Chapter 8: The Fastest Way to Become a Successful Fan (8)

“Milady, did you sleep at all?” Anne came to my room early in the morning with a basin full of water. Her tired eyes widened when she saw me, and she asked in a horrified whisper.

But of course, I couldn’t sleep a wink. I spent the entire night staring at the flower crown on the table as if it was a holy artifact from the temple. I knew my eyes would be bloodshot by now.

“I just didn’t feel sleepy….”

“Sheesh! I mean, I know how you feel, but you really should have gotten some shut-eye…,” said Anne in worry.

I’d been walking on sunshine ever since Abel gave me a return gift yesterday. I’d been fangirling for many years in my life, but it was the first time my bias rewarded me for my efforts.

I’d heard of idols posting pictures of gifts they received from their fans on their social media accounts, but that kind of miracle had never happened to me before. I was never a ‘successful fan.’

I was plenty happy with just watching Abel from afar…, but to think that I’d be blessed with a bestowal of a return gift, I couldn’t believe my luck.

“Anne…. Just picture that innocent boy, making this crown with those small, chubby hands of his. That’s… that’s just….” My body trembled helplessly.

Wham-!

Unable to hold back any longer, my fists slammed down on the table, and Anne flinched in surprise.

“I can’t take it anymore! I have to shower him with hugs and kisses at once! How much longer do I have to hold back?!”

“Hang in there, milady. At least until you’ve gotten closer to the Childe. Oh, right. A kitchen maid gave me a head’s up on my way here….”

Anne dipped her hand in the water and began combing my hair with it.

“His Grace has plans to dine with you today.”

“What?” My face crumpled immediately.

I’d been trying not to think about Hades, but now it seemed I had no choice.

The duke barely visited the dining room, always busy with work.

Curious, I once asked a maid where he usually ate, and she told me that he usually dined lightly in his chambers or his office. This reminded me of my past life when I had to split my time between stanning and job interviews. I scarcely slept and only had toast for meals back then. My recollection left me feeling a tad bit bad for Hades.

Frankly, though, I didn’t mind eating separately from him, since I wasn’t interested in anyone from House Louvremont other than Abel. As a matter of fact, I was glad to take a break from his narcissistic assumptions.

“Why is he suddenly interested in having a meal together?”

“Who knows? The two of you are to be wed soon. Perhaps he just wants to spend more time with you before then. It seems like His Grace isn’t as cold and distant as the rumors imply.”

Cold? Distant? Yeah, right…. I’d already long lost faith in those rumors ever since I first had a conversation with him.

* * *

Lunch with Hades was surprisingly decent, contrary to my concerns.

The food here were still bland for my tastes, which was accustomed to the flavors of the South, but my eyes enjoyed looking at Hades, since he was good-looking.

The more I looked at him, the more surprised I felt. He looked just like the Abel I imagined while reading <Persona>: the cold and distant duke of the North, whose seemingly icy personality was in accordance with the weather of his duchy.

However, despite his looks, Hades was actually the head of the house known throughout the Crescenta Empire for its powerful fire magic. I found the disparity between his appearance and his ability very charming. I could say with confidence that I’d definitely have stanned Hades if the novel had given him more appearance.

“I know that it must be hard for you to take your eyes off of me for even a split second, but it would be best to focus on your meal, Lady Aisha.”

Actually, never mind…. There was no way I’d have fallen for a character as narcissistic as him!

“My apologies, I must have bothered you, Your Grace. I’ll dine quietly.”

“No need to apologize. I give you permission to stare at me for as long as your heart desires. But I would just hate for you to go hungry. Surely you’re not skipping meals, right? I’ve seen many noblewomen, but no one as slim as you.”

“Is it that bad? I assure you, I quite enjoy eating, so I’d never skip a meal. I would say I’m just not prone to gaining weight.”

“That’s not good.”

I had to agree. My pale skin and thin figure concerned even myself occasionally when I looked in the mirror.

Hades gracefully moved his fork and knife across his plate before suddenly speaking, “Countess Gasfelle is expected to arrive later this evening. I suspect she would like to stay and dine with us for dinner…. Are you okay attending?”

