The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 3

One day, Count and Countess Everly and Padma were out shopping in town from the morning.

In the early afternoon, Mr. Steve visited the mansion.

“Hello, Michelle. I came to say hello, but… where are Padma and the others? Are they out?”

I stopped cleaning the front porch and politely greeted Mr. Steve.

“Welcome, Mr. Steve. … Yes, today the Count and Countess, along with Ms. Padma, went shopping, but they haven’t returned yet. They said they would be back by the afternoon, so if you arrive, please wait in the reception room. They should be back soon.”

Saying that, I opened the front door and tried to guide Mr. Steve. Even though he was familiar with this mansion, I thought it would be rude to let a guest go alone.

Then, Mr. Steve smiled happily and said.

“I see. Well, that’s perfect then. Actually, I have a surprise souvenir for you today too.”

When I was told that, my heart raced shamelessly. Could it be food? Just thinking about it made my stomach let out a small growl. In fact, I hadn’t been given anything to eat all day yesterday, and I had skipped breakfast this morning as well. The reason for skipping meals this time was that I hadn’t noticed the curtains in the countess’s room had become old and frayed at the corners, and I had left them as they were. After being slapped on the cheek multiple

“Thank you very much, Mr. Steve. Always and always… I truly appreciate it.”

“Hehe, it’s okay. For some reason, I just can’t leave Michelle alone. …Come on, I’ll show you in your room. Today’s souvenir is extravagant.”

Huh…?

Saying that, Steve naturally continued walking, entered the mansion, and then headed straight towards the stairs leading to the basement where my room is. It was in the opposite direction of the reception room.

As I stood frozen, staring at Steve’s back, he turned around with a puzzled look and smiled warmly.

“Hmm? What’s wrong, Michelle? Come here. Come on, before they come back.”

“…B-but, Mr. Steve… My room…?”

“Ah, of course. Today, I’ve brought something special just for you. I don’t want Padma and the others to see it. Hehe, it’s a secret just between us.”

“……”

My heart trembled uncomfortably. No matter how kind and helpful he is, being alone with a young man in that cramped underground room… And to make matters worse, he’s Padma’s fiancé. Isn’t that a bit too much…?

“Mr. Steve…”

Feeling anxious, I called out, but Steve had already walked briskly to the stairs leading down. From a distance, he turned back, beckoning with his hand and mouthing “come here.”

What should I do? This is definitely not good. …But if it’s just for a short time… If I can get out of the room before the three members of the Everly family come back, it should be fine, right…? There’s no way Lord Steve would do anything to someone as dirty as me…

In my mind, alarms are ringing that it’s absolutely wrong. However, he is the only person who has been kind to me for a long time, secretly, away from the eyes of the Earl of Everly’s family. I didn’t have the courage to firmly refuse his proposal. I didn’t want to upset him or be disliked. Above all, I didn’t want to waste the kindness that Steve had shown me.

I-I should hurry and leave. I should just look at the souvenir, say thank you, and then get out of the room right away. Or rather, I’m sure Mr. Steve will do just that. He must understand that it would be bad if someone else saw us alone in the room.

I told myself that in my mind, gripping my sweaty hands tightly, I approached Steve.