4. Became a Secretary, Very Briefly (1)

My words must e38a6b2ee1 have come as 6f6b46cc56 quite a shock.b63c1eaa4766fb91

The Duke called 059682d418 the chef and 14413d6f1c told him to 2012783dce prepare the same b154c1c2a7 meal, then sat e616e4c304 with me at 161100fd8f the table.ec57554cc386ea29

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

That chef—the one who 9a85834cfc served me nothing but 34ebcb7def onion water.870021d3b653f51d

When I stared at his 50331deb7c straight mustache, the chef flinched, a1e70f6d25 bowed, and left.d9b25cad9291b887

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I thought the Duke would 3f55438f26 return to his office, but 1e26ab67bb he stayed, sitting across from 968ec03b43 me.5b0403f9c8982c67

He picked up 9a50b41587 his wine glass.2192e69de4da3770

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The only sound in the 094c687065 hall was the occasional clink e7e4d943b4 of dishes.500f9e3a00203b40

It was the food I’d longed to eat, but after everything that happened, I had no appetite.4b8f6637479ab0ab

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

My injured arm throbbed.d60359c00fcdf909

The bleeding had 30bc5c68d0 stopped, but the ed742c6433 skin ached. I set down f2bf6e6242 my fork and 6f064c9c63 wiped my mouth.5f6b30f4c1f4da8c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It seems the servants are ignoring me because I have no proper status in this mansion. I might get hurt again.”433cb9f9d49e190f

“…The maid from earlier will be stripped of her position and banished. I’ll assign an escort knight to you.”c6f6eab9484b92c7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

That was it? At this rate, I’d dd1532259a be drinking onion water c3a3c8e3d4 again in three days.5f7e9b6c2eac84c8

“That’s not enough.”46cb6f29d74af351

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Then what do you want? A dress?”63ca155c17ffec38

A dress? Who would wear a dress 01e11389b3 to trek through snowy mountains 410f5df864 while trying to survive?87317b7169d2e1c6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“A proper position.”51d4be31d45227b6

“Position? What kind of position would you take in this castle? There are no vacancies. We don’t have hands to spare.”ff6f3b119d302bae

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He chuckled.ed6a406aa9bfab97

“There’s no vacancy?”f6d5860a0c184e8d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I pointed at the 91e2e01493 portrait of the former 380a874bb2 marchioness in the hall.7cb3bf1ecbff33c7

A graceful yet aged woman. The mansion’s former mistress.193f88f291223b15

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Are you asking for the title of Duchess?”61b4efb2c075c6e8

He tapped his finger on 6fdb3ff3f8 the table.4e2267f9aa19d319

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Just a blood bag? His snort said it all—he e85149373a thought I was demanding too 25bb722c3b much.d8b310adcc99f9d4

“If not Duchess, then how about the position of second wife?”6c2230228fcbc041

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Here, someone of Duke 1bf21e39f5 rank or higher could f4fec23b85 take up to two d2441a6342 wives, in addition to f74b2638b1 the official one.e301be2e59dcacbb

“There’d be fewer enemies targeting me. I’d be seen as part of the Duke’s family.”8eaa55444b85e84c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He stared at me.aff47569f299891d

Trying to gauge my intentions.9191f280f2e79295

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Even if I screamed ced9720c66 or threw something, he 0f16e94435 couldn’t kill me.67aa72706adacb49

So I stayed calm.a09d0cbb3fc4c017

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Besides, I’m a baron’s daughter. My status is low, but I am still nobility.”5492db8fe4d6a0c4

“Officially, you can only have three wives. Even if there’s a vacant seat, it must be kept open. Marriages at this level carry weight. They impact everything.”b9392c62c3505e70

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Exactly. It meant I wouldn’t 17f514f254 be discarded any time 2f238d5f42 soon.ce15d62d3254de26

“And you want to be the second wife before the official duchess? People will dig into your background. If they find out you’re a blood source, you’ll only draw scorn.”4183474cbc14d6a6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His sharp words dd4b4f09fc hit their mark.ab6cdc1cddf465dd

To him, Leonie was b4ba08dfe3 just that.76deaa50a89cc0b8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He swirled his wine glass. The red liquid slammed against f045d1015c the crystal walls.5b130a7230ffb3ca

“How would I explain this to the elders?”25d5ce1d66c8acb7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I grinned.062beec71ffbdb1c