His tone was careful and quiet, unlike his usual confident self. I was a little taken aback by his attitude before I remembered what kind of character Countess Gasfelle was. Both Count and Countess Gasfelle made numerous appearances throughout the novel.

In their eyes, Abel was an unsuitable and undeserving successor who drove Hades to death. Naturally, they tried to obstruct him in everything he was doing. Seeing them in the novel was quite distressing. Still, it was difficult to label them as villains.

Abel never once resented their mistreatment of him and in the novel, and they eventually opened their heart up to him and become his supporter. The only problem was that we still had a rocky road ahead before that change could take place….

"Oh, right. Countess Gasfelle is my…"

“Older sister, I know,” I blurted without thinking.

Hades blinked, then chuckled. “As I suspected, I’m sure there’s nothing you don’t already know about me, is there? I suppose I won’t have to explain any further then.”

Right…. Of course he’d take it that way.

“It looks like she wants to meet you before our marriage. I thought you should be notified of this.”

“That’s true.” I gave a stiff nod.

I knew about Countess Gasfelle and her pedantic personality.

Of course she’d be interested in meeting her brother’s soon-to-be wife, given her obsession with Hades and Abel’s lives as well as the Louvremont duchy, especially since I came out of nowhere.

Still, this was about meeting my in-laws so suddenly…. I had a bad feeling about it.

“Would you fancy a stroll around the garden after our meal? According to Abel, you seem to like flowers. In the North, a managed greenhouse garden is the only place where you can enjoy flowers properly.”

As if the announcement of Countess Gasfelle’s visit wasn’t enough, Hades confused me even more with his sudden proposal.

“The garden…?”

* * *

The greenhouse garden was large, but there wasn’t much to see in it.

In the North where it was winter all year round, the primary purpose of greenhouses was to grow medicinal herbs and plants. Still, they raised some shrubs and colorful flowers found in the South for decorative purposes.

I saw many gardeners busy planting new flowers and trimming trees for some reason.

“Abel looked very happy yesterday. It’s probably because you were kind to him.”

“Oh my, really?” My voice spontaneously grew louder with excitement at the mention of Abel.

“I must thank you for that. I’m sure Abel’s presence is uncomfortable for you, but I really appreciate you not showing any displeasure around him.”

“Uncomfortable? Not at all. You don’t ever need to worry about that. Childe Louvremont is so cute and loveable. I’ve enjoyed yesterday immensely. And Your Grace, if it’s okay with you…, I know it will take some time for us to get to know each other. I would be delighted to go on more strolls together, from now on….”

“Very well then. I shall try my best to set aside some time to spend with you as much as possible.”

“Err… no. I meant with Childe Louvremont.”

“Oh,” Hades exclaimed sheepishly, then nodded. “You don’t need to ask for my permission. I’m sure Abel will be thrilled to hear that. It seems he’s taken quite a liking to you.”

“Oh, I’m glad to hear that. By the way, Your Grace…, have you not been sleeping well?” I asked because Hades looked tired up close.

He flinched and looked at me with eyes full of suspicion. “How… did you know that?”

He seemed almost to suspect me of hiring someone to spy on him around the clock.

I let out a sigh. What would happen if Hades found out it’s not him I loved, but his son? Given his personality, I feared he’d die of shame.

I just decided to forget about clearing this misunderstanding. Rather than having Abel’s father die of shame, it was much better for me to be misunderstood.

“I can see the bags under your eyes, and you just look very exhausted. And here, your hair is also messy on this side,” I said, pointing to strands of loose hair sticking out from the side of his head.

Hades hurriedly raised his hand to smooth it, but he kept missing the right spot.

It was amusing to see him so flustered. I covered my mouth with my hand and chuckled.

This seemed to have made Hades even more embarrassed. Now, he was blushing like Abel from yesterday.

“Is that better?”

“No, hold on….” I tiptoed and reached for Hades’ head.

Hades flinched, then lowered himself slightly, making it easier for me to run my hand through his disheveled hair.

“There you go, it’s d….”

I was about to pull my hand back, when I realized Hades’ face was quite close to mine.

‘Wow. This is just how I imagined Abel would look in the novel.’

That was my impression.

Those eyes that were widened in fluster, the awkward expression….

It was exactly how the novel described Abel when he encountered the heroine for the first time.