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AS planned, the ship docked in the port city at the west end of Marquess Diascia’s marches before the sun had completely set. A servant of the marquess was already waiting for us under the evening sun and informed us that a carriage would arrive soon. We remained on the ship and conducted a final meeting.
We all gathered in one of the ship’s large rooms and formed a circle around Lucas.
“Leik, you can step away and tend to your work,” Lucas ordered.
“Your wish is my command,” the butler replied.
This simple sentence was all it took for the two to communicate, and Leik bowed. Lucas nodded and turned to Cano.
“And I want you to be my butler in lieu of Leik,” Lucas said.
“Huh?!” Cano gasped, pointing at himself. His curled tuft of hair on either side of his head bounced up and down like a pair of ears. “I-It’s only been a few months since I started working here!”
“I had Leik tend to one of my meetings when he had zero experience. This situation’s better than that.”
Leik nodded in agreement. The rest of the servants also agreed that it was nothing out of the norm for their master to be a touch reckless. No one dissented.
“Ugh…” Cano feebly groaned as he relented and bowed.
Lucas proceeded to dish out orders to the crew and the rest of his servants. The carriage of House Diascia finally rolled up to our vessel. It looked splendid in its hue of black—it was clear that the marquess was treating us properly as his guests. At the very least, there was no sign of him scorning us…yet.
Escorted by Lucas, I boarded the carriage. I nervously placed my hand over his when he suddenly bent down to kiss my cheek. When I looked up at him in shock, he smiled faintly. He helped me ease the tension, and I nodded before I stepped into the vehicle.
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“I shall welcome you from the bottom of my heart, Baron and Baroness Stock,” Marquess Diascia greeted, his marchioness standing regally at his side.
The marchioness was older than me, and she looked rather meek with her pale gold hair tied up. She was the spitting image of a traditional noblewoman. There were rumors that she was much younger than the marquess because she was his second wife. After we exchanged pleasantries, the marquess glanced at a nervous, young butler-in-training with striking silver hair.
“You’ve got an unusual servant, Baron Stock,” Marquess Diascia said as he glanced at Cano.
“I hired him quite recently,” Lucas replied. “Please get to know him.”
“I see.”
Those in the know would quickly realize that a silver-haired man with golden eyes was a dog, a person hired by the royal family to act in secret. Lucas, who had such a servant follow him around, was showing off how bold he was. Servants often switched jobs or needed to be hired. Lucas’s confident claim of recently hiring a new butler prevented the marquess from pursuing the topic further.
“I shall show you to the guest room,” the marquess said with an elegant smile. “I’ve prepared a place where you can enjoy an excellent view of our lakes.”
Guided by the servants, we proceeded deeper within the manor. The residence had tall ceilings. When I looked up, I saw elegant pictures painted on the surface. Opulent, glittering decorations adorned the rooms, and antique rugs padded the floors. They implied the long history and high rank of House Diascia. Reliefs of a bayonet wrapped in a ribbon that signified House Diascia were etched all along the walls.
After we were guided to our guest room, we quickly prepared for the dinner party. I changed clothes and met up with Lucas. Behind him stood a restless Cano.
Lucas broke into a grin upon seeing me. “That new dress suits you beautifully as well.”
“Thank you very much,” I replied. “You are quite dashing yourself, Lucas.”
“You’re being overly formal again.”
“Oops.”
Being careful not to ruin my lipstick, he planted a kiss on my cheek. Behind me, Kiki placed both hands over her cheeks and squealed. Lucas drew himself close to me and narrowed his eyes.
“I guess I’ve got the perfect excuse now,” he grinned.
“My goodness,” I replied.
As he smiled so close to me, I didn’t know how to react. He looked satisfied by my troubled expression and extended his arm to me.
“Let’s go, Iris,” he said.
“Yes, my lord,” I replied.
“Still a bit too stiff, aren’t you?”
“I beg for your lenience.”
“Two strikes.”
He kissed my gloved left hand and began to escort me. But I stood in place and stopped my husband so that I could glance at Cano.
“Cano,” I called.
He blinked quizzically, not expecting his name to be called. “Whatever is the matter, madam?” I approached him and fixed his collar. “Th-Thank you,” he said.
“Tonight may become rather decisive,” I said. “Should anything happen, please don’t hesitate to protect Lucas. I’m counting on you.”
“Of course! I’m his servant, after all.”
Cano looked surprised for a moment, but he pounded his chest with his fist. I stared into his golden eyes, hoping that I could trust his words. I saw his expression turn serious.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” I said, turning to my husband. “Let’s go, Lucas.”
“All right,” he said.
Marquess Diascia’s servant guided us, and Cano followed us without uttering a word.