normally wouldn’t do this, but wasn’t this a bit much…?

Is Roze really that scary? I criticized her so much…

Though confused, Sasha didn’t let go of the cloth and continued stretching her arms to clean the sofa.

“I just don’t like sitting around doing nothing. Are you afraid Roze will scold you if she finds out?”

“N-No, it’s just… this isn’t something milady should be doing…”

“I’ll make sure she doesn’t find out. Ah… am I making you uncomfortable?”

“Yes. You do seem uncomfortable.”

Gasp—Sasha sucked in a sharp breath instead of screaming.

So that’s why you rushed in like that…

“D-Duke Kyler…”

That familiar low voice—it was Kyler.

All three of them quickly stood in a line and bowed deeply. Standing beside the maids, Sasha looked up at his face—so expressionless it made her heart drop for a moment.

Kyler’s blue eyes slowly moved from right to left.

The three women swallowed nervously, waiting for him to speak again.

“Sasha, what are you doing?”

At his question, the maids flinched.

Huh? Why are they so startled? It’s not like his tone was harsh or threatening…

Though puzzled, Sasha herself swallowed nervously before answering.

“I was cleaning. I felt like I was just idling around with nothing to do in the mansion.”

She tried to sound as calm as possible. If she wasn’t careful, the maids might end up getting blamed—just as they had feared. Honestly, why did he have to appear so suddenly in broad daylight?

While internally grumbling about her failed plan, Sasha noticed that no one seemed to understand her answer.

Kyler neither moved nor responded.

Sigh…

She clicked her tongue inwardly.

If I’d kept this up, I could’ve gotten closer to the maids…

But Kyler didn’t scold her or question her. Instead, he seemed to fall into thought.

A slight sense of disappointment crept in. If she had cleaned everything nicely and gotten closer to the maids… maybe she could’ve shown him something worthwhile.

She bit her lip and glanced up at him. He was still looking at her, as if trying to process something.

Just as she was about to speak again, Kyler beat her to it.

“Let’s continue this conversation upstairs.”

After giving each of the stiff, nervous maids a brief look, he turned and began walking ahead.

“He won’t scold you. Don’t worry.”

Sasha tried to reassure them before following him out of the reception room.

But it didn’t seem to work—she could hear a heavy sigh behind her.

Did I do something wrong?

Kyler was already striding up the stairs. Though she had gotten somewhat used to wearing heels and a long dress, walking quickly was still difficult.

“Ah—!”

Trying to hurry after him, she stepped on the hem of her dress and slipped.

Thud—she fell, sliding slightly. Fortunately, she hadn’t been too high up the stairs.

She had only hit her knee, so she quickly brushed herself off and stood. It would bruise, but it wasn’t serious.

Looking up, she saw Kyler watching from the top of the stairs. Hopefully he wasn’t annoyed at her for being slow.

Grabbing the front of her dress, she hurried up the rest of the steps.

He glanced downward briefly, then turned and continued walking.

He could walk a bit slower…

She complained inwardly and followed him at a quick pace.

They entered his room.

Watching his broad back as he sat waiting on the sofa, Sasha took a seat on the long sofa beside him. Her knee throbbed.

“You were… cleaning.”

Even with a face that could intimidate anyone, he spoke politely.

“Yes… I just didn’t have anything to do at home.”

His face looked… intense. Almost angry.

Maybe noble ladies weren’t supposed to do such things—but it wasn’t exactly a crime… Was it about dignity? Like tarnishing the image of a duchess?

But it didn’t seem like that.

With his deep blue eyes, he shook his head.

“I asked whether you cleaned at your marquis household.”

He hesitated slightly—almost as if being careful.

“No, I never did…”

No noble lady would normally clean, so she answered honestly. Was he going to scold her for doing it here when she hadn’t before?

But Kyler simply looked at her and gave a small nod.

I feel like I’m starting to read his reactions… am I?

She wanted to ask, but the moment she met his eyes again, the thought disappeared.

“I understand a duchess has many duties. You are responsible for managing the entire household of this estate.”

Ah—so she was being scolded for saying she had nothing to do without knowing her responsibilities.

Well, it was true she didn’t know what a duchess was supposed to do in this world… but more importantly, she needed to understand the terms of this marriage contract.

If she were someone who could confidently act as a duchess, would a contract even have been necessary?

She had been ignoring matters of authority—but maybe she was allowed to take on that role.

No more complaining. Instead of resenting being corrected, she needed to learn and adapt step by step.

After all, it wouldn’t be good if anyone discovered she wasn’t the original Sasha.

For survival, adapting quickly was the only way.

“You mean I should uphold the dignity and duties of a duchess. Understood.”

She expected at least a nod of approval—but didn’t get one.

I want us to get along… but this is hard.

“As I said, you simply need to maintain your position. To uphold the position of duchess, you may use my name.”

His voice carried a chilling firmness.

Even though his tone was gentle.

Either he’s a man completely devoid of emotion… or someone whose soft nature is misunderstood because of his overwhelming presence.

Or maybe… I’m just seeing what I want to see.

“Answer.”

“Ah—yes. I’ll fulfill my role as the Duchess of Ignote.”

But as he looked at her, there was something in his eyes—something other than warmth.

—

“Did you see that? The way he spoke to Lady Sasha?”

“I know! I’ve never seen the Duke speak that gently before!”

Connie watched as Sarah and Mina chattered excitedly. First they had been shocked by Sasha cleaning—now they were worked up over the Duke.

Curious, Connie approached them.

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, Connie! Come here! The Duke came earlier and—”

“He said, ‘Sasha, what are you doing?’—”

“Aaaah!”

The two maids squealed in hushed excitement.

“If he didn’t bring her just for nighttime… and it’s not a political marriage… does that mean he really likes her?”

“The Duke? Love? Is that even possible?”

Connie tilted her head at their serious discussion.

“Still… the fact that he comes home every three days… doesn’t that mean he likes Lady Sasha?”

He was always polite—but distant, like a wall. The kind of man who never formed emotional connections.

Even the maids knew that.

“Is dinner prepared?”

At that moment, a gentle voice came from behind them.