The Ugly Lady’s Secret Pouch

Chapter 5: Are people born a tsundere?

Part 8

“Okay.”

Lila watched Vincent for a moment as he hurried away, then stole a glance at Michael, his eyes shining as he cut the sausage.

His skin glowed, unlike yesterday's paleness.

Then Vincent, who had been away, returned. Along with Lucas.

“Uncle?”

Lucas looked at Michael, whose eyes widened in surprise, then at Lila.

“May I join you for breakfast, my lady?”

Lila nodded, mesmerized by the sight of his chocolate hair and mint-colored eyes reflecting in the sunlight.

“Thank you.”

There was something strangely sensual about the polite way she spoke and the way his lips curled up at the corners.

Lila wiped her mouth lined with juice and thought.

‘The more I look at him, the more I like his style…'

It wasn't just his face, it was also his long limbs, his height–nearly two inches taller than her, and his sweet, low, mid-range voice…

But her favorite part was Lucas's fashion.

‘He's got good taste.'

She only saw him a few times, but every time she did, his clothes were always in different styles and colors. When he wore neutral colors, he always remembered to accessorize with colorful jewelry.

Today, he wore a white striped shirt with a hint of light blue, and a pair of white pants with tapered legs.

‘I've seen this style before in Korea…'

Lila was intrigued. The setting of the novel was a fantasy world mixed with medieval times, and the clothes seemed to be a mix of modern fashion.

Even in the capital, she'd seen men dressed in that style from time to time, but they weren't on the same scale as Lucas.

Lucas asked Michael as they ate the food Vincent had quickly brought over.

“Did you sleep with your aunt last night.”

Michael gulped down the food in his mouth as he watched him stare.

“Yeah…”

“You're supposed to be living alone at the academy soon… It's not like you can't sleep alone.”

At the reprimanding tone, Michael lowered his head sullenly. At this, Lila hastily interjected.

“I asked him to do it, because I'm not used to sleeping here.”

Her remark drew the attention of two identical faces. Lila looked at Lucas, waiting to see if he would be offended.

“Really, really, I hadn't slept well at all, but last night was the best night's sleep we've had in a long time, wasn't it, young master?”

“That's right.”

Michael replied quickly.

Lucas put down his knife and fork for a moment, wiped the corner of his mouth with his napkin, and glanced at Michael's eager face, then at Lila.

“Hmm.”

He said, studying her carefully, as if weighing something up.

“Well, you won't be able to do as you please once you enter the academy, so for the time being, do as you please.”

“Thank you, Uncle!”

Lucas drank his water and picked up his knife and fork again. With a graceful gesture, he cut into his omelet and spoke.

“My lady.”

“Yes?”

Lila replied, her eyes widening at the sight of the delighted Michael and then at the sound of a voice calling to her out of nowhere. 

“Would you like to have tea with me in about an hour?”

When he asked to see her alone, Lila tensed. She remembered how he had said something so cold to her recently. But when she saw Michael looking at her and Lucas with concern, she felt like she had the courage she didn't have.

So she answered cheerfully.

“Yes, we will!”

If Michael asked me to do something differently, I would refuse.

After all, the sarcastic but cute Michael was the only friend she'd ever shared a secret with.

But…

The Lila of an hour ago, the one who had answered so cheerfully, was now alone with Lucas in his office, her mouth as tight as a conch.

Partly because she was nervous, and partly because she was struck by the fact that he was dressed differently from her.

‘Wow, you look so good in that pink shirt. I've never seen a guy wear a pink shirt here before…'

The light pink shirt and beige pants matched his long limbs so well. The sleeves and center of the shirt were accented with mint-colored cuffs, the same color as his eyes.

Running a hand through his hair, Lucas turned to Lila across from him.

“Vincent will have a dressmaker visit you today.”

Lila's eyes widened as she looked at Lucas, lost in thought.

“You have to match the attire I will wear for the coming-of-age ceremony next month.”

When she didn't promptly reply and just stared, Lucas spoke up.

“If you want some jewelry, you can talk to Vincent.”

Lucas realized he had been harsh with Lila. He shouldn't have spoken to her like that.

He tried to make her feel better about her outfit and jewelry, but when she didn't respond, he felt strange.

Lila, meanwhile, felt weird at the mention of the coming-of-age ceremony. The hope of finally breaking away from the original route, the excitement of being close to the end, and an unexplained anxiety swirled in her head.

“Since you're going to be a duchess, you can have all the jewelry and dresses you want, and I'll give you a down payment, but consider them your property.”

Lucas, impatient with Lila's expression, added a lengthy comment. Lila's stony expression softened and she smiled.

It was a genuine smile, not because of what Lucas had said, but because she was finally able to live her life.

Lucas stiffened uncharacteristically at her smile, for it was so different from the one he'd been thinking of, so innocent, and the sweet scent of the flowers that bloomed in the moment caught his attention.

  * * *

Lucas let Lila go and went about his business. His hands were busy, but he paused occasionally.

He couldn't get Lila's smile from earlier out of his mind.

“Tsk.”

There was a knock on the door as he stood up, cursing himself for being so distracted.

“Come in.”

As if on cue, the door opened and Owen walked in. Lucas sat down on the couch, found and pressed the bell.

“Duke, I've found it for you.”

“Good.”

Lucas gestured for Owen to sit across from him, and at the same time Vincent came through the door.

A nice cup of tea, please.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Cold tea, please, for me as well.”

“Yes, sir.”

Bowing slightly to the two men who had ordered in turn, Vincent stepped outside.

“Tell me more.”

  At Lucas's permission, Owen replied.

“Apparently the Duchess has given them special instructions about his diet and skin care. Chelsea and Rose seemed to think that they've been keeping quiet, but the other maids and attendants around them knew.”

“Diet and skin care… Sounds obvious.”

Lucas mocked, crossing his legs.

“Of course she'd have to do it without my knowledge.”

“Because she hates the Duke.”

Owen added, his face expressionless as he said what no one else would.

“Dislike aside, I'm the duke now.”

Owen said, looking at Lucas, who snorted.

“Shall I deal with the dismissal?”

“Yes. You'll take care of it, and they won't be needing a letter of introduction.”

The difference between being fired and not being fired was like the difference between heaven and earth.

It would be easy for most servants to get a job with just a letter of introduction stating that they've worked for a ducal family.

“Then, what kind of maidservant should I attach to the young master?”

“Hmm…”

Lucas thought for a moment, then answered in a casual voice.

“I'll leave that to my wife.”

Owen pushed up his silver-rimmed glasses at his answer. His strangely smiling lips looked different from the usual Lucas.

“Michael seems to like her, so that's good.”

There was something suspicious about her, but Lucas wanted to let it go.

Maybe it was because her smile was warm.