Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 21

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“Inspect thoroughly.”

They had even summoned the physician from the north to examine him, yet for the small scratch on his cheek, the Grand Duke personally applied ointment.

It was a mere graze from a shattered wine glass the night before, but he treated it as though it were a grave wound.

The atmosphere was tense, so Ed held his tongue.

Though he wasn’t hungry, he had followed the Grand Duke to the dining room.

It was Ronen who broke the tension.

“Anna, Bence, and I all got new clothes, and Gio received a magical artifact as a gift. Why didn’t Ed buy anything?”

Ed sipped his water, gathering his thoughts.

“…I have everything I need, Young Master. Buying more would be an indulgence.”

“But why would you have everything you need? Ed, you’re always struggling to buy tea leaves and experiment tools with your meager salary.”

‘Where on earth did the young master learn to say such things?’

True, his salary was small, but he had made wise investments and had received quite a lot.

Even though the herb association wasn’t in his name, it was progressing in a positive direction.

And here he was, sitting in such a fine place, enjoying a delicious meal.

Ed bit back the words he couldn’t say and carefully chose his response.

“My salary may be small, but I manage just fine, Young Master.”

At that, the Grand Duke, seated across from him, smiled faintly, putting down his knife and fork as he glanced at Ronen, who was now fidgeting in his seat.

It seemed the Grand Duke found Ronen’s innocence endearing, as he always smiled no matter what Ronen said.

With a nod from the Grand Duke, Irtel produced a pouch of gold coins from his coat.

“Come now, Ed. Go out with Ronen today and indulge yourselves.”

The Earl and Countess looked wide-eyed as the pouch of coins appeared with a mere word from the Grand Duke, as if from thin air.

Ed quickly waved his hands in refusal.

“Oh no, Your Grace, that won’t be necessary.”

He had set a principle.

He wouldn’t accept any financial support from the Grand Duke unless it was for herbal research.

Whether in the past or now, he found such freely given money burdensome.

“Thank you, Brother Asnel.”

‘Where did Ronen learn that?’

Before Ed could wave it off again, Ronen swiftly pocketed the pouch with a grin.

Ed sighed softly, and the Grand Duke chuckled warmly.

“Then Ronen, make sure you and Ed have a good time today.”

“Yes!”

The Grand Duke then turned his gaze to the Earl and Countess.

“As for the investment you requested to expand your business, I’ve reviewed it favorably. Perhaps we can discuss it over tea.”

At the Grand Duke’s courteous words, the Earl and Countess flushed with joy.

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‘Mountains Cake Shop’

Led by Ronen, Ed now stood before the most famous dessert shop in the bustling city center.

The shop’s entrance was charmingly decorated like an amusement park, with staff on hand to park carriages.

It was said that the quality of tea and bread here was so high that half of the flour and milk from the southern region went to this shop.

Even before stepping inside, the bitter scent of roasted coffee beans and the sweet aroma of cream filled the air.

Ronen, excited at the thought of indulging in delicious treats, dashed toward the entrance as soon as he alighted from the carriage.

However, he stopped abruptly at the door.

“Oh, Ronen! It’s been a while!”

A group of people had stopped him outside the shop.

“Oh, hello.”

“Judging by your expression, I bet you’ve forgotten our names, haven’t you?”

Though one might feel insulted by being forgotten, they spoke with smiles, suggesting that even at a young age, they possessed a certain political savvy.

“I’m Idrean, the younger son of the Marquis of Heran. We greeted each other warmly last autumn at the Essen races.”

“Oh, right. Hello.”

“And I’m Nia, the youngest daughter of the Baron of Teriya. We first met at the ancient poetry reading last summer. Do you remember? I had hoped to see you more often, but the chance never came, much to my disappointment.”

For people like them, to approach Ronen first indicated that word had spread.

The northern Grand Duke’s lost younger brother was indeed Ronen.

Ed felt proud.

In the original story, no one paid attention to Ronen, no matter where he went.

