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 41

“…Lady Deena, what seems to be the matter?”

“Are you not feeling well? How about some fruit water?”

While everyone was anxiously watching her face for any sign, after a while, Miss Deena muttered, looking unimpressed.

“…Yeah, that’s right. I’m not feeling well at all today. It’s not fun at all.”

The young ladies quickly lock eyes with each other. They all probably think the same thing. It’s a hassle. Well then, let’s just stop the tea party and disperse quickly, like this.

But of course, no one would ever say such a thing. How I handle this situation will affect Miss Deena’s impression of me. I can’t afford to mess this up.

I made a worried expression and spoke up first.

“Is there something wrong, Lady Deena? Are you troubled or in need of assistance…?”

“Yes. Please go ahead and speak, Lady Deena.”

“We’re not sure if we can be of any help, but we always want to be there for you, Lady Deena.”

Since I am well aware of her true feelings, knowing that everyone wants to curry favor with her, I know how to handle situations like this. Lady Deena always displays perfect lady-like behavior when she is among high-ranking nobles and their wives, but conversely, she becomes arrogant in places where only ladies of lower status than herself are present.

She let out a big sigh again and reluctantly opened her mouth.

“It was very, very unpleasant. At Lord Lloyd’s place.”

Lord Lloyd.

At those words, the image of a beautiful young man with silver hair and blue eyes immediately comes to mind. Duke Lloyd Harrington. The young and handsome head of the duke’s family, which boasts the greatest power in the Kingdom of Hastina. Just seeing him makes any woman’s heart flutter and her body heat up. He possesses everything: status, power, and an otherworldly beauty. A man so wonderful that it dazzles the eyes.

Miss Deena has been rejected countless times since childhood, and even the marriage proposal arranged through her father was firmly turned down, yet she continues to pursue the Duke of Harrington to this day. Although the Duke is rumored to be an extreme woman-hater, I believe one of the main reasons for this is the persistent pressure from the tenacious Miss Deena.

Miss Deena began to speak.

“The other day, I visited the mansion again. Just to say hello. And then… Lord Lloyd had injured his right arm. He was wearing a cast. I was so worried… I asked Lord Lloyd what had happened.”

“Well, that’s…”

“Indeed, it is quite concerning, isn’t it?”

“What happened?”

We, the young ladies surrounding her, put on worried expressions and nod along. Half of it is an act to placate Lady Deena, but half of it is genuine. After all, it’s none other than Duke Lloyd Harrington we’re talking about. I wonder if everything will be alright.

However, Miss Deena paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and let out a grand sigh.

“Surprisingly, you know, those injuries were sustained while protecting a certain woman… a cunning, despicable, lowly woman.”

Miss Deena, saying this, opened her fan to hide her irritated expression and continued in a spiteful tone.

“The one who injured Lord Lloyd was a commoner’s daughter. And you know, it’s a very… strange story. While Lord Lloyd was riding through that forest on the western side of the duke’s territory on his way back to the mansion, suddenly that girl, all alone, stumbled out in front of Lord Lloyd’s horse. To avoid the girl, Lord Lloyd had to take an awkward position and got injured.”

“Oh my! What on earth is going on…! Why would a young commoner girl go into that forest all alone…!? It’s unimaginable!”

“How unfortunate for His Grace, the Duke of Harrington…! What bad luck he had!”

The surrounding young ladies contorted their faces dramatically and said so in unison. Then, Miss Deena, perhaps finally in a slightly better mood, nodded at our words.

“Isn’t it strange? And there’s even more strange news… That commoner’s daughter is now working at the Harrington Duke’s residence. And Lord Lloyd even let her into his private office. The girl served me tea as if it were the most natural thing in the world.”

“Well, that’s… Why would His Grace the Duke Harrington want that girl…?”

“Who on earth is that girl? It’s creepy.”

Listening to the young ladies’ words, I too found it strange. It’s a peculiar story. Why is Duke Harrington making the girl who just happened to be in the forest, and who caused such a serious injury, work in his mansion?

Miss Deena takes a sip of her tea and continues speaking with an exasperated look.

“That girl, they say she was an orphan from another territory. Apparently, she was in trouble without any relatives or place to go, so Lord Lloyd took pity on her. Honestly… No matter how much of a gentleman the Duke of Harrington is, he’s still a man. How could he not see through her? I could tell at a glance. That girl was trying to use her somewhat decent looks to ensnare Lord Lloyd. …It might all be a lie. An orphan from another territory

“Well…! What a terrifying little girl…!”

Oops, that’s not good. I got so caught up in the strange story that I ended up listening intently. If I stay silent for too long, Miss Deena will give me a fierce glare.

I hurriedly raised my voice.

“Moreover, it’s just too brazen! For a girl of such low status to serve by the side of His Grace, the Duke Harrington, one of the wealthiest and most powerful figures in the Hastina Kingdom! If you’re going to choose a servant for the Duke’s household, you should select someone with a solid background! It’s just too reckless to have a lowly girl of unknown origins by His Grace’s side!”

When I said that, Miss Deena nodded with a momentary look of satisfaction on her face.

“Right? I thought so too.”

Alright! It seems like they liked what I said.

Feeling overconfident, I immediately asked Lady Deena a question before the other young ladies could chime in.

“What kind of daughter is she, Lady Deena? That creepy girl who doesn’t know her place.”

While being the center of everyone’s attention, Miss Deena spoke without even trying to hide her malice.

“Well, she’s a young woman who’s quite pretty. That’s what makes me dislike her even more. She’s delicate and petite, with an undeniably adorable aura… She seems skilled at charming men. And… she had a very unusual hair color. Pink hair, you know, that shone mysteriously and beautifully in the light. I’ve never seen hair like that before.”