The Grand Duchess Escape - Chapter 120.1
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A little earlier than usual, Asella prepared to go to the study. However, she soon heard unexpected news from her maid.
“Starting today, the study is undergoing construction, so it will be closed for a while.”
“Construction?!”
“I don’t know the details, but it was ordered by His Excellency.”
The maid, seemingly aware of her mistress’s disappointment, quickly added another remark.
“I heard it won’t take too long. Besides, once the construction is finished, it will become a much cozier and comfortable space, so please don’t be too disappointed, My Lady.”
Although she tried not to show it on the surface, Asella’s face turned pale.
‘Why all of a sudden? Construction in the study…? If that person has discovered anything…’
Recalling the encounter with Calix in the study yesterday, Asella became anxious. She concealed her tense expression and spoke up.
“Nothing else happened in particular, right?”
“No, um! His Excellency also ordered the construction of the other study.”
“There’s another study?”
It was a sudden revelation. Startled, Asella’s eyes widened, and the other maids by her side hurriedly responded.
“I’m sorry! We forgot to mention it.”
“Originally, the castle has two studies. The northern study is used by His Excellency and the southern study is there for Your Highness to use. However, the southern study hasn’t been used for a long time, so it’s not in the best condition.”
“That’s why they’re undertaking extensive repairs this time.”
As the explanations continued, one of the maids seemed to have remembered something and clapped her hands, her face brightening.
“In fact, rumors have been spreading throughout the castle because of that.”
“What kind of rumors?”
Confused, Asella tilted her head as she asked. After exchanging glances among themselves, the maids nodded. One of them approached Asella and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
“There’s a rumor that His Excellency is very fond of Your Highness!”
“…What?”
Taken aback, Asella’s expression froze. It was such an absurd statement.
“Normally, no one is allowed to enter His Excellency’s study, even if it’s Your Highness.”
“Why would they need two separate studies? There have been many Grand Duchesses in the past, but none of them have ever…”
The maids continued to chime in, one by one.
“He even gave Tiarra the ‘Glory of the Goddess’ tiara as an engagement gift!”
“And he allowed Your Highness to bring Lady Mariel here as well.”
“This is a secret, but from what I’ve heard, allowing Lady Mariel to reunite with Your Highness is enormous…”
The maids’ sparkling eyes all turned towards Asella at the same time. Feeling burdened by their gaze, Asella avoided giving a response.
However, they didn’t seem to mind and enthusiastically continued their conversation. Later, they became very excited among themselves, exchanging all sorts of words.
“From what it seems, if you were to wish for anything, His Excellency will grant all of it in seconds!” The maids giggled as they appeared to be enjoying this conversation.
“Yeah! Your Highness just needs to say the word.”
Asella, who had been listening in silence, smiled bitterly.
‘That’s absurd.’
The mere idea that Calix Benvito cared or thought of anything of her other than a pawn was pure insanity. However, she couldn’t openly deny it to the maids, so she simply wore an ambiguous smile, neither confirming nor denying.
As the maids chattered away for a while, they suddenly fell silent as if someone had silenced them.
‘…?’
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