The next week at the estate of the Duchy of Cassius flew by so quickly that I didn't even have ti to co to my senses when it was ti for us to leave.
A new sester of study at the academy was about to begin, and therefore we could not stay here any longer. Tomorrow we will take the carriage of the Cassius family to Atlas, where we will continue our studies until the sumr holidays.
And what will happen next… I didn't know yet.
Anyway, to sohow celebrate our stay in this place, Duke Cassius decided to organize a farewell dinner. At six in the evening, the three of us were sitting at the table, and I looked with hungry eyes at the al, perhaps the most luxurious in all the ti that I lived here.
I expected that we would have dinner in complete silence as usual, but this ti, the Duke unexpectedly volunteered to make a farewell speech.
— It was nice to et you, Lady Leriana,» he said, «I hope you will continue to look after Rachel.»
— Of course! It's not a problem, Father.
Rachel choked on these words. It was still unusual for her that I called her father that way. After all, she did not expect that we would be able to find a common language at all. And now she was even a little jealous.
— What kind of nonsense are you talking about? I don't need it,» she said irritably.
— And I thought that with her appearance, you beca calr, — the Duke remarked, — Wouldn't it be better to finish your studies without fights and scandals?
— I've never had anything like this before.
At these words, Duke Cassius and I looked at each other at the sa ti and grinned. Of course, this has happened, and more than once. But we didn't remind Rachel of that.
After all, he and I were in the sa boat. If Rachel's father was engaged in raising her as a child, now this «mission» has passed to . And considering how badly he handled it, then all the hard work to fix it fell to my lot.
But I was ready for it. After all, I still had two and a half years left.
We had a pretty relaxed atmosphere at the table, and even Rachel sotis cut in on the conversation. At so point, I even caught myself thinking that I would miss this place. Surprisingly, despite the thirty-degree frost and the gloomy atmosphere of the estate, I have never felt uncomfortable here.
Overall, it was a pleasant ti, during which I managed to learn more about the Cassia family and Rachel herself. I will definitely need this knowledge in the future.
After dinner was over and I thanked Duke Cassius, Rachel and I returned to our room. There were still a lot of things to pack, and contrary to the Duke's suggestion, I decided to do everything myself. After all, I didn't have any other things to do anyway, and I didn't want to distract working people.
Laying out my luggage in suitcases, I was once again surprised in queues, why did I bring so much…? I didn't even use half of it.
Rachel watched in silence as I rummaged through my things, not too eager to join in. Unlike , she was too lazy to do all this, and she blad the collection of her things on the servants.
Being behind this case, I ca across an interesting idea, and decided to execute it.
Almost finished with the last preparations, I rang the bell, and a couple of minutes later linda appeared on the threshold of the room.
— Lady, did you call ?
— Yes, — I smiled, — Co here.
Since we're going to say goodbye very soon, in honor of our departure, I wanted to give her a small gift. linda managed to do a lot of things for , and a couple of tis she found herself in difficult situations because of this. Despite the fact that it was her duty, the girl sincerely treated well, and I wanted to thank her.
I pulled out my jewelry box and took out a beautiful silver pendant with a gem. I knew that at current prices it was quite expensive, and if linda decides to sell it, she will be able to feed not only herself but also the whole family.
With this intention, I put the pendant in her hand, and said:
«Please accept it as my thanks.»
— What?! — the maid widened her eyes in shock, — B-but Mistress…!
She looked at the jewelry and was speechless. Probably for the first ti in her life, the girl was holding such an expensive thing in her hands. This made her visibly agitated.
— Lady, I don't need this! — she hastily blurted out, trying to hand the pendant back.
I was surprised.
— why?
«It's too expensive for ,» linda explained sheepishly, «I can't accept such a gift.»
— Really, you won't let thank you? I sighed.
— Lady, this is my job. It is enough for that you are satisfied with .
Seeing how categorically she turned out to be, I even fell into a stupor. Perhaps it is really inconvenient for her to receive a gift from a noble lady. After all, it was usually not accepted in the relationship of masters and servants.
But I didn't see anything wrong with it myself. Like any other aristocrat, my jewelry box was stuffed with jewels that I didn't even wear. So what's wrong with giving one of them away as a gift?
But seeing how insistent linda was in her desire to refuse , I decided on a backup plan.
«Okay,» I said, «then how about a Christmas present?»
— what? — the girl was even more surprised.
«Since you can't accept the pendant as a thank you for your work, then I'll just give it as a gift,» I cunningly thought up.
— But…! — she faltered, — Lady, how can you give gifts to a simple maid?!
«I can,» I said calmly, «and if you don't accept it, then I may regard it as disrespectful to my favor.»
I had to make even a small threat so that the timid linda would still agree to take him. Being just as stubborn, I couldn't give up my idea so easily.
