Chapter 165

As absurd as it was, Iona thought the head maid’s face looked genuinely delighted as she answered.

She didn’t have much time to confirm the truth since the expression quickly returned to a blank one.

“I have arranged the bedroom for now. I did my best, but... I’m not sure if it will be to your liking. If it isn’t, I’ll help you redecorate it.”

The head maid stood waiting for the master’s evaluation like a student awaiting a homework check.

Iona slowly walked into the room, looking around.

The well-polished antique furniture gleamed, and the curtains and bedding were neatly ironed without a single wrinkle.

Although Iona didn’t have a particularly discerning eye for aesthetics, she knew how much effort it took to arrange a bedroom of this scale.

She also knew what to check to see if the space was well-maintained.

From that perspective, the room she was looking at more than passed the test.

While Iona had competent maids by her side, the absolute difference in numbers couldn’t be ignored.

Iona felt she could now truly understand why Marsha had been so insistent on hiring more help.

Without realizing it, Iona glanced at Marsha and then turned to the headmaid.

“The marriage was decided so suddenly, so it must have been challenging to prepare the mansion in time for our arrival. You’ve worked hard in such a short period. I’m very impressed with your efforts... And even aside from that, the room is splendid. Thank you.”

She felt a bit sorry for the staff who must have been surprised by the sudden news of the marriage.

When Leroy left for the capital, the people of the duchy probably didn’t expect the marriage talk to become a reality.

On top of that, when the master announced he would return with his bride without even a proper wedding, the staff must have been flustered.

It seemed miraculous that they managed to prepare everything perfectly in such a short time.

At Iona’s straightforward praise, the head maid slightly bowed, looking honored.

Leroy also supported Iona’s opinion by complimenting the head maid.

“I apologize for the trouble, Yudia. Thank you for your hard work in preparing everything.”

“It was no trouble at all. I actually enjoyed imagining what kind of person you would bring, Your Grace.”

Seeing the natural exchange of banter, it seemed Leroy and the head maid were quite familiar with each other.

It was a side Iona, as someone not yet integrated into the family, hadn’t seen before.

She quietly watched their conversation, feeling a bit out of place.

“Oh, and the master’s old bedroom hasn’t been cleared yet. Since it’s a personal space, I thought it would be better to organize it while you’re there. If you plan to give the madam some time to settle in comfortably...”

The head maid trailed off subtly.

She was subtly trying to determine whether Leroy intended to use separate bedrooms or if he planned to share the marital bedroom with Iona.

While it wasn’t something openly discussed, it wasn’t entirely uncommon for couples to sleep in separate bedrooms.

Given the differences between Leroy and Iona, it made sense to address this issue beforehand.

It was more natural for them to sleep apart.

However, the head maid overlooked one crucial fact: Leroy and Iona weren’t the distant couple she imagined.

Leroy responded firmly.

“No, we’ll be using the same room from today.”

He then looked at Iona for a brief confirmation.

“Isn’t that right?”

It was a formal question; he didn’t expect Iona to refuse.

Iona’s answer was already decided.

“I’m not so delicate that a change in sleeping arrangements would keep me awake.”

Iona nodded without hesitation.

In truth, Iona could fall asleep deeply anywhere she laid her head.

Even if that weren’t the case, she wouldn’t have refused to share a room with Leroy.

If he had offered her a separate room out of supposed consideration, she might have felt hurt.

“Very well, then I’ll have your belongings moved in tomorrow.”

The head maid bowed respectfully instead of saying anything further.

It seemed there was nothing more to discuss, and she indicated her intention to leave.

“Please rest comfortably. I’ll come to inform you when dinner is ready.”

With silent steps, the head maid quietly left the room.

As Leroy watched the door close, he spoke as if suddenly realizing something.

“It seems she likes you.”

Iona responded, puzzled by his abrupt statement.

“…That can’t be. I haven’t done anything.”

What could she have possibly done to earn the head maid’s favor in the short time it took to be shown to the bedroom?

Despite Iona’s skeptical reaction, Leroy stood by his assertion.

He crossed his arms and replied leisurely.

“It’s not always about gaining something to like someone.”

“You’re not wrong. But that’s not the case this time.”

Iona answered nonchalantly and approached the bed bench, sitting down.

Her feet felt pinched from wearing shoes that hadn’t broken in yet.

Looking down at her feet, Iona pondered the conversation she had with the head maid.

Just as Leroy had said, she couldn’t be certain if she had won her favor, but at least it seemed she wasn’t disliked as before.

That alone was a relief.

Iona mumbled, feeling a bit self-conscious.

“It doesn’t seem like a bad start.”

Leroy approached Iona and naturally knelt down in front of her.

He reached out and removed her shoes with his elegant hands.

As she looked down at her now bare feet, Iona remarked,

“I didn’t plan on taking them off.”

“They looked uncomfortable.”

“…”

“This too?”

His hand moved smoothly up her calf.

Leroy pulled the hem of her petticoat towards himself and looked up at Iona with a calm expression.

Perhaps he wasn’t so much concerned about her discomfort as he was about removing anything he found bothersome.

If his goal was to dismiss her worries and make her forget about them, he had succeeded.

Half of the conversation with the head maid had already faded from her mind.

Iona instinctively wetted her dry lips with her tongue.

“Haven’t we waited long enough?”

Leroy prodded Iona.

Since nothing had happened at the Ida estate, she thought he had no such intentions. But it seemed he had just been holding back.

Iona calculated the time it would take to prepare dinner and then leaned towards him.

The urge to embrace him whenever they were alone was just as strong for Iona.

At that moment, she saw Marsha quietly leaving from where she had been standing by the door.

Marsha was a capable and experienced servant.

She would not only know to give them privacy but also ensure that those moving the luggage wouldn’t disturb them.

Iona and Leroy were the masters of this mansion, and no one would interrupt them here.

Without any hesitation, Iona wrapped her arms around his neck.

***

“How was it?”

The maids asked the head maid as soon as she returned from escorting the duke and duchess to their bedroom.

Even those busy moving the luggage ran over to join the conversation when they saw the housekeeper descending the stairs.

They were eager to confirm a particular rumor that had been spreading within the duchy for some time.

The head maid, looking around at the bright, inquisitive eyes gathered around her, crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows slightly.

Then, with a solemn tone, she declared,

“It’s a love marriage.”

--- End Of The Chapter ----

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