you've got the wrong woman, duke! | phileo boleoti

05.

♡

you had let audrey drink some water before letting her continue, "well I heard from a friend, that heard from her brother-in-law's sister, that heard from her boyfriend-"

"get to the point, audrey."

"y-yes!" you feel your irritation bubbling at her stalling. "I heard this from a knight from his guard so It's a hundred percent credible but, after visiting count linne, he had stopped by every orphanage on the way back. when he returned, he brought a child that looked exactly like him!"

tearing your eyes away from the news you slump in your chair, "I knew this but really, ah. It's really starting now, huh." you mumble out.

It's finally the start of the long-awaited novel, 'I became the male lead's adopted daughter.' you hope that his fatherly whims won't affect any of your businesses or you'd really have it with that duke.

seeing your dark expression audrey is quick to react, "don't worry, my lady! I'm sure the child is not his secret love child. it could be a distant relative, that's why they look alike!" what?

this girl is having weird thoughts again.

"audrey, if you have so much free time to spout nonsense why don't you go outside and check my schedule again, hm? escort her out."

"ms-!"

one of the knights guarding your office goes in and drags audrey out, your lady-in-waiting thrashing comedically. it seems like ever since that night she had found you on the same balcony as him, she'd thought the both of you were secretly lovers.

you denied it a hundred times though, but now and then she'd tell you idle news about him.

"did you hear that he finished his expedition a week earlier than expected?"

"duke boleoti cut a servant's hand off!"

"there are rumors that he's actually in a relationship with his aide..."

honestly, you'd rather she stopped but she'd be so persistent in sharing the news, no words could get her to stop. she's fully convinced and you've given up trying.

"there are still so many letters to go through. gosh, why do people keep sending me letters." you go through them once more as they pile up every single day when you realize there is a distinct black lion seal amongst them.

your hands become urgent as you go through the letters, discarding those with seals you didn't even recognize.

your highness,

this is the northern duke's aide, lupe lycos. the duke wishes for the best of the best tutor available in nobility and you are the top candidate.

your duties may be limited to manners and overall learning of being a noble, but if you would like, may branch out to more specialized subjects like history and others.

if you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact me back. there is also absolutely no problem if you were to refuse, we'd be blessed to be graced with presence one of the few suns in the empire. blessings be to the princess.

sincerely,
lupe lycos.

"lupe, huh?" a strange feeling of disappointment flowed in you.

"lianne, come in," you call out to your aid and past maid who comes in without hesitation. she stood tall and proud, though her meek personality retained on day to day basis.

lianne can be terrifying if she wishes to and that's why after seeing her wit throughout the years even though she had such a personality. you offered her the position of secretary and she tearfully accepted.