“Can’t you just say you love me?”96ea315f5f8f538a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Simple.f62b189591512d63

“If you accept, I promise you—I’ll make you strong.”56fef775d03eabac

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I smiled.55208c341f292405

“You’ll have to drink from me for a long time, Your Grace.”5c5a236077a0bd1e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

* * *22419de892e2a972

The Duke summoned his 13b23d03fb secretary, and soon a b9d3820dea brown-haired man entered.3b52ffeb13b5cfdb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Viter, is there a suitable post for the young lady?”8b4adb13b2f4dda9

“A position?”cf1d0c527010bbfa

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He looked puzzled but quickly 1e44103251 straightened up.e523d2d04946d34c

“Which young lady…”b39c38616244a0ea

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Me.”1e3f036b90f5c298

I raised one hand.cfecb302f4d09eae

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Viter frowned slightly.4188659d62981aee

“I doubt any department would want her…”192ec43b6f139dd3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I crossed my legs and said loftily, “Make one, then.”c45f3a76dec9124d

No, seriously. Just give me a title.57e2e815a7598bb8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Your wife’s position is d7e3b60dcd something else entirely.18899522dc4131c3

Viter summoned a servant, be4b86e9fa whispered an instruction, and d6ec058178 soon returned with a ca61ceee5e square box.74c309961615bf68

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A deck of cards.05c4d804b96a6fd4

‘What, are we playing a game?’0832084ac0f280b8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He drew four cards cf9c779e1f and laid them face 082e7e8534 down.4448cbba22f3e446

“I’ve narrowed it to four appropriate roles. Choose one.”e82eea4f6087c40a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Sigh. I’d done something like this 2f8033942e before.b5869ff17cceef41

After college entrance exams, a friend brought out a game called “The Great Moon X T.”4cd209af3c64a789

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

You’d get roles like tyrant, archbishop, knight, shepherd, or slave.6f23d8314b694ea0

I always got slave.9e9846d6623632c1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Luck was never on my 12e8c0c81e side.da318a67d1daee24

Even in this world, fdbbb9ec7f I wasn’t lucky. Just the Duke’s blood bag.26aa1f3311b398fa

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Others are reincarnated 712b7ad3f5 as villainesses or 4c0da8d5ba heiresses.98ddffbebc3c6c55

Not me.6da523ba11aa6c89

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Can’t you just pick one for me?”d2290b23e086a7fd

I gave the 059326844b Duke a pitiful b64676a3da look.05e081f30e91056b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He remained unmoved.56b68dbc0a433865

All the cards looked the 9b11849623 same on the back.147a1f0588eef52e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A total gamble.7569aa26416fcc44

After some thought, 631bce4b68 I picked a b9a238351c card.c1086a14981355cb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

‘This is it. I feel good cb30fbb2f6 about this one.’1f2a4da8a3f3b0c1

“By chance… is there a wife position in here?”edab9640c1eb6447

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Viter flinched before 0d06b7343a checking the card.d7d769b3a7746c6e

“…There is.”4f0fe63ddf61343c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Well, a 1-in-4 chance. Might as well throw 240a3e836a one in.131cd87ad7ef7f9d

The game had a popular 5c1990731c phrase:b6554120c9c8042e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

[Life was never fair to begin with.]b6832285737ff8a3

But even kings need servants. How do you rule otherwise?2a42572ea2b856be

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I’m not a worthless hand. I wouldn’t draw something useless.e8e06ffa6151efe4

The less they monitor me, 8114f003a1 the better.aa9f41999d1c57e2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

If I die from stress, it’s a loss to them too.d6a38d417ab53911

I’m his only blood bag. He needs me to win.bbc51b9751be45f4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

After examining the card, 24b3c5591d Viter announced:58ba3f4acfd2ef56

“Secretary.”a4eff694a4d83251

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He handed it to me.1f628f9eb7f62618

“Report to the clerk’s office tomorrow. Or don’t.”0ee4f83ee908881d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Was he this prepared?41708297f79c78e0

He took the clerk af7568c18c pass out like it 7a0089ecd7 was waiting in his 65da4231fe pocket.efcc235a578e050d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Are all the cards 257a07cd1c clerk positions?78c39d9fbd191478

I quickly flipped the remaining c8a5b33eb4 ones.94891409102c830b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Handmaid. Librarian. Knight.0af1e29012709e38