This was because, when introducing Ronen, the ECount Herins would say, “This child, who is lacking in many ways, was adopted by the Herins family,” making Ronen shrink back in embarrassment.

They instilled the prejudice that he was an orphan with nothing.

But look at him now.

Without the oppression of the Herins family, Ronen was stunning, handsome, and adorable.

It was impossible to find a single flaw in him.

Ed stepped back, bowing his head slightly, waiting for Ronen’s conversation with his acquaintances to end.

As the knights, servants, and maids all stepped back from Ronen’s side, the onlookers’ eyes gleamed with admiration.

‘Yes, this is Ronen’s true presence.’

The Herins family’s cruelty had kept it hidden, but without such hindrances, even the smallest bit of sunlight or water made him shine brightly.

“Oh, yes, hello.”

Watching Ronen awkwardly greet them, Ed smiled slightly.

---

It was some time later when they finally entered the shop.

Once seated in the spot the server led them to, Ronen ordered, and soon the cakes arrived.

A table overflowing with chocolate-covered cakes, cream-filled cakes, and blueberry jam-dripping cakes quickly filled the space.

‘Did we order too much?’

Ed looked down at the cakes, feeling conflicted about eating them, while Ronen pushed a plate of strawberry cake toward him.

“Ed, try it.”

“Oh, no, Young Master. You first.”

“You eat first, Ed.”

After some back-and-forth insisting the other eat first, Ronen finally took a bite, prompting Ed to pick up his fork as well.

Each cake was so visually appealing that it made his mouth water just looking at them.

As the cake melted in his mouth, Ed couldn’t help but smile.

The soft, fluffy cake layers, the sweet and juicy strawberries, and the light, non-greasy cream harmonized perfectly.

‘So this is why it’s the most famous shop in the city.’

Irtel, Jaynon, and the other knights also sat in small groups, completely absorbed in their cake-eating experience.

“Is it good, Ed?”

“Yes, it’s delicious, Young Master.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Ronen smiled and pushed a chocolate cake toward Ed.

Ed glanced at him briefly before quietly eating the cake.

Only then did Ronen relax and focus on his own cakes.

After savoring each cake and putting his fork down, Ronen finally spoke.

“Ed, was it good?”

“Oh, what about you, Young Master?”

“I really enjoyed it, too.”

Ed, lightly patting his stomach, responded with a smile, making Ronen beam with contentment.

As Ed watched Ronen, who was now in a good mood, he decided to broach a topic he had been holding off on.

“By the way, Young Master.”

“Hmm?”

“Did something upset you earlier?”

Ronen glanced away slightly, avoiding eye contact.

Though he hadn’t said anything, his actions made it obvious.

When the conversation with his acquaintances outside the shop dragged on, Ronen’s expression had soured, and even now, he didn’t seem keen on discussing it.

Ed continued carefully.

“Why were you upset, Young Master? Was it because the young lords and ladies spoke to you?”

“……”

Ronen remained silent, looking at Ed with a frown.

“But wasn’t it because they wanted to be friends with you? If you open your heart just a little, I’m sure—”

Ronen cut him off mid-sentence.

“That’s not why I was upset.”

Ed tilted his head, puzzled.

“Then why were you in a bad mood?”

“Ed.”

“Yes, young master.”

“Are you embarrassed to be with me?”

Wait, what was that? Young master?

“Earlier, you stepped back when the young lord and lady greeted me.”

“That’s because—”

“Because what?”

“…It’s because I’m a servant.”

Ronen pouted his lips.

“I might be new to the Herins family, but I understand a servant’s duty well.”

“A servant’s duty?”

Perhaps this was a good opportunity. The chance to discuss such a topic with Ronen was rare.

Ed thought this was his moment to create some distance between him and Ronen.

Being close to Ronen was fine, but only until the Grand Duke appeared.

Now that Ronen had escaped his isolation and mistreatment within the Herins family, their relationship had to change.

Things were different now, and life in the North would bring its own customs.

Ronen would meet new people, and many things would change.

So, he needed to start getting used to the divide between nobles and commoners.

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