LUCIA

Chapter 25 Disagreement

Jerome prepared a cup of afternoon tea as he did every day and went into the Duke's office.

To avoid disturbing his master who was currently engrossed in his work, Jerome tried to drop the tea and leave but the desk was covered in documents and the person who was supposed to be there was nowhere to be seen.

As this was more or less a regular thing these days, Jerome shifted his gaze in the direction he expected his master to go and as expected, the balcony window was slightly open. He went closer to take a look and he could see the back of a tall man, leaning against the handrail.

These days, the duke would start work in the afternoon and then lazy around; something he had never done before. He would spend a long time standing in the balcony and looking down below.

And below was the beautiful picture of her Grace who had recently taken to diligently growing colorful flowers in the garden. Her Grace frequently went out to personally examine the flowers in the garden and his master would watch her.

Jerome initially thought that his master's honeymoon phase would be briefly interesting but now he knew that it wasn't going to be like that. If there was a case where the prodigal son starts to change after he gets married and becomes a reliable person, then that was practically his master.

This was why one had to live long in the world. Jerome wondered if his master knew that when he was with her Grace, it was as if nothing else in the world was visible, his gaze was completely locked onto her.

Surprisingly, her Grace did not seem conscious of his master's intense and straight-forward gaze. It would seem that her Grace was unexpectedly, insensitive.

There was something delicate between the two of them. Obviously, their relationship was good. Her Grace would give his master a pure smile, and his frigid master would warm up when her Grace was around.

Nonetheless, undeniably, there was somewhat of an invisible thin wall between them. It was too ambiguous to criticize and he couldn't speak out hastily on something so vague.

It was a new routine to put a brief report on what her Grace did or whom she met on his master's desk, so Jerome couldn't postpone his report anymore. Even more so because it was related to the health of her Grace.

Jerome hesitated a little then approached the balcony.

"Your Grace."

"Mmm."

"I have something to tell you about her Grace."

At those words, Hugo turned his head. He stared at Jerome then walked past him and went inside the office. But even after waiting a while, he didn't hear Jerome speaking. Hugo could tell that Jerome was being hesitant.

"What's so difficult? Talk."

"...Her Grace has never had her monthly guest." (1).

Lucia had a promise with Jerome that she would tell the Duke about her body condition together with Jerome.

But as time passed, Lucia was still the same, keeping her mouth shut. Jerome considered that she had forgotten so he reminded her but her Grace had only said that she understood and went back to being silent.

Jerome knew that interfering in this could be exceeding his authority but it was also the task of the steward to take care of his master's health. Jerome worried several times if he should urge or even force her Grace to personally tell his master but eventually he decided to tell his master personally.

"Monthly guest?"

"The thing women go through every month..."

"Ah. Continue."