When Arthur walked in the door, his eyes were wide open.

“Yes?”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, I just received a call from the Luton Hotel. Please double-check the calendar since we have an opening ceremony for a hotel in Canna on April 3rd.”

“Don’t worry about it. Tell them you’ll be there.”

He was investing in the Luton Hotel. In Canna, a warm southern location, a new branch was planned to open.

His biological mother was born and raised in the Canna region. A particular place in Ellie’s heart made him want to see it for himself, even though he had a long-standing aversion to traveling.

“Once that’s done, I’ll be heading out.”

After Arthur had gone, he frowned once again. To hear that she wasn’t frightened made him feel much worse than if he had embraced her without her consent.

She claimed she was organizing her thoughts, but she appeared to be able to do it much more quickly than he expected.

“This place is filthy.”

The mere thought of that made him feel much worse.

***

Ellie sprang off the seat as soon as she woke up. Arthur’s prompt arrival was a blessing in disguise. Ellie returned to her afternoon duties in a rush.

Regardless of whether or not she’s exhausted, the day seems to drag on for a long time. While driving home from work, she stopped to buy an alarm clock.

Set her old alarm clock and two new ones, then went to bed after eating a light meal.

Because she was exhausted, she was able to fall asleep fast. At first glance, Ellie was surprised to see Duke Rufus peacefully reading newspapers in his room.

The last thing she wanted was to disrupt his job.

“Tell me why you come, don’t spy like a stray cat.”

Does this man have a pair of extra eyes? He spoke bluntly, his gaze fixed on the documents in front of him.

“I’m not sure if I’m interrupting your job.”

“I’ve given it a thought. I was unable to sleep because of someone.”

Ellie reddened as she remembered the horrors she had been subjected to during the day.

“I’m really really sorry for bothering you.”

“If you’re really sorry, then mean it.”

Nothing came to mind that she could protest. It already seemed like Duke Rufus was taking her as a strange lady. Thank goodness for the fact that he didn’t know her real name, Ellie Miller.

“I suppose I’ve worked out my emotions for myself.”

When he spoke those words, Ellie’s eyes widened.

“Yes?”

“No. Don’t worry about that; it’s just rubbish.”

He stood up from the couch once he had finished his paperwork. Ellie snatched the ‘Secret of the Kingdom of Baronia’ from the table as he lay there getting ready for bed.

There is no doubt in her mind that she was eager to read the book.

Her cheeks began to tingle as she sat on the bed and listened to him. It was because she recalled the near-accidental kiss that occurred as Ellie was removing this book from the shelf.

“The old kingdoms fascinate me.

Perhaps her father’s influence is to blame for her interest in such enigmatic tales. When Ellie was a kid, her father would frequently tell her tales about his fascinating experiences, and it seemed like it was only natural that she would be intrigued by them.

“Instead of the library, where have you seen me as well? If we went to the same academy, I’m sure that we would have met once or twice.”

There were a lot of unresolved questions at today’s meeting.

“You won’t remember me even if I told you.”

“Well… I don’t really like women that much.”

In response to the question, he raised his hand and scratched his forehead.

“There’s one thing, may I ask you?”

Ellie approached him warily. He paused before nodding his head in agreement.

“What is it about you and having the lights on when you go to bed?”

His brows furrowed slightly as she approached and presented him with the inquiry. She’s guessing she posed a very unnecessary question.

“Sorry again. You don’t have to answer—”

“As a result of the daily nightmares I have.”

Ellie’s anxious expression was evident as he responded with a soft remark. She did recall him being plagued by dreams.

‘What in the name of God’s creation is that?’

“What a bizarre situation. My lack of knowledge of your identity is the reason. It’s strangely simple to say things like that to you.”

Ellie was ecstatic to be able to present herself to him in a new way. She wished she could erase all of his nightmares if she could.

“However, I have fewer of those nightmares now that you’re here with me.”

“That’s a good thing. I can be of service.”

‘This was genuine all the way. I didn’t want to be a nuisance during my time with him; instead, I wanted to be of service.’

