TDIDTRA Chapter 8

Chapter 8. A Secret Contract

“Sit here.”

Instead of sitting at the head of the table, he sat across from Bonida. When Bonida had no choice but to sit down, the maid who had set up the food at the end of the table opened her eyes wide. However, she quickly finished assessing the situation and quickly and politely moved the food at the end of the table to Bonida.

“Guests were invited but the food was at the end of the table. Don’t you think this cold distance is a bit heartless?”  

“Duke, you’ve always dined this way with guests.”  

“Have I?”  

“Yes, you have.”

The maids and the head maid at this mansion weren’t afraid of Girion, and they spoke their minds freely. That must mean he treated his subordinates well, right? With that thought, a hopeful sense of optimism quietly bloomed in her heart. After all, she had to get through her time here safely and return home. After finishing her duties, the maid respectfully bowed her head and greeted Girion before leaving the dining room.

“Eat up.”

Bonida opened her eyes wide as she picked up her fork. It couldn’t be true, but all the food was to her taste.

Bonida liked seafood, but her mother despised soft foods. It wasn’t that her mother preferred hard foods, but she always made it clear when she disliked something, especially Bonida’s favorites. As a result, seafood often appeared only in her dreams, especially on days when she was very hungry.

“Thank you for the food.”

When Bonida began to taste the food neatly using her fork, Girion smiled briefly and soon began to eat too. Learning table manners the difficult way from her mother, Bonida never got scolded wherever she went. When she moved her utensils quietly, Girion suddenly made a strange sound.

“It feels like I’m having a meal with a beautiful, silent dragonfly. Eat comfortably.”

“I’m eating comfortably. Are you uncomfortable?”

“Not at all. Seeing you eat well makes me satisfied. I guess it’s rewarding to understand the preference of my guest.”

“Thank you. Actually, these are all my favorites. The steamed bassione with the special sauce is especially delicious. I heard it’s only caught during the summer in the Esperanza Kingdom, so it’s considered quite a rare dish.”

Bonida didn’t know that she was talking so passionately. It seemed that her rationality had disappeared because she was able to eat her fill of food that suited her taste after a long time. In the two months spent preparing to meet Girion, there were more days when she didn’t eat than when she did.

Girion looked at her, amused, like a blooming flower, fresh and full of life. He even served some of his bassione onto her plate. Grateful, she gave a small nod of acknowledgment and continued her meal. 

“By the way, where is my maid?”

“Why? Do you need me to call her?”

“No, there’s no need to do that.”

When Bonida flinched and started talking nonsense, Girion rested his elbows on the table and watched her quietly.

“Lady Bonida, your maid should be in the annex right now. Since she’ll be living with the maids here from now on, it’s a good idea to familiarize herself with them today. It will be easier to give them tasks later.”

“I’ll do that.”

It was a piece of welcome news. The thought of not having to see the unpleasant Marais for a while was incredibly relieving. If only her holy awakening had occurred earlier, this would truly have been a dream job. Earning money she could never have imagined and being treated like this, with delicious meals at every meal, felt like something out of a dream.

Of course, sometimes when she had to come into contact with Girion, her mind would go blank. However, since he was a kind man, she didn’t hate him. 

Of course, she doesn’t know if she has such thoughts because they haven’t progressed further yet, but so far, she’s been satisfied with the current situation. If only she had awakened her sacred power, it would have been perfect.

A feeling of guilt that she had forgotten for a moment rose. She felt suffocated because she had fooled Girion so well. If he found out about all this later, would he be as kind to her as he is now? As Bonida’s blue eyes slowly eroded, Girion frowned and said.

“Why. Is it not delicious?”

“No. It’s so delicious.”

For some reason, Bonida felt anxious that her feelings had been revealed, so she hurriedly bit into the fork and made a mistake. She dropped the tender, butter-fried carabinero on her skirt while picking it up. She was so surprised that she hurriedly tried to clean up the carabinero and ended up knocking over the sauce dish next to her with her arm. 

It was a total mess that happened in an instant. Girion quickly took care of it so that she wouldn’t be even more shocked. He grabbed her hand first and made eye contact with her.

“It’s okay. I’ll get someone to clean up this, so calm down a little.”

“Yes, I will. Thank you for your concern.”

Whenever Bonida tried to avoid getting scolded, she had a habit of answering right away. That way, she could avoid getting hit by her mother even once. It was a habit she had developed since she was young. 

Even now, she answered as soon as he finished talking. Did he think something was strange? Or was it because the sauce got on her elbow?

Girion suddenly quickly rolled up Bonida’s sleeve. She didn’t even have time to panic in surprise. A few days ago, she had been hit in the arm while blocking the kettle her mother had thrown. The kettle was full of water, so she had been hit hard by the heavy object. Seeing that the bruise was still there, Bonida slowly closed and opened her eyes.

Girion looked at the large bruise strangely and rolled up the other sleeve. Seeing the bruises that were connected like spiderwebs there, his face hardened. He carefully lowered her rolled-up sleeve and said.

“Are you okay? Should I get someone to clean up after we’re done eating?”

“Yes, would you?”

She wondered if he might think something strange after seeing the marks on her. However, his expression showed no sign of judgment, so she let out a sigh of relief. She didn’t want the maids to find out what she had done during the meal. The table was messy, with sauce spilled all over, and she had even dropped some of the carabineros she was trying to pick up from her skirt. It was a situation that made her sigh involuntarily. She was confident in her dining etiquette, yet here she was, feeling embarrassed.

“I do that sometimes too. It’s basic to drop food when eating too quickly.”

“You?”

“Yes. Do you know that the Tefort Duchy has the Tefort Knights?”

“I’ve heard. They’re very brave.”

“They’re so brave and fearless that even meals feel like a battle. Mealtime is always so noisy. As for me, I believe in just enjoying the food without worrying about manners. My parents used to drill all those strict etiquette rules into me when they were alive, and honestly, I don’t care for them anymore. So, feel free to be at ease with me, Bonida. Whatever it is, I’m not the kind of person who gets caught up in such details.”

“…..Thank you.”

Bonida thanked him with all her heart, not knowing that he would forgive her for her mistakes.

Girion gave a relaxed smile and suggested that they finish their meal. Only then did Bonida manage to collect her thoughts and begin eating neatly again. She had almost given the wrong impression that she didn’t follow proper dining etiquette, but she managed to resolve the situation. When they stepped outside, a maid was waiting for them. She was a cute young woman with small freckles around her cheeks. Bowing politely with her back straight, she greeted them.

“I’m Camille, who will be your attendant from now on. Please take good care of me.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Bonida Bello. Please take good care of me too.”

She was completely different from Marais. Camille looked at Bonida with a warm tone and a gaze that conveyed kindness. Girion, who had been silently watching her, felt his heart skip a beat.

“She had been in the carriage for a long time, so let her rest in warm water for a while.”

“Yes, Your Grace. Don’t worry.”

“And Bonida, after your bath, wait for me. I’ll be there soon.”

Could it be that they’ll sleep together tonight? Bonida’s blue eyes trembled slightly. Girion observed this carefully, but he played it cool and walked ahead without saying a word.