# Chapter 9. The Young Lady Who Still Finds Love Difficult (2)
After asking the maid to help me with a quick wash in my room and changing clothes, as I stepped out, I felt an odd atmosphere that gave me the shivers.
-!
With a prickling sensation at my back, I swiftly turned my eyes to see—
“~♬”
“~♪”
The surrounding servants swiftly averted their gaze while whistling awkwardly.
“…Am I just imagining things?”
I could have sworn someone was looking at me.
…Whish-!
“~♬”
“~♪”
When I turned around again, the servants were still acting strangely, preoccupied with their tasks but with forced motions. One was sweeping the ground with a duster, another cleaning the windows with a mop, and yet another was meticulously scrubbing an empty spot with a rag.
Their exaggerated yet comical movements were amusing, but I decided to overlook them, convincing myself that the staff must be in a good mood today.
Thinking I was just being sensitive because of the dream I had last night, I headed to the dining room to have breakfast with the Young Lady.
Even as I walked, I could feel people whispering and giving me warm but incomprehensible gazes, but I deliberately ignored them as I kept moving forward.
Entering the dining room, Cecilia, who had been sitting demurely, noticed my arrival and stood up to greet me with impeccable aristocratic manners.
Lifting the hem of her dress with both hands while standing, her posture was nothing short of a model of nobility. It was clear how rigorous her upbringing had been, and this made me feel a little uneasy.
“Ah… Good morning, Young Master!”
“We greeted each other earlier, you’re fine, so please sit down.”
“N, Nhe…”
Upon seeing Cecilia take her seat, I also sat across from her.
As we seated ourselves, the maids began preparing the tableware. And then I noticed— it seems it’s just the two of us here?
“Where are Father and Mother?”
“Yes. They both wish to sleep in and prefer that Master and Lady have breakfast alone.”
“Father and Mother, sleeping in… huh…”
Given their usual lack of affection for each other, they probably used us as an excuse to give us some private time together.
Likely, they also wanted to create an opportunity for the Young Lady and me to grow closer.
Oh, how embarrassing our parents can be…
“The parents won’t join us for breakfast. Let’s enjoy it just the two of us, okay?”
“Yes! It’s such an honor!”
“It’s not something to be honored, really.”
Soon, the maids filled the table with a tempting spread of food.
Even though it was breakfast, consisting of simple foods like bread, soup, bacon, and salad, the Young Lady’s eyes sparkled as if facing a grand banquet.
“Ha ha, it’s a modest breakfast, but I’m glad Lady finds it to her liking.”
“Yes?! Well, the thing is… when the Duke was around, I often skipped breakfast…”
“…What do you mean by that?”
Breakfast is crucial for anyone.
While some people skip breakfast, it is a fundamental source of energy to start the day healthily. It also provides essential nutrients, especially important during growth periods.
“To please a man, one mustn’t gain weight, they said… So I always skipped breakfast…”
“No, that… Hmm…”
Both the Young Lady and I are about middle and high school age if we were calculating from past lives.
She’s in her prime growing years, yet to have breakfast completely omitted from her routine is worrisome.
It’s no wonder she seemed shorter and thinner than other girls her age—I imagine her meals have been restricted for years.
With less food, she must have lacked the necessary nutrients for growth, which explains why her growth has been delayed.
All these ridiculous tales from the Duke and Duchess’ children— I dread what other horror stories might come up next.
“From now on, you must eat breakfast. Let’s eat together. Nutrition is crucial for us in our growth period, don’t you agree?”
“Yes! Definitely, yes!”
“You’ve been eating little up until now, so it may be difficult to eat a lot all at once, but please always eat until you’re full. Our chef is highly skilled, so if you desire anything specific, please feel free to ask.”
Messing around with meals like this… It may be time to reconsider the Duke and Duchess’ future ending, planning something a bit harsher for them.
As I raged internally over the reprehensible deeds of these human garbage, Cecilia, who had been quietly sipping her soup, started acting strangely.
“Hm… Hm-hmm!”
She performed a subtle cough, pausing her soup spoon with her right hand, and slowly moved her left hand to brush away her hair.
Since it’s a common gesture for women, I didn’t think much of it and continued eating.
“Hm, Hmm!”
Again, after a slight cough, she brushed her hair away.
“…Ah!”
Witnessing her repeat that action several times, I finally understood her intention.
Her expression brightened as if she had been understood, and she grinned.
I almost disappointed my fiancée there.
“Excuse me.”
Calling a nearby maid assisting nearby,
“It seems Lady’s hair is bothering her. Please help her tie it up so she can eat comfortably.”
I kindly requested the maid to assist her.
Living a life avoiding women, I had forgotten even such a basic courtesy.
I forgot how women with long hair often worry about it falling into their food… I resolved to study more aristocratic etiquette from now on.
…For some reason, the Young Lady’s gaze at me seemed slightly upset, but I dismissed it as a feeling.
“Ah!~”
After finishing our breakfast, as we exited the dining room, our parents greeted us, seemingly waiting right outside the door.
As ever, Mother displayed an unsurpassed level of warmth as she showered Cecilia with affection, treating her like a true daughter.
“How was last night? Did that man do anything strange? If he did anything unspeakable by sleeping next to a woman…”
Usually, wouldn’t parents worry about their son first? I’m not sure, since in my past life, I never had a girlfriend or fiancée, but it felt very strange.
Anyone watching would think she’s our real daughter. It didn’t feel bad though.
“No… I slept very well… The Young Master was considerate, and rather, it was me…”
Cecilia’s shy answer, with a faint blush, seemed to trigger Mother’s maternal instincts as she hugged Cecilia even tighter.
“That’s good! That’s good~ Is the room to your liking?”
“Yes, it’s absolutely lovely. I’ve never encountered such a beautiful and fragrant room.”
“My, my~ How sweet she speaks… Rab!”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Take the Young Lady out shopping in town later.”
“Suddenly?”
“Why so surprised? Now that she’s going to live with us, she’ll need many things. Most of it we can order from the merchants, but clothes should be tried on. While you’re out, show her the estate.”
Indeed… Given her past circumstances in the Duke’s household, it’s likely the Young Lady didn’t have the freedom to go out much.
Allowing her to explore the market at her age will certainly be an enjoyable experience for her.
“I understand. We’ll head out, have lunch, and show her around for a while.”
…and so, Cecilia and I are now out in town.
Seeing Cecilia’s eyes sparkling as she looks around, it naturally relaxes me, but there’s one issue.
The merchants’ gaze directed at me is far from friendly.
Though I changed into simple clothing to avoid drawing attention, it seems Rab’s past reputation was more flashy than I had imagined.
Still, the looks I’m getting feel less like those for a criminal and more akin to those for street thugs.
Perhaps I should be thankful that the glares are tinged more with annoyance and discomfort rather than pure hatred, but it’s truly perplexing.
If only I could quickly buy some clothes for the Young Lady, treat her at a famous restaurant, and take a pleasant stroll.
“Young Master, Young Master! Let’s go over there!”
“Take it easy, Young Lady. We have plenty of time.”
Just as I tried to calm Cecilia running excitedly toward the fountain, an obnoxious male voice called out from behind us.
“Oooh~ Who’s this?”
Following the sound of that clearly low-quality voice, I turned to see—
“Long time no see, Rab! Haven’t seen you around much lately, but look at you bringing such a lovely young lady!”
A group of men, leering at Cecilia with revolting expressions, approached me.
