Please be Patient, Grand Duke - Chapter 114.1

When Claude returned to the Grand Manor after completing his external affairs, the sun had already dipped low in the late afternoon sky, casting a golden hue.

Luan Sergio had sent a business proposal through Leah. It seemed to have been meticulously planned for quite some time, as Luan’s proposal was perfectly executed.

Claude persuaded the members of the noble council and garnered their support to present his intentions to the royal court. As the Ihar family’s business ventures expanded, so did their responsibilities.

To wrap up the necessary tasks before the ceremony, Claude was in the midst of fulfilling a demanding schedule. Just as he stepped out of the carriage, he noticed Pepe sprinting towards him without so much as a greeting.

Curious about the sight of Pepe rushing up the stairs with a bluish pallor, Claude asked Owen, who was accepting a hat from Owen.

“Do you know why Lady Leah’s maid is running like that?”

Owen turned to look in the direction Claude indicated, accepting even his thin coat, and replied.

“Miss Canilia had a severe bout of indigestion from the food she had for lunch. According to Mr. Ivan’s words, it seems that she consumed something excessively sweet and heavy.”

“Excessively sweet and heavy food? Is it not good for her?”

“She has been lying down since a little while ago. It seems the maid went to the kitchen to boil some tea.”

Instead of visiting the study, Claude went straight to Canilia. When he knocked on the door and entered, Canilia, who had just gotten up from the bed, greeted him with a bright smile. She looked comfortable in her loose-fitting dress, her tousled hair looking as if she had just woken up from a nap.

Relief washed over him as he saw her familiar face, just as he always had.

“What happened?”

Claude approached Canilia and sat down at the edge of the bed. She tied her tousled hair up into a loose bun and let out a deep sigh.

“I felt a bit unwell before the meal. But after vomiting, I feel better now.”

“It must have been quite unpleasant. Which restaurant was it? It seems they served you something amiss.”

“No, it’s nothing. Pepe and Ivan also ate with me, and they’re perfectly fine. It was just something off with me. Please don’t think of causing any trouble for that restaurant. There’s no problem at all.”

She glared at him with sharp eyes, then proceeded to drink the tea that Pepe had brought. It was a hot infusion of lemon steeped in honey and ginger.

Contrary to Owen’s report, Claude circled around Canilia, who seemed quite fine. It was only after he heard her sarcastic comment about being absent-minded that he noticed a book placed on the console.

Canilia Alexei Ihar.

It was a book engraved with the name she had chosen.

“Oh, right. This is a gift.”

Realizing that his gaze was fixed on the book, she hurriedly picked up a copy. Claude received the colorful book, flipping through its pages with an intrigued expression.

“It looks exquisite. Well done.”

“It will be available for sale at Del Casa starting next month. Depending on the response, it might be sold throughout the empire.”

Canilia’s cheeks flushed with excitement. Of course, things might not turn out as she expected. She might face disappointing results. However, she would not give up. She was the Canilia he knew, fully immersed in something, shimmering with brilliance.

“Being a teacher won’t be easy, especially since you’re the Duchess. People won’t let you be.”

Listening to his words, Canilia nodded quietly. She was well aware of that fact. Through Jasmine and Edith, she had learned about the history of the Ihar family and the basic qualities of a duchess. It made her admire the lives of noble women who accomplished tremendous feats just by hearing about them.

“Don’t worry. I’ve thought about it. When a new city is built in the Valencia Plains, I want to establish a school there. Not just an ordinary school, but a special one where anyone with skills and abilities can enroll. Of course, in terms of support for nurturing talent, that will be taken care of by the Duke.”

“What? That sounds troublesome. Supporting it isn’t a bad idea, but if there’s no sense of urgency, it’ll become complacent.”

“Well… I’m sure there’s a way. Del Casa might have better circumstances, but think about the streets of the Louvre. There’s no opportunity to learn anything. I want to provide opportunities. I’ll think about it slowly. And seek advice. Alright?”

He leaned against Canilia, resting his arm on his shoulder. She’s really not feeling well. There’s a slight fever. The warmth radiating from her wrapped skin felt quite different from usual. 

“Yeah, let’s talk about it another time. We still have plenty of time.”

 Claude gently laid Canilia back on the bed. If her stomach didn’t settle by dinnertime, he intended to take her to see a doctor. She obediently lay in bed, burying herself under the covers. Claude lay beside her, still fully clothed. The sweet and tangy scent of the tea he had just drunk mingled with her breath, spreading a delightful fragrance in the air. 

In the early morning, he bid her farewell and left the mansion, spending the whole day consumed by work. Now, when he returned home like this, the woman he loved would t open the door with a smile. If he were by her side, his insomnia would disappear, and laughter would fill the house as if pear leaves were raining down. He often reminisced about the past—the morning when they first met in the falling snow. A girl so small that she didn’t even reach his shoulder. Despite trembling with fear, he was captivated by her uprighattitude, which was suffocatingly steadfast, and her sincere demeanor that couldn’t be hidden. If he had embraced her when she cried and was slapped by the Countess back then, could he have realized a bit earlier that she wasn’t an ordinary maid but someone more special? Would she have greeted him with joy instead of fear if he had been kinder? Nonetheless, he did not want to go back in time. He did not want anything to upend their current bliss. Claude drew her in closer, pressing his lips against her brow. She paused for a moment before frowning and raising her head. 

“Apple. I smell apples. And cinnamon. Did you have pie by any chance?” 

“Suddenly my lady has the nose of a dog? I had a simple pie for lunch. I was feeling lazy.” 

Ignoring her attempt to question him, he firmly pressed his lips against hers. Canilia widened her eyes and playfully bit the tip of his nose. The turbulence in her stomach began to calm down.