24 — The Rumor

From breaking an expensive vase, to having my in-laws drop in unexpectedly early, and even to Mr. Fisalis letting me put a bear statue in the bed, the past few days had been a flurry of activity—but finally, things had returned to normal. And now that a certain fiend wasn’t around... I mean, now that Mr. Fisalis was out during the day, I could once again live my servant lifestyle to the fullest. A servant’s uniform really did suit me better than a fancy dress!

I happened to run into some tradesmen while I was taking a break in the servants’ dining room. Clothing and jewelry merchants and the like usually went straight to Rohtas’ office, but those who dealt in food and drink came to the kitchen to negotiate with Cartham and listen to his input. That day was no different, with Rohtas, Cartham, and a tradesman going over this and that in the kitchen.

Ooh, I’m really looking forward to dinner tonight! Squeeing excitedly on the inside, I surveyed the scene as I kicked back in the dining room. The tradesman who was there sold foodstuffs from provincial towns and neighboring kingdoms, as well as local goods from the capital of course, so I figured he had been summoned to provide ingredients for more regional cuisines.

Having finished one transaction and about to move on to a new one, the friendly looking tradesman with a round face turned to us all sitting in the dining room and said with a smile, “Ladies! I’ve recently gotten some uncommon sweets from a neighboring kingdom.”

His store carried not only perishables like vegetables and fruit but also spices and candies, and whenever he got in some rare delicacy, he would bring us some. As if on cue, Mimosa, the other maids, and I—all of us taking a break in the servants’ dining room—crowded into the kitchen with shouts of “oh boy!” What he had for us that day was some sort of lemony baked good. They were soft, and were even shaped like lemons with tart lemon cream on the inside, making for a very refreshing bite.

“They look scrumptious! Lemon-flavored foods are so great,” I said in admiration, taking a whiff of the tart aroma wafting from the cake in my hand and sighing in delight. Ahh, this smell gives me life!

“That’s right, missy. And on top of that, these were made by a long-standing patisserie, so it’s guaranteed to taste good! I’m sure even the duke and duchess would enjoy them,” he said with a soft-hearted smile as I stared at the cake.

“I’m sure they would!” I answered nonchalantly, all the while thinking, oh ho ho, the duchess is standing right in front of you✰

I’d met a lot of tradesmen and they always thought I was the new kid among the maids. I had a maid’s uniform on and my hair down, though, so I really did look just like an awkward young girl! In truth, however, I would have been in big trouble if word ever got out about what I was doing. But who would ever imagine that the lady of the house had been chilling in the kitchen wearing an apron? Rohtas was very proactive in making sure that the above-mentioned habits didn’t turn into gossip.

“Why don’t we have a bite to eat, since we’re taking a break anyway?” he suggested with a small smile. “Mimosa, bring us and the tradesman some tea.”

This was a common sight in the kitchen, I suppose. Since tradespeople often have to go to all sorts of places for their work, they’re usually well-traveled and in the know. This tradesman would probably find it very strange if he knew that I was the duchess. For the time being, however, he was very popular among the servants. That day, just like any other, he was sharing the newest juicy gossip from the provincial towns.

“That reminds me, I heard that the duke had bought a little house on the outskirts of the capital,” the trademan said, suddenly remembering.

“A small house?”

“Yep. A cozy little one surrounded by hedges. Or at least that’s what I overheard when I was visiting a customer of mine near there. Apparently the duke has been there several times. Wonder if he’s usin’ it as a second residence,” the tradesman nodded at Rohtas, who was listening with a look of suspicion. I saw his eyebrows climb ever so slightly higher, as if this was the first he’d heard of it, too. It was the faintest of changes in his expression, though, so the tradesman did not notice, even though it was obvious to me.

Another cottage? Would he really go out and waste more money when he just renovated the one in the garden, I thought, thankful I was sitting in the tradesman’s blind spot and he didn’t notice my puzzled expression, either.

“They said they’ve seen him going in and out with a pretty young woman,” the tradesman continued in a lowered voice, taking a quick peek through the doorway to the kitchen.

“What did you say!?” I swear I saw a vein pop when Mimosa said this. She stood up so quickly in her rage that she toppled her chair and looked as if she were about to grab the tradesman. Her face! It’s like a Halloween mask!

As I unconsciously leaned away from Mimosa’s fury, the maid sitting across from me spoke up.

“He broke up with his last companion. Do you think the new cottage is for that!?” she said through clenched teeth as the sound of her fist slamming into the table rang through the room. Oh no, she’s transforming into something else, too—just like Mimosa!

In a split second, all of the maids (except for me) came alive with energy exclaiming, “Oh my gosh, it’s his new lover!”

I was the only one who wasn’t freaking out—externally anyway. On the inside, I was starting to panic over the chaos erupting in the dining hall, but I can’t say I was terribly upset over some potential lover. I might as well have a sign over my head that said, ‘this is my shocked face,’ as the pandemonium played out around me.

“Ehhh, er, I, uh, this is only a rumor, so please, please keep it a secret from the duchess...” the tradesman stammered, looking awfully pale as he backed away from the chaotic scene before him.

Too bad the duchess is right here, buddy. Oh well, probably better that I don’t reveal my identity right now.

The poor tradesman couldn’t have known that his little tidbit of information would set everyone off like this. He mopped at his brow as he carefully avoided eye contact with anyone.

The maids were reeling in excitement (I suppose a better word might be ‘fury’); meanwhile the tradesman looked like he’d rather be anywhere but there.

...I gotta do something to fix this problem.

Through all the pandemonium, I managed to make out the sound of someone clearing their throat.

“Authenticity of the matter aside, we are all going to drop the subject right now and never speak of it again. I have enough to worry about as it is without adding loose tongues to the mix... I have known you for a long time, my good man, but this cannot get out,” Rohtas’ unflappably cool demeanor, calm voice, and devastatingly blank expression cut straight through the chaos. More importantly, however, it was a firm threat directed at the tradesman. Thank you, Rohtas!

The tradesman upon whom Rohtas’ ice-cold gaze had settled froze like a frog being watched by a snake, his face going stiff.

“Of-of course! I’ll see to it that the rumor doesn’t spread! And from now on, I’ll report information to you first!” he vowed, sweating even harder. Sir, your voice is cracking.

“Very good. For now, though, I think it’s best that you see yourself out,” Rohtas said to the tradesman with a cold look, pointing to the exit. The tradesman nodded repeatedly, his brow shiny with sweat and his face pale.

“Yes, yes, I think I will! Thank you for your patronage!” the tradesman replied, only seeming to partially understand, before gathering up his things and making a break for the door.

He really got himself in over his head. Then again, he couldn’t have known that the duchess was among the servants he was talking to. All it was was gossip, I doubt it was anything he needed to be that panicked about.

At any rate, this new rumor raised suspicion that Mr. Fisalis had a new mistress.