The maid flinched when I said this in front of her and hastily retorted:
— No, lady, what are you! Of course, I am grateful to you.
«Then will you accept him?»
The girl hesitated a little, after which she still stretched out her hand so that I handed her the pendant again. Despite the awkwardness of receiving such an expensive gift, her eyes watered when she looked at .
— Lady, I will never forget your kindness! linda exclaid heartily, holding the jewelry as carefully as if it were the most valuable thing in her life, «Please accept my gratitude!»
After these words, the maid even fell to her knees, about to bow, but I stopped her.
«It's not worth it,» I smiled, «It's enough for that you're happy.»
— Very much! Very glad, madam!
I grinned, finding linda in such a happy mood for the first ti. At that mont, she looked like a child. For so ti, scattering words of gratitude in front of , the girl finally left our room.
As soon as this happened, Rachel closed the book she had been pretending to read with a loud bang. In fact, all this ti she was watching the scene with displeasure.
— A gift, then? Rachel was indignant.
I was surprised, because I didn't even know that she was eavesdropping on us.
— Yes… linda tried a lot for , and I thought it would be right.
«That's not what I'm talking about,» the girl said irritably.
— Hmm?
«You even gave a gift to so servant. What's wrong with ?»
I stared at her even more.
— A-a gift?
— Exactly! — Rachel seed angry, — Or do you think you could just forget about it?
I fell into a stupor. The last thing I expected was that Rachel would start demanding a gift from . And it looked like that from the outside. But shouldn't such things be done voluntarily?
— Why do you need a gift? I asked doubtfully.
— What's that for? What about Christmas?
Rachel looked like she'd been expecting this from for a long ti. But the scene with giving sothing to the maid was the last straw for her.
— Okay… — I sighed, — but you didn't give anything either. Aren't we even now?
— Not at all, — she suddenly objected, — You owe . Or have you already forgotten what I did for you at the ball?
I realized that she was referring to the incident when, in front of the whole crowd, Rachel took right out from under the Crown Prince's nose. This helped avoid rumors and a possible engagent initiative on the part of the king. So, if you think about it, it really can be regarded as a significant help. Is that really what she decided to make my Christmas «gift»?
«Okay,» I agreed, «you're right. Tell what you want.
«What can you give ?» Rachel asked bluntly in response.
I thought about it. In fact, I really didn't think about it, because I had absolutely no idea what she wanted. Considering that Rachel remained the sole heiress of the Cassius family, she hardly needed anything material. And what else could I give her?
— Well… — I said awkwardly, — Then maybe you want jewelry too?
— Are you kidding ? Are you going to give the sa gift as the maid?
— What else can I do? I don't have any ideas,» I said indignantly.
After that, Rachel looked at strangely.
— And I'm not asking you to pay with things.
I was surprised, while the girl continued to stare at intently, as if so thought had matured in her head. At so point, from such a look, I felt like a dish on the buffet.
At one point, she even moved, ready to do sothing. But then, she noticed with how innocent an expression I stared at her, and apparently changed her mind.
Sighing, Rachel muttered with displeasure:
— Okay, the hell with you. Just sit down.
I asked, surprised.
— You don't want to fulfill my wish anymore?
Not quite understanding what she was driving at, I still sat down on the bed. Trying to unravel Rachel's plans in advance was useless, so I just waited for her to do.
The next second, Rachel got up from her chair, and approached, lay down next to and put her head on my lap. Closing her eyes, the girl seed to be preparing to sleep here.
— Hey! I exclaid, «What are you doing?»
— Don't bother to rest, — she yawned, — I'm tired.
«But why are you doing it on ?»
— This is your punishnt,» Rachel said indistinctly, «for all the ti you've been here, I haven't had a minute's rest. So sit here and wait for to get so sleep.
I was quietly indignant.
— If I was bothering you so much, you might not have invited to visit…
Rachel didn't say anything, but she smiled imperceptibly.
— Hey! anwhile, I called out to her again, «What if you sleep all night?»
— Then be patient until morning.
Throwing this short answer, the girl fell asleep very quickly, and I didn't even have ti to object. Sighing, I looked doubtfully at her sleeping face, wondering if she was pretending or really sleeping.
At that mont, when we were alone in silence, I involuntarily rembered the words of Duke Cassius a week ago.
What did he an when he told all this…?
I didn't think about it in detail until today. But now, listening to Rachel's steady breathing, thoughts about the future slipped through my head.
Duke Cassius, apparently, was very concerned about this issue, and he even made promise. But I had no idea what was going to happen for to betray Rachel…? And what exactly was behind this designation?
I sighed and ran my hand through her hair, removing one of the strands from her face. When the girl was sleeping and you can't say that this cute angel was actually a demon.
ntally, I hoped that what the Duke was worried about would never happen. More precisely, this simply cannot be.
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