99th Actress Chapter 6

Chapter 6. Er*ctile Dysfunction

Lepierre’s expression remained as languid as ever, his captivating eyes giving off an air of mystery. Lian couldn’t help but think, If only he weren’t so…. She caught herself.

“You’re too thin.”

“Yes…? Ah… I’m sorry. I need to be in better shape to serve the Duke properly. I’ll do my best.”

Lepierre took a final sip of his coffee before slightly tilting his head. He likes women who are lean and strong. Yes, no matter what I do, I need to be strong and fit to do well…

At this point, Lian knew she could never leave this position. If she could somehow gain his attention and improve her standing, it could be a golden opportunity to increase her bank balance and step closer to her ideal future. With that thought, Lian made a promise to herself, her eyes shining brightly with determination.

After finishing the cleaning in the bathroom, following the hearty breakfast, Lian was startled when the bracelet suddenly lit up. It was a call from Lepierre.

She quickly rushed to the glowing bracelet, and upon receiving the call, Lepierre instructed her to bring him the newspaper. Shortly after, another call came in. This time, he asked her to melt the wax for a letter he was preparing to send. Yet another call followed, and Lepierre ordered her to stand by him while he got ready to go out, acting as a mere hanger for his coat.

“It looks good on you,” he remarked, almost casually.

Only after Lepierre left did Lian feel she could finally take a moment to breathe. Before, her tasks had been straightforward, requiring only physical effort, but now, every day felt like walking on thin ice, filled with suspense and tension. When she was with the Duke, it felt as though her very lifespan was being drained.

Lian lay down for a while, stretching her legs out, trying to relax and regain some composure.

***

Meanwhile, Lepierre, who had ventured outside, was heading toward the hunting grounds. His two closest aides, Derek, the commander of the Knights, and Alex, the chief of staff, accompanied him.

Lepierre had made a habit of hunting when there was no war. While he didn’t particularly enjoy the killing, it seemed to be the only way to release his mind. He didn’t feel guilty about it, seeing it as a form of play, and the northern territory, frequently targeted by invasions, provided the perfect setting for such excursions.

As he rode his horse along the mountain’s edge, Lepierre caught the presence of a small rabbit. He drew his bowstring, but then stopped himself, the thought of Lian suddenly crossing his mind. The rabbit reminded him of her—a fragile, small creature trying to survive, much like how she appeared to him, jumping around with her lively expressions.

He found it amusing how easily her emotions were readable, her face shifting constantly. And there was something oddly endearing about the way she fidgeted and ate, her eyes sparkling with energy.

Derek, having observed the moment, spoke up.

“Your Excellency, shall I take the shot?”

“Forget it. Who wants a small animal?” Lepierre replied. “Let’s go after something bigger.”

With that, he continued deeper into the mountains, and soon returned with his hands full of prey.

***

Lian was staring at her plate, tilting her head as she pondered. She was about to head to the employee-only restaurant for dinner, where there was some delicious-looking deer meat on the menu. The meal offered a variety of options: meat dishes, a stew with minced pork, and oil pasta. From fruits to desserts, the spread was noticeably different from what she was used to. Her eyes scanned the buffet, and she was about to fill her plate with all sorts of tempting food.

‘You’re too skinny.’

The comment made Lian pause.

‘Maybe it’s because of me…?’ She shook her head, dismissing the thought. It seemed ridiculous. No matter how much she thought about it, it felt like an absurd idea.

‘But the timing… It couldn’t be… He didn’t seem to like me… He has so much money. Maybe this is nothing… Anyway, that’s fine. Let’s eat first.’

Having come to her own conclusion, Lian took a large bite of the delicious deer meat, trying to push her thoughts aside.

***

The day was bustling from dawn. Lian had been busy since early morning, preparing for the day’s event while taking care of Lepierre. Today was the day of the official event, and the destination was the Tuhemburg region, two hours away by carriage. The Duchy of Arden was known for its cutting-edge steel technology, and they were working on a project to build a transcontinental train using that material.

It was a monumental project, aiming to revolutionize the movement of goods and trade by creating a train that would serve as a bridge between countries.

While Lian was excited to attend the event, there was one small but significant inconvenience: being alone in the carriage with Lepierre.

Before leaving the Duchy, Lian was about to board the carriage where the butler, Jade, and the other servants were. However, Lepierre, who was watching from a distance, had a different idea.

“Did you forget your duty?”

With that, Lian was suddenly instructed to sit alone with him in the same carriage, and off they went.

The carriage was luxurious, resembling something that might belong to the most powerful family in the empire. The interior was spacious, with red rugs embroidered with gold thread, and the black lion pattern—symbol of the dukedom—was emblazoned in the center, adding to the opulence. The ride was incredibly smooth, unlike the bumpy woolen carriages Lian was used to.

The silence between them was heavy. Lepierre sat with his legs crossed, staring out the window with his beautiful face, while Lian, feeling nervous, poured hot water into a fine teacup and gently brewed chamomile tea.

She swirled the tea, making sure to brew it long enough before placing the cup beside him.

“It’s chamomile tea, good for an empty stomach, Duke.”

Lepierre took a sip and closed his eyes, savoring the taste. Meanwhile, Lian, initially sitting upright in nervousness, slowly began to doze off as the long journey wore on.

‘She sleeps well under these circumstances?’ Lepierre thought, bemused. It was hard for him to fathom how she could fall asleep while being so nervous. At first, Lian had simply dozed off, but eventually, she seemed to fall into a deeper state of relaxation, her head shaking back and forth almost in a trance. Lepierre, observing her, found it amusing and strange.

The journey continued without her waking up, and it wasn’t until the carriage stopped with a rumbling noise that Lian finally stirred. She quickly gathered her clothes and opened the carriage door.

As soon as Lepierre stepped out, the crowd parted, parting like the Red Sea. His commanding presence was unmistakable. With a height over 185 centimeters, broad shoulders, and sculptural beauty, he was impossible to miss. His wealth and martial prowess made him an awe-inspiring figure.

Lepierre made his way through the crowd, sitting at the head of the table. Lian, dutifully, took his coat and hung it up behind him. The host soon arrived, announcing the start of the event, and after a gun salute, he began his speech.

Lian couldn’t help but stifle a yawn as she listened to the host’s speech about the grand project. The words blended together, reminding her of the never-ending lectures from her school days. It all felt like an endless, monotonous recital that made her teeth ache with the sheer length of it. She felt as if she were about to die of boredom, but she pushed through it, knowing she had to stay focused on her duties.

Next, they headed to the construction site where the train track was being laid. Lian’s attention was piqued as she observed the workers building the train frame. A middle-aged man, likely in charge, greeted them with a bow and began to explain the project. He spoke about the engine, calling it the “heart of the train” and mentioned that it was 100% handcrafted and of the highest quality. Lian listened with more interest this time. It was far more engaging than the previous speech, and she found herself fascinated by the spectacle before her.

But then, a loud noise interrupted the scene, drawing everyone’s attention. A group of children had somehow snuck into the area, clearly desperate for help.

“Go over there!” someone shouted, and the children were seen begging the crowd for food.

“I haven’t eaten anything for three days… Please…” one child pleaded, holding the hand of another, smaller child. They looked like a sibling pair, possibly coming in search of food. Lian’s heart ached at the sight.

“Ah, it seems like outsiders have broken in,” said the person in charge, clearly dismissive. “It will be dealt with quickly. If you come this way, I’ll explain the principles of the train…” The man led the group away, attempting to redirect their attention.

The host’s agents arrived soon after, scolding the children before roughly pushing them out of the area. Lian watched from a distance, feeling an overwhelming sense of compassion for the kids.