Not enough with just being lectured, Calsius was confused about how else to respond to Adelle's naughty behavior. He was afraid that if he punished her, Adelle would feel pressured and become gloomy again like before.
After being busy with his thoughts about Adelle's problem, his wife entered his study after being called by Anna, Adelle's personal maid.
"What's wrong? I only had a little to drink," Adelle argued, even though Calsius hadn't said anything yet.
"I haven't said anything, but you've already mentioned your mistake," Calsius chuckled.
Adelle scoffed. Look at her life, full of rules. Breaking them just once is considered a mistake. Wait, once? Adelle, it seems you need to learn to count how many mistakes you've made.
"Enough, it's still morning, and I'm dizzy hearing your nagging about last night." Adelle grumbled.
"I forbid you to drink so that your health remains good. This is for your own good too." Calsius explained slowly.
But this naughty Adelle didn't want to listen and instead changed the topic of their conversation. "I want to call a tailor, the celebration party is next week and we don't have clothes yet."
"Adelle, I'm not finished."
"I know. But never mind, I promise I won't do it again." Adelle's shoulders dropped slightly to beg Calsius not to lecture her this early in the morning. Her head was still spinning from last night's alcohol.
Calsius massaged the bridge of his nose. "What if you break it again?" Calsius asked.
"I'll take over the Duchess's work again. I'll help you with your work again, satisfied?"
Calsius smiled.
"Alright. I'll call a tailor for you, wait until noon today."
Adelle exclaimed enthusiastically because her request was granted again. She then left the room and walked to the library to get a book while waiting. Adelle also told Anna to prepare snacks to accompany her.
"The Master must love the Mistress very much, right?" Anna said.
"Hm? Why do you ask?" Adelle put a cookie in her mouth, then exclaimed because of its sweet taste and how it melted when chewed.
"I apologize, Mistress, if my question sounds impolite. I'm just expressing what I see." Anna bowed to apologize.
"Why apologize? I'm not angry, besides, I enjoy chatting with you, Anna."
That's how Adelle only spoke openly with Anna. Although Anna was hired after they moved to the Villa, Anna was able to make Adelle open her heart again.
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
"Mistress, the Master said the tailor has arrived," Anna said.
Adelle nodded in understanding and immediately approached Calsius, who was already in the living room, welcoming the tailor. This was the first time Adelle had requested a tailor to come. Because usually, Calsius always brought her many new clothes by relying on her body measurements.
"Welcome, Madam Grace," Calsius said. Meanwhile, Adelle immediately sat down ahead of both of them.
Madam Grace accidentally met Adelle's purple eyes. Then she quickly gave a respectful greeting. "My respectful greetings to Duke and Duchess Eddenberg, I am honored to have been invited to the Duke's residence Villa," she said.
Hearing that, Calsius only nodded in response. Meanwhile, Adelle stared intently at the movements of the dark green-haired tailor. That look in her eyes was not a look of sincerity. Adelle felt as if she had seen this woman before.
"The Duchess looks very beautiful today, an innocent color of clothing would suit you very well," Madam Grace said again. Along with a look in her eyes that showed dislike towards Adelle. It was clearly a lie.
Adelle smiled wryly. She knew that look, and Adelle quickly stood up. "Darling, I'm thirsty. I want a drink brought to me," Adelle grumbled coquettishly.
Calsius didn't ignore her. "Anna, bring—"
"No! I want Calsius to bring it for me, Is that okay?"
Calsius let out a heavy sigh. What else would Adelle do in front of guests? Calsius had no choice but to nod and leave the two of them. After Calsius's back was no longer visible, Adelle immediately put on a completely different expression than before.
A more serious and sharper face. "I know you hate me very much, Lady Redrose. You don't have to pretend like that," Adelle said, sitting down and resting her face on one palm.
She had expected Madam Grace's response to be surprised when her secret identity was known by Adelle.
"How did you—"
"Know?" Adelle chuckled. "With my position as Duchess, would it be difficult for me to order someone and find the information?"
The woman's eyes trembled, as if drawn in by the Duchess Eddenberg's sharp purple gaze. "At that masked party, everyone was on my side. There's no way anyone would leak this information!" Madam Grace thought to herself.
"Here's your drink," Calsius said not long after their conversation.
"Thank you, dear. My thirst is gone instantly." Adelle moved closer to Calsius again and clung to his arm. "But, I don't really like the design from this tailor. Can Calsius dismiss her?" Adelle said again.
It was clear that those words could make Madam Grace kneel in an instant. "Duchess, I apologize if I have made any mistakes."
"Mistakes? Oh, the only mistake is your design which doesn't suit my body. So, leave," Adelle replied.
"But, Duchess—"
"I apologize, Madam. Perhaps next time your design will be accepted by us." Calsius stopped them both.
Adelle then walked inside, Calsius followed her to ask why Adelle had dismissed Madam Grace. Even making her so scared.
Meanwhile, Madam Grace stared blankly at the room. Then some guards arrived and reminded Madam Grace to go home immediately.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Do I need a reason to dismiss someone? I just don't like it," Adelle said.
"Still, she was so scared. What did you do?"
"Me? I just found out what she was hiding. That's all."
Adelle gave the same look, sharp and full of emotion. "Next time, don't endanger yourself again with secret information. We don't know what kind of attack will come again," Calsius said.
"There will be no more attacks." Adelle walked away. "I want to take a walk for a bit. I need some fresh air rather than listening to your nagging again. My ears are tired."
"I'll accompany you," Calsius offered himself, about to catch up with Adelle's steps.
"No need."
His steps stopped. He gazed at his wife's small back. A back that had to be caressed so gently because of its fragility. Calsius was always worried every time Adelle took a step ahead of him.
Calsius was always hesitant and afraid that Adelle was hiding something from him.
"Sir, do I need to contact another tailor?" asked Rico, Calsius's personal aide and the one assigned to take over the Duchess's work.
"No need, just find a tailor whose clothing designs Adelle likes. Then tell me the address, I'll go there with her."
"You're going on a date? Great!" his aide said. Although he looked dignified and serious, Rico was just a young man with an enthusiastic nature about things.
"Be quiet. I don't like discussing that."
"Ah, don't be shy, Sir. I know, you two are really looking forward to this date," Rico said again, trying to tease Calsius.
"I'll add more work for you, Rico."