I sent the message as soon as I woke up, before even getting dressed actually.
I think the maid handed it to the Butler so he could hand it to the Duke, because, she soon came back and began dressing me leisurely.
This time, before she chose and took out a dress, I stopped her and chose a dress myself. I don't really care what I wear daily, so I've just left it to her these days. Besides, she seems to enjoy choosing my outfits, so I really don't want to take that away from her. But, since today I am meeting the Duke... I want to make an effort. The image I have of him is one of a caring father, his attitude towards me when I visited him before was one of a father who wanted to give the best to his children.
I find that very cute, for some reason. So I at least want him to see me looking good and reciprocate his efforts in my own way.
'One must be kind to one's parents. Right, Anne?'
Since the last days have been peaceful, Anne's body hasn't shown any weird behaviour. However, the motion of our body movements has not improved. It is still very slow...No, that's not it. It's more like it moves without energy.
I am assuming it is because we still haven't merged completely as one... so, with time it will get better.
Going back to the dress... I picked a pale yellow one that looked simple yet with youthful elegance. And while the maid combed my hair we heard a knock on the door. It was the Butler.
"Miss, I have come to take you to the Duke."
I nodded my head to the maid to let him into the room. To the maid's voice, He opened the door and saw I was getting my hair done.
"I apologize, My Lady. I see you are not ready yet." — Said the elder, bowing his head. — "I will wait by the door, please do take your time." — He added.
I watched him as he left and closed the door. Feeling a little nostalgic.
I like elderly people a lot. I like hearing their stories which are full of their wisdom. Their life experiences have always been fascinating to hear. This Butler gave off a professional and noble aura, but I wonder what is the story of his life.
I hope I get to hear it sometime. Since we live in different times and circumstances in comparison to my past life, his life's experiences must be so on another level from the ones I heard from the grandpas at the park... Ah...
Thinking about them made me smile deep inside.
'I'm happy I died before them.'
The grandpas always said I would bury them all...
'Fuuu... I hope they drank good wine at my funeral.'
Jokingly, I had said to them that if they got to be the ones to bury me first, they would have good wine...
'If they didn't get the wine, they might curse at me, Hahahahahaha... Freaking Old geezers haha...'
While recalling the geezers, the maid braided my hair in one puffy braid. Applied little makeup just so my complexion didn't look too pale, and then, I was ready to go. When I looked in the mirror, I felt really good. I looked very pretty and the colour of the dress made my expressionless face, less cold. I give it a ten out of ten.
Without further delays, the Butler guided me to meet the Duke.
As we kept walking, it became clear that the place where we would meet was not inside the castle.
The Butler took me from the front door to a near dome. It was far to the side, which gave the place silence and privacy in those plain lands.
'... so nice...'
At a distance, I could see the back of The Duke, who was sitting by the table watching the scenery. The table was full of different desserts, bread, and other snacks. It all looked delicious and healthy. It was a fancy breakfast.
A maid started brewing tea as she saw me arriving.
And so, without making a sound, I stepped into the dome. The Duke's back was facing me, unaware of my presence. The Butler and the servant were too late to announce my presence because I walked to his side from behind, and when I was just a step apart, with my hand, I softly pat his left shoulder two times.
Like saying "Hey, I'm here".
The Duke turned his head in my direction in surprise. With my head a little tilted to the side, I gently closed my eyes while doing a light bow as a greeting.
I saw the eyes of the Duke wavering. Maybe I did wrong announcing my presence that way... well, there's no going back now. Let's move on.
"...Marianne..."
There was an awkward silence after he said our name...
'Was it that shocking? Maybe I don't actually look as good as I thought I did...'
To be sure, I just blinked at him feigning ignorance.
"Dear... you look lovely..." — He said as he stood up from his seat without taking his eyes off mine.
The Duke showed a little hesitation but, overcoming it quickly, he reached to the other chair.
"Please take a seat. It is a long way to get here, you must be tired."
I sat on the chair and without much effort, the Duke fixed the position so I could feel comfortable. He went back to his place and after giving a warm smile, he parted his lips to say something.
"Marianne, you look radiant today. I was very pleased to read your note... Fortunately, I hadn't eaten yet. I thought it would be nice to eat outside since the day is clear today." While he said this he turned his head watching our surroundings with a pleased expression.
I did the same, following his actions. It was truly a nice day. The mixed scents of grass, tea and fresh bread made me feel like I'm at a picnic. When I turned my gaze back to look at the Duke, I found him staring at me affectionately.
I blinked in surprise. — '...this is so new to me...'
I truly don't know how to act with him. So, at moments like this, I appreciate not being able to move, express or talk how I should.
'I hope that with time... I'll be able to act naturally...'
I felt a little shy and rolled my eyes toward the food. The Duke must have taken this as a signal because he quickly asked the maid to serve the just prepared tea. The aroma as she drew it close to me, reached my nose waking up my appetite.
"Help yourself, Dear."
I lifted my hand and brought the cup of tea to my mouth. The tea was delicious.
"How is it?" — asked the Duke.
Looking at him I nodded lightly, eyes closed, and took another sip.
Smiling happily, the Duke reached for the arranged food and began placing a few on a plate. I watched him intrigued, it was a lot of food... Everything looked tasty though...
'...Is he going to eat all of that?'
But, surprisingly, it wasn't for himself.
"Here... Try some of these. The cooks told me they put extra effort on these." — Said the Duke, placing gently the plate full of food in front of me.
I alternately looked at the food and the Duke.
'Well... I'll never say no to food~'
After nodding energetically, considering my body's circumstances, I picked up the silverware and began eating the food he had given me.
'Damn~~~ it's so good!'
I ate enthusiastically.
The Duke was eating too. At some point, I encountered a kind of canapé with a paste that had a taste like capers. It was DE.LI.CIOUS.
I have the habit to share the food I find extraordinarily delicious. It's because I want people to try it and share my opinion on how delicious it is. So, without much thinking, I reached for a new one and placed it on the Duke's plate. After meeting his eyes, I made a gesture with my hand telling him to try it.
The Duke looked at me dumbfounded as I stared at him, waiting.
Silently, he brought it to his mouth and gave it a bite. His face lighted up.
"...Its taste is truly delicious!" — The Duke said after devouring it.
Satisfied with his reaction and good taste buds, I nodded energetically and finished mine. Then, I heard a little chuckle.
"...I see... you liked it, so you wanted to share it with me..." — His eyes were looking at me joyfully as he said this.
Once again I nodded in confirmation and carried on eating the rest of my food. I emptied my cup of tea in the process, so I was going to need a refill. However, the Duke noticed this and poured me another cup himself.
Like this, more than an hour passed. The Duke didn't speak much but he seemed happy. When it was already time to go back, the both of us walked back to the castle together, side to side. At times, I glanced at him and smiled inside.
'It's nice being around him...' — I thought.
Once in the main hall, we parted ways and as parting words, the Duke said.
"Let's do this again next time." — The soft expression showing on his face made me feel shy. After all...
We were thinking the same thing.