After the events with Hans last night, we returned to the Florence Duchy at the crack of dawn.
The carriage was dead silent. We'd spent the night at the palace anyway.
Lady Victoria had a private room, while Bella and I shared the one across from hers, with separate beds.
I love the suit. As a butler, I always wore it, and there was a tiny Florence Duchy emblem on the edge of my jacket.
Bella was a mature woman, but after our talk last night, she seemed a little embarrassed. I didn't even need to ask; I already knew she was 22.
There's still a full year until the main story begins.
Plus, the Duke of Florence rarely shows himself. He's a workaholic buried in his duties.
Since the northern region is snowy, I was wearing a coat.
Same for the others—thick and warm...
When we arrived at the duchy, Bella and I escorted Victoria to her room as usual: "Get some rest. You were exhausted last night."
"Thank you, milady," we said, then withdrew.
I slowly followed Bella down the corridor again: "So, what's the plan?"
"I'm making food for Lady Victoria. Washing clothes is the other maid's job." We moved quickly.
We finally reached the kitchen.
It felt like a playground. I know a thing or two about cooking. "Let me do it, Bella. Watch how a real meal is made…"
Bella looked me up and down: "You? Come on. First a comedian, then a poet, now a chef? How many talents do you even have?"
Three hours later…
A Wellington-style venison stood perfectly in front of Bella. She gave me a strange look.
I made it medium-well because that's how I like it…
"You're seriously something else. Let me try." She took a small slice from the edge. The moment the Wellington touched her lips, her eyes widened…
I stopped her just as she reached for more: "What will Lady Victoria eat, Bella? Calm down."
"HAHAHAHA, you really do have too many talents. I get why Lady Victoria wanted you." Bella looked proud.
I coughed: "Let's not drag this out. Come on, let's go." I lifted the dish.
After everything was ready, we started pushing the serving cart.
Today, the Duke would be dining at the table.
I'd barely gotten permission from Bella to cook, but she allowed it. If the Duke didn't like it, I'd probably never cook again.
Thankfully, my mental library is packed with countless recipes.
Making food fit for gods with simple ingredients is child's play for me…
Bella disappeared. I slowly pushed the serving cart toward the pre-arranged dining room for dinner, giving simple nods to the other servants.
As Lady Victoria's personal butler, I held a pretty high rank in the house. You wouldn't believe how many maids have flirted with me.
I winked at the guards by the door. They opened the grand doors in unison, and I came face-to-face with a man of imposing presence.
Like Victoria, he had silver hair and green eyes. Looked about 35. I quickly set the food on the table and began serving, slicing with the knife in my hand at lightning speed.
Cutting meat is an art.
Lady Victoria kept her usual blank face.
But when I served the dish, both the Duke and Victoria looked shocked—this wasn't on today's menu.
The Duke narrowed his eyes at me. I stood waiting. Damn, the table was huge…
His eyes widened to the same size as Bella's: "Who made this?!" His voice boomed.
I coughed: "I did, my lord."
"HAHAHAHA! I never thought I'd eat something like this in my lifetime. You're the butler Victoria wanted? She fought me over you!" Duke Florence was laughing, but Victoria's face looked like she was being chased down an alley by ten dogs.
"Father, how can you say that?! You're embarrassing me!" Victoria's brows twitched with anger.
The Duke looked overjoyed: "I've raised your salary. Victoria's lucky to have found someone like you. Raul von Vance…"
"Thank you, my lord." I bowed slightly and left the room.
Victoria didn't talk much with her father, but he supported her absolutely.
There was something between them I didn't know—and could find out if I wanted—but I didn't feel like bothering.
The doors slowly closed behind me. A raise sounded nice. My salary was already high, but with two months' pay, I could buy a mansion even a baron couldn't afford. The ducal family was that rich…
I heard shouting from inside, but it didn't matter. I headed toward the servants' quarters with Bella: "Hmm, Raul, I never asked—are you engaged?"
"I'm not interested in women. Or men." I said it with a stoic expression.
Bella narrowed her eyes. She believed me—because unlike the other servants who blush around Lady Victoria, I didn't.
More accurately, the vibe Raul gave off… hmm, like he became a butler through blackmail…
"Hmm, when you do get interested, come to me." Bella was teasing, but my smile turned devilish: "Sorry, Miss Bella, but marrying a wild one like you would be the worst decision of my life. Let's stay friends."
Bella elbowed me in the chest. It tickled, but I pretended to stumble. Her moves were simple anyway.
I can passively see 10 seconds into the future before any action :)
Bella grumbled: "As if I'd want to be with a jerk like you."
"No, I'm just spitting facts. A few more years and you'll hit menopause. No one will want you then." Bella was walking beside me, but suddenly stopped.
My eyes widened—I already knew what she'd do: "YOU DAMN—GET BACK HERE!!!"
Bella was chasing Raul down the corridor with her sleeves rolled up!
This was an absolute crisis!
Raul ran, laughing, until he finally reached his room: "Thanks for the escort, Bella." I winked and slammed the door shut.
Bella pounded on the door a few times before leaving. After all, her room was across from mine, far from Lady Victoria's.
I slowly closed my eyes, but sighed. Duty was calling me.