"You're saying that taking Charlotte around the market would help loosen up the image she's been portraying lately, Louis?"
"Yes, my lord. I guess she just needed some rest from all the household activities to behave like a normal woman afterwards."
"If I may add, I feel like she was already choking inside with things like that, that she needed some time to clear her mind."
However, Louis never bothered to say those words, knowing that even if he did say those words - the earlier words he said were already enough for the Duke to fully understand what he meant.
'Hmm, as the lady's new butler - I'm quite surprised Charlotte didn't even contradict him. So I made a great decision - Livia. I guess you made it possible, Livia. You made me meet such a precious boy that I never expected to meet at a very unusual time and place.'
The duke's lips had finally curled up just as he looked at the young man he never imagined would one day be part of a significant role in their household.
The young man had previously bowed as a sign of respect and Fred couldn't be more enthusiastic and hopeful for the young man who will one day change Charlotte's fortunes
'I'm starting to believe in fate even more, Livia. I'm also beginning to believe in this young man and that he had the power to change Charlotte for the better. See what he had done before? He's just mending the brokenness in this household that I couldn't even mend a long time ago! He made me realize that the most important thing in life was family and that kingdom had been my family, but my real family was far from me, which I didn't realize over time. Just until he came to fix things. I should reward this young man and I certainly hope he has to accept it.'
"All right, I agree. Since you're there for her, I will always agree no matter what. Just remember, Louis, that from now on and from now on - I entrust my daughter to your care."
A tone of sincerity echoed in the Duke's office. He took his time putting things aside after hearing someone knock on his door, only to find out it was Louis.
There he didn't even bother to look at the documents, as all the papers were set aside on his desk, his eyesight - his sense of sight and his sense of touch - devoted entirely to answering Louis's questions, which never ceased to amaze him did every time
Louis, on the other hand, had suppressed the happiness he was feeling just because the duke had agreed to his proposal – but what he said followed surprised him all the way and sent goosebumps all over his skin
'Does the Duke entrust his daughter to me? As a mere butler in this household -------'
Just as Louis was about to finish the words he'd been thinking of, Fred cut him off - in response he snapped his head wide-eyed at the Duke
"Louis, I'm not saying you'll take care of her your whole life. At the moment - I hope you can take care of her when I'm always busy. But I hope you don't take care of her just because it's your duty, like I made you her butler - I put you there because I know I want you as a friend.During her childhood she has made many friends. And yet they left her the moment she changed. I hope you can change her for the better this time - Louis. Don't even let me down, okay?"
The moment the Duke said those words to Louis was the moment Louis opened his mouth and just like what Charlotte had experienced before - he only opened his mouth for a second but no words came out, he did, but many times for him it felt like his words got stuck in his throat that he didn't even know what to say anymore.
His mind felt as if all the words had been jumbled, and when he found the courage to blurt out those words in his voice, an old note of a man's voice with a chuckle echoed around the Duke's office.
That's when Louis realized immediately, closing his mouth that had been open all along, that he wanted to say something but didn't
"I know it must have been a tough job for you, Louis. Take care of the lady and do your job as the new household butler. However, I assure you that in that moment it will be easy." you know and love what you are doing. In the meantime, I'll give you something back. But only use it when necessary - okay?"
"..."
Louis couldn't speak properly for a moment and he knew it very well. Therefore, instead of responding with words, he only maintained his cool and correct demeanor as he bowed to the Duke and then nodded.
That way he could calm his heart, which was already beating louder than before
'I know I shouldn't feel this way - why was I suddenly nervous? I felt like I had done something that is already irreversible.'
Louis thought while maintaining his poise - little did he know that becoming the lady's butler was already a point for him.
The moment the lady set his sights on him was the moment he had nowhere else to go and that was what he wouldn't even dare think about because in his mind he was sure of the place to live where he once was had achieved his household goals.
He knew that and he was already preparing for this coming time.
After saying these words, the Duke opened one of his drawers and took out a small blue box. As of this writing – Fred never hesitated to give the thing to Louis as he knew what he had done and these things didn't even escape the Duke's attention.
It was thanks to Louis that he finally understood his daughter, and it was thanks to him that those gaps and misunderstandings filled each other out
"I think it's already the right time that I give this to someone who will be able to protect my daughter."
With his eyes still on the blue box - his lips were already carved upwards - yet his eyes had shown the sadness it brings him to remember the box and who it should belong to
'It's been so long since Herold didn't come back. I guess he and the Emperor really had a place where they left the Empire for me to plan. I shouldn't give this to him - as my gratitude for being the knight of our household before becoming a knight imperial. However, he never returned with him right away. So I'm guessing the rightful owner of this was now determined - Louis Crest.'
"Louis come in"
When the Duke commanded, Louis had no choice but to obey — but the way the Duke said those words made Louis feel like he wasn't just a servant of the household, he was someone else.
The Duke's voice was not like someone commanding or even authorizing the person. It was more of a soft, gentle voice, however, that each wrongly belonged to a duke, and from what he knew, Fred was a duke currently ruling the empire - waiting for the imperial household to rule the nation
'He was supposed to be strict, he was supposed to be bossy and demanding - but the person standing right in front of me wasn't even like that. I felt like he was more of the gentle type of father that no one else would have and therefore - Charlotte didn't even know how lucky she was to have such a gentle and caring father like the Duke - the complete opposite from someone I have known in the past.'
At that thought, Louis wasn't even aware that the duke had already held his uniform up high. There, Louis' eyes widen even more after something is placed on the right side of his chest.
Except the duke had put something there, and it was a golden symbol of a lion with a dragon on top. it was a small symbol carved into a circular shape. At that moment, Louis didn't even know what to say, his mouth dropped, his eyes widened, his ears were deafened from the beating of his heart and the only thing he tried to focus on was the authenticity of the duke's smiling face
"From now on – I had already given you this as a token of my gratitude. This will be your symbol from now on, Louis, and I know that if I give you this, it makes you even worthy of being by my daughter's side" said – use it if necessary. Here – take this, put this on if you think it's safe to be in here. Okay?"
"M-My Lord thi----"
Just as Louis found the courage to say something, it was time for the Duke to interrupt him again
"Oh! I forgot to tell you - this badge is a privilege for you. But I know and I believe in you, that's why I gave you this gift, Louis."
"If you leave this empire, this symbol will always bring you luck, wealth and privilege if you do a good deed."