Even today, Daymond felt empty as soon as he opened his eyes. Since when did he care that he was alone?

“Why the hell is Angroanne doing that? She hated me from the beginning, but… Strange. There must be something other than Libelois.”

The Grand Duke asked a question, still covering his forehead with one hand.

Lately, the Grand Duke had been trying to make up for his mistakes in the past. Besides, hadn’t he saved her from danger many times? Even to him, it was unlikely that the rational Grand Duchess would become so angry simply because of a family she no longer cared for.

“I tried to ask if there was anything else, but she didn’t even think to listen. It seems that she has also abandoned the contract.”

“If not… Maybe, she happens to know?”

“What do you mean?”

The Grand Duke’s voice changed severely.

“That the contract Her Grace accepted is impossible.”

The moment’s words stopped his hand that was rubbing his forehead. A look of unease began to appear on his face. After all, at dinner, she asked if he really needed an heir.

“Angroanne knew that she would never have children?”

“If that’s not the case, there’s no reason for her to act like that all of a sudden, is there?”

It was frustrating, but for Ashton it was all the same. He was also aware of the Grand Duchess’s change from the maids’ reports. He also knew that there were rumors going around among the maids that their nervousness had increased, and that it was difficult to work alongside the Grand Duchess.

“No, it can’t be. Aren’t you and I the only ones who know that? There’s no way you would risk your head and say such nonsense.”

The Grand Duke slowly shook his head. There was no way she would find out. At least, according to his research.

Then, his hand stopped for a moment. He had already jumped to the conclusion that he knew all about her.

However, there was one question. Even though she was like that, why did she refuse others serving her?

“Is she still with only her maid named Emily?”

“Yes. The maid is in charge of serving and preparing meals. Oh, come to think of it…”

Ashton pulled up the frame of his glasses as if he had just remembered something.

“Tell me everything you heard.”

“I heard that the dining room workers have said strange things. Food that hasn’t been touched has been thrown away lately, and it’s all said to be the work of the maid serving Her Grace.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

She was a woman with a very small stomach. He had never seen her empty even half of the plate in front of her during a meal.

“That is… it was a little strange because she didn’t touch it at all. But I judged it not to be of much concern…”

“Who told you to judge yourself? I would have told you to report everything.”

The Grand Duke turned his head and glared coldly at Ashton.

“Forgive me. I hadn’t even thought of that.”

“When exactly did they say that?”

“About a week ago.”

Ashton, who was answering so, paused as if he sensed something strange, and the Grand Duke, who met his eyes, jumped to his feet.

“I’m going out for a while. Until I come back, take care of that.”

Daymond, who couldn’t stand it any longer, left the room, leaving Ashton behind.

The Grand Duchess refused her food. His heart, which had been calm just a moment ago, became heavy again.

Daymond, who was about to go through the main building and headed for the east building, saw a familiar maid hurried up the stairs. It was the maid that the Grand Duchess would allow to be by her side.

What was she in such a hurry? She didn’t even seem to see Daymond because she was so focused on the tray with the dishes.

“Wait.”

As he got right in front of her, he could see the maid getting very nervous.

“Greetings, Grand Duke Cromund.”

Emily was walking along with freshly baked bread and soup, and almost spilled the tray hearing the man’s sudden burst of voice. She managed to keep her mind and greeted him without spilling the food. But when the Grand Duke, who usually passed by, suddenly called her, her heart sank.

“Are you taking it to the Grand Duchess? Open it.”

Sensitive from the information he had received from Ashton, he ordered the cover to be removed so that he could see the contents.

When Emily hesitantly lifted the cover, the identity of the dish came. The tranquil red eyes went back and forth between the dry grain bread on the silver tray and the thin soup that was nothing short of plain water.

“Whose food is this?”

“I was on my way before it got cold because it was food for Madam to eat.”

“This kind of food… Are you taking it to the Grand Duchess?”

The Grand Duke frowned at the dish, which was far too simple to be offered to the Grand Duchess.