EP 9

"I said I was fine now, yet you insist on bringing this."

Watching the reactions of those around him, Duke Sorfel clicked his tongue in feigned annoyance. However, everyone present could see the corners of his mouth subtly lifting.

"I'm so envious, Your Grace."

"This is why everyone says one should have daughters, ha ha—I'm stuck with only sons and miss out on this fun."

"Even with a daughter, mine has never made me tea or brought me snacks."

"Same here."

"Not all daughters are like Miss Camilla."

As Duke Sorfel slowly scooped the sorbet into his mouth, he thought to himself, *It tastes just as good today.*

"How surprising. You usually cause trouble but seem to have come to your senses now?"

Suddenly, a young retainer, Lord Ersha, spoke up, unable to tear his gaze from the wine sorbet.

Duke Sorfel's eyes turned towards him.

"You must feel quite guilty about the incident at the party last time. Seeing you make something like this for the Duke shows it."

Despite the growing chill in Duke Sorfel's gaze, Ersha remained oblivious.

"You said you couldn't drink wine, right?"

"Me?"

"A dessert made from wine wouldn't suit you."

"No, I really like wine..."

"You absolutely do not."

Duke Sorfel cut off Ersha's protest and commanded his butler.

"I can't ignore my daughter's gesture; I'll eat that. Bring it here."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Oh, no..."

Ersha's face fell as he watched the sorbet vanish from in front of him.

At that moment, their eyes met.

Only after seeing Duke Sorfel's icy glare did he realize he had made a significant mistake.

*What did I do wrong?*

He sought help from those around him, but they all averted their eyes and shook their heads.

---

"What shall we make tomorrow?"

[I have a special sauce I've developed. I'm thinking of making canapés with a touch of it.] Camilla brushed off Chef Gerard's pleas for the recipe and left the kitchen.

Suddenly halting in her tracks, she spotted someone familiar standing in the hallway.

"What are you doing there?"

It was Ravi. She wanted to pass by unnoticed but locked eyes with him instead. What was he doing alone in the hallway at this hour?

"...."

He stepped closer. Was he waiting for her?

"What are you doing?"

"What do you mean what am I doing?"

Isn't that something she should be asking? He was blocking her path and asking strange questions!

"What are you doing at night? Why are you suddenly causing a scene?"

Seeing Ravi glance toward the kitchen made Camilla understand what he meant.

"Cooking? Why does it matter?"

Ravi frowned slightly at her response.

"What's your intention?"

"My intention?"

"Why are you acting so strangely all of a sudden?"

Seeing him repeat his question made Camilla click her tongue in annoyance.

"Mind your own business."

Why was he interfering with something so trivial?

She tried to walk past him, but his next words stopped her in her tracks again.

"Do you think that would make the Duke accept you as family?"

Ravi's voice was unusually harsh, filled with emotion—far from his usual cynical demeanor.

Had he been drinking? He didn't smell of alcohol though.

"Do you really think that would earn you recognition from him?"

Seeing Ravi look at her disdainfully and seemingly angry made Camilla tilt her head in confusion.

*What's wrong with him?*

Whether she prepared food for the Duke or brought him flowers, how did that concern him?

*Weren't we supposed to be living our own lives?*

His interference was completely unnecessary.

"They won't acknowledge us."

"...."

*Us?*

Camilla fell silent for a moment.

*Is he talking about himself?*

Seeing her trying hard to impress Duke Sorfel lately must have mirrored his own struggles to gain recognition from him.

"Don't do pointless things. It won't matter anyway."

"I know."

"...You know?"

"Yeah, I know."

Her short and calm reply embarrassed Ravi, who was clearly agitated.

"I have no intention of becoming part of their family at all."

"What?"

Family? That wasn't what mattered. The reason she was doing this was simple:

"I don't want to die."

"What do you mean?"

"I want to live."

"What do you mean by that?!"

"That's all there is to it."

"Hey."

With that final remark, Camilla walked past him again.

She felt Ravi's confused gaze on her but pretended not to notice.

Yeah, that's all there is to it.

Family?

I don't care about that.