Yelena deliberately excluded Duke Mayhard from the meal.
If her husband was present, she would be distracted, and it would be challenging to observe Incan properly.
Yelena kept her eye on Incan while trying to make her gaze as discreet as possible.
“Why are you upset? Because the Duke isn’t here?”
“What? No, no. How could I…”
Incan hurriedly shook his head. He scratched the back of his neck as if he was ashamed to have reacted seriously to the joke.
An action that made him look like an innocent young man.
‘I mustn’t be fooled,’ Yelena thought, looking at Incan with suspiciously. ‘It might be a thoroughly calculated action.’
Yelena, who hoped Incan was a bad guy, was ready to interpret every one of his actions in a biased manner.
The meal proceeded calmly.
Then, there was a small accident in the middle of it all.
Clink!
“Ah!”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Are you hurt?”
“Ah, no. It’s my fault…”
A maid carrying food accidentally bumped into Incan’s arm and dropped a plate on the floor.
There was a loud noise, and the floor was now dirty.
Incan spoke gently to the restless maid as though she was a child.
“No. I should have been more careful. It’s my fault.”
The maid blushed slightly as she cleaned the dirty floor and stepped back.
As Yelena looked at the reddened maid’s face, she suddenly noticed a new fact about Incan’s appearance.
‘He has a fine physique.’
Incan was rather handsome.
He wasn’t a glamorously handsome man who caught the eyes of people wherever he went, but his looks would never bring him a bad reputation.
‘Which is even more suspicious.’
The more vicious the criminal, the more likely they were to have a good appearance.
With a favorable appearance, they could commit a crime more easily than others since their opponent can become careless and favor them.
Yelena somehow settled on this plausible conclusion.
“I feel this every time I come here, but the chef is excellent.”
“Really?”
“I am envious of Your Excellency’s ability for choosing such a skillful chef.”
“Well… the Duke does have a discerning eye.”
“That’s true.”
Even though she wasn’t the one being praised, she felt proud.
The conversation continued as the maids brought out dessert.
Yelena pondered.
She had observed Incan throughout the entire meal but had yet to find anything suspicious about him.
Incan made a suggestion to Yelena, who was lost in thought.
“Why don’t we take a short walk after the meal?”
“Okay.”
After completing the meal, Incan and Yelena went to the garden.
Once they arrived in the garden, Yelena sparked a conversation.
“Incan, you said you were visiting the castle to deliver medicinal herbs.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Isn’t it cumbersome to travel such a long way?”
“It’s fine. I’m doing it because I want to.”
‘I’m doing it because I want to…’
There were rumors that he gave up his succession rights to his sister because he had no ambition, not because of his performance. Yelena spoke again.
“It would be much easier if you just ordered a subordinate.”
“But then I will lose one of my favorite things.”
“Are you saying that you enjoy delivering medicinal herbs?”
“Yes.”
“If you don’t mind, can I ask you what you like about it?”
Incan paused for a moment before opening his mouth. “Everyone needs medicinal herbs.”
“…”
“Men, women, young children, the elderly… Regardless of age or gender, it can heal people’s diseases and reduce pain, and in some cases, these herbs can save lives too.”
A butterfly fluttered around the garden.
Incan’s eyes followed the movement of the butterfly.
“I like that. When I think of delivering something important to people, I feel a sense of duty in my work.
“…”
“Isn’t it strange? In fact, it’s a task that anyone can do. It doesn’t have to be me.”
“No.”
At the sound of her firm response, Incan turned to Elena.
“It’s not strange at all.”
“…”
“I’m happy for you. You’re doing something worthwhile.”
“… Thank you for saying that.”
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