Chapter 39: Lunch

Chapter 39: Lunch

"Madame, last night..." I stopped Teal from asking me the last night's details. It was a private moment and I don't intend to share it on anyone else.

"I'm not asking about what happened last night. I only wanted to inform you that His Grace cooked a light breakfast for you a while ago even before the sun started to rise." She said which made me stopped from reading the files I had on my hand.

He cooked for me. Maybe that was the reason why he went out while I was sleeping. A small smile formed on my lips but I immediately bit my lips when I heard someone clearing her throat.

"Well, it seems like Madam's relationship with the Duke has been fixed seeing that you're smiling when I mentioned that--" a dagger flew next to her face, missing that beautiful mouth of hers which caused her to stop talking.

"Reheat the food and bring it here-- No, wait, is the Duke's meeting with the vassals ended?" I asked while glancing at Gray who immediately nodded.

"Good, reheat the food and bring it to the Duke's office." I said as I fixed the documents in my desk. I'm actually planning to check on his wound so I'm just going to have my lunch there.

"You're going to have lunch with His Grace?" Teal asked as if the sky has been torn into two. Why the hell is she being fussy?

"Is it unusual to see the Duchess and Duke eat together?" My right brow raised as I asked the question.

"Oh right Madame, I just find it unusual to see you two eat together when all you ever did was eat each other--"

That's it. My patience snapped with her mouth.

"Your mouth, Teal. You might be my trusted subordinate but I could eliminate you if you don't keep that mouth of yours." I said while smiling. She immediately zipped her mouth and bowed at me.

Before going out of the room, I saw my reflection on the mirror and unconsciously cupped my cheek. It felt like I saw a ghost with red hair on the top.

"Teal, call Tanya and Klare. And Gray you go prepare the lunch."

They both seemed confused but immediately went out to do what I ordered them to. Few seconds later, the two servants I've requested knocked on and opened the door.

"A pleasant morning to Her Grace the Duchess, of what service could we offer to Her Grace?"

"Can you fix my face?"

"P-pardon?"

"I look like a thin sheet of paper, no, a ghost, rather.."

Shit, I've never been particular with my face and just always had my auburn hair in a bun since it distracts me from reading documents. I've never paid particular attention to my face since I've considered myself as a hopeless ugly woman. Then now I realized, I have been showing this face to Van. He might have been disappointed ever since, right?

"I... I beg your pardon Your Grace. However, the Duchess is already beautiful and you don't look like a ghost. Your Grace's skin is just as flawless and elegant as the snow."

"Is that a compliment? I'll give you a raise then."

I said with a smile. The servant immediately became stunned and panicked.

"N-no! Y-Your Grace is really beautiful!" She protested which caused the servant beside her to push her with an elbow.

"Anyway, just make me presentable but not too flashy." I said as they bowed and gently placed some facial products on my face.

Good. I glanced at myself at the mirror, my cheeks became a little alive due to the red powder. And my hair was not in a bun but they just tied the upper half of it and left the lower half untied.

They even braided the upper half of my hair. Not bad.

"Thank you. You may go."

With that, I left the room and went towards Van's office. However, I stopped walking when we met halfway.

"Emily, are you going somewhere?" He asked with Bruno beside him.

"No, I was actually going to ask you to have lunch together." I said which widened his eyes. He was about to say something when the butler showed beside him and said something.

"What a coincidence Madam! His Grace actually was on his way to ask you for lunch."

Van just repeatedly shook his head while smiling.

"So where do you want to have our lunch?"

I glanced at the bright sun and refreshing grass outside.

"Let's have it outside."

"Shall we?" He asked while walking towards me. He extended his arms to me so he could assist me while walking which I accepted with hesitation.

"I actually didn't know what you would want for lunch so I just asked the chef to cook the menu you already liked.."

"It's okay, I've already requested to bring over the food you've cooked for me a while ago." I said

"The food I cooked-- Ah yes that's"

"That was the reason why you're already gone when I woke up.."

"I'm sorry, I didn't plan on leaving you alone but I thought of cooking a light breakfast so you could eat when you wake up, but..."

"It's okay, I'll have it right now." I said and glanced on the garden gazebo where we would be having our lunch. The white-gold marbled table was a four-seater and has vines wrapped on the chair as if it had naturally stuck itself on the chair.

The servants naturally placed all the menu on the table and prepared the utensils we're going to use.

"Madame, as you have requested." The servant placed a plate of a white pasta glazed with white and red flavored sauce.

My eyes twinkled at the sight of the food that Van cooked. I don't know but these days I've only had the appetite the eat the food he cooked because I tend to lose my appetite or even vomit the food if other person cooked it. I could only see the Chef feeling upset because of this, but what could I do if this is what I want?

"Oh and can you get us some tea?"

"E-Emily..." I saw the servant blushed and the other avoided my glance. Then I suddenly realized the reason for their reactions. Such dirty-minded people.