Cold Blooded Duke Letter

Riv pretended to sit in the chair by the entrance for a while.

Just in time, the maid approached and asked Riv.

***

I’m thinking about getting some tea. Madame, are you okay with waiting for a bit?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Yes.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[Why did I come into this drawing room?]

Even this minor change was contemplated by Riv.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[Is it because on the day of the hunting competition I came into contact with Duke Sentoren?]

As soon as Riv’s anxiety grew, a tall man appeared at the small entrance of the drawing room.

***

What is it?

The old butler and maid standing at the entrance bowed their heads.

Old Butler Karl [Lionel’s Butler]

Master, have you arrived?

Lionel de Sentoren had appeared.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Ah!

Riv forgot what she was doing for a moment, and froze.

Duke Sentoren was dressed in a shirt and pants. His tall figure and wide shoulders looked more prominent because of his attire. He leisurely entered the drawing room and settled on the sofa.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

We have a guest?

Old Butler Karl [Lionel’s Butler]

Yes. Madame Katana is here.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Hmm.

Duke Sentoren beckoned casually to the butler and maid.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Leave.

The maid put down the tea cup and left.

The old butler put down Marianne’s letter and gifts in front of the Duke.

Old Butler Karl [Lionel’s Butler]

Master, Princess Marianne has sent her maid, Madame Katana. She’ll be brought out in front of you.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Okay.

Riv forgot to breathe and lowered her eyes. If there was a rat hole, she wanted to hide. She wanted to fade away slowly and disappear.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[This is driving me crazy.]

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[Why was Duke Sentoren coming out?]

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[What is he thinking?]

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[Just why did he come here himself? Why?]

She couldn’t make eye contact with him, so she just bowed her head. Duke Sentoren opened his mouth.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Is it because I’m dressed comfortably?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I-It’s nothing.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[This was Duke Sentoren’s mansion.]

As long as he was dressed in something, there was nothing she could do.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

But you didn’t introduce yourself. You and I are meeting for the first time, right?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I’m Madame Katana, a maid under Princess Marieanne.

Riv decided to play along, as if she had met him for the first time. She was very nervous.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

I’ve heard about you, Madame Katana. Look up.

Lionel appeared lazy because he wanted to be informal and comfortable.

Duke Sentoren’s short platinum blonde hair was messy and he looked a little sleepy. His shirt was also wide open, exposing his chest muscles.

His body also reeked heavily of alcohol.

Duke Sentoren pretended to be oblivious even after receiving Riv’s attention.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Marianne sent a letter, huh?

He picked up Marianne’s letter with the rose-shaped stamp and opened it with a knife.

His eyes quickly read two or so lines, and his expression turned into one with utter displeasure.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Is this what you call a letter?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

....

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Read the letter, madame.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

What?

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Marianne will soon become an adult, and the contents make me question her mental age.

Marianne’s letter seemed pathetic and childish to Riv.

The letter was concluded with threats to Duke Sentoren to take responsibility after the engagement gets dissolved.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Madame Katana, if you wanted to push ahead with the marriage, it would have been better to check Marianne’s letter.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I-I wasn’t thoughtful enough.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Marianne must have enjoyed writing this childish letter by herself. She must be quite stubborn to write a letter like this.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I don’t think it’s like that.

Marianne was vicious and petty enough to secretly write that letter.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Marianne will do anything not to marry me.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Did Marianne say something to you?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

N-No, nothing much, not that I remember of.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Hmm

She was sitting near him, but she couldn’t move quickly in Madame Catana’s clothes. And Duke Sentoren’s gaze felt too strong.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Stop playing around, Riv Katana.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I-I don’t know what the Duke is saying.”

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Did you think you could fool my eyes with that terrible disguise?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

...

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

It’s too obvious since Madame Katana is Queen Selina’s maid.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

The queen would have made you take on a strange disguise, but you are probably the only maid who has put on that disguise for more than five years.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Did you research about me?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[The duke’s family treasure saved me.]

Riv returned to the past due to his heirloom, the ruby ring. The ring was still hanging around her neck.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

So, now you’re brave enough?

Riv was terrified of his amber eyes. A strange smile lingered on the man’s mouth.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Your style was so different that I almost couldn’t recognize you, except your face and voice gave it away.

Duke Sentoren rose from his seat and approached her side.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[What does he want?]

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

You’d better take off that terrible bonnet.

The man who spoke to her, reached under Riv’s neck and untied the strap of the bonnet.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Why are you...?

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

Wait a minute.

Duke Sentoren took off Riv’s bonnet with a sigh.

The hair that had been arranged under it was messed up at once.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

So this is what you look like.

Duke Sentoren’s hand grabbed Riv’s face and dragged it towards him.

Riv tried to take off his hand, but her body hardened when it grazed her skin.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[What is he up to?!]

Duke Sentoren grabbed her hand and suddenly put it on his chest, right where his heart was.

His heart was beating hard.

Duke Lionel de Sentoren [ML]

The fact that I’m interested in Madame Katana, don’t you already know that?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

M-Me?

She could see his bare skin under the shirt. And she could feel his warm skin, muscles, and heartbeat under her palm.