Pictures of a pitcher, 790401b98b book, sword.5d1ea1b146709502

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Mine had a quill and fc8c66de4b inkwell.0424f2a474e99daa

Not bad.f749051906513fa5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I didn’t want to be 5abbc00ca4 a maid. I hate cleaning. I hate combat.47334e451832c4dc

At least I drew a3eb9abf57 something decent.0576d4b24318badb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

So I was appointed secretary.ee1eb52640c13463

It gave me freedom bf09d283ac to walk the halls, 1c0cd84a26 under the guise of 8e54944bd6 record-keeping.cb13ac65439baebc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A convenient but nonessential role.d76e79e8126b917f

The Duke picked up b5ace6e09a a pen and began 26fdd32a0a writing the contract.b9b15d95774331b2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

[I appoint Leonie Sien as Secretary.0590f70d86eb059d

This is an indefinite contract, b6294ae6a4 carrying out duties agreed upon f576917e2a by both parties.ba915da9d2fdb5ee

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Valid until the goods provided 417589c604 by B to A expire.]337103060cea11bd

That “goods” meant blood. In other words, valid until my death.97d433acdd11756a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

If I die, or get replaced, it’s over.890105b94c9df79a

“If you want to revise anything, say so now. Don’t trouble the staff.”3576c5fd3a5247b7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He handed me the contract, aa1667ef49 written in elegant cursive.d5e9f7859c9f530b

Trouble? I’ve only done it once.ea526718cdf17483

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I skimmed the document, acbdd27c12 then paused at the 4b4c583a31 blood clause.c7adfbbb5c989915

“Four transfusions? Four times a week is too much. No wonder I faint.”d66aaba1021bee3a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“One needs strength for war. That takes at least four servings.”4416c3a4d1552e79

“War? Planning expansion?”0b6cf7f1120186a9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…You speak as if you know my land.”ad26b33e1a276b67

Oops. He can’t know I read 5f0a2d0157 the book.4f173060c294a6b2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I scrambled.6bcd619db5a02dab

“What… The Duke’s renown is known even in my baron’s village.”d93d67eb9ccb274b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…There are still minor lords who haven’t surrendered. We must make examples.”6b8931a6109c977e

“Then make it three.”2d90b8d3e3fadfbd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I crossed out the number and wrote “3.”2d0600acdf8fbb5d

“Also, disband the blood task force.”399a45d491b5cfaa

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Task force?”3072db04c06d14d9

He looked genuinely confused.6dbdb68f7ced601d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It exists, Duke. I want the surveillance lifted. I heard outside this place I’m called a guest. So treat me like one.”25950c2f55f5d476

He had no idea about ca4a7ed570 any of this.75017fecc1185c37

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Did he even know my 0561270a66 name before today?895093d7db3eeefc

He frowned, but 871fbe7d1d I flipped to 98209522aa the next page.9bd7c843afb06555

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I remembered the original story.3335c11e9d915575

Would he really become emperor?94b608c0711c8a7d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I never finished the book. My friends called him “Northern Grand Duke” or “The Black-Haired Man,” never by name.d819c9cc85cb7bf8

“If there’s nothing else to change, come here—”2d0cc46f02098a87

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He suddenly reached for me. I leaned back.c4f71e0aaaa884ed

“Hold on. Why am I labeled as B?”8ea44b9655271f41

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Is that a complaint?”d13e8c3b8c091f76

“No, but still…”8ed421a3c9c22e5c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I glanced at him.cff7ae7e44cdc3fc

He didn’t seem angry.21c02093fa86fbfc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Should I ask the d9a3b90caf one thing I was 75ab428a90 most curious about?92706db4d355712c

“Just wondering… If you no longer need the goods before it expires, what happens then?”508d30eee335de82

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Well. That won’t happen.”163a04913ca5dc23

“If you become emperor before I die… will you let me go?”3a654094011b9052

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He paused, then laughed.8b69de5a7e7ff4b0

“In the past, every blood died within five years. You must be confident you’ll live long.”4857aecdcae2401d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Probably because they lived on grass soup.”e245c69386ded269

“Do you know, young lady?”cca72d3ab8f76f45

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He looked at me seriously.99c1ee8caae0f014

“You look the weakest among them.”a5ea14a52c6ff1b5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You’ll see. Things don’t always go in order. Who knows? I might outlive everyone in this duchy.”116ebddf0df69110

He smiled at me.093322920897af34

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes. I look forward to it.”ef7a96d28ccc0a63