Chapter 312: The Duchess’s Prank
“Just kidding, it was a joke!”
With a playful smile, Celestine revealed her underwear, catching Rest completely off guard. It seemed this was all a prank aimed at him. The two maids had forcibly dragged him deep into the mansion, deliberately allowing him to witness Celestine’s changing scene.
“Well… you do realize I saw you change, right? This isn’t just a joke anymore.”
Rest pinched his nose, managing to squeeze out those words.
(Thank goodness I didn’t just eat Dragon Liver… I would have definitely had a nosebleed…)
“Why would you pull such a prank? It doesn’t seem like you…”
Well… perhaps that wasn’t entirely true. Celestine had barged in on him while he was bathing before. Despite being a noble lady, or perhaps because of it, she had a strangely bold side.
“After all, I will be your wife someday. I don’t mind you seeing me in my underwear.”
Celestine said this without a hint of embarrassment, her demeanor completely composed.
“And… I wanted to be a little mischievous. You haven’t come to see me at all, Rest.”
“Come to see you…?”
“You spend far more time with Viola, Primula, and Yuri than you do with me, don’t you? So, I thought I would get a little revenge.”
“Well, that’s…”
It couldn’t be helped. He lived with the Rosemary Sisters, and Yuri was staying with them after running away from home. Rest was busy with Territory Development, and it was only natural that he couldn’t meet with Celestine, who primarily operated around the Royal Capital.
“Of course, I’m aware of your circumstances. However… couldn’t you at least send letters or gifts? There are things you can do as my fiancé, you know?”
“Ugh…”
“Oh, I’m not trying to pressure you. I understand that you’re still getting used to the life and manners of a noble. That’s why this is just a little game.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Rest lowered his shoulders in apology. Celestine showed no signs of anger. In fact, it seemed her prank was born from her understanding of his busy life. She was generous enough to overlook any lack of courtesy that might arise from such trivial matters, almost like a bodhisattva.
“Now then… let’s put the jokes aside and move on to the main topic.”
Dressed in a purple gown, Celestine gracefully sat down in a chair, tilting her slender neck. With just her gaze, she urged him to take a seat across the table. As Rest sat down, a maid promptly placed a cup of black tea and some sweets in front of him.
“First, let me thank you. I appreciate you sending such a rare item as Wyvern meat.”
“…You’re welcome.”
“This was obtained from the Southern Mountain Range, wasn’t it? To go there at this time of year means you must be planning a party at the Clover Count House, right?”
“…You guessed it. That’s exactly right.”
“I see. You went to hunt a Wyvern for the main dish. Dragon meat symbolizes ‘longevity,’ and flying monsters represent ‘leaps,’ making it a good omen for family prosperity. It’s perfect for a noble’s party. So, your visit to my home was related to that… Were you perhaps inquiring about the liquor?”
“…………”
She was spot on. Completely, perfectly hitting the bullseye. Without needing to explain, Rest found himself at a loss for words.
“From the look on your face, it seems I was correct.”
“Ah… perfect score. No complaints here…”
“That’s great to hear. I would have been embarrassed if I had been off the mark.”
As Celestine watched Rest’s astonished expression, she laughed joyfully. Perhaps the prank time was still ongoing. She had completely taken control of the pace of the conversation.
“If you understand, then let’s get to the point… Do you know of any good liquor to serve at the party?”
“Actually… I had something I wanted to report to you. It’s about the liquor.”
With a serene expression, Celestine picked up her teacup and gently touched her lips to it. After elegantly sipping her black tea, she placed the cup down without making a sound.
“Sanada Shoko… Queen Dowager has made progress on the production of distilled liquor in the fishing village. We have successfully developed a new type of liquor, and I was thinking of inviting you to taste it.”
“A new type of liquor… from that village?”
The village where the Queen Dowager had spent her later years. There was a sake brewery that she had built with her own funds while going by the name Sanada Shoko. It hadn’t been ready for sale yet, but now that Rest had taken ownership of the village and entrusted the subsequent matters to Celestine, it seemed to have taken shape.
“If it’s a new type of liquor, I think it would be perfect for the party celebrating the beginning of the Clover Count House, which is a rising noble family. Would you like to come with me to the village?”
It was a timely proposal. Without hesitation, Rest accepted Celestine’s suggestion.