“So, should we start reading the book now?”

With a bashful expression on his face, he hesitantly nodded to her query. Ellie started reading the book with great attention.

Slowly, as he took in her voice, his pupils began to dilate. Despite his lack of movement, he seemed to be sleeping, but Ellie didn’t stop reading until he was slumbering.

‘I hope he has a good night’s sleep.

May he sleep well at night.’

Ellie proceeded to read the text with that breeze in her head.

***

Ellie awoke to the sound of her alarm clock and got out of bed with a calm expression on her face. Duke Rufus was fortunate not to experience a nightmare.

It was relaxing to see his contented expression as he slept. Ellie really wanted to spend more time with him, even though she couldn’t divulge my identity.

A loud doorbell rang in her ear as she went to wash her face and get ready for work. Her letter was delivered to her when the door opened.

It was her supervisor, Arthur Winston, who called her. When she read the letter, she discovered that he had been hunting and had wounded his leg.

Count Winston was the next stop for Ellie, who had just called for her carriage. Ellie sprang out of the carriage and dashed toward the count, who was standing at the doorway.

Following the maid’s lead, She entered Arthur’s room and found him lying on the floor with a cast on one of his legs.

“Aide, what’s wrong?”

In an anxious tone, Ellie inquired about Arthur’s well-being.

“I’m fine, it’s just a fractured leg.”

He seemed to be in poor health, despite the fact that he had just fractured his leg.

“How long will it take for you to recover?”

“Well, I was told that it could take a couple of months. How about you take my job for now? Are you good with that?”

“Yes. Don’t worry and just rest.”

‘I was afraid to say something loud’. The assistant’s work necessitated constant interaction with Duke Rufus.

‘I feared making a mistake, so I had to be extra cautious. He shouldn’t know who was sneaking into his room at night, and he shouldn’t find out.’

While greeting Arthur at the door, Ellie couldn’t stop thinking about it the rest of the way into work.

Ellie held her breath as she stood in front of Duke Rufus’s office. Slowly, she lifted her hand and knocked on the door, remembering the things she had to tell him.

“It’s me, Ellie Miller.”

“Come in.”

Ellie walked in after hearing Duke Rufus’ response and opened the door. She immediately noticed Duke Rufus’s expression as he sat at his desk and flipped through the paperwork.

Ellie placed the papers and mail on the desk, attempting to avoid making eye contact with him.

“How’s Arthur?”

Ellie took a step back and opened her lips in response to his abrupt query.

“Two or three months is what they claim is required for a full recovery. However, if you don’t feel comfortable with me doing the task for you, I can find a temporary helper—”

“It’s fine. There is no substitute for you as an interim assistant.”

Even though his remarks appeared to know Ellie, she tried not to brag about how delighted she was.

“The timetable for today will be explained to you later on,” she said. “This morning, you’ll be meeting with Auston. The meeting will be held at the top of Lière for lunch. Also, don’t forget about tonight’s imperial ball.”

Her news caught Duke Rufus’ attention, and he gave it a cautious nod.

“The imperial ball is taking place today?”

“Yes.”

“All well, then, join me.”

In response to Duke Rufus’ abrupt proposal, Ellie, who had been bowing her head, lifted her brow.

“Yes?”

“I’m afraid I’ll be exhausted if I undertake it alone.”

“Please excuse me, but I’m out of clothing—”

He nodded as he admired the blue outfit she wore.

“There must be something wrong with your outfit. So join me at my meeting and we’ll go to some dressing rooms.”

“Oh no—”

She had never gone to an imperial ball as the daughter of a humble Viscount. To attend a conference of the most powerful lords naturally made her feel anxious.

She’s also Duke Rufus’s companion.

The weight of the responsibility became heavier as she became aware that everyone’s attention would be drawn to her.

“Consider it an extension of your body of work. I’ll make sure the overtime is covered.”

She was unable to ignore his forceful remarks any longer.

“That’s… that’s fine”

Ellie responded with a trembling voice, her head bent. It seemed as though the day would be long and exhausting.