The Male Lead? I Don’t Want Him

“Oh my God.”

Crazy. Luna was speechless, and her servants were also stunned.

She might not have been particularly kind to the servants even in the Duke’s residence in the capital, but they hadn’t expected her to have regularly beaten them behind closed doors.

The servants of the Duke’s residence hung their heads in response to the disbelief.

Though they had done nothing wrong, they all seemed disheartened. Unable to watch this any longer, Laura abruptly stood up.

“Why are you all looking so down? Whatever happened in the past, it’s different now. Our lady isn’t someone who hits people even in her sleep, is she?”

There had been an incident where she accidentally spilled wash water while half-asleep, but it wasn’t a big deal. And it definitely wasn’t like she had beaten someone like the former Duke. They omitted the detailed circumstances for brevity.

However, the servants still looked dejected, prompting Emma to intervene.

“The explanation is over. Now, it seems we need new training. The former Duke and the current Duke, Lord Antes, and our lady are completely different people.”

They were told not to expect life to be the same as before.

Laura and Emma, with their serious expressions, made the servants of the Duke’s residence swallow hard. Even if they weren’t beaten, they were worried about being treated harshly in other ways.

“Our lady is busy with various businesses, so it’s best to leave her alone. It’s okay to serve her tea at the right time, but there’s no need to hover around checking if she needs anything.”

Only personal servants would prepare tea, and the rest should attend to other tasks. But what if other tasks are completed?

Having served the previous Duke for years, even decades, and having kept the residence clean, chores like cleaning, laundry, and organizing wouldn’t take long.

Anticipating what would come next, they were met with an unexpected statement.

“Once you finish your duties, you should rest a bit and attend to your own matters. The lady has many books, so reading isn’t a bad idea. Of course, this is after finishing all tasks.”

Emma felt she might have made the tasks sound too easy and added with a stern face.

“But it won’t be easy. The lady is strict about cleaning and organizing. She’s also picky about food. So, prepare yourselves.”

That wasn’t the case at all. Even when Luna fired all the employees and the mansion was in disrepair, she had a history of just living with it.

Yet, to prevent the servants from becoming too lax from the beginning, Laura chimed in, saying that both Luna and Antes were very demanding and strict owners.

However, there probably wasn’t an owner as relaxed as Antes. He had let the servants off before returning to the mansion.

Unaware of this, Luna chuckled upon seeing the serious expressions of the servants as they listened to the two women.

‘Well, they don’t seem as scared as they were initially. They seem like they will work hard.’

Given Laura and Emma’s sociability, it was clear they’d all be working happily together in no time.

Luna was grateful to have these two pleasant individuals by her side.

“Miss, you have a guest.”

While Luna was watching the servants, who were even sharing stories about a wedding, an anticipated visitor arrived.

“Lady Luna!”

“Rosemary!”

It was Rosemary. Despite looking fatigued from her long journey, she greeted Luna with a bright smile and a big hug.

“I got permission to stay here until the wedding! With you getting married and me receiving my title, we’ll have fewer chances to visit.”

“There’s still plenty of time before the wedding, are you sure it’s okay?”

Wondering how the Marquis and Marchioness, who never allowed even a single night out for heir education, granted such a long leave, Rosemary wasn’t the one who answered.

“It’s fine. That’s why I, along with a few other teachers, have accompanied her. To ensure that Miss Rosemary can continue her studies even in a foreign city.”

Upon hearing this, Rosemary’s face briefly fell, but then she smiled again.

“Don’t worry. I’ll finish my lessons as quickly as possible and spend as much time as I can with you.”

“You shouldn’t go out in the evening. You still don’t know which city this is.”

While having such a conversation, a familiar voice intruded.

It had been a few days that Antes had been busy rearranging documents. Perhaps his promise to spend as much time as possible with Luna bothered him, as he was frowning. Rosemary retorted with a hostile look.

“You’re not going out, are you?”

“I won’t go out late either. If I have to, I’ll be accompanied by a knight.”

Although his face implied that even if he brought a knight from the otherworld, he would be stronger, he glared at Rosemary.

In reality, Antes didn’t need a knight. If danger arose, he would likely have to save the knight. Knowing this, Rosemary silently gave him a fierce look.

Then she suggested that she could also go out accompanied by a knight.

“You can only go out during the day.”

“Why are you suddenly acting like a real brother?!”

“I’m not speaking as your brother; I’m worried about Luna.”

Disregarding her, Antes scoffed, further ruining the atmosphere.

Now used to such situations, Luna, with a relaxed smile, intervened.

“Is it break time? Perfect timing. Let’s have some tea.”

Firstly, there was Antes. With Luna siding with him, he wore a triumphant expression.

“Meanwhile, how about Lady Rosemary getting her things sorted and changing her clothes? Once you’re ready, we can head out. The day is still bright.”

Next was Rosemary. At the mention of going out, she eagerly nodded and quickly moved to the room where the servant guided her.

“I don’t know when I’ll be able to go out with Lady Rosemary again. I have someone else to spend my life with.”

Luna teased, poking Antes in the chest.

“You know who I’m talking about, don’t you?” 

Catching her hand, Antes sighed as if resigned.

“Come back before sunset. The estate is in shambles because of the Duke’s mismanagement.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration; the Dukedom of Rodrian felt bleak. Although all they had seen was through the window of their carriage, they couldn’t spot any laughter among the people on the streets.

“Don’t worry. I will. Besides, I can’t let the person I love dine alone.”

He couldn’t be more dissatisfied with that statement. Smiling, Antes gave Luna a kiss on the back of her hand.

“Be careful. And don’t forget the knight.”

“Got it. I’ll buy souvenirs, so look forward to it.”

In response, Luna smiled brightly.

* * *

“Why is it so quiet here? Is this the bustling area?”

Rosemary, adjusting the hat she wore to cover her bright blonde hair, asked.

Luna had the same question. She had requested to be taken to the most bustling area in the territory, yet it seemed quite desolate.

Both were puzzled, so the servant hesitantly replied:

“…Yes, it is. Today is a weekday, and it’s still daytime, so it’s a bit less crowded. But on weekend evenings, this place does get quite busy.”

“It doesn’t seem ‘a bit’ less; it looks empty!”

If I knew it would be this deserted, I wouldn’t have worn such a fancy outfit, Rosemary shrugged. When the employee was embarrassed by this, Luna offered a word of help.

“Maybe everyone is inside the shops and restaurants?”

“I wonder.”

Though Luna wanted to say that seemed unlikely, she still replied positively.

“Yes, that might be it. Let’s look around. We have to return before sunset. We don’t have much time.”

“That’s true. Instead of complaining, we should explore more places.”

Fortunately, Rosemary realized she had been a bit harsh on the servant and the estate and agreed with Luna’s suggestion.

The first shop they entered was a boutique. Since Rosemary was planning to stay in the Rodrian territory for quite some time, she needed extra clothes.