I'm the Real One, Duke! - C3
“Alright, it’s time for lunch. Help me bring out the food. You there, help me too.”
One of the senior maids suddenly called out to Flora.
The fact that Flora is the young lady of the house is also widely known among the servants of this mansion.
However, because the Duke proclaimed that Flora was the daughter of a harlot, every single one of the staff looked down on her.
“Are you sure? She’ll be shocked if she sees our young miss and the others.”
“That’s totally fine. If she fails then let her be scolded by Master.”
With the badmouthing of the servants ringing in her ears, Flora carried the dishes out.
The duke and the count sat on each end of the long table situated inside the wide dining hall, facing each other.
Flora inadvertently took a glimpse of Theodore.
Indeed, the more she looked at him, the more she could see how he had grown into a splendid young man.
She also saw Maggie’s cheerful countenance.
That position was originally Flora’s.
“It is truly nostalgic. Your Grace had been impressive back then, but you’re far more magnificent now.”
“Haha…. Just hearing you praise me brings me joy.”
Theodore bashfully laughed at Maggie’s words.
Flora’s chest felt stuffed as she listened to their exchange.
“You really remember that time well.”
“But of course, that’s only natural. We picked flowers together, didn’t we?”
“Eh? D-Did we….”
Theodore was lost for words, making Maggie flustered.
“Oh, I-I’m sorry, seems like I’m mistaken.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s been a long time, after all.”
Theodore replied with a smile.
Maggie, seemingly relieved, laughed.
How stupid of you, Maggie.
It’s a given that you don’t know anything.
You see, we climbed trees when we played back then.
Flora stared at Theodore once again.
He probably noticed it, because he turned towards her.
The brilliant scarlet eyes stared straight at her, so Flora averted her gaze.
No, this won’t do.
If he looks at me more than this, I won’t be able to hold myself back and spill all the beans.
But then, I can’t even introduce my own name, so what can I do?
Flora quietly served the dishes to each of the masters.
When she was about to put the food in front of Maggie, the other girl stretched her leg and tripped Flora.
“Ah…”
Her body lurched forward and was about to fall, but she managed to stop herself in time.
However, the sauce of the dish spilled on Maggie’s dress.
“Goodness, now my dress is dirty.”
Everyone was in an uproar when Maggie said that.
“I specially prepared that dress for this special occasion! Do you know how expensive that is!?”
Maggie’s mother shrieked, obviously deliberately kicking a fuss.
“What an insolence on this special day! You, apologize to everyone here!”
Flora bowed deeply towards the furious count.
“I-I…I’m soso-sorr…”
“It’s alright. I forgive you. I can just buy a new dress, everyone makes mistake. You don’t have to mind it.”
Maggie’s face was split into a huge grin as she said those words to Flora, sending a chill to the latter’s spine.
“What a very kind lady your are. We are so happy to welcome such a pure-hearted maiden like you to our family as bride.”
“Oh dear, my husband is right. Both the families of the count and the duke will flourish from now on, I believe.”
Theodore’s parents happily beamed.
Meanwhile, Flora was swallowed in misery.
It was as if she had been forced to watch a cheap, cliched play.
Maggie turned into a beautiful, gentle 0lady with a magnanimous heart, kind even towards the servants.
That was probably the duke’s family’s impression of her.
“Come now, stand up. Go to the warehouse and clean there until the guests from the House of the Duke leaves.”
The senior servant told her off, so Flora left the dining hall.
What a relief.
I don’t want to stay in that place another minute.
Tears welled in Flora’s eyes the moment she stepped out of that room.
She hurried out of the mansion, trying to escape the eyes of everyone.